October 23, 2023 — Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:05] All right. It's 6 pm. And a quorum is present. So we'll begin the October 2223 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. We're gonna start with approval of the agenda. Can I have a motion, please, to approve the agenda so moved. All right. Second. second from Jason. Great. Okay? So are there any amendments for the or discussion on the agenda? Any changes that anyone sees needed? Okay, all in favor of approving the agenda as it stands, say, aye. aye, great, that's approved. Okay. Next up we have future board items and tours which will be presented by ally roads. Good evening members of prep your future board items in the packet. I will, as always, don't want to read to you, but do want to call out a few key highlights for you to pay attention to one. Your meeting right after the Thanksgiving holiday includes 2 action items. You will approve the 2024 Bpr. Fee schedule that we'll discuss tonight, and you'll also, we hope, approve a long term partnership at the Flatters golf course to operate the new restaurant there.

[1:10] Some council dates. I wanted to call out, it's not on this list, but we did just get the date on November, and we'll update it in your next information. It's between when you will get your next packet on November ninth City Council will consider the findings and recommendations from the Board and Commissions Improvement Project. That city council chartered will happily report out a summary of that. But if you wanna watch it real time, we're I. I've seen a preview of the materials, and they've done a really job of gathering feedback from employees from community members, both those who serve and those who do not about what works? Well, about that board and commission process, what are barriers and how we can make it better. So we're really excited about that project. Other items you have on your agenda tonight. So I think we're pretty brief on the future board items.

[2:03] Great, thank you. Was there any comment on future board items. I see that there is the the opening of the the whatever it's called exercise platform at the North Boulder Park. That is this Friday, hopefully, you all received an invitation. We're really excited about that. It's happening only because of a grant and some great partnership by our team. When you come download the app first for a little more fun, and we hope to see you there 100'clock Friday, north Boulder Park, Yup, and I've seen a lot of people using it. I live a block away. So it's it's very much popular, and people are checking out. Kids are checking it out, but then they don't stay and and goof around, but they they do go with their parents and take a look at it, so it seems to be very effective. I will not be able to attend the thing because I have a interviewing a job applicant at work, and I can't change that schedule. But I wish I were there. Okay, next up, we have public participation. and we have several people signed up to speak tonight this portion of the meeting is for members of the public to communicate ideas or concerns to the Board regarding parks and recreation issues

[3:13] for which a public hearing is not scheduled later in this meeting. and there are no public hearings later in this meeting, so all public comment will be heard. Now the public is encouraged to comment on the need for parks and recreation programs and facilities as they perceive them. All speakers are limited to 3 min. and depending on the nature of your matter, you may or you may not receive a response from the board or from staff after you deliver your comments. but regardless, we're always listening, and we do appreciate the community feedback and let me pull up the list of people, and we'll go in the order that they signed up. So the first person to speak will be Mark Eller, who will be speaking on recreational use at the Boulder Reservoir. Mark, you should be able to unmute and begin speaking.

[4:09] Hello! Can you hear me? Yes, we can. You're a little echoey. I don't know if that's something we can control here. I'll try to step back. Is that any better. Yeah, it is. Go ahead and speak loudly, though. Okay, go ahead. Thanks. So Hello. Prab members. My name is Mark Eller, and I am the president of Boulder community rowing a nonprofit organization that is offered high quality recreation experiences for adult rowers at the Boulder Reservoir for over 2 decades. Our Sister Club, Colorado Junior crew does the same for scholastic age rowers. and I want to start my my comments tonight on a positive note. We recently received a message from Deputy Director Scott Schuttenberg, stating that our 2024 rates will increase by about 5% from 2023. That's a very reasonable rate increase, although the fees themselves need more consideration.

[5:01] The reason that the feeds need more consideration is that even basic services, like restrooms, are frequently not available when the rowing clubs are using the reservoir. and the city already imposes all kinds of fees on our clubs, including boat storage fees, hourly use fees and gate entry fees, so our total cost burden is extremely high. In short, rowers are already doing more than our share of quote, contributing to the direct expenses of operating the reservoir, as Mister Schutenberg's message phrases it. there has to be a better way. There's another element of Mister Schutenberg's message that I want to examine. We have asked the summer hours for public access. When the reservoir opens at 6 Am. And stays open in the late afternoon, be extended into at least May and September. just adding 2 months, would provide a much better recreational experience, not only for rowers, but for swimmers, paddlers, anglers, and other quiet recreation experiences at the reservoir.

[6:06] Mister Schutenberg says that conducting a survey about the shoulder seasons to gather input from other from users or testing a pilot program will not be feasible for his department, but he also indicates the need for measurable community benefits before you will consider the expansion. So, with no survey and no pilot program. Where are the necessary measurables going to come from? I would love to pursue that discussion. and I thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Thank you very much. Our next speaker speaker will be Tom Kinsman. He was not sure he'd be able to join or not. I don't know if he's on. Currently he's going to talk about swimming pools if he is on.

[7:02] If you're there, Tom, would you raise your hand? And if he's not here to speak. He did send an email that we should all have received. And we can read his comments through the email. Okay, we'll move on from Tom. Then next is heather novicus She's gonna speak to lack of sufficient swimming pools in boulder. So if you could go ahead and unmute heather. can you hear me? Yes, thanks. Hi, thank you to the Council for listening to my comments tonight I appreciate it again. I'm representing the Boulder Community aquatics coalition. BCC. We wanted to follow up with Ali on a few items that were discussed during the last City Council meeting to try to better understand. Some of the next steps. We're curious. If Ali had been issued formal instruction

[8:05] by the Council to review the previous feasibility study in order to determine the numbers and the cost of winterizing Scott carpenter by putting the bubble over it. Ally, if you are working on this task. Do you have any idea when you might complete it? I know you'd mentioned the possibility of 2 weeks, but it would be helpful to get a little clarification from your end on that, and also ally, does your work on going back, involve speaking with the same companies or consultants within the city council previously connected. And finally, if you're able, Ali, would you be willing to share a copy of your findings with Pablo who is representing Boulder community aquatics coalition. Secondly, I just wanted to bring attention to one item that was not addressed at the City Council meeting by Vcac, and that's on the topic of energy, since we know it's a major concern for the city and an issue that we would have to tackle if winterizing Scott carpenter. And we're curious. If.

[9:14] during the previous feasibility study, or at any recent point, did boulder parks and rec evaluate the environmental or traffic impact of the 1,200 plus boulder community Aquatics, coalition members, and or the broader aquatics community, which is easily double, that when you consider all of the users of the pool. If those users are forced to drive out of Boulder to Lewisville, Longmont, airy Broomfield. Given the limited year around pool space in boulder from our perspective regarding energy, it's it's certainly important. But equity is also is important. And if boulder residents are forced to drive to pools and surrounding communities. This will have both an environmental and equity consequence. For example, families with 2 working parents may not have the time or resources to then commute.

[10:09] to swim, either individually or to get their kids to swim. Team. So this option seems to be against what Boulder nominally stands for which is serving the community with its pool. So I we would certainly welcome. Your response and insights on the energy equation of this inquiry from our end. Thank you very much. Thank you. Heather. Next up we have Kelly Marks, who will also like to speak on the swing pool situation. Kelly, if you can. Please go ahead and unmute and begin speaking.

[11:05] So, Rosa, do you see that someone has raised their hand? I think that's that's Kelly Marks. Hi! Can you hear me? I guess we can. Now, thanks. Please go ahead. Good afternoon. My name is Kelly Marks, and I'm a fifth. I'm 15 years old. As the elected athlete represented to the Colorado Swimming Board of Directors. I represent the voices of all athletes in the State of Colorado. I interact with athletes to discover what they would like, improved and changed, and also hear thoughts of current issues in the sport. I am also a proud member of the Senior League team at Ripley swim team in Boulder, and the Fairy High School girls swim team. I am here to say that our swimmers in boulder need more pool space more than ever. In my case my club programme rip tide is about to lose one of its locations in Boulder, but most swimmers in Boulder have been tracking up pool space since they started swimming. I started with lessons up in long when I was 6, and lessons at Elkes Pool

[12:12] and at Raleigh sport I swim in Summer League, using rec centres and see you when available, and lay time at Scot Carpenter. In the summer I joined Rip tide to swim year round, and my family did not think pool space would be an issue when we joined Rip tide. But now riptide is losing one of its pools. The lack of sufficient swimming pools in boulder to support the youth. Recreational competitive swimming is lacking, and this is sad for 3 reasons, one with mental health and teens and kids on phones. Swimming is a positive mental health outlet, and it's a perfect outlook for me, and other swimmers might not be able to have the opportunity to to participate in it. 2 boulders known for its athletes, such as swimmers like me, we have top swimmers who go to on to division one swim teams and kids just starting to learn with beginning swim lessons. If we don't have pools, competitive swimmers, and those who aspire to be competitive swimmers will leave bolder and train elsewhere.

[13:06] 3. Oh, and if they leave pools outside of boulder, it also increases our carbon footprint. 3 younger kids need to learn to swim. I was here. I represent the many voices of our swimmers in the State, and just as Heather said earlier, we need more pool space. Thank you very much. For those of you that are listening. We are having some feedback issues, but we are able to hear what you're saying pretty clearly. So the next speaker will be Tristan Myorino. who's age 14, and he wants to also speak about the community pool situation in Boulder. So, Tristan, if you can unmute.

[14:00] someone has their hand raised. So that might be, Tristan. Does Tristan, are you? Are you on muted. Now. okay, why don't we go ahead to the next person and we'll come back to Tristan at the end of the public comment period. If that's okay, we'll give them another shot. Sorry about the technical problems. So next speaker will be Susan Adams. who wants to talk about the fee proposal for the reservoir rental and reservoir hours. Hi! Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Please go ahead. Great greetings, prab members. I'm Susan Adams. I'm on the Boulder community rowing team and also on the board of directors.

[15:07] And I do want to speak. About a recent email we got from Scott Shuttenberg, announcing our new fees for next year, which actually we're pleased with as the iteration of increase is not as crazy as we thought it would be. But it's highlighting also for us a continued argument around the costing methodology for users to reserve the reservoir and emphasizing that all users must cover direct expenses, which is what both Ally Rhodes and Scott Schutenberg are speaking to in this email. While this approach seems fair. At first glance, it inadvertently penalizes nonprofits like ours. There's a stark difference between equity and equality, and we believe a methodology should reflect that. despite our concerns, Ally and Scott have defended their system, even insisting, we contribute to direct expenses during early morning hours, when we don't access certain service. This stance, coupled with Stacey Cole's 20%. Revenue share mandate has compelled us to cancel our junior summer camp.

[16:12] Our junior membership is decreased by 40 and made it so. We cannot actively recruit new participants because of that uncertainty. Our solution is simple. Open the reservoir from 6 A. M. During April, May, September, and October, known as the flank season. We challenge the notion that Allie and Scott will bring to you that, based on tallies of gate entries that the community doesn't desire early access, a targeted survey would provide a holistic and clearer insight. We have also anecdotally heard from both fishermen and our friends at Boulder aquatic master's program, that being at the reservoir at 6 Am. Is a fair and just measure to access this natural resource. not to mention affording us all, but with unparalleled beauty of the morning light reflecting on the front range. Furthermore, we maintain the offer year after year that we have the capability to manage key card access demonstrated in over 20 years of using key cards previously, while also being able to ensure water safety with our coach launches, giving you a collaborative and balanced solution.

[17:17] So, members, I urge you to support a more equitable management of our reservoir. Considering the value community groups like ours bring to boulder. Thank you. Thank you very much, Susan. The next speaker will be Darren Derook. who wants to talk about the swimming pool situation in Boulder. Good evening, City Council. This is Darren Durook. I'm a small business owner, boulder coaching. We are triathlon business and been operating in the boulder area for the last 13 years. I am a swim coach at Ben, and with the Color Athletic Club in Boulder

[18:02] and with Randy sport closing. And now Colorado Club flat, 29 street closing cool space is gonna be very limited for swimmers. and I know that back in 2017 they did a survey with, with regards to swimmers and having pools pools open all year round, and the survey was. I'm not sure if it was done with swimmers, or with just the general public or the general people that used the pools in the summer for recreational purposes. However. I feel, and my business partner feel, and I know, a ton of triathletes and and swimmers within the building community feel, I mean, when they opened Scott Carpenter with his beautiful 50 meter pool we were in anticipation of it being a 50, I mean a year round pool. Not just a summer pool. I would strongly urge that we reconsider this, that we can maybe have this pool open for use by the triathletes that come out of town which are basically, you've given a huge impact economic impact on the on the city of Boulder when they do come and train. Yeah. And if this pool is open year round. We possibly could have more athletes coming to the border area to use these facilities, which are really really good.

[19:19] It it seems very strange that in such a huge community of of athletes that we only have basically at our disposal right now, going to have one pool available at flat lines for a ton of ton of athletes. So I would highly urge the city of Boulder to look into this in a deeper manner, and hopefully. We can get this result in and get more pool space for our swimmers. I healed my time. Thank you. Thank you very much. The next speaker will be Larry Mckeo. We'll be talking about the aquatic group classification and the fee structure.

[20:03] and then after that we'll go back to Tristan Myorino if he's available and can get the system working. Okay, Larry, can you unmute? Yes, I can. Excellent actually, I ended up changing my comments. But they're still in line with what I normally talk about. Hello, Prab. My name is Larry Mchugh. I've been a boulder resident for 33, over 33 years and an average user of city parks and Rec services for over 20. I've been interacting with parks and Rec staff for the better part of the last 15. My comments tonight are related actually to the 2,023 Budget Review and a 2024 budget update that you'll be talking about later on. In the past. You've heard me express the value of the groups, such as boulder aquatic masters or the boulder community rowers provide as we're delivering a service that the Parks and Rec team doesn't have the bandwidth or the budget to support. This comes in the form of the rowing community's efforts to maintain a health, healthy populace. Similarly, groups like

[21:01] Bam offer group, oriented lap swimming or open water, swimming at minimal to no cost to the city. I recently received the city's staff's notice of the rate increase for 2024 out at the reservoir. This was to be expected, given past dialogue. looking through to night's prab material given for this meeting. What I see is primarily that prices are being increased across the board for a variety of reasons. A competitive analysis speaks to an increase in the cost being tied directly to the cost of delivering these programs. Department rental rates are also on the upper end of the market when compared to other municipalities. Yet when viewing visitations specifically out at the Boulder reservoir, the general trend. Since 2021 has been down. Bam's open water swims out of the reservoir during the summer should be viewed as a program that is bucking that trend. What we've seen is there's not a decline in interest, but rather it's a tightening of the end user's cost

[22:01] to value equation. Every time a purchase is made there is a little moment of truth that occurs, they ask themselves. is this exchange worth it? The open water swims, have sought to maintain pricing the same year over year. yet provide more value. This has resulted in an increase in in attendance by roughly 20%. Unfortunately, other fees and increases have which have been primarily driven by the city, have negated any sort of monetary benefit. Bam is effectively paying the city to be an unpaid extension of city services, since the cost splitting for the open water swim. Events at best is a straight 50 50 before rental costs are factor in including these, the split favors the city by 67%. To bam's 33%. I guess that's why we're a non profit. anyway. What I'm trying to illustrate here is there are systemic factors at work continuing to increase costs without offering additional value, is going to cause people to find alternative choices where that cost to value equation

[23:06] is more in line with what they'd like to pay. I'd ask for Prab to encourage park and Rec. Staff to engage with groups such as ours and the Aquatics coalition to offer more value without extra effort on the city's park. Thank you. Thank you, Larry. Your timing is impeccable, as always. Thanks thanks for the comments. What we're gonna go back to Tristan and Myra Myarno to see if he's available to unmute and speak. I think that's probably him. So, Tristan, when you in that for future use when you, when you sign up for speaking. It's very helpful to use your real name, so we know

[24:01] whom to unmute and and who not to. Can you unmute now? So, Rosa, you've given that zoom user permissions. hey, Tristan, we're gonna give you one more chance here. All right, I apologize. If the technical problems are our our fault. I do recommend that if you have some written, I am so sorry I am so sorry for the technical difficulties. I apologize. Oh, please go ahead. Okay. Hello. My name is Tristan, my arena. I'm 14 years old, and I'm currently swimming for rip tide, and I've been swimming for a total of 8 years. 2 years ago I left my former team elevation because I was unable to get any pool time when I switch teams to rip side, I was able to receive Lot more full time, and because of that I'd be able to get lot better at swimming.

[25:09] and now that they're taking the boulder pool away from our team or just from everyone, it's we're our team starting to receive less and less time in the water. and just just in general I feel like that. Swimmers should just be able to swim and pools, because more pools in boulder are starting to disappear, and we're having less and less time to swim. And swimming means everything to me. because I'm you know, I cannot play any other sports cause I flat feet. So any land sport I do. I'm just not very good at. So swimming is basically all the sport I can do, and I love it so much. and in the end I feel like folders should just be opening and not closing pools. Thank you. Thank you very much, Tristan. I'm glad we were able to get you get you to speaking. Appreciate your comments. Okay? So at this time, I think that's all we have on the list of speakers. That right?

[26:11] I'm sorry. What was that, Rosa? Hmm! Oh, Thomas Kuzmann! Oh, that's right. Did he show up Thomas Kuntzmann? If you're there, would you please raise your hand. No, it's not there. Okay. So this time I'd like to ask if the members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board have any comments on the testimony they've heard, or any questions that could be addressed by Parks and recreation staff. Okay, I'll offer the Florida Alley Roads Director of Parks and recreation to have any comments or responses to what we've heard today. Sure, thank you, Mr. Chair, and to the members of the community. Thank you again for showing up on a Monday evening. And to the members of the Board I do have a few comments that I think may be helpful, since we heard from you Thursday night, and when city Council also approved the 2024 budget that includes a 5 year capital improvement program with 50 million dollars for our recreation centers. We've continued to refine the chartering for that project, and we're really excited. I think we think people will be

[27:30] comforted when they see it addresses 2 key facts, one, we are going to closely look at the changing lap supply in our community and closely explore the appropriate level of service for the city to provide in public facilities. We do have an aquatics feasibility, plan from 2,015. A key finding, then, was that we have a higher than normal desire for lap swimming in our community. And obviously there's a change in the supply. The other thing, that project plan will include our options to mitigate impacts of the construction on pool availability, including an update on the feasibility of winterizing the now complete Scott Carpenter pool.

[28:04] We did extensively analyze that in 2,018 both the feasibility and valid value of operating Scott Carpenter New Year round. From a value perspective. What we heard from across the communities was that we already have 3 indoor community recreation centers, and that Scott Carpenter is an outdoor pool. First and foremost, and so any winnerization could not IM impact its ability to serve as such. So we explored the feasibility of various options from a tensile fabric structure to a retractable roof. and that feasible feasibility study found that any year round operation did not align with the project's community or energy goals or project budgets. We will be updating that. I heard several. I believe it was Miss No. Vicus who had several questions specifically for me, feel free to email me anytime. I'm happy to talk to folks that that doesn't have to wait for a prab meeting. My email is Rhodes, RHOD. ESA. For ally at Boulder, Colorado, Gov. All spelled out. And you will also, Rosa, can email that

[29:05] I think I hit most of the questions. The timeline for that the 2 weeks was when we would need information from council to proceed with that, we've talked and given the funding for the project and the need to mitigate impacts. We are going to be exploring that we don't need council direction to do that because we're gonna fold it in with that future of the Rec. Centers. Project I do have just a few simple responses on on the rowing and the use of the reservoir, and wanted to remind the members of the prab, II believe. Susan, Mark and Larry have heard this before, but the reservoir is unique in our system, and unique compared to many places where rowers across the country row, where water is plentiful. It is first and foremost stored for drinking water, and while we carefully while we highly value the recreation as do our partners and utilities, it has to be carefully managed to protect water quality. This requires careful and rigorous protocols that are costly to manage, and it also means we cannot allow on monitored access. II need that to be really clear. We've heard that as an offer for partnership. The city cannot do that.

[30:07] We have to protect the water quality and allowing users access without monitoring it. It's not possible we explored it, and we reconfirmed that it's not an option for the city. And per. The 23 follow fee policy rentals are to cover 100% of full costs. So when we talk about partnership and measurable benefits, that means that there needs to be benefits to the community beyond the users of the group. one final note for flank Stevens. In hours. We have analyzed pre pandemic visitation when flank season hours did include some expanded access in April and May in September and October, 90% of visits were by those user groups. And and so that is the why we have not expanded those hours backs to where they are, and into the note about piloting or surveying people. We don't have funding to expand hours. And so again, it's it's simply not an option.

[31:02] I wanna make sure. It's also clear that we're not interested in pricing out any recreation we know anytime people are moving. It is good for their physical and mental. Well being there simply is not funding to subsidize all recreation and folder. Alright any comments or feedback from Crab Sally's comments. Yes. Alley, the spruce pool. Is that also closed during the winter? It is so. Fun. Fact. The spruce pool is over a hundred years old, and it first operated as the spruce hygienic pool. The infrastructure is very, very dated, and to winterize the bathhouse is not winterized, so the whole facility would have to be winterized for that to operate year round, because you can't just have a pool. Health code also requires access to restrooms and showers. Is there currently funding in the budget to winarize that pool. Okay? And is related to Scott Carpenter.

[32:00] I'm sorry. Related to the closure of Colorado Athletic Club on 20 Ninth street. Do we know for a fact that that pool will permanently close? I don't have any facts. I'm working to get them. I'm hearing things second and third hand, I what I have heard is that Another commercial fitness company is taking over the lease. Cac. Is closing as of October 30. First. and plan. It will be closed through the end of the year. And so I'm hoping to get more information. So is it possible that another commercial facility could take that over and keep the pool open. If they're listening to this meeting, I sure hope they do. Given the interest for swimming in our community. Thank you. and then rally. Sport also closed right, and they had a a winter pool as well. Correct. Rally sport was another commercial fitness provider. That property has been purchased, and is being redeveloped in partnership with boulder housing partners for affordable housing. But we've never operated the Scott Carpenter Pool in winter. It's never it wasn't rebuilt to that specification. Right? So since 2,019, we have not.

[33:06] That is correct. Ever since the pool opened in 1,963. Okay, thank you very much. Yeah. Go ahead. Jess. Is. I don't know if this is the right time to ask this question, but you mentioned the 50 million from City Council. Should we talk about? Can we talk about that now, or is that later in the? It didn't look like it's on our agenda. I'm happy to share more, because I think it's relevant to the conversation. So public infrastructure it. II heard one of the public speakers talk about the mental and physical health benefits of recreation, and we know that to be more important than ever, not only for physical and mental wellbeing, but social wellbeing and addressing a lot of. So I'm really excited that the city has prioritized our aging and rapidly deteriorating Recreation Center. So the 24 budget includes 50 million dollars. 40 million is earmarked for the East renovation that has been prioritized.

[34:00] Given its age, given the fact that it has in in home renovation speak really good bones with some updates in a major energy retrofit. It's well poised to serve the community well for the next 50 years. Similar things are true for the North Boulder Recreation Center. The same things are not true about the South Boulder Recreation Center. So the project that we're charging is, gonna look holistically at the city's level of service for recreation facilities. Again, that question around how many pools and where? And then, also, what is the best use of the South Boulder Recreation Center, that site. The building is likely past its life cycle and needs to be completely replaced. So the 10 million is seed money for future recreation work at the end of the day and going into next summer's 25 budget process. My hope is is that we have some good numbers to inform all of those projects, and if and how the city participates in some type of aquatic training or competition facility that doesn't necessarily have to be in the city of Boulder.

[35:05] Okay, thanks. I. Yeah. I have a question in the back of my mind. And now I can't remember what it is, but I'm sure I'll think about it at an appropriate time in the meeting. Oh, that was the the renovations to these pull the Rec. Center. Those will presumably be staged and timed so that the indoor pool facility will be open as much as possible during the winter season right? We intend to write the Rfp. In a way that asks the respondents to scope and phase the project and minimize pool closures. We've got a great example of that from the last major recreation renovation. The North Boulder Recreation Center, that gymnastics facility is unique in our system, and with serving a thousand kids. And so they phased that project and minimize that closure to align with the lower down season. And even when the rest of the facility was under major construction. There were rest rooms, and that the kids were coming in through the back and the tennis courts, and so we would hope to align pool closures with the outdoor pool season, and when the high school teams aren't swimming which minimizes the demand on the pools, it won't be a total solution. You can't renovate a pool in 3 months, but we'll try. It will require additional funding, because speed costs money, but we think it'll be worth it.

[36:17] Great. Thank you. Any other questions or comments. Okay. so next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. And this is a little bit of an unusual consent, agenda, because it has a consent agenda within it from September 20, fifth meeting. So we did not have the meeting because we did not have a quorum. But we still had the consent agenda materials. So the parks and recreation updates and operations updates. so those are an item B of the consent. Agenda sort of nested in there. So I'll accept a motion to approve the consent, agenda and a second, and then we can discuss it.

[37:07] Well, I think it's just one. Okay? Well, just one. It's all combined in one. I second that motion. Okay, great. Okay. Is there any discussion of the consent agenda either from last month's non-meeting or from this month's meeting possible. Yeah, just a few comments on this, and I don't know. It looks like it's October, so I guess it's this one's first. The the exercise equipment North Boulder Park is great. My kids have already tested out but one comment on that it. It says, no kids or no one below age 14 is allowed to use it. And it seems like. I mean, first of all, kids are, gonna use it. I had all 3 of my kids that are all under age 14 use it and so, as we think about this down the road. It'd be great to think of a way to kind of have an all age kind of access, or a way to kind of, you know. Obviously some of the stuff is.

[38:02] or, you know, for older people, but a way for younger kids to use that as well, and I don't know what that looks like, but just having a sign saying, You know, if you're under 14, you can't use it doesn't really seem to make a lot of sense. When a lot of kids are are using that. So finding a way to incorporate. You know, younger kids needs or extra exercise equipment. And then, secondly, was just the seeing the picture of the topping ceremony at the Flat Irons golf course. I was really cool, because I feel like we were all just there for diggling, you know the shovel in the ground, and that was probably in June. So that's really impressive. How fast that's moved along. And then last question was just on the Temple of Tranquility at at the Harlow Platts Rec Center. We biked by it every morning, and I saw it go up, and I saw see people there, and I was just wondering I didn't see it in here. Maybe it is in here. But why is it temporary? And it would. Is it possible to kind of extend that longer?

[39:01] I think I'm gonna have to get back to you on that? I'm pretty sure it's because it's a I mean, it's an art installation. It's not meant to be long term. It is impacting irrigation systems. We had to winterize them early. But there's probably a more thoughtful answer that I can get back to you. Offline. It could be permanent. It's just a really great, beautiful spot for it. And I've I've noticed a lot of people. you know, just there to take in the view, and I guess, meditate. Do whatever they're doing there. can I? Can. I just comment on the the flatterins, golf course? Comment. I wanna I have no idea if anyone from flatterins is listening. But I know that that Stephanie and Monroe is here if you haven't gone by recently, and since the the ground breaking, I went last Thursday and it's jaw dropping to see the still structure in place and complete. But it's also a reminder of the day to day. Tetris, that is happening with the team out there as they work on the the parking lot. They've had to do it in halves to keep some access for the construction project. They explored, just doing a big bang and doing it all at once, but that would have slowed down the construction. And so they're doing it in halves, which means regular management of the tea times and access and coordination. And the team is doing such an incredible job. And I really appreciate them.

[40:17] Okay, are there further comments on the consent agenda. I have a couple I was looking at the September 20, fifth consent agenda, and we have the civic historic district which is currently in the planning phase. and they also have the civic area reimagining, which is in design phase. and it seems like the former should really inform on the ladder, like it seems like these are out of order at some level. And I wonder if we're going to have the civic area reimagining and reach a design and then have the historic district planning process make us change it. I'm a little concerned about that. I believe she helped me is available online, and I know she can answer this, and if she's not, I'm happy to take it. There she is, the senior landscape architect, managing our civic area downtown project.

[41:07] Great thanks, Sally, and thanks Chuck, for the question. So we're working closely with comprehensive planning. They are leading the historic district application process and actually, the timing will work out that they are moving through a pretty quick. a process that will probably be wrapping up around February or March for final recommendations in which Council will vote on for creating a historic district or not for per the application and we find that actually, this process coincides with civic area. We are in contracting and negotiations currently with a design team for civic area reimagining. And so by the time we get the team on will be the New Year, and actually, during the same time, where we'll have guidelines for the historic district.

[42:03] should it be voted and approved for so once the historic district take shape and there are guidelines. We'll have a team onboarded, and they will dive into what those guidelines really mean, and take them into consideration into our planning phase. To kick off design back to. I'll add one other note. The reason the civic area project is in the design prey, phase is because the planning is complete with the 2015 civic area master plan. So now we're into implementing phased construction. So it'll be design, then construction. but to she homies point it still aligns perfectly with this consideration of a historic district. Great. Thank you. Then I had a question about the Fitness Court and North Boulder Park? So it's branded. I think it's Uc. Health is that? Who's on the site hat? Can you tell me a little bit about that partnership and what they're what they've done to get their name on them.

[43:00] I think. Oh, Jackson, you're you can take this sorry. Mark Davidson's our senior planning manager, and he is unfortunately out sick tonight. But you have the details. Can you? Nope. testing? Okay. Jackson? Height business services. Manager Ucl. Health has a 1 million dollar. Grant that they are providing in partnership with the Fitness Court campaign and they are funding a portion of the cost. So we have received funding from Uc. Health, and Nfc. National fitness Camp Court to help offset the cost for that so approximately one third of that project was paid for using grant funding from Uc. Health. Their intention is to get more people out in the community and having free, active, recreational opportunities. So that's where the funding came from. Great. Thank you. I just no. It's nice to hear about these partnerships, and even though we have to do a little advertising for it. It's still, I think, very cost effective for the pro department. So I think that's great.

[44:06] And I had a question about the Koot Lake work. There was a map there that showed that you will need to detour around the north side of Koot Lake while the bridge replacement is going on. But there's also an access point south of there where there is a crosswalk that goes across 60 First Street 60, third 60, third and I wonder why. And there's no bike access around the north side of Ku Lake. That's a no bicycle area. And a lot of people bike using the using the dam across the boulder reservoir. So if that's the only access point is is from the Kootlake trailhead and it's and I mean, if it's closed at the southern trailhead, then that'll be a problem for biking. I was actually out there Saturday and enjoyed a bike ride around it. So Regina Elsner, our senior manager for natural resources, is on vacation. So I'm gonna say, what I think is, I believe to be true, but I'm gonna follow up with you. So if you're talking about a bicycle access

[45:09] if you are a cyclist heading south on sixty-threerd and you pass the coup like access, you will hit that Ibm Connector trail, and so you have an option in from either way. And so there's a crosswalk there the trail crosses. And so that's your your option as a cyclist. Well, I will double check, but that's what I believe to be true. and I also wanted to thank the forestry team for their volunteer work that did it fort Logan Cemetery. It was nice to read about that, and congratulations to them, and doing such a nice job for a good cause. That's it for me. Okay, if there are no other comments on the consent agenda, I think we need to vote to approve it.

[46:00] So all in favor of approving the consent. Agenda, please say aye. aye. it is so approved. Next up we have matters for discussion and information. We'll talk first about the fee schedule and then the flat irons, golf course, food and beverage, lease and agreement. Thank you so much so Jackson Height, our senior manager for business services is gonna Rep. Represent the discussion item on the fee schedule. I think he is joined by our senior budget manager, Stacey Hoffman. I said that wrong. I did. I? Okay.

[47:14] alright good to see you. Prob jackson Heights, senior manager for business services. Thank you for the patience as I got that pulled up. We are going to talk about the fee schedule tonight. I know that we have been talking about this since March. so we have had 6 different touches with the prab back in July. You did approve the fee policy in its current state. We've had city Council study sessions on the topic. We've met with the community connectors and residents gone through the racial equity instrument and have submitted and approved our 2024 budget. I do want to highlight that. There has been a lot of work that has been done to go into the fee policy. And now we are talking about the fee schedule. So the fee policy was the overall policy that shapes how our fees are set. and the fee schedule is a list of all of our fees or menu to help describe it to both our staff and the public, to understand what the fees are that we are charging

[48:10] tonight with you in attachment. C is the draft fee schedule that lists out all of the fees for the department. And we will be coming back to you the Monday after Thanksgiving, to seek your approval for this. as we talked about last week or last month, last time we met. There's the city Manager rule, which is an administrative process where we do provide public notice of the fees. and this is subject to public feedback. and then we would hope to implement the new fees on January first. So throughout the next 4 months we are focused on significant communication and engagement, as you heard during public comment tonight, there already has been outreach to some of our user groups that will be most impacted. And we continue to have those conversations as a heads up as far as what's coming. When you had approved the fee policy in July? There was concerns that there wasn't a big enough emphasis on equity. So you all had directed Staff to go back, and

[49:11] Wordsmith to make sure that equity was included within the purpose of the fee policy, we have added the following language. the fee policy should be applied to all programs to promote access for community members who are historically excluded and have been prioritized by the community. This will ensure the limited subsidies are focused where they can have the most community benefit with an understanding that additional support may be provided based on additional funding as called for. and the 2022 parks and recreation plan. This was really just to highlight that we have made those changes. The fee policy is currently listed on our parks and recreation website and has been shared with various community members already. Jason general comment. This is the first time we saw that link the the previous slide. Right? You know, I'm obviously very supportive of the priorities have identified, and you know the process here. But I'm a little uncomfortable with the language that have been prioritized by the community, and wonder if we could find another way to

[50:06] it sounds ex. It actually sounds exclusive in a way that we're. I know we're trying to be more inclusive, but I feel like we could end it at excluded period and take out that, you know. and that have been prior to that. Obviously. we don't need to edit this, you know, through the board process, but that just that this just sat wrong with me the way that's written I don't. I think we're. you know, we wanting to support communities that have been historically excluded. But we don't. We don't want to prioritize one community over another, and I feel like that is problematic language. I think we should talk about it a little bit. So I think it's bigger than word smithing. So, and this actually dovetails with some of the conversations we had tonight. So what we know across the community and in a community like Boulder is that all recreation is important to our physical, mental, and social. Well being there is not subsidy to subsidize everything. And the community has given us input in the Vpr plan and over decades about

[51:01] who should be prioritized for us to serve and to subsidize. So that's what we're trying to convey there. If you think it would be better in 2 separate sentences, or even differently worded. We're we're happy to consider that. But what we're trying. And as I I'm thinking out loud, maybe in separating the sentences, it could convey that it's just what we're trying to convey, is there is not subsidy for everything. And through the fee policy is how we align subsidy where the community and policy have told us it's most important, but it's separate from promoting access, and I hear your point. I don't know what you just said, but I feel like how you described it was probably a better kind of more descriptive way to II it just. You know. II agree with that. We have prioritized. We've been directed to prioritize, but it just sounds, you know. in an effort to promote where it sounds exclusive. And so I again, I don't. I don't. I didn't. I'm not coming with a new idea for how to do that. I think whatever you said that sounded that sounded right. But I just it just didn't sit like, I said. Didn't sit right with me the way it's written currently.

[52:03] So we don't need. We don't need to spend a long time with this it was more just, you know, wanted to raise a concern about that. Okay. thank you for passing that along. We will talk about it and see what we can come back. Thanks. It seemed odd to me, too, when I read it. and then chuck and discussing it, did that tease it out for you or yeah, it sounded odd, but I didn't know why. And and I think Jason explained very well why. and I could think of some other wording that would be clearer as prioritized by the blank blank blank. you know, whatever the official document is. for example, might be clearer. Right? Okay, we don't need to words with us tonight. Heard your feedback loud and clear, and we will listen to the recording to see what the recommendations are. So, looking ahead, the fee policy is adopted at this point, it really focused on the

[53:05] implementation of the 2,022 department plan, as well as the Sarah framework, which is the sustainability, equity, and resilience that is, at a citywide level. It also aligns with the capper standards. Something that the department will be pursuing and is considered best standard for fee policies across the parks and recreation industry. The fee schedule is what we're really moving into. And this is identifying our menu of offerings and what the prices are that are associated with it. As you remember from the plan, graphic community really benefits from tax dollars, whereas individual benefit programs rely on user fees to pay for that. We have stated since the onset of this process that anything that was community or recreation focused would not have a fee increase of more than 10% in a single year. And that any individual categorized services would be phased in overtime if there was greater than a 10% impact.

[54:03] So tonight, we are really focused on the golf course and rentals. These are the new items that are really included in the 2024 fee schedule. The golf course fees were last updated in 2020 January first of 2020. In rentals we have a different history that has pretty much been untouched since about 2018. Across the board there are a few exceptions to that noted in your memo, but 2,018 was when we had done. The last major increases for any rental fees. In 2024 we will be coming back with updates to commercial use and special events. The commercial use program just needs more time to evaluate and special events. The office of citywide special events is currently going through. We do have 4 different program types that have an alternative mechanism in place. And those were described in more detail in your package. but I'm happy to answer any questions there and then. The last 2, we just do not have any fee setting associated with those program types. So I want to highlight that the big changes that you'll see in attachment C are related to the golf course and rentals

[55:07] as we updated fees. I think that no one got into this business to talk about fees and price gouge or make big impacts. And I know that you, as volunteers definitely don't like talking about the impacts of fees and how that could potentially impact individuals. So what we have done is our homework to really justify the fees that we have in front of you. We have looked at our historical fee schedule. What we have been charging. and all of those dates were updated in your packet. Whereas most of our fees have not been updated for 4 years. At this point. As you all know, our costs have gone up significantly in the last 4 years through escalation. both on the personnel side as well as the non-personnel side. We did market research, where we compared ourselves to local municipalities, state parks, and other public organizations. As you all know, recreation is funded very differently in each community that it is hard to do an apple staples comparison.

[56:03] We recognize that our fees tend to be on the higher side, but when, looking at our cost comparisons, we found that there were certain areas where we were below market or in the bottom third of the market. and we do think that we found a whole lot of external benchmarks that provide great comparisons for us in the level of services that we do provide. Finally, we did go through a cost, analysis exercise for all of our internally monitored spaces that are rentable. Looking at the direct expenses, the cost, recovery targets, and then all of the direct costs associated with maintaining those internal spaces on a square footage basis in the bottom chart. I'm sorry the font size isn't bigger. You can see that our cost increases from 23 to 24 really vary across the board. So we wanted to highlight that we aren't proposing a blanket. 10% increase to our fees. We think that we need to align with the cost recovery targets that you've established in the fee policy and therefore have slightly different rates for the different program categories that we do have.

[57:07] Ultimately we've summarized the changes in fees down to a few bullet points. All of this information was in your packet with a little bit more detail. but on the rentals we have categorized everything to align with the definitions and the fee policy. We found a few instances where we were charging nonprofit fees and the proud direction has been to not honor nonprofit fees because we want to instead focus on the youth or older adults. subsidies based on the master plan or department plan guidance. We have had different rates for our field rentals when looking at hourly rates versus daily versus multi-day rates. where we have tried to standardize what the cost basis is for accounting for that when factoring in the staff time. That it takes to prepare the fields as well as the usage that a multi-day tournament may get out of those fields.

[58:03] We have consolidated different fees based on amenities. An example is we had different rates for multiple different rooms that could exceed approximately the same number of people. we thought, having a small room rate fee made more sense than differentiating each small room. because that simplifies the process for the community to understand our fees. we have standardized, how our staffing costs are determined. We used to base it on what an individual staff person was making during the hours that they worked. And you can imagine how complicated that is when we have 600 employees working for us in the middle of summer season we have developed a three-tier approach of a non-standard rate, a program manager rate, and then a senior manager rate and think that this would apply to most cases. it is a slight increase. But, as you've seen, with minimum wage increases and the cost of labor. We are seeing those costs go up as well as most of the staff costs that are added are for add-on services that aren't

[59:04] typically provided to the average rental or bookie. Finally, we did remove a lot of obsolete fees. I can't tell you how many fees we created in the middle of the pandemic as we were letting each treadmill be booked individually, and that has required a whole lot of cleanup when looking at the golf course, the biggest change is student rates have been replaced with adult and youth for consistency with how we categorize ages at the rest of the recreational facilities. We did not increase the fee for youth. There have been some statewide youth programs that have been going on that provided reduced youth rates. Those are being phased out, and in an effort to maintain youth golfership. We felt that this was a better approach based on the level of benefit received. And then finally, we used to offer a

[60:01] slow season or a peak season for golf course rates. We have found that the need for the turf to regenerate and grow itself justifies having year round rates rather than an off season or an on season. So there is just a recommendation to have a year-round rate at the golf course. That's a high level summary of the key changes in the fee schedule. I do want to highlight what our next steps are. We intend to continue our communications and engagement campaign. This will include webpage emails updating the recreation program guides, signage and also video campaigns with the fee schedule. The hope is that you would approve this at the November meeting, after which it would be published, present to the city manager rule. and then we would implement new fees. On January first we recognize that many tournaments and group bookings do try to make reservations for the following year in November and December, so we would like to honor those reservation processes, but wait to start collecting the fees in January, based on the updated fees.

[61:10] The Recreation service fees, are Updated quarterly with each recreation program. Guide. It varies by program area. But we do want to call out everything that you see in the recreation program. Guide would continue to go through the recreation, priority, index and cost or service delivery model to determine appropriate costs there. In 2024 we would come back to you with the rental policy to codify the deposit refunding cancellation policies. systematic discounts for community benefit programming and then updates to the commercial use and special events based on the other citywide processes that are currently going forward. So that was a whole lot of me talking. I know that the packet is very long. The fee schedule itself, I believe, is is 11 pages

[62:00] that is simplified down from over 6,000 fees, so I hope you can feel my pain and trying to simplify it as easy as possible. But I recognize that there are still questions. So the floor is all yours for any questions that you have. So I can. I dig in on the the golf course rates a little bit, and specifically the kind of the recommendation to have a uniform fee across the year instead of an off season on on season. So what is the current structure? Where? What's the rate for on-season? What is the on-season. And what's the rate for offseason? What is the off season? I'm going to need to pull that up. I can tell you. Holistically speaking. January and February is typically the off season. And then again, in November and December, we had so much snow this January and February that I think there was only 4 playable days that we actually did not change the fees and just maintain this year

[63:02] for that purpose. I believe it's about $4 around less during the off season than the on season. But we will pull that up right now. So it's not significant. The off season rate versus the onseason. It wasn't a significant enough to raise a red flag for us. I believe it was an 11 change. Okay? And I don't think you need to. I don't necessarily need to see the specific fee amount that helps that. Those numbers. What's the comparison and cost for the department to maintain the golf course November through February verses, the summer. And is that? Is it so significant that I mean, it's just vastly different. I'm going to struggle on this one. I would say that it really depends on our snow operations. We do have 7 full time employees at the golf course that we pay 12 months a year

[64:01] when there is no, we do decrease our seasonal staffing. The course will be closed to 9 a earth. The club shops open 9 A. M. To 2 PM. When there are snow closures. So it is a typical bell curve. We do see the majority of our expenses. In the march through October timeframe there is a certain amount of preparation of buying the appropriate seed aerating that does happen in those shoulder seasons to minimize impacts to play. Okay? Kind of in summary it. It costs less to operate the golf course in November through February than it does in the summer I would feel very comfortable saying that, and our fees have historically kind of reflected that difference. But now we're proposing to have it be consistent throughout the year. Can you explain to me kind of what the thinking is behind the consistency or to having the proposal to have a consistent fee across the year. And I'm only asking this because I'm sure there are some folks in the community who.

[65:01] you know, play in December and are gonna have a different golf experience than if they played in June, and if they're paying the same amount as someone who plays in June that may strike them as unfair. But I would love to give you a chance to kind of explain your thought process on that absolutely. Our director of golf is not with us tonight, but he did give us a whole little dissertation on exactly his reasons behind it. The turf really needs time to recover during the off season, and with the thaw and frost and free cycles. Actually minimizing the amount of play is what Linkedin's the link of play that we get throughout the major summer season into the fall. That there is kind of a pricing demand aspect that's put into it of people are willing to pay a higher rate for that premium of being able to get out there and play

[66:00] as well as it keeps some people away from a price, sensitivity, standpoint to make sure that the turf is maintained in good playable condition for the rest of the season? And is it possible that if there is some sort of damage to the course over the course of the winter due to winter play. You can use the extra fees you're generating in the winter from the now consistent fee to apply that to making the course more playable for the summer. Very much so. The golf course is one of our facilities that operates at full cost. Recovery. For all direct and indirect costs. So anything that is generated in revenue goes right back into that facility. Okay. okay, that's all I had. Thank you. Are there other comments on the fee structure? Okay, I do have a question. At the reservoir. We experimented with having a discount for car pools entering.

[67:05] and I didn't see that Reflected in the fee structure anywhere, is that something that's fallen off, or to just not see it among the 10,000 table entries. I think. Stephanie, I'll call on you, and then I can follow up to that. So that's part, that is, we still offer it. We will still continue to offer it. We're discussing that through our after action review. So you'll see that actually, next next month for the summary of our questionnaire and after action review. whether it was in the fee structure and might be something that we need to review and make sure it's there. I don't think discounts are included on this list, and that's entered as a discount. And just so, Stephanie and Rose, our regional facilities manager for reservoir flattenance, golf course and Valent City Park. I don't think we have any of the discounts. That is a a percent off of something. But we can follow up on that when we come back to you with this as a final. And then, Jason, if, since I'm on unmuted, I'm gonna say, when we bring this back in November, we would love a clean read and a 70, this reflects all of our questions, so don't hold back. If you have questions or feedback, we. That's why we're bringing it to you.

[68:15] So I guess, revisiting the reservoir. You know, I think we need to push as hard as we can to minimize the number of cars going out there as part of our overall. you know, or overarching issue with client climate mitigation. so I'd like to. You know, we we've used these carrots a bit and giving giving discounts to people, and that hasn't really seemed to move the needle very much, so I'd like to see efforts to figure out some policy that will move the needle on that and really encourage car pulling and not single people going out there and then running around the reservoir one time and then leaving their car again. We can absolutely include that, I can tell you. We just ran the analysis for the After Action review, and we had about $65,000 of discounting

[69:02] for people who chose to Carpool this season, so we will make sure that's highlighted in the after action Review, and then we'll also get that included with the clean read that comes back to you November. But do we know how many people would carpool without the discount. and how effective it is? Per dollar? No, but what I would add is that we just today started talking about the outline. Our 2024 work plan includes the next phase of planning for the Boulder reservoir. There's some policy questions that we'll be outlining. This can be one of them. And then the resulting is going to be an updated boulder reservoir management plan. And so I think. hope this doesn't feel like kicking the can. I think it's something that we can better and more carefully study as part of that plan. Okay. I mean, my time on the board is limited, and I'd I'd like to see. you know, or it won't be done by March. Do you roll off in March. I do. Yeah. It won't be done by then, but the Chuck Brock legacy can be that the plan includes it and and considers it. How about that sounds great.

[70:06] Go ahead. I just have one question. It's actually not related to fees. But as I was looking through this and kind of it came up in public comment, and all you responded to it about why, the reservoir can't be open, you know, earlier hours, or even year round. And I don't have you know that I that sounds right to me, but I feel like looking at the list of peer places, peer communities where there are reservoirs that are municipal reservoirs that are open year round, we probably should have a very good response. That includes why other places that are reservoirs are open. We're not, and I'm I'm not disagreeing with it. I'm just saying, I think. given the the number of comments we've heard about off season or earlier hours. You know, we have other places that are reservoirs drinking water run by cities that operate year round. And so it's not. A doesn't sound like this is not so much of a parks issue as a city issue. But I think we, we probably need to include that in a response to people. Why

[71:03] Boulder Reservoir is unique in our schedule compared to Aurora reservoir or Union reservoir, which I imagine are all similar facilities. Make sense. That's no, that's super helpful, and thank you for sharing the the biggest difference. And if for folks who are listening that we can clarify, this goes to Jackson's Point earlier. These apples to apples comparisons are are really easy and helpful. Operationally, anytime we start talking about fees or costing. It's incredibly challenging because Boulder is so unique. Our subsidy level is significantly lower than certainly the State agencies where it's practically free, very unmonitored. Think about. If you've been to Pearl Lake up in Route County or or any of those places. And the other unique unique feature about boulders. So we have, with the high cost recovery. And then for the other municipalities. It's just the

[72:00] the level of I forgot where I was going. I know from the State agencies. The key difference is like the incredibly high level of subsidy. And then with other municipalities, their funding levels are different, too. But I hear you, Jason, on the on the year round operations. Maybe. If it were helpful we could compare while they're all year round. The hours are a little different, and I don't mean so much for the fee comparison, or just the bigger picture in the public comment, this earlier today and at other meetings have talked about. Why, why can't we do this? And here is an example. So again, not related to fees, but more just the big picture conversation about, why does the Union reservoir stay open year round when it's run by the city of, I guess, Longmont. And what are the differences? Why are we unique here? Not so much the subsidy level. But I think that needs to be part of our response to the rowers and to the other folks in the community that that raise, you know our hours. And you know that. Jason, are you looking at page 43 of the packet? I am. Yeah. I wanted to clarify that the boulder reservoir is open year round our fee season.

[73:04] This is. This is clarifying. When we charge fees, the rest of those entities charge fees year round. We only charge in the flank in the high season. So if that is, that's so, we actually provide opengate access, for I can't do the math up top my head 3 plus 3, 6 months year. When other agencies are charging year round. Alright. Sorry about that. But the fees? No, it's okay. I was going there with you. Obviously their annual passes are different. It's $75 for a year at Aurora Reservoir. But that column is not comparing access. It's the when does the fee season apply? And I'd like to comment. I found that table really useful, the straight up, comparison across. And you can get a sense of all the differences in policy across all these different facilities and why they have different fee structures. And yeah, it's really pretty interesting. Still, a big table. Yeah, that's fine. I mean, there's no other way to present it. Right? So.

[74:06] okay, are there any comments or questions about the fee schedule? Okay, great. Thank you very much. Thank you. We'll move on to the flat irons, golf course, food and beverage release and agreement. sure. And while we switch out presenters I'll just start with an introduction. So you just met Stephanie Monroe, our regional facilities manager earlier. During consent. We talked about the topping off ceremony. The steel frame is now in place at the flat Erans golf course. And we're really excited to be bringing bringing you a draft lease, because we think we found a really great community partner. And so Rosa has the slide deck up and Stephanie is going to take this presentation.

[75:04] Hello. is that better? Okay. and then second, Tom Busby and Jake Jacobs for their continued staff. And support for operations ally mentioned is sort of an obstacle course out there. They have gracefully been able to keep operations running and customer service at a high standard. So thank you for that whole entire team.

[76:07] Allison and Scott here for the continued support of this project, and of course, the members of the prab with everyone's dedication, the the Golf Course capital project tonight. I can bring to you a drafted contract agreement for the fly irons, golf course food and beverage services. So next slide. Now, thank you. okay, so the new facility will fulfill the vision outline on several plans. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approve the concept plan which outline a restaurant to appeal to the surrounding neighborhood as well as daily golfers, and the event lawn to be used, utilized for community activities and events. Prab members should be aware that in 2021 City Council codified the benefit restaurants can provide in our regional parks by making them a bite a by right use as long as they're 500 feet away from residential areas.

[77:02] So therefore. the restaurant's facility goals solidified a relationship with a contractor to provide concession services as well as a full service. A restaurant operated out of the flat owns golf course. This will activate the soon to be completed. Indoor, outdoor, outdoor, venue and community focus. place to gather for food beverages and golf and provide opportunities for private and special events. It supports the expansion of community based programming and event coordination at flattering flat errands. Golf course. It supports the operators. Pursuit of a liquor license for sale, service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on site, and finally, it aligns with the Boulder Park and recreation plan concerning the financial sustainable sustainability and departments facilities and programs next slide in the Rfp process.

[78:00] the evaluation included these 4 scoring measures. There was a mandatory minimum requirement of the prospective contractor to be able to demonstrate a minimum of one year experience in operating a full service restaurant. The pro prospective contractor needs to be able to demo to meet or exceed the expectations of the desired program with the menu that they, the bid, needed to show support in the vision of the restaurant building and overall operations, the golf course, and finally the prospective vendor vendor's vision needed to show alignment with the Department's plan next slide. So therefore this evening, I'm excited to announce that the bid was awarded to Noah and Tonya Westby. The Westbes are a dynamic duo who have made a significant impact in the boulder community. They are proud business owners since 90 98, and this was when Noaa opened up a coffee shop known as known as Trident Cafe.

[79:01] While studying culinary art and operating a catering business, Tanya opened, and was the owner of the core, the core Pilates studio in Boulder for over 10 years. And then, of course, you probably know them as the owners, successful owners of the Dagabi Tapas bar, and they've had that in operations for the last 20 years. They are known for their hospitality, experience, and truly love what they do. So we are super excited to have them part of our team next slide. Okay. So, moving on to the lease agreement, we have worked very closely with city attorneys to develop the lease that promotes a city interests that aligns with our 2022 parks and recreation plan, and of course aligns with that city code, as mentioned before. the agreement is is is term. The agreement term is 5 years from the effective date, and allows the renewal for one additional term of 5 years. So totaling a potential of 10 years.

[80:00] the contractor will undertake the duties and responsibilities and provide the services more particularly described in the scope of work, and that is, exhibit A in your packet. And then, finally, the guiding principles and management plan are exhibits that support, that balance and management of recreation. Next slide. Some of the themes of the agreement community financial sustainability and responsible management. the community benefit theme ensures that the operations align with with and promote community values as well as help support that partnership. and with this agreement in the guiding principles which is detailed in Exhibit D. This also includes catering for up to 6 events annually at the restaurant. Such such events may include neighborhood volunteer special events, community open houses, engagement sessions.

[81:00] board or commission retreats and city or staff trainings. The financial sustainability theme informs support of the partnership through the Bpr. Plan. The lease provides for a base rent plus a percentage of gross revenue, and to explain that just a little bit in more detail. the share of the gross revenue begins 4% per year and increases 6% per year after the second. So revenue is exceeding the cost can then support gulf maintenance, capital needs and or subsidize community benefit program to further support Bpr's mission. And then that responsible management part of it is, it's a balance of recreation as outlined in the 2022 Boulder Park and recreation recreation plan, and again, as required by the code, allowing the restaurants by use in regional parks. The lease includes a management plan to ensure that the use is reasonably compatible

[82:01] and has minimal negative impacts on the surrounding area, natural lands and wildlife. The lease requires that both parties abide by the management plan and further detail regarding the hours of operation. Guidance for private and special events. Sound and lighting are also included in that management plan next slide. Alright. We're next steps at this point. We're here this evening, or I am here this evening to, in hopes that we can answer any questions that you may have. I will return again in November for consideration of approval. Upon Prague's approval. The agreement will appear in front of City Council in December. upon City Council's approvement of the agreement agreement. The liquor licensing process will begin, and we anticipate opening summer of 2024 last slide, I believe. Tonight we'd love to get a read of the agreement from Prab and put, and your potential support for approval in November

[83:07] and then up in your memo we have outlined a couple of questions that we'd love to discuss for your input, and to help inform your consideration for November with that first question is, does a prop? I have any questions regarding how we had the contractor selected second questions. There's a lot of exhibits in this in this lease. So any questions that we'd like to review, and in any of the exhibits we can explore that. And then, if there's anything that you might request material with that questions. Hello! I just have a question about the the experience of the vendor, the contractor. I recognize that they've run some successful businesses and that have involved food and beverage. But I'm wondering if they've had any experience or had any

[84:08] thoughts about like the scale. that this project will be as opposed to what they have. Traditionally. Ron. I mean, this is not a coffee shop. I mean it. The tapest bar sounds more aligned, but I'm just kind of wondering like if what questions came up during the the selection process and kind of what their responses were. And you know how you guys feel about that? Yeah, I'll start. And then I make get over here to Scott. He was part of the process for the selection. That was actual question that we we really dug into. We we organized it where we had first rounds of interviews, and then second to our top. 2 and that was something we explored with them that we very much called the same question out. You know you've run some some small businesses. This is a very large scale. Are you prepared? Are you ready? And they admit that. Yes, this is a bigger, a larger organization and a business to run. But they're equipped and ready with their

[85:10] restaurant that they're ready to move on into something larger and stay a larger scale. The other thing that really came out in their interview, and that response was. The community impact. They really are excited to be part of that grassroot community effort and really wanna tie in some of their community adventures that they've already done in their past and are currently doing to be able to really explore that here in flat irons golf course. I cover it, or anything else to add. Thanks, Stephanie. I'll just add that, as Stephanie mentioned at the beginning of our presentation. We're really hoping to to find a vendor that provides the full service restaurant and not just service to the golfers. We wanted to make sure that that that the golfer's needs are met. But Dugabi and and Tanya Noah did a phenomenal job presenting information to us about how they would welcome in the community and make it a destination location as a restaurant. And so their business plan how they would discount their menu and run specials and and really meet the needs of the entire community was very appealing. And and I think they did a phenomenal job selling themselves, and and

[86:22] they have our full trust and confidence that they're going to be successful. I have a question just you know, from our all of our experience with the this, a similar contract, all the different situation at the reservoir are there, or were there kind of lessons? Learn from that experience that helped inform this contract in this process. And if so, you know, can you guys talk about that a little bit? Yeah, absolutely. I think the biggest difference that we did is in the sense of lessons is we engaged with Colorado Group Realti group

[87:00] in the sense of the commercial agents. So we worked with 3 different commercial agents to be able to help one develop the Rfp. And the scope as well as also help us through the entire process. So they put it out for bid and they helped us execute a little bit more traffic to be able to review the bid. They fielded a lot of questions for us. and then helped us through the process as far as evaluation and interview. That's probably the, I think biggest change from the reservoir to just the beginning to end of working with with that group of individuals and allowing them to have the subject matter expertise in the lens of what commercial realty brings, that we just don't have the expert level to be able to to talk and move in that in that lens community community engagement you want to hit on that. Our community engagement was very different, and I'll I'll go ahead and pass it to Alison. And she can speak more to that. Go ahead. Well, I think I mean, and Tom Buzzby, the director of golf has. If you haven't been out there and met him, then you probably haven't been out there because he is such a hands-on guy to understand the golfers.

[88:16] there's been regular and ongoing updates with the stakeholders, not just the golfers, but the neighbors. And I think that's a key, difference, because the reservoir con or the reservoir concept plan was approved in 2,017, and then folks did really didn't hear from us about what was gonna happen in the building until it was done, and we had a lease in 2020, and in that time It felt like a surprise to people who'd moved to the neighborhood, or people who'd forgotten about it. I do think this lease has a lot more specificity about what is going to happen, things we fold it in. As we had conversations and understood people's concerns, the final reservoir lease had guiding principles had the management plan. We're starting with more of that clarity that hopefully people understand the intent and the purpose of this lease that it is about community

[89:04] appreciate and then just on kind of similar subject. I think your first slide had a timeline, and the Alcohol Review Board or Licensing board is next. And how is that like? What do we anticipate from that process. I know that was part of the challenge with the reservoir. Yeah, so it's the process from start to finish can take up to 4 to 6 months. So we're we're trying to be on time and and conscious to making sure that we, we are giving them the opportunity to get through the process. as far as differences this time. Well, there's a key difference in that. There, historically, has been a liquor license at this property for decades. And so again, between the historical precedent and that it's occurred safely and in partnership with the city the city assumed management of the site 1984. There's always been an on site vendor since that point with a liquor license, and even before that, as a country club

[90:03] there was on-site alcohol and private events. And so it's not different, which I think also was part of the concern at the reservoir that it was going to create change and increase traffic and issues. Thanks. So the golf course has limited hours in winter. And I think closing a 2. Is that right? No, we're open sun up to sundown as long as we can play as long as we can play golf. Okay? So so the the restaurant will stay open. for it's a full service restaurant after the golf course is closed, then. so the hours of operation is something that we'll look at, you know, depending on whether and seasonally but the the building itself has an opportunity to have a grab and go window so that we can have operations. It can be limited operations, but we can offer operations for early mornings or later, to be able to come in and grab something out of the service window.

[91:01] So, though there there is an opportunity that some sort of service may be smaller service during during some of those hours, but some service could be and will be applied. and then, in terms of events. Do you have a sense for how late the events will go? No, I mean, it would follow the city code, which would be midnight. and then, of course, in the the guiding principles and the management plan. following all of the guidance as far as coordinates and sound and lighting would have to be followed as well. Okay. so the the lease is for 5 years. So which means council has to approve it, and it can be renewed one time, and then is is there a fresh rfp. 10 years out. regardless of how they perform? I assume so. But I'm going to refer to Allie on that legally, there would have to be based upon the way this lease is written. Thank you. I'm an enthusiast for the vendor many times, and great restaurant great people, so I hope they can do well in this venue. It's a little different than what they've done, but I don't really have any concerns about their ability to do. Great. Thank you.

[92:09] I have some additional questions about the provisions of the lease or the agreement. I did. But I didn't want to jump the gun to question 2. We're still in question. One. Okay. So this kind of might be in the weeds a bit on insurance. But you know, this is a unique arrangement and location, because we have a restaurant that's gonna serve alcohol on a golf course, and there are risks, as you know, that are attendant to being on and playing on a golf course, drinking and being on a golf course. and as I was reading the agreement. I don't know if anything stuck out to me as like expressly, you know, addressing those risks. I wasn't quite sure like if there was a situation where someone you know, gets injured by a golf ball while they're on the back lawn of the facility.

[93:06] who's responsible for that? Does the insurance coverage cover that was there a consideration of the insurance amount to the risks associated with people getting injured? By some sort of golf, related activity, or if someone buys alcohol at this facility, and then I understand that the contractor is responsible for the consumption of alcohol on the premises of the food and beverage. You know, whatever that land is. That's kind of surrounding the facility. But what if somebody buys something at this facility and then goes plays golf, and does something on the golf course, and then they're on city property. Kind of how is how is risk allocated there? So I don't know. I didn't read the agreement like with a fine tooth comb, but I'm just wondering if we have answered those questions as a city, you know, in negotiating this lease and making sure that if any kind of issues like that arise which I think are plausible. That we are accounting for those in this agreement.

[94:09] Yeah, absolutely. And I will say that Stephanie and I met with our city attorney's office on a weekly basis over the last 2 months to make sure that the language in this contract was sufficient, based on our city attorneys, standards, and and and their thoughts. We also know that there will need to be some operational items associated with selling alcohol. For example, a lot of courses put labels or stickers on cans of alcohol that are sold on the course we don't want outside alcohol coming onto the course and those type of things it is the requirement of to know what they will be the actual applicants for the liquor license. But I feel at this point our city attorneys feel comfortable with the language and the lease and the insurance requirements that they've laid out. So we've had the discussion. And we're just gonna follow the attorneys lead at this point. Okay.

[95:05] I'll add, I'm fairly familiar with the significant agreements, the city signs. I've never seen 3 pages of insurance requirements before, so I think they looked at it pretty thoroughly, and but we will follow up so that when we come back in November we can say it looks. yeah, I just you. There are always hypotheticals that you don't consider. And you wanna have a fair agreement. You wanna negotiate in good faith and not make this prohibitively expensive for the contractor. But I just wanna make sure that we're thinking through those scenarios. And it sounds like our lawyers have. What's up like you were an attorney or something. Yeah, sadly, how my brain works. Who's gonna blame? Who? That's how your mind works. Yup. okay, are there any further questions? Okay. thank you. Very much. Welcome. Thank you. I. This is important. So can I just double click on that last question. Then this. So we're going to bring this back to you in November, and we're going to hope that you unanimously and excitedly approve it for our partners. I'm not hearing

[96:11] concerns, changes questions. No, this is exciting. Thank you so much for the clear direction. Yeah. thank you. Can we learn more about the menu? That's it. Yeah. Agabi has a really extensive menu like it's really huge. I hope they cut down the option some cause when I go there like I don't know what I'm gonna order. II went and had dinner at last week just to to check it out a little bit, and the food was phenomenal. First of all. It will be a much different menu at the golf course. Obviously it needs to be golf or friendly to be able to grab and go and take things out on the course and and get food really quickly on the turn. But there will also be a a family style restaurant. Sit down, that when we do have a foot of snow on the ground. People can still go out and have have a bite eat with their family, so

[97:02] more to come on that the menu is not finalized yet, but once it gets to that point we'll make sure to share. If you want. If you want to 7 thumbs up, I think maybe we should see a menu before the vote. Okay, we'll move on to matters from the department. We have our 2023 budget review and 2024 budget update. And then my favorite topic, snow removal playing a little bit of musical chairs. Here. back again. Stacy Hopkins. with business services. Alright. Well, thank you so much for your time tonight, as we provide a 2023 budget Review, and also some details about the 2,024, approved Budget, which is very exciting to say, after months of engagement, with the prab. So before we get started, I do wanna thank the prab for all of your input. As we develop the 2,024

[98:21] budget this year we've met with you several times over the past several months. A lot of work went into the Budget development, and it was very exciting to see Council give the approval last Thursday night. So highlights of my year so far, one of them, and, as I mentioned to Ally and Jackson and Scott, there's only 220 days left to. We kick off 2025. So. looking forward to it. she's in the right job, ladies and gentlemen. Alright, but first let's take a look at 2023, and the slide up on the screen presents the uses of funds per fund.

[99:06] So I just wanna kind of explain the slide a little bit at what you're looking at the departments spend is those black numbers on top of the stacked columns from 2,019 through 2023. And those are the Q. 3 actuals. The stacked columns are of the Department's main 5 funds, and then other spending for the capital as we look towards as we look towards 2023. For an example, we will see that we have a 24.7 million dollars. Spend so far this year. and that is across those funds. The red numbers in the back of represent how much of the 2023 spend is as compared to the 2019, through 2022 actuals. And then also the 2023 revised budget.

[100:07] Okay, so 24.7 million spend. So far, we do have a revised budget of 51 million. We have 49 spent that budget. And out of the revised budget. I do want to point out that we do have 21 million appropriated for the cip. About 50 of that is dedicated to the flat irons golf course enhancement program and also with our cip due to our multi year projects that we have this year, as well as some of the timing issues we do expect there will be carryover into 2024 and looking at the slide, we always use 39 as our starting point for a 5 year comparison. Those do give actuals, and also 2019 really serves as a baseline for the department, right? It was really our last normal year of operations.

[101:02] So as we look at the 2023 spend as compared to 2019, spend in 2023, has increased about 14. Bringing it in a little bit closer to home and looking at 2022 expenditure has increased 6 million or 32 over 2022, and this is across personnel, non-personnel and cip expense. Drilling in a little bit on our funding the general fund is up about 430,000 or 11, over twenty-twenty-two. This increase is really primarily tied to an increase in non personnel expenditure for the point 2 5 cent sales tax. We have a year over year increase of 1.6 million or 31. The largest increase in this fund, exceeding in capital expenditure, coming in over 600,000

[102:01] perm parks. The increase, as you see in the yellow there up on the slide, is primarily driven by a cip. Spend our cip spend is up 2.3 million over last year as a flat irons. Golf course project is really taken off. And we also have some other cip spend. The raft compared to last year is up 1.6 million or 21, and that is actually equally distributed between personnel and non personnel costs slide. Our next slide really shows our spend by category and again, using 2019 as that baseline and start of our 5 year comparison spend compared to 2019 is up 26. As we look at this slide, we'll see 2 sets of numbers the black numbers on the top do represent that overall spend, and then those numbers that are floating more in that sea of blue in the middle, or our operating non-personnel expenditure is the operating expenses.

[103:06] When we are looking at our operating expenses. That is where we do fall, the 26% over 2019. And we are about 18 over 22. And the increase is really based on cost escalation the price of labor, and then also adding staff members to deliver our services. Looking at that operating expenditure. Personnel expenses in the green are up about 17, and the non-personnel expenditures are up 20% over prior year. The next 3 slides we are really going to take a look at the raft or the looking at a revenue to expense comparison. We'll be looking at some key performance indicators, and finally some monthly revenue. But starting here with our revenue to expense, comparison the solid columns provide the fiscal year actual 2019, through 2022, and we have the 2023 being the revised budget.

[104:10] The line columns represent the Q 3 actuals for all years. Turning towards 2023, you will see that revenue is currently exceeding expenses. Revenue is coming in at 9.6 million for the year. So far with the General fund, subsidy and expenses are at 9.2. It is important important to point out that you know, in. We're always gonna see a slight reduction in that revenue, especially in October and November. And our senses will continue to grow so the gaps will. You know, it's pretty tight gap now, but, as you can see in prior years, you know, we're about 20 more. So we hit our budget targets or year-end actual. As we look at the key performance indicators for the wrath

[105:02] on the on the first line, you will see that earned revenue is up. So as compared to 2019, we surpassed it by a half a million. And compared to 22, we're up about 13%, or about point 9 million. Good news is that rec centers do recover and continue recovery over 2022 being up, about 37% in visitation. We still are lagging behind our 2019 actuals, though by about 32. So an area that we closely look at every month. Looking at the outdoor pools, visitation really hard to get an apples to apples. Comparison on this one Scott Carpenter Pool was closed in 2,019 spruce pool was closed in 21 and 22 but looking at visitation compared to last year. we're up about 6 you know. We did have some weather impacts in June, if everyone can recall, it was pretty rainy back in June. So not a lot of people accessing the pools, or even the reservoir. At that point

[106:10] Boulder Reservoir is showing usage and visitation down as compared to 2019, and also 2023, and rounds of golf played the department has seen an increase in golf, as we all know, over 2019, about a 16 increase. We have declined slightly over last year, and that is really due to the construction impacts. We had budgeted. We had forecasted this, knowing there would be some disruption. So a lag of about 7 when we take a look at the golf revenue, however, we are flat. So, although people may not be getting on the course to play they still really are using the driving range quite frequently, and revenue is still very, very strong on the golf course, for the year has already surpassed their targeted number.

[107:04] So good news there. Alright! This next slide provides the recreation. Activity earned revenue comparison on a monthly basis, and just as a reminder to the prab earned revenue is our user and our participation fees along with our grants in our donations. In looking at this graph, we see 2019 is represented in that blue color. 2023 is in the red and we're just looking at a really good trend line. By a month to month comparison. The trend line is really strong, and it's kind of encouraging to see the recovery in the wrath. It's something we've talked a lot about over the last couple of years, and we've really seen most of 2020 through 2022 below that 39 level. So it's really great to see 2,022 start to surpass 2,019 in certain areas. That center area is really our high season revenue, which is May through September and that is kind of called out in that circle.

[108:08] We have surpassed the revenue generated in those months by about 278,000. We do see a dip down in June. And again, that relates back to the weather impacts. I just mentioned really having impact on the outdoor pools in the reservoir. I'm convinced that golfers will play in rain lightning whatever. Just get them on the course. Since that revenue is pretty flat there. And then we do see an uptick in that earned revenue, as centers continue recovery. As we move into the fourth quarter you will see that everything kind of takes a really severe dip. This is very historical for the department, right? Our high season is done. Those outdoor facilities are, some of them are closed or slowing down, or there's no fees at the reservoir. So it's really the indoor centers that are driving and programs

[109:04] that are driving that revenue, so it will dip down into November, and then you'll see a high spike back in December. That is, when we open up winter registration for our programs that will be occurring in 2,024 since individuals do pay upon registration. We do see that spike so interesting way for us to look at this earned revenue and kind of exciting to see recovery, and to see above those pandemic and really immediate post pandemic levels. But with that I will open it up to the prep for any questions. On 2023, before we move into 2024, right? Okay, good. All right, moving into 2024 the city of Boulders, 2,024, approved Budget after the adjustments that were made. From the first reading is 515 million dollars.

[110:07] The department's budget is about 9 of that, and is 44.2 million. We do have an approved operating budget of 33 million and a approved capital budget of 10 million. This represents a 24 increase over the 2023 approved and really addresses cost escalation and supports continued investment in staffing and program growth for high areas. As we look at the key changes, we will see in personnel. This includes an increase of 3 fte, and the extension of the 3 fixed term fte, which are for the urban Rangers program. The department did add 2 fte for growth of youth, recreation in sports and gymnastics. Those programs do continue to grow in both of those programs will surpass budget targets in 2023.

[111:13] And then there was an additional position to support the department. Wide asset management program. The non-personnel increases. Really address that cost escalation, as I mentioned, and we really did prioritize our maintenance projects and equipment replacement with those increases. So question about the personnel. you requested 14 full time equivalent positions, and you got 6. So so what were the 8 that we didn't get funded by the by the city? And what are we? What are we missing with those 8 or 4 were for park maintenance. I know those off the top of my head. We'll have to grab a list for you. Forward Park maintenance. a forestry planner to help us lead some of the work in advancing our urban forest strategic plan, we had requested a second deputy director to support land operations, natural resources, and planning

[112:14] that position we repurposed to a fixed term project manager that that was approved. Or it's it's off cycle. It's going to be looked at because of the uncertainty with the general fund in the election. So I just, I understand the question. There's a lot of uncertainty. So on this election there is a ballot measure around a point 1 5 cent general fund tax. It's a undedicated to the general fund. If it, the the 24 budget has to be built as if that tax will expire. I'm sorry it would expire at the end of 24, and so there's uncertainty moving into 25 about general funds position. So basically, the positions that were not funded were requested in the general fund. The ones that were approved were in the Recreation Activity Fund, and if that passes, then half the previous tax would go to the general fund, and half we go to arts.

[113:05] It is, it is written that way. Check the remainder of the positions were related to an extension of the Urban Ranger program. Which we do have the extension of the fixed term which for one more year, as more data is gathered. Surrounding that program. And we look to the future. Okay, thank you. Just to clarify Stace. You said it was extension of the program. So there's 2 things we'd asked for with the Urban Proc Ranger program. We have a supervisor and 2 full time rangers, and then we have temporaries, rangers that help in the Peak season. They've been funded in one time, funding as part of safe and managed public spaces work. We're still seeking ongoing funding for those positions from the general fund. If the general fund cannot provide it in 25, then we are going to propose reducing parks and recreation spend on other categories most likely asset management because of the benefits of that program. We had also requested to expand it so that we could have 2 full teams to have 7 day coverage and coverage longer in the day.

[114:07] and I've asked us at least twice in the past, and I always forget the answer. The the urban rangers are law enforcement personnel, or they are not. They are limited commission so they can enforce municipal ordinances. They do not carry weapons, and they're not fully peace officers certified so they cannot make arrests. They do not enforce things that live within the Colorado code. Thank you. I'll try to remember that alright. And then, just looking at that chart on our 2024 approved budget. Out 20 million is approved for personnel, 10 and a half for mpe, the 10.7 for the cip. We have about a million dollars and cost us. Allocation work, class escalation. However, you think. let's say, a cost allocation and about 2 million in transfers. And that is for community benefit programming. So from the point 2 5 over to the Recreation Activity Fund.

[115:08] the second part of the 2024 budget is the community culture, safety and resilience tax which Ali had touched upon earlier this evening with your questions. The 2024, through 2029 approved and projected funding that has been awarded to the department is 70 million. You know the department is really excited. To have 3 name projects being supported by the Ccrs funding with the free projects being the civic area phase 2 at 18 million, the Pearl Street Mall refresh at 1.1 million that will also be supplemented with some caged funding, and then also the East Folder Community Center Refresh Project, which is joint with facilities. With awarded funding of 45.5 million, leaving that 7.5 million for other recreation improvements. As the department identifies in 2029.

[116:11] So with that, are there any additional questions? Alright and a big Thank you again. all of your support. Thank you. Thank you. To Jackson and Stacy. We are incredibly grateful to have such great minds helping us balance all the different demands on our funds and making sure we know what's going on. Let's hear about snow removal. It's kind of hard to think about when it's 75 degrees outside every day. II this is such a treat. You all don't get to see Dennis Warrington very often. He is our senior manager for urban parks and recreation. He's been in that role for 5 years, and with the city for 11 this is probably his favorite topic, too, for a lot of different reasons. I really appreciate his presence tonight. I think snow removal. When we talk about core services. This is one of the most important things a city can do to make sure that people can safely move around.

[117:10] I also appreciate him being here because his work hour, work day, for for the team is about 6 am. To 3 pm. And so this is not typically an hour which they're operating. And I appreciate it being here tonight. Thank you, Ally, and good to see you this evening, Prad. Thanks for having me here. I mean, yeah, I could talk about snow for hours and hours. So we're going to be here for a long time. yeah. So again, I'm Dennis Warrington, the Urban parks manager, and you'll go to slide 2 Reza. All right, just a few things about our routes. So we have 29 individual routes that cover all of our park system throughout the city. Some of these routes have multiple people on them or their areas like at the Mall. I have 4 people that are down there working. Every snowstorm.

[118:02] Boulder Creek path has 3 the civic area has 4, and then some of the routes as people are out and doing them. You know, they're a lot smaller. They might pick up 4 or 5 parts. and we always just focus on the sidewalks anywhere that there's concrete staying away from the playgrounds and other things that we don't want to tear up. We can have up to 51 people when we're fully staffed. There can be more than that if we get really heavy snows. If we get more than 6 inches, I do call in help from our internal construction crew, and that's where you'll see us downtown where we're Holland snow off of the Mall, and large dump trucks, or from all the rec centers. just to keep parking spaces clear. go ahead to the next slide, Rosa. Just a few statistics here of what we do. This is all put together in 2,015. I haven't updated it since then, but we have added a few things. Like the

[119:03] new parking lot at Belmont, you know. We take care of that one. Now. there are some things that we do differently now, since these statistics were up here, and actually a lot of that came from efficiencies that we have. There are some routes that start right from the Main Park Operations Building, which is that 5,200 Pearl Street. If you've never been there. And these routes will go like there's one that goes to the downtown corridor and another one up in North Boulder, but they don't have to use a truck and a trailer to get around to the different parts. They can just take their machine from there, do all their work. Come back. It saves us time. It saves us fuel because we're not burning diesel or gas in a truck to get around. And also we're not having to use, utilize a trailer. and also in doing so, we help out transportation. While we're not required to Plow Goose Creek, we do plow that from where it intersects at the Boulder Creek path all the way to the Elmer's 2 mile turnoff, and then up

[120:11] through Elmer's 2 mile, and then on through Parkside. but we also take care of all of the 4 Mile Creek path from just east of Highway 1 19 to 26. Again, not having to use a truck and trailer to go through the payload parts and elks and all that and it keeps us on really good relations with transportation, because we get upset when they plow our sidewalks in, which does happen, but it happens less than it used to. next slide, Reza. So the way that we call our shifts when we see snow coming in like, maybe this Monday. we'll call a shift 24 h in advance that goes out through a system that we have called Everbridge. That sends a text message and email to everyone that's designated in our group for snow removal.

[121:05] On the weekends, which is typically most people's day off. We will call that 48 h in advance for a holiday staff do really appreciate that our normal routes are from 4 a. M. Until 12 PM. When it comes to the Mall and the Boulder Creek path, we do have people that can work longer if it's required. It is hard to do snow removal downtown or on the Boulder Creek path after about 10 am. In the morning, which is what we like to get done. you know, as soon as we can. And you know we perform our snow removal with the boulder revised Code. all of our snow and ice. We try to have it all cleared within 24 h of snow stopping and, you know. want to stay on top of that, because actually, snow is a lot harder to clean up once it's been trampled on. So

[122:02] we do try to stay with that next slide, Rose, please. So here's a picture. Just some of the people that are involved in snow removal. This was taken last year at our Parks and Rec plan update and snow safety meeting. But in 2223, we had a total of 30 snow ships that we called and mostly those are crews from by service area and park operations and the regional facilities, the golf course, Falmont and Reservoir, all heavily involved in snow. A few things that I'm kind of excited. About last year we were able to so couple of our small dump trucks. We have our material spreaders for ice melter that we use in the parking lots, and some of the multi-use paths. and we had always had.

[123:00] they would always run off of a small pond to engine. I was able to replace those with fully electric ones. Last year they were great staff love them. and even though they hold, I think, 2 cubic yards, the units themselves are so light that you can just pick them up and slide them right in the truck. So you don't have to use a forklift that was nice. And also one thing I was really happy about is that I'm sure you're familiar with. Inquire Builder. and you know we do get complaints about things from time to time. and last year I only got one. Park maintenance issue request for snow removal. So I'm hoping to beat that this year. We'll see how. See how we do. All right. next slide is just if you have any questions for questions for us. Yes, sir. thanks so much for this presentation is great, and your enthusiasm is palpable or snow. Thanks for packing in your presentation to

[124:07] just 15 min. Sorry I had to have one pun. I was. That were the numbers you were just showing us. Just parks. Bland, or is that citywide just parts? Oh, the. So we parks actually. So we plow the second most amount of snow in boulder that because that's the transportation manager tells me we don't plow near as much, you know, when you think about Arapaho baseline foothills, all of the plowing that transportation does they do a lot. We do 4 miles of the 4 Mile Creek path. I want to say 2 and a half miles of Goose Creek. and then 6 and a half miles of the Boulder Creek path. but they still have a hundred. I think it's a hundred 48 linear miles of multi-use path that they do. I have the numbers in front of me because they have a lovely snow and ice response page. In addition to 420 miles of city streets, which is not all of them. They also plow 73 miles of multi-use paths.

[125:15] That's why their tracks are bigger. Yeah. thanks. That's it. Do you prioritize any areas that have higher higher traffic? Or do you treat all the routes and paths the same priority? So we prioritize school routes. and then so school routes the Mall, the Boulder Creek path cause the Boulder Creek path is a transportation corridor. But then from there, really, the way that the routes work for efficiency where the operator is starting from to try and go all the way out. Turn around and come all the way back. Right? Okay? And as far as so like, there is an operate. Oh, yeah.

[126:00] you know, we've got a lot of plow trucks that also start first thing at the Rec center is clear and parking lots. But, for instance, there is an operator that'll start at foothills, and one of his first stops is Crestview. since it's our route to the school there before he then goes through Wonderland and few other areas that are on his place. And then do you prioritize coming back and hitting them again? If it's continuing just now? Okay. Yup. So my my thought when I like put the routes together is that I don't want any of them to actually take 8 h that way. Operators can have time to come back. Do clean up. You know, we really try to focus on clearing out and ice melting the Ada ramps so they're always clear or if someone's sick generally there's more than one person who's sick. you know. Someone else can help clear all the other routes, too. Alright, thank you very much. We should go have a beer some time and talk snow removal

[127:00] anytime. All right. I'm Brian. Okay, next up we have. Thank you very much. Next up we have matters from the board. We have the Prab study session planning. We have a future meetings, coordination for the December regular meeting and the joint session in early December. You hope we have guidance for an annual letter to Council. We have the Prab handbook. and then we have any verbal matters from praps. So a lot of material here. we'll try to move fairly briskly. I guess we're gonna start with a prab study session planning. and as last we left it we were hoping to have a January meeting for the for the study session. and we hadn't yet fully chosen topics for it. And Jason, you and Sonny were the going to manage that. and we we had some suggestions for topics. One of them was

[128:00] a swimming lessons for all students in in the city of Boulder, and finding a way to set that up. which I thought was a good topic. And then Elliot and I had thought about having a deep dive into the equity programs that the Parks and Recreation Department has. I'm not necessarily looking at the current numbers because they won't be current. But just what the programs are, how they're structured. who benefits where, where the cup points are and thresholds for for those equity programs. So those were the suggestions we had. I don't think, were there any other ones? Elliot, did I? That was the like one that we really agreed on. Okay. so I guess at this point we've turned over to you to flesh out those topics and see maybe get some sounding of the of the prab, and see if everyone agrees that these are, or some subset. Some subset of these are topics we want to deal with on the study session, and then we need to give Staff plenty of time to prepare materials

[129:08] that will help form us on that and a date. Do we have a date. We don't. We were talking about early January. So we're gonna have a December regular meeting, and it would normally fall on Christmas Day. Is that correct. Yes, December 20, fifth is the fourth Monday of December, so I'm guessing that's not going to be good for anyone. So a week after that we'll would be January second, right? First first, that's probably also not gonna be good for anyone. So if we have it the third Monday of December for Christmas. Then that would help open up the first one or 2 weeks of January for potentially having the study session.

[130:06] and would space it out nicely between the January meeting and the December meeting. My suggestion would be some time in that timeframe. From a staff perspective. My vote would be to do it. Not the first week of January the Bvsd school break continues through January eighth, and I know many people are still on vacation. That's a great point. Should we work with Rosa to get a few dates that would work and then do a doodle pull or something I would recommend. So what I'm hearing you all say is, look at the first or so, the second. So the week of January eighth we can poll for that Monday evening. If those are the best evenings of the week. I believe the third Monday is Mlk. Junior. It's the third Monday. Yeah. and so I'm not sure if this board is interested in other days of the week. If you want to stick with Mondays. If you could give us a little more information on what to pull, that would be helpful.

[131:06] Should we just pull that for that second week of January, like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. That's fine. We're talking about the week of January eighth? Yeah. And then, if we, with that in mind, how how much in advance do you all need notice to be able to prepare some background material on that. because of the holiday break. the sooner the better. Remind the the 4 topics I heard. So programs addressing access. What was the other one? Swimming lessons for all that is, I believe, on just your agenda for the December meeting to get an overview of our swim lesson plan. It had been on this this meeting, but we pushed it out with the the adjusting of agendas from the September meeting cancellation. I think the the point of the discussion was to have was to talk about the possibility of having an expanded program that would cover all youth in Boulder.

[132:03] You know you will get a swimming lesson. Everyone will everyone and every kid in Boulder will learn to swim. Got it that'd be under the umbrella of equity, like kind of equitable programs, sense of what they are what we offer, you know, and that could be, you know, kind of in thinking of the next steps or future. I was. I don't. I wasn't here for the discussions. I don't know what you all talked about. But yeah, I think that's right. Okay. so those are just the 2 topics that that I think we were so the overview, you know, the equity programs that we have. Yep, I think that's a that's a doable due for the week of January with the one caveat of we're just now offering swim lessons again for the first time since 2019. Those those positions were some of the last to fill with the restoration of funding and given the focus on Life Guards. And so what I and maybe I should follow up. Just we wanna manage expectations? That is a significant endeavor which we would propose to face over time with some. We already have some great ideas. The team does on on some pilots where we can see what works when we are trying to address access, and then you would scale that. So if the board is comfortable with that approach. That's what we think is feasible.

[133:15] If if is it just a matter of money primarily like? No, that's that's that's the challenge, right. It's not just funding as a part of it, but transportation language. It's it's much. It's it's a lot more complicated. Yeah. I think it'd be helpful to hear all of that. Just just what you said, but just fleshed out at the Retreat. I'm gonna ask Scott to chime in if there's anything he wants to add, because he's leading the team doing this work. Yeah, absolutely. And and we're hearing you loud and clear. I think. We've been talking about potential Cla collaboration with the school district. Figuring out other resources. And you've all heard about the the challenges with lack of pool space. So that's another variable that we need to consider. But we'd be happy to come in and share the information and our strategy for next steps. As well as a long-term vision, for how we meet the needs of of every child in the community.

[134:16] That sounds great. I think you know, from a financial point of view, we can make a very strong case to counsel or additional funding to the extent that they have any additional funding in the upcoming 2 years. Okay? So we're gonna just close the loop on that wall. We'll look at dates that week of the of the eighth. I guess Sunny and I will work on a kind of draft agenda. Send that around, and then, ally, what else would you all need? Once, besides our agenda? I should know this. But I II think that's about it. I mean, we can review the materials from past retreats to see if that elicits any anything we need to be thinking about. But really we need a date, and then we'll find a place and figure out logistics and can start preparing materials from A to Retreat Group Committee. Probably what would be really helpful is, are there other topics in the past? The retreat has also covered some board governance items, and so you might just let us know how we can help with either materials from the past. What you need don't need, and then

[135:18] as clear as there can be around what information is wanted from us to support the conversation. We can. We can better meet that. Okay. it might be helpful, just as a suggestion. If there are elements of the Handbook that we want to tease out like procedure or expectations, or any kind of provisions that relate to laws that apply to the to the board. Something we can talk about for like 2030 min at the most. I think that might be helpful just to kind of ground us on. What are the expectations? What are? What does the Handbook say? If there's any, you know, if any of the provisions are still a little confusing or if we just want to talk it out, just because those are the expectations we have for each other. And I want to make sure everybody's on the same page. So the Prab retreat might be a good time to do that.

[136:11] so I would just like I would just ask that the 2 of you maybe look at the Handbook and maybe tease out some a couple of things that we should just talk about. If if that is something you think would be helpful. So one of the things that always confuses me is how we communicate to when we can communicate to city Council, and how we do that. and that there is guidance to that in the in the Handbook. So I'd like to. and it's maybe slightly conflicting in a couple of spots. So I'd like to go over that and really understand it thoroughly. And we can talk about that tonight as well. You wanna there are some provisions you think are in conflict, we should definitely address it. Okay. great. We need to pick a December and a January date. Is that correct?

[137:01] So we are going to have a yes, we need to have A. The item. B is the future meetings. So we need our December regular meeting date. and then we have a joint session with landmarks board also in December. So we're going to have an early December meeting with land landmarks board a third week of December meeting, or something for for a regular meeting. and we'll have the week of January eighth. We'll have the retreat, and then we'll have our regular January meetings. We're gonna have 4 meetings and 2 months sandwiched around the holidays. It's ambitious. So we kind of push things back into into this time and frame. Can I clarify your direction on the December business meeting? Am I hearing that your Rec. I heard? I think I heard you recommend December eighteenth. Do you want us to pull the board for that date in the same polling for your January retreat, or are you all just thumbs up? Make it. So there's 5 a year here. You can do. I can do that. Yeah.

[138:00] you cannot. Is there another day, that week of the eighteenth that you might be able to before the fifteenth. We already have a meeting on the 20 seventh of November. Right? So. moving it up on it. we have it. We have regular meeting on the 20 seventh of November. We'll probably have a landmarks board joint meetings in early December. the 6 right? So the following Monday would be an alternative, the eleventh. But that's like 3 meetings in 3 weeks. That'd be 3 meetings in 3 weeks. Well, maybe, Poll, the eleventh and eighteenth. should we do that? See what works for most of us? We can do that. Okay? So when we pull for your January retreat, we're gonna include a poll for your December business meeting. and just to clarify our the December sixth meeting with the Landmarks Board meeting is a joint board meeting, and so based upon the poll. We're barely at a quorum for that with a fifth, maybe virtually, is my understanding so just confirming that one that if if there are not 4 Prab members that entire meeting will not be able to happen.

[139:15] And and so we would need to pull for a different date. That date was selected. Because so your agenda cannot fulfill the landmarks board coming to you. Their agenda has a little more space, and they, their regular meeting, could fulfill you coming to them. So it's during their regular meeting. So if we don't have a quorum, they can continue with their regular meeting. But we'll have to reschedule a joint meeting. Well, I hope we'll have a quorum. It's gonna be a busy 2 months. just because that should we look, I mean, is there. Is there a reason why we're demoing? Obviously we're delaying the retreat in the first place. But should we look like further in January or February? I know, Chuck, we have limited time with you. But are we set on an early January date?

[140:04] There are no pressing deadlines associated with the. I think, in the past. We did this around the letter to Council, and so there was a reason why we did in December. But now, you know, since we're we're past that just a question more like maybe we should expand the number of dates for looking at in January. I like, this is a great group. I really enjoy spending time with you all. But that's a lot I heard this morning after the Council Agenda Committee meeting. So because this year's Council retreat is not happening until March. The Council Retreat Committee is just beginning to convene. There may well be asks from boards and commissions to provide input in the past. That's been the genesis of the letter to Council. That's a Tbd. So meaning we should keep our January eighth week with that in mind or no. I I would expect over the next 4 weeks to get more information about what? Ask? There might be a Board and Commission members. and if that drives any sort of timeline.

[141:09] Could we poll the first week in February as well as a possible option for the retreat? Sorry? Yeah, yes. The week of the eighth. And yeah, the week of the fifth of February. Yeah. The week of the fifth of February week of eighth of January and the week of the fifth of February. Yeah. you have a busy calendar. There's no week of the eighth of February the fifth, you mean, okay. sorry. Was the question asking the earliest. Sorry there's a the the hour. I no. it's a it's a weekday day, so I would assume it would be 5 or 6 Pm.

[142:06] It's sick is the normal. 6, 10. Okay? Well, we. We'll pull that out and see where people stand and move forward from there. Sound good to you. tiny. Yeah. Good. Okay. Sounds good. Great. Thank you. So next we have guidance for annual letter to council. But we have no guidance. Yeah, we should have pulled that item again, the Retreat Committee starting later. Because typically the retreat is actually, it's been mlk weekend in the past. It's not happening until March. And so the Retreat Committee is just organized. So you can skip that item. Okay, excellent. We will move on to the Prab Handbook, and I will turn this over to Elliot if you want to give us a summary of where we stand. Yeah, I mean, we're pretty much ready. Chuck sent me some minor edits to the panbook today, which I'm gonna look at. No, no, no, it's good. And those are largely administrative

[143:03] clerical changes. So I think we can make those without having, like, you know, everybody look at them. But I was just wondering, does anybody else have any feedback that they'd like to share about the Handbook before we approve it. So are we gonna do approval tonight. I think we're ready for approval. I don't think there's I think we've had a couple of rounds of review we've received. I've received some clerical changes to it substantively. It's the same as it was several months ago. so I think we're ready for approval. Chuck provided the letter a draft of the letter that he's going to. We're going to put in the front of it that will change each time we have a new chair. So, but that's not. That doesn't need to be part of the handbook content. So I think we're ready to go unless anybody would like to push it off. So why don't we do this formally? We'll take a motion to approve the prab handbook in a second, and then we can discuss any changes or issues but sound good. So I will make a motion to approve the prab handbook for a second

[144:11] second great. Okay? So we'll move on to discussion of the Prab Handbook as it stands. I'll just say that. You know, this is a a dynamic document. That's not meant to be static. It doesn't need to be. The last time it was changed was it was adopted in February 2,008 so this does not have to be the trend. We can revise it every year if we need to make changes. So if you see something in there that you're you want to change, you know. Let's raise it as a at the meeting, and let's talk about it. And then, you know, there's no pride of authorship here. This is our document, and let's make sure that it it makes sense for us. So I wanna thank you for doing it. You put a lot of time and effort into it, and it's a very clear, concise, and well written document. So thank you for doing that. So I did mention that I found one place that that seemed like there were some contrasting

[145:10] recommendations, and that is in how we talk to the city Council. Communicate with the city council, and in the early part of the Handbook it describes the cases where we are permitted to provide feedback to City Council, and those are on request for the City Council, and on request of the staff. and on those items that are things like approval of the budget and disposition lands and things that we were statutorily obligated to communicate. And then, toward the end of the Handbook, there's a discussion of if we want to say something to city council. How we go about doing that which is not constrained by those

[146:00] elements in the Boulder Revised Code. So which is it are? Are we? Are we permitted to go ahead and make a statement at any time you want to city council and approve it, and have it communicated by a member. or do can we only communicate with city council on those items that council requests of us or staff requests of us, or there were statutorily required to do. I read the revised code as permitting us to communicate as a board with council. Whenever we would like on whatever range of topics we would like and that there are certain requirements of what we have to participate in and provide guidance on, or recommendations on to council that they're expecting from us. I don't think it would be wise for us to constantly be pestering council. But I think that we have the right to issue a resolution or provide some sort of written document to them that communicates how we feel about something to the Board, to the Council whenever we

[147:03] think it's appropriate. I guess I would ask the Director of Parks and Recreation if she has any comment on that statement. Do you agree with that? In your which part do we? Are we free to communicate with council on any topic regarding within the scope of our of our board? Yeah, at any time we wish to. I am not an attorney, nor have I recently evaluated the code on this specific issue. But I would I would. I would agree with generally what Elliot just said. There, that as a board, the way the code is written, you can choose to make a comment. I think an example of when a board has done that in my history. It's all it's really only been a a few times, was the resolution around the activities at the Boulder Reservoir. That was not staff directed, nor and and you communicated directly with City Council in that manner. It was related to parks and recreation business. And so I think that's what you're assuming there into. To Elliot's comment, I

[148:06] I cannot speak for members of city council, and and the code allows you to do whatever I think. Generally it would be more accepted and welcome if it was related to city council priorities, key community issues related to parks and recreation wi within the purview of the the maze of of the of the perhaps purview. If you think back to the Board's role. Okay, thanks. It's a good question. Okay, that's clear. I'm not sure it's clear in the Handbook. And if you can find that place in the Boulder Revised Code. that your reading of it suggests that we can make commentary when we feel it's appropriate. And add that to that section. So the board may also make unsolicited comments to city council on matters you know, and then quote the right provides Code.

[149:00] and that's the only concern I had in any of the content of it. I'm sorry to bring it up on today and not weeks ago. That's okay. I just sort of it struck me today when I was reading the final draft looking for any little typos. do we want to approve with that amendment? I'd be happy with a motion to amend the handbook. Okay, we can. I would. I would move to approve the handbook with that amendment there, a second great. You have seconds any further discussion on that. Okay, let's take a vote. I think this needs to be a roll call vote. I don't know. Probably not. Okay. All in favor. Say, aye.

[150:04] any opposed. I feel like we should check the handbook on that. There's a section on when a roll call vote is required, and I'm not remembering off the top of my head, but it wouldn't. But it's not approved it. It takes 30 s. But that part hasn't changed. It takes 30 s to confirm. If we're gonna do this. Let's do it right. There's a chart. And we actually. I should. I think it's taped to Rosa's binder somewhere. And my computer just kind of froze. Oh, I'm almost there. Oh, we've done a voice vote. We can really quickly do a roll call vote, and then we'll have have a great way. I'm I'm flexible with Robert's rules.

[151:01] Yeah. I think. But it just says, by majority vote. okay, is there? Are you saying there's a chart somewhere. There's a there's a list of things that must be my roll call. Yeah. I'm just gonna do a quick. It's it's 4 things I should note off the top of my head. I'm embarrassed, but I don't.

[152:05] Oh. yeah. see, I don't see it in the Handbook. The good. Maybe. I wonder if it's in our administrative procedures. But this so this will be a good. Let's can we do this? It doesn't hurt, to be sure. Let's do a roll call vote, and we'll make sure we've clarified this. It's it's in the administrative procedure somewhere. I recently just saw this because, Rosa, can you walk us through a roll call vote real quickly. Oh, here we go. I found it voting. She'll be by a roll call on a rotating basis of the role for motions concerning disposal of parkland expenditures or appropriations from the Perm. Parks Fund, grant or denial of license, or permit review of the budget and recommendations on the budget, so the shalls in your role. That's how we can remember this moving forward. Anything the charter mandates you do has to be a roll call. Vote anything else it can be by voice, by show of hands or by roll call

[153:02] in the middle of page 1, 15 of your packet. Okay, so the Prab Handbook is approved. Thank you very much for finding that nice job, Elliot. Thank you. Next up we have prab matters which are verbal reports from members of the prab on anything they wish to comment on. And I have a email from Bernie. So I'd like to read his into the record, his comments. Okay. So this is from Bernie Bernstein, member of Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He says, I want to apologize for missing tonight's meeting and provide the following update on the course project. So since September, I've been engaging with both city staff.

[154:00] I'm a course project as well as stakeholders from both the pickleball and tennis communities. I think he, when he says course he means courts. This included meeting directly with leaders of those clubs as well as attending regular stakeholder meetings and the recent public meeting held by the Parks and Recreation Department. There were about 180 people who attended that recent meeting held by the city. and it was clear there that the members of both the tennis and pickleball communities are very passionate about their needs and desires for the city's court system. Following that meeting, the city staff received a wish list jointly submitted by the Boulder Tennis Association and the Boulder Pickleball Association, and have taken that under advisement. At the same time, the city's consultant is in the midst of conducting the court system assessment which Tina Briggs can update us on separately. and it's expected that we will have a recommended direction to announce early next year. He's been quite impressed by the city's dedication to taking input from members of the community. and he's confident that we will get to a solution that improves the court system in Boulder.

[155:07] He's looking forward to continuing to engage with all members of this project, and please feel free to let him know if we have any questions for him. So I will also add that I went to that meeting. This was held at open space and mountain parks facility on 50 Fifth Street. It was jam full of people. all tennis and pickleball players who are very passionate and interested in the court system plan. and they definitely want more court opportunities in Boulder, and they were there to express their opinion. The. There was a presentation by the contractor for the city who is running the court system plan process, and they were very clear that this is going to be. We're not making any decisions tonight. This is going to be a very long and and process with lots of engagement opportunities.

[156:05] And it's gonna be very systematic. It's gonna look at all aspects of the court system. And we're going to come up with rational decisions that are based on the needs of the city and the department within the constraints of the budget. So no, nothing was promised. Just the the process was set forward, and beginning to engage with this with this group of very enthusiastic sports people and staff did a great job, I thought, running the thing any any comment on it? Ally no, I think our team is doing an incredible job that there are 180 people in the room, I think pretty ready to be mad and to have to fight for their right to pickle or tennis. I think people left feeling heard, knowing that we're paying attention, that we're trying to come up with solutions.

[157:01] That's been my sense. And I'm really excited about the project team. It's folks we've worked with before they know Boulder. They know our community's expectations, they know our process and our values. So we look forward to bring this back to you. Great. Thank you. Any other matters from members of prep. Great. Alright with that our next board meeting will be on November the twenty-seventh at 6 PM. That's a Monday, of course. and so now we're at adjournment. So I need a motion to adjourn the meeting. So moved a second sunny great. all in favor adjourning, please say aye. Hi, great! The meeting is adjourned. Thank you all very much.