Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
April 23, 2024
A virtual attendance option was made available through Microsoft Teams.
Call to Order
Director Trimble called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Director Trimble led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Roll Call
Director Hanson: Present, Director Lodice: Absent, Director Daughtrey: Present, Director Writz: Present (arrived 6:12 p.m.), Director Trimble: Present
Also in Attendance: Paul Rufien, District Counsel; Becky Richmond, Director of Recreation; Derek Eberhardt, Assistant Director of Recreation; Dennis Weiner, Director of Finance and Administrative Services; Colin Insley, Director of Parks, Planning and Construction; Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary; other Foothills staff and members of the public.
Potential conflicts of interest were disclosed pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 18-8-308(2), 24-18-109(3)(a), 24-18-110, and 32-1-902(3).
Approval of Agenda
Motion: Director Daughtrey moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the April 23, 2024 agenda as amended to add Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4)(f). Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the March 26, 2024 board meeting as submitted. Director Daughtrey seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
There were no community comments.
Decision Items
Board Policy Manual Review/Update
Referring to information in the packet, Dennis Weiner discussed that staff and the Board have been working through the process of updating the Board Policy Manual since September of 2023. The polices provided tonight for the Board’s review with staff’s recommendations include the District Resident Financial Assistance.
Program, recommended updates; Finance Policies, recommended update; Investment Policy, no change recommended; Purchasing Card Policy, recommended update.
Mr. Weiner went over the policy updates and answered questions from the Board.
Regarding the District Resident Financial Assistance Program, Director Daughtrey recommended a change in the Exclusions section of the policy to read “no purchases under $15”. In answer to Director Daughtrey, Becky Richmond will find out how much financial assistance was provided last year.
Regarding Finance Policies, Director Daughtrey recommended a change to the Approval of Legal Expenses section of the policy to insert “timely” before submitted.
Regarding the Purchasing Card Policy, Director Daughtrey recommended a change to Item D, Number 3 section of the policy to add 60 “calendar days”.
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the attached Board Policy Manual updates with the revisions made tonight. Director Daughtrey seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Discussion Items
Item 1: Finance Update
Dennis Weiner presented the District’s financial update through March 31st of this year starting with total District year-to-date operating revenues. He continued with total year-to-date operating expenditures, net operating loss, non-operating revenue and expenditures. Mr. Weiner concluded that as a result of all financial activity, net revenue for the first quarter of the year was better than the budget.
Item 2: Draft Mill Levy Ballot Language
Referring to the memo provided, Mr. Weiner recalled that at the March board meeting, staff presented information about the TABOR question the District had on the 2017 November ballot which was a 2.75 mill levy increase with a nine-year sunset provision. The mill levy is set to expire at the end of 2026 if it does not get extended. He noted that as part of the discussion in March, staff presented background information about the mill levy, projects that have been accomplished, 16-year financial forecast, and steps required to proceed towards a mill levy election prior to the mill levy expiration. The Board provided direction to staff to proceed with all steps related to placing a TABOR question on the 2024 November ballot that will ask voters to extend that mill levy.
Mr. Weiner discussed that staff have developed draft language for the ballot and are seeking feedback from the Board. After receiving feedback from the Board, staff intend to work with District counsel, as well as the consultant who has assisted the District with polling and ballot language in the past. Mr. Weiner made clear that the Board will have final and formal approval of the ballot language at the August 2024 board meeting.
Mr. Weiner discussed that staff have been working on a list of projects intended to be promoted to the public as part of the election process. Those projects will be presented to the Board at a future meeting.
Mr. Weiner read through the draft ballot language projected on the screen. There was discussion and questions were answered. He confirmed that the mill levy would be extended into perpetuity.
Director Daughtrey expressed it would be critical to look at the list that was proposed with the initial 2.75 mill levy for completion of those projects and show they were accomplished. Mr. Wiener discussed there is very good evidence of that. The District went through 30 park sites in the last five years, all of which were included in the information related to that election. He observed that is very good evidence that the District is being a good steward of tax dollars.
In answer to Director Hanson, there was discussion about new residents and the population of the District.
Director Trimble recognized that Mr. Hopp’s Executive Director’s report was included in the packet and asked if there were any questions about the report. There were no questions.
Executive Session
Director Trimble announced the Board will move into Executive Session. When the Board comes out of Executive Session, there will be no further business. The Board will come back into the public meeting to adjourn the meeting.
Personnel Matters per 24-6-402(4)(f), C.R.S.
Motion: Director Daughtrey moved that the Foothills Board of Directors move into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4)(f). Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. Executive Session started at 6:23 p.m. and ended at 7:25 p.m. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:26 p.m.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary