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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-14 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of October 14, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commissi on was called to order at 5:30pm b y Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Service Center, 2800 S Platte River Drive. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commi ssion Member Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison (arrived at 5:32pm) Jim Woodward, Commission Member (arrived at 5 :34pm) Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison (arriv ed at 5 :45pm) Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Jerrell Bl ack , ex officio Absent: Randy Kloewer, Youth Member Emily Crennen, Youth Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Also Present: Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager (arrived at 5:36pm) Amanda Evans , Golf Course Student Intern (arrived at 5:36pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of September 9, 2010. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for Scheduled Public Comment. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There were no guests present for Unscheduled Public Comment. 2010 AND 2011 BUDGET UPDATE -BLACK Director Black reported that City Council had approved the budget for 2011 on first reading , and the second reading will be at the meeting next Monday night. Black stated that Council made no major changes to the budget regarding Parks and Recreation . Black informed Commission members that the Chamber of Commerce has an interest in continuing Funfest, and that EEF is considering funding half the cost of the concert series. Black went on to say the Rec Zone program will not be open after school, but will continue on Friday nights, and that the vacant Parks position has been eliminated. Black added that the KidStage program is still in the budget as well as the Art Bus, and that the $6,000 from Englewood Arts is still in place. Black said that extended hours for the • Malley Center are scheduled to begin after the first of the year. Discussion ensued VI. regarding the budget. Commission member Carolyn Armstrong questioned whether the Rec Center had closed for the furlough day and whether all employees were required to take the day. Black replied that all full-time and part-time benefited employees were taking furlough days. Black added that the Rec Center would not close this year due to the Activity Guide already being out and classes scheduled, etc ., but that next year the facility would close on the designated furlough days. Commission member Woodward told Commission that the Chamber of Commerce was interested in becoming involved in bringing in vendors for the concert series, and that financial support for the Art Shuttle is being sought through local businesses and entities that benefit from its ridership. Golf Operations Manager, Bob Spada, then introduced Amanda Evans , explaining that Amanda is a student at Metro State College doing an internship at the Golf Course through November 12. Director Black commended Evans for her work on the Golf Course's website and Message Board , telling Commission that Amanda had done a great job. DUNCAN PARK UPDATE-BLACK Black told the Commission that the City will own the last parcel of the land at Duncan Park by the end of the year, and that City Council had been in discussion with All Souls School regarding allowing the school to utilize the property for six additional months until their new site is finished. Black added that a draft agreement for a lease between Englewood Schools and All Souls Schools is being prepared. Jim Woodward said that rental revenues would be shared between the City and the school board. VII. PINNACLE A WARD -HULTBERG Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg informed Commission that after an on-site judging which City Manager Gary Sears and Mayor Woodward had both attended ; the Malley Senior Center was awarded the Pinnacle Award. Hultberg explained that the Center had been chosen out of three finalists , and that this was the most prestigious national senior center award. Hultberg added that as the winner, the Center will be highlighted in a national fitness magazine and will receive a piece of premier cross-training equipment installed free of charge. In addition , said Hultberg, Facility Manager Joe Sack will travel to Los Angeles, all expenses paid, to receive the award. Hultberg thanked Mayor Woodward for his support in seeking the award. Jerrell Black added that a formal recognition of the award is tentatively scheduled with City Council in the near future . • • • • • VIII. C O MMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE -SCHNITZER IX. x . XI. Donna Schnitzer related to the Commission that an Eagle Scout had completed the artist gate at the community garden. Schnitzer shared that the Harvest Soiree on September 18 had been a huge success. Schnitzer said the mayor as well as the Executive Director of Denver Urban Gardens had attended. Schnitzer said the garden plots are now being "put to bed" for the season, and added that the garden had had a very positive first year. Discussion followed regarding the success of the garden and its role in helping to provide food for food banks and for bringing the community together. CULTURAL ARTS C O MMISSION UPDATE -SCHNITZER Schnitzer then told Commission that the calendar art judging had been very enjoyable and that selections had been difficult with many great artworks being considered. Schnitzer added that there will be a reception for the artists in the atrium on October 27, and that City Council will recognize the artists at the November 15 meeting. Schnitzer said that the newly named Artfest is still in the planning process. Schnitzer then informed Commission that Nick Bantock, an artist, has a new show at MOA. Lastly, Schnitzer shared that in light of the artist 's calendar, the art bus , MOA, etc., Leigh Ann Hoffhines with the City Manager's office is working on the Governor's Excellence in Arts award for the City. DIRECTO R'S CHOICE Jerrell Black had no comments. C O MMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Carolyn Armstrong asked whether any other senior center in Colorado had ever won the Pinnacle Award. Gary Hultberg replied that he was not aware of any that had. Discussion followed regarding making sure the award is publicized to the appropriate agencies Mitch Waldman asked Bob Spada and Amanda Evans ifthe golf course would be holding a tent sale. Spada replied that there was not enough inventory for a tent sale but that Pro Shop Assistant Joe Pagnotta was planning a sale of Pro Shop items. Karen Miller asked about the free swimming lessons for children offered at the Rec Center. Gary Hultberg said that 95 children had enrolled in the first session, and that they expect to meet their goal of 200 children by the second session. Miller then invited Commission to the Fall Fling the next Saturday evening. Armstrong added that the event is a great cause as all money raised goes to scholarships or grants. Woodward told the Commission that a group from Australia will be touring City Center and the light rail , etc . Woodward added that the area has received much recognition. Woodward also said the National League of Cities National Conference will be held in November and December, at which there will be mobile tours and information regarding the history of the area. Woodward stated that he will be doing a presentation at the Conference. Woodward then relayed information regarding an article he had read about the adverse effects on parks in the City of Colorado Springs following tax decreases there. Black • asked Woodward to forward the article. Lastly, Woodward spoke about a grant the City had received regarding bicycles. Hultberg added that Community Development had received two grants and that Parks and Rec had received a Community Garden Grant. Woodward added that the City of Littleton had also received a bicycle grant. Black said that the Department would contact and coordinate with Littleton. Gary Hultberg updated the Commission on events at the Rec Center. Hultberg said that on Friday, October 8, "Jump Rope for Health" was held in the gym. Hultberg said the event included demonstrations and 100 free jump ropes, with about 150 participants. Hultberg then addressed the issue of low attendance for the Rec Zone program. Hultberg said since the numbers of participants are still low , he has asked the program supervisor, Tara Micheli , to go out to the schools and talk to kids about the program and circulate flyers. Hultberg added that Rec Zone will be advertising a special -free admission during November and December -and participation during that time should help determine if the fee increase of $4 from $3 is having an effect on attendance. Dave Lee informed Commission that electrical repairs have been made downtown outside Englewood businesses , so merchants may begin setting up holiday lighting. Regarding parks , Lee said the process to close down restrooms for the season has begun . Lee reported an easement has been granted at Romans Park for a regulation station for natural gas , and that there was some related construction in the area Lee then announced that 18 electric golf carts should be delivered for the golf course by next Friday. Discussion followed regarding having carts available for Commission members to view at the next meeting, which will be held at the Golf Course . Lee informed Commission that a special event permit had been issued to Englewood Unleashed for their member appreciation event at Jason Park on Sunday, October 17; and that the group had been granted off-leash privileges during the event from 2pm to 6pm. Lee added that signs would be posted. Lastly, Lee reported that bike trail construction from the Northwest Greenbelt down to the Platte River had been started, facilitated by Urban Drainage. Both Lee and Jerrell Black emphasized the importance of this project as it was a huge undertaking and had been in the works for ten years. • Bob Spada told Commission that the Driving Range lights would be turned off by Saturday, and mats would be in use by November 1. Spada then turned discussion over to Amanda Evans who told Commission about a special event planned for the golf course on Sunday. Evans said a shotgun tournament was planned starting at 8:00am, and that 108 golfers had signed up. Evans said the $50 fee included golf, lunch, soda, cart fees and door prizes; and that simulator time would be available. Evans added that the event • had been timed to encourage players to stay and watch the Bronco game in the afternoon. Spada said that some of the proceeds will benefit the Junior Golf Program, • • • and that one of the golf pros from that program will be at the event. Spada said that a similar special event will be held in the spring XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6 :34pm. Isl L Trujillo Linda Trujillo , Recording Secretary