Parks, Recreation & Forestry Advisory Board

Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, November 16th, 2023, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers and is available at: https://vimeo.com/886586018?share=copy CALL TO ORDER 7:30 AM ROLL CALL In attendance were Running, Griffith, Weigel, Reth, Neilson, and Winterstein. Also in attendance were SRAC Facility Superintendent Rauterkus, Parks Maintenance Superintendent McDonald, City Administrator McFarland, Recreation & Campground Coordinator Wetz, Planning Director Kapsa, and Assistant City Planner Ecker. Absent: Caldwell, Coburn, Clark. Attended via Zoom: Dardis DECLARATION OF ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No conflicts of interest were declared. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Reth moved, Weigel, seconded, and all voted to approve the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Reth moved, Running, seconded, and all voted to approve the October 26th minutes. PUBLIC COMMENT Public comment was opened at 7:35 AM with no comments received. ITEMS FROM VISITORS  Approve the Long-Term Vision Plan for Trail Development. o Superintendent McDonald has requested approval of the long-term vision plan for trail development. o Emily Brown and Kevin Jasper discussed the long-term vision plan. Emily is in attendance representing SRAM. SRAM is a worldwide bike component company that has a small headquarters in Spearfish. Kevin Jasper also represents SRAM as well as working with Black Hills Trails. o Brown discussed SRAM priorities within the Black Hills and how to develop a wider trail system. Through conversations, it was decided to hire Rock Solid as well as collaborate with IMBA International Mountain Bike Association. IMBA is a well-known company that helps develop trail systems. o Jasper discussed the current trails and identified the trail zones. The long-term vision plan is designed to complement and renew the existing trails as well as expand into new locations that will optimize access to the trails. This will increase the livability and attractiveness the City of Spearfish has to offer. Developing a long-term vision plan will Next Meeting – December 14th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers  Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, November 16th, 2023, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. allow the opportunity to expand and create a more diverse riding experience on all levels. o Weigel expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to have a long-term development plan. Weigel questioned how many miles the trail would cover. Brown stated that the exact mileage will not be determined until the organization receives final approval. Once approved SRAM will take the concept to Rock Solid to make a final design. o Running questioned if the start of the trail for Lookout Mountain would be accessed through Sandstone or if it would start at the tunnel.  Jasper stated that due to the location of the tunnel, which seems to be currently used the most as well as provides the most accessibility. The final determination of the trailhead would be determined from Rock Solid. o Griffith questions if approved, what the next step in the process would be, who would be held financially responsible for the project, what the time frame would be of the plan, as well as are there particular areas that would be prioritized.  Brown stated that priority will be determined by community engagement as well as getting permission to utilize state-owned land. A public forum will be held to determine community engagement.  Due to being privately funded, fundraising efforts will need to be in place and therefore community engagement is needed and encouraged. The ability to partner with IMBA is a great advantage due to their expertise in fundraising. o Griffith questioned if the entire implementation of this project would be privately funded.  Brown stated that the organization is hopeful for the community's excitement and engagement. This would be beneficial for developing future partnerships. o Griffith questioned the cost of building a trail system.  Brown stated that the average cost is $50,000-$80,000 per mile of trail, this cost includes the design and implementation of the trail.  Jasper stated that the way the project is designed, the project will go out to bid, therefore the cost is variable. o Reth stated that Sturgis has put in a tremendous number of trails within the last 8 years, therefore the local population has been discouraged by the lack of trail development within Spearfish. o Weigel stated that a lot of funding has been designated to the local sports-specific groups and would like to see some funding allocated towards the community. Next Meeting – December 14th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers  Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, November 16th, 2023, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. o Dardis commented that seeing the involvement from the Sturgis community as well as the support from the state, county, and city allowed for the work to be completed seamlessly. Black Hills Trails have been involved in the development of the trail system in and around the Sturgis area. o Griffith questioned what the organization needs from the park board at this time.  Brown stated that at this time, all they need is approval. o Reth questions the duration of the plan.  Brown stated that the long-term plan is determined by the community needs as well as the fundraising efforts. o Reth questioned the safety and accessibility of the trails as well as access to the Tinton trail.  Bown stated that there are areas that are on the concept that will allow the opportunity to connect to many other trails that are already developed, depending on the community support and future partnerships, this will determine what and how the development will advance. o Griffith questioned if approved, how the process continues from concept to construction.  McDonald discussed that the next step will be to establish a long-standing meeting with the organizations to build momentum within the community and partnerships.  Griffith questioned the next step after the concept has been developed, and if the concept would need to be approved before the work can be started.  McDonald stated that depending on the area or zone, conversations with the different agencies will need to be had, this all depends on the variety of easements that have been established. o Reth moved to approve the Long-Term Vision Plan for Trail Development, Weigel seconded, and all voted to approve. OLD BUSINESS Board Items  Question and answer session on the November staff update. o Reth announced that the Skatepark fundraising event at the Public House raised $3,500. o Griffith discussed the most recent information regarding the re-inspection of the renovated Rocketship. Due to the insurance company that initially performed the Next Meeting – December 14th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers  Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, November 16th, 2023, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. inspection not being willing to perform a re-inspection, alternative solutions will be investigated.  McDonald's stated that other companies will perform renovation inspections, but alternative solutions are being sought due to the cost.  Neilson questioned McDonald about the drainage issues that are causing problems at the pond located at exit 14.  Superintendent McDonald stated that unfortunately, this issue is not in his scope of work.  City Attorney McDonald stated the allegations from agricultural and natural resources (DANR) have determined the drainage issues developed from the housing complex and are not from the newly developed sportsplex. NEW BUSINESS Parks, Rec, and Forestry  Discuss the Lookout Mountain grazing lease options. o McDonald discussed the grazing opportunities regarding Lookout Mountain. Multiple agencies were engaged in identifying the wildlife and habitat that are present on the mountain. Due to the nature and the past habitat of Lookout Mountain, allowing cattle to graze on this land will continue to allow the mountain to experience natural disturbances. Lookout Mountain is to be looked at as a land management tool as well as accommodate recreational use, versus a way for the city to increase its source of revenue. April with land management has requested to review the mountain land in April to perform a production survey. Once the analysis is completed, April will make a recommendation. o McDonald stated that this survey should not interfere with the grazing lease, cattle plans change yearly due to the variables of the weather conditions and the needs of the ranchers. An alternative option would be to have a rotational grazing lease, this would allow ranchers the option to place cattle on different parts of the mountain as well as the mountain to experience different natural disturbances and prevent overgrazing. o McDonald discussed the use of Ivermectin, this is an insecticide that is used to treat multiple species of internal and external parasites. When the cattle are treated with Ivermectin, the benefits from the manure would not contribute to assisting the ecosystem and providing the soil with natural fertilizer. Next Meeting – December 14th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers  Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Advisory Board – MINUTES Thursday, November 16th, 2023, Council Chambers 7:30 A.M. o Griffith questioned if there is an option to create a contract for the rancher to securely obtain the grazing land. McDonald discussed that while discussing different leasing options, Range land specialist, Krista agreed many different variables contribute to the time needed to obtain grazing land. o Winterstein questioned if there have been problems with cattle/dog interaction. McDonald stated that there have not been any reported problems. Krista recommended placing signage at the trailhead, this would explain the mountain ecosystem and inform the recreation user of how to interact with the cattle. UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS  January-PRFAB appointments and election of officers. FYI ITEMS  Thanksgiving Closures o The Rec Center will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd, and Friday, November 24th.  Holiday Market-December 9th o There are 121 booths occupied, the lookout room as well as both gyms are full. A waitlist has been started.  The City Holiday Party is December 8th at 5:00 P.M. for the social, dinner at 6:00 P.M. All board members and guests are invited. ADJOURNMENT  Reth moved, Weigel seconded, and all voted to adjourn at 8:09 AM Next Meeting – December 14th, 2022, 7:30 A.M. Council Chambers