HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-08-31 PRC MINUTES•
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Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of August 31, 1988
The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commis-
sion was called to order at 5:58 p.m. by Chairman Neyer at the Englewood
Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse.
Members present: Armstrong, Clayton, Hathaway, Neyer, Wiggins, Kuhn, ex
officio
Members absent: Braucht, Gomes, Kozacek, Vanderleest
Chairman Neyer asked if there were any additions or corrections to the
minutes of July 14, 1988. There were none. A motion was made and seconded
that the minutes be approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Director Kuhn asked that City Attorney DeWitt review the contract pro-
posed by the CORPS of Engineers to fund recreational improvements along the
South Platte River through the Englewood Golf Course. Kuhn stated that
DeWitt's written legal opinion states that, as the contract is written,
"Having the agreement may only require the City to do certain work for which
it will never get paid." Director Kuhn agreed that it is not a favorable con -
tract for the City. Following discussion, Commissioner Clayton made a motion,
seconded by Youth Commissioner Hathaway, to recommend to City Council that the
CORPS of Engineers' contract in its present form not be approved, and that a
letter be addressed to the CORPS of Engineers in Omaha indicating that the
City would like to participate in cost sharing for the improvements along the
South Platte River through the Englewood Golf Course but that some changes in
the contract are necessary to ensure that the City will receive matching funds
from the CORPS. The motion passed unanimously.
The Commission agreed to table agenda item #3 concerning a proposed poli-
cy for free golf and free use of the Recreation Center by City employees in
order to allow more time for the Committee to meet. Director Kuhn stated he
will schedule this meeting.
Director Kuhn discussed possibilities for solicitation of advertisement
to help offset such expenses as printing and distributing the recreation pro-
gram brochure , etc. There was considerable discussion regarding the types of
companies that would be considered appropriate for advertising at recreation
type facilities, setting criteria for determining appropriate advertising,
staff who would do initial soliciting, etc. The Commission agreed that this
would be worthwhile for the Department to investigate and asked staff to
determine some criteria in selecting companies. Commissioner Clayton asked
that Director Kuhn prepare a memo for Council's review at the Budget Retreat
concerning this matter.
Director Kuhn reported that the Golf Course Concessionaire has given
notice to terminate their contract on September 30 since they don't feel com -
fortable with the Winter hours of operation as outlined in their current con -
tract. Kuhn stated that he is now taking bids for a new Concessionaire . Dis -
cussion ensued. Commissioner Clayton stated he will report to the Commission
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on the results of the meeting which will be held with the Concessionaire, in-
terested Council members and Acting City Manager Vargas concerning this
matter.
Youth Commissioner Hathaway reported that he has discussed with School
Supt. Roscoe Davidson the possibility of having the art classes from Englewood
Schools paint murals on the undersides of bridges along Little Dry Creek.
Davidson informed Hathaway that the City would have to pay teacher salaries if
it was conducted during school hours. The Commission agreed that this would
not be feasible for the City to consider. The Commission discussed other pos-
sibilities for having the murals painted, including holding the project during
off school hours, having it be a project for Student Council or Key Club,
having an art contest at each school with each winning drawing being painted
under the bridges, run it as a program in the recreation program brochure,
etc. Director Kuhn suggested that Youth Commissioners Hathaway and Vander-
leest work together to develop feasible ideas for accomplishing this project.
Director Kuhn reported that twelve additional free standing barbecues
have been ordered to be placed in various parks on 6 x 4 ft. concrete slabs in
shaded areas. These barbecues are in addition to those located in the shelter
facilities. For those bringing portable barbecues to the parks, Kuhn stated
that receptacles for hot coal disposal will be placed by the trash cans to
deter the problem of damaged turf on a trial basis.
Director Kuhn reported that Commission's recommendation to purchase a 26
passenger bus has been approved by City Council. Commissioner Clayton stated
that it has been placed in the CERF fund to ensure that the City will be in a
position to provide recreation transportation services in future years by
replacing the vehicle when it becomes necessary.
Director Kuhn reported that he is checking on different possibilities for
the pro shop operation and will present his findings to the Commission upon
completion. Kuhn stated that this year he plans to combine the recreation
fees and charges survey with the review of the park use policies and shelter
fees.
With regard to the construction of the Dartmouth Avenue underpass, Com-
missioner Clayton stated that City Council is concerned with the effect the
resulting traffic flow will have on the neighborhood, particularly in the area
of Cushing Park since the parking lot will have to be relocated from Dartmouth
Avenue on the North side to Eastman Avenue on the South side. Discussion en-
sued. Director Kuhn stated he will include in the Commission's packets some
maps of alternate proposals to relocate the parking area and reroute traffic.
Commissioner Clayton reported that, with regard to the Union Avenue Dam,
a meeting was held recently with representatives of the Water Conservation
Board, CORPS of Engineers, Urban Drainage, South Suburban Recreation District,
the City of Sheridan, the City of Englewood, and Wright Water Engineers. At
this meeting a design was completed for reconstructing the dam to be a less
dangerous situation for boaters and canoers. He stated that if this design is
approved, construction should be complete by Spring of 1989. The Commission
asked that Director Kuhn draft a letter expressing the Commission's support of
this design .
Commissioner Clayton asked if it would be possible to remove the unsight-
ly "no sledding" signs at the entrance of the golf course.
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Commissioner Clayton questioned the parks rules sign that is posted on
the Little Dry Creek trail stating that bicycling is prohibited. Director
Kuhn stated he will check the signs since this trail is intended for hiking
and biking.
Youth Commissioner Hathaway inquired about the broken lights in the un-
derpasses along Little Dry Creek. Director Kuhn stated that the Engineering
Department is working with Public Service to replace them with a vandal proof
fixture.
Commissioner Armstrong commended the swim instructors at Sinclair Pool, .
and specifically Margaret Whalen who instructed her children. Armstrong sug-
gested that it might be worthwhile to offer some youth recreation programs
such as swim classes, art classes, dance classes, etc. on weekday evenings to
accommodate working parents. Armstrong suggested that at a future meeting,
perhaps the Commission could take some time to ask questions and make sugges-
tions with regard to the recreation system, a brain storming session of sorts.
There was discussion regarding scheduling of the Recreation Center pool
for swim classes and recreational swim time, use of the pool by Malley Center
program participants, and extending the Malley Center facility to include, if
funds become available from donations, an activity room, aerobics room and
swimming pool.
Chairman Neyer inquired of the status of the applications that the Com-
mission submitted to City Council for lifetime passes for free golf and use of
the Recreation Center for former Commission Chairman Jack Poole and former
Mayor Eugene Otis. Commissioner Clayton stated that Council has not acted on
the recommendations and doesn't feel there is enough support on Council for
this program to be passed. After some discussion, the Commission asked that
Commissioner Clayton approach Council for a decision on this matter.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary
NOTE It was originally decided by the Commission that, because of the Malley
~-Advisory Picnic, there would be no meeting in August, as has been the
practice in years past; however, City Council felt that this does not
comply with the Parks and Recreation Commission ordinance which states
the Commission will meet monthly. Therefore, a meeting for the Commis-
sion was called at this late date .
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