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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-11 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of June 11, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5 :32pm b y Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Recreation Center, Activity Room #1, 1155 W . Oxford Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison Christina Kruk, Youth Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission LiaisonJerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Carolyn Annstrong, Commission Member Bob McCaslin , City Council Liaison Jim Woodward, Commission Member Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of May 14, 2009. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no guests present for Scheduled Public Comment. IV . UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no guests present for Unscheduled Public Comment. V. LIONS CLUB TRAIN UPDATE Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg gave an update on the Lion's Club Train. Hultberg informed commission members that it was a shaky start-up with derailment issues but following a lot of work, the Lion's Club Train opened Memorial Day weekend with no problems. Hultberg spoke in regard to the two train conductors that were hired and the great job they are doing with the train . VI. COMMUNITY GARDEN Gomes turned discussion over to Da ve Lee, Manager of Open Space, who gav e an update on the Community Garden. Lee reported that twenty-two people attended the Community Garden Open House that was held on Tuesday , June 9th at the Malley Senior Recreation Center. Lee told the Commission that Michael Buchen au, Executive Director for Den ver Urban Gardens , was at the meeting and gave a run-down on the community garden scenario. Lee stated that the meeting was very positive with no detractors. Lee noted that there were a number of people interested in attending the upcoming Planning and Zoning meeting, the next step in the community garden process. Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Donn a Schnitzer concurred with Lee that the Open House was a positive meeting . Schnitzer discussed the number of people who are interested in volunteering without having a plot at the garden. VII. DOG PARK ISSUES -JASON PARK Black reported that the Department has been contacted by a lady who lives near Jason Park who is very upset about dogs running unsupervised in Jason Park. Black told the Commission that he discussed with her the history of off-leash dog parks in Englewood. Black explained that she recently spoke to City Council and her daughter had spoken to the Parks and Recreation Commission a few years back in regard to their concerns with off-leash dogs in Jason Park. • Black stated that the lad y has said that she would like to see Jason Park returned back to its • original state of being an on-leash park . Commission members were told that the lady has gone through the City's Open Record Request to access complaints and issues related to Jason Park that have been received by Parks and Recreation, Safety Services, and the City Manager's Office. A copy of an article in the June 12th Engle wood Herald concerning the Jason Park issue was distributed to commission members. Vice Chairman Waldman asked if there was an incident that made the lady upset. Black explained that the lad y had spoken of an incident where dogs ran after her grandchildren and of another incident where there was a dog in the playground area that did not bite anyone but showed signs of aggression. Gomes asked commission members on their thoughts . Commission Member Miller stated that it has always been an on-going issue with her and has felt that dogs either need to be on-leash or in a dog park. Gomes commented that he has always felt that the off-leash privileges should have been rescinded when Canine Corral opened. Black told the Commission that most of the complaints that are received in regard to off-leash dogs are at Jason and Bates/Logan; noting that very few complaints are received from Duncan, Centennial and the Northwest Greenbelt. Discussion followed regarding the high amount of usage at Jason Park and dog owners who do not pay attention to their dogs. Miller stated that children should not be afraid to play in their own playgro und . Gomes spoke in regard to the high number of dogs that are off-leash at Romans Park. In regard to the lady speaking to City Council , Commission Member Garrett asked if City Council has referred the issue to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Black replied no. • • • • VIII. ARAPAHOE COUNTY OPEN SPACE GRANTS IX. Hultberg informed commission members that the Department of Parks and Recreation was successful in the two grants applications it had submitted through Arapahoe County Open Space : the acquisition and impro v ements to the Orphan Property and Ballfield lights at Centennial Park. Hultberg reported that the acquisition and impro v ement to the Orphan Property will include modest trailhead amenities including a parking lot, pavilion with picnic tables , trailhead signage and trail connections to the Big Dry Creek Trail. In regard to ballfield lights at Centennial Park , Hultberg explained that the grant will provide state of the art sports field lighting for the Brent Mayne baseball field and adjacent softball field. Hultberg told the Commission that the Department will be starting immediately on both projects. Garrett suggested that the Department keep a running tally of the grants it has received over the years; noting that it has added up over the years and will show the community how the City works. Black stated that he would gather that information and put it in next month 's packet. Black also explained that annually, he prepares a document for City Council that quantifies the money the Department has received for that year primarily through grants but also through donations and sponsorships; adding that the total came to more than $600 ,000 for 2008 . CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSIO N UPDATE Discussion turned to an update on the June Cultural Arts Commission. Schnitzer reported that Todd Siler, the artist for the Wal-Mart Art Wall, was present again to discuss funding for the restoration of the Art Wall. Schnitzer explained that Mr. Siler is asking for $7,000 to restore the Art Wall but due declining sales tax revenues for the City, departments do not have the money to fund the work. Schnitzer went on to explain that City Council Liaison Jill Wilson will be submitting a Council Request to inform Council Members of the issue. Schnitzer informed commission members that fourteen pieces of community artwork have been hung in Hampden Hall for the Hampden Hall Art Wall project. Schnitzer discussed upcoming events that the Commission will be involved with including Artabout Englewood on August l st and the Department of Parks and Recreation's Funfest Olde Tyme Fair on August 22nd. X. DIRECTOR'S CHO ICE Black gave an update on the current budget status , primarily related to Parks and Recreation. Commission members were told that due to declining sales tax, the City has had to reduce expenditures for 2009 by $1.4 million. Black reported that Parks and Recreation has been able to contribute some money to the General Fund including $100 ,000 from the Golf Fund , $40 ,000 from the Lottery Fund and $30 ,000 from the Vending Fund. Black explained that a few years ago , the Department took over the vending machines in its facilities which has allowed the build up a Vending Fund. In regard to reductions for Parks and Recreation, Black reported there is a vacant full-time position in Parks that will not be filled into 2010 . In addition, Black reported that Parks has reduced irrigation and maintenance costs by $15 ,000 that includes using grass seed instead of sod for field repair and another $20 ,000 in seasonal park staff for this summer. For 20 l 0, Black told the Commission that the City of Englewood is looking at a 0% increase. Black explained that the 0% increase will include salaries or 201 O; noting that the City Manager has mandated a no increase for Managers, Supervisors and Confidential s . Black went on to explain that • Englewood Employees Association also voted to forego an increases for 2010 and are now waiting to hear if police and fire will follow. XI. C O MMISSI ON MEMB ER 'S CHO ICE Miller announced that Englewood Schools is out for the summer with the exception of Bishop Elementary which will end mid-June . Miller told commission members that the restructuring of Englewood Schools will take place this summer that will include the closing of Lowell Annex , moving the EECE to Maddox Elementary, updating Bishop Elementary for the Adapti v e Program and moving Englewood Leadership Academy to Englewood High School. Discussion followed in regard to the 9th Grade Academy, a new program to help 9th and l oth graders with the transition to high school. Miller explained that schools lose 30% of their students from drop out in 9th and 1 oth grade. Vice Chairman Waldman asked in regard to yardage markers for the front nine. Bob Spada, Golf Manager, explained that the sprinkler heads are marked . Waldman commented that they were hoping for something more than 150 yard markers . Youth Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin announced that she has graduated from high school and will be going off to college this fall so tonight will be her last meeting. Laughlin thanked everyone and told them that she has enjoyed being able to participate from the inside • and seeing things get done . Gomes spoke in regard to the letter that was included in the packet from the Malle y Trust Fund and Advisory Committee in regards to expanding the operational hours for the Malley Senior Recreation Center. Black told Gomes that the letter has been forwarded to City Council. Black informed the Commission that last year the request had been submitted to City Council but due to budget, was not funded. Commission members were told that money is not available but that the Malley Trust Fund and Advisory Board felt it is important that if funds become available then the operating hours need to be expanded . Hultberg discussed the need to accommodate the working senior citizen and added that a sub-committee has been formed to continue working on the issue . In regard to last year's request, Hultberg stated that estimated cost was $30,000. Garrett asked if the expanded hours would be for the entire facility or just the work out fitness area only. Hultberg replied the entire facility. Lee informed the Commission that the Englewood High School tennis courts are currently being resurfaced . Lee explained that there were originally eight courts which made it very tight so they will be spreading out the courts and only having six. Lee stated that the work should be finished by the end of June. Waldman asked if there are any other lighted tennis courts in Englewood while the EHS courts are closed. Lee replied no. Lee reported that the City has requested the lights at the EHS tennis courts be fully functional when the courts are opened. Black discussed the agreement for the EHS tennis courts where maintenance costs are split 50150 between the City and Schools . • • Spada informed commission members that Scott Rhodes , Golf Administrator for Broken Tee Golf Course, has resigned effective June 24 1h. Spada reported that the golf course donates $20,000 annually to non-profit organizations that includes Englewood Schools. Spada reported that the golf course has been very busy but that the inclement weather on the weekends has had an impact on revenues. Spada spoke in regard to the Jr. Golf Program , reporting that the golf course has 643 participants this year with 50 on the waiting list. Spada told the Commission that staff thinks Broken Tee Golf Course now has the largest Jr. Golf program in the nation. Hultberg informed the Commission that last week, Pirates Cove staff noticed some settling of the pool deck north of the lagoon area. Hultberg reported that staff suspected a leak so a Leak Detection Company was called in who confirmed that there was a large leak in bottom of the pool. Hultberg explained that within two days , one to two weeks worth of work was completed; crediting City of Englewood Public Works staff for a terrific job . Commission members were told that there was no impact to customers due to the pool being closed for inclement weather. Hultberg reported that once the pool closes in the fall , the leak will be fixed permanently. Hultberg discussed the cost associated with the repair and filing a claim with the City's insurance. In regard to tonight being Laughlin 's last meeting , Black and commission members thanked Laughlin for her five years as a Parks and Recreation Youth Member and wished her all the best. Black presented Laughlin with a cake and a gift in appreciation for her contribution to the Board. • XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6: l 5pm . .&l /WULL {)_ ~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary •