Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Special Board of Directors meeting
March 24, 2026
A virtual attendance option was made available through Microsoft Teams.
Call to Order
Director Lodice called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Director Lodice led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Roll Call
Director Hanson, Absent; Director Lodice, Present; Director Brainard, Present; Director Writz, Present; Director Trimble, Absent.
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 Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the March 24, 2026 agenda as submitted. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes. The motion was approved.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the February 18, 2026 board meeting as submitted. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
There were no comments from the community.
Part-time Scholarship Award Recipients
Ronald Hopp explained that the Part-time Foothills Scholarship was made possible by the Foothills Board of Directors many years ago. The opportunity has been created to help some part-time employees throughout the District pursue their goals towards higher education. Mr. Hopp pointed out that an anonymous donor came forward and generously offered to sponsor three additional scholarships. We are awarding a total of six scholarships out of seventeen that applied. In attendance and receiving their scholarships were Lauren Yarnell, Will Guider, Sage Maestas, Amelia Schooler, and Nina Poel; Dan Riegel attended virtually.
Decision Items
Item 1: Master Plan Contract
Referring to the memo provided, Mr. Hopp discussed that there have been several board meetings where there have been conversations about the Master Plan. There was a Special Board Meeting on February 18th where Jason Genck, Senior Manager with BerryDunn for Parks, Recreation and Libraries, and associates presented an overview of a proposed scope of work for a master planning effort. Staff have been working with BerryDunn to develop a Scope of Services and Contract towards the development of a Master Plan. Mr. Hopp summarized the comprehensive proposal that was included in the meeting packet. The total amount is just under $150,000 which is what was budgeted for that. Mr. Hopp said staff and Paul Rufien have reviewed the Scope of Services.
Becky Richmond offered that she and members of the Recreation Team are excited about the process of doing this Master Plan and the information we are going to get on the other side.
Colin Insley said that Parks staff will be able to utilize the information we get to apply for grants, whether it’s GOCO or Jefferson County Open Space.
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the Scope of Services and Proposal with BerryDunn to conduct Master Planning Services in the amount of $149,200 as discussed and further authorize the Executive Director to execute the contract documents. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 2: Xcel Energy Easement
Referring to the memo and information provided, Mr. Insley discussed that Xcel Energy is putting a new line across one of the District’s greenbelt areas for a new housing development. He pointed out the location on a vicinity map. Mr. Insley discussed conditions of the easement agreement.
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the easement request from Xcel Energy for the purpose of installing a service line across District property to the Dutch Ridge Subdivision Filing 2 and authorize the Executive Director to execute the documents. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 3: Memorial Bench Applications
Referring to information provided, Mr. Insley presented a memorial bench application to be placed at Dancing Willows Park. Mr. McCollough had applied for a memorial bench to honor his spouse and golden retriever who passed away, Mr. Insley discussed.
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the application request submitted by David McCollough for the purpose of placing a memorial bench with plaque at Dancing Willows Park. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes. The motion was approved.
Mr. Insley presented a memorial bench application from John Pascente to honor his spouse who passed away, referring to information in the packet. The bench would replace a bench that was removed at Sunrise Creek Park.
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the application request submitted by John Pascente for the purpose of placing a memorial bench with plaque at Sunrise Creek Park. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes. The motion was approved.
Executive Director’s Report
Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp talked about the successful job fair the District had this year.
Mr. Hopp called attention to Lauren Howe, assistant golf pro, being awarded with the 52nd Annual Sportswomen of Colorado Award.
The BMX group wants to renew their five-year agreement again, Mr. Hopp discussed. He asked the Board to let him know of any concerns.
Mr. Hopp discussed water being an issue this year. Staff have a meeting with Denver Water tomorrow that they requested and assume they are going to impose some restrictions for the District. That is related specifically to mostly the Urban Parks, he discussed. He talked about the other water sources that feed Shaefer Athletic Complex and Foothills Golf Course; and the Bergen system that serves Easton Regional Park and Meadows Golf Course. Clement Park’s water source is Johnson Reservoir, Mr. Hopp explained. He said staff are going to meet next week and talk about what we can do to be proactive, make plans, and make sure we are able to handle the situation.
Discussion Items
Finance Update
Dennis Weiner presented the District’s financial update for the first two months of 2026. Highlighting the report provided, he went over total operating revenues, total operating expenditures, net operating loss, nonoperating revenues and expenditures.
Looking at the bottom line through the end of February, Mr. Weiner concluded net revenue was better than the budget.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary