Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
February 25, 2025
A virtual attendance option was made available through Microsoft Teams.
Call to Order
Director Hanson called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Director Hanson 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, Absent.
Also in Attendance: Paul Rufien, District Counsel; Ronald Hopp, Executive Director; Dennis Weiner, Director of Finance and Administrative Services; Becky Richmond, Director of Recreation; 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 February 25, 2025 agenda as submitted. Director Lodice seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes. The motion was approved.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the January 28, 2025 board meeting as submitted. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
Item 1: Part-time Scholarship Award Recipients
Ronald Hopp recognized that the Foothills Scholarship was made possible by the Board of Directors many years ago to do something for the District’s part-time employees. Mr. Hopp expressed appreciation for the eleven part-time staff who applied for the scholarship, three were awarded. Recipients Landon Kohler, Lena Paulson, and Ella Pena were presented with their awards and thanked by the Board.
Decision Items
There were no decision items.
Executive Director’s Report
Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp pointed out that the District’s former water rights engineer has left the firm so staff have decided to work with a different firm, W.W. Wheeler and Associates. W.W. Wheeler has been working with the Bergen Ditch and Reservoir Company for many years, and the District has worked with them over the years.
Mr. Hopp discussed that Bergen LLC is a nine-acre parcel that is east of Bergen II and north of Bowles. Bergen LLC decided to pursue sale of that nine-acre property, Mr. Hopp explained. Jefferson County Open Space owns about 67 percent of Bergen LLC and has recently come to the conclusion that it would be okay for Bergen LLC to sell that property. The District is a 26 percent interest holder in that property, Mr. Hopp explained. There are about a dozen junior property owners in Bergen LLC as well.
Mr. Hopp pointed out that Foothills Adaptive Baseball League is returning to the Jason Jennings field and expressed thanks to Recreation staff for getting that put back together.
There is an opportunity for Board members to attend a Mammoth game on April 5th, Mr. Hopp explained.
Mr. Hopp reported that yesterday, the District had a job fair at Peak Community & Wellness Center. About 100 people attended and as of this morning, there have been 72 new applications. Mr. Hopp expressed thanks to the many people who were part of that job fair.
Discussion Items
Item 1: Finance Update
Dennis Weiner reported the District’s financial update for the first month of 2025. Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Weiner went over total operating revenues for the month of January, total operating expenditures, net operating loss, non-operating revenue and expenditures.
Looking at the bottom line through January 31, Mr. Weiner concluded that net expenditures were better than the plan.
In answer to Director Hanson, Becky Richmond provided an update on hot water at Ridge Recreation Center.
Item 2: Park Ranger Program Overview
Colin Insley introduced Kevin Wilks, Regional Parks Supervisor, who is in charge of the Park Ranger Program.
Mr. Wilks introduced the District’s park rangers Michael Burtnett and Gwen Ganow, who have put together a presentation for the Board.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Burtnett and Ms. Ganow talked about the history of the park ranger program, what it takes to be a ranger, ranger education and training, conflict management, things they do in the field and things they see on patrol, presentations and interpretive education efforts for the community. They spoke about resource protection/management and violations, and building interagency partnerships.
Mr. Burtnett and Ms. Ganow answered questions from the Board.
Mr. Hopp recognized that Diane Suchomel, years ago, had been a strong advocate for the ranger program. The District didn’t have the funds at the time, which was about 2015. He recognized the ranger program as the fruits of her advocacy years later.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary