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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.OSB.20240215.Regular MINUTES City of Aspen, Open Space and Trails Board Meeting Held on February 15, 2024 5:00pm at Pearl Pass Room, Aspen City Hall City OST Board Members Present: Ted Mahon, Howie Mallory, Adam McCurdy, Dan Perl City Staff Members Present: John Spiess, Matt Kuhn, Michael Tunte, Austin Weiss Adoption of the Agenda: Adam made a motion to approve the agenda; Ted seconded, and the vote was unanimous. Public Comments, for topics not on the agenda: None. Approval of the Minutes: Ted made a motion to approve the minutes; Adam seconded, and the vote was unanimous. Staff Comments: Matt: mentioned the Natural Resources Manager position that is currently posted externally. This position will help Parks with the forestry program, wildfire involvement, noxious weed program, permitting, and wildlife. March 7th is the joint City-Pitkin County Open Space & Trails meeting; the agenda includes a discussion of the ABC to Brush Creek Bridge project. Matt will attend. The discussion will elicit whether the County supports this project moving forward. If there is County support, staff will bring this topic back to this Board and likely also to Council. $250,000 is allocated for this project this year, Council is interested in whether this project is moving forward. Roaring Fork Safe Passages (RFSP)is a local non-profit that is working on safe wildlife crossings of local highways. In 2023, Parks provided RFSP with $5k to help with their feasibility study; they are now asking for additional funding this year toward a study of the Airport to Landfill section of Hwy. 82. Staff is willing to offer $20,000 to move this forward. The current scope of work for the study is $100,000. RFSP will attend the March 7th City-County joint meeting. City Council recently approved a donation agreement for Wagner Park playground replacement; Parks will match this donation with another $250,000, and this project will start in the next month. Adam asked about the outcome of the first RFSP study. Matt explained that the scope included the entire lengths of Highways 82 and 133, adding more information to a previous CDOT study. The study identified three high priority areas on Hwy 82. The Airport to Landfill section is the highest priority and the most potentially feasible; other priority areas include the west end of Snowmass Canyon the Cattle Creek area. The upcoming scope of work will look at a variety of available options along with under- or over-pass options. Dan asked for clarification of whether Council approved or received the playground donation. Matt clarified that Council approved an agreement between the donor and the City; the agreement outlines level of funding and terms of the agreement. Recognition will consist of a small plaque adjacent to the park. New Business: Capital Projects and Work Plan Outlook This is one of two meetings that will focus on capital projects and the work plan outlook. Today will be a higher-level conversation focused on prioritization to ensure projects are in the right order. Staff will continue to work with Finance, and in March staff will follow up with the Board on the preferred budget. Staff will then submit to Finance; operational budgets will be layered in during summer and fall. As we look at projects and timing, staff capacity is a primary consideration. Complexity is another important consideration as most projects are multi-year projects. Unforeseen opportunities arise, and it is important to have the capacity to absorb opportunities when they come up. On the topic of community impact, Parks is currently less focused on development and is focusing more on maintaining existing infrastructure: keeping parks, trails, and properties safe. Ninety-three percent of revenue each year comes from the 1.5% sales tax (contributing about $18 million). Matt shared a spreadsheet from the City’s budget book showing the 100 Fund (Parks Fund); he highlighted the ending fund balance. Howie asked Matt to send these two pages to Board members. Matt presented 2024 as a reference point from which to look forward into the next couple of years. 2024 is the biggest capital year ever for Parks, with total capital expenditures at about $14 million driven largely by the Maroon Creek Multi-Use Trail ($7 million). Other large projects include Iselin Tennis Court and Pickleball improvements, Herron Park restrooms, and Cozy Point Ranch’s final grading phase. Because these are large, multi-year projects, staff has taken a fairly light approach to 2024 and 2025. At Cozy Point, most projects are on hold until potable water is resolved; Parks has been working with two contractors on this and all options have turned out to be very complicated. Planned projects at the ranch depend on having available potable water, thus the pause. Parks will continue working on this issue, including seismic testing for alternative well sites this summer. Hopefully within the next couple of years water rights will be solidified and a new, higher- quality well will be available. After that point, projects including ranch worker housing and boarding facility and arena upgrades will re-start; these projects require fire-suppression within structures and water infrastructure must be determined before progressing further with design for these projects. Howie asked if a tank is part of the plan. Matt said the Farm Collaborative (FC) will install a tank for their building, and Parks would also likely need to install a separate system if the boarding facility and ranch worker housing are re-developed. Dan asked for an update on FC’s construction. John explained that FC began septic system work this fall and will complete it in spring followed by construction of their building this summer; they seem to be on their timeline. Addressing other 2024 project updates, Matt mentioned the snowmaking feasibility study that will begin in the next couple months. This will run through most of 2024 and possibly into 2025 to determine whether snowmaking is feasible on either the Aspen Golf Course or Moore Ballfields. The ABC to Brush Creek Bridge Project has potential for continuing with design in 2024. Emerging projects include a remodel of the Old Powerhouse, possibly in 2027. This will be placed in Parks’ budget as the project will include a redesign of the outdoor public space which will be officially designated as a public park with a slight change to the trail alignment. Howie asked what will happen inside the building; Matt explained that it will become additional City of Aspen office space. The Chamber of Commerce will move to the Armory. Austin explained that plans are still being determined for ACRA and the Armory. The Marolt Skills Trail is a new emerging project in the long-range plan. Matt posed a question to the Board about whether Parks should be the sole funder or if a partner or match situation should be pursued. Brian said that numbers for this project fall into the high $400,000s or low $500,000s. Adam said that Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association (RFBMBA) should be asked to participate in funding for this significant amenity that serves one user group; he also suggested Pitkin County as a potential co-funder. Ted expressed agreement with Adam’s comments and asked if there could be potential downsides related to partnering versus sole funding. Matt said that there would not really be any negative aspects to partnering; he added that RFMBA initiated this project, and it is worth asking them to supplement funding. Howie commented that he would like to discuss the number of trails in the skills trail space. He also compared the cost and user group of the pickleball courts, noting that cost vs. user groups is naturally inconsistent from project to project. Dan added that he supports a partnership and mentioned Mike Pritchard had spoken about a 50-50 match. Another emerging project is slated for Connor Park; as the Armory is redeveloped, this space could become a food court with community space and patio seating. Matt brought the focus to a 5-year vision for larger projects per program for Trails, Parks, Cozy Point Ranch, and Open Space. For Trails: Marolt Skills Trail ($300,000 for 2025), Marolt Bridge parapet walls replacement ($1.5 million 2026), Truscott Trail construction (2026), ABC to Brush Creek Bridge project as a placeholder ($4 million, 2028; grants and other funding sources anticipated), Cemetery Lane Underpass design (Entrance to Aspen is a variable for this). Howie asked about the Clark’s Cut-off Trail; Matt said that this is not included as a capital improvement item. For Parks: 2025: Playground installation at Wagner Park; update history panels on Wagner restrooms; overhaul Koch Volleyball sandpits. 2026: Connor Park (if Council supports an accelerated timeline for the Armory, 2027); Old Powerhouse (1.7 million, 2027); and park improvements for Lift One Development (2028). Adam asked how the park improvements would be executed for the Lift One project. Matt explained that streetscape and right-of-way areas would be handled by a fixed contribution from the City; landscaping adjacent to the historic museum would be Parks’ responsibility. The agreement leaves a fair amount of variability regarding scope of Parks’ responsibility; this item will be increased to $2 million each year. Matt indicated there may be some level of reimbursement from the developer for some of these items. In 2029, there is some variability: projects could include Galena Plaza, Frances Whittaker Park, and/or Anderson Park. Most of these projects are included in the current long-range plan in 2028, but per staff resources and availability, one of these should be identified as the first priority. Howie expressed that Galena Plaza should be the first priority. Adam agreed that Galena Plaza should be a first priority; he is curious about what is possible for Frances Whittaker Park. Dan expressed that Frances Whittaker Park doesn’t seem to need attention urgently; he is interested in potential for Anderson Park and feels that it should be elevated in priority. Matt brought the focus to Cozy Point Ranch, mentioning water improvement design and permitting as top priorities for the next one to two years. In 2027, pending resolving potable water, staff will restart a structural facility master plan to holistically design and prepare over a two-year window toward potential implementation in 2021. Meanwhile, over the next five years, staff will work to keep existing ranch infrastructure functioning. John underscored the complicated nature of the water situation and how fundamental this is to all other improvements. Howie asked if there is currently adequate water for fire suppression; Matt said that there is no fire suppression system other than extinguishers. Adam asked about using the sulphur water source for fire suppression; John said that his could be a near-term solution, but it would be preferable to have higher quality water under that particular well permit/water right so that the water could be useful more widely. Ted asked if the water situation has become pressing with the lessees; John said that there is a lot of communication between lessees and Parks about water and that solving the water problem will benefit the whole ranch. Dan commented about access to the ranch, specifically access from the Brush Creek Intercept Lot; he mentioned that access should be a priority alongside ongoing operational projects. John commented that the grading/drainage project addresses many circulation issues and supports camp operations. He mentioned the Colorado Parks & Wildlife grant for archery range improvements which will enhance use of this amenity. Adam expressed that it is important to continue thinking about access from the Intercept Lot to the ranch. Matt suggested a wildlife underpass with a hard wall separating a trail. Howie commented that there could be a soft- surface trail providing access from Brush Creek Road to the ranch compound. Open Space Program: management plans will be developed for Ute Cemetery (to restart in 2025); Deer Hill (2026), and Pride of Aspen (2027). John added that many interpretive signs are due for replacement; an inventory has been completed and work has begun on content and design updates. Most of the work will be done this year; installation is slated for next year. Adam asked if this will be done in-house or contracted; John explained that Parks is working with two contractors. Austin emphasized the staff time required for these projects, especially those involving the County. Matt added that partnerships with organizations such as Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition and Roaring Fork Wildfire Collaborative are additional draws on staff time. Howie asked about the aged solar system signs along the Rio Grande Trail; Matt commented that the County is contemplating deaccessioning these signs. Howie commented on the educational value of these signs; Matt said he would check with the County about this. Fran Soroka expressed a public comment, mentioning that Aspen High School created these signs. Ted mentioned the library’s Story Walk signs; Austin said that this is a County trail and the signs are under their purview. Adam asked about prioritizing the Pride of Aspen management plan sooner. John said that understanding the metes and bounds of the property is the first step, followed by contemplating changes to Little Cloud and any other pertinent trails. Howie asked about the Community Garden; John explained that Mary Oliver, Parks’ landscape architect, has created a summary of parcels that are under consideration for additional community garden space. An update will be provided to the Board later in the summer. Matt mentioned that the Parks Fund is increasingly being used for maintenance of Parks facilities, including major upgrades to the ARC next year. ARC projects are currently included in the budget. The fund balance is expected to be built up in time for other future projects. Dan brought up trail lighting improvements, such as underpass lighting. Matt explained that this would be capital maintenance, which is classified separately from capital projects. Howie asked if there are ways to make the Bike-Pedways more bike/ped supportive and less vehicle supportive. Brian mentioned that Engineering has ideas, such as limiting vehicles to entering the Bike-pedway from the west only. Dan mentioned two stop signs on the Hallam Bike-pedway that impact bike users. Austin commented that changing those stop signs for the cyclists would also encourage vehicles on this route. Dan asked about improvements for cyclists and pedestrians at the ABC. Brian mentioned that Parks is involved with such planning at the Lumberyard, but that the ABC is under separate jurisdiction. Matt commented that if the ABC to Brush Creek Trail happens, bike/ped improvements at the ABC could dovetail with it. Howie commented on potential impacts of the Entrance to Aspen on the Thomas-Marolt Property, whether it is above or below ground. Ted commented that bike traffic will likely continue to increase and that management of recreational and commuter cyclist traffic will need to be managed and planned for into the future. Matt will provide the Board with the excerpts from the 2024 budget that Howie requested and a detailed spreadsheet for what was discussed today. There will be a follow-up during the March meeting. Old Business: None. Board Comments: Ted: None. Howie: mentioned Julie and he were interviewed by Council for retaining their OST Board seats. Dan: None. Adam: None. Matt asked for an alternate Board meeting date in March, suggesting the Tuesday March 19th. This date was approved by Board members present. Next Meeting Date(s): Regular meeting March 19, 2024. Executive Session: N/A Adjourned: Adam made a motion to adjourn; Ted seconded, and the vote was unanimous.