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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-09 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englew ood PARKS AND RECREATI ON COMMISSION Minutes of April 9, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:38pm by Vice Chairperson Waldman at the Broken Tee Grill at the Broken Tee Golf Course, 2101 W . Oxford A venue . Present: Mitch Waldman , Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Bob McCaslin, City Council Liaison Jim Woodward, Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison (arrived at 5:45pm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Christina Kruk , Youth Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Wayne Niles, Golf Course Supervisor Scott Rhodes , Program Administrator, Broken Tee Golf Course (arrived at 5 :40pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chairperson \Valdman asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of March 12, 2009. It was noted that Commission Member Miller's name was left off for those commission members present for the March 12 meeting. The minutes were approved as amended. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no guests present for Scheduled Public Comment. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There were no guests present for Unscheduled Public Comment. LI ONS CLUB TRAIN Discussion turned to the Lions Club Train. Director Black informed the Commission that the City of Englewood received a letter from the Englewood Lions Club informing the City that the train is for sale/donation to the City for $1 .00. Black reminded the Commission that the City was in the process of submitting a proposal to the Lions Club for operation of the train for the 2009 summer. Black reported that staff will be meeting with City Council Monday evening to get some direction from City Council in regard to the direction the City wants to take. Commission members were told that staff has had a railroad specialist inspect the tracks, trestle • and train so that the City will have an idea in re gard to short term and lon g term maintenance costs. Black noted that the Lions Club had the train engine and trestle rebuilt a few years ago. Commission Member Woodward , who also serves on the Board of Directors for the Englewood Lion's Club , spoke in regard to the letter the City had received and the reason behind the $1.00 sale/donation. Woodward discussed the identification of the Englewood Lions Club remaining on the train. Di scussion followed. Commission Member Annstrong asked ifthere have been any accidents involving the train over the course of the years. Recreation Manager Hultberg stated that there have been no accidents in relation to the train. Armstrong asked if the City of Englewood's insurance will cover the train . Black replied yes. Armstrong asked in regard to qualifications the train conductor will need. Hultberg stated there are no licenses or requirements that the train conductor will need at this time but that the City anticipates that it will be coming down the line since the train is considered an amusement ride . Bl ack iterated that the City wants the operation of the train to remain the same as it has over the past sev eral years and therefore has no plans to make changes . Black discussed combining the operation of the train with the farm operations in the future that will probably help to reduce some of the costs associated with operation of the train . Armstrong asked in regard to the scenario that if in three to four years, the City decides it is no longer interested in operating the train, does the Lions Club retain the first right of refusal. Woodward stated no , that the Lions Club would not be interested in taking the operation of the • train back o ver. Armstrong asked Woodward how selling the train will impact the Lions Club using the train as a source ofrevenue for its annual scholarship program. Woodward explained that the Lions Club has planned accordingly so that it can continue to distribute scholarships . Discussion followed . Black told the Commission that staff has confinned with the Colorado State Lottery that lottery funds can be used for the maintenance of the train which will help with long-term maintenance costs . A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by Commission Member Miller recommending that the City staff continue negotiating with the Lions Club in regard to taking over the operation of the Englewood Lion's Club Train. Ayes: \-Valdman, Armstrong, McCaslin, 'Woodward, Miller Nayes: None The motion passed. VI. RETIREES AND ENGLE\-VOOD SCHOOLS BENEFITS Discus sion moved to Retirees and Englewood School Benefits. Information was distributed to commission members . Hultberg informed the Commission that a request was made to City Council by a City of Englewood retiree in regard to retirees receiving the same benefit at parks and recreation facilities as a City of Englewood employee . Hultberg explained that School • District employees were added to the request. Hultberg stated that in response to the request by City Council , parks and recreation staff has been researching current recreation facility use policies and potential impacts of the proposed changes . • • • Hultberg explained that as a component of the Employee Wellness Program administered by the Human Resource Department, all benefited City employees are eligible to use the Englewood Recreation Center at no charge. Hultberg noted that free use of the Center does not extend to employee spouses or dependents. Hultberg went on to explain that benefit employees are also allowed to register for classes and pro grams at the resident rate that are offered by Parks and Recreation. In regard to admission into Pirates Cove or Broken Tee Golf Course, Hultberg stated that benefit employees can use these facilities at the resident rate. Hultberg also reported that spouses and dependents of benefit employees approved by Human Resources can obtain an Employee Dependent Card that will allow them use of the Recreation Center, Pirates Cove and Broken Tee Golf Course in addition to recreation classes and programs at the resident rate. Hultberg stated that Human Resources has reported that as of 12 /1/08, there were 123 Englewood retirees in addition to there currently being 322 benefit employees age forty years and older. Hultberg added that retiree numbers could conceivably be as high as 400 or more in fifteen years. In regard to the potential impact to the Englewood Recreation Center, Hultberg explained that currently, r eti rees who use the Recreation Center pay a minimum of $2.60 per visit with the purchase of a multi-visit resident pass . Under the new proposal , all retirees would receive free admission . Currently, non-resident retirees and dependents who register for classes and programs pay non-resident rates. With the new proposal , they would be eligible for the resident rates which would be a twenty-five percent discount. Hultberg stated that twenty percent of City employees take advantage of the free use of the Rec Center and assuming a similar percentage ofretirees wou ld take advantage of the free admission , the potential impact would be $7,800 (124 retirees x 20% participation= 25 x 3 visits per week x 40 weeks @ $2 .60 /visit) . In regard to the impact to Pirates Cove , Hultberg reported that non-resident retirees and dependents who visit Pirates Cove pay a minimum of $8.25 per visit with the purchase of a multi-visit non-resident pass. Hultberg explained that under the new proposal , the retiree would be eligible to receive the resident rate which equates to a twenty-two percent discount. Hultberg stated that although the financial imp act is unknown , staff feels that it would be minimal. Concerning the impact to Broken Tee Golf Course , Hultberg explained th at currently, non- resident retirees and dependents th at play golf at Broken Tee pay an additional $8 per round weekdays and $5 per round weekends over resident rates . Hultberg went on to explain that under the new proposal , non-resident retirees would save significantly, particularly if they were to purchase an annual pass ; noting that currently, annual passes are not available to non- residents . Hultberg reported that the financial impact to Broken Tee would be $64,000 ( 100 retirees/spouses playing 2 rounds per week x 40 weeks@ $8.00 per round -the difference in resident vs . non-resident fees -weekdays). Hultberg then discussed the request for Englewood School employees to receive the same discount as City of Englewood benefit employees. Hultberg reported that Englewood Schools currently employs more than 425 employees. Hultberg stated that currently, Englewood School employees are eligible to receive the corporate discount that is available to all Englewood businesses and their individual employees . Hultberg explained that the minimum twenty-five visit corporate pass allows a school employee to use the Rec Center for approximately $2.60 per visit, the same as an Englewood adult resident who purchases a 30 visit pass . Hultberg went on to explain that with the new proposal, Englewood School employees would receive free admission to the Recreation Center. Commission members were informed that currently, non- resident Englewood School employees who register for classes and program pay the non- resident rate. With the new proposal, they would be eligible for the resident rate at a twenty-fi ve • percent discount. Hultberg reported that twenty percent of Englewood School employees use the Englewood Recreation Center and assuming that a similar percentage would use take advantage of the free use of the Rec Center, the potential financial impact would be $26 ,520 ( 425 employees x 20 % participation = 85 x 3 visits/week x 40 weeks at $2.60 per visit). In regard to the financial impact to Pirates Co v e, Hultberg explained the currently, non-resident School employees who visit Pirates Cove pay a minimum of $8.25 per visit with the purchase of a multi-visit non-resident punch pass . Hultberg reported that under the new proposal , the School employee would pa y the resident rate and staff feels the financial impact would be minimal. For Broken Tee Golf Course, Hultberg told the Commission that currently, non-resident school employees who play golf at Broken Tee pay an additional $4 per round weekdays and $5 per round weekends over resident rates. Hultberg stated that the new proposal would result in a significant savings for the non-resident school employee, particularly if the y were to purchase an annual pass. In regard to the financial impact, Hultberg showed the Commis s ion that assuming fifty percent of school employees play golf and would take ad vantage of resident rates , the potential financial impact would be $22 ,365 (213 employees playing 2 times per week x 12 weeks during the summer @ $4 .00 per round discount -and one time per month x 9 months during the school year @ $5 .00 per round discount). Hultberg informed the Commission that the City of Englewood 's Hum an Resource Department conducted a survey of nine Denver metropolitan area cities with similar demographics to • Englewood . Hultberg stated that the question was asked , "What if any benefits does the City give to retirees as it pertains to park and recreation facilities and programs , including golf'. Commission members were told that all of those surveyed responded that no benefits of this type were offered to their retirees. Hultberg was asked the question as to why the prop o sal does not address school retirees. Hultberg explained that the request from City Council was only for Englewood School employees . Discussion followed. Commission members discussed the email s from Chairperson Gomes and Commission Member Garrett in regard their recommendation to maintain the current rate structure with no changes. Woodward also discussed Garrett 's comment that the golf course is a part of the enterprise fund , separate from the City 's finances , and fees paid are used to support the golf course without the transfer of City funds . In regard to School employees receiving the same benefits as City employees , commission members discussed school employees already recei ving a discount to the Recreation Center through the corporate pass. Discussion followed . A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by Commission Member Miller recommending that current school employees continue with the same fee structure that is currently being offered through the corporate discount rate for the Englewood Recreation Center. Ayes: \Valdman, Armstrong, Mccaslin, \Voodward, Miller Nayes: None The motion passed. • • VII. • IX. VII. • Discussion turned to a recommendation concerning City of Englewood retirees receiving the same benefits as City employees at parks and recreation facilities. McCaslin referred back to the survey done by Human Resources showing that no other City gives benefits to their retirees . Armstrong noted that they are receiving benefits from their own community. Waldman commented that if a person is retired, they are probably not coming to Englewood to work out. Discussion followed in regard to the Silver Sneaker program that is currently being offered to senior citizens that allows free use of the Englewood Recreation Center and the Malley Center in addition to eligible recreation classes. A motion was made by Commission Member \Voodward and seconded by Commission Member Miller recommending that the current policy regarding benefits at parks and recreation facilities for City of Englewood retirees remain the same with no benefits. Ayes: \Valdman, Armstrong, Mccaslin, \Voodward, Miller Nayes: None The motion passed. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Black gave an update on the April Cultural Arts Commission meeting . In regard to the Art Wall at Wal-Mart, Black informed the Commission that the artist, Todd Siler, has contacted Community Development in regard to the art wall needing restoration. Black reported that there is not funding in the Parks and Recreation, Community Development or Public Works budgets for the restoration work so he has approached the Cultural Arts Commission to see if there is interest in using money from the one percent art fund which has a balance of approximately $38,000 . Black noted that the artist has proposed $16,000 to restore the art work. Black told the Commission that the Culh1ral Arts Commission members have tabled the discussion to give them time to go look at the art piece to discuss in more detail at the May meeting. Black reported that the Cultural Art s Commission members felt that $16 ,000 was high for the work. Black also reported that the City has asked the Museum of Outdoor Arts representative if MOA had any interest in funding the restoration work but he has said that MOA does not have money in the budget for the work. Black stated that there is a clause in the agreement that the City of Englewood will maintain the art piece but that there is also a clause that the City of Englewood can remove the art piece at any point. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE There were no items for Director's Choice . COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Commission Member Miller reported that the School Board will be appointing a new school Board Member to replace Shelly Thompson who has resigned due to her moving out of the district. Miller stated that the Board hopes to have someone appointed by May . In regard to the Flood property, Miller stated that Englewood Schools will be sitting on the property until the time when real estate becomes viable again. Discussion followed in regard to the restructuring of Englewood Schools. Golf Course Supervisor Wayne Niles reported that maintenance crews are aerating the greens this week. Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, gave an update on the Community Garden. Lee reminded Commission members that Waldman was appointed as the Parks and Recreation Commission representative to the Community Garden committee . Lee explained that the committee meets during the day which he understands is a difficult time for Waldman to meet due to work. Black told the Commission that Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Donna Schnitzer is on the steering committee and she could be the Parks and Recreation Commission representative. Commission members concurred that Schnitzer be the Parks and Recreation Commission representative to the Community Garden Committee. Lee reported that the Community Garden committee has had several meetings and the next steps for them will be to notify the neighbors of plans for a community garden, distribution of fliers and research and apply for grants. Discussion followed in regard to a formal agreement with Denver Urban Gardens. Lee told the Commission that the City of Littleton has contacted the City of Englewood in regard to a number of sewer manholes that Littleton believes are located on the golf course that need to be located. Black stated that the City of Littleton is in the process of bidding out the job and then the City of Littleton and Englewood will enter into an agreement to begin the process of locating the manholes . • Lee announced that the Platte River Bridge was installed on Tuesday and the Dartmouth Bridge • will be installed this week. Lee noted that the Platte River bridge is one section where as the Dartmouth Bridge is two sections. Discussion followed regarding traffic flow. Discussion turned to the Parks and Recreation budget. Black infonned the Commission that in 2008 , the Department went over budget by $200 ,000. Black noted that $160,000 of the overage was related to capital improvements at Pirates Cove that included replacing boilers and pumps that went down. Commission members were told that in 2008 , Pirates Cove also brought in the largest amount of revenue in all the years it has been opened. Woodward announced that the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Division was awarded by the United States Water Fitness Association first place in the State of Colorado, first place in the Parks and Recreation Category and fifth place for Aquatic Programs in the Country for 2008 . Woodward and commission members congratulated the Aquatics Division on the awards . Woodward notified the Commission that the Farmer's Market will open on Saturday, May 2nd at the intersection of Broadway and Englewood Parkway. Commission members were told that the Chamber was able to negotiate five booths for non-profits to raise funds. IX. ADJOURl~MENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm. J{k~ {L <fwµ_u Deborah A. Severa , Recording Secretary •