01.27.25 PRAB PacketAGENDA
All agenda times are approximate
I.APPROVAL OF AGENDA (2 minutes)
II.FUTURE BOARD ITEMS AND TOURS (2 minutes), Page 2
III.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (15-30 minutes)
A.This portion of the meeting is for members of the public to communicate ideas or concerns to the
Board regarding parks and recreation issues for which a public hearing is not scheduled later in the
meeting (this includes consent agenda). The public is encouraged to comment on the need for
parks and recreation programs and facilities as they perceive them. All speakers are limited to
three minutes. Depending on the nature of your matter, you may or may not receive a response
from the Board after you deliver your comments. The Board is always listening to and appreciative
of community feedback.
IV.CONSENT AGENDA (5 minutes), Page 3
A.Approval of Minutes from November 18, 2024, Page 4
B.Updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation, Page 6
C.Parks and Recreation Operations Updates, Page 6
D.Parks and Recreation Planning, Design and Construction Updates, Page 6
V.ACTION ITEMS
A.None
VI.MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION/INFORMATION
A.None
VII.MATTERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT, Page 11
A.2025 Courts System Plan Implementation (Page 11, 30 mins)
B.Long-Term Financial Strategy (Page 16, 30 mins)
VIII.MATTERS FROM THE BOARD, Page 25
A.Explore Liaison to Long-Term Financial Strategy and BPR Budget
Development
B.PRAB Meeting Coordination
C.PRAB Matters (verbal)
IX.NEXT BOARD MEETING:
A.February 24, 2025
X.ADJOURN
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Fully Hybrid Meeting
6:00 p.m., January 27, 2025
Boulder Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board Members 2024
Andrew Bernstein
Elliott Hood
Eric Raffini
Jennifer Robins
Anna Segur
Sarah van der Star
Mission Statement
BPRD will promote the health and
well- being of the entire Boulder
community by collaboratively
providing high-quality parks, facilities
and programs.
Vision Statement
We envision a community where
every member’s health and well-
being is founded on unparalleled
parks, facilities and programs.
Goals of the Master Plan
1.Community Health and Wellness
2.Taking Care of What We Have
3.Financial Sustainability
4.Building Community
5.Youth Engagement
6.Organizational Readiness
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PRAB Future Board Items Agenda
January February March
Fully hybrid for members, staff, and community. Fully hybrid for members,
staff, and community.
Fully hybrid for members,
staff, and community.
Regular Mtg
(c)
•Bill Bower Park
•Historic and Cultural Assets Program
•Future of Rec Centers:
Phase 1 update
Regular Mtg
(a)
Regular Mtg
(d/i)
Regular Mtg
(md)
•2025 Courts System Plan Implementation
(30 mins)
•Long-Term Financial Strategy (30 mins)
•2024 Year End Financial
Review (15 mins)
•2024 Progress Report &
State of the Urban Forest
(15 mins)
•Primos Park Plan:
Schematic Design (30
mins)
•Civic Area Plan:
Preliminary Site Program
(15 mins)
•Future of Rec Centers:
Preliminary Phase 1
recommendations (30
mins)
•North Boulder Park Plan:
Schematic Design (30
mins)
Regular Mtg
(mb)
•Explore Liaison to Long-Term
Financial Strategy and BPR Budget
Development
•PRAB Meeting Coordination
•PRAB Recruitment,
Orientation and
Departing Board
members (20 min)
•Chair & Vice Chair
selection process (5 min)
Other Mtgs
or Topics
Dept Events
& Items of
Interest
•Jan 15:
Board Recruitment: Begin outreach for
staff and Council Members on availability
for virtual interviews (Feb. 17 – Feb. 28)
•Jan 31:
Board Recruitment: Application deadline,
midnight
•Feb 3 - Feb 7:
Board Recruitment:
Process qualified
applications that have
not already been
processed and prepare
application packet. Send
applicants interview
dates for signup.
•Feb 7:
Board Recruitment:
Applications sent to
council members.
Application packet
published to external
website. Forwarded to
board secretaries to
distribute to board
members and staff
liaisons.
•Feb 19: PRAB Virtual
Interviews, 2-4pm
•Feb 25: PRAB Virtual
Interviews, 9-12pm
•March 20:
City Council makes B&C
appointments
AGENDA SETTING
The PRAB Chair, PRAB Vice Chair and BPR staff set the agenda for the next month on Thursday directly following the regular PRAB
meeting. PRAB members can submit agenda requests to the Chair and Vice Chair by Wednesday following the PRAB regular meeting
for consideration. If time-sensitive matters arise, PRAB Chair and Vice Chair may amend the agenda as needed.
2
TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
FROM: Alison Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation
Bryan Beary, Senior Manager, Community Building and Partnerships
Mark Davison, Senior Manager, Planning
Denise Dawson, Senior Manager, Urban Parks
Regina Elsner, Senior Manager, Natural Resources
Jackson Hite, Senior Manager, Business Services
Megann Lohman, Senior Manager, Recreation
Scott Schuttenberg, Deputy Director
SUBJECT: Consent Agenda
DATE: January 27, 2025
A.Approval of November 18, 2024, Minutes
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CITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
To listen to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meetings in their entirety, please go to the
following link: www.boulderparks-rec.org
Name of Board/Commission: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Date of Meeting: November 18, 2024
Contact Information Preparing Summary: Rosa Kougl; 303-413-7223
Board Members Present: Jennifer Robins, Sarah van der Star, Elliott Hood, Anna Segur, Jennifer
Robins, Eric Raffini
Board Members Absent: Bernie Bernstein
Staff Present: Ali Rhodes, Rosa Kougl, Scott Schuttenberg, Jackson Hite, Stacie Hoffmann, Clarissa
Collins, Tina Dalton, Mark Davison, Deryn Wagner, Megann Lohman, Regina Elsner, Jonathan
Thornton, Charlotte O’Donnell, Bryan Beary
Guests Present: Kristin Sealey, Michael Flowers, Mira Theisen, Brandon Lucero, Cat Lepine
Type of Meeting: Regular
Agenda Item 1: Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. A quorum was present for the conduct of business. Motion
to approve agenda. First motion by Robins, second by Raffini. The motion passed 5-0.
Agenda Item 2: Future Board Items:
Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed upcoming agenda items and events.
No PRAB follow up questions or comments.
Agenda Item 3: Public participation:
•Alex Veltman, John Boylan, Irene Lee, Yvonne Castillo, Finnigan Connolly, Jimmie Connolly,
Weston Bennett, Chrissy Brescoll, and Alan Smith shared support for the Future of Recreation
Centers project and specifically, the importance of the SBRC to their families/community.
•Thomas Lindahl shared concerns on funding for an interpretive display at Bill Bower Park.
Agenda Item 4: Consent Agenda
A.Approval of Minutes from October 21, 2024, Study Session and October 28, 2024,
Business Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes from the October 21, 2024, Study Session and October 28,
2024, Regular PRAB meeting. First motion Robins, second by Segur. The motion passed 5-0.
B, C, D. Updates from the Director, Project Updates, Operations & Development
No PRAB follow up questions or comments.
Agenda Item 5: Items for Action
I.None.
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Agenda Item 6: Matters Discussion/Information
A.Final Boulder Parks and Recreation 2025 Fee Adjustments
Hite and Hoffmann presented this item
Members of the board expressed concerns about the impacts of fee increases on access
and amidst current condition of city facilities. Board members also encouraged that staff
implement a solid communication plan to share new fees.
Agenda Item 7: Matters from the Department
A.Future of Recreation Centers: Planning Analysis and Engagement Window 2
Summary
Wagner and Theisen presented this item
Staff shared details on the deliverables of each stage of the project and the process for the
Future of Recreation Centers project. The Board responded to staff’s presentation and
requested to be kept up to date on the project as it progresses including the role of the
Boulder Valley School District (BVSD).
Agenda Item 8: Matters from the Board Members
A.PRAB Recruitment
Vacancies for recruitment include the seat formerly held by Lewis (resignation) as well as
those currently held by Van der Star (term expiring), Raffini (term expiring) and Hood
(resignation).
B.PRAB Matters
•Robins has been unofficially added to the Play Boulder Board.
•Thank you for the Pleasant View facility, it is a great facility
•Request for an onboarding retreat in the spring.
Agenda Item 9: Next Board Meeting
Next Board meeting:
•Monday, January 27, 2025, Hybrid
Agenda Item 10: Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52p.m.
Approved by: Attested:
___________________ _____________________
Elliott Hood Rosa Kougl
Board Member BPR Staff
Date: ______________ Date: _________________
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B.Updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation
2025 Fee Schedule Implementation
The 2025 Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule was implemented on January 1, 2025,
following the City Manager’s Rule 8-3-8. A (24). The Daily Camera published the fee
updates in late November, with no public comments received during the 15-day
comment period. Staff shared a survey to gather input on the draft fees in the Boulder
Parks and Recreation (BPR) Eblast on December 19, 2024. The E-Blast is received by
45,824 community members. The survey closed on January 1, 2025, with no comments
submitted.
BPR staff prioritized communication about the fee changes. BPR trained front desk staff
with a new Fee Policy FAQ, preparing staff to answer questions about the 2025 fees.
BPR also sent communications to customers on monthly billing plans and to boat
owners regarding the fee changes. BPR revised the Digital Recreation Guide, web
pages, signage and handbills to reflect the new fees. Staff also updated ActiveNet,
BPR’s current recreation management software, with the new fees.
C.Parks and Recreation Operations Updates
Community Hot Shot Competition
The Sports service area will host an inaugural ‘Community Hot Shot Competition’ on
Saturday, January 25th at Boulder High School. This basketball-focused event is open to
all age and skill levels and seeks to provide a fun and competitive environment for the
community to engage with BPR. Teams of two will have two separate one-minute
opportunities to score as many points as possible from various marked spots on the
court.
In partnership with CU Athletics, the two duos with the highest scores will receive tickets
and compete again at halftime during the CU vs Arizona State Men’s Basketball game
on Tuesday, January 28th in front of thousands of fans. Staff are hoping to engage with
several key demographics in the community through this effort, which will include
marketing/promotion of sports programs, and make this a successful event for years to
come.
D.Parks and Recreation Planning, Design and Construction Updates
The following information is intended to provide the PRAB with relevant updates on
specific projects as they reach major milestones. This section is not all inclusive of all
current projects and only illustrates major project updates. For a complete list of all
current projects and details, please visit www.BoulderParkNews.org.
Overview of Major Projects
Staff continue to work on the following projects and will update the PRAB as major
milestones are achieved:
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Projects Status
System Planning
Future of Recreation Centers System Plan Planning
Future of Parks System Plan Start 2026
Universal Design Accessibly Plan Start 2026
Park & Facility Renovation Plans
Boulder Junction Park: Opening a New Park Design
Civic Area Renovation Design
East Boulder Community Center Renovation Design
North Boulder Park Renovation Design
Pearl Street Renovation Start 2026
Primos Park: Opening a New Park Design
Park Refresh Plans
Barker Park Refresh Start 2025
Ebin G Fine Park Refresh Start 2026
Park Asset Management
Bill Bower Park: New Interpretive Display Garden Design
Burke Park: Picnic Shelter Replacement
Boulder Reservoir: ADA Dock Replacement Design
Boulder Reservoir: Road and Parking Lot Repaving Start 2025
Chautauqua: Courts Replacement Planning
East Boulder Community Park: Courts Enhancement Planning
Pleasantview: Parking Area & Multi-Modal transport Start 2026
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•Bill Bower Park: The community named the park, established in 2014, for Bill
Bower. They wanted to honor him as a WWII military veteran and an active
community leader who lived in the upper Table Mesa neighborhood for many
years. The plan for the park included a location for an interpretive display garden
to explain Mr. Bower’s accomplishments that was not funded in the initial park
development (see Figure 1 for rendering of the garden).
A local group has come forward, the Admiral Arleigh Burke Chapter (AABC) of
the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), who are able to be the
donors to fund the project as noted in a previous presentation to PRAB.
The final stages in the funding campaign with commitments from the donor are
due to the PLAY Foundation on January 31. With this funding in place, the
project is planned to move forward to construction in the Spring of 2025.
Figure 1: Artistic rendering of Bill Bower interpretive area.
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•Historic and Cultural Assets Program: The department manages 12 properties
that are listed as local, state, or federal landmarks. This summary below provides
a brief description of the main 2024 CIP projects completed as an outcome of the
2023 Historic Places Plan.
•Harbeck-Bergheim House: window frames and sills were repaired to
improve operability, energy efficiency, and maintain the historic exterior. In
addition, window blinds were installed on 34 windows to increase energy
efficiency, aid the preservation of the interior, and provide security for the
non-profit lessee, Women’s Wilderness.
Window Sill Repair – Before and After
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•Columbia Cemetery: The perimeter fence and gates were repaired and
repainted. One section required tree removal and stone wall repair due to
tree root damage.
Fence and Gate Repairs: Before and After
Repaint Fence: Before and After
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TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
FROM: Alison Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation
Bryan Beary, Senior Manager, Community Building and Partnerships
Mark Davison, Senior Manager, Planning
Denise Dawson, Senior Manager, Urban Parks
Regina Elsner, Senior Manager, Natural Resources
Jackson Hite, Senior Manager, Business Services
Megann Lohman, Senior Manager, Recreation
Scott Schuttenberg, Deputy Director
SUBJECT: Matters from the Department
DATE: January 27, 2025
A.2025 Court System Plan Implementation
Summary
The intent of this item is to provide PRAB with an update on implementation of the Courts
System Plan for tennis and pickleball. PRAB last discussed the Court System Plan in the
spring of 2024. The board’s input informed the final plan.
This item provides updates on:
•The city’s annexation application to add city-owned property near East Boulder
Community Park to the park. This increase in parkland captures a special
opportunity to add community benefit at this site, including an opportunity to increase
the quantity of courts dedicated to tennis and pickleball through an exciting
partnership with the University of Colorado Athletics Department. The property,
formerly known as Hogan Pancost, was purchased by the city in 2019 for the
purposes of flood mitigation and parkland.
•2025 construction of the city’s first dedicated pickleball courts at Tom Watson
Park.
•2025 total refurbishment of the multi-use court at Chautauqua Park, nearly
entirely funded by a donor. This will be the city’s first implementation of the city’s
2010 Sponsorship Naming of City Facilities Policy.
•Partnerships and philanthropic efforts to leverage the city’s investments and
improve the above projects
•2025 work to evaluate operational elements of the CSP.
Background
The 2022 BPR Plan, unanimously supported by the PRAB, Planning Board and City
Council, directed staff to complete a Court System Plan (CSP) to develop Levels of Service
for tennis and pickleball and to seek opportunities to maximize community benefit through
Joint Use Agreements and partnerships. With the CSP completed in summer of 2024, it is
now another input that guides capital and operating decisions. Staff reprioritized work to
develop the plan in the 2023 and 2024 workplans. The 2025 workplan now includes
implementing that plan.
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Court System Plan Key Recommendations
The Court System Plan provides recommendations developed by considering input from the
community, analysis of data (such as benchmarking, supply and demand), and policy.
The key recommendations of the plan are:
•All plans for courts should follow City of Boulder's Community Sustainability, Equity
and Resilience Framework and the 2022 BPR Department Plan to best serve the
community.
•BPR should continue the asset management approach by investing $400K per year
over the next six years to improve playability of existing courts and reduce long-term
maintenance costs.
•BPR should develop additional outdoor courts as funding and capacity allow. The
recommended additions are: 22 dedicated tennis courts and 22 dedicated pickleball
courts.
•BPR should further evaluate potential partnerships to better understand indoor
facility opportunities.
•BPR should pursue programming, reservation, and maintenance improvements.
2025 Project Updates
East Boulder Community Park Courts
Project Description: This project will result in dedicated tennis and pickleball courts as
directed by the Court System Plan. East Boulder Community Park (EBCP) was identified in
the Court System Plan as 1 of 6 existing park locations feasible for tennis and pickleball
courts. The potential use of the city-owned property to the south of EBCP provides an
opportunity to expand recreation services at this site beyond what is possible with the
current uses and land constraints.
Property Background: The City of Boulder purchased the parcel south of East Boulder
Community Park in 2019 for the purposes of stormwater detention, flood management and
parkland. The entire parcel is depicted in Figure 1 below (an image of the parcel developed
to support City Council’s consideration and approval of the property purchase in 2019).
Three acres east of 55th St. are managed by the city’s Open Space and Mountain Parks
Department; they are not being considered for park development. The 19 acres west of 55th
St. are intended to have a shared use for utilities and parkland as noted in the September 3
2019 City Council memo; Item E: ‘The three acres of land that is east of 55th Street will be
used for open space purposes. The 19 acres of land west of 55th Street will be used for
Stormwater Management and Flood Control purposes. It will also be available for parks and
recreation uses that will not conflict with the utility purpose.’
Figure 1: East Boulder Community Park and Hogan Pancost 12
The potential use of the parcel provides an opportunity to build outdoor and year-round
indoor tennis courts to support the level of service goals for public courts. The new tennis
courts will allow the conversion of the existing courts into dedicated pickleball courts. While
the annexation process is underway, BPR has contracted a consultant to develop a concept
plan for the new and converted courts with related amenities.
Process: The parcel is not currently included in the city limits. Before the property can be
developed, several steps need to be completed:
1.The property must be annexed into the city’s service area. BPR has submitted an
Annexation/Initial Zoning Application to the City of Boulder’s Planning and
Development Services Department.
2.Upon annexation, any proposed development on the parcel will require land use
review. Some processes require Planning Board and City Council approval.
Site Program: The site program will be confirmed based on site conditions, funding, and
community engagement. BPR has allocated $2,000,000 of funding for this project through
the Capital Improvement Program for parks covering for asset management and park
renovation categories and intends to seek additional funding through grants, partnerships
and donations. Dependent upon funding, the intent is to include designated pickleball courts,
designated tennis courts, supporting amenities such as shade shelters, lighting, shaded
gathering spaces, and walkways to support access.
The expansion of the park provides the opportunity for future phases to advance health and
well-being and the 2022 BPR Plan including but not limited to soft surface trails and
interpretive education, nature play, and a cross-country trail.
Project Timeline
Five Month Outlook
Design Concept and Preliminary Cost (Feb. – May 2025)
o Existing Conditions Study, Opportunities and Constraints, Design Concept
Plan (with illustrative rendering and preliminary costs)
Community Engagement (March-May 2025)
o Community Meeting #1 – Mar.
Process, Existing Conditions, Opportunities and Constraints, Site
Program
o Community Meeting #2: - May
Concept Plan Presentation
o 3 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) Meetings
PRAB Meeting #1 – Jan. 2025: Process and Timeline
PRAB Meeting #2 - Mar. 2025: Community Input
PRAB Meeting #3 – May: Concept Plan 13
Tom Watson Pickleball Courts
Project Description: This project will result in the city’s first dedicated pickleball courts
as directed by the Court System Plan. Tom Watson Park was identified in the Court
System Plan as 1 of 6 existing park locations feasible for tennis and pickleball courts.
This underutilized site with no nearby neighbors provides the city’s fastest opportunity to
build dedicated pickleball courts, addressing the need for pickleball and relieving
pressure on courts currently being used at multi-sport to serve both tennis and pickleball.
Tom Watson Park sits on land owned by the IBM Corporation, with a long-term
easement to the City of Boulder for parks and recreation purposes. Improvements for
recreation purposes are allowed in the agreement. BPR has allocated approximately
$2,000,000 of funding for this project through the Capital Improvement Program covering
asset management and park renovation needs, and intends to seek additional funding
through grants, partnerships and donations.
Process: Site analysis is underway with a geotechnical engineer, surveyor and the
design team. With site analysis complete, the project team will begin design and
simultaneously launch a fundraising campaign in partnership with PLAY Boulder. With a
final design, construction documents and permitting will begin in the summer. A soft
opening of the new courts is planned for November 2025.
Site program: At the core of this redevelopment of a portion of Tom Watson Park is a
dedicated pickleball facility with 12 courts. Other planned improvements, to be finalized
as funding is confirmed include new restrooms, shade shelter, food court and play area,
updated walkways for improved circulation and accessibility, and a resurfacing of the
parking lot.
Project Timeline
Site
Assessment
and Pre-
design: Jan-
Feb 2025
Schematic
Design: Feb-
March 2025
Fundraising
CampainCa
mpaign:
March-July
2025
DD & CD’s:
April-May
2025
Permitting &
Contracting:
June-July
2025
Construction
August-
November
2025
Soft
Opening:
November
2025
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Court Condition and Chautauqua Court Replacement
Since 2022, BPR has increased funding for court maintenance to address poor condition
and to rebuild courts on a post tension concrete (PTC) foundation. This method
increases life-cycles, reduces maintenance costs and increases playing quality. Staff
project that through this approach, the city will save approximately $7 million dollars in
long-term maintenance costs over 20 years. Over the last two years we’ve improved the
condition of 10 tennis courts. In 2023 we resurfaced 4 courts at Tom Watson and 2
courts at North Palo Park, additionally 4 courts were converted to PTC: 2 at Columbine
Park (2024) and 2 at Arapahoe Ridge Park (2024).
The CSP included a condition assessment for the city’s existing courts. After 2023-2024
improvements noted above, the court at Chautauqua Park is now in the worst condition.
This is largely due to the original construction method and expansive soils at the site. Mo
and Jennifer Segel have funded the court’s renovation. This significant donation enables
the city’s first implementation of the city’s 2010 Sponsorship Naming of City Facilities
Policy. Contracting is complete for this project and construction is anticipated to be
complete by June.
Partnerships and Philanthropy
The 2022 BPR Plan recognized that revenues are not keeping up with expenses and
BPR must explore alternate funding mechanisms and partnerships to meet community
needs for parks and recreation. Staff have been hard at work developing the capacity,
process and partners necessary for successful community building. Here are some
updates of work underway:
•University of Colorado Partnership: The University of Colorado Athletic
Department and the City of Boulder are partnering to provide a new indoor facility
for tennis players throughout the community, including members of the CU
Women’s Tennis team. The facility, sited at East Boulder Community Park, may
feature four to six courts, and will be available to the community year-round. (see
joint press release: Partnership to Build Indoor Tennis Facility)
Starting in January, the CU Tennis team began using CU’s historic Balch
Fieldhouse for individual coach/player practices. Three temporary courts were
created inside the iconic fieldhouse and are open to the community through an
online reservation system, from January through April. Press Release
•Capital Placemaking Campaign for Courts launching with PLAY Boulder
Foundation: In partnership with PLAY Boulder, BPR’s philanthropic non-profit
partner, staff are developing a capital campaign providing community members
and other interested donors the opportunity to make projects underway better by
funding amenities not possible within project budgets. The campaign has two
areas of focus:
•Tom Watson – pickleball specific: opportunity to support court and shelter
construction, with naming/recognition for major gifts; potential partnership for
food/concession area.
•EBCP Outdoor Courts – opportunity to support tennis and pickleball courts
and shelter construction, site lighting and amenities, with naming/recognition
for major gifts.
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Grants
Staff are exploring opportunities for grant funding with organizations like the United
States Tennis Association (USTA) and the AARP that are focused on the construction of
tennis and pickleball facilities.
Court Programming
The CSP provided recommendations for the infrastructure and operations of public
courts. Evaluating the operational recommendations of the Court System Plan is on the
2025 workplan. These include, but are not limited to, evaluating fees for court
reservations to promote access and equity, evaluating administration of court rentals
(e.g. cancellation fees and reservation timing), and considering alignment with BPR’s
Fee Policy and other amenity reservation practices.
Staff are analyzing all Court System Plan recommendations and will be implementing
changes as the new Recreation Management Software (RMS) is implemented in the 4th
quarter of 2025. A communication plan will be developed in conjunction with any
changes that may occur.
To minimize impacts to participants, fee increases may be limited to 10% in a year for
any community or recreation level programs. Fee increases may be phased in over a 2-
to-3-year period to minimize impacts to participants.
Next Steps
Staff will consult with the board as appropriate and provide regular updates to PRAB
over the next two years as projects come online and programming is updated.
B.Long-Term Financial Strategy
The city’s Budget Officer, Charlotte Huskey, will join the board meeting to provide the board
with an overview of the city’s Long-Term Financial Strategy (LTFS) project. City Council
elevated this project as a priority at their April 2024 retreat. The intent of this item is to
provide members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) an update on the
project’s scope and timeline as outlined in Attachment A, Long-Term Financial Strategy
Overview.
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City of BoulderLong-Term Financial Strategy Overviewfor PRAB
January 27, 2025
Attachment A
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City of BoulderLong-Term Financial StrategyCurrent and Future State
Current State
•68% of revenues dedicated, reducingflexibility to address needs of the moment
•Major revenue source, sales & use tax,reduces stability and predictability offunding levels
•Underfunded core city services, expiringfunding sources –difficult to ensure reliability
•Recent practice focused on short-termdecisions without a strategy for revenueapproaches and tax renewals
Future State
➢Increased flexibility of funding to meetemerging and changing needs
➢Increased stability and diversity of
revenues, less reliance on sales & use taxes
➢Increased reliability through establishingguiding principles, revenue identification, and community prioritization to meet service level demands
➢A long-term strategy will help us focus moreholistically and comprehensively to supportcore service levels and community needs
Attachment A
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Long-Term Financial Strategy Guiding Principles
Fiscal Sustainability
and Sufficiency Equity Resiliency
•Core service levels are stable and
predictable.
•Revenue is diverse, flexible and stable
enough to provide city services and service
levels that support community needs.
•Revenues are at a sufficient level to provide
city services and service levels aligned to
community needs.
•Financial policies and
implementation advance racial
equity and reduce burdens on
historically disadvantaged
groups.
•Ability to anticipate, adapt and recover
quickly to adversity and change,
supported by a diversification of
revenues and sufficient reserve levels to
meet emerging community needs,
emergencies, and changing economic
conditions.
Attachment A
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City of BoulderFinancial Strategy Committee Policy Guidance
➢Focused on prioritizing general funding and flexibility to meet community needs, recognizing the
challenges of restricted funding
➢Ensure strong reserves can support potential risks
➢Understand interaction of ballot measures with wider organizational finances, continue to prioritize
investments toward intended outcomes and community needs
➢Evaluate the timing urgency for the ballot measures
➢Understand coordination and implications of other state and county measures
➢Focus on reducing tax and other revenue burdens for historically disadvantaged groups
➢Distribute tax burden more equitably
Attachment A
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City of BoulderLong-Term Financial Strategy Workstreams
1.Long-Term Financial Plan
•Establish guiding financial principles, perform current state assessment, inventory and
update financial policies, and identify future action steps (workstreams)
2.Alternative Funding Mechanisms and Revenue Opportunities
•Inventory existing fees, cost of service recovery, and fee policies
•Inventory existing taxes
•Identify recommendations for existing revenue updates, fee development, and potential
alternative revenue sources
3.Core Service Level Identification & Refinement
•Inventory Current Service Levels, Define Core Service Level
•Determine funding amounts required for core service level increments
4.Ballot Measures Strategy
•Identify potential tax ballot items, develop ballot measure strategy for 2025 and 2026
5
Attachment A
21
City of BoulderBallot Measure Strategy
2025 Tax Ballot Measures
More focused, incremental approach to tax
changes
Key Focus Areas:
•Unmet needs, taking care of what we
have
•Funding opportunities for core services
6
2026 Tax Ballot Measures
Expanded, more comprehensive approach
to tax changes
Key Focus Areas:
•Unmet needs, taking care of what we
have
•Additional investments in services,
programs
Attachment A
22
City of BoulderLTFS Timeline (Q4 2024-Q3 2025)Phase 1
•Current State Inventory,
Department Discussions
•Communications Plan
Reviewed
•Early Opportunities
Identified
December
•Additional Research,
Refinement of Revenue
and Funding
Opportunities
•FSC Meeting
January •Council Mid-Year Check-
in
•Polling Survey
•FSC Meeting
February
•FSC Meeting
•Polling Survey
March •Polling Survey
•FSC Meeting
April
•Financial Forecast to
Council
•Ballot Measures Options
to Council
May/June
Attachment A
23
Comprehensive Fee Study
Inventory and Analysis
Q3 2024
2025 Budget Council
Sessions
Long-Term Financial Strategy Project Timeline DRAFT
Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q4 2025Q3 2025
Alternative Funding Mechanisms and Revenue Opportunities Workstream
Core Service Levels Workstream
Long-Term Financial Plan Workstream
Multi-Year Ballot Measure Strategy – 2025 and 2026
City Council Mid-Year
Check-in (Feb. 27th)
Phase 1: Inventory and Early Revenue
Opportunities
Financial Forecast, LTFS
Update, Ballot Measures
to Council (May 8th)
EBT Discussions
Phase 2: Financial Analyses & Revenue
Strategy & Toolbox Identified
Phase 1: Core Service Defined and
Program Alignment
2026 Budget Council
Sessions
Phase 2: Benchmarking Analyses and Core
Service Level Refinement
Phase 1: 2025 Ballot Measures Planning, Polling Survey
Q3 2024 – Q2 2026
Long-Term Financial Plan
LTFS Plan Developed
Financial Policies Inventoried
Current State Inventory Performed
Future Action Steps Identified
Alternative Funding Mechanisms
Phase 1 (through February):
•Comprehensive Revenue Manual
& Fee Inventory
•Early Revenue Opportunities
Identified
•Additional Research Outlined
Phase 2 (through July):
•Refined Revenue Research
•Financial Analyses
Core Service Levels
Phase 1 (through February):
•Core service defined
•Alignment of programs,
subprograms to hierarchy of core
services, master plans, CSP
Phase 2 (through July):
•Benchmarking Analyses
•Refinement of core service levels
Ballot Measure Strategy
Phase 1: 2025 Ballot Measures
Planning – Focused Approach
Phase 2: 2026 Ballot Measure
Planning – Expanded Approach
Engagement & Communications
Phase 1: 2025 Polling Survey
Phase 2: 2026 Polling Survey,
Broad Community Engagement
Phase 2: 2026 Ballot Measures Planning, Engagement
RFQ/RFP Identified: Project Plan, Polling Survey, Financial Analyses
Q1-2 2026
Attachment A
24
3198 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304 | www.boulderparks-rec.org | O: 303-413-7200
TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
SUBJECT: Matters from the Board
DATE: January 27, 2025
A.Explore a Liaison to Long-Term Financial Strategy and BPR Budget Development
B.PRAB Meeting Coordination
a.March Regular Meeting Date. The regularly scheduled March meeting falls on
Monday, the 24th, the beginning of BVSD’s Spring Break.
i.Discussion Needed:
•Consider rescheduling to avoid conflicts.
b.May Regular Meeting Date. Reschedule to avoid Memorial Day holiday.
i.Discussion Needed:
•Reschedule to avoid holiday.
c.Next study session
i.Discussion Needed:
•PRAB’s input on scheduling next study session to support
onboarding
C.PRAB Matters (Verbal)
25