Thursday, November 16, 2006 – 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Loveland Library MP Room
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Present:
Open Lands Board Members:
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Brian Hayes |
Peter Kast |
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Jim White |
Bill Pinkham |
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Sue Sparling |
Bill Newman |
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Bob Streeter |
Ben Manvel |
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Ted Swanson |
Duane Pond |
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Mark DeGregorio |
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Staff
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Gary Buffington |
Kerri Rollins |
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Ernst Strenge |
Jerry White |
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K-Lynn Cameron |
Lori Smith |
Absent:
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Jean Carpenter |
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Chair, Peter Kast called the meeting to order at 5:11 p.m.
Duane motioned to approve the minutes of October 26, 2006. The motion was seconded by Bill P. with amendment to change Peter’s title from President to Chair, and Mark Udall to State Rep not Senator. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
INFORMATION ITEMS
· Open Lands staff had their end-of-year retreat on 11/2 to look at 2006 accomplishments and 2007 goals. As always, an amazing amount of work was accomplished.
· The second Northern Colorado Networking Forum was held 11/3 and included staff from CSU, Town of Windsor, Loveland, Greeley and Larimer County. The next forum is scheduled for February 2 from 12-2pm.
· An education session for landowners in the Fort Collins-Wellington separator area was held on 11/14 and included guest speaker Chris West, Executive Director of the Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust. Approximately 8 families attended and staff will pursue some great leads.
· 10th Anniversary celebration for the Open Lands Program will be held at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch on 11/17. Approximately 100 people attended and enjoyed a fun evening of celebration.
· The Colorado Lottery recognized Larimer County for the Blue Mountain Conservation Area project by honoring the Commissioners with the Starburst Conservation Award.
· The Parks Task Force met on November 9 at the Bison Visitor Center to finalize alternatives, project prioritization and to discuss project finances.
· Small Grants Program applications will be due on December 15, 2006. Visit http://www.larimer.org/parks/openlands/smallgrants.htm for more information.
· A National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grant requesting $1.2 million was submitted for the Laramie Foothills Mountain to Plains inholding project. Awards will not be made until April.
BOARD COMMENTS: None.
DISCUSSION:
· Regional Trails update, Ernst Strenge.
Poudre River Trail (PRT): Ernst discussed an upcoming meeting regarding the Poudre River Trail and potential access points to it. Larimer County and Timanth are working on an IGA (intergovernmental agreement) regarding future growth of Timnath into the County. Larimer County is hoping to include a clause that would include a consideration for trails as part of the annexation process. Boxelder Creek trail: Ernst had met with the water supply/ditch company and they have taken it to their Board. Charlie J and Ernst have been working on researching success stories from across the state where programs have worked successfully on new trails with ditch companies. Ernst continued to report on updates of the various regional trail areas. Duck Lake trail grant was submitted last month.
Bill asked if Ernst worked with Stan Gengler in Estes Valley Recreation & Park District. Ernst said Stan has worked closely with the program before Ernst started, but Ernst hasn't worked with him much since he came on. Peter asked about Platte River Power Authority lines along Shields. K-Lynn said they will be undergrounded on our property as they will be on the City of Fort Collins’s.
· Parks Task Force met on 11/9, about 20 citizens showed up. The Task Force completed a prioritization exercise on the proposed projects. Jean Stapleton, a professional fundraiser, gave ideas on how to raise money. She focused on increasing fees. We have to be careful there as we compete with State Parks. Other ideas included increasing the sales tax effort, buying a premium pass (buy an annual pass and donate at the same time). Next step is looking at conceptual site plans and flesh out final alternatives before the last public meeting. Hope to wrap it up by February 2007. Gary encouraged OLAB to look at the website for information and give ideas, as well as submit ideas. We will send a reminder for you to do that. Gary is looking at forming a new Parks Board by March, with about 17 members. Current sources of funding are lottery and BOR matching funds. Gary is trying to get away from using lottery on operations expenses. Discussion ensued regarding various aspects of the marina building construction project including concession percentages, the amount of the marina project that will be paid for by user fees vs. other dollars, and customer service.
· Open Lands acquisition and development fund cash flow, Lori Smith. K-Lynn explained that Lori was passing out spreadsheets of the above acquisition and development and the management fund spreadsheets. The Board decided to move into Executive Session to discuss particulars on this item.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: (24-6-402(4) (a)C.R.S. Purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of any real or personal property interest.
Duane moved to go in to Executive Session at 5:58pm. Jim seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Executive session ended at 6:58 with another motion from Duane. Bob seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Bob moved to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that they support the concept of freeing up money for acquisition by adjusting the loan payment schedule and adjusting the percent allocation to the management fund for 2006 and 2007. Ted seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
· Hermit Park project update. The Board decided to move into Executive Session to discuss particulars on this item.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: (24-6-402(4) (a)C.R.S. Purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of any real or personal property interest.
Duane moved to go in to Executive Session at 7:05, Jim seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned by a motion from Bill at 7:41. Sue seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
