Thread by @djswearingen

Public hearing time! #Boulder City Council will consider approval of the Boulder Parks & Rec master plan update. dailycamera.com/2022/04/27/bou…

City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde is acknowledging that the parks dept lost an employee yesterday.

Project Manager Regina Elsner says this plan has been in the works since late 2020. The process was at times delayed due to the pandemic.

Parks & Rec detailing its engagement efforts, including the first Spanish language open house

Outreach indicated the community generally believes BPR is doing a good job, staff says.
Services for low income folks, older adults, people w/ disabilities should be funded w/ taxes, while advanced level sports should be paid for w/ user fees.

Maintaining current level of funding will require challenging convos w/ the community about right sizing services, Elsner notes.

Some changes have occurred since the last time council discussed the plan. For example: BPR added specific language about sustainability and climate change as well as "key performance indicators," which will be reported on annually.

PRAB member Chuck Brock is here and says he's an "enthusiastic supporter" of the plan, commends the dept for its engagement work.

Councilmember Mark Wallach: Thanks all for the work. Late in report, you're showing surpluses btwn 2022-2025. Will that be used to address current shortfalls?
Jackson Hite says yes. There are spikes as the city focuses on big projects.

Mayor Pro Tem Rachel Friend notes some previous council members were left off the plan.

Councilmember Junie Joseph thanks the department.

Five people signed up to speak tonight.

Lynn Segal: If you've got a problem with money, don't take taxpayer money, take developer money.

Kari Palazzari, executive director of Studio Arts Boulder: Pottery Lab listed by name as one of the top programs desired by the community. "As we read through the goals ... we are so proud of how many the Pottery Lab already supports."

Shari Hack: Says parks and open spaces are lifeblood of the community. Laments the amount of crime and the fact that the master plan references the challenges posed by unhoused encampments.

Brooke Harrison: Says Eben G Fine, area near library, bike paths & more are unusable due to people camping. Notes master plan commits to "taking care of what we have" and "fostering community health and wellness."

Councilmember Mark Wallach: Very much support the plan. Impressed w/ emphasis on fiscally constrained scenario. No one likes it, but it's realism.

Councilmember Tara Winer makes the motion to accept the BPR master plan. Seconded by Councilmember Bob Yates.

Councilmember Matt Benjamin: "We don't often get a chance to sort of gush." This plan is exemplary, realistic, what a master plan should be.

Mayor Pro Tem Rachel Friend acknowledges frustrations of community but says city parks are still awesome and doesn't want that to tarnish the work of staff.

Some discussion about whether council should add in a letter to the master plan but ultimately opting against it.
The #Boulder Parks & Rec master plan has been unanimously approved.