Minutes - 2017 - Parks Pathways & Recreation Commission - 09/21/2017 - RegularTHE CITY OF EAGLE
PARKS, PATHWAYS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
H " MINUTES
Eagle City Hall, 660 E. Civic Lane
September 21, 2017 5:30 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:29 P.M.
2. ROLL CALL: Present- HUFFAKER, BAUN, STIRRAT AND FRIEND Absent-STOCKTON,
MARSHALL, and RACKLEFF a Quorum is present.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. Minutes of August 17, 2017
The minutes of August 17, 2017 were not approved. Chairman Huffaker would like the
following changes to be made: page 3, paragraph C-11 lines down should be 10 feet wide
instead of 10 inches wide.
General discussion regarding whether or not a person absent from the meeting can vote to
approve the minutes.
The conclusion was that no motion can be made due to the commission members attending
were not attending during the August 1711 PPRC meeting.
The next change would be on Page 4, 211 paragraph down, remove the words "owned by"
because it is typed twice.
4. STAFF REPORTS:
Chairman Huffaker asks Steve Noyes to present the trail coordinator report, because Caitlin is temporarily
delayed with the Pickleball Demonstration at Friendship Park. The following Reports will be out of order.
B. Trail Coordinator Report: (SN)
Chairman Huffaker introduces Trails Coordinator Steve Noyes who discusses updates including:
The FEMA funds application that was applied for jointly with Ada County for ten million dollars valley
wide for flood related damages, especially the greenbelt, was initially qualified at a four -million -dollar
mark, It has been recommended for further consideration. The word through Senator Crapo's Office is
that it will go through. The hurricane situation in Texas will have an effect on the timing of this process,
due to the enormity of those situations. We are still in the process for funding those repairs to the
greenbelt system.
Day of Caring finished up on September 21 S', and would be the 4' year with Mountain West Bank. This
year Friendship Park received a facelift. A gravel pathway refinished, edging was done around the
planters, new bark, painting of the shelter benches and picnic tables. It was complete in around an hour
and fifteen minutes, there were about 50 people with firefighters. Wright Brothers Construction
contributed and was a great facelift for the Ribbon Cutting.
E -bike demo is on September 25'h from 12-6pm. Idaho is in the process of forming legislation that will give
us a base -line for a -bike regulations. This is important for our greenbelt system, working with ACHD
for bike lanes and the Ada/Eagle Bike Park. The target audience for this demo is The City of Eagle,
Committees and Commissions, neighboring agencies, municipalities and user groups, planning
organizations, and has not been released to the public. Representative Phyllis King is drafting this
legislation in January.
The City will make reasonable accommodations for anyone attending this meeting who rehire special assistance for hearing, physical
or other impairments. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (208) 939-6813 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting date and time.
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PARKS, PATHWAYS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 5:30 P.M.
Coming up on October 5" is the Parks and Pathways first planning workshop in the Council Chambers from
6-8pm. A press release went out, email blasts and Facebook posts. An invitation went out to over 100
people identified as stakeholders, many user groups were contacted and outreach is requested for
additional stakeholders who love the trail system and want to connect to Eagle.
We launched an online planning and survey map. A link was sent out, and is a great tool. You can start
where a trail should be and click along the route, with a double-click at the end. You can make
comments on other people's trails easily.
The connection to Eagle Island State Park is in progress, there was a tour of the Newman family property, it
is the last connection -to the greenbelt. Newman stated that he would give us the land if there is plan that
makes sense. The vision would be to build a trail like the Mace trail which runs adjacent to river and on
a levy The tour included ten people, Eagle Staff members, Mike Davis -the City Engineer, PPRC
members, FACTS representatives, Eagle Island State Park Manager, a representative from Idaho Parks
and Recreation, JUB, and ACOE. The first part of the hike was very difficult, a levy would need to be
constructed and IDL to mark a new water line, before it is possible to build greenbelt trail. Cost
comparisons need to be done as well.
Plantation bridge has been discussed with the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands the City's interest in
purchasing the bridge. Ada county will release the bridge from future use consideration. Ada County's
replacement costs for the bridge is an estimate of $500-700 thousand dollars.
General Discussion regarding the survey and if it was put together by the company the City contracts
through for the Trails Master Plan, and yes, it is. Also, if the tour of the Newman property included
walking on the existing berm and if it would be possible to use this as a trail, which it is not, the vision
is to have it run along near the bank not the levy. The levy is for security and to keep trespassers out, the
property may not be developable, and the property line needs to be established. Questions regarding
whether the proposed legislation would include trails where a -bikes are classified as motorized vehicles.
Ridge to Rivers and Ada county are closed to e -bikes, the Feds define as motorized vehicle. How fast
each class goes, whether helmets should be required on the greenbelt. The on-line planning tool goes to
the foothills. The current draft of legislation states that class 1 and 2 e -bikes are allowed on the
greenbelt, as they are considered pedal powered and limited to 20mph. Discussions include that the
greenbelt is an alternate corridor for transportation. Regarding the Newman property: Information from
DOL is needed and the need to see about flexibility, so far it's not a good place to build a trail, the cost
may be too expensive.
C. Community Enhancement Coordinator Report: (JI)
Chairman Huffaker introduces Community Enhancement Jenessa Hansen, who discusses updates including:
The Saturday Market only has 4 markets left for the season, there was a pop up barre at the market and a
running group talked about healthy living.
The Saturday Market fluctuates in vendors and customers in August and September, however Harvest items
will increase during this time period. The 12' of August it was a record breaking day, the market is still
growing and advertising is done via radio ads. The Master Report includes market info like weather,
attendance, promotions, and number of vendors.
Gazebo concert series, last one is in September, with Lo-Fi, Blues Addicts, and aerial dance. Last month,
The No Where Fast Band performed, The Harvest Festival is October 14" from loam-2pm and will
feature Wrestling Club, Therapy ponies, balloon animals, pumpkin decorating, Pumpkin in the Park
which is a tasting of pumpkin theme foods and drinks. Smooth Avenue will perform. Eagle museum
will partner with the City, they have a scavenger hunt, games, and prizes, this is the 4' year together.
Christmas decorations, more stuff downtown for decorations including light poles and Edison bulbs for
Heritage Park for all year round.
The City will make reasonable accommodations for anyone attending this meeting who require special assistance for hearing, physical
or other impairments. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (208) 939-6813 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting date and time.
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PARKS, PATHWAYS & RECREATION COMMISSION
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General Discussion about Yappy hour is tomorrow night at Merrill Park from 5-7, dog licenses are free with
renewal next year. The goal for the Eagle market goal of food vs craft vendors. The goal is 50150 and
more produce vendors are needed. Discussions of another market near Beacon Light and if attendance is
effected by this.
Bann makes a Motion to move Item 6D, Army Corps of Engineers to where 4C would be and have
The Recreation Coordinator Report come after. Friend seconds the motion. ALL AYES.
MOTION CARRIED.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
6. NEW BUSINESS:
D. Army Corps of Engineers (Mary Griffin)
Mary Griffin, Army Corps of Engineers, has been working with Steve Noyes for about a year and a half
regarding specific issues. Over the last winter the flood damage that was done to the greenbelt and
other public areas and more time was spent in the Eagle area assessing areas. The City of Eagle has
developed incredibly fast, as well as Eagle Island and the anything adjacent to the North and South
Channels. There are wetlands throughout and most of the subdivisions have had some sort of mitigation
associated. A common trend is that the impact for this mitigation, which is a part of ACOE's program,
is that they would have to create wetlands, put in conservation easements, or enhance wetlands to
compensate for the impacts of that development. The best way to do that is typically closer to the water.
A lot of the mitigation areas and agreements that the HOA's have with the ACOE may not be in your
preferred pathways for your trail system. This will lead to additional processes in what the city would
like to do to keep in compliance with the HOA's agreements with ACOE. There are a handful of
subdivisions adjacent to the waterway. The City of Eagle is the conservation holder for several
subdivisions and enforcing the restrictions on that mitigation. Research is being done on how many
subdivisions the City is responsible for and has agreements with ACOE. The City has an intricate hand
in the role it plays especially as trail systems are enhanced.
The ACOE's rules on wetlands is as a government and handles the permitting process would include a civil
works side which is directly related to flood control, regulating the Section (404) Clean Water Act,
specifically discharge and fill of waters and adjacent wetlands. They are not opponents or proponents of
any project. We evaluate a project and its effect on these types of resources. if the impact is significant,
mostly a loss to wetlands, a plan is needed to compensate. As a regulatory agency, they manage the type
of impact to make sure it's minimal in relation to the values of those waters and adjacent wetlands. It is
a big issue with the city because of Eagle Islands is a lot of wetlands, most of the subdivisions had to
present a plan to offset any impacts. A formal process is done and the plan is evaluated to avoid
footprints and compensate by creation for the conservation of the mitigation area which would be an
agreement with ACOE. The difficulties in staying near the river on the Newman property would include
being in the floodway and continual erosion, getting a floodplain certificate for values alone, in 2017 it
was underwater and also in 2006 according to an aerial photo, it is an active floodplain and maybe
floodway and you have to prove no rise to capacity. As a regulatory agency, they work in conjunction
with all regulations, managing flood flows, assessing priorities and losses to functions. Even if you go
through the process there would be continual maintenance, erosion and loss to the trail system, The
Absent Mitigation permitting process would have a fee of $100 and it is complex. General permits are
free. That would not include consultants you may need to hire, and the mitigation itself could be
upwards of 100 thousand dollars. If you were going straight through 25 feet, the major thoroughfare that
you wanted would result in a couple of acres of wetlands that would be lost.
There was a question regarding the habitat component and building trails near a river the sustainability of
the riprap. Baseline conditions realize that trails are next to rivers and that the trails erode, and
program is set to accommodate that, however future development needs to consider long-term
maintenance, the ACOE evaluates secondary impacts, bare earth typically removes trees, they can
The City will make reasonable accommodations for anyone attending this meeting who require special assistance for hearing, physical
or other impairments. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (208) 939-6813 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting date and time.
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PARKS, PATHWAYS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 5:30 P.M.
become hazard trees. You want to keep clear line of sight, so you grade above that which ultimately
leads to cohesion. In high water years you see a lot of erosion. The best way to stop that,
historically- it has been old cars, you see a lot of Detroit rip -rap out there. Eventually the only
option will be to move to rock and bioengineering the rivers low flow point is at the bank, and at
that point there may be loss of function. The permit process within a waterway involves secondary
impact that has to be considered, and the AOCE is a public service here to help, to help identify and
give comments on proposed routes prior to and also identify subdivisions where mitigation is. There
is a potential for the City and ACOE working together and making recommendations on habitat,
guidelines on good/bad places to put trails and to be informed within the confines of the Corps
responsibilities. The City has been open for new ideas and nice to work with staff, and Steve Noyes
thanks Mary Griffin for guidance.
4. STAFF REPORTS:
Item 4A. Recreation Coordinator Report: (CS)
Chairman Huffaker introduces item. Recreation Coordinator Caitlin Straubinger discusses upcoming
recreation programs including:
There was a recap of the August recreation programs as it transitions from Summer to Fall. Hikes are
popular, Museum tours, and youth programs like Soccer. Revenue is up for August from last year, and
Preschool camps had about 12 kids. The Fall programs are in the works as well as marketing on new
programs. Facilitating new programs and coordinating with all contracted instructors. The Winter
activity guide will come out in mid-December.
Also working on fees and cost recovery, and readdressing Field reservations. 13 people came for the
Pickleball demo and there was interest in starting a league, lessons, or open -play, this may come up in
the spring.
General Discussion and inquiries about tennis lessons for kids now that the courts have been updated, and
that may also come about next spring, which would include adults too. The goal is to be affordable for
everyone, and tennis lessons for all.
The hiking group goes all over the Ridge to Rivers system, maybe Avamore for future hikes.
The new pickleball court may re -striping possibly in the future to fall in line with tennis court standards. The
goal is to have pickleball courts in every community, Meridian has 3 designated courts.
A. Trail specification revisions update.
The amendments to the concrete specifications have been changed and the concrete specifications are
highlighted, First for the concrete specification, it did say install a 24" biobarrier along the sides of the
pathway in areas where future root damage is likely to occur determined by city staff prior to
installation, now with direction from engineering, it now reads: Any area within 15 feet from tree
dripline or 30 feet from a tree trunk, whichever distance is greater, No biobarriers to be placed within a
running length of less than 30 feet, no gaps of less than 30 feet will exist between biobarriers.
Item 3 says install weed fabric (4 oz. non -woven geotextile filter fabric and root barrier under entire
pathway area under the 4 -inch layer of/ -minus- the words "root -barrier" were removed. This was an
engineering recommendation. On the concrete specification, it was specified how much fibermesh
reinforcement additive, should be per cubic yard. The slope specification was also tightened up, where
before it had said a minimum of 2% for drainage, it now says 1.75 plus minus 0.25%. This tightens up
the tolerance so that ADA considerations are observed.
General Discussion on the new a -bikes legislation and if a standard for primary greenbelts as concrete only,
if they are to be a main transportation corridor. Bicycle traffic will increase with the connection to Star and
the growth in Eagle Island. The sight lines need to be increased and speed limits need to be posted. Future
The City will make reasonable accommodations for anyone attending this meeting who require special assistance for hearing, physical
or other impairments. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (208) 939-6813 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting date and time.
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PARKS, PATHWAYS & RECREATION COMMISSION
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needs are changing, comes through transmittal when the developer submits the initials, the conditions for
approval are given back to Planning and Zoning for approval. Concrete, Natural surface and asphalt would
need a permanent recommendation which would be a next step. The specification changes for the asphalt
include the biobarrier change and sloping. The natural surface charges also include the slope designation.
Friend makes motion that the we recommend to the council that they approve the three specifications
for trails surfaces...... seconded by Stirrat. ALL AYES
General Discussion regarding a future recommendation that takes into consideration that corridors for trails
should be planned specifically with concrete in mind. A study may be conducted on surfaces and cost
analysis.
B. Land Acquisitions
There is a letter of intent to purchase property of 35 acres on Meridian and Floating Feather. Chase property
corner of Floating Feather and Eagle Rd., there is an open space of about 17 acres, that could be used as
a dog park. There is also the property on Palmer and Floating Feather there is about 376 acres, schools
and substations for the police may be planned to go there. Meeting with Becky McKay to discuss capitol
funds to purchase, athletic fields and playgrounds.
General Discussions involving property purchases that are only within city limits, or teaming with area of
impact for development in the future and Ada County,
C. RFQ for Trail Repairs,
Call for funis to put together resume, 2 total applications of qualified companies have been received. Knife
River and McGalvins have strong backgrounds in trails repairs. A Request for Bid will come out in a
few weeks. The Dry creek project was overbid, RFP go out in winter for better bids. 10 areas are in need
of repair. Plans to have 10 separate bid packages put together, in the Fall, do another RFP in the Winter
for paving.
General Discussion involving the bidding process and if all 10 projects are received in one bid. The goal is
to offset balance in cost, maybe use an Excavator for riprap or City staff members to do some of the
work.
D. Army Corps of Engineers (Mary Griffin)
Please refer to page 3 for the Army Corps presentation.
7. REPORTS:
A. Parks and Recreation Director's Report: (TW)
The Guerber Park splash pad will have a re -do, and Merrill Park will also have an upgrade next fiscal year
with a May Is'completion day. Summer lawns contract ends September 30, and Trautman Lawns will
take over. RFP for custodial work was done, but bids were too high, and staff was hired in-house.
General Discussion regarding whether or not criminal background checks are done on the custodial crew.
The parks will be cleaned and stocked on weekends, when it is busy.
Information regarding the NRPA performance review comparisons of populations and acres of parks.
Included is a City of Eagle snap shot of statistics regarding Employment, Cost Recovery, operating
expenditures, day camps, parks and trails information. This would be compared to the National
Recreation and Parks snapshot stats and what Eagle's target is.
Other noteworthy comparisons have playground, outdoor basketball and tennis courts stats. Sports
programs, health and specialization have considerations like injuries and directing toward individual
sports and training competitions. Transferring Federal lands may include recreation areas managed by
other agencies, reviews of land for sale and federal recreation areas that may have private commercial
The City will make reasonable accommodations for anyone attending this meeting who require special assistance for hearing, physical
or other impairments. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (208) 939-6813 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting date and time.
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PARKS, PATHWAYS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 5:30 P.M.
support. There are many challenges ahead with funding and appropriate staffing.
There was a Ribbon cutting at Friendship today for the new Tennis/Pickleball Court renovations. The Day
of Caring was a success. The Merrill Park Rooster Coop will also have a ribbon cutting upon
completion. Merrill Park has a new fence, it will have an updated splash pad and the benches and trash
cans are being powder coated. Orval Krasen park has new barriers around the playground. Guerber park
will have an updated Splash pad, updated volleyball and basketball standards and the northside of the
soccer field can be developed. The BMX park restrooms build is complete, the parking lots are being
chip sealed, the trails storage shed is complete and the bike park expansion is in discussions.
General discussion regarding purchasing park acreage and levies. Park development, moving forward with
dog parks, ball fields. The cost of the acreage for purchase is roughly $3.5million//90 thousand per acre,
negotiations are underway. With regards to the statistics only city parks were included, not Eagle Island
or the Ada/Eagle Bike Park. Ideas regarding the "Eagle Games" were talked about.
B. PPRC Liaison Assignment Report: NONE
C. PPRC Priorities and Long -Term Goals: NONE
8. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business motion was made by Friend and seconded by Bann to
adjourn. ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED. The meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.
AN AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT
WWW.CITYOFEAGLE.ORG
Respectfully submitted:
-gmsvel��
I<LATY MILLER
CLERK OF THE MEETING
APPROVED:
MICHAEL HUFF
CHAIRMAN
The City will make reasonable accommodations for anyone attending this meeting who require special assistance for hearing, physical
or other impairments. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (208) 939-6813 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting date and time.
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