Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
June 24, 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, Absent; 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; 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 Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the June 24, 2025 agenda as submitted. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the May 27, 2025 board meeting as submitted. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, abstain; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
There were no community comments.
Decision Items
Item 1: Auditor Contract Approval
Dennis Weiner discussed that in November of 2022, the District entered into a three-year contract with our current audit firm, Forvis Mazars LLP. According to the memo provided, he explained that the final year of that contract was 2024. Forvis is interested in continuing to work with the District and they have proposed a three-year contract extension. The contract is based on their proposal and is submitted in the board packet for review and approval. Mr. Weiner answered questions from the Board.
In answer to Director Trimble, Mr. Weiner explained how we get fresh eyes on the audit through Forvis’ staff turnover, and Forvis is a national/international firm with the capability to also rotate at a higher level. He said they have an internal requirement that between seven and ten years they will rotate the managing director and partner on the engagement as well. Mr. Weiner discussed the contract and engagement letter.
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors authorize the Executive Director, on behalf of the Board, to enter into an agreement, subject to staff and legal review, with Forvis Mazars LLP to perform the audit from 2025 through 2027. Director Daughtrey seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 2: 2025 District Asphalt Overlay Projects
Colin Insley discussed that a budget has been set aside this year for parking lot and street asphalt repair using three-inch overlay and outlined the project locations listed on the memo provided. He detailed a spreadsheet showing cost for each location and pointed out the locations on the maps provided. Mr. Insley added that the three-inch overlay cost includes striping. He expressed appreciation to Terry Green, who was in attendance, for providing this information as received from the contractors. Mr. Green answered questions from the Board.
Mr. Hopp pointed out that the capital spreadsheet that was previously presented to the Board represented that staff intended to do concrete overlays, but concrete overlays are about three times the price of asphalt. We can get more parking lots done with a three-inch asphalt overlay and opted to go with that instead. Mr. Green discussed the time frame. Mr. Hopp talked about the locations that staff hope to get done next year.
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the staff recommendation for parking lot and access road improvements, totaling $1,949,836.51, funded by the District capital funds budgeted for 2025, and further, authorize the Executive Director to execute all required documents subject to staff and legal counsel approval. Director Daughtrey seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Daughtrey, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 3: Xcel Easement Request
Referring to a map and information in the packet, Mr. Insley explained that staff received an easement request from Xcel Energy to replace the transformer at Schaefer Athletic Complex near the BMX track. Mile High BMX secured a grant to put in a new gate system that requires more power, Mr. Insley discussed. To place the new transformer, Xcel needs an easement from the District and along with that, there is a document being worked on for permission for encroachment from Lakehurst Water & Sanitation District who has an existing easement on that site. He reiterated that the easement document is completed, and the encroachment agreement is not. Mr. Insley said the easement request is being presented to the Board for approval based on Paul Rufien’s review of the documents. He explained the timeframe is to get the starting gate to work before the national event that is going to be held in July. Mr. Insley clarified that Mile High BMX is paying for it. Mr. Insley answered questions from the Board.
Motion: Director Daughtrey moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the easement agreement with Xcel Energy (Public Service Company) and conditionally approve the Encroachment Agreement with Xcel Energy and Lakehurst Water and Sanitation District subject to District legal counsel review and approval, and further, authorize the Executive Director to execute all required documents. Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, 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 about the concerts on Thursday nights at the Grant Family Amphitheater in Clement Park. He added that July 3rd is Red, White & You.
Mr. Hopp pointed out that the eastern section of the Dutch Creek Trail is open. Concrete for the western side is currently being poured, coming towards the Ridge.
Foothills Golf Course has been asked to be a host site for an upcoming junior clinic, Mr. Hopp explained, and Randy Meyers elaborated about the event that is led by Bank of America. Mr. Meyers talked about a Team Titleist Women’s event that will take place at Foothills Golf Course.
Mr. Hopp said he will be smoking meat for the staff barbeque that will be on August 6 from 4 – 8 p.m., inviting the Board to attend.
Mr. Hopp pointed out that the District must let Jefferson County know by July 25th if the District will, will not, or might participate in the November coordinated election.
Regarding the Dutch Creek Trail, Mr. Hopp reiterated the east section between Simms and Kipling opened to the public on June 13th. Once the other section is completed there will be a grand opening event.
Mr. Hopp discussed that we are having a Bike to Work event tomorrow at Clement Park.
Discussion Items
Item 1: Finance Update
Dennis Weiner reported the District’s financial update through the end of May this year according to the report provided. Mr. Weiner 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 May 31st, Mr. Weiner concluded that net revenue was better than the budget.
Item 2: 2026 Budget Discussion
Mr. Hopp explained that staff typically bring budget guidelines to the Board at the July board meeting. These are the recommendations that would be provided to staff to give them the guidelines to build their respective budgets. This is being brought to the Board this month, ahead of time, to make sure staff are on track and doing things the Board would like to do regarding the guidelines, Mr. Hopp discussed; things like salaries and benefits, revenue projections, expenditure increases, and all of those sorts of things.
In addition to that, Director Trimble pointed out the Mission Statement of the District that was provided to the Board. He said as part of the budget process, he would like the Board to, based on the Mission Statement, see if there are things we are doing that don’t correlate with this Mission Statement, are there things that we are not doing that we need to add or increase in terms of thinking about our Mission Statement. He clarified, let’s look at our Mission Statement and look at what the District is doing and come up with ideas on what we might be able to do a little bit better, a little bit more, or things to eliminate. Director Trimble asked the Board to bring those ideas back to the July meeting. He asked the Board if there were things they would like to mention tonight or have discussion about in terms of staffing, wages, benefits, projects, etc.
In answer to Director Daughtrey, Dennis Weiner said in terms of employee retention with full-time staff, the District does very well with retention. There are some positions that tend to turn over a little bit more, he explained. He said we have been doing better over the last 12 months with part-time staff in terms of recruitment and retention. Mr. Hopp talked about how few positions the District currently has posted.
Regarding the budget, Mr. Hopp discussed that last year we did make some adjustments in some of our benefits. He noted that health insurance might be something we could take a look at for 2026, several of the other major entities like ours may be a little more generous with their percentages, and Mr. Weiner elaborated. Mr. Hopp suggested in terms of things observed around the District, how are staff maintaining parks and facilities and those sorts of things.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary