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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-08 PRC MINUTESCALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of January 8, 2009 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreati on Commission was called to order at 5 :30pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Broken Tee Golf Course Maintenance Facility, 4101 S . Clay Street. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Karen Miller, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Christina Kruk, Youth Commission Member . Do nna Schnitze r , Cultural Arts Commission Liaison •u. Also Pre sent: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Dave Lee , Manager of Open Sp ace Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Wayne Nile s, Golf Co ur se Supervi so r Jerry B arto n, Pa rk s Supervisor APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Chairperson Gomes asked if th e re were any changes or corrections to the minutes of November 13 , 2008 and D e cember 11, 2008. There were none. The minutes we r e approved as presented. III. SCHEDCLED PlJBLIC CO:\L\-IENT There were no items for Scheduled Public Comment. IV . UNSCHEDULED P UBLIC COM'-IENT v. There vvere no items for Unscheduled Public Comment. Manager of Open Space , D av e Lee , introduced Jen-y Barton , newl y appointed Parks Supervisor. Lee to ld the Commission that Mr. Barton ha s worked for the Depai1m ent of Parks and R ecreatio n Park s Di vision for thirty-two years. Commission members congratulated i'vlr . B a11on . CUL TURl\L ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Director Black informed the Commission that at the December and January Cultural Arts Commission meetings , the B oard has been discussing a community garden. Black told commission members that staff is gathering information in regard to community gardens for discussion in more detail at the February Cultural Arts Commission meeting . Black reported that a committee has also been formed. Commission members were reminded that the D epartment of Parks and Recreation had overseen a community garden next to the golf course for a number of years that was closed due to lack of participation. Black told the Commission that information on the community garden would also be brought back to the Parks and Recreation Commission for discussion . Commission Member Armstrong asked why the Cultural Arts Commission is looking at a community • garden. Black explained that the Cultural Arts Commission had been discussing a sculpture garden and the idea moved into a community garden that would incorporate artwork. Discussion followed in regard to the City of Denver's Urban Garden (DUG) program. Lee told the Commission that he has been speaking to staff with DUG . Black discussed cost that would be associated with a community garden and noted that money is not budgeted for the project. Discussion followed . VI. DIRECT O R 'S CHO ICE Black reported that at the February Commission meeting, staff will be bringing information to the Board in regard to the golf fleet study. Black explained that the golf course is on schedule to purchase golf carts in 2009. Black also explained City is doing an energy saving study and as part of the City's greening effort, staff will be looking at the option of electric golf carts. Discussion followed . Black stated that City Council has requested information in regard to City of Englewood and Englewood School Board retiree benefit s at parks and recreation facilities . Bl ac k told the Commission tha t staff will be bring ing that informatio n to the Board in March for discuss ion and a recommendation to City Council. VII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Commission Member Woodward asked in regard to Christmas tree mulch and if it was avai lable at the parks that ha ve Christmas tre e drop-off sites or at the Serv ice Center. Lee replied that during the month of J anu ary, there will be mulch available o n-si te at the Christmas tree drop-off locations and the n year-round a t the Service Center. \V oo d wa rd comp limented the Parks Di vis ion o n the ho lida y lighting o n B roadway. Le e reported that the lighri ng will be up through the end of January . \Voo d ward noted that th e City Center holi day li ghti ng has a lr eady be e n take n down. Woodward informed th e Board rhat the City has rece ive d a letter fro m En gle\.voo d Arts requ esting the release of the agreement bet \.vee n EU RA and Englew oo d Arts fo r the Acoma Street property where Englev.:oo d Arts was looking at bu ilding a Cu ltu ra l Arts Center. Woo dward noted tha t it is clue to eco nomic times. Wooclv.iarcl reported that Englewood Art s was as king for a con tact with En glewood School s in re gard to the Fl oo d prope11 y. Woodward announced that Sout h Suburban Park Foundation will be ho lding a ded icatio n o n May 3 , 2009 . for a segment of the B ig Dr y Creek Trail th a t will link Lebow to B roadway. \V oo cl vva rd stated tha t th is fi nal link wil l complet e th e trail proj ect ; adding that the Cit y of Engle\.vood ha d a lo t to do with the entire p ro j ect. [n regard to City re venues for 2008 , commission members were to ld that the City's re ve nue s for 200 8 were 2 .9% over 2007 figures . Woodward reported that according to other city ma yors , the City of Englewood is ve ry fortunate . Englewood Schools Liaison Karen Miller announced that this evening, Englewood Schools will be hosting the first of three forums concerning the reorganization of Englewood Schools . Discussion followed in regard to the proposed changes caused by declining enrollment. Miller stated that Englewood Schools is not closing schools, just reorganizing . • • • • • Gomes asked if there was any progress with the Flood property. Miller replied no . Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg informed the Commission that the Department of Parks and Recreation will be applying for two Arapahoe County Open Space grants. Hultberg stated that one grant is for the acquisition of the Fire Academy Orphan Property, a three-quarter of an acre of land west of the Platte River on Wyandot Street. Hultberg went on to explain that plans for the property include trail connections and amenities, a shelter and a small parking lot. Commission members were told that the second grant is for the completion of the Centennial Park ballfields that will entail lighting the two ballfields . Hultberg noted that Gomes had signed letters of support on behalf of the Boa rd for both grants . In regard to the downturn of the economy, Armstrong asked if the City is considering a hiring freeze . Woodward reported that the City has been in a "soft" hiring freeze since October of 2008; noting that the City is only hiring essential personnel. Woodward stated that City Council is trying to be proactive and have asked the Director 's to take a look at their Department's budget in order to be ready if things become dismal. IX. ADJOURL~lENT The meeting was adjourned at 6 :07pm . Deborah A. Se vera, Recordin g Secretary