Parks and Recreation Commission

Inger Hiller, Chair Brian Glotzbach, Vice Chair Parks and Recreation Commission Sarah Grider Meeting Minutes Shawn L'Esperance Madeline Self Michael Smith Wednesday, November 18, 2020 5:00 PM Virtual Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission Please note, this meeting is open to the public. Three of more Councilmembers may also attend, during which the items listed herein will be discussed. Times shown are approximate and may be adjusted due to changes to the agenda. This meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission will be held in a fully-virtual format. To join the meeting, use this link: https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/extHC732OETzwZ1U8dHzL? domain=crgov.webex.com Or, call: 1-720-650-7664. When and if prompted, use meeting number/access code 146 113 8538 to join and meeting password ParksandRec2020. CALL TO ORDER ADDITIONS/DELETIONS/MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Inger Hiller called the virtual meeting to order at approximately 5 p.m. Council Liaison Caryn Johnson was present, as were Town staff including Jeff Brauer, Jeff Smullen, Mike Kilman, Brian Peterson, Jennifer Martin, Bob Maloney and Maia Aman. Present 6 - Commissioner Madeline Self, Vice Chair Brian Glotzbach, Commissioner Michael Smith, Chair Inger Hiller, Commissioner Shawn L'Esperance, and Commissioner Sarah Grider PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THIS TIME, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION AND STAFF ON ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA. COMMENTS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN FOUR (4) MINUTES. None. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING PRAC Approval of the Minutes of October 21, 2020 2020-023 It was motioned by Brian Glotzbach and seconded by Shawn L’Esperance to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. "I move to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting." Yes: 6 - Commissioner Self, Vice Chair Glotzbach, Commissioner Smith, Chair Hiller, Commissioner L'Esperance, and Commissioner Grider Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 NEW AGENDA TOPICS PRAC Recreation Division Update 2020-024 Recreation Manager Mike Kilman provided Parks and Recreation Commission members and staff with an update on the Recreation Division and the division’s response to COVID-19. Beginning on Friday, Nov. 20, the division will be limiting capacities at all facilities and no more than 10 people may gather per designated area; youth and adult athletic leagues and group swim lessons will also be postponed until public health guidelines advise. Other program offerings will be modified, and capacities at outdoor events will also be limited to 75 per area, while indoor events will be canceled. Brian Glotzbach inquired as to whether or not it was profitable to continue operations with capacities reduced to this extent. Mike Kilman responded and explained that the decreased staffing need does help to balance expenditures with revenue. Mike further noted that he feels optimistic that the Community Center Fund balance will close over budget projections by the end of the year. Shawn L’Esperance complimented the department on having multi-talented staff who have demonstrated a strong ability to adapt in uncertain and changing circumstances. Shawn also asked if pickleball will continued to be offered indoors, and Mike clarified that it can continue in as long as it is limited to groups of no more than 10. Mike Smith asked if there was any potential to extend facility hours to provide increased recreation opportunities and offset capacity restrictions. Mike Kilman explained that the department can extend facility hours if the demand for rental space increases. Kilman expressed concern that many individuals are reluctant to use indoor space, but noted that his team would continue to adjust offerings for those who are interested. PRAC Rueter-Hess Reservoir Recreation Authority Overview and Update 2020-025 Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Brauer provided Commission members and staff with an overview of the Rueter-Hess Reservoir Recreation Authority and new amenities that will soon be open to the public. Located on Hess Road, one mile east of I-25, the reservoir resides on property owned by the Parker Water and Sanitation District. PWSD finished construction of the reservoir in 2012, which will provide drinking water to residents in Parker, Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Lone Tree and Douglas County. Its overall capacity is 75,000 acre feet and the reservoir is surround by approximately 1,600 acres of open land that will remain within the PWSD property both north and south of Hess Road. The Rueter-Hess Recreation Authority is a regional collaboration of six local governments, including the Town of Castle Rock, the Town of Parker, the City of Castle Pines, the City of Lone Tree, Douglas County and PWSD. The Authority was established in 2015 to plan and bring recreational amenities and opportunities to the site. A Recreation Master Plan was created in 2016 and is available for public review online. The plan prioritizes tranquil and serene activities, such as soft-surface trails, mountain biking, non-motorized boating and other activities. The first phase of the plan’s implementation will feature pavilions, an observation deck and soft-surface trail construction. An 130-step incline and 1.8-miles of trail will open to the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 public Thanksgiving Day. Parking will be available off of Heirloom Parkway north of Hess Road near the water purification facility. The site of the reservoir will continue to remain closed until access infrastructure is built. Limited fishing opportunities or events may also be available in late 2021. Aqua Sierra will continue their consulting work to assess the ecological balance of the reservoir and plan to present a long-term fishing management plan to the Authority this winter. PRAC Special Events Division Update 2020-026 Special Events Supervisor Jennifer Reinhardt provided Parks and Recreation Commission members and staff with an overview of the Special Events Division and of upcoming events. Upcoming events organized through the department will include the Star Light Market in Festival Park, holiday light displays and drive-in movies at Philip S. Miller Park and carriage rides throughout downtown. Preregistration will be required to attend some of the events and capacities will be limited according to current public health guidelines. Inger Hiller thanked Jennifer Reinhardt for her update and excellent work in coordinating many of the wonderful events held throughout Castle Rock. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COMMENTS Staff provided Commission members with the following updates: - The demolition of the pool, the pool house and the pavilion structure at Plum Creek will begin the following week. - Four surveys are currently posted online to obtain feedback on concept renovation plans for Butterfield, Mitchell Gulch and Plum Creek North and South parks; the surveys are scheduled to close on November 20. - Progress continues on the Town’s next neighborhood park, Cobblestone Ranch. Drawings and comments were submitted to the Development Services Department and are due back the first week of December. The designer will incorporate final comments and resubmit for 100% construction documents. The project will be bid in early 2021 with construction commencing in spring. - Staff celebrated Veterans Day with a dedication event featuring the new flagpole and flag at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course. - Public process is underway for the Town’s ADA Transition Plan, which is being conducted through consultant Meeting the Challenge. A virtual meeting will be held on Thursday, November 19 from 6-7 p.m. to obtain input on the draft plan. - Four new councilmembers will be appointed in December, including Ryan Hollingshead, Laura Cavey, Desiree LaFleur and Tim Dietz. - A recruitment process is underway to replace Bob Persichetti as the Head Golf Professional at Red Hawk Ridge. Nearly 90 applications were received and the recruitment panel has a very solid pool of candidates to interview. - Macaroni Kids awarded Philip S. Miller Park a 2020 Gold Daisy Award for the Where to go for Outdoor Fun category in Douglas County. These awards are nominated and voted upon by community members, reinforcing the important role parks continue to play in providing families with fun during these times of social distancing. - The Department recently retained its ranking among the most elite parks and recreation agencies in the country by earning its reaccreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and the National Recreation and Park Association. The Department received 100% compliance of 151 standards demonstrating strong management and administration of lands, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 facilities, resources, programs and safety. This achievement maintains Castle Rock’s rank amongst the top 2% of accredited agencies in the United States and one of only eight in Colorado. - Holiday light installation is complete and ready for Starlighting. COMMISSION COMMENTS Councilmember Caryn Johnson asked about the health and status of the trees that were planted at Mitchell Gulch in 2019. Bob Maloney responded by explaining that the trees were doing well; about 80 percent of all of the donated trees that were planted survived and there are designated staff who complete hand watering to ensure they continue to remain healthful. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m.