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HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20140107 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION January 07, 2014 4:00 PM, City Council Chambers MEETING AGENDA I. Discussion with Open Space and Trails Board II. Galena Plaza Final Design Review Memorandum To: Mayor and Council Thru: Jeff Woods, Parks and Recreation Manager Thru: Stephen Ellsperman, Parks and Open Space Director From: Austin Weiss, Open Space and Natural Resources Manager Date: January 7, 2014 Re: Open Space and Trails Board Work Session CC: Steve Barwick, City Manager Jim True, City Attorney Summary Since inception in 2000, the Open Space and Trails Board has been instrumental in providing City Council with direction in the acquisition of open space and the design, planning, and construction of trail facilities that serve the entire community. Working together with Parks and Open Space staff, the Board feels that they are accomplishing the vision of the community in acquiring open space and developing community trail facilities. At the scheduled January 7, 2014, City Council work-session, both the Board and staff will present the past accomplishments in the acquisition of open space and completion of new trail projects, as well as a discussion that outlines the current goals in future planning efforts of the Board. Background The City of Aspen has a long history of open space acquisition and trail development for both the citizens and visitors of Aspen that spans back to 1970, when a 1.0% Parks and Open Space Tax was established. With these funds, the City of Aspen acquired crucial parcels of land and developed critical trail linkages that have molded the community fabric of lands and trails that Aspen is today. In November, 2001, the citizens of Aspen passed an additional 0.5 % Open Space Tax specifically dedicated to the acquisition and maintenance of open space and further development of trails and recreation in the community. This ballot measure authorized $38 million in bonding capability to P1 I. 2 accomplish these goals. In order to provide guidance, the City Council adopted Resolution #108 in 2001, which created a five-member Open Space and Trails Board which would provide recommendations to the City Council on utilization of open space tax funds for five years. In August 2007, the City Council adopted Resolution #31, which created a permanent Open Space and Trails Board which would provide long-term guidance on these issues. These ordinances provide specific direction on how the Board is to conduct business. In addition, the Board developed specific by-laws which provide policies on how they approach new land acquisitions or other open space and trails projects. In the last 13 years, the Open Space and Trails Board has been very busy setting priorities for funding recommendations and strategic planning with specific criteria in mind. The Board has enjoyed a direct communication link with City Council, and they feel that they are an effective and proactive Board that is working hard to further their mission statement of “To continually acquire, preserve, and manage open space and trails within the community for the benefit of current and future generations." The current Board includes Howie Mallory, Charlie Eckart, Gyles Thornely, Philip Jeffries and Jessie Young, along with Karen Carney, Board member alternate. Discussion: Open Space Acquisition The Open Space and Trails Board was founded to efficiently and effectively preserve critical open space in the community, and has preserved 1661 acres through outright property purchases, conservation easement acquisitions, donations, and development negotiations for open space in the past 13 years. The Board has formed solid relationships with a number of collaborators, all seeking to preserve critical open space lands within our community including other government agencies and local land preservation non-profits. The City Open Space and Trails Board works closely with the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails program to partner in both land acquisition as well as new trail development. Much of what has been accomplished in the past 13 years has been through this partnership. Each of these acquisitions of property takes hundreds of hours of time, and the Open Space and Trails Board has been well equipped in utilizing their expertise, leadership, and willingness to provide valuable time to these endeavors. The following list represents properties that have been acquired utilizing the 0.5 % Open Space and Trails Sales Tax since 2000: Property Title Acres Year Francis Whitaker (Bass Park) 1 2000 Mills Parcel 32 2000 James H Smith 78 2001 Moore Playing Fields 8 2001 Axtell and Protection Claims 21 2001 Ute 1010 1 2002 Burlingame Ranch 200 2004 Holy Cross 1 2003 Hunter Valley Way 10 2005 Cozy Point 168 2005 P2 I. 3 Smuggler Mountain 180 2005 Aspen Mass 35 2006 Ute Mesa 4 2007 Additional Smuggler Claims 65 2007 Little Cloud 2 2009 Millionaire Millsite 3 2009 Sky Mountain Park 845 2010 Lindsay Parcel 7 2012 Total 1,661 Acres The Open Space and Trails Board is actively working towards future open space acquisitions and opportunities and is focused on acquisition of properties within the urban growth boundary of the community, as well as areas directly adjacent to the city boundaries. Trail Development and Management Trails development within the community has been a high priority for the Open Space and Trails Board over the past six years. The Board has been actively involved in the prioritization, planning, negotiations, public meetings, easement acquisition, budgeting, design, and construction of a number of high-profile and high-impact trail system additions and improvements. These new trails provide a high-quality trail experience to the citizens and visitors of Aspen. The Board has a protocol with City staff for providing direction to the City Council in trail improvement activities which includes prioritization of trail opportunities on an annual basis and long term strategic planning for trail system improvements. The following list represents the trail system improvements that the Open Space and Trails Board has been directly involved with since 2000. Trail Mileage Upper Rio Grande Trail Improvements 1.60 Cemetery lane Phases I &II 1.10 Bergman Interpretive Trail 0.26 West Hopkins Trail Phase 1 0.20 Highlands Trail 0.50 ARC Trails 0.30 Harmony Trail 0.48 Post Office Trails Phase I & II 0.23 Ajax Trail 1.48 Midland Trail Extension 0.03 Williams Ranch Trail 0.15 Water Place Trail 0.50 Burlingame Village Trail 0.74 Extension of the Midland Trail/Little Ajax 0.06 Puppy Smith Trail connection to Rio Grande 0.08 Little Cloud Trail 0.63 Round-About Bridges 0.03 P3 I. 4 Fabi Benedict Bridge Replacement 0.02 Bob Helm Bridge Replacement 0.01 Old Stage Trail 0.75 Clark's Cutoff Trail 0.09 No Problem Joe Trail 0.15 East of Aspen Trail 0.80 Smuggler Recreation Trails 2.00 Hunter Creek Trail Extension 0.30 Viewline Trail 1.66 Skyline Trail 1.95 Cozyline trail 3.80 Airline Trail 2.20 Total 22.10 miles The City of Aspen Trail System consists of 36 total miles of trails, 22.10 miles of which have been added in the last 13 years. The next group of trail system priorities that the Open Space and Trails Board has identified includes the completion of a number of missing links throughout the town and providing connectivity to the surrounding valleys. The next phase of trail development will be a challenging one for the Board, as all of the “easy” trail projects have been completed. Trail easement negotiations, challenging terrain, and financial outlay are all challenges the Board faces in the next phase of trail system development. However, the Board’s experience and expertise provide a methodology for success. Seamless trail connections within the community is one of the Board’s stated goals, and the following list of trail projects has been identified as the next round of priorities to recommend for completion to the City Council. Castle Creek Bridge Trail Corridor Hunter Creek Access Trail Sky Mountain Connector Trail Oklahoma Flats Trail Improvements Bike Park Burlingame/Rio Grande Connector Trail The Open Space and Trails Board looks forward to discussing these projects and other identified trail improvement opportunities. Financial/ Budget Impacts The Open Space and Trails Board has worked closely with the City Council to ensure funds dedicated to open space and trails are maximized. The Board has significant experience in financial disciplines and has been fiscally savvy in the approach to funding open space acquisitions and trail development projects. Funding partnerships, conservation easement negotiations, donations, and development extractions have all been used successfully in the financial portfolio of the Board to move acquisitions and projects forward. P4 I. 5 The financial forecast for the Parks and Open Space Fund shows a trend of healthy fund balances and moderate growth into the future. The team continues to recommend leveraging funds in partnership with other local agencies and organizations to further the mission of open space acquisition and trail development in the community. The Open Space and Trails Board will continue to work closely with staff and City Council to appropriately provide guidance and recommendations for the budgetary needs of open space preservation and trail connectivity of the community. P5 I. Open Space and Trails Board Mission Statement To continually acquire, preserve, manage and maintain Open Space and Trails within the community for the benefit of current and future generations. Six Member Board:Six Member Board: ••Howie Mallory Howie Mallory ––Board ChairBoard Chair ••Charlie Eckart Charlie Eckart ––Chair ProChair Pro--temtem ••Gyles ThornelyGyles Thornely ••Philip JeffreysPhilip Jeffreys ••Jessie YoungJessie Young ••Karen Carner Karen Carner --Board AlternateBoard Alternate P6 I. Partnerships in Collaboration Colorado Open Space Alliance 2006 and 2011 City and County OST Co-hosted State W ide Conference P7 I. City Owned Open Space Properties Prior to 2000 Total Acres: 