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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-2014 Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Committee Minutes MINUTES OF THE TRAILS,OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Beeman Sandy Dodge Doug Chandler Bob Hawks, Chair Tom Starner COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mitch Overton, Parks& Recreation Director Chris Saunders, Policy& Planning Manager Jeff Graff,TOP Program Manager Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary A. The meeting was called to order by Bob Hawks, Chairperson at 9:02 a.m. B. Approval of Minutes of January 16, 2014 meeting— Motion and vote. Chair Hawks felt that there did not need to be any changes to the minutes if his comments meet the wishes of the committee. There was a question that was raised in regards to voting on projects as to whether committee members should be identified or not if they are not in favor of a project. We have the provisions for a minority report so if a committee member does not approve a particular project, but the project prevails we have the minority report and that committee member has the right to forward the minority report. The committee member to make the minority report should be identified for the City Commission in case they would have questions of that member. Committee member Dodge moved to approve the minutes as presented. Committee member Beeman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. C. Approval of Site Visit Minutes of January 29, 2014—Motion and vote. 2:12 Committee member Beeman moved to approve minutes as written. Committee member Chandler seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Page 1 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS,OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 D. Changes to the Agenda—none E. Disclosures: 4:14 Committee member Hawks disclosed that in a social setting he had a passing comment exchange with Commissioner Mehl who relayed that there was discussion going on with regards to the sharing of costs on infrastructure on projects that might come before the committee. F. Public Comment— 7:17 ➢ Barbara Moore, Ph.D, President & CEO of Shape up America supports the Story Mill proposal. This park is an investment in health, not just an investment in protecting the environment and creating recreational opportunities for people living in the city of Bozeman. Physical activity is every bit as important as a sound diet for the sake of good health. Send people outside to play. Two out of three Americans are overweight or obese which leads to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which are very expensive diseases. Urge to provide recreational opportunities in Bozeman and physical activity which will actually protect the health of the citizens of this town. ➢ 10:51 Terry Cunningham, Run Dog Run. Supports the project. Run Dog Run has been working with TPL on this project, because anytime a new park comes online a decision needs to be made on what to do about dogs as recreating with dogs is the most popular thing that happens in parks. Run Dog Run has suggested there be a separate area for dog recreation so there wouldn't be a lot of conflicts with user groups. An off leash dog park has been identified, which would be fully fenced, which TPL has been actively promoting. Speak in favor of this separate area for dogs and can help raise funds to fence and maintain it so it wouldn't be an additional cost to the city. ➢ 12:01 Deidre Combs, Consultant with Combs & Company. Enthusiastically supports this project. Excited to work with people to create their visions and sees this as one of the compelling visions for this community. This is one of those pivotal moments to make this community better. ➢ 13:08 Paulette Epple, a neighbor of the proposed park. Wishes this park had existed when her children were growing up. Future generations of families will be appreciative of a quality park on this side of town. Also the secretary of the Sacajawea Audubon Society, and speaking on behalf of the Sacajawea and their 450 members, they enthusiastically support the establishment of this park. Over 70 species of birds surveyed in this area. Sacajawea Audubon would like to use the natural areas as outdoor classrooms, leading field trips, holding educational classes, and conducting bird surveys. Have a group of volunteers to help with weed control, interpretive trail development and a bird nest box program. Sacajawea Audubon and Paulette recommend approval of this project. 15:44 Bobbi Geise, Learning by Nature. Worked with TPL to bring over 100 children onto the property last summer. The outdoors is a natural classroom. Amazing opportunity within the city limits and within walking distance to the Page 2 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 highest need elementary school in our valley to be able to have this for our children today and in the future. Consider the ecological aspects as well as the educational aspects that this opportunity provides. ➢ 17:23 Marcia Youngman, Chair of Great Gallatin Watershed Council, has been doing water quality testing on the Story Mill site. Creating Story Mill Community Park is one of the ways we can cherish precious stream and wetland resources. It offers a special opportunity to protect and enhance water quality along Bozeman Creek and East Gallatin River through stream