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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-08 PRC MINUTES• • • I. II. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of April 8, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:31 pm by Chairperson Gomes at Broken Tee Golf Course, 2101 W. Belleview Avenue . Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong , Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison Jim Woodward, Commission Member Douglas GatTett , Commission Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison (arrived at 5:45pm) Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Randy Kloewer, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5 :3 5pm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent : Christina Kruk , Youth Commission Member Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Wayne Niles, Golf Course Supervisor Brad Anderson, Facility Supervisor, Pirates Cove Aquatic Center Joe Pagnotta, Pro Shop Assistant , Broken Tee Golf Course APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of March 11, 2010. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visi tors present for Scheduled Public Comment. IV . UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There were no guests present for Unscheduled Public Comment. Bob Spada , Golf Operations Manager, introduced Joe Pagnotta , Pro Shop Assistant at Broken Tee Golf Course . Spada informed Commission Members that he had hired Pagnotta to help fill in since the departure of Scott Rhoades . Spada added that Pagnotta had been a welcome addition to the Golf Course, bringing valuable retail experience and excellent customer service skills. Commission members welcomed Mr. Pagnotta . Chairperson Gomes announced a change in the Agenda due to Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison, having to leave early. Gomes moved Item IX, the Community Garden Update, up to Item VII in place of the Golf Fleet Update . ELECTION OF OFFICERS Director Black opened the floor for nominations for Chair and Vice Chair. A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by Commission Member Woodward to keep the current officers, Chairperson Gomes and Vice Chairperson \-Valdman, in office for the next term. Ayes: Nayes: Gomes, \Valdman, Armstrong, Miller, Woodward, Garrett, McCaslin, Schnitzer, Kloewer none Motion passed. VI. HEALTH ONE -WARIVI WATER POOL Director Black shared w ith Commission Members that Pirates Cove Facility Supervisor Brad Anderson had been in discussions with Health One regarding the future of the warm water rehab pool at Health One's facility on Hampden Avenue. Black reported that Health One was closing the pool and had approached Parks and Recreation regarding taking over its operation. Black stated that Health One had proposed a monthly fee of $6,500. Black continued that after internal discussions , staff had determined that the offer was not feasible at the present time, but that the proposal was brought to the Commission for their feedback . Di s cussion ensued regarding negotiating price, staffing and maintenance costs, value of equipment, etc. Jerrell Black said that the issue would be taken to City Council at work session and asked for a motion from the Commission. • A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Waldman and seconded by Commission Member Garrett to decline Health One 's offer to take over the management of its rehab pool. • Ayes: Nayes: Gomes, Waldman, Armstrong, Miller, ·woo dward, Garrett, Mccaslin, Schnitzer, Kloewer none Motion passed. VII. COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Schnitzer announced that the development of the community garden was moving along. Schnitzer stated that all 30 of the plots had been filled -16 full plots and 14 half plots -and that names were now being put on a waiting list. Schnitzer said that trees had been removed , sod stripped, and the irrigation system was in place. Schnitzer added that a class for gardeners was scheduled for April 24; and that on April 12 a meeting was planned with the gardeners where sub-committees would be assigned. Schnitzer said that the planned opening day for the garden was May 8. Black added that information would be forthcoming regarding a ribbon-cutting ceremony tentatively planned for May 15. VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Schnitzer infotmed Commission that the Cultural Arts Commission had been made aware that the "Artabo ut " program was being dropped by Community Development and that the Cultural Arts Commission was considering taking over the program next year. Schnitzer then updated • • • • Commission on upcoming events announced by the Cultural Arts Commission and Museum of Outdoor Arts . IX. GOLF FLEET UPDATE Spada informed the Commission that he had presented the plan to update the golf course fleet to electric carts at Monday night's City Council Study Session , and that the plan was moving forward . Spada stated that the plan was to be phased in within six years and that currently vendors are being evaluated. Spada added that Public Works is being consulted regarding storage of the new golf carts , and that the first purchase of 18 carts was expected to be completed b y early summer. Waldman asked if City Council was funding the project. Spada and Woodward explained that funding for the first 18 carts was coming from capital proceeds as part of the Miller Weingarten Development Agreement. Waldman asked whether the new carts would have windshields and enclosures. Spada replied that the new carts will have "fo ldovers". X. FIELD AND DROUGHT UPDATE Jerrell Black updated Commission members on drought conditions on behalf of Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space. Black explained that the South Platte River basin is below normal , and consequently Lee recommended continuing with the current policy of allowing no new teams on the City's sports fields and keeping the moratorium as is . A motion was made by Commission Member \.Valdman and seconded by Commission Member \.Voodward to keep the existing policy in place regarding no new use on sports fields. The motion passed unanimously. Ayes: Nayes: Gomes, \-Valdman, Armstrong, Miller, ·woodward, Garrett, Mccaslin, Schnitzer, Kloewer none Motion passed. XI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black acknowledged Joe Pagnotta for his assistance at the Golf Course and told the Commission that Pagnotta has been a great asset to the organization. Black then informed Commission members that parents living near Charles Hay Elementary had shown interest in creating a community garden at the Barde Park tennis courts. Black said the school garden group hopes the project will move forward next year, and that the group would probably come to the Commission and City Council in the near future to request assistance in removing the courts , etc. Black added that with the community garden being full, this may be an opportunity for more community garden space. Black said the group had already raised funds for the project. Black said that the group was working with a company called Slo Foods in gathering information, and that the two options being considered are 1) removing the courts and 2) putting the garden on top of the courts. Discussion ensued. XII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Garrett spoke about Sports Authority's private label golf selection that Broken Tee Golf Course • has allowed Sports Authority to test at its facility, and expressed appreciation for the cooperation from the Golf Course . Englewood Schools Liaison Karen Miller announced that the School District is in the middle of its search for a new school board superintendent. Miller said that of 20 applicants, five had been chosen to interview on Saturday. Miller added that from 4:30pm to 5:30pm that day, the public was invited to a meet and greet reception for the candidates . Miller continued, saying that after a Special Session by the School Board followed by a two week waiting period , an offer would be made . Miller said that the decision will be made public by the end of April. Miller then informed the Commission that the School Board intended to keep community service hours mandatory as part of graduation requirements , and that the requirement would be increased. Opportunities for volunteer hours were discussed , including possibly making some of the required hours to be worked for the City. Woodward announced that after a decrease in revenues of approximately 12% in February, preliminary numbers coming in reflect a huge improve ment , possibly indicating some stabilization of the local economy. Woodward added that the City ended last year with a reserve of 10 %, and that 10 % was budgeted for this year. Woodward praised City staff, including the Directors , for pulling together to maintain benefits to the City's citizens while dealing with a relatively low tax base . Pirates Cove Facility Supervisor Brad Anderson updated Commission members on Pirates Co ve, • stating that the facility is being readied for the summer season . Anderson informed the Commission that he was dealing with new state regulations requiring the pool slides at Pirates Cove and the Recreation Center to be inspected as amusement rides . Anderson added that the requirements applied to the Belleview Train as well. Anderson said that he would be attending meetings addressing the new requirements . Chairperson Gomes thanked Golf Course Supervisor Wayne Niles for attending and welcomed him back after his leave of absence. Woodward concluded the meeting with the announcement that on April 17 , Englewood is partnering with the Cities of Littleton and Sheridan and the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District to host an "Epic Spring Clean-up" at Pirates Cove to benefit Inter-Faith Community Services and ARC Thrift Stores . Woodward encouraged members to bring gently used items to Pirates Cove parking lot between Sam and 5pm, adding that tax donation receipts would be given for donations . The meeting was adjourned at 6:40pm. Isl l. truj illo Linda Trujillo , Recording Secretary •