Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
July 22, 2025
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 Daughtrey, Present; Director Writz, Present; Director Trimble, Present.
Also in Attendance: Paul Rufien, District Counsel; Ronald Hopp, Executive Director; Dennis Weiner, Director of Finance and Administrative Services; 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 Daughtrey moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the July 22, 2025 agenda as submitted. Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, 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 June 24, 2025 board meeting as submitted. Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, 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
Memorial Bench Application
Colin Insley discussed that staff received an application from Sean McGraw for a memorial bench at Columbine Hills Park, dedicated to his parents. Mr. Insley pointed out a location map and information included in the packet.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the memorial park bench with plaque requested by Mr. Sean McGraw to be placed at Columbine Hills Park. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Executive Director’s Report
Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp reminded the Board that there are a few more concerts in Clement Park through about the middle of August. Also, the Foothills Theatre Company is presenting Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at Clement Park. Mr. Hopp reported that Red, White & You at Clement Park was a great success.
Mr. Hopp reminded the Board that August 6th is the summer staff barbeque.
Adding to the report, Mr. Hopp discussed that the BMX Nationals were hosted this past weekend at Schaefer Athletic Complex. The numbers were fewer than they had expected. There will be a debrief meeting with BMX to see how the event went and if they decide to do it again.
Mr. Hopp gave an update on the Dutch Creek Regional Trail completion on the western section. Staff are looking at the end of August or first part of September for a grand opening event.
Mr. Hopp gave an update on Harriman Lake water; conversations are being started with the District’s new water engineer.
Discussion Items
Item 1: Finance Update
Dennis Weiner reported the District’s financial update for the first half of the year and read through some of the highlights in the report provided. He went over total District year-to-date operating revenue, total year-to-date operating expenditures, net operating loss, non-operating revenue and expenditures.
Looking at the bottom line through June 30th, Mr. Weiner concluded that net revenue was better than the plan.
Item 2: 2026 Budget Guidelines
Mr. Hopp said that the budget process begins in August and culminates with the December 9th meeting. Referring to the memo provided, he talked about the fifteen-year financial forecast model and how that is used to assist with the budgeting process, and other items that are looked at as part of the budgeting process. He talked about funding for capital in 2026.
Mr. Hopp highlighted 2026 budget guidelines and pointed out the detailed guidelines that will be sent to staff members, and the proposed budget schedule. He noted that at the September board meeting, staff will give the Board a proposed budget which will be total revenues and total expenditures. At the October board meeting, budget presentations will be made by Administrative Services and Golf staff. At the November board meeting, Recreation and Parks staff will give their budget presentations. The December board meeting will have the public hearing, adoption of budget, appropriation of funds, and certification of mill levy. The statutory deadline for certification and sending to Jefferson County is December 15th. Mr. Hopp reminded that we will start a conversation tonight about anything specific the Board would like to see from an operational perspective. He made clear that staff would like to hear those things tonight, August, September, October and November so that the budget that is presented at the December meeting will be final, and we are not making any changes at the December meeting.
Director Trimble recalled that the Mission Statement had been provided to the Board at the last meeting. He had asked the Board to evaluate the Mission Statement with what the District is currently doing and see if there are things to add, if there are things we should stop doing, and see if this is still who we are.
Director Hanson suggested some things to consider that would benefit staff. He said a lot of the things he thought of, the District is already doing, and elaborated. There was discussion about community projects being equal in each Ward. Recognizing distribution of facilities in the Wards, we make sure we are doing improvements throughout all of the Wards as equally as we can, Mr. Hopp explained.
Director Writz talked about needs in Children’s Programs. Melissa Morrissey, Children’s Programs staff, talked about the materials budget in Children’s Programs and room availability. Director Writz discussed that the on-line registration system fills up fast. She discussed communication with the public and being more involved as a board member, or up to speed on things.
Director Lodice said she had some revisions and ideas around the Mission Statement. In answer to Director Lodice, Director Trimble provided background for this discussion. Mr. Hopp clarified that if the Board has things they want to provide to help staff guide the budget process, now and through the budget process is the opportunity to voice those ideas, and are they consistent with the Mission Statement. Director Lodice expressed wanting to have more involvement in the community and find out how we can assist folks who struggle to pay for the things that we offer. She talked about the District being more inclusive and inviting all people to use the facilities in all areas of our community. There was discussion about letting people know what the District has to offer for all demographics.
Director Trimble suggested having a board retreat and brainstorm ideas. Discussion ensued. There was discussion about staff surveys. Director Trimble advised the Board to stay with the big picture, and trust staff with the ground level items.
Mr. Hopp discussed that if a Board member feels like something should be different in a program or that sort of thing, contact him to look into the situation.
Director Trimble reiterated the goal of this discussion is not to create more work for staff, it is to support staff to do an even better job than they are already doing. Staff are doing a fantastic job, and he would like the Board to be able to contribute to that, not detract from that.
Mr. Hopp recognized, even beyond the Mission, the Board helps guide the Vision for what the District is doing.
Director Trimble concluded we’ll come up with dates and an agenda for a board and staff meeting.
Diane Suchamel, District resident, discussed that the District is not taking advantage of the water, in particular fishing, connecting to that is a possibility. She talked about providing suggestion boxes.
Director Daughtrey announced that effective on Thursday, July 24th, she is moving out of the District. They are selling their home and since she will no longer be owning property within the District, she is resigning her board position.
Director Daughtrey was thanked for her time and service on the Board.
Mr. Hopp explained that Director Daughtrey’s term would expire in May of 2027. The Board can go through an appointment process to fill the unexpired term. It has to be done in 60 days. The person appointed needs to reside or own property in Ward 2. Mr. Hopp talked about promoting the vacancy. He said it is the Board’s prerogative on how they want to select a person to fill the vacancy. Paul Rufien confirmed that past board members would be eligible. Mr. Hopp acknowledged that in 2027, there would be elections for Wards 1, 2, and 5. The person that would be appointed for Ward 2 could run in May of 2027 for an elected four-year term. Mr. Hopp made clear it is ultimately the Board’s decision.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary