Parks & Recreation Commissioners Meeting Department of Parks & Recreation Foothills Learning Center

Transcription

1 Parks & Recreation Commissioners Meeting Department of Parks & Recreation Foothills Learning Center Members Present: Tom Chandler, Mary McGown, Cissy Madigan, Harvey Neef, Maggie Frole Spurling, Joe Taylor, Louie Uranga, and Maddi Williams. Others: Debra Miller; Boise Trolley Tours; Council Liaison Tibbs, Mary Elizabeth Watson, Ralph Blount, and Pat Riceci, Boise City Legal; Tom Governale, Jamie Heinzerling, Doug Holloway, Cheyne Weston, and Jim Hall, Boise Parks & Recreation Staff. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:00 P.M. II. MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Taylor THAT THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 20, 2008 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES, seconded by Commissioner Uranga. Motion was approved by all Commissioners present. III. BOISE TROLLEY TOUR LEASE AND EASEMENT AGREEMENTS ACTIONS/PRESENTATIONS Boise Trolley Tours has transferred ownership to Ms Debra Miller. Ms Miller is originally from upstate New York. She is planning on redoing the tour so it will be a little bit more conducive to all age groups. She would like to try a ghost tour in October. Her goal is to make it a good tour company. Mr. Becker sold the Tour Train because it was breaking down. The train has been totally refurbished and Ms Miller is looking for a way to bring it back to Boise. All of the payments that were in arrears have been rectified. A motion was made by Commissioner Taylor, THAT THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVE BOTH THE LEASE AGREEMENT AND THE UTILITY EASEMENT FOR BOISE TROLLEY TOUR AND RECOMMEND MAYOR AND COUNCIL APPROVAL, seconded by Commissioner Frole Spurling. 08/06/23/H:\Word\Commission\Minutes\2009 Commission Minutes\090115CommMtg.doc/mcl

2 Page 2 DRAFT FINAL ORDINANCE 13-3 AMENDING TRAFFIC PROVISION OF PARKS ORDINANCE Ralph Blount, Boise City Legal, was in attendance to explain the changes to the Ordinance and answer questions that Commissioners may have. The proposed amendment to the Parks chapter of the City Code will bring the traffic violations in City Code in line with Idaho statue by making those violations infractions rather than misdemeanors. Everything that does not have a fixed penalty of up to $100 is a misdemeanor A motion was made by Commissioner Uranga THAT THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVE THE DRAFT FINAL ORDINANCE , AMENDING TRAFFIC PROVISION OF PARKS ORDINANCE AND FORWARD TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL, seconded by Commissioner Taylor WHITNEY SCHOOL COMMUNITY CENTER The School District offered space to the City for a third community center to be located at Whitney Elementary School, scheduled to open in August 2009, if the City agreed to the $600,000 construction cost of the community center space alone. The City Council approved the construction and operational funding with the approval of the 2008/2009 Biennial Budget on August 14, In the packet is a copy of the agreement that has been developed for the Whitney School Community Center. This agreement is essentially the same as the two former agreements. This time Boise Parks & Recreation will be paying for the cost of the construction for our portion of the building. The school district will not be charging the City for any rent at any of the three community center sites. A motion was made by Commissioner Frole Spurling THAT THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND OPERATIONAL USE AGREEMENT WITH THE BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER IN WHITNEY SCHOOL AND RECOMMEND MAYOR AND COUNCIL APPROVAL., seconded by Commission Madigan. JD PARKING & CIRCULATION ANALYSIS Everyone may recall why this issue came up. A few years ago the Idaho Historical Museum came to us for an expansion request. They requested additional parking along with the expansion. We asked staff to go back and see if there are alternatives. This was taken to the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Sub-Committee on November 20, 2008.

3 Page 3 In 1996 staff were assigned to have a parking study accomplished. This study went to the average use in the park. There is an average of 355 spaces used in any time period during the day and on the weekends. Staff went to various tenants such as the Boise Art Museum, Idaho Historical Museum, Zoo Boise and the Discovery Center. This was not a closed discussion, it was all very open. We also want to make sure green space isn t impacted. Road closures often result in more safety because you have less cars traveling in the park. In several urban/metropolitan areas there is an increasing trend to regain green space in parks previously utilized for parking and non-essential travel lanes including New York s Central Park, San Francisco s Golden Gate Park, Portland s Washington Park, Denver s Washington Park, and elsewhere. Cities throughout the country are looking for opportunities to convert asphalt parking areas and roadways into green space that inevitably promote the civility of the city by offering more green space for the public to come together. In Denver s Washington Park, the loop road around the perimeter of the park has been closed all except a few spots to get into parking lots. The Idaho Historical Museum does not desire losing their three (3) spaces for unloading. Commissioner McGown doesn t think it is a good thing to have all the traffic one-way. Commissioner Neef observed that the parking area at Zoo Boise, staff needs to evaluate alternatives that consider head in parking versus angle parking. Council Liaison Tibbs recalls back in the 70 s when there was twoway traffic along the River Road. There were a lot of traffic problems at the time. Once the road was converted to one-way it solved a lot of problems. It is so much easier to manage one-way than two-way. Having two-way traffic all the way through the park could cause bad things to happen again. Director Hall asked what would be the outcome if you made that oneway and come in from the North. You wouldn t be able to have the two-way like Council Liaison Tibbs is saying. Emergency vehicles currently have choices on how to get through the park. Commission McGown noted that if you are going to have a circle at Zoo Boise, then coming to Zoo Boise a person could use the

4 Page 4 turnaround but it would still be a big enough turnaround that if someone wanted to go out that way they still can. Area 5 is along the tennis courts along the Julia Davis Drive. There is a pavilion that is scheduled to be built. The plan is to remove the loop parking lot and to separate the cars from the main road of travel. Vehicles between the restroom and the playground are planned to be removed according to the Master Plan to create a pedestrian friendly, vehicle free area. The plans also call for the exit at Myrtle be turned back into two-way for ease of entering and exiting the park. Commissioner Neef commented that when he was in London with his grandchildren last summer they went to a very large park on a Sunday which was a vehicle free day. No one had to worry about their children and cars. We need to look at making the South River Road a car free area. The next area is up near the Discovery Center off the 3 rd Street entrance. The Discovery Center has an interest in expanding their building. Staff is working with them on how to accommodate their expansion. By closing the River Road to vehicle traffic and allowing pedestrians to use as a pedestrian mall that will provide more activity there for pedestrians. If the River Road is removed, an additional 1.2 acres of green space is added. A motion was made by Commission McGown TO APPROVE JD PARKING & CIRCULATION ANALYSIS ITEMS E THRU I AND GROUP AND DISCUSS A-D. Some Commissioners wish to keep Item E on the table to discuss. They would recommend closure/gating of the River Road. Commissioner Frole Spurling questioned how does this all fit with budget items. Converting a road to one-way is as simple as a couple of signs. Adding parking is not going to happen until money is available. Closure would be adding a couple of gates for about $2,000. Our R&M Budget is $300,000. The front of Zoo Boise and the entry at Myrtle can be fixed. The other parking lot would be dependent on budget. Commissioner Neef questioned if all these are totally compatible with the Master Plan and the Design Competition and is there the possibility they will get ahead of us with fund raising.

5 Page 5 Director Hall noted that is a good discussion to have for a second. The Bloch Foundation is looking at a project on the east side of the park. That parking would be part of that project. In another area is a shelter that Larry Williams will pay for. We may end up with a challenge there. When that major plaza goes in do we need to make any changes or improvements? Improvements are minimal; there are the three river nodes, interpretative sites, etc. The answer is yes with all the improvements it could have a major affect on this plan. Commissioner Neef commented that he thinks there will come a time when park people would be using BSU parking. David Selvage noted that what is being proposed basically will create very little new parking in the park. What they are doing is recommending improved parking. The biggest priority is where to direct major repairs in the park. Director Hall commented that what he thinks he s hearing is what occurs with the road in front of Zoo Boise pretty much sets in place what occurs every where else. Motion died for lack of a second A motion was made by Commission McGown TO APPROVE JD PARKING & CIRCULATION ANALYSIS ITEMS F, G, H, AND I AND FURTHER DISCUSS THE OTHER OPTIONS, seconded by Commissioner Taylor. Question was asked if staff has gone back to the other vendors. Yes. A motion was made by Commission McGown TO APPROVE JD PARKING & CIRCULATION ANALYSIS THAT IN FRONT OF ZOO BOISE IT WOULD BE TWO WAY TRAFFIC WITH THE TURN AROUND IN A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT THE END AND THE PARKING BE PULLED OVER THE EAST SIDE OF THE ROAD, seconded by Commissioner Taylor. If the parking was put on the east side of the road, we would be pushing that road into the green space. Staff would need some time to look at that. Head in parking could be maintained along there. David Selvage noted that there is a very large tree and the movement right now is not in compliance with fire. Zoo Boise would like to have as many spaces as possible.

6 Page 6 Commissioner Madigan noted that she was down there on a BSU day and there was a lot of vehicles there. There was hardly anyone there when she went down on a none BSU day. Motion failed 1 for to 5 against. A motion was made by Commission McGown THAT STAFF EXAMINE A 2 ND ALTERNATE FOR PARKING AND CIRCULATION IN FRONT OF ZOO BOISE. Motion failed for lack of a second. A motion was made by Commissioner Taylor TO HAVE STAFF COME BACK WITH A NEW PLAN FOR JD PARKING & CIRCULATION ANALYSIS ITEMS A, B, AND C, IN ORDER TO INCORPORATE A TWO WAY TRAFFIC PATTERN, seconded by Commissioner Williams. Commissioner Neef noted that we could eventually get back to a oneway but it would most likely be a two-way road in front of the Boise Art Museum as an alternate to what they are proposing. Commission Taylor commented that it appears the big hang up is around Zoo Boise. Staff asked if this needs to be presented to the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Sub-Committee before bringing back in front of the entire Commission? Bring back to the Commission A motion was made by Commissioner Neef TO ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT JULIA DAVIS DRIVE BE TWO- WAY THROUGH THE WHOLE PARK, seconded by Commissioner McGown. A motion was made by Commissioner Uranga TO REMOVE THE JD RIVER ROAD AT A FUTURE DATE AND COORDINATE THE REMOVAL WITH AN ANALYSIS FOR DEVELOPING A FIFTH STREET PARKING FACILITY AS THE ROAD CONSUMES VALUABLE GREEN SPACE AND IS NOT NEEDED TO MEET CIRCULATION OR SAFETY BUT COULD BE UTILIZED TO ACCOMMODATE VENDORS DURING LARGE EVENTS AND THE ROAD COULD BE GATED OR HAVE BOLLARDS INSTALLED TO ALLOW/PREVENT TRAFFIC ON WEEKENDS OR

7 Page 7 WEEKDAYS, seconded by Commissioner Neef. Council Liaison Tibbs stated whatever is decided, public safety is important. Need to have enough flexibility to close different streets and to have it configured that that would be easy to do. BOISE RIVER SYSTEM PERMIT FOR A SAND FILTER Boise Parks & Recreation is proposing to install two (2) sediment vaults (filter traps) near the west end of Ann Morrison Park adjacent to the Boise River just above the high water mark (6500 cfs line). The proposed sediment vaults will limit sand and other fine particles from entering the municipal water system used for irrigating Ann Morrison Park. The vaults will be cleaned out on an as needed basis. There currently is a pump there that was installed by Cyclone Fence. This a municipal water system and staff uses it to water the park. A detour plan will be developed and construction should last about three (3) days. Most likely this could be completed in March. A motion was made by Commission Taylor, THAT THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS FOR THE BOISE RIVER SYSTEM PERMIT FOR A SAND FILTER AT ANN MORRISON PARK: 1. THE PROJECT WILL BE LOCATED AND DESIGNED TO PROMOTE FLOOD PROTECTION WHILE PROTECTING AND PROMOTING WATER QUALITY ALONG THE BOISE RIVER. 2. THE RIVER BANK, WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND ANY SURROUNDING EMERGENT WETLANDS SHALL BE PROTECTED AND MAINTAINED. 3. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE THE SITE PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A BID TO DETERMINE THEIR LIMITS OF LANDSCAPE IMPACTS. 4. DISTURBED OR DAMAGED LANDSCAPE MATERIAL, DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, SHALL BE REPAIRED AND REPLACED TO THE OWNER S SATISFACTION. ALL DISTURBED AREAS SHALL BE SODDED WITH AN APPROPRIATE WILD LAND SEED MIX APPROVED BY PARK STAFF. 5. ALL EXISTING TREES SHALL BE RETAINED AND PROTECTED. 6. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ABUTTING RIPARIAN AREAS SHALL ERECT

8 Page 8 CONSTRUCTION FENCING. 7. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL REPAIR ALL DAMAGES TO THE EXISTING IRRIGATION SYSTEM DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY seconded by Commissioner Frole Spurling. IHS PROPOSAL TO MOVE GEESE POPULATION FROM PARKS FOOTHILLS Director Hall met with Idaho Fish & Game and there are a lot more geese coming here this winter due to the winter. Before we get into a discussion the Director would like to have more discussion with Risk Management. This will be added to the February meeting agenda. President Chandler has asked several times about the foothills and the progress to date. Posters of the foothills were available to all Commissioners. Everything in green has been conserved for roughly 6.5M. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Margaret C. Lancaster CPS/CAP /mcl