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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-4-14 TOPS Approved_Minutes MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, DECEMBER 4, 2014 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Hawks, Chair Don Beeman Sandy Dodge, Vice-Chair Doug Chandler Cyndy Andrus, Commission Liaison COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXCUSED ABSENCE: Tom Starner CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mitch Overton, Parks & Recreation Director Carolyn Poissant, Manager Trails, Open Space and Parks Design & Development Chris Saunders, Policy& Planning Manager Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary A. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairperson Hawks. B. Committee member Dodge moved to approve the October 23, 2014 minutes with an amended change under FYI and Carolyn Poissant's report. Change from "Bike Park trip" to "alternative transportation trip". Committee member Beeman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. C. Changes to the Agenda—1:45 - Chair Hawks requested to add a discussion on public transportation and City Commission using TOP funds. D. Public Comment—none. E. Disclosures—none. Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, DECEMBER 4, 2014 F. Discussion i. TOPs Projects Updates—3:03 Carolyn Poissant, Manager of Trails, Open Space and Parks Design & Development, handed out a memorandum highlighting updates and timelines regarding the TOP Bond Projects. a. Bozeman Ponds—3:29 -A consultant, DHM, a landscape architectural firm has been hired as the lead. Allied Engineering is also a part of the team. The consultant will work with volunteers, stage the work so use of the park is not disturbed, and get things done as quickly as possible. Process involved publishing a RFQ(Request for Qualifications). RFQ was also posted on the city website. Selection committee of five narrowed field to top three. Top three were interviewed. DHM had the top score. This firm is also doing the Fort Missoula project in Missoula. The preliminary, conceptual master plan completed by Dick Pohl was very helpful in the process. b. Bozeman Creek— 15:27 - City Commission gave approval to extend the deadline of DNRC grant which was to expire the end of December. Time is needed for the re-design and construction for this project to occur in the fall and winter when water flows are low. Working on a firm approval from the property owners. Goal is to be done by June 2016. The $100,000 DNRC grant is for design and engineering of the project. A total of$99,000 in grants from other sources has been secured. These grants have no deadlines. c. Bozeman Sports Park—19:11—Scheduled for Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sport Park Foundation to go to City Commission on January 5, 2015. Received 37 responses to the online survey. Highest ranking on the online survey was "more park-like" amenities. Want buffers, trees,trails along with field areas. Ms. Poissant has met with Desiree McCann and Melanie Schell regarding spearheading the community built Page 2 of 5 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, DECEMBER 4, 2014 playground effort. Ms. McCann is focusing on having a design day with local school groups. She will work with the Sports Park Foundation to raise funds. The Sports Park Foundation is currently accepting donations through the Bozeman Community Foundation. Carolyn will be meeting with City engineers to discuss the road construction/installation and timing around the facility. 44:30- Manager Saunders reported that there was a meeting earlier in the week with Walter Wolf, the developer of the property east of Flanders Mill. They are working on how to move storm water appropriately through the site. Natural flows will be kept interior to the subdivision so that will just be a storm water and irrigation facility. This will make a big difference with the design and permitting for Flanders Mill Road. d. Story Mill Park—24:29- Going to the City Commission on December 15tn for approval of the MOU, Real Estate Purchase &Sale Agreement, and a Licensing Agreement. The Trust for Public Lands and the city will co-manage the project. This is an action item on the commission agenda. This resolution can be forwarded to the TOP Committee members by the board recording secretary when it is completed. The City will be involved in all aspects of the project. TPL will hire and pay for the design and engineering consultant as part of their match. Manager Poissant will be present at all the meetings. TPL will manage the contract and the City will sign off on all the invoices. The next step is a more detailed site plan, which will utilize input from the survey and public meeting. Hopefully construction can begin next summer. This site has a lot of demolition on the north side where the trailer court was located. It was mentioned that there is concern about this park losing the play aspect. The north part of the park will have an active area. Director Overton stated that there is a healthy discourse as how to go forth with the development. Students from MSU are doing research on the wetlands and water quality on the south portion. A section of the Gallatin River banks have been stabilized and tons of concrete riprap and rubble have Page 3 of 5 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, DECEMBER 4, 2014 been removed. During high water flow times there are now extended flood plains for the water to spill out onto and filter back to the creek and river. e. Trail to the "M" and Drinking Horse Mountain—38:19—The Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) has given the go ahead for a categorical exclusion approval, which means the process for the National Environmental Policy Act will be less extensive. The project can move forward into design. The consultant is looking at varied alternative routes for the trail. It is important to have an underpass under the highway to connect the two trail heads. This underpass could also serve as a wildlife crossing. ii. 1:19:41—The next TOP meeting will be scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the upstairs Professional Building conference room. iii. FYI 48:34—Committee member Beeman stated that he has been particularly impressed with the leadership of City Manager Kukulski, Parks & Recreation Director Overton and the city staff involved with the TOP Committee. The leadership of Mr. Kukulski is evidenced by the performance of the city staff. Mr. Beeman wondered if a letter to the newspaper on an update of the TOP Bond projects might be in order. Ms. Poissant is providing an update each quarter on the TOP page of the city website. 52:20—Director Overton reported that he and Manager Poissant had met with Gallatin Valley Land Trust and representatives from the Public Works Dept. to identify trail corridor issues. Potential connections are concerns at pedestrian crossings at some trail corridors mainly on the west side of town. These corridors could be possible future requests for funding from TOP. After approval of the sale of the last 5.1 million dollars in bonds by the City Commission,the sale of the bonds has generated roughly$300,000 in revenue. G. Public Transportation & Use of TOP Funds—57:09- Commissioner Andrus stated the commission has had discussions about infrastructure, road improvement &trail Page 4 of 5 MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, DECEMBER 4, 2014 connections. No decision has been made at this time. Chairperson Hawks wondered if discussion regarding street cars in Bozeman has been mentioned in regards to the Transportation Plan. Manager Saunders said he was not aware that there had been discussion to that effect and that the RFP for a new Transportation Plan would probably be out in January. April to May the formal process will begin. Street cars need a high density of users and Bozeman may not be ready for that yet. Commissioner Andrus related that there has been some talk regarding Main Street truck traffic and possibly a truck bypass in the future. It may be important for the TOP Committee to give input into the Transportation Plan. H. 1:17:53—Committee member Dodge made a motion to have Committee member Beeman initiate a draft of an editorial letter regarding the progress of TOP Bond projects. Committee member Beeman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. I. 1:20:20- Committee member Dodge motioned to adjourn the meeting at 11:20 a.m. Committee member Beeman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Bob Hawks, Chairperson ATTEST: Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary PREPARED BY: Doreen Olean , Recording Secretary Approved on Page 5 of 5