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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-13 PRC MINUTES• I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of August 13, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:35pm by Chairperson Gomes at Jason Park , 4299 S. Jason Street. 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 Bob McCaslin, City Council Liaison Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Christina Kruk , Youth Commission Member (left at 7:4lpm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Tom Vandermee, Chief of Police Jill Wilson, City Council Member • See Attached Visitor Sign-In Sheet • II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of July 9, 2009. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. Director Black welcomed the guests to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and encouraged visitors to sign the visitors sign-in sheet if they wish to speak at tonight's meeting. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Discussion turned to Scheduled Public Comment. Gomes explained that scheduled guests would have ten minutes to speak and unscheduled guests would have five minutes to speak. Englewood resident Martha Griego spoke against off-leash parks. Non-resident Tracy Jones spoke against off-leash parks . IV . UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Englewood resident Ben Velasquez spoke in favor of off-leash parks . Englewood resident Cheryl Rice spoke in favor of off-leash parks . Englewood resident Bill Gedeon spoke in favor of off-leash parks . Englewood resident Emme Putman spoke against off-leash parks. Englewood resident Dana Foulks spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Non-resident and Englewood Unleashed President Kim Love spoke in favor of off-leash parks Englewood resident Rachel Shields spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Englewood resident Lisa Cranmer spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Englewood resident Dave Barron spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Englewood resident Alice Hanna spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Englewood resident Tim Jones spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Englewood resident Cindy Haines spoke in favor of off-leash parks . Englewood resident Susan Tscharner spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Englewood resident Jennifer Enger spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Englewood resident Jeff Peterson spoke in favor of off-leash parks. Gomes thanked the guests for their comments . V. OFF-LEASH PRIVILEGES IN ENGLE\VOOD PARKS Black informed the Commission that at the City Council Study Session on July 20th, Council Member Oakley proposed to put a fence in Jason Park to separate the playground and shelter area and the off-leash dogs. Black explained that the concern from City Council is if the fence in Jason Park will create additional fences in other Englewood off-leash parks. Black told the Commission that City Council has asked the Parks and Recreation Commission for its input on the proposal. Black reported that the other issue City Council has asked for the Commission's recommendation is moving the off-leash privileges at Jason Park to Rotolo Park. Black explained that the Off-leash Task Force looked at a number of loc ations for off-leash parks , Rotolo Park being one. Black went on to explain that Rotolo Park was removed as a possible location due to it having no ADA accessibility and only having on-street parking . Englewood resident Dave Barrons asked if he could comment in regard to the proposed fence for Jason Park. Commission members said yes. Mr. Barrons stated that Jason Park does not need to be regulated, that dog owners know to bring their dogs to the park either early in the morning or late in the evening because the park is busy with children in between those hours. • • • • • • Woodward spoke in regard to the proposal from Council Member Oakley. Woodward stated that as a City Council Member, Parks and Recreation Commission Member and a non-voting representative for Englewood Soccer Association, he has been out talking with committee members and parks and recreation personnel in regard to dogs in the off-leash parks. Woodward reported that when he asked the President of Englewood Soccer Association, he was told that she had received no complaints but when he spoke to members at the ESA Board meeting, the discussion was that there has been no major problems such as dog bites but that there has always been problems with dogs chasing balls and dog waste not being picked up. Woodward told the Commission that Parks and Recreation staff that oversee sports programs for youth at Jason Park feel that it is not conducive to have dogs off-leash while children are participating in programs at the park. In regard to City Council Member Oakley's proposal to place a fence in Jason Park, Woodward stated that he has a hard time supporting it. Woodward suggested allocating hours when dogs can be off-leash based on usage. Woodward commented how Jason Park is busy with athletic programs from March 1 st thru October. Woodward spoke in regard to his conversation with Jason Park neighbors during National Night Out who told him that they no longer come to Jason Park because of the dogs. Woodward noted that most are dog owners. Woodward stated that as a City Council Member and Parks and Recreation Commission Member, comments like that are very concerning to him . Mr. Peterson asked if he could speak. Black told the guests that they would be given the opportunity to speak following the Commission's discussion. Vice Chairperson Waldman stated that he had served on the Off-Leash Task Force and was involved in the off-leash parks project from the beginning. Waldman discussed the process for selecting the five off-leash parks and explained that the issue now is that a neighborhood park is being used as a destination park where people are driving to the park. In regard to the fence in Jason Park, Waldman commented that what dog doesn't run around the park and a fence. Waldman stated that even if the Board makes a recommendation to City Council tonight, it will be up to City Council to make the final decision. Waldman spoke in regard to using the dog issue as part of this year's campaign and encouraged people to talk to their neighbors and get involved. In regard to Waldman's comment in making the dog issue part of this year's campaign, Woodward stated that the issue has been scheduled for the September 8th City Council Study Session and that he feels there will be a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission tonight. City Council Liaison Mccaslin stated that it is a tough decision. Mccaslin explained that as an educator, he sees dogs running through the playground an issue and when the fence was proposed, he saw that with safety in mind . Mccaslin went on to explain that City Council has dealt with this issue for almost four years and any decision that Council makes will be made based on its benefit to the entire City. Police Division Chief Tom Vandermee spoke in regard to a previous report that there were seven Calls for Service at Jason Park. Vandermee explained that the seven Calls for Service were related to animal calls and that the total calls for Jason Park is significantly higher. McCaslin verified that the calls were from the last two years. Vandermee replied yes. Commission Member Miller stated that she is on the Englewood Board of Education and • children are her first priority. Miller told the Commission that a fence down the middle of the park is not a solution and that it would only obstruct usage of the park. Miller said that she does not think Englewood Unleashed members are the problem , that it is the people who pull up in the parking lot, open the door to let their dog out and have no contact with their dog while it runs loose in the park. Miller told the Commission she saw it happen two or three times when she was at Jason Park a few days ago. Miller stated that no one can be in control of a dog when they are sitting on the other side of the park reading a paper. Miller said that dog feces have always been an issue, even when she coached soccer several years ago. Miller also said that kids need to have space to play on the playground or to play T-ball and soccer and that there has to be a way to all work together and co-exist but putting a fence down the park is not the way. Youth Commission Member Christina Kruk agreed with commission members that a fence in Jason Park would not work. Commission Member Armstrong commented that the fence is not a solution. Armstrong told commission members that there are a number of people in the neighborhood including herself that do not use Jason Park anymore because there are too many dogs . Armstrong noted that they need to look at creating a solution; noting that there are valid points on both sides. Armstrong suggested also talking to park staff and code enforcement. In regard to a previous suggestion from City Council to put shrubs around the playground , Woodward stated that from a safety point, he does not think it is a good answer. Woodward • referred to Commission Member Garrett 's letter where he suggested hours for off-leash. Woodward said that he feels that has been the most reasonable thing suggested if the Board feels that it is not ready or needs more information before making a recommendation. Armstrong responded that she does not know how much more information it can get. In regard to implementing hours for off-leash, Armstrong commented that if the hours change per season then the City will run the risk of confusing people. Chairperson Gomes asked who would enforce the hours . Woodward replied that he has heard that it is actually easier to enforce. Discussion followed in regard to hours changing per season, educating the public, time and enforcement. Armstrong suggested sending a memo to City Council stating that the Board is opposed to the fence based on various reasons and would instead consider setting hours for off-leash based on season/usage . Commission members concurred with Armstrong. Gomes told the Commission that his main concern with off-leash privileges is if a senior gets pushed down by a dog and gets injured, who is responsible -the City? Gomes stated why take a chance of a person getting injured. Waldman commented that the City has had off-leash parks for a number of years in which people have said something could happen but it never has. Gomes went on to say that when Canine Corral opened it was the Board's recommendation to City Council to close the off-leash parks. Gomes explained that per Kim Love's request , he met with Mr. Love who told him that Englewood Unleashed meets once a month at Jason Park to do a park clean-up. Gomes asked what happens between those clean-up days. Gomes spoke in regard to an incident a month ago when he was at Jason Park with his family for a picnic and • there were three dogs that came into the shelter begging for food and the owners were no where • close. Gomes stated that was unacceptable and that is his concern. • • In regard to the suggestion to go to off-leash hours, Woodward stated that he is trying to get this issue resolved and not take the issue it into November. Gomes reported that there should not be any off-leash on weekends because Saturdays and Sundays should be left for children to play in the park. McCaslin suggested allowing dogs in the park from 6am to 8am on weekends. Woodward explained that soccer starts on the weekends at 7:45am and that there is also lacrosse and T -ball during the week and weekends. McCaslin asked if a schedule of athletic activities per season could be provided to assist in determining the hours. Black stated that staff could provide schedules for the athletic fields in addition to park shelter rentals and any other miscellaneous usage in the parks. Waldman suggested that whatever is recommended that it be all encompassing to include all four of the off-leash parks. Commission members concurred. Black opened the floor for comments from the visitors. Mr. Peterson spoke in favor of off-leash parks; noting that having hours for off-leash is a good idea. Englewood resident Dick Baty spoke in regard to the City's elected officials having to make tough decisions . Ms . Griego spoke further in favor of dogs being on-leash . Ms. Jones spoke further in favor of dogs being on-leash. In regard to the seven calls for service that Vandermee had previously discussed, Ms. Jones explained that the reason there is not many calls for service for animal related issues is because people do not call when a dog takes food away from a person or when a dog runs through the playground . In regard to going to off-leash hours, Ms . Jones stated that she is okay with the idea. Mr. Gedeon pointed out to the Commission that during the meeting both dogs and children were in the park and that there were no problems which is status quo for the park. Mr. Love told the Commission that Englewood Unleashed agrees that the hours for off-leash is the least expensive and best solution. Mr. Love reported that it has worked for Denver Parks and that it is finally a solution at hand . Woodward stated that City Council does agree that the off-leash parks are lacking in signage; noting that there was funding two years ago for signage but that it was lost. Mr. Love told Woodward that Englewood Unleashed has agreed to pay for the new signage to help the City. Mr. Love also stated that Englewood Unleashed is unanimous in that there should be no dogs in the playground. Black asked McCaslin and Woodward if they are clear where the Board is at in regard to Rotolo Park in that it is not solution to move the off-leash privileges at Jason Park to Rotolo Park. Woodward responded that he was on the Off Leash Task Force and remembers Rotolo Park being removed as a possible location due to there not being any AD A accessibility and only having on-street parking. Woodward stated that it would only be moving the problem from here to there because Rotolo Park also has a playground . • Black asked if the Board is unanimous that a fence in Jason Park is not a solution. Commission members concurred that a fence in Jason Park would not resolve the issue. Gomes stated that when times are determined for off-leash use, City Council needs to look at all off-leash parks. Commission members concurred. McCaslin commented that he agrees with Woodward in that this issue will not be put off until ovember but noted that they need to take the time to get it right. VI. BUDGET UPDATE The Commission was informed that City sales tax is down approximately nine percent. Black reported that Department Director's have presented information to the City Manager in regard to recommended reductions to meet the decline in the budget. Black told commission members that information related to reductions has been submitted to City Council but that he is reluctant to go into detail since City Council has not seen the info1mation yet. Commission members were told that on Monday, Parks and Recreation staff will be notified of the reductions being proposed. Aimstrong asked Black when the info1mation will be made public . Black replied that it will probably be in the Englewood Herald or that it could be accessed by going on to the City of Englewood 's website under City Council Materials. VII. COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE Lee reported that the Community Garden Steering Committee is currently working on rules , • applications and educational materials for the Garden . The Commission was told that as a fundraiser, the Steering Committee will be holding a garage sale and a plant swap . VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Black gave an update on the August 5th Cultural Arts Commission meeting. IX. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black informed the Commission that the Department was recently informed that Great Outdoors Colorado is considering a one-time additional grant opportunity called a Mini-Legacy Grant for up to $800,000. Commission members were told that in 20 l 0 , Duncan Park will be completed at which time the Department plans to move forward with a planning grant and development grant through GOCO . Black explained that with this Mini-Legacy grant, there is a strong possibility that the Department can tie the planning grant in with the development grant which would accelerate the process by one to two years. Black asked the Commission if they had any concerns about the Department moving forward with the application. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by Vice Chairperson "\iValdman in support of the Department of Parks and Recreation moving forward with the grant application for Duncan Park through Great • Outdoors Colorado Mini-Legacy grant if the opportunity arises. • • • Ayes: Nayes: Gomes, Waldman, Armstrong, Mccaslin, Miller, \Voodward None The motion passed. XI. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Woodward thanked tonight's guests and commission members for their input on the dog park issue. McCaslin also thanked everyone and told them that their input is appreciated . Miller announced that there will be an Englewood School Board election this November for three vacancies . Discussion followed. Armstrong asked Black in regard to the Chairperson position on the Director 's Section on the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association that will become vacant effective September 1, 2009 . Black informed Armstrong that he was asked to serve as Chair in which he has accepted. Armstrong told Black that it is an honor that he was asked to serve and that the Board supports his deci sion. Commission members concurred with Armstrong and congratulated Black. Waldman asked Lee in regard to the status of Golf Supervisor Wayne Niles. Lee reported that Wayne is still undergoing testing to determine the cause of his health issue . In regard to the letter from Meghan Nordlander that was included in the Commission packet, Gomes asked if her concerns with Pirates Cove were legitimate. Black told the Commission that her concerns are very valid issues and are related to budget. Black added that Brad Anderson, Facility Supervisor of Pirates Cove , talked to Ms. Nordlander and addressed her concerns. Commission members received an update on the Envirowagg pet waste recycling program. Lee informed the Commission that the program was scheduled to begin in July or August but due to not being able to find adequate sponsorship and not receiving the grant , the program will not begin until September. Lee explained that the sponsor backed out due to the off-leash issues surrounding Jason Park and Centennial Park. XII. ADJOURNJVIENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm. ;~{)_~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary