Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
October 22, 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, Absent; Director Lodice, Present; Director Daughtrey, Present; Director Writz, Present; Director Trimble, Present.
Also in Attendance: Paul Rufien, District Counsel (virtual); 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 October 22, 2024 agenda as submitted. 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.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the September 24, 2024 board meeting as submitted. 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.
Community Comments
There were no community comments.
Decision Items
Item 1: Memorial Bench Application
Referring to information in the packet, Colin Insley said staff received a memorial bench application for Blue Heron Park for Doyle James. He indicated that Mr. James was an unofficial liaison for the Westridge community.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the request from Amy Lemke to place a memorial bench in Blue Heron Park. 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.
Executive Director’s Report
Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp pointed out that we had a successful Active Adult program with the 24th Annual Open House.
Mr. Hopp talked about the meeting with CDOT, Architerra and staff. He discussed that a connection is affecting our schedule for the Dutch Creek Trail. We submitted a permit application to connect to the C470 trail on the west side of the new Dutch Creek Trail in March of 2023, and CDOT has not approved it. They are concerned about the potential of deer crossing the bridge, Mr. Hopp explained. We don’t share their concern, and we are trying to come up with a design or modification that might deter deer from going across the bridge, he discussed. Director Daughtrey asked what documentation do they have that deer are going to cross at that exact point? It is the opinion of their environmentalist, Colin Insley elaborated. Mr. Hopp added that if we are not successful with this new concept, it could need to be escalated.
Mr. Hopp recognized a golf employee, Brooke Stroup. A customer had passed out on the driving range and that required AED use. Brooke, who works at Meadows Golf Club, took immediate action and administered the AED and the shock until EMS arrived. The person was saved and is doing well. Derek Eberhardt spoke about the AEDs located throughout the District’s facilities. Director Daughtrey asked if we give citations of merit or anything formal. Mr. Hopp said we have recognized staff members who have been part of saves at board meetings. It was agreed to see if Brooke would like to come to a board meeting.
Mr. Hopp said Director Trimble forwarded him an email that he had received from Jefferson County Republican Party with their voter guide, and they recommended a no vote for the District’s mill levy extension. Mr. Hopp discussed that he reached out to the Chair of that committee today and asked how they arrived at that. He acknowledged that in the future, we potentially could reach out to both parties so that they have the information they need.
Discussion Items
Item 1: 2025 Proposed Budget Estimates
Using PowerPoint, Mr. Hopp gave a detailed presentation about the overall budget. He presented a comparison of budgeted revenues and expenditures from 2024 to 2025 and what has changed. He reminded the Board that more will change between now and the end of the year as we finalize additional numbers, capital, and things like that. Mr. Hopp went over sources of revenues, historical mill levies, total operating revenues and expenditures by department. He talked about anticipated capital as it is now for 2025 and gave a summary of debt. Mr. Hopp broke down revenues and expenditures in the 2025 Proposed Budget for Administration; Parks, Planning and Construction; Recreation; Golf. He concluded with a reconciliation spreadsheet showing a balanced budget of zero dollars.
Referring to the 2025 Budget Book, Dennis Weiner presented the budget for all Administration departments. The Administration budget includes the various functions that support the operation of all programs and facilities throughout the District. Administration includes Marketing and Public Outreach, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Executive Director’s Office. Mr. Weiner summarized the overall Administration revenues and expenditures for 2025.
Randy Meyers introduced Golf staff who were in attendance. He discussed that today they had the Public Administrator’s Golf Operators meeting at Foothills Golf Course, and recognized that we are doing a lot of good things and investing back into Golf. He talked about revenue-generating items for both Foothills Golf Course and Meadows Golf Club for 2025, as well as processes put in place in 2024. Referring to the 2025 Budget Book, Mr. Meyers highlighted overall Golf revenues and expenditures for 2025.
Mr. Meyers recognized employee, Lauren Howe, LPGA instructor. Lauren was voted player of the year in 1978, 1983, and Person of the Year in 1983 by the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. In 2019 she was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. Tonight, she is being inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
Mr. Hopp reminded the Board that the November meeting is the second Tuesday of November. Recreation and Parks staff will present their budgets. In December, the second Tuesday, staff will be asking the Board to consider the final budget, along with resolutions for Adoption of the Budget, Appropriation of Funds, Certification of Mill Levies. He asked if there are things the Board would like addressed differently, that those things would be provided to staff tonight or in November or early December. When we get to the December meeting, it will be the final product. Mr. Hopp talked about changes that will happen between now and the final budget.
In answer to Director Trimble there was discussion about replacing irrigation systems at the golf courses.
In answer to Director Daughtrey, Mr. Weiner discussed backfill provisions under the latest legislation for 2025. He noted it is a very small amount of funding and the District is very unlikely to be eligible to receive any of the funding.
Item 2: Finance Update
Referring to the report provided, Dennis Weiner presented the District’s financial update through September 30, 2024 and detailed highlights of the report. He discussed total year-to-date operating revenues, total year-to-date operating expenditures, net operating loss, non-operating revenue and expenditures.
Mr. Weiner reported that as a result of all of the District’s activity, net revenue was better than the budget.
Regarding the irrigation replacement, Mr. Hopp emphasized that it is really critical to get the District’s mill levy extension passed.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary