Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Minutes of the Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission of the City of City of Cherry Hills Village. Colorado Held on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Center PARKSI TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Chair Robert Eber called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Robert Eber, Vice-Chair Fred Wolfe, Commissioners Peter Sutherland, Stephanie Dahi, Kate Murphy and Tory Leviton. Also present were Emily Black, Parks and Recreation Coordinator and Pamela Broyles, Administrative Assistant. Absent: Commissioner Aron Grodinsky ILEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The PTRC conducted the Pledge of Allegiance. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PERIOD There was no audience participation. CONSENT AGENDA Vice-Chair Fred Wolfe moved, seconded by Commissioner Tory Leviton to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: 1. Approval of Minutes — August 8. 2019 The motion passed unanimously. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA None UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Quincy Farm Updates Parks and Recreation Coordinator Emily Black reported that City Council approved the contract with Design Concepts as the consultant to assist with the Quincy Farm Master Plan. The kickoff meeting between the Quincy Farm Committee and I)esign Concepts is scheduled for October 1 5h• Ms. Black noted that the Master Plan is the Committee’s primary focus and is estimated to be completed in May or June of 2020. Colorado Open Lands will be involved during the Master Plan process to outline the allowed uses for the Farm. Ms. Black confirmed that the irrigation project at Quincy Farm is complete. The pond is now connected to the irrigation system to allow irrigation through Denver Water (existing taps) or the use of pond water from the well. Irrigation will come primarily through the pond water, but there is now a connection so existing water taps can be used as a backup. Parks & Trails Commission 09/12/19 - I -  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS The Commission requested the names and contact information for the Quincy Farm Con-imittee. email Ms. Black responded that the information is on the City’s website and she will also the Commission. Ms. Black announced that City Council will be taking a tour of Quincy Farm as their study session at Council’s September 17th meeting. PTRC members are welcome to attend. The Commission discussed Kent l)enver’s denied request to have its faculty tour Quincy Farm. Ms. Black explained that the request was denied based on the number of people that would be on the Farm and the restrictions affiliated with the Conservation Easement. Commissioner Murphy pointed out that Kent Denver accommodated the Quincy Farm Open House event by providing parking and it is important to keep good relations with Kent Denver for the future success of the Farm. Ms. Black responded that the City’s goal is to work with Kent I)enver and to build a positive relationship. The request was discussed with the City Manager and it was determined that due to the amount of people and the length of time, it would he disruptive to the tenants and would conflict with the restrictions that Colorado Open Lands has placed on the property based on the Conservation Easement. She noted that there is no public access to the property at this time. Chair Eber commented that the restrictions that Colorado Open Lands recently placed on the Farm has caused confusion for everyone. He said Kent Denver’s request for a tour does not fit within the confines of Colorado Open Land’s definition of allowed uses on the property. He noted that until the City has a better understanding of what is included in the permitted programming it is unable to allow this request. Commissioner DahI suggested that the City needs to work with Colorado Open Lands to determine who can be on the Farm. Once that is determined then the City can reach out to Kent Denver as a good neighbor. Ms. Black reminded the Commission that City Stalls recommendation to City Council in February was to request that Colorado Open Lands approve open hours on the Farm. She expressed that she has spent countless hours trying to get public access to Quincy Farm. She noted that Kent Denver held summer programs at Quincy Farm in the past. The administrators and teachers involved in the programs expressed that they would not hold summer camps in 2019 because the facility was not adequate for the type of programming they have. Ms. Black explained that City Council agreed to allow the programs that were already approved for the Cherry Hills Land Preserve at the Farm, but to discontinue any future events until the Master Plan is complete. Chair Eber said he would like to have a better understanding of what types of programming would be acceptable while the Master Plan is being completed. I-Ic would like the Quincy Farm Committee to define an event policy between now and next June. Commissioner Leviton added that Kent I)enver’s faculty may have good ideas on programming and how to build a Nature Center. He suggested using them as a resource moving forward. Parks & Trails Commission 09/12/19 -2-  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Commissioner Sutherland stressed that Quincy Farm is a valuable asset in the Community, and he would like to know the definition of scheduled programming. Ms. Black stated that the directive from City Council is not to schedule any events until the Master Plan is complete. She said it is important to create a Master Plan that both parties can agree on. She clarified that the Conservation Easement is a Contractual Agreement and the City is bound by the terms of the Agreement. Ms. Black concluded that Kent I)enver is an important siakeholder and they will be involved in the planning process. They will be invited to the Master Plan meetings. NEW BUSINESS a. Bench Donation in Memory of John Kokish Chair Eber presented the bench donation request for former Commissioner John Kokish. Ms. Black reported that the City received a memorial bench donation request for John Kokish, a former PTRC member who served on the PTRC from 2015 through 2017 while John Meade Park was being planned. Ms. Ann Kokish was present for the request. The request is to place a bench within John Meade Park once construction is complete. The location of the bench will be determined by working with Ann Kokish and the family once construction is complete. A letter from the family was included in the Commission’s packets. Chair Eber shared that John Kokish was a longtime resident of the Village where he and Ann raised their family. Both John and Ann have been active in the Community. He expressed that it is nice to see tributes to longtime residents like John. Ms. Black stated that she is recommending approval of the bench donation in memory of .lohn Kokish to be placed in John Meade Park after construction. Commissioner Stephanie Dahl moved, seconded by Commissioner Peter Sutherland to recommend to City Council approval of the bench donation in memory of John Kokish to be placed in John Meade Park once construction is complete. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Ann Kokish thanked the Commission for their approval of the bench donation. She expressed the importance of the Commission and her appreciation for the work they do. She said she now has grandchildren in Cherry Hills Village and the family will enjoy the bench in honor of her late husband John. b. High Line Canal Framework Plan — Harriet LaMair Ms. Black reported that Harriet LaMair had to cancel her presentation tonight. She will 0thl present the High Line Canal Framework Plan at the October 1 meeting. e. Draft 2020 Budget and PTRC Priorities List Ms. Black reviewed the preliminary budget for Parks and Trails. City Council will see the budget at their October 2’ meeting and first and second reading will be in November and December. Parks & Trails Commission 09112/19 -3-  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PTRC projects and Ms. Black explained that the 2020 projects are broken down between 2020 as other Parks projects. She identified the number one priority for PTRC in in the Fall. The finishing John Meade Park and planning a grand opening celebration be involved with Quincy Farm Master Plan was listed as the next priority as PTRC will the 10-year Master Plan for Quincy Farm. Ms. Black reported that she included $10,000 in the budget in the budget for the Trail Signing Project and there is a standard $10,000 also includes funding for the City’s for various Park and Trail improvements. [‘he budget Ms. Black said special events including Movie Night, Car Show and Winter Celebration. to pursue this she also included the Jackson Pocket Park in case the Commission decides project. trail Ms. Black identified the other 2020 Parks projects. The High Line Canal underpass City connection is expected to happen next year. She informed the Commission that the regarding improvemen ts to the is in communication with the City of Greenwood Village Belleview Underpass. The City budgeted $40,000 for maintenance to improve drainage in the underpass by installing a concrete floor. The cost of this project will be split between the two jurisdictions. Ms. Black said the City also budgeted $36,500 for signs along the High Line Canal for the City’s section of trail. She said signage will include maps to show people where they are on the Canal. She noted that the mile markers are already funded through donations to the i-Ugh Line Canal Conservancy and will be installed this Fall. Ms. Black commented that each jurisdiction along the High Line Canal is attempting to budget money for signage along the entire Canal. Ms. Black concluded that the City budgeted $25.000 to extend the High Line Canal Irrigation Project and to plant additional trees north of Belleview. Ms. Black asked for feedback on the 2020 Parks priorities. The Commission agreed to remove the development of the Jackson Pocket Park from the 2020 projects. believing it would not be visited enough to be worth pursuing unless a bridge is installed to access the 1-ugh Line Canal Chair Eber requested that the Special Events budget include programming and be changed to Special Events/Programming. Commissioner Sutherland suggested that the $10,000 budgeted for improvements in City parks and trails could be used to assist City staff with maintenance on trees, etc. He suggested hiring a subcontractor to help with maintenance at the discretion of Parks staff. Ms. Black said she will ask Parks Operation Supervisor Jeff Roberts if it would be helpful to increase the budget to help with maintenance. Vice-Chair Wolfe commented that the High Line Canal needs a lot of maintenance and he asked for clarification on who is responsible for cleaning it. Ms. Black clarified that Denver Water is responsible for debris and maintenance in the High Line Canal. She said the City does not want to start maintaining areas that are not in the City’s jurisdiction. The Commission discussed undergrounding utilities in the City. Ms. Black confirmed that none of the funding for the upcoming underground project will come out of the Parks 2020 budget. Ms. Black recapped the discussion in that she will talk to .Ieff about the possibility of adding some or all of the $10,000 budgeted for improvements to hire a subcontractor or tree service. She will remove the Jackson Pocket Park from the priorities for next year. She will change Special Events to be Special Events/Programming. Parks & Trails Commission 09/12/19 -4-  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS REPORTS a. PTRC Chair Report Chair Eber encouraged the Commission to get involved with the noise ordinance issue related to the new flight paths for the Centennial Airport and Denver International Airport that affect the open space areas of the City. Chair Eber announced that former Mayor Christman is going to present the idea of offering new families a welcome package that includes knowledge about equestrian history in the Village. Ms. Black clarified that former Mayor Christman will be asking PTRC if they are interested in working with the Cherry Hills Land Preserve to create a pamphlet about the history of equestrian facilities and activities in the city. The Commission discussed whether the pamphlet should include an update on existing trails that can include equestrian facilities. The Commission agreed to discuss this topic at a future meeting. Chair Eber announced that the City received its grant check from Arapahoe County for the construction of John Meade Park and Alan Hutto Memorial Commons. He reminded the Commission that the Barn Party and Trail Walk are this weekend where PTRC will have a table with information about PTRC and John Meade Park. Chair Eber thanked staff for the Car Show Event and shared that the event was a huge success in the new City Hall parking lot. b. Commission Members Report Commissioner Leviton shared that the piano concert he organized as part of the House Concert Series was a great success. I-Ic hopes to hold future events in City open spaces such as John Meade Park once the Park is complete. Commissioner DahI reported that the next community event is the Holiday Celebration scheduled for December 1 3tIi Commissioner Murphy reported that she will be publishing an article on the tree canopy in the November issue of the Crier. She also mentioned writing an article encouraging a nature walk for new families to the area. Commissioner Wolfe reported that the trail signs have been ordered and several new posts have been installed. He questioned the recent article in the Village Crier that bans c-hikes from all City Trails. Ms. Black explained that the City Code regarding motorized vehicles was recently published in the Village Crier that states no motorized vehicles can be on City Trails. She said e-bikes would be included in this category. She clarified that the City Code has not changed, and no one has been ticketed for riding an c-bike on City Trails at this point. Parks & Trails Commission 09/12/19 -5-  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS c. Staff Report (I) John Meade Park staff is Ms. Black reported that the ponds in John Meade Park are being dredged and making every effort to save the fish. She announced that weekly updates are being posted on Nextdoor and Facebook. (ii) Car Show Ms. Black reported that the Car Show was a great success with over 300 visitors. She confirmed that the Car Show will be held again in September next year. Ms. Black also mentioned that Movie Night was a great success with over 200 guests attending. 75th Anniversary Celebration (iii) Ms. Black announced that the City’s 75111 Anniversary is next year. City Council is forming a 751h Anniversary Committee and PTRC will be asked to provide input. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. The next PTRC meeting is scheduled for October 10th at 5:30 p.m. Robert Eber, Chairman Emily Buck Parks and Recreation Coordinator Pamela Broyles Administrative Assistant Parks & Trails Commission 09/12/19 -6-