Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
May 28, 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 (arrived 6:16 p.m.), Director Lodice: Present (arrived 6:02 p.m.), Director Daughtrey: Present, Director Writz: Present, Director Trimble: Present
Also in Attendance: Paul Rufien, District Counsel; Ronald Hopp, Executive Director (audience); 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 May 28, 2024 agenda as submitted. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: 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 April 23, 2024 board meeting as submitted. Director Daughtrey seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
There were no community comments.
Decision Items
Item 1: Board Election of Officers
Director Trimble asked if any board member has a strong desire to have a different officer assignment: Chair, First Vice Chair, Second Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary.
The Board discussed keeping the current slate of officers.
Motion: Director Daughtrey moved that the Foothills Board of Directors re-elect the current slate of director offices as listed. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 2: Lakehurst Park Contract
Referring to information in the packet, Colin Insley pointed out a concept plan for the Lakehurst Park improvement project. It consists of interior concrete trail replacement, irrigation replacement, and a small tot playground. Plans were sent out for bid and four bids were received, Mr. Insley explained, and discussed the best bid, SaBell’s Civil and Landscape LLC. In answer to Director Trimble, Mr. Insley gave examples of work they have previously done for the District.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors award the contract for the Lakehurst Park Improvement Project in the amount of $703,790.00 to SaBell’s Civil and Landscape LLC as discussed, and further, authorize the Executive Director to execute the contract documents. Director Daughtrey seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 3: Board Policy Manual Review/Update
Dennis Weiner recalled that since September of last year, staff and the Board have been working through the process of reviewing and updating all of the various board policies to bring the Board Policy Manual up to date. Tonight, two policies provided with staff’s recommendations for changes are the Land Use and Encroachment Policy and the Sign policy. Mr. Weiner went over staff’s recommended changes for both policies. In answer to Director Writz, Mr. Insley discussed dumping of trash and debris in the parks.
For the Land Use Encroachment Policy, Director Daughtrey recommended in the second paragraph under Program Criteria, change include to including.
Motion: Director Daughtrey moved that in the effort to update the Board Policy Manual, the Foothills Board of Directors approve the attached policy recommendations as amended and discussed. Director Lodice seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: 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. Weiner talked about a new bill related to digital accessibility, HB24-1454, that was passed into law during the 2024 legislative session.
Mr. Weiner pointed out that the District is again working in partnership with the West Metro Chamber to be the host site of the Taste of the West event. The event will showcase the Foothills Fieldhouse for the third year in a row.
The Foothills golf course clubhouse opened on April 21st, Mr. Weiner discussed.
Children’s Programs has completed the Colorado Shines rating process. Mr. Weiner discussed that the rating is a symbol of quality and rates the quality of Colorado’s early learning programs on a scale of one to five. Lilley Gulch Recreation Center rated as a level four and Ridge Recreation Center rated as a level five, Mr. Weiner explained.
Mr. Weiner talked about potential property tax changes that came out of the legislative session this year, Senate Bill 24-233, that make some structural changes to the property tax system. The most significant change that would likely impact the District has to do with the property tax revenue growth cap, Mr. Weiner explained.
Mr. Weiner introduced the District’s new Accounting Manager, Zach Ramey. He started today and was in attendance tonight.
Director Daughtrey added that Masters Swimming took first at State for the third year in a row. She recognized the Masters Swim Team and the coaches who did an amazing job coaching the team to another victory.
Discussion Items
Item 1: 2023 Audit Report
Mr. Weiner said that the 2023 audited financial statements were finalized in mid-April and they were provided to the Board by email last Friday. Printed copies of the financial statements along with the management letter that was produced by Forvis were distributed to the Board. He introduced Marcie Ardan, Managing Director from the Forvis audit team, who spoke to the Board about the audit process.
Ms. Ardan went through the letter which is the required communication to the Board and provided highlights. She said the audit team did audit the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. Their responsibility is to form and express an opinion about whether they are reasonably stated. Ms. Ardan discussed that they did issue an unmodified opinion which is also known as a clean opinion, or the best opinion the District can get.
Item 2: Finance Update
Outlining the report provided, Mr. Weiner presented the District’s financial update through April 30th 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 of the District’s activity, net revenue was better than planned.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary