MINUTES

Thursday, August 24, 2006

5:00-8:00 p.m.

Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams Street, Loveland

 

 

 

OLAB Members
Brian Hayes	Ben Manvel
Duane Pond	Bill Pinkham
Mark DeGregorio	Bill Newman
Jean Carpenter	Bob Streeter
Ted Swanson	Jim White
STAFF
Jerry White	Kerri Rollins
Meegan Flenniken	Gary Buffington
K-Lynn Cameron	Dutch FlaHaven
Ernst Strenge	Greg Good

 

ABSENT

Sue Sparling

Peter Kast

 

The meeting was called for order at 5:10 p.m. by Bob Streeter, acting chair.

 

REGULAR MEETING

Duane motioned to approve the minutes of July 27, 2006.  The motion was seconded by Ted without amendment and was unanimous.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment.

 

ACTION:

·  Fonken Conservation Easement Phase 5 Final Review.  Jerry described this fifth phase of the Fonken CE – the appraisal came in at $93,000 for this 35-acre parcel.  There is expected to be a sixth and final donation phase of this conservation easement project with the Fonken Family.  Bill Newman asked if Jerry had explained to the Fonkens the tax credit changes for 2007.  Jerry has and they are aware of them.  Mark asked about phased projects such as this one and if it is drawing attention of auditors.  Jerry noted that we’ve met with the Colorado Coalition of Land Tursts (CCLT) and they have adopted standards for excellence in conservation easements and we plan to follow them as well.

 

Bill Newman motioned to accept the Fonken CE donation, the motion was seconded by Jim and passed unanimously.

 

 

PRESENTATION: 

·  Meegan Flenniken gave a presentation on the Hermit Park and Open Space Project. Agilent Technologies contacted Larimer County Parks and Open Lands in early August regarding their plans to divest of the property.  Larimer County, the Town of Estes Park, EVLT, EVRPD and the DOW are working to create a partnership to acquire the property.  We are currently submitting 2 GOCO grants (an open space and local government) for a total request of $2 million towards the acquisition cost.  If acquired fee-simple by Larimer County this property will be managed by the Parks Program in a similar manner in which it currently is managed (camping, picnicking, trails, etc.) and charge a user fee to cover the management costs.   Negotiations are underway and an appraisal will be conducting by mid-November.

 

ACTION:

·  GOCO Open Space and Local Government grant proposal letter of support for Estes Valley project.  K-Lynn asked the Board to sign a letter of support to GOCO for the Hermit Park and Open Space Project for both grants.  Jim White motioned that OLAB send a letter, Bill Pinkham seconded the motion and it passed unanimously

 

 

INFORMATION:

·  On July 28, 2006, The Nature Conservancy sponsored a celebration honoring Catherine Roberts and the protection of the Roberts Ranch with a conservation easement.  Several of our staff attended and enjoyed celebrating this conservation and partnership success!

·  The Legacy Land Trust held their 1^st Annual Summer Picnic Fundraiser at Grant Farms on August 4, 2006.  Ted Swanson noted that there were about 145 people in attendance and that it was a good time!  The LLT plans to host this event annually.

·  Matt Kuehl started on August 19th as a seasonal ranger to patrol Red Mountain Open Space under the supervision of Charlie Gindler.  Matt has worked for our Department as a ranger for a number of years in a seasonal capacity and is a great fit for the job!

·  The Parks and Open Lands Department participated in this years West Fest in Fort Collins August 19 and 20 and will participate in the Corn Roast Festival in Loveland on August 26, 2006.

·  A tour to Phantom Canyon has been scheduled with The Nature Conservancy for Board members and their families on Friday, September 15, 2006.  RSVP to Kerri.

·  COSA Conference in Aspen on September 21 and 22, 2006.  Sue, Mark and Bob will be attending as well as many Parks and Open Lands staff.

·  Parks and Open Lands events for September.  See handout.

·  Duane Pond noted that the Friends Group helped pay for fishing ruler stickers for use by the Parks Program at the reservoirs.

 

 

DISCUSSION:

·  Volunteer Program transfers to the Open Lands Program.  K-Lynn welcomed Dutch Fla Havan, the Volunteer Coordinator, and explained that the Volunteer Program will come into the Open Lands Program beginning in September 2006 under K-Lynn’s supervision.  Dutch gave some background about himself and his years working in the aerospace manufacturing industry, then in a volunteer management capacity with Trees, Water and People.  Dutch noted that he loves his job and working with volunteers who show up and are excited to be doing what they are doing!  Dutch has been meeting with each of the Programs in the Department to better learn their goals and interests.  Dutch passed out a handout of the volunteer opportunities in the Department for September.  The largest volunteer group in the Department includes trail adoption groups.  Trail hosts, park ranger assistants, naturalists, camp hosts, office assistants, interns, alternative sentencing unit crews, are all very active programs as well!  Currently the camphosts are getting ready to leave at Labor Day weekend and Dutch is busy conducting exit interviews.  The highlight of Dutch’s summer was getting hired and is ecstatic to be joining the Open Lands Staff!

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

·  Gary noted that funding for the County Forester, who is housed within the Parks and Open Lands Department, has been from the Solid Waste Department (where he was formerly housed) and general fund dollars and now will also receive additional dollars from the Planning Department for the work he does in inspecting landscape projects as part of development reviews.

·  Gary highlighted the great team effort from this past week and all the Parks and Open Lands staff working together on the Hermit Park and Open Space Project and regardless of the outcome wanted to note how excellent it is to see great teamwork!

 

The meeting was adjourned by a motion from Duane at 6:04 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Bill Pinkham and carried unanimously. 

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  (24-6-402(4) (a)C.R.S. Purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of any real or personal property interest. Duane Pond moved to go in to Executive Session. Sue Sparling seconded the motion.   

 

Executive session adjourned at 7:07 p.m.  Duane motioned we adjourn.  The motion was seconded by Jean and passed unanimously.