Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
August 27, 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, Present; Director Daughtrey, Present; Director Writz, Present; Director Trimble, Present.
Also in Attendance: Paul Rufien, District Counsel; Ronald Hopp, Executive Director; Dennis Weiner, Director of Finance and Administrative Services; Derek Eberhardt, Assistant Director of Recreation; Colin Insley, Director of Parks, Planning and Construction; Randy Meyers, Director of Golf; 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 August 27, 2024 agenda as submitted. Director Lodice seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the July 23, 2024 board meeting as submitted. Director Lodice seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
Kerry Schaper, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, invited the Board to their Colorado Cares Day of Service on September 7th. They will be at Wingate South Park, she discussed. Ms. Schaper said this is their eighth year working with Sarah and they love working with Foothills. Mr. Hopp pointed out an article in the Information section of the packet that Kerry wrote for their newsletter about Sarah.
Mary Ann Rini, District resident, said she had been at the last meeting, and now has different information to share with the Board about the mutual fence their HOA and the District share. Her community is Executive 9 at Marston Slopes, they abut the golf course at the sixth and seventh tee box. It is an irrigated piece of property, and it is their position that the irrigation has contributed substantially to the deterioration of their fence, Ms. Rini discussed. She explained that their community has two fence areas, 500 feet that touch the golf course and another 500 feet at the entrance. They have had five contractors come out to discuss the repairs; the fences need welding and painting. The area that abuts the golf course needs substantial welding to the cost of $16,000, Ms. Rini discussed. The contractor they have selected has stated that if the irrigation continues to spray on that fence, he will void the warranty. His basis for that is the fact that the irrigation has been on that fence for 30 years and has contributed to the deterioration. Ms. Rini talked about a video with sound recording taken by her neighbor. She said when she met with Mr. Hopp and Randy Meyers in June, they did say that they would ask that all the heads be pointed away from the fence. She suggested though they have tried, it hasn’t happened. Ms. Rini referred to a Robert Frost poem, Mending the Wall. She said they would like a contribution of one third of the cost.
Ms. Rini answered questions from the Board. Director Trimble recommended that staff reassess the situation and bring the Board a recommendation. Ms. Rini recognized that they need to get the fence painted before the end of October.
Decision Items
Item 1: November 5, 2024 Ballot Language Resolution
Mr. Hopp recalled that there has been discussion for many months about extending the mill levy that was originally passed in 2017, it expires at the end of 2026. The District is tracking toward having that election on November 5th. Mr. Hopp reminded that previously the Board passed a resolution to appoint a Designated Election Official and the District entered into an agreement with Jefferson County for the coordinated election. Staff are asking the Board to consider a resolution that includes the ballot language, Mr. Hopp discussed. If approved by the voters November 5th of 2024, it would continue the 2.75 mills into perpetuity. The District would continue to use the revenue for general fund purposes, including operational priorities and capital improvements. Mr. Hopp cited the ballot language as part of the resolution, it is the ballot language that would appear on the ballot.
Director Daughtrey asked Mr. Rufien about the legislature and the governor calling a special session to do anything with property taxes. Mr. Rufien said the focus seems to be to try and reach a compromise that will have the citizen-initiated ballot questions that are going to otherwise be on the November ballot, have those be withdrawn, so there is focus on a more concrete decision rather than doing this every single year. Mr. Rufien said that will not affect this particular question because we are not targeting a dollar amount that may ebb and flow with assessed valuation, we are just extending 2.75 mills. Whatever the outcome of either the special legislative session or November ballot that happens, our question remains good.
Director Daughtrey recognized this will give the District more financial stability to maintain exactly what we have been doing in our community.
To further that thought, Mr. Hopp indicated if this did not get extended beyond 2026, staff have already demonstrated there would be about a 30 percent reduction in the District’s overall revenues so that would be about a 30 percent reduction in services. If there were other reductions either imposed by the special session legislature or one or both initiatives on the ballot, it would be a double hit. He made clear this extension would very much stabilize the District’s mill levies and we could probably roll through what happens with the legislature somewhat. If the extension didn’t pass in addition to that, it would be very devastating.
Motion: Director Daughtrey moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve Resolution No. 24-005 for the November 5, 2024 election as discussed. Director Lodice seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 2: Field Naming Request
Referring to information included in the packet, Colin Insley said staff received a request to rename Ballfield No. 2 at Schaefer Athletic Complex. He acknowledged the parents of David Land were in attendance. They had asked if a ballfield could be named after their son, David Land, who passed away at age 36. David played tee ball and baseball for Bear Creek Junior Sports Association. Mr. Insley pointed out a letter outlining David’s history and accomplishments, an aerial map showing the location, and photo example of another memorial field in the area. He said staff reached out to Bear Creek Sports Association and they are in favor of the proposal.
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the request from the Land family to name Ballfield No. 2 at Daniel L. Schaefer Athletic Complex David Land Field. Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Executive Director’s Report
Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp thanked all of the board members for attending the Employee BBQ.
Mr. Hopp thanked Director Trimble and a couple of former directors for participating in the Foothills Foundation Golf Tournament.
Mr. Hopp pointed out a picture of the Clement Park Pickleball court at 9:30 p.m. on August 7th, there were about 13 sets of four players waiting to get on the court. It was a tremendous improvement to the park.
Colin Insley, Sean Kitners, and Mr. Hopp attended the grand opening of West Laurel Park, Mr. Hopp discussed.
Mr. Hopp talked about the successful shutdowns of Ridge and Lilley Gulch recreation centers.
Mr. Hopp recalled that last month we talked about the BMX track and that the president of the association we contract with to operate the track wanted to install lights there. Members of the public came and expressed concern about that, and the District has concerns. That individual has understood and is going to back off on trying to install lights.
Mr. Hopp indicated that Dennis Weiner is tracking the Legislative Special Session. Mr. Weiner said at this point they are still trying to negotiate a deal, and he talked about the latest information he has seen.
Mr. Hopp observed that with this new boardroom set-up, there is not a need for tablets and asked consensus from the Board. It was agreed the tablets are not needed.
Discussion Items
Item 1: Finance Update
Referring to the report provided, Dennis Weiner presented the District’s financial update through July 31st of this year and detailed highlights. He talked about total District year-to-date operating revenues, total District year-to-date operating expenditures, net operating loss, non-operating revenue and expenditures.
Mr. Weiner concluded that as a result of all of the District’s activity through July 31st, net revenue was favorable to plan.
Item 2: Cyber Risk Assessment Update
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Preston Malcolm went through the District’s IT security update, similar to what was presented last year at about this time. He indicated some information will be the same, though there are quite a few updates on improvements staff have made to the IT infrastructure to better secure those.
Mr. Malcolm talked about the Net Diligence Cyber Risk Assessment; staff are working from the same report received a couple of years ago. He explained the Cyber Risk Assessment was an opportunity provided to the District by the CSD Pool. It was offered as a method for increasing the District’s insurance limits for cyber related incidents. He explained the Cyber Risk Assessment is an external analysis of the District’s current security stance based on information staff provided them. Net Diligence provided us a rating on our current standing as well as items we can do to improve our security standing.
Mr. Malcolm shared with the Board findings on Personally Identifiable Information (PII) exposure, progress towards the recommendations Net Diligence made us, and a 12-month plan for any additional security controls.
Mr. Malcolm talked about exposure when it comes to PII. He discussed the current risk of sensitive PII leak or exposure, and outlined three possible scenarios. He detailed mitigations that are in place to help limit the District’s PII exposure. Mr. Malcolm said staff are working with vendors to get their latest compliance documents.
Mr. Malcolm detailed security improvements that have been made since last August. He talked about things implemented with the new clubhouse being built and opening. He discussed other general enhancements, detailing items that were recommended by the Cyber Risk Assessment.
Mr. Malcolm outlined things staff would like to work on within the next 12 months, indicating a lot of the things are similar to last year.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary