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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-08 PRC MINUTES• I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of October 8, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthl y meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5 :30pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Service Center Training Room, 2800 S. Platte River Drive. 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 Jerrell 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 • Martha Griego , Englewood Resident • II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of September 10, 2009. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. HI. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no guests present for Scheduled Public Comment. IV . UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Gomes welcomed Martha Griego who was present to discuss off-leash dogs in Englewood off- leash parks . Gomes informed Ms. Griego that she had five minutes to speak. Ms . Griego told the Commission that it is her understanding that City Council has found a compromise for both parties. Ms. Griego stated that when she first heard of the idea for hours when dogs could be off-leash in the parks , she was not happy but knew that it would work for them . Ms. Griego noted that at first , Englewood Unleashed was also happy with the hours but at Monday night's City Council meeting, Englewood Unleashed went off, threatening City Council and Parks and Recreation staff. Ms . Griego then said that it went as far as Englewood Unleashed assaulting two people and when there was no apology , she decided that she will not back off and will do whatever it takes. Ms. Griego stated that Englewood Unleashed has forgotten that Englewood parks were originally made for children. Ms. Griego told the Commission that it is her personal opinion that the hours are a good idea but Englewood Unleashed will continue to fight until they get what they want which they implied Monday night • at the City Council meeting. Ms. Griego asked Parks and Recreation commission members to speak to City Council and ask them to stick to the hours that were originally proposed or to make all of the parks on-leash. Ms. Griego stated that she will continue to do whatever she has to and that she will not back off because enough is enough. Gomes thanked Ms. Griego for her comments and told her that the Commission will be discussing the off-leash dog parks later in the meeting which she was welcome to stay for that discussion. V. 2010 BUDGET UPDATE Director Bl ack gave an update on the 2010 Budget. Black reminded commission members that at the last Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Recreation Manager Hultberg reviewed potential cuts for Parks and Recreation. Black reported that at the Budget Workshop on August 29th , City Council agreed to restore funding for Englewood Arts, Rec Zone, Special Events (Sounds of Summer Concert Series , Kidstage and Funfest) and the Summer Drama Program. Black noted that City Council did accept the elimination of the Senior Taxi Pro gram in addition to reductions in the parks operating budget. Bl ack stated that as part of the budget process, the Dep artment of Parks and Recreation greatly increased revenue on Parks and Recreation programs, exceeding $250,000. Black noted that staff does not feel the increase for 2010 will have a negative impact on programming. Black told the Commission that staff is very pleased that City Council re-instated funding for the programs . • Black spoke in regard to the letter that the Parks and Recreation Commission wrote to City Council concerning the proposed cuts. Black reported that City Council received only two letters from Bo ards and Commission regarding the 20 l 0 budget, the one from the Parks and Recreation Commission and another from the Cultural Arts Commission. Black stated that he believes the letters had an impact to City Council's decision. The Commission was told that City Council also discussed fee increases for Parks and Recreation programs which the Department feels is feasible and will not have a substantial impact on participation. In regard to a fee increase for Pirates Cove, Black explained that staff did a survey with H20'Brien Water Park (Parker), Splash (Golden) and Broomfield Bay which showed Pirates Cove to be a little above Splash and quite a bit above the other two water parks. Black went on to explain that staff does not feel the increase will have an impact at Pirates Cove and any reduction in revenue for 2010 will be a result of inclement weather. In regard to funding for Englewood Arts, Commission Member Woodward told the Commission that Englewood Arts has already contributed funding for the 2010 Concert Series and had asked City Council to maintain funding for Englewood Arts and Englewood Arts would commit to raising money for the Summer Drama Program . Woodward reported that City Council had eight people speak at the Public Hearing on the budget and that six of the eight spoke on behalf of the Summer Drama Program . Black informed the Commission that at the Budget Workshop , a City Council Member had also • brought up the feasibility of a fee increase for Rec Zone. Black explained that while it is very difficult to predict what could happen, every fee increase will have some type of impact. • • • Commission members discussed if there would be a large enough impact to revenue in the budget to justify the increase. Woodward suggested that staff bring back a recommendation to the Board that would include the possible impact of a fee increase. Woodward also stated that Safety Services could add some insight to the impact. Recreation Manager Hultberg reported that the Friday Night Rec Zone has a much higher attendance compared to the after-school Rec Zone. Hultberg also stated that the Department has a good scholarship program that could possibly assist those kids who need help with paying for the program. Discussion followed. Black told commission members that staff would bring back a recommendation regarding the fees . Commission Member Garrett thanked City Council Members for their consideration of the issues that had been brought to them . Commission Member Miller also thanked City Council on behalf of the Board of Education. VI. UPDATE ON OFF-LEASH PRIVILEGES IN ENGLE\VOOD PARKS Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space ga ve an update on off-leash privileges in Englewood parks . Lee reported that the Public Hearing on off-leash privilege s lasted over two hours and invol ved more than thirty speakers . Lee explained that most of the speakers represented Englewood Unleashed. Commission members were told that City Council will be gathering their thoughts in regard to the evening's discussion and a decision will be forthcoming on October 19th. Woodward explained that because it is an Administrative Resolution, City Council will be making a recommendation to the City Manager to direct City Departments in how to proceed . In regard to previously discussed off-leash hours , Lee told the Commission that Englewood Unleashed did a survey which they brought back to Council with a counter-proposal of longer off- leash hours . Lee reported that Englewood Unleashed made it clear that while it would prefer to keep the off-leash parks as is with no restrictions , it would accept the longer hours. McCaslin said that it is going to be a tough decision that Council knows will not please both sides . Gomes stated that at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at Jason Park, everyone was in agreement in regard to hours and now they are starting to pull back. McCaslin told the Commission that City Council proposed the original hours to get input from both sides . Woodward reminded commission members that the Parks and Recreation Commission asked City Council to determine the hours for off-leash and the purpose for the Public Hearing was to gather input. Discussion followed . Lee stated that at the Public Hearing , Englewood Unleashed also indicated that if the hours change , they would no longer do the clean-ups in the park and pay for a portion of the signage. Black informed the Bo ard that when Canine Corral was built , Englewood Unleashed entered into a formal agreement with the City of Englewood . Armstrong asked if the agreement pertained only to Canine Corral or all off-leash parks. Black replied that the agreement pertained only to Canine Corral and all of the off-leash parks are done voluntarily . In regard to the new hours that were being proposed for off-leash, Hultberg stated that they conflict with Parks and Recreation programming and that he was sure that they also conflict with soccer activities. Waldman commented that as much as people like their dogs , Ms . Griego is right that children come first. Gomes added that City Council needs to hold its ground . Discussion followed . Woodward stated that this needs to be resolved now; that the next time will be the same issue but with different people . Commission Member Garrett recommended closing the discussion on off-leash hours , stating that the Parks and Recreation Commission had already done its part and it is now a City Council decision . Commission members concurred. VI. NOVEMBER 2010 MEETING Black informed the Commission that in scheduling 2010 meeting dates for the Board, it was • determined that the November 2010 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will fall on Veterans Day which is an official City holiday. Black recommended mo ving the meeting out one week to November 18 , 2010 . Commission members were in fa vor of the change. VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Donna Schnitzer reported that the Cultural Arts Commiss ion judged artwork for the 2010 Student Art Calendar. Commission members were told of the Department of Parks and Recreation's Art Exhibit that will be on display in Hamdpen Hall October 13-19 in addition to the Museum of Outdoor Arts Cabin e t of Curios ities exhibit that will run October 9th through March 5 th . In regard to the Community Garden, Schnitzer reported that Wilmore Nurseries has donated $340 .00 in Wilmore Nursery Bucks to be used for fundraising. Discussion followed in regard to the Board writing a Lette r o f Support for the community garden. IX. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE In regard to the Great Outdoors Colorado grant opportunity that wa s discussed at the August meeting, commission members were told that the City was notified yesterday that GOCO 's Board has authorized the special grant opportunity. Black reported that GOCO 's Board will be meeting with all those interested to make sure applications will fit within the guidelines . Black stated that the City will be submitting an application for the planning and development of Duncan Park and will be using Open Space Funds for matching funds. Hultberg stated that the grant application is • due in December and awards will be announced in April ; adding that there will be only ten awards so it will be very competitive. Vice Chairperson Waldman verified that the grant will expedite the planning and development of Duncan Park. Hultberg clarified that normally, GOCO awards $200,000 and that this stimulus grant is a one time opportunity to develop a whole park with a maximum award of $700 ,000 . Hultberg stated that with this grant, it is conceivable that in two years, the City could have a whole new developed park which would normall y ha v e to be spread out in phases . Discussion followed. XI. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE McCaslin spoke in regard to the 2010 Budget process, commending the Department of Parks and Recreation on a great job. Schnitzer reported that the Community Garden Committee also held a yard sale that brought in $200 and provided a great opportunity to connect with the community. Waldman asked in regard to the status of racquetball court 4 at the Englewood Recreation Center and now court 3 that are shut down. Hultberg reported that as prev iously reported , court 4 was shut down to excessive moisture that was originally thought to be caused by an abandoned sewer line . Hultberg said the sewer line is not the problem but is instead being caused by moisture in the ground . Hultberg explained that the Department has money in the Conservation Trust Fund for 2011 to replace the floors in the racquetball courts with maple floors , the recommended flooring for racquetball courts . Hultberg went on to explain that there is money in • the CTF Contingency Fund to do the floor in court 4 right now . In regard to court 3 , Hultberg • • • stated that some kids flooded a toilet in the family locker room which caused water to go into the hallway and the courts. Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller reported that Englewood High School's homecoming went well and was very well-participated. In regard to the upcoming School Board election for three seats , Miller announced that one of four candidates dropped out so there will not be a School Board election. Woodward informed commission members that there will be a dedication of the Dartmouth and Oxford pedestrian bicycle bridges on Saturday, October 17th. Hultberg distributed fliers for the Englewood Art Exhibit. Golf Manager Bob Spada announced Broken Tee Golf Course 's annual tent sale that will be held Friday, October 10th thru Sunday, October li11 • XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm. ~a .~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary