Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
September 23, 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, 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 Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the September 23, 2025 agenda as submitted. 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.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the August 19, 2025 board meeting as submitted. 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.
Community Comments
Andre Leonard and Di Collingwood with Jovial Concepts addressed the Board. Ms. Collingwood discussed the Jovial Concepts orchard and talked about food banks. Their main objective is to help the underserved community find healthy, good ways to eat. Mr. Leonard talked about the gardens, orchards, and programs that Jovial Concepts has. He said that on October 11th, they are having their Fourth Annual Fall Fest and invited the Board.
Decision Items
Item 1: Bank Account Signature Authorizations
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.
Dennis Weiner discussed that with the recent changes to the composition of the Board with the departure of Director Daughtrey and appointing of Director Brainard, our resolution for designation of individuals for signature authority as it relates to financial activities for the District needs to be updated, along with the applicable signature cards. The designated signature authorities for the District’s financial accounts are those of Board Chair, Board Treasurer, Executive Director, and Director of Finance and Administrative Services.
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve Resolution No. 25-003 to designate the current Board Chair, Board Treasurer, Executive Director, and Director of Finance and Administrative Services as the official signors as it relates to the financial activities for the District. 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.
Item 2: Memorial Bench Application
Referring to the memo provided, Mr. Insley told the Board that Pete Garcia, Urban Parks Foreman, passed away on Tuesday, July 15th. Parks staff would like to place a memorial plaque on an existing park bench located in Lakehurst Park. Mr. Insley pointed out the location and plaque information in the packet. Pete started with the District in 2017 and worked up to the northwest Field Foreman’s position for the Urban Parks department, Mr. Insley said; Pete was a superb colleague.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve of a memorial bench plaque in remembrance of Pete Garcia as requested by the Foothills Park & Recreation District’s Park staff and placed on a park bench at Lakehurst Park. 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 said for the Sgt. Timothy M. Mossbrucker Park playground build we had a tremendous turnout from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and members of the Foothills Foundation.
Mr. Hopp reported that we were awarded the FEMA funding that was applied for through Jefferson County two or three years ago to replace a portion of the dam and the outlet works at Polly Deane/Hine Lake. He noted that it is part of Bergen Ditch and Reservoir Company. Foothills is engaged in that company and our park surrounds that lake.
Mr. Hopp reported we have been awarded the Clubhouse of the Year by Golf Inc magazine. He said we won first place in the Remodeled Public category and pointed out the article attached.
Mr. Hopp discussed that a couple of Fridays ago, a film crew was at the Foothills Clubhouse and it is going to be featured in a television show called America by Design that is on CBS. Randy Meyers, JNS architect Nicole Nathan, and Nancy Werkmeister were interviewed.
Mr. Hopp thanked Board members who attended the grand opening event of the Dutch Creek Trail. He extended appreciation to Commissioner Dahlkemper and Commissioner Kerr from Jefferson County and Matt Robins from Jefferson County Open Space for their attendance. He recognized the trail would not have been possible without the support from Jefferson County Open Space funds.
In addition to the report, Mr. Hopp wished Director Hanson a happy birthday this coming Sunday.
Discussion Items
Item 1: Fehringer Ranch/Jeffco Fairgrounds Evaluation
Mr. Hopp introduced Tom Hoby, Open Space Director for Jefferson County, who came to talk with the Board about Fehringer Ranch, the history of Jefferson County Open Space’s relationship with the District, and thoughts that they have about Fehringer Ranch. Mr. Hoby introduced Hillary Merritt, Division Director for Shared Services, and Matt Robbins, Community Connections Division Director.
Mr. Hoby discussed the Jeffco Fairgrounds/Fehringer Ranch Evaluation they are about to embark on at the beginning of next year. He emphasized it is an evaluation, and they will get lots of community and stakeholder input. It is about where the county ought to look at investing its resources in the future, at the Fairgrounds or at Fehringer Ranch.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Hoby provided an overview of Jeffco Fairgrounds, Fehringer Ranch Opportunities, Collaboration & Funding Opportunities, Community & Stakeholder Engagement. He discussed the long history of working together with the Foothills District and Jefferson County Open Space. Notable projects were the dedication of Clement Park to Foothills, and Fehringer Ranch being acquired by Jefferson County Open Space and leased to Foothills. Other notable projects include the Dutch Creek Trail.
Mr. Hoby showed a map pointing out public lands in the Fehringer Ranch area depicting opportunity for collaboration, shared facilities, multi-use facilities, shared parking, etc. He reiterated that Fehringer Ranch was purchased with county funds at the request of Foothills back in the early 2000s when Foothills felt like it wanted to build a large sports arena and park. Mr. Hoby showed the Fehringer Ranch Master Plan that Foothills created in 2004 and suggested that today, this plan is not in play.
Mr. Hoby talked about the Jeffco Fairgrounds, described the development that surrounds it, and discussed usage of the Fairgrounds. In answer to Director Lodice, Mr. Hoby emphasized that selling the Fairgrounds was never a plan. He outlined opportunities and challenges for the Fairgrounds.
Referring to the Fehringer Ranch Adjacent Public Lands map, Mr. Hoby discussed things they want to explore with Foothills and opportunities for collaboration. He outlined opportunities and challenges for Fehringer Ranch.
A chart for Conservation Trust Fund Policy Allocations was outlined. Mr. Hoby described the community engagement process. Should the county invest in Jeffco Fairgrounds, invest in Fehringer Ranch, or both. He went over the evaluation process and timeline including phases and activities associated with them: discovery, engagement, analysis & formulation, preferred alternative review.
Mr. Hoby said they anticipate to kick off this Jeffco Fairgrounds/Fehringer Ranch Evaluation in January. He answered questions from the Board and said he will give updates to the District through the process.
Item 2: Cyber Risk Assessment
Preston Malcolm updated the Board on Information Technology (IT) security. Looking at IT security and cyber security, he said that every year we are introduced to new risks that have to be mitigated, and the IT department looks at new challenges to be addressed.
Mr. Malcolm explained that the Net Diligence cyber risk assessment was an opportunity provided to the District by the Colorado Special District Property and Liability Pool a few years ago. They provided staff with a report giving the District a cyber security rating and a list of recommendations on how to improve the rating and cyber security in general.
Mr. Malcolm presented the audit findings on the District’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII) exposure, progress towards recommendations, and 12-month plan for the next year. He explained that most PII is handled by third-party vendors. Mr. Malcolm talked about risk of exposure scenarios, and mitigations that are in place to keep exposure from happening, including the implementation of a PII handling policy governing the use and storage of sensitive information by staff and contractors who maintain the data.
Mr. Malcom went through the security improvements that have been made, as well as the things staff want to accomplish in the next 12 months.
Item 3: 2026 Proposed Budget Estimates
Referring to information in the packet, Mr. Hopp said in accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 29-1-105 and 106, staff are required to submit the 2026 budget estimates to the governing Board by October 15, 2025. The Board is being provided with estimated revenues and expenditures for 2026. The budget is available for public inspection after the Board receives and reviews the information provided tonight, and a hearing for the final adoption of the budget in December has been published in the Jeffco Transcript.
Mr. Hopp said at the October 28th meeting, the Board will be provided with an overview of the whole budget and Administrative Services and Golf staff will provide more detailed information for their departments. At the November 11th meeting, the Recreation and Parks departments will provide more detailed information about their specific budgets. At the December 9th meeting, the Board will be asked to consider a final budget along with resolutions for adoption of the budget, appropriation of funds, and certification of mill levies. Mr. Hopp asked that if the Board has any specific thoughts or changes, staff would like to know them tonight, October or November since the budget that will be presented in December for consideration will be a finished product.
Projecting information on-screen, Mr. Hopp discussed significant estimates included that have not been finalized. He made the Board aware of the larger assumptions including 401k contribution, full-time merit increases, part-time wages, property tax revenues, capital expenditures.
For the record, Mr. Hopp reported the preliminary estimated revenues are $42,370,163 and estimated expenditures are $42,370,163 for a balanced budget for 2026 and acknowledged that the Board has received the summary document containing the budget estimates for 2026.
Item 4: Finance Update
Dennis Weiner reported the District’s financial update for the end of August this year and spoke about some of the highlights in the report provided. He went over total District year-to-date operating revenues, total year-to-date operating expenditures, net operating loss, non-operating revenue and expenditures.
Looking at the bottom line through August 31st, Mr. Weiner reported that net revenue was better than the plan.
Executive Session
Director Trimble announced that when the Board is out of Executive Session, the meeting will be closed and no business will be conducted after that, the meeting will be adjourned.
Contract Negotiations per 24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S.
Motion: Director Hanson moved that the Foothills Board of Directors move into Executive Session for Contract Negotiations per Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4)(e). 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.
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Executive Session started at 7:19 p.m. and ended at 8:21 p.m. The regular meeting reconvened at 8:22 p.m.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary