Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
July 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; Director Trimble, Present.
Also in Attendance: Paul Rufien, District Counsel; Ronald Hopp, Executive Director; 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 July 23, 2024 agenda as submitted. 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.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the June 25, 2024 board meeting as submitted. Director Daughtrey seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
Item 1: Recognition of Foothills Masters Swim Team and Coach
Becky Richmond recognized there were swimmers from the Foothills Masters Swim Team in the room including Director Daughtrey. Referring to the memo in the packet, Ms. Richmond recognized that the Foothills Masters Swim Team has had an incredible run of success. For the third year in a row, the team has won the Colorado Masters Swimming Association state swim meet. Ms. Richmond pointed out a banner that will be hung in the pool area at Ridge Recreation Center.
Ms. Richmond recognized Stephanie Bunevich, head coach for that team. She recognized Keith Dawson, the District’s Aquatics Supervisor, and Assistant Director of Recreation, Derek Eberhardt.
Director Daughtrey expressed that the District is so fortunate to have such a great coach and to have such a great team. She explained Stephanie is talented at maximizing points, and she recognized the other coaches and the swimmers for skill, talent, and camaraderie.
Item 2: Part-time Scholarship Awards
Ronald Hopp said that twice per year it is always a great opportunity to provide scholarships to some of our part-time staff members. This was an initiative by the Board of Directors years ago to do something for part-time employees and give them an opportunity to further their education. Sixteen part-time staff members applied for the scholarship and five scholarships were awarded. Richy Hayes, Abi Ibarra, Faythe Payant, Xander Fisher, and Charlotte Kottenstette were awarded scholarships and recognized by the Board.
Mary Ann Rini, who resides near the sixth and seventh hole of the Foothills Golf Course, addressed the Board. She reiterated a request that was made at the last meeting that the Foothills Board make a contribution to the repair of the mutual fence that they share with the District and elaborated. The estimates are about $16,000 to replace the section of fence, Ms. Rini explained. She talked about why the District should contribute, and said their situation is unique. Ms. Rini said they are asking for a contribution of one third of the cost of the repair of the fence only in the area of the golf course. She asked that in 10 or 15 years when this comes up again for repair, they would also have a contribution. She recognized that they own the fence.
Decision Items
Item 1: November 5, 2024 Election Resolution
Mr. Hopp discussed that we have been talking for many, many months about holding an election in November, giving presentations about accomplishments from the 2017 mill levy that was passed by the voters, and it is an extension of that 2.75 mill levy. Without raising taxes, the District would be asking the public to extend the mill levy.
Mr. Hopp outlined the attached election resolution that has been reviewed by the District’s election consultant as well as Paul Rufien, legal counsel. He said staff gave a presentation in June of 2024, as well as previous board meetings, providing information about past and future potential capital projects and the overall financial information including the 15-year financial forecast demonstrating the need to continue this mill levy.
Mr. Hopp indicated that with the Board’s approval of the election resolution, it will allow the District to move forward with the November election.
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve Election Resolution No. 24-004 appointing a Designated Election Official and authorizing the DEO to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Jefferson County on behalf of the District for the November 5, 2024 Coordinated Election. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 2: Memorial Bench Application
Referring to the memo and application provided, Colin Insley said staff received a request from Becky Olsen to place a memorial bench with plaque at Woodmar Square Park. He said the bench would be replacing an old bench on the eastern side of the park.
Motion: Director Daughtrey moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the application request from Becky Olsen to donate a memorial bench and plaque at Woodmar Square Park. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Executive Director’s Report
Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp recognized all of the staff members involved with Red, White & You. Kate Dragoo coordinates the event with outside help as well as internal staff. Mr. Hopp expressed appreciation for all of the sponsors and all of the volunteers.
Mr. Hopp pointed out that the District has been in an Agreement with Mile High Miracle League since 2005. We jointly provide an adaptive field program for individuals with special needs. The term of that agreement is coming to an end in April of 2025 with renewable options. That organization has expressed a desire to renegotiate the Agreement, Mr. Hopp discussed. He explained that Mr. Rufien is running point on working out the Agreement with them and there will be an opportunity for the Board to approve an amended or restated Agreement. Mr. Rufien provided an update on the progress of the Agreement.
Shakespeare at Clement Park is coming up this weekend, Mr. Hopp pointed out.
Mr. Hopp reminded the Board of the employee barbeque event on Wednesday, August 7th.
Mr. Hopp discussed that staff have been approached by the president of Mile High BMX, Shane Meyer, with a desire to install lights at the BMX site. Bandimere Speedway has offered repurposing lights to relocate at the BMX track at Schaefer Athletic Complex. Staff have expressed concerns related to that, Mr. Hopp explained and outlined information from the Agreement. Mr. Hopp expressed he is very confident that the adjacent neighborhood would not be interested in lights.
Mr. Hopp said that because the Agreement says it requires District approval and because the Board approves the Agreement, staff are bringing it to the Board for feedback. Mr. Meyer was invited to come to the meeting and answer questions but not in attendance.
James Herdner, District resident, voiced that they have tried to be good neighbors for the BMX track and they seem to have been fairly good neighbors to them. He expressed that he and other neighbors are in disagreement to lights at the BMX track.
Josh Kweller, District resident, said he and his family moved to that neighborhood two years ago and had questions about the BMX and were assured that they were good neighbors, and he explained it has been fine. He expressed concern about details of what is going on with the lights and that they will be later at night and closer to the neighborhood.
Mr. Hopp confirmed that staff do not feel comfortable moving forward at this time. He said if the Board concurs with that perspective, that is what staff will convey to Mr. Meyer. Mr. Hopp answered questions from the Board. He reiterated staff do not think it is a good improvement for that property for all the reasons that have been talked about.
Director Trimble said for him to be in favor of it, we would need to have a significant amount of neighborhood buy-in and at this point, don’t need to spend more time talking about it. The Board agreed.
Discussion Items
Item 1: Finance Update
Referring to the report provided, Zach Ramey presented the District’s financial update through June 30 of this year and read through highlights of the report. He outlined total District year-to-date operating revenues, total District year-to-date operating expenditures, net operating loss, non-operating revenue and expenditures.
Mr. Ramey concluded that as a result through June 30, 2024, the District’s net revenue was favorable to plan.
Item 2: 2025 Budget Guidelines
Mr. Hopp pointed out the budget guidelines and schedule that will be sent out to staff. He said the budget process starts in early August and culminates with the Board’s final consideration of the budget at the December 10th board meeting.
Mr. Hopp outlined the memo provided, detailing the budget guidelines that staff plan to do, and the process of balancing the budget. He noted that staff expect to be able to include pretty significant funding in 2025 to address capital projects and increased services. Mr. Hopp pointed out if we are successful this fall with the extension, it won’t change anything because the mill levy would continue to 2026. If we are successful, it will extend it beyond 2026. He encouraged feedback from the Board about the proposed direction.
Mr. Hopp went over the main directives for staff as provided in the memo. He indicated the District usually gets notified by the end of August with preliminary assessed valuation. It is not an assessment year so we don’t anticipate drastic movement one way or the other.
Mr. Hopp said staff will present the preliminary budget to the Board at the September 24th board meeting. At the October 22nd board meeting, Administrative Services and Golf will present their budgets to the Board. At the November 12th board meeting, Recreation and Parks will present budgets to the Board and December 10th will be the Public Hearing and final consideration of the budget. Mr. Hopp reminded the Board that if there are any thoughts, comments or questions, proposed changes, staff would prefer to have those earlier rather than later so adjustments can be made to the budget and when it comes to the Board on December 10th, it is final.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary