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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.OSTB.20221215 MINUTES City of Aspen, Open Space and Trails Board Meeting Held on December 15, 2022 5:00pm at Pearl Pass Room, Aspen City Hall City OST Board Members Present: Julie Hardman, Ted Mahon, Howie Mallory, Adam McCurdy, Dan Perl City Staff Members Present: John Spiess, Matt Kuhn, Brian Long Adoption of the Agenda: Howie made a motion to approve the agenda; (there was no second) and the vote was unanimous. Public Comments, for topics not on the agenda: None. Approval of the Minutes: Howie made a motion to approve the minutes; Dan seconded and the vote was unanimous. Staff Comments: Matt: Board input on winter trail conditions is welcomed. City Council approved the 2023 budget and six new full-time operations positions. These jobs will be posted after the new year; they start at $21-23/hour with full benefits. Deer Hill Open Space and associated wildlife was a topic during staff comments last month. Staff is coordinating a meeting with AVLT next week to discuss this topic and define next steps. Staff anticipate having an update on this in January. Howie asked if Burlingame is a no-dogs community; it is a no-dogs community, however there are many emotional support dogs. Matt reported that Nordic trails are in great shape. Adam asked if an AVLT easement exists on Deer Hill. Matt explained that there is, as well as a Bar X Annexation Agreement; staff and AVLT will review these. Old Business: Snowmaking feasibility: John Wilkinson (President of Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council) and Craig Ward (project consultant on this feasibility study) presented. Matt explained the rationale for bringing this topic to this Board. Staff recently presented this study to Pitkin County Open Space & Trails Board. Funding comes from Pitkin County’s Mill Levy; staff and infrastructure are provided and managed by the City. There is an intergovernmental agreement between the County and City for the operation of the Nordic system. Every January, the City invoices the County for the previous year’s expenses. The City contributes a small amount of funding to the Nordic system. As we contemplate a snowmaking system, an important nuance is that much of the infrastructure and the land on which it would be installed is City land. Funding both the operation and the infrastructure will be a new situation. Staff is working with Nordic Council on how this could look. Matt expressed that the Board’s input will be important toward prioritizing this alongside other projects given the department’s limited capacity. Adam asked how the Council is structured. John said it was formed in 1984 with six community members, plus one representative each from the City, County, Snowmass Village, and Aspen Skiing Company. The Council has held certain trail easements, such as at Five Trees and others; most of these have been passed on to the County. The Council is an oversight and advisory group toward running the Nordic trail system in keeping with the rest of the resort community. Because of the accessibility of the trail system and insurance costs, it was decided to fund the trail system instead of charging a trail fee. Since then, IGAs have been in place and the system is funded by the County tax. The Council is a 501c3 and still has appointments from the original community entities. John described the importance of the Nordic trail system as a community amenity that is truly the “fifth mountain,” providing Nordic skiing connectivity from Aspen to Snowmass and Basalt. It also provides vital facilities for school and AVSC Nordic teams. The Council’s master plan includes this vision and goals statement: the Pitkin County Nordic Trails formalizes the goals of the Council to improve and expand the cross-country skiing experience in the valley, providing a seamless experience with high quality Nordic trail platforms. The master plan also mentions developing snowmaking to extend the Nordic ski season and meet challenges due to insufficient snow coverage. The Council has hired Craig to provide a snowmaking feasibility study. John emphasized that the Council seeks the Board’s support, input and questions to help further guide this effort. Regarding the volume of water needed, John said it would be equivalent to one week’s worth of irrigation at the Aspen golf course in summer. 75% of that water would return to the watershed, while 25% would soak into the soil or evaporate. The Council is sensitive to climate change and resource use. Holy Cross Electric and CORE are partners in this effort, and Aspen Skiing Company shares their vast experience. Craig added that because the Nordic system is on the valley floor, snowmaking is especially important. John mentioned that the effort includes gathering public sentiment toward whether Nordic snowmaking is desired. Craig described local rain events and other similar challenges as contributing to the impetus for the study resulting in his 22-page report. He mentioned the desire for a guaranteed snow base at Thanksgiving and commented on the business difficulties experienced by the cross-country skiing center at the Aspen Golf Course during seasons when there is no skiing until late December. The study has identified two potential snowmaking locations. Aspen Golf is the highest use area in the Nordic system and is also one of the lowest elevation sites with the greatest sun exposure. The other site is part of the Nordic trail system at the high school and is the second greatest use area. This site is adjacent to the public school campus, AVSC, and the Aspen Recreation Center. AVSC is working on a 2.5km homologated sprint course and extensions that meet FIS standards. Maps were shown of these areas. Craig addressed water usage. A test of the system was conducted three years ago by tapping into the system that supplies Thunder Bowl to create 1.5km of trail. Craig described time estimates toward making snow and various equipment. Components include water, electricity, buried pipes, and hydrants. Craig provided capital cost estimates for the two sites: $1.2 million for Aspen Golf Course trail area, $1.8 for the system at the high school site. Annual maintenance $70,000 for both systems for labor, water and electricity. It will be important to secure water rights using raw water held in ponds that keep the water cold. The golf course has existing ponds that can be improved for this use. Craig emphasized that at $3 million, the community should consider this project. AVSC is excited about participating in the system at the high school site and has offered to contribute $1 million. If the County and City can contribute $2 million, capital costs can be met; Five Trees Metro District could also participate. An IGA would be needed to cover annual operating costs. The Nordic Council has dedicated $25,000 of its reserves to this process. Craig added that $100,000-150,000 would be needed to engineer the project prior to bidding it. Which entity will take the lead and how costs will be shared needs to be determined. Craig described how important this project is to the community and that providing skiing is challenging without snowmaking. The total Nordic trail system is about 80km; the snowmaking areas constitute about 5km. Julie expressed support for this project and asked how staffing would be managed. Craig explained that snowmaking work involves a special skill set; he suggested there could be potential to partner with Aspen Skiing Company on this level as the timing could work well with alpine snowmaking efforts. Howie brought up the need to address snowmaking impacts on grass such as fairways. Dan asked which company electricity would come from; Craig said it would be the City of Aspen utility. Dan expressed support for the concept and said that the capital investments seem reasonable. He expressed concern about weighing climate change issues with the energy required for snowmaking. Craig mentioned that the system would be used efficiently to create a base early and quickly. Ted expressed support for the project which would benefit AVSC programs and the public. He suggested addressing the two sites separately. Craig added that the study details funding separately for the two sites (high school: 56% AVSC, 16% County, 16% City, and 10% Five Trees. At the golf course: County 50%, City 50%). Ted suggested phasing the project. Craig agreed, explaining that the high school system could be developed first. Ted asked about the pond location at Five Trees; Craig used a map to show where the pond and water lines would be located. Ted asked about usage data and whether usage is increasing, mentioning that this data would be important toward community buy-in. Craig mentioned that AVSC numbers have risen significantly and that rentals at the golf course are up 173%. Adam expressed that he would like trail use data. Matt mentioned that trail counters at the golf course are tricky given the nature of the trail system; mobile data has potential for gathering more accurate user numbers. Adam asked about any neighbors who may not support the project, such as the school district (pond as a safety hazard). Craig said that the pond would be fenced and added that Meadowood would also likely have comments/concerns. Adam expressed questions about how the water for this project fits into how the City is addressing water efficiency. Craig said that if water demand is staggered with that of Highlands, for example the pond could be filled during daytime hours. The City would need to consult water attorneys to ensure necessary water rights. Adam echoed Dan’s comment about climate change and suggested that additional costs to power this project with renewable energy and the like could be meaningful to community support. Ted added that this project could bring some equity toward Nordic skiing in light of all the snowmaking for alpine and related events. Howie asked whether the goal would be to cover the driving range or just trail widths at the golf course. Craig explained that snowmaking hydrants and guns would be placed strategically to put the snow where it is needed. PROJECTS UPDATE Iselin pickle ball courts: Matt updated the Board on progress with this project. A landscape architect and engineer have been retained and they are working on design. Matt showed current renderings; it will go out to bid this spring. Council approved the $2.8 million capital budget for this project. If a contractor is secured and this project happens next summer, the courts will be closed all summer. Dolinsek Gardens: Successful work last summer made this site about 70% complete; it will take 6-8 weeks to complete it next May - June. Work within the roadway included abandoning utilities; other major work included earthwork, irrigation, and plantings. Staff looks forward to a grand opening next summer. Matt showed images of entrance monuments, pavers, and other views of the progress. Howie asked whether Dolinsek Gardens will be negatively impacted by Lift 1A development work. Matt explained that there will be some small impacts during skiway modification work. Cozy Point Ranch: Progress has been made on parking lots, drainage, and grading improvements. The scope of work for phase two is large. Many of the stormwater problems are being met by capturing runoff on the completed side of the project, so staff are considering reducing the amount of grading and fill work in the paddocks area and will approachj the County with a change order to the grading plan. This may simplify and streamline work going forward. We are still striving for improvements to Brush Creek water quality and equestrian safety. Rio Grande Trail signage: It has been installed and is well-received. Ute Park: New playground equipment was installed in late fall by a contracted installer. Some restoration work will be done next summer to complete this. Julie asked for clarification of original versus new courts at Iselin Park. Matt explained that there were originally two tennis courts; there are currently four pickleball courts and one tennis court. It is now being increased to 7 pickleball courts and one tennis court, along improving site amenities such as bathrooms, shade structure, congregating areas, and an improved experience for staff to conduct management. Dan asked about next steps; Matt explained that the design and engineering are being finished, and it will go out to bid in about 9 weeks. Herron Park: The design process and budget are in place for the bathroom facility; an interior designer is working on interior finishes. This should be on order by the end of the year. Adam asked when it would be built; Matt said late next summer. Julie asked whether there are trash issues with the trash can located across the trail from the hand washing station. Matt said they will look into this and report back. Julie suggested not providing paper towels and drying hands naturally instead to avoid waste. Roundabout: John showed photos of impacts around the roundabout, describing CDOT’s future installation of an irrigation system and Parks’ subsequent plantings of trees and shrubs later this summer. This project also included replacement of the bridge joint; the joint was moved back, solving the issue of debris on the trail below. Maroon Creek Trail: A 30% design review took place today with Otak; they will have 100% construction documents by the end of February. A contractor will be brought on before construction documents are complete in order to get on their schedule for this summer and so they are in position to help with final details. It is hoped to break ground in mid-April. Julie asked which end of the trail will see the start of the work. Matt said that is will likely not be a linear project and work may take place in various parts of the alignment. Dan asked when road lane shifts would happen; John explained that this is no longer necessary. Matt said that a private property owner along the alignment was amenable to a 5-year renewable license (rather than an easement); this instrument is almost complete. If the license is not renewed, the owner would provide 180 days notice; Parks would return the site to original condition and realign the trail. John added that the County pledged $500,000 toward this project. He expects it to go out to bid next Wednesday. Maroon Creek Gorge Trail: This end of the trail descends from the corner of Iselin Fields to Maroon Creek Gorge. A contractor was hired to rework this trail. The crew created a stable trail platform and resolved various issues with roots, failing retaining materials, and erosion. Julie asked whether it is bikeable; it is, but there are some timber steps. TRAILS UPDATES Brian presented trends in trail use and counter data information, a review of 2022 projects, and a look at 2023 projects. In terms of trail use, ebike and rental bike use have both increased. Bikers are traveling greater distances due to ebike capabilities, such as riding Owl Creek Trail between Aspen and Snowmass. Data gathered from trail counters shows increases in shoulder season use and overall use. Brian showed use patterns including the similarity between weekday and weekend use numbers on the ABC Trail near the roundabout. Brian presented various 5-year graphs illustrating several ways to break out use trends. Matt added comments about increased off-season usage correlating to traffics impacts; this shows people are using bikes to avoid driving and experiencing traffic delays. The Marolt Bridge has the highest volume counter data in the trail system, for example it showed 2,500 users/week in 2018; it is one of the busiest trails in western Colorado. As another use example, Oklahoma Flats trail showed a fair amount of nighttime use. Commuter trails such as the ABC Trail showed two daily peaks in use. In 2022, the big projects were Maroon Bridge concrete sealing and single track repair on Maroon Creek Gorge Trail. Smaller projects: a feature was installed on Butterline Trail, Parks created a detour around school campus construction, municipal code vision, and clearing of a land slide on Maroon Creek Gorge Trail. Adam asked about any responsibility the construction firm would have for defective concrete on Maroon Creek Bridge; Matt and Brian explained that it was done by CDOT and this far out there is no responsibility. Brian explained various challenges his crew met with the school campus detour trail. Dan said that the construction fences will be put back up next summer as work continues. 2023 capital projects include the Maroon Creek Trail construction. Brian mentioned that while the trail is not formally named, this one may be called Maroon Bells Trail. Trail surface improvements constitute a big line item every other year, such as asphalt and other repairs. Chatfield Trail behind golf course and Villas Trail, two of the most impacted asphalt trails will be repaired this summer. A planning and design process will begin at Truscott this summer to address ice problems affecting the ABC Trail and Southside Pedestrian Path. Parks is looking at what can be done to alleviate trail speed problems and related conflicts. Parks is proceeding with the public process for the skills trails at Marolt Open Space. A landslide on the trail below the Music Tent will be addressed by creating a new alignment. Changes to trail striping will be made, including adding more center line striping. Adam asked for clarification of the status of the Marolt skills trails concept. Matt explained that Parks is going forward with the public process to look at options and gather sentiment. The entrance to Aspen/Castle Creek Bridge project is a new factor for the Marolt Open Space as a whole; staff has not yet had time to discuss this and how it may affect the skills trails process. New Business: None. Board Comments: Julie: None. Ted: None. Howie: None. Dan: None. Adam: Asked whether there will be an upcoming Board retreat. Matt said that a Board retreat and joint County-City meeting may be planned for spring 2023. The Board will need to discuss topics to for these meetings. Next Meeting Date(s): Regular meeting January 19, 2022. Executive Session: N/A Adjourned: Dan made a motion to adjourn; Ted seconded and the vote was unanimous.