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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-2013 Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOP) Committee Minutes MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, OCTOBER 24, 2013 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Beeman Sandy Dodge Tom Starner Doug Chandler Cyndy Andrus, Commission Liaison Bob Hawks, Chair COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mitch Overton, Parks& Recreation Director Chris Saunders, Policy& Planning Manager Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary The committee met at 8:15 a.m. at Bogert Park Pavilion for a site visit of the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project led by Gary Weiner. Mr. Weiner explained the project as the committee walked along Bozeman Creek from the southwest corner of Bogert Park to the northwest ,corner, behind the pavilion. A. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chair, Bob Hawks. B. Approval of Minutes of October 10, 2013 meeting—Committee member Dodge motioned that the minutes be approved as written with the change of spelling of Bill Cockran's name to Cochran. Committee member Chandler seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. C. Changes to the Agenda —none. D. Public Comment—none. E. Disclosures: ➢ Committee member Chandler disclosed that his company had a small part (the hydraulic modeling) in analyzing the Bozeman Creek Enhancement project. His company was not the primary designer. There was general agreement that Committee member Chandler need not exclude himself from participating in the matrix scoring and the vote for this project. F. Special Presentation: Bozeman Creek at Bogert Park Enhancement Project Application: Gary Weiner, National Parks Services Rivers &Trails Program, gave a powerpoint presentation regarding the Bozeman Creek at Bogert Park Enhancement project. Mr. Weiner has been acting as the coordinator for the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee on this project. Primarily this is a stream 1 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS,OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, OCTOBER 24, 2013 enhancement project that also improves the community value of the park. Two primary purposes: first to restore the functions of a healthy stream corridor, make improvements to fish and wildlife habitat and water quality; and second, the human element, to provide opportunities for nature based recreation and environmental education and improvements to health and safety. Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee has been working on this project since 2010. Committee is a self-appointed group of city, state and non-profit agencies. Process has had a strong public involvement element. Project is consistent with a lot of planning documents including the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Plan adopted by the City Commission last year; the Bogert Park Master Plan that is under revision and incorporates this project into the revision;the Bozeman Community Plan; Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan; and the Trails, Open Space and Parks resolution language. The stream is channelized through Bogert Park with high and unstable banks; has no flood plain, with very little hydraulic diversity;thin line of streamside vegetation; provides very poor habitat for fish and wildlife; and minimum value to park users. Safety threat at high flows and water quality is only partially acceptable for contact recreation. Project would create a couple of meanders in the stream, a flood plain bench of 10 to 15' wide on the east side of the stream, a 30' wide riparian zone on the east side, a new foot bridge with a viewing platform, playground reconfigure will include more seating for parents and new creek access area of flat boulders in a stepping stone fashion. Trails will be updated and a new gravel trail will connect the bridge, the playground, the stream access point and the pavilion. There will be interpretive signage that will become an environmental education opportunity where kids can have a living classroom and learn the value of a stream to a community. As of today there is$136,000 in the bank to start this project. Total cost is $576,000. Project is asking for$250,000 from Trails, Open Space and Parks Bond Fund. Mr. Overton sees this project as a catalyst to begin to upgrade Bozeman Creek. Public Comment: ➢ Chris Naumann, Executive Director of the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, has been serving on the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee, stated that this project could be the "Crown Jewel" of the Bozeman Creek enhancement, but will certainly be the catalyst for some of the stretches that run north of Bogert through downtown. On behalf of the Downtown Partnership, we support the TOP Committee funding this project. ➢ Maddy Pope,Trust for Public Lands, expressed strong support for this project. Community process behind it was extraordinary and as a result it is well thought out and planned. ➢ Kelly Pohl, GVLT, also strongly supports this project. Public process behind this project has been immense. GVLT is committed not only because of the enhancements to Bozeman Creek, but also the improvements to trail alignments through Bogert Park. Bogert is the nexus of trails where the Gallagator and Burke Park come together. Bridges on the trail system become community focal 2 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, OCTOBER 24, 2013 points where people can experience nature. The channelized stream and high water are a safety issue. G. Action Items: i. Bozeman Creek at Bogert Park Enhancement Project Application — Community Benefit Matrix and Prevailing Characteristics Matrices ➢ Committee members Dodge, Hawks, Starner, Chandler and Beeman all had a passing score of above 60%on the Community Benefit Matrix. ➢ Committee members Dodge, Hawks, Starner, Chandler and Beeman all had a passing score of above 60%on the Prevailing Characteristics Matrix: Stream Enhancement/Water Quality. The Committee discussed the amount of funding that may be needed to complete the project. They were concerned that the amount asked for will not be enough to finish the project if all the requests for funding are not awarded. There was discussion about the project beginning at south of Story Street instead of to the north of Story. Committee member Chandler moved to recommend $250,000 be funded and additionally requested up to $190,000 for a total of$440,000 in the event the other sources of funding are not available. This additional amount of funding would insure that the Bozeman Creek at Bogert Park Enhancement Project could be completed in a timely manner. These shortfalls could consist of the following grants and funds either not received or applied for yet: Trout Unlimited, MG Chapter-$30,000; FWP Future Fisheries- $30,000; Recreational Trails Program, 2014 City grant for footbridge- $90,000; and City of Bozeman Capital Improvement Fund - $40,000 for a total of$190,000. Committee member Starner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The TOP Committee members feel this is a high priority proposal. The TOP Committee members requested that Memorandums and Resolutions to the City Commission be forwarded to Committee members. ii. Bozeman Pond Park Expansion— Rough Cut Matrix ➢ Kelly Pohl, GVLT, addressed the Rough Cut Checklist. This proposal would expand the existing Bozeman Pond Park by nine acres, would increase the park size by 54% and would create a contiguous 24 acre flagship park in the west side of Bozeman. Would include natural areas, a picnic area, 3 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, OCTOBER 24, 2013 a natural playground with an outdoor class room component, an off- leash fenced dog park and parking that would provide access to the new park as well as Aasheim Fields across Fowler Avenue; restore a small stream corridor; and create trail connections. Of the twelve acres under contract,three acres would be used by Haven and thus the City would have a partner for infrastructure costs. Seeking$1,045,000 for the project. Proposal aligns with the PROST Plan and Community Plan. Partnerships include Haven and Run Dog Run. Support from Breakfast Optimist Club, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board, Hyalite Elementary School, HRDC, Hearts & Home and Bozeman Police Dept. Contract with seller is through December 6th. Committee member Starner feels that the purchase price is a good deal for an in-fill project such as this. Public Comment: ➢ Gary Weiner, National Parks Services Parks and Trails Program, loves the project, idea of expanding on this node in this area of town is spot on, more facilities for dogs in this park is a great idea, the current park is great, but a little limited now. Committee members Dodge, Beeman, Hawks, Starner and Chandler passed the Rough Cut Matrix with at least 5 yeses per voting member. The Committee felt that they did not need a group site tour, but several members will visit the site individually. Committee member Chandler requested Committee member Starner investigate the value of the land and provide documentation for the Committee at the next meeting. Committee member Beeman moved to pass the Bozeman Pond Expansion Project successfully through the Rough Cut Matrix. Committee member Starner seconded. Motion passed unanimously. H. Discussion i. The next Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in the upstairs conference room in the Professional Building. I. FYI ➢ Mitch Overton mentioned that the soccer folks are in negotiations. J. The meeting was adjourned at 11:24 a.m. 4 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING,OCTOBER 24, 2013 Bob Hawks, Chairperson ATTEST: t Q 4 a,r-- Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary PREPARED BY: Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary Approved on 5