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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-12 PRC MINUTES• I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of November 12, 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 the Broken Tee Grill at the Broken Tee Golf Course, 2101 W. Oxford Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison Jim Woodward, Commiss ion Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Jerrell Black, ex officio Ab s ent: Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Christina Kruk, Youth Commission Member Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager G ar y Hultberg, Recrea tion Manager Shannon Rhoades , Recreation Program Administrator, Golf • Deni se White, Recreation Program Administrator, Marketing II.· APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of October 8, 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. 2010 BUDGET UPDATE • VI. Director Black informed the Commission that there was no new update in regard to the 2010 budget. In regard to a fee increase for the Rec Zone program that was discussed at last month 's meeting, Bl ack stated that Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg will be addressing the issue further in the meeting . UPDATE ON OFF-LEASH PRIVILEGES IN ENGLEWOOD PARKS Discussion turned to an update on off-leash privileges in Englewood parks . Black reported that staff had met with City Council to discuss signage and enforcement of off-leash parks . In regard to • • Vil. • enforcement, Black told the Commission that Police Chief Tom Vandermee reported that enforcement of off-leash parks will be like all other parks where an officer will respond when a call is received . Black also reported that Vandermee stated that park users will probably see a little more presence of Safety Service in the parks either through an on-call basis or with drive-bys but that there will not be an impact team or an officer patrolling the parks on a regular basis . Black informed the Commission that the program will not begin until March l, 2010. In regard to signage, Black reported that Parks and Recreation staff took a proposal to City Council that included new signage in the parks after the first of the year. Black explained that even though the program will not begin until the first of March, the Department will have information posted in advance notifying the public of the changes to come. Vice Chairperson Mitch Waldman asked in regard to what was approved in regard to off-leash hours . Black told the Commission that City Council approved off leash hours for March l st through October 3 l st from 6am to 11 am and 6pm to 11 pm with no off-leash restrictions from November l st through February 28 1h. Waldman commented that the hours that were approved are different than what was proposed. Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller commented that dogs will be allowed off- leash during the time the parks are being used for soccer. Commission Member Woodward explained that the new signage for the parks will include signage stating that off-leash dogs are not allowed on athletic fields, shelter and playgro und areas. Waldman asked if there will be any more restrictions placed at Jason Park . Black replied no , that all off-leash parks will have the same restrictions. Commission Member Armstrong asked if the new hours will impact parks and recreation programs. Hultberg stated that the hours will conflict with recreation programs and soccer usage. Waldman asked why the hours were amended . Black explained that there was lots of discussion on hours and days that included input from all City Council members. Waldman asked if it wi ll be a pilot program . Woodward replied no . Gomes asked if the hours can be changed at any point. Woodward stated that the hours can always be changed; noting that the new signage should make a difference . Discussion followed . Commission Member Armstrong discussed a recent Englewood Herald article that indicated both sides were appeased with the proposed off-leash hours, asking if that is the case or if they are still angry . Woodward replied that he thinks both sides are willing to work together to come to a solution. RECOMMENDATION REGARDING FEE INCREASE FOR REC ZONE In regard to last month 's discussion pertaining to a fee increase for Rec Zone and the Commission's decision to leave it alone, Hultberg informed the commission that prior to last month 's meeting, Recreation staff had already made the decision to increase admission cost for Friday Rec Zone b y $1.00. Hultberg stated that the fee increase had already been applied to admission costs in the upcoming Activity Guide that had gone to print and could not be changed. Hultberg stated that the current fee for Friday Rec Zone is $3.00 that will go to $4.00 and the Weekday Rec Zone fee is $1.00 which will remain the same. Black stated that he and Gary had spoke in regard to the fee increase and that unless the Board feels different, the fee will be left at $4.00 and see what happens. Hultberg told the Commission that Tara Micheli , Program Administrator for the Rec Zone program, has been good in staying on top of the participants in the program and has a feel of individuals that may need some assistance. Hultberg stated that the Department will work with indi v iduals on an as-needed basis . Woodward noted that it is the Commission's intent that as many kids that want to participate are given every opportunity to participate . Gomes asked commission members if they are in agreement with the $1.00 increase for the Friday Rec Zone. Commission members concurred. Armstrong stated that they will support it as long as Tara Micheli feels that it will be okay. • • • VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE IX. Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Donna Schnitzer gave an update on the November Cultural Arts Commission meeting. Schnitzer reported that the Cultural Arts Commission Alternate Member discussed her concern with the Museum of Outdoor Arts hours of operation ; specifically that it is not open on weekends. Schnitzer informed the Commission that the artwork from the fifty finalists for the 2010 Student Art Calendar is currently on display in the Civic Center atrium. In regard to the Community Garden, Schnitzer stated that they have been working on grant submittals. Schnitzer discussed her and Cultural Arts Commission Member Stewart taking a Community Master Gardener class through Denver Urban Gardens; in addition to her and Stewart teaching gardening classes in March and April through the Department of Parks and Recreation. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black di sc ussed with the Commission not having a meeting in December due to the holidays and there being no agenda items . Bl ac k stated that if a board member does feel that there is a need to hold a meeting, a meeting will then be scheduled. A motion was made by Vice Chairperson \Valdman and seconded by Commission Member \Voodward to propose cancelling the December Parks and Recreation Commission meeting with the understanding that a meeting will be called if something comes up . Ayes: Nayes: Gomes, \Valdman, Armstrong, l\ililler, \Voodward, Mccaslin, Schnitzer None All were in favor. The motion passed. Black turned discussion over to Hultberg to give an update on the GOCO Stimulus Grant. As pre vio usly discussed , Hultberg informed the Commission that the Department has been working on the GOCO Special Grant Opportunity for the development of Duncan Park. Hultberg reported that the Department has brought in the consultant, EDA W, who did the Park Master Plan to assist with a conceptual plan for the grant application . Hultberg stated that the Department will be submitting a draft of the application early for GOCO staff to review and provide comments before the final application is submitted. Commission members were reminded that the GOCO grant is up to $700,000 and the Department will also be applying for a grant through Arapahoe County Open Space of a maximum amount of $250,000. Hultberg stated that if the Department is successful in the grants, the City will be able to develop Duncan Park in two years instead of phases . Discussion followed in regard to a water drainage problem at Duncan Park. Hultberg introduced Denise White, Recreation Program Administrator for the Department of Parks and Recreation . Hultberg told the Commission that White is responsible for marketing that includes the production of the Department's Activity Guides. Hultberg stated that the Department recently went full-color with its Activity Guides which actually ended up saving the • department money. Discussion was turned over to White. • XI. • White told the Commission that the Department currently publishes two publications quarterly; 23 ,000 of the Englewood Recreation Center Activity Guide and 2,500 of the Malley Senior Recreation Center Activity Guide. White stated that the Department has not seen a return in regard to money being spent on mailing the Guides so the Department is researching the possibility of combining the two Guides since much of the information is duplicated. White explained that combining the two Guides will save in production cost in addition to postage. White went on to explain that currently the new guide is mailed to all residents and the new Guide would only be mailed to those who request to be put on a mail list in addition to it also being available on-line . White discussed the option of going only to an on-line publication only but explained that it has been shown that when publications are eliminated, registrations drop drastically. White reported that the first combined publication will be in the fall and during the first year in transition, the Department will be sending out postcards to inform residents of the change. Armstrong commented that she thought it is a terrific idea and combining the two Guides will allow people to become familiar with programming to use later (ie: senior programming). Armstrong asked in regard to a Welcome to Englewood packet. White reported that the Chamber of Commerce use to do a welcome packet which the Department provided Activity Guides for but that the Chamber no longer does the packets. Discussion followed. Black also informed the Commission that a meeting was recently held in regard to social networking for the City that includes accessing twitter and facebook. Black discussed the benefits of social networking for Parks and Recreation including distributing information to program participants , marketing and notification. White reported that the service is free but very labor intensive. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Miller informed the Commission that there is a new Board of Education ; noting that Scott Gorsky is the new President. Miller told the Commission that she will remain as the Liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Miller also reported that Sean McDaniel, School Superintendent , now has a blog. Miller announced that Charles Hay Elementary just received its LB . accreditation and will be now called Charles Hay World School. Miller spoke in regard to the recent budget cuts by the State of Colorado for Colorado public schools. Armstrong spoke in regard to Englewood Education 's Foundation's Fall Fling that was held on Saturday night. Armstrong thanked those who had attended and donated for the event. Armstrong reported that it appears the event was very successful. Armstrong also thanked the Commission for the donation by the Parks and Recreation Commission to the Colorado Rockies Charity Fund in memory of her father who recently passed away. Woodward reported that the new City Council will start on Monday night. Woodward told the Commission that budget figures continue to go down but hopes are that there will be a change in December figures . Gomes congratulated Woodward on his re-election to City Council. Gomes wished commission • members happy holidays and a happy new year. • • Hultberg discussed with the Commission the City-wide recycling program and reported that the recycling committee recently toured the Recycling America facility. Golf Manager Bob Spada discussed how play at the course has been affected by weather forecasts this season . Waldman asked if the Department is actively seeking a replacement for the vacancy created by Scott Rhoades resignation . Spada reported that the City is in a hiring freeze which has prevented filling the position so they have brought in a seasonal employee to assist. Waldman asked in regard to an update on Wayne Niles . Black reported that he had spoken to Wayne a few weeks ago and that Wayne keeps hoping the doctor will release him to come back to work . XII. A DJ O URl'lMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:27pm . Deborah A. Sev era, Recording Secretary