and wetland restoration. Urge support of this proposal. ➢ 19:17 Patrick Byorth, Director of Montana Water Project of Trout Unlimited & Vice-Chair of Greater Gallatin Watershed. Is a biologist who has been trying to increase and improve the rivers & streams in this valley. Story Mill project is a chance to improve water quality, river function, fishing and recreation and is a great place to be. Trout Unlimited wants to express its whole hearted support for this Story Mill project. ➢ 22:36 Aubree Roth, Executive Director of Gallatin Valley Farm to School. Connects schools to farmers. Delighted to be a part of the exploration for the community educational farm at Story Mill. Sees this site as a place where there could be a demonstration of small scale agricultural production honoring our agricultural heritage as evidenced by the Story Mill buildings next to the property. Farm field trips and other educational opportunities connected with increasing food access will certainly foster healthy, lifelong eating habits for our children. Continues to support Story Mill project especially the community educational farm to school. ➢ 25:14 Josh Fairchilds, one of the founders of OBOZ Footwear, early supporter of the bond initiative and also a member of a steering committee of local outdoor industry businesses. Local businesses are challenged with the attraction and retention of quality employees. Having parks such as the Story Mill Park is something that employees have expressed as an important element to their quality of life and their job satisfaction. As a local business owner we are fully supportive of this park and don't think there will be another opportunity near the city center or city limits to have a park of this magnitude. Local outdoor businesses support this park. ➢ 26:40 Karen Walsh, owner of Simms Fishing Products. Talent is attracted to this valley because of its outdoor opportunities. Story Mill Park will be a huge draw for potential employees. It simply makes sense. ➢ 27:27 Chris Nixon, owns Lehrkind Mansion on N. Wallace. Well loved area that is already being utilized. This would be the flagship park for the city. It is a one time opportunity. Public needs this type of space for outdoor recreation. Encourages committee to pass this project onto the city commission. ➢ 30:00 Tammy Crone, Manager of Gallatin Local Water Quality District and board member of Greater Gallatin Watershed Council. Has been working with TPL on this project. Supports this project. Only 38% of our natural wetland and riparian Page 3 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 habitat still remain in the valley. Encourages support and recommendation to the City of Bozeman Commission. ➢ 31:46 Steve Carpenedo, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Wetlands Environmental Science Specialist. Recognizes and supports the unique opportunity the community of Bozeman has to restore wetlands and have a positive impact on the water quality and quantity of East Gallatin River and Bozeman Creek and also to create a park that has many features with accessibility to everyone. Living classroom to train future scientists in the importance of water quality and restoration. Will continue to support this project both with time and technical assistance, but also with funding. Encourages committee to pass this. ➢ 33:05 Denise Hayman, community member for 27 years and an avid trail user. There is a much greater use of the trail system now. Need for trail system expansion. Go big. ➢ 34:43 David Cook, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board member. Fifty-two acres of bringing nature to the city. Let's get on with it. Let's go. ➢ 35:29 Anne Banks, spent 16 years as a member on the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board and also has been a GVLT trails committee member. Seize this opportunity of 52 acres of parkland. Offers all kinds of opportunities such as wetlands restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, recreational possibilities, trail connections, educational opportunities (especially for kids). We shouldn't miss this opportunity. Strong community support. Let's do it. Recommend to the City Commission to spend the money with a terrific match from TPL. ➢ 37:37 Karin Jennings, neighbor of area, avid trail user and bird watcher. Great supporter of wetlands, water quality, and educational opportunities. Supports community partnerships that are being brought for this project. Highly leveraged. In favor of passive recreation opportunities that this park provides, but also has an active component to it as well. Urges recommendation to City Commission to support this project. ➢ 38:53 Kelly Wiseman, Bridger Bowl Board of Directors. Interested in a park and ride from the parking lot in Story Mill Park to Bridger Bowl. This could reduce traffic in Bridger Canyon during the ski season. ➢ 39:57 Pam Bryan, citizen and also on Citizen Advisory Committee for Trust for Public Lands for the Story Mill Project. Voicing her enthusiastic support for this park project. Incredible leveraging opportunity. Application includes purchase of land but also a design and build out for the park. TPL has proposed that they will provide a 2 for 1 match in order to fulfill the promise that this park offers. Legacy parks and bold ideas are not inexpensive. Urge support of the full application. ➢ 41:44 Martha Collins, Sacajawea Audubon Chapter, Education Director. Urban wildlife area. Nesting of sand hill cranes here. This is the perfect opportunity to provide a lot of natural, outdoor classroom work for children, adults, everyone in the community. This is a no-brainer. Page 4 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 ➢ 43:38 Tom Hinz, owner of Ecolegacy Consulting in Bozeman. Does natural resource consulting for landowners, communities and conservation organizations in the northwest. Has been involved with TPL to conserve wetlands for water quality and many other benefits repeated this morning. Strongly urge moving this forward to the city commission for funding. This is a palatable opportunity that hopefully will make it across the finish line. ➢ 45:53 Ron Brey, citizen. Gave history of his time as assistant City Manager. These opportunities come along rarely. The money that has been spent for the Trail to the M project will be greatly enhanced by approving this project. Encourage your enthusiastic and unanimous recommendation for approval of this to the City Commission ➢ 49:36 McKenzie Ball, 422 N. 11th. Born in Bozeman. Wonderful childhood partly due the wonderful parks and recreational opportunities in Bozeman. Hope that this could be approved so that people who move here or children born here in the future can look back fondly upon what was decided here today with admiration and appreciation. ➢ 50:56 Diana Stevens, connectivity and community are absolutely elemental. Way to bring us together. ➢ 52:33 Jennifer Millington, parent. Children will completely benefit from this park. Children will have opportunities to learn through exploration on their own and through their classrooms at school. Need the link from downtown out to the mountains. ➢ 53:48 Kareen Erbe — small business owner of Broken Ground (offers education consultation and design services for edible garden spaces in town) also a neighbor to potential Story Mill site. Involved in conceptual design of the community agricultural and edible forest park component of the park. Tremendous opportunity for partnerships in the community. Tremendous opportunity for that area to be revitalized. ➢ 55:05 Cheryl Moore-Gough, retired State of Montana Extension Horticulturist Specialist, an adjunct at university teaching vegetable production, and on the Board of Directors of the Gallatin Valley Farm to School. Excited about the diverse opportunities that this development gives to this community. Supports this project. ➢ 55:54 Paula Beswick, Bozeman Public Library Foundation. The library is really excited about the prospect of Story Mill, continuing the trail system and making safe travel between the Boys & Girls Club and the library. Make sure that our wetland connections remain strong. Educational and inspirational place. Fully provides support for this project to move forward. ➢ 57:15 Vickie Backus, lives in the northeast neighborhood and loves this area. Chair of the Conservation Committee for Sacajawea Audubon Society. Totally supports this project. As a citizen thinks it is a great use of our resources. ➢ 58:37 Kelly Pohl, Gallatin Valley Land Trust. GVLT enthusiastically supports this park proposal. Exceptional opportunity to create new trail connections that are important for our bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in town. This park is at a Page 5 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS,OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 nexus of trails between the Story Mill Spur Trail, the East Gallatin Recreation Area, Cherry River, the Snowfill site and now the Path to the M. GVLT is committed to being a partner on this project for designing, building and maintaining trails. Closely aligned with the intent of the voters for the Parks & Trails bond. Hope the committee will take this to the next level. ➢ 1:00:59 Colin Pittendrigh, lives on south side of town. Well attended meeting with unanimous and enthusiastic support. Supports this project. ➢ 1:01:40 Ellen Trygstad, lives in the county. Admire the effort tremendously. There is a lot of pressure on this project to get it right in terms of urban and wildlife interface. Delicate ecosystem. Cornerstone model for urban wildlife interface and being able to maintain people usage of the area and still not negatively impact the wildlife that goes through or resides in this area. This could be looked at as a model. G. Action Items: i. 1:03:53 Staff Report presented by Jeff Graff, TOP Program Manager. (See attached report) Since report was submitted to TOP Committee TPL has added documentation to include Schedule B Title Exceptions by parcel for this proposed project. Chris Saunders, provided additional comment to Jeff to make note of issues of historic preservation for the Vollmer slaughter house properties because these properties are on the National Historical Registry (which will need to be addressed before conveyance). Staff report will be updated as this project goes through the process. ii. Story Mill Community Park Proposal —Presentation —Maddy Pope 1:16:31 Thanked the Committee for their time and effort that they have put into this application. Maddy Pope, Project Manager, introduced TPL team in attendance: Deb Love, Northern Rockies Regional Director: Will Rogers, President: and Adrian Benepe, City Park Development. Parks, trails and water quality were at the top of the list of concerns for our community. Important to leverage the resources of the city. TLP will partner with the city through the community design process until the park is opened up. Deb Love said she was able to bring national resources to help with this project. Planning to raise 2 to 1 dollars for park development to supplement the city's efforts. Page 6 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 a. Story Mill Community Park—Community Benefit & Prevailing Characteristics Matrices. TOP Manager, Jeff Graff, stated that the committee could proceed with their evaluation knowing it would be likely that the commission would have an appraisal and a Memorandum of Agreement before making their decision. Committee Chandler was concerned about the expense of the land and felt the improvements are expensive. The property is offered at TPL purchase price of 2.65 million or appraised fair market value, whichever is less. 1:35:05 Craig Wollard, Director of Public Works, put the project in context of some water issues the city with face over the next decade or so. He felt this project would help educate people about bad practices and how they affect water quality. 1:39:43 Mr. Graff stated that the Master Parks Planning Design, Phase 2 could be worked out as a plan was developed for the property. 1:58:51 Committee member Dodge motioned to move to the Community Benefit Matrix. Committee member Starner seconded. Committee members Dodge, Beeman, Starner and Hawks voted in favor. Committee member Chandler was opposed to the motion. Motion passed. Community Benefit Matrix passed. Prevailing Characteristics Matrix: Parks passed. Project was approved. b. Recommendation to Commission —Motion &Vote 2:08:00 Committee member Dodge moved to forward the committee's approval to the City Commission. Committee member Beeman seconded. Committee members Dodge, Beeman, Starner, and Hawks voted in favor. Committee member Chandler was opposed. A minority report expressing concerns could be submitted Page 7 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 and forwarded to the commission. The place holder on the City Commission agenda for this project is March 24, 2014. iii. Bozeman Sports Park—Rough Cut 2:11:19 TOP Program Manager,Jeff Graff gave the preliminary staff report. (See attached) Chris Saunders, Policy and Planning Manager, wanted to mention that the boundary line adjustment prior to conveyance appears difficult to meet the Buy-Sale Agreement timeline. 2:25:39 Director Mitch Overton felt that if only the Rough Cut Matrix was completed at this meeting the project would be kept on the needed timeline. Place holder for City Commission agenda for this project if approved by Committee would be April 7tn Paul Rubright, President of Bozeman Soccer Education Foundation,the same land owner sold adjacent land to the School District and the same type of lien was handled by the IRS before closing. He does not anticipate this being a problem. Regarding the subdivision lot re- alignment of the land, Chris Budeski of Madison Engineering is handling it and is proposing a simple lot re-alignment rather than a subdivision. Should have that done in a month. Water rights are from 1870 and appear to have ample water for the park. 2:30:57 Allen May, citizen/volunteer, pointed out that the fees are not specifically for planning, but it is mainly to hire someone for project implementation. 2:32:00 Chris Naumann, President of Gallatin Valley Lacrosse League, reported that the organization is a (501 (c)3). 2:37:26 Committee member Beeman had a prior commitment and because of the length of the meeting was unable to stay until the end, Page 8 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 but felt comfortable with the information he had passing the Bozeman Sports Park through the Rough Cut Matrix with at least 5 yeses. Chris Saunders recommended more than one entrance into the parking lot and room for buses to turn around. Committee member Starner felt the purchase price is good. Committee member Dodge had concerns about park maintenance and equipment costs. 2:50:57 Committee member Dodge motioned to fill out Rough Cut Matrix for the Bozeman Sports Park. Committee member Starner seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Project has passed through the Rough Cut Matrix with 5 or more yeses from all committee members. iv. Bozeman Sports Park- Professional Services Agreement for Engineering Services —Motion &Vote Professional sales agreement drafted to advance to City Commission to conduct a cost analysis to determine municipal and infrastructure costs of this project. Committee member Chandler motioned to support authorization of funds to be determined by the Commission for a Professional Services Agreement for engineering services to determine the cost of municipal infrastructure for the proposed Sports Park project. Committee member Dodge seconded. Committee members Chandler, Hawks and Dodge voted in favor. Committee member Starner was opposed. H. Discussion i. Site visit of Bozeman Sports Park on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. ii. Confirmation of next meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. I. FYI None J. Adjournment at 12:18 p.m. Page 9 of 10 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 Sandy Dodge,Vice-chairperson ATTEST: Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary PREPARED BY: D0 r C) Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary Approved on Page 10 of 10