PARKS, RECREATION AND LIBRARIES

PARKS, RECREATION AND LIBRARIES The Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department is comprised of four divisions and four sections and provides for the physical, social, and cultural needs of the community. The Department manages parks, trails, libraries, recreation centers, recreation programs and special events. OVERVIEW Administration: Provides overall management of the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, the Golf Course Enterprise Fund and the Standley Lake Section. Also oversees the shared ownership of the Ice Centre, The Mature Adult Center, and Carroll Butts Sports Park with the Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District. Park Services: Performs all park, median, right-of-way, forestry and open space maintenance and manages the City s greenhouse. The Division also maintains the public spaces at the Westminster Promenade. The Division provides overall management of the Design Development Section. Library Services: Meets the cultural, informational, intellectual and social needs of residents of all ages at the College Hill and Irving Street Libraries and through on-line services. The Division also administers library terminals at West View Recreation Center. Standley Lake Section: Operates the Standley Lake Regional Park, administers the Zebra Mussel Protection Program and administers the Department s park security program. Design Development Section: Designs and develops the City s comprehensive parks, open space and trails program. Construction crews install all trails and do various construction projects in City parks. Recreation Facilities and Programs: Operates two sections - Recreation Facilities and Recreation Programs. Operates City Park Recreation Center, City Park Fitness Center, Swim and Fitness Center and West View Recreation Center, as well as the Countryside outdoor pool. Provides a wide range of scheduled recreation programs including sports, arts and crafts, fitness, youth programs, and special events. Also operates The MAC and the Westminster Sports Center. Actual Total Budget by Category Adjusted Estimated Personnel $9,019,654 $9,404,796 $9,292,959 $8,727,938 $8,737,268 Contractual $3,855,174 $5,044,598 $4,861,747 $4,424,826 $4,400,192 Commodities $1,091,409 $1,160,914 $1,148,709 $1,096,862 $1,096,547 Capital Outlay $586,134 $80,423 $63,363 $61,347 $64,840 TOTAL $14,552,371 $15,690,731 $15,366,778 $14,310,973 $14,298,847 195

Actual Total Budget by Division Adjusted Estimated Administration $791,005 $841,816 $823,845 $781,463 $781,465 Park Services $4,391,847 $4,419,241 $4,384,648 $3,540,687 $3,506,312 Library Services $2,766,347 $2,830,151 $2,773,287 $2,734,059 $2,721,378 Standley Lake $451,670 $595,979 $539,611 $576,272 $575,272 Design Development $493,278 $433,070 $430,627 $352,857 $351,728 Rec Facilities $3,540,501 $4,336,345 $4,205,274 $4,131,593 $4,155,762 Rec Programs $2,117,723 $2,234,129 $2,209,486 $2,194,042 $2,206,930 TOTAL $14,552,371 $15,690,731 $15,366,778 $14,310,973 $14,298,847 Total Budget by Division Rec Programs 15% Administration 5% Rec Programs 15% Administration 6% Park Services 25% Rec Facilities 29% Rec Facilities 29% Park Services 25% Design Development 3% Standley Lake 4% Library Services 19% Design Development 2% Standley Lake 4% Library Services 19% Quick Fact: Over 237,000 2 x2 tiles were installed on the pool deck during the City Park Recreation Center Aquatics Renovation. 196

Parks, Recreation and Libraries Administration / Regional Parks & Golf Facilities and Recreation Services Park Services Library Services Design Development Staffing (Full-Time Equivalent Employees) Authorized Authorized Authorized Authorized Administration 9.200 9.200 8.200 8.200 Park Services 36.400 36.400 31.000 31.000 Library Services 42.200 42.200 40.375 40.375 Standley Lake 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 Design Development 9.000 9.000 7.800 7.800 Rec Facilities 65.298 64.048 50.300 50.300 Rec Programs 16.500 16.500 15.000 15.000 TOTAL 182.598 181.348 156.675 156.675 * Staffing totals include those positions funded by the Westminster Promenade CAM Billings in the General Fund, and the Community Enhancement Program and the Jefferson County Attributable Shares in the General Capital Improvement Fund; it excludes positions budgeted within the Parks, Open Space, and Trails and Golf Course Funds. 197

Administration Administration Overview: Develops and manages the Parks, Recreation and Libraries budgets. Provides administrative and clerical support functions for the Department as well as long-range planning, visioning and all department operations, facilities and programs. Develops marketing, promotions and dedication ceremonies for new parks and facilities. Produces the Activities Guide. Serves as liaison to the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Advisory Board. Ensures all citizen inquiries are responded to in a timely manner. Works with other agencies to develop cooperative projects and programs where applicable. Provides administrative support for the Westminster Legacy Foundation. Objectives: Evaluate and implement alternatives for the Kings Mill Pool. Begin renovation of the Swim and Fitness Center locker room improvements. Complete shade structure installation at the Armed Forces Tribute Garden. Maintain a balanced department budget and implement program and facility reductions related to core services analysis. Finish construction of new dog park at Little Dry Creek Park. Objectives: Complete Swim and Fitness Center locker room improvements. Continue to apply for and secure grants for park, recreation and library projects. Continue to oversee the department s Performance Measurement Program. Continue fundraising for Phase II of the Armed Forces Tribute Garden. Coordinate the development of the Department s proposed 2013 and 2014 budgets. Actual Total Budget by Category Adjusted Estimated Personnel $626,689 $630,771 $626,571 $584,009 $584,009 Contractual $143,478 $191,445 $177,654 $179,854 $179,856 Commodities $17,159 $17,600 $17,600 $17,600 $17,600 Capital Outlay $3,679 $2,000 $2,020 $0 $0 TOTAL $791,005 $841,816 $823,845 $781,463 $781,465 198

Administration / Achievements: Completed City Park aquatics and locker room renovation. Dedicated the Armed Forces Tribute Garden. Completed Westminster Center Park. Secured grants totaling over $843,596 in and $220,000 in (as of July ) for various park development projects. Awarded the Tree City USA Award in for the 25th consecutive year. Reduced department staffing by 23.073 FTE as part of the core service evaluation and prioritization efforts undertaken in /. Included in this FTE reduction is the reclassification of 7.248 FTE lifeguards to hourly positions, which is how the positions have been utilized over the past several years. These reductions further streamline operations, making the organization leaner and more strategic for long term financial sustainability. Millions $6 $5 $4 $3 $2 $1 $0 Parks, Recreation and Libraries General Fund Revenue $5.41 $4.98 $4.76 $4.90 $4.52 $4.40 $4.54 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Performance Measure Snapshot. The Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department is responsible for collecting revenue through fees, rental charges and fines. The Department saw a 9.5% decrease in General Fund revenues in compared to 2008. Staff believes that the recession had a negative effect on revenue generation, as well as major construction at City Park Recreation Center. 199

Park Services Park Services Overview: Maintains park and public facility landscapes. Maintains open space, trails and streetscapes. Maintains citywide urban forestry plan. Manages picnic shelter reservation system. Manages and operates the Westminster Promenade park area. Coordinates the Open Space Volunteer Program. Manages City greenhouse operations including 135 flower beds in 27 locations throughout the City. Oversees City contracts for right-of-way and streetscape maintenance. Objectives: Adjust staff assignments to allow for more flexibility and resources for addressing open space and park construction projects. Administer the Westminster Promenade (eastside) Common Area Maintenance program. Manage the reduced greenhouse outdoor flower program and assign Staff to open space maintenance and projects during the off season. Restructure park maintenance operations to accommodate reduced staffing and budget levels while minimizing impacts on the public per the core services analysis. Re-bid all park and streetscape maintenance contracts to ensure quality contractors are used at an effective price. Commence phase two of the Westminster Hills Open Space re-vegetation project. Adjust the Department s responsibility for snow removal operations per the core services analysis. Objectives: Continue to fine tune park maintenance staff assignments, concentrating on off-season workloads. Commence and complete phase three of the Westminster Hills Open Space re-vegetation project. Develop new master lease criteria for parks equipment replacement. Bid mosquito management contract. Actual Total Budget by Category Adjusted Estimated Personnel $1,596,111 $1,595,746 $1,588,541 $1,308,543 $1,316,917 Contractual $2,018,615 $2,567,497 $2,546,191 $2,028,116 $1,967,167 Commodities $228,267 $211,597 $205,515 $175,828 $175,828 Capital Outlay $548,854 $44,401 $44,401 $28,200 $46,400 TOTAL $4,391,847 $4,419,241 $4,384,648 $3,540,687 $3,506,312 200

Park Services / Achievements: Continued to upgrade the computerized irrigation management system using the latest technology. Worked with the City of Broomfield Parks and Recreation Department to provide tree and weed management programs for the Metzger Farm. Expanded the contract maintenance program to include parks located within urban renewal areas. Purchased equipment to be replaced under the Park Services master lease program. Developed a weed management plan for open space. Implemented an open space restoration plan for Westminster Hills Open Space. Continued to work with Adams and Jefferson Counties in the suppression of mosquito populations as a component of the West Nile Virus program. Developed a Beaver Management Plan for open space lands. Developed management/upgrade strategies for Mower Reservoir and the Ranch Pond. Council adopted The Wildlife and Natural Resource Management Plan for open space properties. Commenced re-vegetation of the Westminster Hills Open Space (phase one). Millions of Gallons 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 City Water Consumption for Irrigation 314 309 278 245 229 2005 2006 2007 2008 Performance Measure Snapshot. Staff works each year to effectively manage the City s water budget and achieve green parks through an efficient use of resources. During the past five years, the City has added over 42 acres of additional irrigated park land (7% increase) and has worked to control irrigation costs. 201

Library Services Library Services Overview: Operates as a community center for the City of Westminster. Provides current materials in a variety of formats to meet the interests of the community. Meets the needs of library patrons who visit the library in-house and electronically. Provides programming that is responsive to the changing needs of the community. Responds to the community s need for personal growth and development by providing opportunities for life-long learning through services, facilities, outreach, programming and collections. Objectives: Complete the upgrade to a new version of the Horizon Integrated Library System (ILS). Implement online library card registration. Research and implement online fine payments, if available, in the new Horizon upgrade. Introduce self-pay modules at the self-checkout machines to enhance customer service. Purchase, install, and maintain a new TeleCirc server to allow automated telephone renewals and overdue notices to be transmitted via phone. Objectives: Reconfigure the circulation work area at College Hill to improve workflow and ergonomic design for the safety of staff. Conduct a community needs analysis to prepare for the new Library Master Plan. Draft a new Library Master Plan for to 2017. Begin process of deciding upon new ILS if Horizon will not be supported past 2013. Actual Total Budget by Category Adjusted Estimated Personnel $1,956,867 $1,999,339 $1,961,753 $1,894,019 $1,894,019 Contractual $365,913 $400,441 $378,341 $391,138 $393,238 Commodities $424,414 $414,179 $417,001 $419,195 $419,121 Capital Outlay $19,153 $16,192 $16,192 $29,707 $15,000 TOTAL $2,766,347 $2,830,151 $2,773,287 $2,734,059 $2,721,378 202

