Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Special Board of Directors meeting
April 28, 2026
A virtual attendance option was made available through Microsoft Teams.
Call to Order
Director Trimble called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Director Trimble led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Roll Call
Director Hanson, Present; Director Lodice, Present; Director Brainard, Present; Director Writz, Present (virtual); Director Trimble, Present.
Also in Attendance: Paul Rufien, District Counsel; Ronald Hopp, Executive Director; Becky Richmond, Director of Recreation; Derek Eberhardt, Assistant Director of Recreation; Colin Insley, Director of Parks, Planning and Construction; Randy Meyers, Director of Golf; Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary; other Foothills staff and members of the public.
Potential conflicts of interest were disclosed pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 18-8-308(2), 24-18-109(3)(a), 24-18-110, and 32-1-902(3).
Approval of Agenda
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the April 28, 2026 agenda as submitted. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the March 24, 2026 board meeting as submitted. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
There were no comments from the community.
Jovial Concepts Update
Andre Leonard and Di Collingwood with Jovial Concepts updated the Board on their orchard in Weaver Creek Park. Using PowerPoint, they gave an overview of what they did in 2025. Mr. Leonard discussed that their mission is all about engaging community in organic garden practices, getting kids involved in learning how food is grown. He detailed programs that they have going on. Ms. Collingham talked about 2025 impact, volunteers, and described five free community events for this year including movies in the park. Mr. Leonard showed a map of the orchard, a new mascot and said they have new signage going up throughout the orchard. Ms. Collingham described the new labyrinth area. Mr. Leonard talked about 2026 priorities, highlighting their Fall Festival on October 10th. He added that they are doing a summer contest for teens that volunteer at the orchard.
Decision Items
Item 1: Asphalt Overlay Execution of Contract Ratification
Referring to the memo provided, Ronald Hopp discussed that last year the District did some asphalt overlays that turned out nicely and staff wanted to continue to do that this year. It was presented as part of the budget and brought to the Board in January. Mr. Hopp discussed that staff bid for the contract and got four or five bidders; the low bidder was very competitive. Staff got nervous about oil prices going up and wanted to enter into the contract. Mr. Hopp recalled that he reached out to the Board and got majority concurrence from board members to enter into the contract. As a reminder, he outlined the asphalt projects identified for 2026. He explained that this contract was going to be an agenda item tonight, but staff have already entered into the contract. Since he had Board concurrence, Mr. Hopp asked that the Board ratify that action.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors ratify the action to enter into and execute the contract with Summit Contracting for 2026 Asphalt Overlay Projects totaling $994,400.00 as discussed. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp recognized the passing of Bob Easton, who served as Executive Director of the District from 1994 to 2008.
Mr. Hopp talked about water restrictions from Denver Water. He reminded that Clement Park, Foothills Golf Course, Shaefer Athletic Complex, Easton Regional Park, and Meadows Golf Course are not subject to the Denver Water restrictions, they are non-potable water from reservoir water or ditch water. He discussed that in an effort to make sure we reserve some of the storage water, staff are going to try to reduce water by 20
Item 2: Clement Park Fuel Tank Remediation Project
Referring to the memo and information provided, Mr. Insley discussed that we have a proposal from CGRS who have been working with us on testing and providing information for the State of Colorado. The underground fuel tanks at Clement Park were discovered to have a small leak about a year ago and since then CGRS have put in wells and done several tests that provided information for the State and the District, satisfying State requirements, Mr. Insley explained. He outlined the contract, costs and reimbursement from the State. He discussed the repairs and remediation process. Mr. Insley pointed out the letter from the State of Colorado indicating that they approved the Correction Action Plan that CGRS had put together.
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the proposal from CGRS to implement the Corrective Action Plan for fuel leak mitigation at Clement Park in the amount of $220,241.98 and direct the Executive Director to execute the contract documents. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Executive Director’s Report
Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp recognized the passing of Bob Easton, who served as Executive Director of the District from 1994 to 2008.
Mr. Hopp talked about water restrictions from Denver Water. He reminded that Clement Park, Foothills Golf Course, Shaefer Athletic Complex, Easton Regional Park, and Meadows Golf Course are not subject to the Denver Water restrictions, they are non-potable water from reservoir water or ditch water. He discussed that in an effort to make sure we reserve some of the storage water, staff are going to try to reduce water by 20 percent at most or all of our facilities. Mr. Hopp added that for the most part, staff have not turned on irrigation in any of our parks, the golf courses are being watered with water that we control.
In answer to Director Lodice, Mr. Insley talked about efficiencies of parks irrigation systems.
Mr. Hopp explained that we hired a consultant to evaluate irrigation systems for both golf courses. In general, the Meadows is in poor shape and Foothills is not in as bad shape as we thought, he discussed and outlined the recommendations. Mr. Hopp said we have asked the consultant to start the process to get a contract to replace the Executive 9 pump station at Foothills Golf Course as well as installation of the nozzles for all the sprinklers at Foothills. We have also asked for a proposal to start the planning and engineering for a new irrigation system at Meadows. It’s likely that project would happen in fall of 2027 into winter/spring of 2028 he discussed.
Adding to the report, Mr. Hopp discussed that the special district golf outings have been reinstated. Foothills is hosting the first one on May 21st.
Mr. Hopp recalled that Tom Hoby, former Director of Open Space, came and presented a concept to evaluate the future of Jefferson County Fairgrounds and uses at Fehringer Ranch. They are starting a process reaching out to stakeholder groups, reaching out to the public. They have asked if the District would have representation as a stakeholder. Mr. Hopp asked if there are board members who would like to be part of that process, suggesting two board members along with staff. Directors Trimble, Hanson and Writz expressed desire to serve on the committee. Paul Rufien discussed requirements with more than two board members meeting and making it work.
Discussion Items
Item 1: 2025 Audit Report
Referring to the memo provided, Zach Ramey, filling in for Dennis Weiner, said the 2025 audited financial statements are finalized and were provided to the Board via email and also the board packet. He introduced Marcie Ardan, Managing Director from the audit team, who spoke about the audit process and 2025 financial statements.
Ms. Ardan discussed that in their audit opinion, they did issue an unmodified, or clean opinion, that is the best opinion the District can get. She highlighted items in the Required Communication Letter to the Board. Ms. Ardan added that coming up in the next year there is a large GASB standard that will be in effect and will change what is required to be presented in the management discussion analysis and how the income statement looks.
Item 2: Finance Update
Zach Ramey presented the District’s financial update for the first three months of 2026. Highlighting the report provided, he went over total District year-to-date operating revenues, total year-to-date operating expenditures, net operating loss, non-operating revenues and expenditures.
Looking at the bottom line through the end of March, Mr. Ramey concluded net revenue was better than the budget.
Executive Session
Director Trimble announced the Board will be in Executive Session and once they come out of Executive Session, there will be no other business conducted for the meeting.
Property Interest per 24-6-402(4)(a), C.R.S.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors move into Executive Session to discuss Property Interest per Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4)(a). Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m. Executive Session started at 6:47 p.m. and ended at 7:47 p.m. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:47 p.m.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary