Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
November 11, 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 Brainard, Arrived at 6:02 p.m.; Director Writz, Present; Director Trimble, Present.
Also in Attendance: 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 Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the November 11, 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 Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the October 28, 2025 board meeting 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.
Community Comments
There were no Community Comments.
Decision Items
Pump Station Project
Referring to the memo and information in the packet, Colin Insley discussed that one of the capital projects for 2025 is the pump station at Schaefer Athletic Complex. He talked about the bid process and described the proposal that was chosen, Barnard Structures, Inc. There was discussion about not doing the add alternate for a fertigation system.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve to award the contract to Barnard Structures, Inc. for replacement of the pump station at Daniel L. Schaefer Athletic Complex in the amount of $325,043.40 as discussed and authorize the Executive Director to execute the contract documents. Director Writz 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, Ronald Hopp recalled that the Board had approved Resolution No. 25-002 applying for the Jefferson County Open Space Trails Partnership Grant. The application was submitted to JCOP and they said if the District made some minor changes, they would consider it as a regional trail, Mr. Hopp explained. The Open Space Advisory Board has approved that, and the Board of County Commissioners will consider it at a future meeting.
Mr. Hopp pointed out the America ByDesign video link about the Foothills Clubhouse.
Mr. Hopp reminded that the December board meeting is the second Tuesday of the month.
On December 10th, we are having our holiday party with staff where we celebrate the year and also give out service awards to employees. It will be at the Foothills Clubhouse, Mr. Hopp invited the Board.
Mr. Hopp reported that he, the Hyland Hills Executive Director and Apex Executive Director hosted a lunch for the new Executive Director for South Suburban, Andy Bass, at Foothills Clubhouse. He explained that prior to COVID, the special districts used to have rotated golf outings – Apex, Hyland Hills, Foothills, South Suburban, Estes Park, Pole Creek – for board members and senior staff members. He and these three executive directors have decided to reinstate the golf outings starting in 2026, Mr. Hopp discussed. He said there could be six or seven golf outing opportunities which make for a nice networking event.
Mr. Hopp said the play, A Tuna Christmas, was very well done and very funny, there may still be tickets available for Friday and Saturday. Director Trimble agreed the play was quite fun.
Mr. Hopp reported that he met with Mesa View Estates representatives and Tom Hoby. Mr. Hoby gave the same presentation as he did for our Board a couple of months ago regarding the evaluation of Jefferson County Fairgrounds and Fehringer Ranch.
Mr. Hopp extended happy Veterans Day to those who have served or are serving, and happy birthday, early, to Director Writz at the end of the month.
Discussion Items
2026 Proposed Budget
Mr. Insley introduced and thanked Parks staff who were in attendance and recognized those who weren’t able to attend. Referring to the 2026 Budget Book, Mr. Insley presented the overall budget for Parks, Planning and Construction. He went over budget highlights for Parks Administration, Fleet Services, Urban Parks Maintenance, Regional Parks Maintenance, Kipling Villas Sub-District, Park Rangers, and Clement Park.
Becky Richmond introduced and thanked Recreation staff who were in attendance and recognized those who weren’t able to attend. Referring to the 2026 Budget Book, Ms. Richmond outlined revenue and expenses for the Recreation Department. She went through highlights for Arts, Events & Active Adults, Children’s Programs, Edge Ice Arena, Athletics, Indoor Sports, Facility Operations, Facility Maintenance, and Aquatics.
In answer to Director Lodice, Alec Hines discussed the concessions budget for Edge Ice Arena.
Director Hanson asked about the possibility of increasing somewhat of the employee discount on childcare for full-time staff. Ms. Richmond said that it is not in this budget but is a potential conversation around employee benefits that would be a separate conversation from this. Mr. Hopp recognized if the Board would like to do that, we can direct staff to do that.
Mr. Hopp recalled that last month the Board saw an overview of the overall budget as well as Administration and Golf, today we saw Recreation and Parks. He went over things that would change between now and the December 9th board meeting, including the final assessed valuations from Jefferson County, and anything that the Board would like to see changed. He reiterated staff would like to bring the budget to the December board meeting in its final condition. Mr. Hopp said at the December meeting he will again give an overview of the budget and go over what will have changed between the preliminary budget and the final budget.
Director Writz questioned an increased employee discount for childcare. Mr. Hopp reiterated that it is not currently included but if that is something the majority of the Board would like to see, it can be implemented before the final budget, probably not a huge revenue impact. There was discussion about possible number of employees who would take advantage of that, would it help to recruit and retain employees. Discussion ensued. Dennis Weiner offered there is almost no reason to adjust the budget for such a small change in revenue. Mr. Hopp said staff can bring a recommendation that probably isn’t going to affect the budget one way or another. Mr. Hopp observed that the childcare discount is consistent with all the other programs that have a discount, so staff might end up looking at more than just childcare.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary