December 18, 2023 — Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Study Session

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[35:02] Okay, we're about ready to begin the meeting. Our members can. Reappeared. So hold on just a minute until we have a quorum present.

[36:10] Okay, we're going to, go ahead and reconvene the partial recreation advisory board meeting. And we'll begin with a briefing from Partial Recreation Director Ali Rhodes on the events that occurred yesterday at North Pole directs. Thank you, Mr. Chair. As this is an event that is under active and very thorough investigation, I'm going to read to you from a press release that was created in partnership with Boulder Police Department and our attorneys. And then I can add a little bit more specifically about the actions with Boulder Parks and recreation that are not part of the investigation. So Boulder Police were involved at a fatal officer involved shooting at about 4 30 pm Sunday December seventeenth officers were dispatched North Broadway after a man called 9 1 one to report that a woman had pointed a gun at him while he was attempting to leave the North Boulder Recreation Center parking lot.

[37:05] When police arrived, the woman walked away from officers into the neighborhood. The woman refused to stop or show her hands and then pulled what appeared to be a gun from her purse. The items was recovered from our hand and later determined to be a replica Bretta pistol, which means it looked and felt like a real gun, but wasn't operational. For nearly 15 min officers tried to de-escalate the situation, including using less than lethal tactics that were ineffective. The shooting occurred after these efforts. Despite value and efforts by officers and fire rescue paramedics to treat the woman on scene. She died of her injuries. And she has not yet been publicly identified. The Boulder County Critical Incident Team was notified immediately and will investigate the shooting. As is first policy. The 2 officers involved have been placed on leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. They and all first responders involved in this incredibly sad event are in the city's deepest thoughts.

[38:00] We are also aware that this the same woman was involved in a disturbance inside the North Boulder Recreation Center prior to the incident. One of our Parks and Recreation teammates called Police to report a trespassing after the woman refused to leave a cabana in the family locked. Shared bathroom area. No weapon was displayed during this interaction and police officers were able to persuade the woman to leave. We cannot priorit any other additional at the time without jeopardizing the investigation. And now I'll switch away from this, press release to share a little bit more about what happens in Parks and Recreation. The woman had left the North Boulder Recreation Center. There had been an incident. She had been, she had arrived earlier in the day with a gentleman they had both paid in cash a drop in fee they were not they did not have regular passes to the facility. The woman had been inside a family cabana for quite some time she did not leave upon the request of staff there's a time limit for use of those facilities to ensure they're available for everyone. When she didn't leave after several attempts and after several hours the police were called they came and the woman escorted without further in or left without further incident.

[39:09] When staff were notified of the incident happening in the parking lot. Luckily, the Urban Park Rangers, that program is funded again into 2,024 they are on law one which is the place radio channel they responded and 2 of the Rangers came inside to the North Boulder Recreation Center to help with the lockdown protocols. This was very helpful as on a Sunday afternoon. Our staffing is light and having 2 folks in uniforms help with providing just a secure presence and information to the community was helpful. We kept the building on locked down until we were notified that the situation had been resolved at which point folks were free to leave. What happens now. There's 2 things. One, we are. Conterned about the emotional well being of our employees having something happen in such close proximity their workplace can be very traumatic and it can hit people at different times and in different ways. So the city has a lot of resources that we try to make available to our teammates. And then also, our leadership, Scott Shuttburg and Megan Lowman, our recreation manager, will lead a debrief with partnerships and risk management in HR to make sure we learn from how the lockdown went and capture in our standard operating procedures went went well and then adjust where we could have done

[40:19] better. I think that's it's a summary. I can. Maybe ask questions, but if they propane to the details of the incident, I will not be able to. Thank you very much for that very. Gojent summary and I'm, I know my thoughts are with your staff members. Had to go through that trauma and. I'm sure the rest of the board feels the same way. So please pass along our best wishes for their mental health and I guess we'll hear more in the future about any changes to policies that, result from this.

[41:03] I would like to know how long the lockdown lasted before people were allowed to leave. If that's something you can tell us. I'm gastobating, but I was first notified at the incident about 4 20 by notifications, both staff and at the recreation center and police chief Harold and I believe, folks were free to go around 4 50. So I think it was around a half an hour. I am guesstimating. I know it was less than an hour. I believe it was about half an hour. Great. Thank you very much. Are there any other questions? Go ahead. When you have a lockdown at the North Boulder recreations center, do they have to get away from like you have to go to the center of the building structure or can they stay wherever they want inside the building? That's a really good question. I know Scott was debriefing with staff today and I'm not sure if you're prepared to answer that question or maybe we can just report back as we update the SOP. I believe we typically, ask individuals to stay away from the front lobby area and go back towards the locker rooms or gymnasium space.

[42:08] Okay, thank you very much, Ali. The next topic on our agenda is future board items and tours. And that will be all again. I'm gonna grab that packet item. I was toggling between screens for that. One of the most relevant, I think, following up on your joint study session is just noting that the staff team will be coming back on your January agenda. I don't think I'm I'm, I'm gonna take 10 s and take a deep breath. This situation is really hard and unfortunately it's the third critical incident like this in 18 months so I'm gonna find this item and also just take 10 s and I'll be right back on those items. If you like, we can move on to public participation and come back to this. Would you prefer that? That would be perfect. Thank you. Okay, great. Okay, we'll go ahead and move to public participation.

[43:00] So if unless there's an objection from the board. Thank you. This portion of the meeting is for members of the public to communicate ideas or concerns to the board regarding parks and recreation issues. For which a public hearing is not scheduled later in the meeting. The public is encouraged to comment on the need for parks and recreation programs and facilities. They perceive them. All speakers are limited to 3 min. Depending on the nature of their matter, they may or may not receive a response from the board or staff after delivering comments. But be sure that the board is always listening to and appreciate it, appreciative of community feedback and input. And we have a few people signed up to speak. I will. See if I can get that list up. And we have, following people Fran Mandel Sheets, Leonard Seagull. Patrick O'rourke, Larry McKea and Emily Gonyo and maybe one other person who is waiting online.

[44:04] So the first person would be Fran Mendel Sheets. And, you should be able to unmute now and begin speaking. Hi, my name is Fran Mandel Sheets and I'm one of the many people that's supporting the historic. District application in Central Park, but I'm speaking you tonight as an individual. I was a member of the landmark sport for years in the chair and I also was a significant in creating the Highland Land Historic District in Boulder. I have lived in Boulder most of my life, raised my family here, our kids are fourth generation Boulder rights. We've been here a long time. My family has roots here in Boulder today and tomorrow is really important to us. What is preservation and why are we trying so hard for this historic preservation community to find a place at the table. First, preservation is not cementing history, nor is it a barrier to change. But we do respect significant aspects of buildings and places.

[45:05] Secondly, preservation is about saving places that matter. It is about having a sense of place, understanding the place where you live. It's about being a part of your community. Thinking about it and thinking about making your environment work for you and for the future. It's about reasonable change. Knowing where you come from is crucial to good decisions about the future. Creating a historic district in Heart of Boulder is doing just that. Trying to develop a community voice to know what we have. To preserve some important characteristics. Restore and reinvest in moving forward. Giving preservation of voice is not the same as putting dots on a map at a meeting. It is meaningful community participation throughout the process. If you were to choose the most famous landmark. Landscape architects in the nation, it would be Frederick Wolomstead in the early 19 hundreds his office worked all over this country.

[46:03] He designed and managed New York Central Park in Prospect Park. He worked in DC. He designed many of the most major campuses in the country. Boulder head less than 10,000 people at this at the turn of the 19 hundreds and yet some boulder rights back in 1,903. Had the foresight to hire Olmsted to help direct Boulder's development back in 1,910. He spent months here and one of the designs he left behind is still intact in the heart of Boulder, including the trees, the stone walls for flood control, the view sheds. The Creek. The open and natural areas, Olmsted should not be lightly disregarded. We need to ask ourselves why is Parks Department working so hard to oppose the historic district in disregard homesteads work? Phase one. I don't have enough time to finish, but in essence, we need to think about this and we need to be able to answer to it because this is really important that we maintain this as an important part of Boulder and Boulder's history.

[47:09] Thank you. Thank you, Fran. We'll do any feedback from the, from the board and from staff at the end of the. Of all the public speakers. So the second speaker will be Leonard Segal. And he's also going to speak about the Civic Area Historic District. And Leonard, you should be able to unmute now and speak. Yes, thank you very much. Hello, Parks and Recreation Board members. I'm speaking on behalf of the Preservation Organization Historic Boulder as its executive director. Over our 52 year history, we have been partners with you in the safeguarding of historic properties in city parks. Central Park is one of the most important and historic properties that you are entrusted to manage for the citizens of older. And just a little bit of history in 1,900 a group of city leaders formed the boulder city improvement association to improve the quality of life in Boulder.

[48:01] Among their actions was hiring the most famous landscape and planning company in the United States to design a series of parks including the main one here at the crossroads of the city. I'm an architect of over 40 years. I've taught design at CEO Boulder and I've lived here for 33 years. My most important point to you is that the cultural landscape assessment could use some additional information to give you a more complete picture of Central Park. To start the boundaries set by the Olmsted design are still intact. It has integrity. All the following landscape design ideas by the Olmsteads are evident today. A pedestrian path remains running along Boulder Greek. Pedestrian access remains open to the water's edge of the creek. There are several open lawn areas intentionally created to provide the most flexibility and variety of public activities. There are groups of trees that reinforce the perimeter of the park.

[49:05] We have verified that many are original to the date when the park opened. There are intermittent trees intentionally located to shade the lawn areas during hot days in the park. The landscaping was designed to control views in and out of Central Park, especially the frame vistas to the Flat. Flood control measures that the offsets designed remain intact. Youigation ditches unchanged just as the Olmsteads intended. The original design and use of the park remains as proposed by the Boulder City Improvement Association. Way back in the 1920. As the primary town square for Boulder. In my reasoning, the historic integrity of the Olmsted design for Central Park is intact. Preservation is should be part of the approvals processes when the city parks department wants to make improvements here in the future.

[50:00] Thank you for the chance to provide more information. Your board. Thank you very much, Leonard. Next speaker is going to be Patrick O'rourke, also speaking on the Civic Historic District. You should be able to unmute now, Patrick. Thank you. First of all, a tragedy happened yesterday. So. I'm in Canada for the month and I didn't know audit. Breaks my heart. I wanted to start by thanking Marcy and Claire and Aubrey from the landmarks. District or department. On an incredible job that they've done so far. The story book. Or the story map that's available to the Prab board. Is important and I strongly would encourage you to review it. It answers a lot of the questions you might have. I wanted to touch base a little bit about the CLA.

[51:03] The CLA. What can I say? I just disagree with some of the assumptions it makes. But to me it's missing 2 critical points. Probably the most important one is the 14,000 years that existed. Between before 1880 or 1,903 which is the period of significance. I think that's a huge mess and I would encourage. Them to go back and review that time period and note it's noted throughout our reports and it should be noted in the CLA. Number 2 is the HHC. Zone the high hazard zone is critical to the development of this because It encourages development along the creek that does not include buildings. Inside the high hazard song. And so those 2 things a loan. Should have been noted in the CLA and we only had an opportunity to review the executive summary unfortunate.

[52:01] Because the wealth of the information education that historic bother has is. On surpassed in our community. And finally, the ditches, the ditches are an important element to the successful expansion and growth of older. And I didn't remember seeing that. Included in there. The growth besides for gold mining and and water and agriculture. Those are the 2 most significant. Components of of what went on. It was noted in the comments before has Parks and Rec worked with landmarks. Department before and what didn't come up is probably the larger project in Boulder that existed and nobody mentioned it, which was the Pearl Street Mall. The Pearl Street Mall is a 4 block long Park. It's managed by the City Parks and Recreation Department. And yet it's part of a 10 square block area.

[53:03] So I think the guidelines are pretty easy to follow. And collaboration between the 2 departments is quite simple. And on the last note is adaptive reuse. Pomoka would be a great adaptive reuse to turn it into a children's museum. Thank you. Thank you very much, Patrick. Next up, we have Larry Mcchia, who's going to talk about the 2,023 aquatics and a reservoir usage. You should be able to unmute. Okay, hopefully you can hear me? Yep. Excellent. Hello, Prab. My name is Larry Mchio. I've been a bolder resident for 33 plus years and an avid user of city parks and wrecked services for over 20. I've been interacting with Parks and Rec staff for the better part of the last 15. My comments this evening.

[54:01] Or to share that I was able to swim 12 times. Lift weights 10 times this month alone at the various rec centres and make use of the fitness court at North Boulder Park twice. I was also able to paddleboard my stand up paddle board twice out at the reservoir as well as get it a dunk. Given the warmer weather we've experienced this month. Just today I even rode my bike around reservoir. I share these usageages to illustrate the benefit that I derive from the wonderful facilities we've got here in Boulder. And I know that I'm not unique in this type of usage. Bam had our Christmas party. Boulder Aquatic Masters had our Christmas party last night. We had over 50 in attendance. It was great to see the swim community come together. And a central part of this is the aquatic and the reservoir facilities. Having spoken at a few earlier Prab meetings throughout the year, I have a lot of comments. However, given the time of the year and some of these earlier comments, I'm putting aside my usual message for this month.

[55:03] And wanted to just express the gratitude and best wishes for all that are making these amenities possible. So in the interest of the season and everything. Thank you to all that are on Prab as well as the city staff, especially during the trialing times that have recently come to light. As well as putting in the hours. I know that I have not said it often enough but is illustrated by the usage mentioned earlier. Julie appreciate it. I know the aquatics community appreciates it and I wish everyone a happy holidays and Seasons best season wishes. Thank you. Thank you very much, Larry, and same to you. Next up we have Emily Gonio. And she would like to comment on the events. It occurred yesterday outside the North Boulder Rec Center. So, Emily, you should be. Okay. Hi, thank you. Perfect.

[56:02] So. I don't have anything particularly prepared given that, you know. Short timeline of this. So I want to start, I guess, by quickly acknowledging that this was a very traumatic event for a lot of people in a lot of different ways you know i could hear that in What you're I'm sorry I don't know anybody here but you know what your your parks and remember was saying at the meeting I recognize that this is you know a pretty significant event in terms of What happened yesterday? I want to share a little bit of my personal experience. Because it will lead into you know Good point of my comment. I live in the community right next door to the North Boulder Wreck Center. I'm a single mom to a four-year-old.

[57:06] We went out on the playground yesterday at Just about 4 15 as we're on the playground with another family we're hearing an exorbitant amount of sirens going by. Obviously, we're very close to the street. So it's loud, it's obvious that something significant was happening, but we had absolutely no idea what. All of a sudden we started hearing the shouting, the the commands of the police that were being made. And at that point, all of us parents turn to look at each other thinking, should we go inside? Like, is this safe? And then The shots go off. Again, I'm outside with my 4 year old. My fellow, you know, community members are outside with their very young children. We had absolutely no idea what was going on.

[58:00] All we could do was grab kids and run. So completely terrified. I grabbed my daughter's hand and I ran inside. My concern and the reason that I'm bringing this up to this meeting is as you guys have mentioned, there was a full lockdown done at the Breck Center next door. Well, maybe not with a ton of advanced notice considering the nature of the situation like That was that was done. You know what I mean? They had a locked down. They had some kind of security. We were not made aware at all that there was anything. Concerning going on. So we're out with our children on the playground. And now my four-year-old knows what gunfire sounds like. So I really, most of the community really wants to press. You know those in power to have some sort of an alert system that they can give us because as you said this is the third event in 18 months and we never have any sort of alert lockdown warning anything like that and that's really really concerning and it's been very traumatic for for us.

[59:06] So thank you. Thank you, Emily. Okay, we have a person waiting online who like to speak. They did not sign up. Using the process that we have established for speaking. So I wanna ask the board if someone would like. If we think this person should be allowed to speak. If so, someone would, need to make a motion to permit the online. Waiting person to speak. I make a motion to permit the online waiting person to speak. I'll send that. Okay, we have a motion in a second. Any discussion? Okay, all in favor say aye. Bye. Okay, so Rosa, we will go ahead and allow the person waiting and that person is Lynn Siegel, is that right?

[60:00] So, Lynn, I think you should be able to unmute now and begin speaking. First of all, I prefer to speak to the board, not to a timer. I don't know if we have that capability. Please proceed speaking as the other members of the public have done. Please don't start the timer until you resolve this. I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you said. Please don't start the timer until you resolve this. Your time is ticking. You have 2 and a half minutes. I'll get it 2 nights ago I testified and the pop did it. They took one of their video windows and used it. Differently. I don't address timers. I address boards. Okay, if you prefer not to speak, we will, close your speaking session. Thank you very much.

[61:03] Okay, at this time, is there any feedback from the board or from staff? On the comments that were heard during public comment? I do. So one of the commentators, suggested that The Parks and Rec department is somehow working against. The proposed historical designation and I thought I, I'd like to hear from staff to see if there's any response to that. Yeah, thanks. Elliott for asking that question. I've heard that comment also. I've seen it in that question. I've heard that comment also. I've seen it in emails that the Parks Department is wanting unfettered access to make changes to the Civic area. I've tried to dispel those comments. They're deeply concerning to me. Historic preservation is one of the tenants outlined as a city value in the Boulder Valley comprehensive plan. Historic preservation, as Shehomi mentioned, is a guiding principal in the Civic Area plan. And so of course with our colleagues in PNDS, we're working to make sure that city process guidelines and then the practices for cultural landscapes and historic designation are followed.

[62:01] We're not working against any designation. I guess I would add that I've never seen any indication from city staff. Any of our prior discussions or meetings about this? Suggesting that there is any such, motivation. On the part of staff or the or this board. So I think we want to see a transparent process and I think what you saw tonight is indicative of the kind of public discussion we want to have about it. And then Mr. Chair if possible, I would I would love to speak to Miss. Guayu, Emily. Go on. I'll stick with Emily and I'm sorry for not catching your last name. Thank you for much, for not catching your last name. Thank you for much, for coming to a board meeting on a Monday evening. Thank you for much, for coming to a board meeting on a Monday evening. I heard that you have a small child and I heard how terrifying that had to have been to you.

[63:03] We do, I will, debrief with the police department and see what there is a wireless, system. It is being worked out. They've been kings warnings incorrectly sometimes and so I suspect there may have been an issue with using it yesterday but I'll pass along and I'm so sorry that you had that experience. I'm so sorry that you had that experience. I'm certain it yesterday, but I'll pass along and I'm so sorry that you had that experience. I'm certain it was traumatic for you and your child and your other community members. The other thing that we can do is that we are close partners with several of the nearby neighborhoods and I'm not sure how our SOPs can incorporate in a rapidly evolving a dynamic situation like that. I hate to make promises, but if there's any way that we can contribute to alerts, will certainly explore it. Great. Any other feedback or comments from the board or staff? Well, also just note, I sure appreciate Mr. Kiosk. Nice comments and I'm glad he's enjoying the system. Me too. Okay, where we are on future board items and tours.

[64:04] So we'll pick back up with that and then we'll move the consent agenda. Yes, thank you so much for your grace. I think the most important thing that I want you all to see is that today applications opened up for boards and commissions. We for sure have one seat on the Prab and I'm sure you share my interest in having an excellent community member who can fill Mr. Brock's very studious, smart, and compassionate shoes. The applications are open through the end of January and you all who have gone through the process. Know what it takes and also I believe shortly this week you'll be getting some input from the city managers. Office on the board and commissions process. And we know there can be barriers to applications and we appreciate your support and anything we can do to reaching wide and deep in the community and making it accessible to folks. The other thing I'll note that your January meeting does have there's a question mark, but we will be coming to back to you again with partners in planning and development services to talk about the Civic Area Design Guidelines so that your feedback can contribute to the landmarks board, here in February, following by council's consideration of the application.

[65:11] Will have prepared for you. It just happened Thursday, but we had an incredible study session with city council on the civic area and we'll share with you a follow-up on that come January. You'll get your first look at the findings of the court system plan. We're very eager to talk to you about took a ball and tennis. We know that's been a long time coming. And then through January and February, we'll do a couple of things we do every year. We'll share with you our priorities and work plan for the year and then we'll also share with you our 2,023 progress report. So a lot of good work ahead. Thank you in advance as always for your time. Can I ask just to follow up question on the kind of planning over the next couple of months? So during this past joint session. We talked about how the Prab needs to in some form. Provide feedback.

[66:04] Or a recommendation if we choose to do that. To city council. And I would just ask. That staff consider. When that should be and what form that should take and if we need to have multiple meetings to review something. And what you would all what you all would recommend in terms of like if it's a resolution or some sort of vote. Where we share our thoughts and then delegate to one person and what the timing would be for that and that that's incorporated into the planning process. Yeah, we'll consult with the attorneys. And I have to review the timeline and I'm looking over at Brad to see if he knows off the top of his head the date of the February landmarks board meeting. Are they that the They're out Wednesday or Tuesday. The timelines are going to be tight. And so right now what I'm thinking is that you're probably gonna want to capture the spirit of your conversation.

[67:02] We can try a staff to capture summaries and bullets. And then those can be passed similar to what we did when you. What did you all just approve that went to City Council? The Flat Aaron's golf course lease. I said, you know, you all voted to approve. And then I said, here's what I think is the summary of your comments. This is what we will pass to City Council and you all did a, gave us approval for that language. That's one way to do it in real time. What complicates it is if you all want to write something and then have to because to have everyone review that does require additional meetings and conversation. And so you might under matters from the board later tonight have a conversation to give us some input on what you think your preference might be. And to inform that conversation. Our matters from the board I can I can think right now there's about 3 ways that you could do that. So.

[68:00] Okay, there are no further comments on future board items and tours will go to the consent agenda. So before we discuss the consent agenda, we need a motion to prove it. So, will someone please make a motion to approve the So moved. And a second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. So the consent agenda is comprised of the, the minutes, the updates from director of parks and recreation. The planning, designing construction updates and the park and recreation operations updates. So let's start with the minutes. Is there any discussion or changes to the minutes that are required? Okay, updates from the director of parks and recreation. I believe, all, you usually give us a presentation here. No. Not typically, are you trying? Are you being funny? There's, there's typically no presentation. There's a whole lot of. We're here for questions if you haven't. It's been an interesting meeting and a little I'm a little out of sorts.

[69:06] I join you in that. We'll get through it together. I just had one. Comment and I guess a question so that first of all, I appreciate you including the 2 photos the before and after or the before and now of the reservoir. Related to the ANS and how that's impacted, I think they're Picture, you know, says a thousand words and I think that certainly is a good illustration of that. Can you give just a high level? Update on you know realistically what where are we on controlling this and you know what are our prospects because this is really alarming. Photo is it almost has changed the color of the of the reservoir in some areas. And what is the effect on our water? In taken quality. I'm gonna let Deputy Director Scott Schottberg take this one. He's working closely with Stephie Monroe, the regional facilities manager and then our utilities team.

[70:04] Yeah, thank you. Thank you for that question. We really don't have a solid answer quite yet. We are working. As you read in the consent agenda there, we are working with an RFP, to try and hire a consultant to come in and give us a plan of attack and how we're going to address the NS issue that is growing very quickly. We know it's going to be extremely impactful. We're looking at northern Colorado water is a big player in this water quality is certainly first and foremost extremely important for our community. And so the recreation side of things is also an important component. And, and we know we need to be very, aggressive, but we also need to make sure that we're following all the proper channels to treat this effectively. So there's a few options out there that we're currently aware of. They have a small boat that can work as a lawn mower to cut this down and strain some of the some of the particles out of the water that's a possibility there are other more aggressive chemical treatments and whatnot that we don't think are other more aggressive chemical treatments and whatnot that we don't think are feasible, but we've hired this or we are hiring a consultant to give us a plan of

[71:27] attack. We don't know what the cost will be. It may be something where it's going to take several years to treat this. I would imagine our plan would be how are we going to address this in the first 5 years and then from there we'll have to redress and see where we're at. I wish I had solid answers for you. We're at. I wish I had solid answers for you. We're once we have the solid answers for you. We're once we have the consultant hired and a formalized plan from them will bring that to you and share what we can at that time. We just don't we don't have it yet but we know based on those pictures, it's extremely serious and we need to address it head-on right now.

[72:09] Great, thanks so much. I would just ask that when we have more information on this. I would personally like to see just as an individual board member a full segment of our meeting be dedicated to addressing this because I feel like this is pretty serious and I would just I'm fascinated by. What options are out there? To address it. Absolutely. We'll make sure to get this on the agenda as soon as we have information. Are there other nearby towns or other towns in Colorado that are dealing with this or successfully dealt with it? There are. This is unfortunately a fairly common problem across the country, not just here in Colorado. And so I will say that depending on the water usage that that correlates to how we're able to treat it and how aggressive we can be with with trying to control it.

[73:08] So Ours is a water supply that's consumable water so that makes it a little bit more complex. Then some other communities are dealing with. So again, once we have information for Elliott's request, we will make sure to have a full presentation and share the plan. Action. And I would add that it increases my concern in our aquatic nuisance species mitigation. Protocols because the male foil is not in surrounding waters or canals or streams. To our knowledge and testing and. How I got into the reservoirs. Mystery and that's really a concern. Because we also want to keep those snails out and the muscles and everything else. Yeah, absolutely. We see this is, our top priority out there at the reservoir. We want voters to continue to be able to recreate and and we are not sure how the contamination entered the reservoir, but we'll continue to do that research and present once we have more information for you.

[74:18] This may, this may be another question that you want to address later, but can I would love some more details about what the danger is both in terms of to the ecology of local ecosystem, but also in terms of the drinking water. Hmm. Absolutely. Those are the same questions that we're asking right now. And, again, as soon as we have information, will share that. Jason, I just wanna check in with you and make sure we're not leaving you in the dark here and check if you have any questions. No, I'm good. Thanks, Chuck. I actually had a similar question to all of you on that. On the pictures, but thanks for raising that. I appreciate it. Okay, good. So any questions about the planning design and construction updates or the operations updates?

[75:10] Okay, great. We have no action items. We have no matters for discussion information. We do have matters from the department. We have, information on the play builder foundation. Okay, everyone. My name is Angie Jeffers and I'm the executive director of the Play Boulder Foundation and I'm here tonight to tell you a little bit more about what we do, how we collaborate together and why it's important for us to be working together. But first I'd like to say that my heart is breaking for community. I've been a member of the community since the 19 seventies. And my heart goes out to the loss of life, the neighbors, the staff, the parks and wreck folks, you know, it's just it's tough and I want to do whatever I can personally or what our organization can do to support, whatever needs to be done to the park.

[76:09] So. To the community. So I am very excited to be here to tell you about the work of the Playbolder Foundation. We were also created in the 1970 s and, we started out as of getting our 501 c 3 charter. As the boulder parks and recreation departments foundation. So Boulder Parks and Break Foundation. Over time we evolved. Well, this is an important part too. In the beginning, Prab was the governing body of the foundation and you all would meet or your predecessors would meet and you'd have your board agenda and then you would close out your agenda and you would reconvene as the board of the foundation. And then you would do about 10 min worth of work. There wasn't a lot going on back then. And that's how it went on. And then over the years, the leadership in the Parks and Rec department realized there was a lot more potential and opportunity for a foundation to be partnering with Parks and Recons.

[77:13] So it was determined by the Prab Board that they would separate that the play the then Parks and Record would become the Play Boulder Foundation over time and it would have its own board of directors, its own staff, its own budget, and would begin to actually do programming and work in the community. With the intention of enhancing the programs at the Parks and Rec Department. So in that time I'm doing a fast 30 years of history. We find ourselves in the last about 7 years of history. We find ourselves in the last about 7 years really creating a true organization with pillars that support the work. And so we have 3 pillars that we do our work through Place making, environmental sustainability, and access.

[78:07] And so I'd like to tell you a little bit about how we work together. In each of those categories and maybe do a little storytelling at the end. If I still have time left. So the placemaking is kind of where the organization with the 500, and one C 3 started with the city. We're able to help assist in getting grant funding and doing some donor, fundraising, that sort of thing. And so that was really useful in the beginning. And then over time, our placemaking category has really been enhanced to donor stewardship. Grant making, working with park enhancements, improving our green spaces. And we've worked on projects like the Boulder Reservoir, Scott Carpenter, Chautauqua Park. And we're looking to working with Violet Park this year. And I've actually already secured some joint grants in the movement toward the process there.

[79:06] And then we also do that in the area of the expand program in the WSI program as parks and wreck run programming, for people with disabilities and, Parks and Rec, and the WSI program is Parks and Rec Run programming for people with disabilities and, under resource youth. That's where access pillar had started. Over time, and and we mostly use those functions. So then we were able to move into our playpass program acquiring a city health equity funds, acquiring a city health equity funds grant that allowed us to do a little bit more than the resource program acquiring a City Health Equity Funds Grant that allowed us to do a little bit more than the resources that the Parks Department that allowed us to do a little bit more than the resources that the Parks Department had for funding opportunities for recreational activities for funding opportunities for recreational activities for under-resourced youth. And that's been a fantastic, successful program. We have over 500 children apply family supply each year looking looking for the opportunity to do some sort of recreational activity. We're also able to provide them opportunities with service providers. We're also able to provide them opportunities with service providers that might be able to provide them opportunities with service providers that might be outside of what the Parks and Rec.

[80:03] We're also able to provide them opportunities with service providers that might be outside of what the Parks and Rec curriculum has to offer. So we have aerial work and dance and we work with women's wilderness and other kinds of programs so that kids are really able to integrate into the community in a variety of ways. And be supported in doing so, both with funding for Playpass vouchers that we provide funding for and then also for language and cultural access to the programming. So that's that's been an excellent program this year to date. We've this particular year we've funded over 200 play passes. We have over 24 service providers and we've realized that we still have a couple 100 kids on a wait list just waiting to be able to get out and do something in the community. And so we have developed with several service providers some free and unique clinic opportunities to be able to do something to experiment to explore their their world and we've been coordinating with organizations like Crossfit, Sunitis, Women's Wilderness.

[81:08] And several other groups to develop. An opportunity for those kids sitting on the wait list and through our entire program to get out and do more. So we're beginning to expand those. For the kids. Then we have our environmental sustainability. Pillar and of course right now that's been just booming this last year has been amazing. I think the community's response to working within natural climate solutions as an opportunity to fight, fight climate change has really energized our community and I think a lot of people are behind it and we're finding that they're really excited about the programming we're doing. The specific way that it really complements what Parks does is that they primarily, they As you know, work with city public properties and we have the ability to work with private properties over 80% of the boulder area is private property and so we're able to really expand and care for and build on our urban canopy beyond the barriers of the city.

[82:17] Does. And so that's been a great way for us to partner. We work with forestry very closely. They have a small department as well. So putting all of our teammates together has really helped us to accomplish much more in the community we planted this year alone over 1,250 trees. We've engaged over 2, 225 volunteers. We've attended over 30 public events to talk about climate action and natural climate solutions specific to expanding on our urban canopy. So that's so we've we've done a lot. This year, one of the things that I think that the Tree Trust, the environmental sustainability piece of our work able to do because of the energy behind it right now is engage the community and find ways that we can all work together and then expand on the work and then hopefully those threads will weave through all of the programming that we're doing both as the

[83:18] Play Boulder Foundation and as a partner of the Buller Parks and Rec department. Here's my storytelling. Do I still have a few minutes? So we have 3 really exciting programs right now that we're, I think really exhibit that community build. And so the first one I want to talk about is community forced. We're still developing the name Community Urban Forest is one name that we're playing with and it basically is combining Boulder Valley schools, the parks adjacent to the schools in the neighborhoods around the schools in the parks to engage in working to build and care for an urban forest.

[84:01] And we have 3 schools picked out right now. The first one we're going to be working with is Fairview. And we have done some training with some other schools. We've done a TREE tender, experiential training for students. We've got their youth clubs. Developing and designing and working with the see you environmental design. Program students on creating this urban forest. We, are working on the fundraising that it'll take to plant the trees and to build the forests, working with our coal boulder partners to find places that we can care for and promote more than just the planning of the trees, but working on the soils and the pollinators and the environment that will be a part of these forests. So this is very exciting and I'd love to talk more about it if anyone has any questions or wants to reach out after this. We will, so it's very exciting bringing everyone together. Then we have another program that we've. Been proud of the last year and we're doing again this year. Then we have another program that we've been proud of the last year and we're doing again this year and that's been proud of the last year and we're doing again this year and that's a collaboration with the University of Colorado athletic department specifically in the basketball area and we have trees for threes and as it stands right

[85:18] now one of their corporate sponsors is Pepsico and Pepsico essentially purchases a tree for every 3 points, 3 pointer, the men's or women's teams make during the season. And so last year we were able to raise nearly $8,000 in 3 pointers from Pepsico, we planted trees on campus with a whole bunch of different athletes and students around campus. We've been able to contribute some trees to some low-income low canopy areas, help provide our neighbors in Lewisville with some trees. For the survivors of the marshal fire. So that funding and that relationship has again really pulled the community of the university with Boulder, with parks.

[86:08] And with Play Boulder Foundation and we really look forward to this next season and so far I think. We are going to be making a lot of trees in Boulder from the, particularly maybe, but not totally the women's basketball team. So go girls. We also, by the way, have a because of that relationship have created, there's an intern, a young woman who is on the team on the women's basketball team. And she's going to organize some of her teammates and as soon as their seasons comes down, they're going to provide a free clinic for the Playpass kids to be able to have an opportunity to meet and great and do some moves and and be able to explore what it's like to be a college athlete. So we're really excited about that yet another thread that sort of that moves through the organization. And then finally, we have a new relationship with Avery Brewery.

[87:01] We've done a couple of things with them over the years, but I had a gentleman reach out to me a staff member from the brewery about month ago and his son had recently passed away very young in his late twentys and they were trying to think of a way to honor his son and and the father and son have done a lot of brewing together over the years and that's where they got creative and so and he was also very interested in the environment. And so they, so the father has created a beer called Heavens 8. And they have just recently tapped and released the beer and for every beer sold. $2 comes back to the Play Boulder Foundation. They're also doing roundups and other fundraising activities, but the the end point is they want to plant trees. They want to have a place that they can share with the community the spirit of in their very personal way, their son, but also the spirit of community.

[88:04] And that's very much what their company is believes in and really wants to do. So the first thing that they've done and they've already raised over $8,000 and I think about 6,000 of it is slotted for the community urban forest at Fairview. So the trees will be planted. So we're very excited about that. We're also going to help work in the gum barrel area by Avery to plant some trees. They're going to do an independent, true tender training. So that part is yet again, I think, an opportunity that Play Boulder has to enhance the work. Of the city recreation department by having more time and capacity and the ability to pull that and really the function to do that kind of thing so that we support the basic fundamental needs of a good parks and recreation program. So those are our pillars. I don't know if you have any other questions or thoughts in terms of action from you.

[89:09] We're always looking for good board members. So, you know, we're here to really think about us in terms of collaboration. You're the advisory for the Parks and Rec Department and we're the philanthropic partner for the Parks and Rec Department. So if you have an opportunity that you see and you feel like it's something that Play Boulder Foundation can help enhance and expand on, you know, give us a call. Let's see how we can work because I think it would be wonderful if we were really all working as a unit to further the goals that we all have for the community in this area. So I, we would very much like that and certainly in the summer you can buy a duck. And join us for our fundraiser, the Great Boulder Duck Race, which we also get to include our emergency responders at and have a great time. So there are all sorts of ways to get involved and and or. A tree tender. I have a feeling there's at least one tree tender on this board.

[90:04] So look out in March we're going to be running another program. Thank you very much, Angie. I'm currently a board member. Recently added board members, PayPal or Foundation. It's a great organization. As a philanthropic organization they can go after money that the parks and recreation department itself cannot. And they can also serve people who are not within the city limits of older. So it really sort of expands. The reach of some of the programs beyond just the city borders. So really great. Great organization and Angie's done a great job of re energizing it after COVID really hammered it. In a very bad way. So it's, they have a good staff now and, lot of energy and more money is coming in and they're helping more and more kids. Play sports in the Boulder area. So I highly recommend learning about it, getting involved. Buying some ducks for the duck race.

[91:02] Anyway, you can help be appreciated. Thank you. Any questions. Hi, Andy. This is Anna Seeker. It's good to see you again. I just wanted to thank you for all the work. That you've done with the on the access portion. I mean, everything that Type B is doing, but particularly on the access portion, I know that Play Pass is a is a resource that a lot of families really appreciate. And I learned that your new round is open here in December and I said out notifications to a whole bunch of families. The Spanish dominant families, low-income Spanish, for Muni Hill. And many of them said that they were really happy to learn that there was a new Forgot to mention that we just recently have added a young bilingual bicultural intern to the program and she and our program manager Greta Sandberg have been actually boots on the ground going into the manufactured home communities and some of

[92:15] the other communities around town to just in person like meet and get to know people, let folks know where we're at. Find out what they need, listen, and then try and develop these programs and these extension programs that I was talking about earlier to really meet the need and not just what we think they need. And so, you know, that's been a change since we've talked and we also attended upon your advice and others to several of the family community events throughout the summer. Just to participate and to learn and to be there and to show presence and, continue to support the work in the programming. So. I'm really excited about that work in equity and that will actually carry over to the work that we're going to do with the Tree Trust as well so that we're really fighting a way to get into the community and listen and learn and then develop.

[93:12] That's really exciting to hear. I'm glad you're her adding the spinach language liaison to your group. Is there any options or opportunities for the swim programs for you and me both if I could only get a swim program we have so many kids that join Play Pass that really want to swim and you know their families really want them to swim. It's a survival need and so we would love to. Excellent example of where could we collaborate if we could build something with with the ideas of Prab and the work of the Parks program in into you know, an opportunity like that. We are really ready to go on that as soon as we can figure out how to make it happen. So.

[94:03] Please continue to remember us and we continue to look. We, we need to have these kids know how to swim. And we're gonna discuss that on our retreat in February, right? Right? Right. Any further questions? I just wanna also thank you so much for what you're doing. The programs are super exciting. It's just, it's really nice to hear. What's going on and feel the passion behind it. So thank you. Thank you. It's exciting and fun work. Mr. Chair, can I chime in with just a note from on behalf of Boulder Parks and Recreation? Play is important not just because they can provide that philanthropic 501 c 3 avenue for folks willing to donate but they provided additional capacity around not, you know, services that we can't provide and connections to the community that that are beyond our resources, the ability to have a partner.

[95:11] But a partner led by Angie, the timing is so amazing if you're paying attention, to not just the federal government, but just across the country. Trees are having a moment in the funding opportunities, and they're ready for it. They're waiting with their arms open. They're partnering with. With our team in the forestry with the climate initiative staff. The tree chandered program is amazing in the way that they led by Angie and really just Angie's ability to create connections and opportunities. It's wonderful and I'm so excited for what's coming. Thank you. Great. Thank you so much. Happy New Year. And thanks for hanging in on a long meeting to get to your chance to speak. Appreciate that. This. Okay, great. And actually have matters from the board. So, first is the view of the final PRab handbook.

[96:10] And the introductory letter to it. So thank you, Elliott, so much for. Doing all the leg work and putting that together getting reviewed by the legal department of the city. And, ending up with a handbook that I think is very, very well done, very clear. And concise and everything we want in a handbook. Heather, so I'd like to ask if there are any comments on the content of the handbook, any issues with it? We know we passed that last meeting. This is the final version that's going to go out. I do have a change for the letter. Somehow in the letter I became the president. And I've always wanted to be president, but you know, not of the board. I think I'm chair of the board. So if we could get that changed in the. Letter that is in the front of the. Other than that, I don't see any issues.

[97:08] Great. I just want to comment. Thank you, Rosa and staff for, finalizing this and putting the links in and the logo. I think it looks great. Thank you. Okay. Okay, next we have Prab matters. This is an opportunity for members of the Prab to comment on any interaction they've had with the public. Or any other issues or matters regarding parks and recreation activities. I and others that I have spoken to are lamenting the loss of the portrait at the pleasant view. Facility. Because of the end of the sports season. Well, this is the first year it's disappeared.

[98:04] Like a lot of runners use that. Porter potty and this is the first year it went away in the winter time. I'll look and do it and we'll get back to you. It's inside the fence, right? There's some, there's, yeah, there's 2 inside the fence, but there's one outside the fence that's near like the shed where the maintenance workers work. We'll look into it and get back to you. I also have a bathroom related question. So I'm wondering what are the hours when the bathrooms are open at Scott Carpenter. For the public who are at the playground. I know that when the pool is closed. The bathroom adjacent to the playground is open year round. I believe it's nineish to six-ish dependent upon the ability of the we have security contractors that go around lock and unlock, I can follow up that may not be specific.

[99:01] Is there an issue or a thing that I should look into specifically? I mean, I was at the park with my son. I mean, I was at the park with my son on, I think he was either, it was Sunday. I mean, I was at the park with my son on, I think he was either, it was Sunday, it was at the park with my son on, I think he was either, it was Sunday, it was yesterday, and the bathrooms were closed Great. Go ahead. Just on the way down here, this evening I notice that on the Okay, coming down the on the, on the bike path as you approach the creek on the South, I guess the South Bank, South Bank the Creek. There's a new chain link fence with signage that says open excavation. I'm just wondering what, work is going on in that location. And by the way, there doesn't appear to be any work happening. Yes, but there's always construction signage up. You're about to see my Kryptonite and that. I can't picture the spot you're talking about without looking at a map.

[100:00] So Scott's laughing, they're all laughing because I draw and pull up pictures constantly. So we're just going to go on a walk real quick. So we're coming down the Arboretum. We're passing the high school. And we're we haven't crossed the creek yet. Just before you cross the creek. And it's tell me where you're seeing the signage. Is it right in front of you? I'd have to. Yeah. So there is, I am aware there is a parcel adjacent to the creek and between it's a little triangle. It's called pizza parcels. This I'll look into the signage that area has been closed for quite some time for restoration. It's been It's been several months. Is that where the fire happened? There's, there's been a couple of incidences and so we needed to remediate some irrigation. The signage is confusing to me, but I do know the fencing has been in place for a little while and there is a project coming.

[101:01] We had to wait. I don't know if they're waiting on a valve or parts there. I can look into it and get back to you. Thank you. Okay, anything else anything from you Jason? I'm good, Jack. Thanks. I'm actually just testing to see if you're still awake. So. Yeah, no, I'm still here. I'm ready for any. Oh, you're great, man. Okay, if there's, our next Prab board meeting will be at 6 PM January 20 s. Hopefully we'll see everyone there. Chuck, I have one thing to add as well. You will be seeing a calendar invite from me for February fifth and that's gonna be your study session. For February fifth. Okay, great. Thank you very much. Okay, nothing else from the board at this time. I will, consider a motion to join the. Motion to adjourn. Second. Great. All in favor? Hi, we are adjourned. Thank you all very much.