Library Services / Achievements: Continued to enhance and increase library collections by purchasing and processing additional materials in a variety of formats. Introduced citizenship classes (using volunteer teachers) to immigrants studying for the U.S. citizenship test. Converted interlibrary loans to an online process, allowing all Staff and patrons to track requests. Installed seven laptops on mobile carts for use by the public at the Irving Street Library using grant funding. Began teaching computer classes at the Irving Street Library using the mobile laptops to create an instruction room when needed. Doubled the number of adults participating in the summer reading program to more than 1,000 by promoting the importance of children seeing the adults in their lives read. Completed the Language Learning Center at College Hill to allow anyone learning a new language to access all available formats of materials (books, audios and videos) all in one convenient location. Streamlined the holds process, adding additional shelving at College Hill to accommodate this evergrowing, popular service. Offered a homework help program during the school year at Irving Street Library using trained volunteers as tutors. Completed the Teen Area at College Hill with input from the Youth Advisory Panel. Created job search help clinics to respond to the needs of the unemployed community in Westminster. Introduced an online meeting room reservation form for both branches to ensure accuracy and allow reservations to be made when it is most convenient for the patron. Moved from the Front Range Community College telephone system at College Hill to the City s telephone system for an annual savings of $5,798. $120 $100 $80 $60 $40 $20 $- Library Funding per Capita per Library Research Service $104 $71 $68 $64 $53 $45 $44 $42 $41 $40 $40 $26 $18 Performance Measure Snapshot. Of the 13 public library systems serving a population larger than 100,000 in Colorado, library funding per capita in ranged from $18.28 to $103.74. Westminster libraries local funding per capita was $25.66 per person. Westminster ranks as the sixth for circulation per capita and fifth in reference questions answered per capita. 203

Standley Lake Standley Lake Section Overview: Provides a quality regional water-based recreation area with camping, boating, fishing and hiking facilities. Maintains self-supporting status by using fee-based revenues to cover operating expenses. Manages the zebra/quagga mussel protection program in concert with Water Quality staff in the Public Works and Utilities Department. Objectives: Continue to sell all available boat permits to provide revenue to balance expenditures and assist with funding Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects. Continue to maintain an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) Program. Continue to market the boat storage facility. Advertise and market boat passes and other recreational opportunities. Replace 45 picnic tables with maintenance-free tables. Pave the spray station road and exit lane at the tag station. Objectives: Continue to sell all available boating permits to provide revenue to balance expenditures and assist with funding CIP projects. Continue to work on roadway and campground improvements as funding allows. Replace the remaining 45 picnic tables with maintenance free tables. Continue to adapt and improve the ANS program for all aquatic nuisance species year-round. 204 Actual Total Budget by Category Adjusted Estimated Personnel $347,155 $449,851 $410,854 $430,774 $430,596 Contractual $89,153 $120,742 $106,257 $118,726 $118,145 Commodities $15,362 $25,386 $22,500 $23,332 $23,091 Capital Outlay $0 $0 $0 $3,440 $3,440 TOTAL $451,670 $595,979 $539,611 $576,272 $575,272 * includes General & Water Funds

Standley Lake / Achievements: Sold all available boating permits for both and. Fully covered expenditure budgets with revenues and utilized excess revenue to fund CIP projects. Increased number of winter boat storage units to approximately 90 units. Completed new restroom facility for main campground. Completed new courtesy dock and resurfaced main dock. Completed boat storage lot expansion, increasing the number of boat storage spaces to approximately 350 boats. Increased interpretive and wildlife displays at the Standley Lake Nature Center. Monitored and recorded another successful bald eagle hatch of one chick. 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 Standley Lake Regional Park Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention Program 8,887 9,050 926 619 2008 Boats Tagged Boats Sprayed Performance Measure Snapshot. The number of boats tagged as part of the ANS Program increased by 1.8% in, while the number of boats sprayed decreased by 33.2%. Staff attributes the decline in the number of boat sprayings to the public s understanding, awareness, and acceptance of the ANS Program. 205

Design Development Design Development Section Overview: Manages the design and construction of park capital improvement projects. Designs small parks and park renovations. Performs master planning of parks through community meetings and surveys. Participates with planning, acquisitions, and development of new parks and trails. Designs open space master plans. Applies for grant monies for projects. Manages landscape maintenance contracts. Coordinates the Accela Maintenance Management Program to incorporate the contract management for streetscapes and medians. Reviews park playgrounds for safety compliance on a routine basis. Objectives: Conduct various trail improvements throughout the City. Renovate medians with replacement plant material throughout the City. Renovate the playground and tennis court at Westbrook Park. Redo the in-line rink at Skyline Vista Park. Renovate the shelter and add a small playground to Torrii Square Park. Remove the existing building and pool at Kings Mill Park and replace it with park features. Design and construct a shelter at the Promenade Terrace stage. Renovate the Trailside Park playground. Design and construct trail head parking and trail connections at the Savory Farm Open Space. Oversee design of the Lao Hmong Memorial at City Park. Objectives: Renovate Sommerset Park playground. Renovate Cobblestone Park playground. Renovate the tennis courts and playground at Countryside Park. Design and construct Fireman s Park improvements. Conduct various trail improvements throughout the City. Renovate medians with replacement plant material throughout the City. Oversee construction of the Lao Hmong Memorial at City Park. Actual Total Budget by Category Adjusted Estimated Personnel $441,734 $385,241 $383,920 $310,256 $308,890 Contractual $49,102 $44,429 $43,707 $39,951 $40,188 Commodities $1,994 $2,650 $2,250 $2,650 $2,650 Capital Outlay $448 $750 $750 $0 $0 TOTAL $493,278 $433,070 $430,627 $352,857 $351,728 206

Design Development / Achievements: Completed Westminster Center Park. Completed the City Park Recreation Center aquatics renovation. Completed five restroom facilities at the City s golf courses and Standley Lake Regional Park. Completed 92nd Avenue median renovations between Sheridan Boulevard and Vance Street. Completed a playground and shelter at City Park. Completed Municipal Park renovations. Completed Wolff Run Park renovations. Completed the update to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Completed the renovation and conversion of the Colorado Rapids space at the City Park Fitness Center to programming areas and leased office space. Completed the renovation of the picnic shelter at Oakhurst Park. Received grants from the State Lottery Fund and Adams County to help fund the construction of Westminster Center Park. Received a grant from Adams County to help fund a dog park project at England Park. Completed design and oversaw installation of trail signage along the Big Dry Creek Trail. $900,000 $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $0 $414,000 Grant Funds Received for Parks and Recreation Projects $150,000 $820,000 $531,080 $843,569 2005 2006 2007 2008 Performance Measure Snapshot. Over the past five years, Staff has successfully secured over $2,750,000 in grant monies to fund various capital improvement projects. Most recently, grant funds helped fund the completion of Westminster Center Park, the City Park Recreation Center aquatics renovation, and restroom facilities at the City s golf courses and at Standley Lake. 207

Recreation Facilities Recreation Facilities Section Overview: Operates all facilities in a professional manner with an emphasis on providing exceptional value and quality of life through SPIRIT (Service, Pride, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation, and Teamwork). Effectively manages and operates City Park Recreation Center, City Park Fitness Center, Swim and Fitness Center, West View Recreation Center and Countryside Pool to offer the highest level of guest service possible within established budgets. Emphasizes quality maintenance and infrastructure upgrades for all facilities to maintain the quality and safety of facilities for guests. Serves as the leisure, recreational, and informational resource for the residents of Westminster. Objectives: Place additional focus on determining factors that influence the City s ability to attract and maintain participants and guests based on the current economy. Work with other departments and divisions to complete renovations to the Swim and Fitness Center. In alignment core services analysis, decrease weekend hours of operation at the Swim and Fitness and West View Recreation Centers by one hour Saturdays and Sundays. Conduct the annual review of all recreation fees and make recommendations for fee increases to the City Manager and City Council as appropriate. Strive to attain cost recovery target percentages at all facilities. Review and possibly adjust pool schedules to accommodate the closing of Kings Mill outdoor pool. Objectives: Continue to focus on maintaining or increasing participation and revenue with existing resources. Focus on addressing maintenance issues with aging facilities. Continue to market the recreation facilities and create partnerships to enhance usage. Review and analyze potential Parks and Recreation Master Plan items for facility enhancements and additions. Provide timely, accurate, and useful information to community members in person and over the phone. Actual Total Budget by Category Adjusted Estimated Personnel $2,725,973 $3,017,285 $2,995,485 $2,875,522 $2,870,522 Contractual $668,465 $1,113,288 $1,014,244 $1,067,372 $1,096,541 Commodities $142,063 $198,692 $195,545 $188,699 $188,699 Capital Outlay $4,000 $7,080 $0 $0 $0 TOTAL $3,540,501 $4,336,345 $4,205,274 $4,131,593 $4,155,762 208

Recreation Facilities / Achievements: Completed the successful renovation and re-opening of the City Park Recreation Center aquatics area. Enhanced the City Park Fitness Center by offering services in the area that the Colorado Rapids previously occupied. Maximized use and revenue potential by creating a combination of leased space and City program space. Maintained a replacement plan for fitness equipment to enhance safety, quality of experience and marketability. Successfully transitioned and supported aquatic guests and Staff from City Park Recreation Center to the Swim and Fitness Center during the aquatics area renovation closure. Enhanced marketability by implementing new formats to promote facilities and activities. Continued to focus on cost recovery target percentages at all facilities. Maintained a high satisfaction rating in the City s biennial Citizen Survey. Adjusted staffing levels at all facilities and reassigned full-time Staff to maximize safety and guest service. Completed the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $- Recreation Center Pass Revenue $591,566 $636,253 $617,998 $504,922 2006 2007 2008 Performance Measure Snapshot. The City Park Recreation Center pool closed for renovation on April 20th, and annual pass sales for the City Park Recreation Center were discontinued in September of 2008. As a result, pass sales at City Park decreased by $111,000 in. Swim and Fitness Center's sales increased by $17,700 from 2008 to. 209

Recreation Programs Recreation Programs Section Overview: Offers high-quality leisure program opportunities in a cost-effective manner to all interests and ages of the Westminster community. Provides large community events throughout the year, including 4 th of July, Westminster Faire, Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Holiday Craft Bazaar and the Summer Concert and Movies series. Offers quality educational programs for youth ranging from pre-school to middle school in a safe and enjoyable environment. Oversees and manages facilities including the Sports Center and The MAC (in a partnership with Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District). Objectives: Reduce special event and program offerings to address significant reductions in the budget, focusing on core program offerings that reach the greatest number of participants per the core services analysis. Continue to determine how to best utilize limited funding and resources by consistently evaluating core services, forming partnerships and staying on the front-end of trends and community needs. Continue to evaluate the usage demands of the Sports Center and make adjustments to services and facilities as needed. Emphasize creative marketing of recreation programs and create partnerships to enhance participation. Objectives: Continue to focus on program offerings that enhance community wellness and encourage active, healthy lifestyles. Evaluate special events to ensure the City is reaching the demographics and the interests of the community. Assess and modify necessary changes in program offerings due to economics and trends. Actual Total Budget by Category Adjusted Estimated Personnel $1,325,125 $1,326,563 $1,325,835 $1,324,815 $1,332,315 Contractual $520,448 $606,756 $595,353 $599,669 $605,057 Commodities $262,150 $290,810 $288,298 $269,558 $269,558 Capital Outlay $10,000 $10,000 $0 $0 $0 TOTAL $2,117,723 $2,234,129 $2,209,486 $2,194,042 $2,206,930 210

Recreation Programs / Achievements: Increased participation and revenues significantly since the City took over operations of the Westminster Sports Center in 2008. Sports Center registrations increased from 217 in 2008 to 546 in and are continuing to increase in. Continues to successfully meet the needs of the City s over-21 adult population through the MAC by providing quality trips, activities and drop-in use. As the City strives to meet the interests of all adults, participation has grown by ages 21-54 from 482 in 2008 to 831 year-to-date in. Provided successful special events and modified activities offered based on interest and funding. Expanded on electronic communication and other marketing methods to provide the community more effective tools to access programs and facilities. Continued to assess program locations and offerings to provide the most cost-efficient services. Maintained a high satisfaction rating in the City s Citizen Survey. $28,180 $3,600 $2,600 City of Westminster Special Event Funding $3,100 $40,000 City Funding Admission Fees Vendor and Sponsor Fees Fees From Outside Organizations In-Kind Donations Performance Measure Snapshot. Community-oriented events have seen a 400% increase in participation over the past two years. Staff was able to achieve budget savings while providing quality events to over 19,000 participants by partnering with the local entities such as North Metro Arts Alliance, Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District and other entities. 211

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