HomeMy WebLinkAbout7 - Matters from the Department (Parks & Recreation) . ~
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TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Bo;ird t/~j~
FROM: Jan Geden, CPRP, Director of Parls and Recreation
Sarah DeSouza, Policy and Information Services Manager
Alice Guthrie, Parks and Planning Superintendent
Teri Olander, Acting Recreation Superintendent
SLB.IEC'T: Matters from the Department
DATE: August 25, 2008
A. 2007 Annual Report DVD Video Presentation -Verbal Update Only
B. PRAB Response to Community Emails
Attachment A: Copy of Resident Email
Attachment B: Director's Response to Resident Email
C. Update on Valmont City Park Design -Verbal Update Only
D. Aquatic Invasive Species
Attachment C: Weekly Information Packet Item, August 14, 2008
Attachment ll: Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District System
Attachment E: Pictures of Mussel Effects
Attachment A
Resident Email from Sue Bryant:
Original Correspondence:
Greetings:
I sent the following message to the PRAB board and have received NO
response. What is their function?
I am concerned about how the Valmont Park Plans fit within the t'ina! Master
Plan adopted by City Council Dec. 19 2006. Priority 1 of the Master Plan
Investment Priorities is to Take Care of Existing Assets, defined to include
as ongoing renovation. Within the Action Plan Scenario, Investment Priority
2 is to bring facilities into line with other Boulder facilities to improve
customer satisfaction and revenue production; other facilities outlined as
multi-purpose practice fields and the S. Boulder Recreation Center.
Where are we on the funding for this Master Plan?
In the City Council Memo Valmont Park Concept Update document on your
website, it seems that the S. Boulder Recreation Center is eligible for 2 of
the 3 funding strategies listed on page 6 that are being considered for
Valmont; namely Unanticipated opportunities funds and funds from the sale of
Kentucky and Pappini properties.
It seems very useful to note that the recent survey results are valid for
facilities being developed at Valmont Park or elsewhere in Boulder. I recall
a survey completed in 2005 by the City of Boulder Parks and Rec which found
90% rated the three recreation centers essential or very valuable. Consider
using the design concepts formed for Valmont Park for the South Boulder
Recreation Center; ie bike park/skills areas. South Boulder Rec has the
infrastructure with no substantial revenue producer and no specific child
centered activity (pool, climbing wall, gymnastics..). We await ever
hopeful.
Thanks! !
Sue Bryant
shbryantColcomcast.vet
AGENDA ITEM
Attachment B
Director's Response to Resident Email:
Dear Ms. Bryant,
Thank you for forwarding your various concerns to the City Council via e-mail on July 29. As the
Director of Parks and Recreation, I am providing you with information in response to your
inquiry.
The Parks and Recreation Department, with direction and guidance from the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) and City Council, is charged with maintaining and improving
the city's current park system. The Department's master plan outlines goals and strategies to
help us achieve that end. Although the master plan delineates goals based on fiscally
constrained, action and vision plans, it is intended to be a 'living' document that allows for
flexibility in determining capital development projects that reflect community needs, budget
levels and unanticipated opportunities.
Revising the concept plan for Valmont City Park (VCP) was discussed during the master plan
process and was part of the department's work plan in 2007. The development of the site
became a priority as the concept plan was completed. The PRAB and the City Council approved
the use of the one-time funds that were obtained from the sale of our Kentucky and Papini
properties to the Department of Open Space and Mountain Parks to assist in the funding for
Phase One of Valmont City Park.
As a patron of the City's recreational resources, you know how fortunate we are to have a
number of tremendous recreational assets within the community such as Valmont City Park and
the South Boulder Recreation Center (SBRC). In order to maintain and improve our resources
with limited available funding, investment priorities within the master plan were developed. As
you referenced in your email, the first priority for recreation facility development listed in the
master plan is to invest in revenue generating facilities such as the Flatirons Golf Course and the
Boulder Reservoir. The second priority for investment are facilities whose conditions have fallen
below the standards we pride ourselves on such as our multi-purpose practice fields and the
South Boulder Recreation Center. Each year, these priorities are reviewed during the City's capital
planning process in an effort to allocate limited resources to priority needs. During that process,
the PRAB and the City Council reviewed all of the department's needs and supported the use of
the one-time funds to begin the development of Valmont City Park.
With regard to the South Boulder Recreation Center, the city has and continues to make capital
investments in the facility since the passage of the .25 Cent Sales Tax in 1995. Specifically,
approximately $1.2 Million in improvements have been made including a complete renovation of
the pool, replacement of the metal roof, an expanded weight room, an ADA accessible elevator,
and new carpeting and paint throughout the building. This year, funding is allocated to make
improvements to the gymnasium floor and replace the dance room floor.
I appreciate your feedback and will continue to bring the future needs of SBRC and all of our
facilities into our annual capital improvements discussion. In addition, I will ensure that your
email is included in the PRAB packet for their August meeting so that the Board is aware of your
concerns.
While one-on-one communication about public business between members of a board or
commission is permitted, it is important to note that state law pertaining to open meetings
prohibits members of boards and commissions such as the PRAB from Communicating as a group
of more than three by any means, including email, without noticing it as a public meeting. As
AGENDA ITEM #~~3
such, PRAB members may respond individually, but cannot discuss concerns sent to them by
email as a group without a public meeting. Please feel free to send any e-mail communications
for the PRAB to staff so that we can ensure that the matter is brought forward in a proper and
timely manner.
If you have any additional questions or if we may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate
to rnntact me (gedeni@bouldercolordo.gov) or Teri Olander, Acting Recreation Superintendent
(Olandert@bouldercolorado.gov).
Jan Geden
Director of Parks and Recreation
AGENDA ITEM