348 P8 I. New Acres since 2001: City Owned Open Space Properties in 2014 since 2001: 1,661 Total Acres: 2,009 P9 I. Year Acquired Acres 1966 GarrishPark 5 1972 Aspen Golf Course146 Jenny Adair Park1.3 1975 Ute Cemetery4.7 Thomas Ranch 35 1977 Little Cloud Park2.5 1978 Deer Hill 24 1983 Marolt Ranch 26.7 Inception of the Open Space Fund 2000 Francis Whitaker 1 2001 James H. Smith North Star78 Moore Playing Fields8 2002 Mills 32 Ute 1010 1 2003 Axtell & Protection Lodes21 Holy Cross1 2004 Burlingame Ranch200 2005 Open Space Acquisitions Marolt Ranch 26.7 Holden Marot Barn1.8 1988 Maroon Creek Wetlands27 1995 Red Butte 24 1996 Meadows Lot 425.7 Annie Mitchell4 1997 Prockter .5 1998 Hummingbird10.3 Mascotte999.3 2005 Cozy Point 168 Smuggler Mountain180 Hunter Valley Way10 Aspen Mass 35 2007 Ute Mesa 4 Additional Smuggler Claims65 2009 Little Cloud2 Millionaire Millsite3 2010 Sky Mountain Park845 2012 Lindsay Parcel 7 P1 0 I. Open Space Management Ensuring the protection and ecological health of the Open Space System Management Plan Development EducationRecreationalEducation Habitat ProtectionGeneral Maintenance Recreational Development Wetlands Management P1 1 I. •Strategic property acquisition •Link existing properties •Improving recreational opportunities Open Space Goals •Improving recreational opportunities •Protect and enhance wildlife habitat •Strengthening Partnerships P1 2 I. Trails Trails --Summer and WinterSummer and Winter Linking the community to 20 miles of commuter and recreational trails & 62 miles of Nordic trails throughout the upper Roaring Fork Valley P1 3 I. City Trail System Prior to 2000 Total Miles : 13.7 P1 4 I. City Trail System in 2014 Total Miles : 36 P1 5 I. • CozylineTrail • Airline Trail • Bob Helm Bridge Replacement • Hunter Creek Trail Extension • East of Aspen Trail • Old Stage Trail • Smuggler Recreation Trails • Clark’s Cutoff Trail • No Problem Joe Trail • West Hopkins Trail • Midland Trail Extension • Highlands Trail Trail Accomplishments Since 2000 East of Aspen Trail • Highlands Trail • Post Office Trail ,phases I & II • Cemetery Lane Trail, phases I & II • TerralWade Pedestrian Bridge • Burlingame Trail • Williams Ranch Trail • FabiBenedict Pedestrian Bridge • Ajax Trail • Round-a-bout Bridges • High School Trail • ABC Trail P1 6 I. Hunter Creek Trail Extension P1 7 I. Sky Mountain Park Trails Airline Trail CozylineTrail P1 8 I. Future Trail Goals To provide improved pedestrian and bicycle To provide improved pedestrian and bicycle connections, and improved trail user safety. connections, and improved trail user safety. Goals: Identify and connect missing links Create a seamless trail systemCreate a seamless trail system Public safety improvements Action Items: Castle Creek Bridge Trail Corridor Apply for Gold designation as a Bike Friendly Community. Execute 2014-15 Capital Projects P1 9 I. Castle Creek Bridge Trail Corridor This important bicycle and pedestrian corridor serves as an unsafe and dis- functional route into the City of Aspen from the Cemetery Lane/MaroltOpen Space area. Creating a safe trail connection across the Castle Creek Bridge through to 7th St. and Hallamis a major priority of the Open Space and Trails Board that will require a multi-departmental solution. Public Safety Improvements & Missing LinkPublic Safety Improvements & Missing Link P2 0 I. Pedestrian Safety ImprovementsPedestrian Safety Improvements Castle Creek Bridge Trail Corridor P2 1 I. 2014 & 15 Future Goals •Trail Connections Public Safety •Castle Creek Bridge Trail Improvements •Safe Route to Music School / Aspen Country Day School •Aspen Mass Trail Re-Alignment •Oklahoma Flats Trail Improvements •Trail Connections •Buttermilk/Airline Trail Connector •Burlingame/Rio Grande Trail Connection •Improved Trail Access to Hunter Creek Valley •General Improvements •Smuggler Mining Interpretation •Bicycle Park/Skills loop •Natural Resource Protection •Apply for Bicycle Friendly Community Gold Status P2 2 I. P2 3 I. Page 1 of 2 MEMORANDUM: __________________________________________ TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: John Laatsch –Project Manager, Capital Asset Scott Chism – Planning and Construction Operations Manager, Parks THRU: Randy Ready – Assistant City Manager Scott Miller – Capital Asset Director Jeff Woods – Manager of Parks and Recreation DATE OF MEMO: January 2, 2014 MEETING DATE: January 7, 2014 RE: Galena Plaza Site Plan Design Review REQUEST OF COUNCIL: City Council approval of the Galena Plaza Site Plan, 100% Detail Design and direction to continue work through the Implementation Documents and construction drawings. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The last Council action specific to Galena Plaza occurred on November 19, 2013, during a Council work session, when Council had design questions following presentation of the Galena Plaza Site Plan and directed staff to meet with the Mayor Steve Skadron and Councilwomen Ann Mullins to further address site design related questions. BACKGROUND: The design process to determine a replacement public space to Galena Plaza in association with the required parking garage roof repair started in earnest in January 2010. At that time, a staff and stakeholder group established Galena Plaza Program Requirements and Galena Plaza Design Objectives which were intended to guide the comprehensive project design effort and test various design proposals. Staff has checked in with Council multiple times over the last three (3) years to review aspects of the garage roof replacement and plaza redevelopment project. Each discussion with Council has generated adjustments to the project design and scope. DISCUSSION: Staff met with Steve and Ann on December 9th to discuss the specific concerns that were of particular interest to both. Ann led a discussion that covered the following topics: Users, Uses, Role in the Park System and the Role in Cityscape. Discussion occurred with staff on walk alignments and minor site design changes that Ann felt could enhance the design and pedestrian experience of the plaza. On December 19th staff again met with Steve and Ann and presented a refined Galena Plaza Site Plan that integrated the recommendations from the meeting on the 9th and included the latest Library Design Plans. Site design modifications, walk alignments, Library impacts and project materials were discussed. Both Steve and Ann were comfortable with the changes and the attention to their concerns and concluded that the refined Galena Plaza Site Plan that is being coordinated with a renewed Library P24 II. Page 2 of 2 expansion/remodeling planning effort is ready for greater Council review at the January 7th worksession. That plan is herewith submitted for Council approval, as Attachment A. FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS: A comprehensive construction budget range of $4.0- $4.4 million for the proposed Criteria Design was established in 2011 and approved by Council. Construction costs for the 100% Detail Design are projected to be in the $4.6 million range including contingences. Funding partnerships still must be finalized with the Pitkin County Library, Sanitation District and a further review of our funding partner’s needs to take place. Staff and the project team will continue to refine costs and work through the Implementation Documents to achieve the best valued project. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: The environmental impacts are generally positive. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends that Council approve the submitted Galena Plaza Site Plan (Attachment A) and authorize the continuation of work thru the Implementation Document phase. ALTERNATIVES: City Council could choose not to approve the recommended Galena Plaza Site Plan and a continuation of the project’s effort. City Council could choose to provide other direction to staff than the requested recommended action. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: ______ ______________________________________________________________________________ ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Galena Plaza Site Plan P25 II. P26II. EXECUTIVE SESSION Date January 7, 2014 Call to order at: '54 I. Onn F-1 ilmembers present: Councilmembers not present: Mullins Ann Mullins �t Skadron ❑ Steve Skadron LYJ dam Frisch ❑ Adam Frisch [DwDaily Art Daily F-1 ayne Romero ❑ Dwayne Romero IL Motion to go into executive session by ; seconded by ✓ Other persons present: AGAINST: F nn Mullins ❑Ann Mullins VXve Skadron ❑ Steve Skadron LVA,dam Frisch ❑Adam Frisch rt Daily ❑Art Daily Dwayne Romero ❑ Dwayne Romero III. MOTION TO CONVENE EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION OF: C.R.s. 24-6-402(4) (a)The purchase, acquisition, lease,transfer, or sale of any real, personal, or other property interest 606nferences with an attorney for the local public body for the purposes of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions. (c)Matters required to be kept confidential by federal or state law or rules and regulations. (d) Specialized details of security arrangements or investigations, including defenses against terrorism, both domestic and foreign, and including where disclosure of the matters discussed might reveal information that could be used for the purpose of committing, or avoiding prosecution for, a violation of the law; 9 etermining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations; developing strategy for negotiations; and instructing negotiators; (f) (I) Personnel matters except if the employee who is the subject of the session has requested an open meeting, or if the personnel matter involves more than one employee, all of the employees have requested an open meeting. IV. ATTESTATION: The undersigned attorney, representing the Council and being present at the executive session, attests that the subject of the unrecorded portions of the session constituted confidential attorney-client communication: The undersigned chair of the executive session attests that the dis ssions in s' cu tiv s ssio were limited to the topic(s)described in Section III, above. Adjourned at: 6