Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
August 19, 2025
A virtual attendance option was made available through Microsoft Teams.
Call to Order
Director Trimble called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 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 Writz, Present; Director Trimble, Present.
Also in Attendance: Ronald Hopp, Executive Director; Colin Insley, Director of Parks, Planning and Construction; Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary; Emily Jean Buenger Pollock, Dona Troyer, Jaime Disbrow, Andrew Downham, Diane Suchomel.
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 Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the August 19, 2025 agenda as submitted. Director Lodice seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, 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 July 22, 2025 board meeting as submitted. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
There were no community comments.
Part-time Employee Scholarship Award Recipients
Ronald Hopp reminded the Board that this scholarship was an initiative brought up by the Board of Directors many years ago for part-time employees to get a scholarship for higher education. Mr. Hopp said 14 people applied and we were able to award seven scholarships this time. Caitlin Hawkins, Kaitlyn Wilks, Kate Isaacs, Maddy Culp (not in attendance), Kyla Adams (virtual), Ryan Weisberg, and Leah Storey were awarded scholarships and recognized by the Board. Mr. Hopp explained that the last two scholarships awarded were made possible by an anonymous donor who wanted to sponsor people pursuing a degree in education. Mr. Hopp expressed appreciation for that donation so that we could award two more scholarships.
Decision Items
Item 1: Jeffco Open Space Trails Partnership Grant
Referring to information in the packet, Colin Insley said for the Jefferson County Open Space 2026 Trails Partnership Grant, staff chose a trail link between Kipling and Eagle Meadows Park and Sanctuary Park. He pointed out that it also links Sledding Hill Park and the Kipling Trail that the District maintains, and it is a regional trail. He explained the local grants qualify for 25 percent that the County would pay for the project. If it could be considered regional, the County would pay 50 percent. Mr. Insley explained that this trail link is part of the Jefferson County trails master plan.
Mr. Insley pointed out Architerra’s Trail Feasibility Study showing estimate of probable construction cost. He discussed items that were put into the cost estimate and said that the worst-case scenario was considered to come up with the cost estimate. He went over the District’s cost if granted 25 percent or 50 percent from the County. Mr. Insley talked about the resolution needed to seek Board approval to apply for the grant. The grant is going to be awarded in January of 2026.
There was discussion and questions were answered. Mr. Insley said staff have talked to neighbors and want to seek letters of support from HOAs. Concern was expressed that the cost is high for a quarter mile of trail, would the trail be constructed with or without the grant. Mr. Insley said staff haven’t talked about moving ahead at this point, unless we get these funds. Ronald Hopp recognized whenever the District can get additional funds from other entities, we want to try to do that. If we don’t get the grant, staff would evaluate whether it is a viable project or not. Mr. Insley added that staff have had requests from the community to make that trail connection and it links to the regional trail system.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve Resolution No. 25-002 to apply for the Jefferson County Open Space Trails Partnership Program 2026 Grant. Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Writz, abstain; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 2: Candidate Interviews for Ward 2 Vacancy
Director Trimble thanked the Ward 2 candidates for coming and volunteering to serve in this position on the Board. A list of questions had been prepared, and each candidate would be asked the same questions. Director Trimble discussed that this is an open meeting, and he cannot compel the candidates to leave the room and asked if they would be willing to leave and come in one at a time and be interviewed. He made clear that he could not compel them to do so, the candidates were willing to come in one at a time.
Mr. Hopp said that six Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms were received. Four applicants were present: Dona Troyer, Jaime Disbrow, Emily Jean Buenger Pollock, Andrew Downham. Mr. Hopp explained Jeff Brainard was out of town and not able to come tonight but he sent a video. There was Peggy Louise Farrar who did not respond, if she happens to come, she can be included.
Director Writz pulled the names from a bowl to determine the order of interviews: Emily Jean Buenger Pollock, Peggy Louise Farrar (not in attendance), Dona Troyer, Jaime Disbrow, Andrew Downham. Each candidate was interviewed one at a time in that order. The video for Jeff Brainard was played last. Mr. Brainard was on a plane at the time of the meeting.
On behalf of the Board, Mr. Hopp informed the candidates waiting outside the room that the Board would have discussion and they can be in the room for discussion or wait outside the room. The candidates waited outside the room. In the absence of Paul Rufien, Mr. Hopp advised the Board that through their conversations, they can process the candidates, talk about pros and cons, but cannot make a decision or say who to vote for in that setting.
Going in order of the interviews, the Board gave their impressions of each candidate. It was acknowledged that Jeff Brainard had the interview questions ahead of time. He received the questions the previous night.
Director Trimble discussed the process of making a motion and voting. Motions will be made until there are three votes out of four for the candidate nominated in the motion. Mr. Hopp reminded that the Board shouldn’t deliberate about what the ultimate outcome is going to be in this setting. Discussion ensued. Mr. Hopp recognized that if Jeff Brainard happens to be the one appointed, who is not in attendance, the appointment process can be done at a later date. The candidates came back into the room.
Item 3: Ward 2 Vacancy Appointment and Oath of Office
Director Trimble expressed that the Board felt like they had multiple highly qualified candidates and would be happy with any one candidate. He said the Board will entertain a motion and take a vote and if that candidate gets three of the four votes, that candidate will be selected.
Mr. Hopp explained that the candidate that gets appointed will serve until this unexpired term, which is May of 2027. He encouraged the candidates who are not successful tonight to look at the election in May of 2027 which will then be for a four-year term. Director Trimble added that with the election, candidates would be elected by their peers in their Ward and encouraged them to pursue that.
Director Lodice added that she was impressed with everyone and what they put into this interview and how invested they are in Foothills Park & Recreation District. She expressed appreciation for the candidates coming and hope that they continue to come to meetings. Director Trimble thanked the candidates for the support they have shown for the District.
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors appoint Jeff Brainard to fill the vacancy for Ward 2. Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Director Trimble emphasized that the Board was impressed with all of the candidates. Each one had specific strengths that would be nice to have on the Board. He acknowledged that some of the Board members were familiar with some of the candidates and it was challenging to be a neutral party when talking about someone they know closely and know what kind of great person they are.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary