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Tom
Anderson, outgoing Manager of the CPN Metro District and President
of the Parks Authority, gave a detailed report on the Parks Authority's
present and future endeavors, and discussed questions with Master
Association members and meeting guests.
Coyote
Ridge Park is growing by the minute and will be ready to host the
August 25 picnic, although several park amenities will not be completed
until after the picnic. Park construction costs will come in under
budget due to donations and cash-in-lieu services provided by DR
Horton that far exceeds the cash payment that DR Horton was obligated
to make.
Now
that Coyote Ridge Park is getting off the ground, the Parks Authority
is starting to look into the second park that had been in the Authority's
plans, a "South Park" in the vicinity of the CPN Community Center.
Several things are coming together that could make it feasible to
pursue this park sooner than had been expected, including funds
remaining from the construction budget for Coyote Ridge Park (since
many items were donated), parks fees from new commercial development
in the area (such as the Safeway), and the Metro District's contract
to acquire 4.3 Acres to be dedicated as a condition of providing
water and sewer service to the King Soopers development.
Anderson
presented a concept-plan showing a possible layout of a new South
Park, including ball fields, a play area, and possibly a recreation
center. To avoid traffic impacts on surrounding neighborhoods, access
would be provided at the new intersection on Castle Pines Parkway
that will be built for the King Soopers, and a parking lot would
be located in the center of the park area.
Anderson
has begun research on the feasibility of building a recreation center
with the amenities that received the greatest support in last year's
community survey, including indoor pools (one oriented to adult
swim, another oriented to kids, with a slide), weight and exercise
rooms, and a running track. It may be possible to design the building
to incorporate a climbing wall and doors to provide "open air" to
the indoor swimming pool area. Anderson then provided a preliminary
estimate of the costs and financing options for this type of recreation
center. These numbers will need to be refined in the future. He
has researched the cost of similar recreation centers built in the
metro area. Construction costs could be financed by using a type
of bond known as a "Certificate of Participation (COP)." Essentially,
the "COP" would be a "mortgage," secured by the recreation center
property. While it would require a committed revenue stream from
homeowners to make the payments, this type of financing is NOT a
General Obligation Bond that would put homeowners in the area personally
at risk to pay the debt in the event of a default on the payments.
Anderson
noted that the CPN Metro District's financial condition has improved,
with tap fees and increased tax base due to the new homes and commercial
development in the area. The Metro District is not allowed to use
the increased income to finance a recreation center, however it
would be possible that the Metro District's Board could reduce the
taxes paid toward debt-service when they set the 2002 tax rates
in December 2001 (perhaps in the range of $400 to $500 per year
savings on a $300,000 home), then a portion of each homeowners'
tax savings could be used to offset higher Master Association dues
that would provide the revenue to pay off the COP. Anderson presented
preliminary calculations that the recreation-center could be financed
through raising Master HOA dues by $115 per year (to a total of
$215 per year), with an additional "rec center membership" fee for
those who wished to use the facility of perhaps $10-15 per month.
Metro
District operating funds would also be used for the recreation center,
so residents of Hidden Pointe, which is not in the Metro District
boundary (and do not pay Metro District operating fund taxes), would
follow their agreement with the Metro District, which requires that
they pay 125% of any usage fees that are paid by Metro District
taxpayers. Residents of areas that are outside of both the Master
Association and the Metro District could purchase an "outside membership"
for a higher fee, which would need to be determined. Discussion
that much more information must be gathered before a final decision
can be made whether to pursue construction of a recreation center,
including more detailed plans and cost estimates for building the
center, operating costs, and financing arrangements. Anderson stated
that before the Parks Authority invests effort into pursuing these
items, they need to know whether the Master Association supports
the concept of a community recreation center, and is committed to
raising Master Association dues to provide the revenue stream that
is needed to obtain the COP funding. If the Master Association can
provide the commitment in principle at the next meeting, and acts
to raise dues effective for the 2002 calendar year, the Parks Authority
can pursue the planning work that needs to be done, and a decision
about construction could be made by spring/ early summer 2002.
Discussion
that while the Master Association Bylaws allow the Board to assess
higher dues, up to an amount that is adjusted for inflation each
year (for 2002, it is expected to be approximately $215), and that
additional dues can be approved by a vote of the Delegates. Discussion
that any consideration of a dues increase could be made contingent
on a variety of factors, such as the Metro District's taxes being
lowered as discussed, and the additional dues could be refunded
if there is no decision to build the center.
Several
Master Association members stated that their conversations with
neighbors have shown strong support for the concept of building
a community recreation center; Nuzum noted that she had discussed
the plan at the HOA2 meeting on Tuesday night and all in attendance
supported it. Discussion that the Master Association's consideration
of this topic should not be "rushed," that it should involve public
notice and should be discussed at the Annual Meeting on November
8, 2001.
Master
Association representatives were charged with going to their neighborhood
associations to discuss the plan, and bring feedback to the next
monthly meeting, where we will determine next steps.
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Safeway
Mitchell reported that the County approval process for the Safeway
development is completed. Construction has begun, and the developer
is targeting an opening date in Fall or Winter.
King
Soopers Mitchell reported that the King Soopers developer hopes
to break ground in about 4 weeks with a target opening in April
2002. Plans were approved by the County Commissioners on August
8, 2001, subject to two conditions, both of them related to parks
improvements in CPN.
BP
Amoco - SP00-012 Mitchell reported that the BP Amoco made many
of the improvements we asked for. Some issues, such as lighting,
remain. The Board supported the comments and Mitchell is to compare
notes with Charter Oaks and submit joint comments to the County.
Sprint
Cell Phone Equipment Referral - SP01-074 - due 8-24-01 Mitchell
made a motion to approve the antennae inside the tower and some
ground equipment to be installed; Beimers seconded, motion passed
and carried.
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New
Business:
A. Director/Delegate vacancies Tom Olive and Matt Osborn
have informed Linda Derback that they wish to resign; she will obtain
official letters of resignation from them, and contact the Village
Homes HOA to name new delegates. At the next meeting, the Master
Association will vote to fill the Director position vacated by Osborn's
resignation. Delegates should state whether they wish to be considered
for the Director position.
B.
Master Association Annual Meeting Preparation. The Master Association's
Annual Meeting will be November 8, 2001, at 7:00 pm. Legal notice
must be given to each Delegate District, which must certify their
delegate and the number of votes they are responsible for; we will
ask that these letters be returned by the October 18 Master Association
meeting. The Fall newsletter will also include notice of the Annual
Meeting. In addition to the annual election of Directors, the subject
of the possible Recreation Center will be on the agenda.
C.
Airport Traffic Patterns CPN residents have reported that it
appears that air traffic is being re-routed over the community.
Maureen Shul will investigate whether this is a temporary change
(perhaps weather-related) or a longer-term adjustment to air traffic
routes that we would need to address.
D.
Crime reports Mitchell reported that there have been some incidents
of car thefts in CPN. Residents should be notified to secure their
cars and valuables; notice will be posted on the web site, email
News Alert, and the Fall Newsletter. We may also want to have a
Sheriff's representative attend the Annual meeting to discuss this
topic, and neighborhood watch programs, etc.
E.
Door to Door Solicitations Mitchell asked that the Master Association
post "No Solicitors" signs at the entrance to the CPN community.
Due to the late hour of the meeting, discussion on this item was
deferred to the next month.
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