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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-09 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 9, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5 :30pm by Chairperson Gomes at Pirates Cove Family Aquatic Center, 1225 W . Belleview A venue. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison Jim Woodward, Commission Member (left at 6:12pm) Bob McCaslin , City Council Liaison Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission J ertell Black, ex officio Absent: Christina Kruk , Youth Commission Member Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Brad Anderson, Recreation Facility Manager Kathy Wallace , Aquatics Coordinator Martha Griego, Englewood Resident (left at 5:36pm) Tracy Jones , Non-Resident (left at 6:25pm) Dorothy Haefeli, Englewood Resident (left at 5:50pm) Sushawn Touryan, Englewood Resident (left at 5:50pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ill. Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of June 11, 2009. Commission Member Woodward noted that there was a misspelled word under Director's Choice. All were in favor. The minutes were approved as amended. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Chairperson Gomes welcomed the guests and told them that scheduled visitors \.Yould have ten minutes to speak. Martha Griego thanked the Commission and stated that she has been an Englewood resident for 27 years and lives a block down from Jason Park. Ms . Griego told the Commission that her children and grandchildren love Jason Park but since the park was changed to off-leash they do not go there as often. Ms. Griego explained that she had a retirement party that they would have normally held at Jason Park but because of the dogs, they rented a park shelter in another City . Ms . Griego told the Commission that a few months ago when they visited Jason Park, there was a dog that ran into the playground up to her and her three grandchildren and growled and showed its teeth . Ms. Griego stated that they can not enjoy the park anymore . Ms. Griego explained that a dog owner can have voice command in their own backyard but that there is no way an owner can have control over their dog when it is forty yards • away and it can not hear its owner. Ms. Griego stated that dogs are animals, not humans, and she wants to see Jason Park go back to a leashed park. Ms. Griego told the Commission that the dog owners now have a dog park but they don't want to use it because it stinks and there is no grass or water. Ms. Griego spoke in regard to people walking by dog waste in the park and not picking it up and how over the past two years the number of dogs at Jason Park has doubled. Ms. Griego explained that tonight at Jason Park there was a dog owner whose dog pooped in the park and the dog owner walked right by it and did not pick it up and then got in her car and left. Ms . Griego stated that if the dog was on a leash, the dog owner would have control and be more apt to pick up the dog waste. Ms. Griego distributed photographs that she had taken at Jason Park; noting that she has also shown the photos to City Council. Ms Griego stated that it is mainly happening at Jason Park but knows that it is going on at the other parks too. Ms. Griego told the Commission that Englewood parks are everybody's backyard and the City has given the off-leash parks a try and it is not working and it 's time to change the parks back to on leash. Ms. Griego thanked the Commission and told them that she appreciates them giving her the time to speak . Ms . Griego left the meeting. IV. UNSCHEDULE D PU B LIC C O MMENT Gomes informed unscheduled guests that they would have five minutes to speak. Shushawn Touryan stated that she too is an Englewood resident who lives one block away from Jason Park and goes there on a daily basis. Ms. Touryan stated that she agrees with Ms. Griego • that the park needs to go back to on-leash. Ms. Touryan spoke in regard to an incident when her son was eighteen months old and a pack of dogs came barreling at him. Ms. Touryan told the Commission that she has always been confused why Jason Park was an off-leash park. Ms. Touryan talked about the dog waste in the playground and shelter area and how children step in it and then track it on to the playground equipment; noting that she brings wet wipes to wipe down the play equipment. Ms. Touryan stated that it will be terrible when someone gets bitten by a dog at Jason Park. Lastly, Ms. Touryan told the Commission that she has now started going to Rotolo Park because she has never had one problem at that park. Tracy Jones, non -resident, told the Commission that she is the daughter of Martha Griego and stated that last summer was when she finally got fed up with the dogs at Jason Park . Ms. Jones explained that her children were 1 Y2, 2 and 4 years old when a dog charged at them . Ms. Jones said that her children ran up to her as the dog was running after them and the dog owner was running after the dog yelling "he won't bite, he won't bite". Ms. Jones stated that the owner grabbed the dog, got in the car and left. Ms. Jones said that the park was built for the children not the dogs. Ms. Jones spoke in regard to incidents at Jason Park involving dogs including a family reunion that brought in catered food which some dogs came into the shelter and took food off of the tables. Ms. Jones talked about another incident where a child was barefoot and stepped in dog waste that had been left in the park; iterating how unhealthy the dog waste and urine is for children who use the park. Ms . Jones told the Commission about the north side of the park along the fence line that has turned yellow from the dogs' urine and how bad the park smells now that it is summer and it is hot. Ms. Jones stated that it has made the park look ugly • and it's sad that they have to go to another City because they can not have fun and relax at Jason Park. • • • Dorthy Haefeli , Englewood resident, told the Commission that she has lived in Englewood twenty-eight years just south of Centennial Park. Ms. Haefeli reported that she and her friend had attended the last City Council meeting because they are tired of the off-leash dogs at Centennial Park and want to see Centennial Park made back into a mandatory leash park. Ms. Haefeli stated that Centennial Park is a beautiful park and the policy of off-leash is not safe for anyone. Ms . Haefeli told the Commission of a recent incident at Centennial Park where a young girl on roller blades was chased viciously by a dog. Ms. Haefeli explained that many families and younger children use Centennial Park and that she walks Centennial Park daily with her two small dogs and that there is one man who walks fi ve dogs off-leash yelling they are friendly but when five dogs group around you , it doesn't feel very safe. Ms. Haefeli talked about the people who bring their dogs to swim in the lake which the fishermen don 't like . Ms. Haefeli stated that there is dog poop all o ver including in the ballfield and pavilion area and families don't want to bring their family to the park and meet up with the dogs. Commission members were told about a child of a friend who was almost bit by a dog on the playground. Ms. Haefeli stated that "under voice command" is a joke and asked that Centennial Park be made into a dog on leash park . Ms . Haefeli thanked the Commission. Commission members thanked the guests. Commission Member Armstrong asked in regard to Ms . Griego's comment that the number of dogs at Jason Park have doubled over the last year. Armstrong asked if Parks staff have noticed an increase. Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space, stated that he couldn't say that it has doubled in number but that he knows that there have always been a lot of dogs at Jason Park . Director Black thanked the guests on behalf of the Board and told them that the Board appreciates them coming and providing input. Black explained that the Parks and Recreation Commission is not a decision making board but rather a board that will take advisement and make a recommendation to City Council. Black told the guests that the Board will be back in touch with them and provide input to their comments . Commission Member Garrett told the guests that they are welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting and listen to any comments that board members may have under Commission Members Choice. Ms . Touryan and Ms. Haefeli thanked the Commission and left. V. AQUATICS AW ARD PRESENTATION Discussion was turned o ver to Brad Anderson who informed the Commission that the Department of Parks and Recreation Aquatics Division recently received several awards by the United States Water Fitness Association including #5 Aquatics Program in Private or Public Entity in Country, Top City Parks and Recreation Program, Top City Parks and Recreation Program in State and recognizing Kathy Wallace as Top Aquatics Director. Anderson thanked the Commission and City Council for allowing the Department the freedom to expand its horizon and to bring in new programming. Commission members congratulated Anderson and Wallace. Commission members were told that the Department recei ved its first United States Water Fitness Association award in 19 87 and has continued to uphold or move up in awards ever smce . VI. SUMMER BASEBALL PROGRAM Hultberg told Commission members that Dave Parks , Youth Sports Program Admini strator, was scheduled to attend tonight 's meeting to give an update on the Youth Summer Baseball program but due to a scheduling conflict was unable to attend . Hultberg reported that the item will be scheduled for a future meeting but noted that the number of participants in this year 's program is up. vn. LION'S CLUB TRAIN UPDATE Hultberg reported that the Lion 's Club Train continues to do well this summer since the Department took it over from the Englewood Lion 's Club . Hultberg told the Commission that even with the inclement weather in June, ridership is up . VIII. COMMUNITY GARDEN IX. Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Donna Schnitzer reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously approved the Condition Use Permit for the Depot property for the Community Garden. Schnitzer discussed the article in today's Denv er Post about the Community Garden; commenting that it was a very positive article . Schnitzer reported that there will be Community Garden information booths at both the Funfest and Artabout Englewood events. Commission members were told that the next steps will be to contact the volunteers and start fundraising . CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Schnitzer reviewed items from the July 1 Cultural Arts Commission meeting. X. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black informed commission members that discussion on off-leash privileges at Englewood Parks has tentatively been scheduled for the July 20th City Council meeting. Black explained that staff will be providing to City Council a brief history and update on the off-leash dog parks in Englewood . Black noted that some of the ~eople who spoke at tonight 's meeting are scheduled to speak to City Council on the 20 1 • Armstrong asked how many people have spoken to City Council in regard to off-leash dogs in Englewood parks over the last several months. Commission Member Woodward replied that Ms. Haefeli and her neighbor, Ms. Griego , Ms. Jones and two of Ms. Jones 's children are the only ones who have spoken to City Council. Armstrong verified that no one else has spoken to City Council in the past year about off-leash dogs in Englewood parks. Woodward told Armstrong yes . In regard to the Department receiving complaints , Lee reported that the off- leash parks are relatively complaint free with the exception of Jason Park and sometimes Centennial Park. Armstrong asked if Englewood Unleashed is notified when a complaint is received . Lee replied not always, explaining that sometimes the complaints are received at City • • Council meetings that the Department is not made aware of. Black told Armstrong that • Englewood Unleashed has been contacted in regard to this issue . • • • Commission Member Garrett stated that if City Council decides that it wants the Parks and Recreation Commi s sion to be in v olved then he would suggest that the Commission have both Englewood Unleashed and on-leash supporters present their issues to the Board. Discussion followed . Woodward stated that he has tried to make it very clear that the off-leash parks are people parks with off-leash privileges and those privileges can be taken away. Tracy Jones asked commission members if she could make one comment. Commission members said yes . Ms . Jones told the Commis s ion that when she and her mom spoke to the neighbors about Jason Park , each neighbor spoke of at least one incident involving a dog that they had at Jason Park. Jones explained that the neighbors told them that they did not report the incident because they thought that it was a one time incident or that they decided that they would not go back to Jason Park . Woodward spoke in regard to City Council members who hav e gone out to Jason Park to observe and speak to the people and hav e noted . that they have not seen the problems. Woodward left the meeting. A motion was made by Commission Member Garrett and seconded by Commission Member Miller to recommend that the Parks and Recreation Commission wait to discuss off-leash privileges at Englewood Parks until the time City Council asks the Commission for a recommendation. Ayes: Nayes: Gomes, Waldman, Armstrong, Miller, Mccaslin, Miller, Garrett None The motion passed. Tracy Jones left the meeting. Black distributed Department of Parks and Recreation hats to commission members. Discussion followed in regard to 2009 and 2010 budgets . Black informed commission members that the City of Englewood is looking at a zero percent increase for 2010 which will include no salary increase for City employees. In regard to sales tax revenue , Black stated that it changes monthly but continues to stay down. Black told the Commission that the City is being very prudent in keeping expenditures down for 2009. XI. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Waldman spoke in regard to the Volunteer Flower Garden at Duncan Park and asked if the new sign "June's Garden" was authorized by the Department. Lee explained that June Hawkins is a neighbor of Duncan Park who has maintained the flower garden at Duncan Park for many, many years and the sign was done by the Parks Division to recognize Ms . Hawkins for her efforts . Waldman stated that he was at the Englewood Recreation Center last week and the facility was v ery hot and a sked if the thermostat was turned do w n due to budget. Hultberg explained that the facility does not hav e mechanical air in the central part of the building but instead uses an evaporati v e cooler tower which is not as effecti v e . Hultberg went on to explain that the City has done an energy audit which the staff is hoping will recommend a state-of-the -art cooling system. In regard to the high temperatures in the building, Hultberg commented that it is a real problem which results in losing many customers during the summer time. • Mccaslin spoke in regard to the Jr. Golf Hole-in-One program . McCaslin reported that it is amazing to see the involvement of people and the community and that it is something to be very proud of. Black concurred with McCaslin and noted that from the time Bob Spada came on with the City, the program has now grown from one class to more than 648 participants. Spada reported that a lot of credit needs to go to other staff and people. McCaslin added that the Bronco players and Bill Hanzlick were also very impressed with the program and BBQ. Armstrong spoke in regard to Englewood parks how they have never looked better. Armstrong stated that she knows the staffing level in the parks division is down but that staff is doing an amazing job with tree pruning, bike paths, etc. and the parks truly look wonderful. Lee thanked Armstrong for the compliment and stated that the parks division was recently re-organized which seems to be working well. Garrett congratulated Brad Anderson and Kathy Wallace on the United States Water Fitness Association awards. In regard to the off-leash dogs at Jason Park, Hultberg told the Commission that there have been quite a few complaints and problems with the dogs and the sports programs that are held at Jason Park. Anderson discussed a recent incident involving a collapsed sewer line at Pirates Cove. • Anderson explained that Public Works and Utilities worked to fix the problem and the facility is fully operational again . In regard to attendance at Pirates Cove for this summer, Anderson reported that attendance in June was down 40% due to weather and forecasting but that July attendance is back to normal. Commission members were informed that Wayne Niles , Golf Course Supervisor, was taken to the emergency room on Tuesday for a heart issue. Lee stated that Niles is still in the hospital while they do some testing. In regard to the resurfacing of the Englewood High School tennis courts , Lee reported that work is coming along and the new surface will be pirate blue. XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:37pm. ~a~~ Deborah A . Severa, Recording Secretary •