To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Jeff Brauer, Director of Parks and Recreation
Title
Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement to Provide Recreation Programming at Rueter-Hess Reservoir
Body
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Executive Summary
The Rueter-Hess Reservoir is roughly ten miles northeast of Castle Rock and is owned by the Parker Water and Sanitation District. Its primary purpose is to provide drinking water and water storage to district customers; its secondary purpose is to provide recreation to surrounding communities.
In August 2015, Castle Rock Town Council voted to support an agreement to create the Rueter-Hess Recreation Authority (the Authority). Other partners in the Authority include Parker Water and Sanitation, Douglas County, Castle Pines, Lone Tree and the Town of Parker. Each partner in the agreement maintains a position on the Authority’s board, and Authority responsibilities include planning the development, financing, construction, administration and maintenance of recreation uses consistent with the reservoir’s 2016 Master Plan.
The Authority desires to accommodate recreational opportunities on the property but does not have sufficient staff or resources to administer programming. Of the Authority members, only the Town of Castle Rock and the Town of Parker offer recreation services. This proposed intergovernmental agreement (IGA) will allow for both towns to offer planned programming at the reservoir and will help to introduce the surrounding public to recreation at Rueter-Hess.
Parker and Castle Rock will provide services that are consistent with the reservoir’s Master Plan, and a description of programmed activities will be submitted to the Authority for review and approval. Parker and Castle Rock will be responsible for all aspects of staffing, contracting, programming, scheduling, supplying necessary equipment and related costs. The towns will also work together to coordinate programming to prevent over use and duplication.
Currently planned programs include but will not be limited to open water swim training, guided hikes, cyclocross races, paddleboard classes and paddleboard rentals. Programs will be advertised through Parker and Castle Rock. Fishing and non-motorized boating is not yet available at the reservoir.
Due to the limited facilities available on site, recreation access will be restricted to program only events. The reservoir will not be open to the general public during 2017. This IGA does not consider or include drop-by or self-directed use, program enrollment is and will be required to enter the property. All recreation planning is also subordinate to the primary purpose of maintaining quality drinking water. Given these stipulations, Parker and Castle Rock will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing access to the property during programming, and will be responsible for damages to the property beyond those reasonably associated with the permitted use.
In consideration of Parker and Castle Rock providing these services, Parker and Castle Rock shall be entitled to retain all revenues derived from services except for the amounts payable to the Authority. Examples of planned fees can be referenced in Exhibit A of the IGA and will be determined on a per program basis with the Authority. If fee based programs are performed, Parker and Castle Rock will pay compensation into the Authority on a monthly basis. Parker and Castle Rock shall not charge residents of the other Authority member entities a higher rate for enrolling in activities than their own participants.
This IGA will expire on December, 31, 2017.
Discussion
The Parks and Recreation Commission provided direction that this is a worthwhile amenity to add to the portfolio of services currently offered by Castle Rock; including, but not limited to, fishing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, special events and races. However, it is challenging to balance requests for repairs and improvements within existing parks while adding a new level of service.
With participation in the Authority, flat water recreation opportunities advance, and the community has easy access to paddleboard, triathlons, nature hikes and special events.
Budget Impact
Limited revenues and expenditures for 2017 programming at the reservoir can be covered through the existing Community Center Fund.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommendation is to enter into the IGA for recreation programming at Rueter-Hess Reservoir in 2017.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve a Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement to Provide Recreation Programming at Rueter-Hess Reservoir.”
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution