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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-06-08 PRC MINUTES• • Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of June 8, 1989 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:34 p.m. by Chairman Neyer at the Englewood Public Library Conference Room. Members present: Armstrong, Braucht, Clayton, Gomes, Kozacek , Neyer, Ramelow, Winkle, ex officio Members absent: Hathaway, Wiggins Also present: Kells Waggoner, Director of Public Works Chairman Neyer asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of May 8, 1989. There were none. A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved as presented. The motion passed with one abstention from Commissioner Armstrong. Director Winkle reviewed some background information regarding recreation programs such as canoeing, sailing, rafting, etc. that have been offered in the past stating that interest in this area has been very low. Commissioner Clayton stated that he is interested in instigating a permit program that would allow individuals to use Centennial Lake for boating, canoeing, etc. There was considerable discussion regarding a permit system of this type, including size of groups, the effect boating may have on fishing, the necessity of a boat launch, control of a permit system, liability insurance, etc. Director Waggoner stated that many communities have discontinued boating on their lakes due to the high cost of liability insurance, and for lake sizes under 50 acres. Waggoner stated that the Colorado Division of Wildlife has requested, should boating be permitted at Centennial Lake, that fishing be allowed from boats. Waggoner stated that the Division of Wildlife stocks Centennial Lake on a regular basis. Commissioner Gomes stated he would not be in favor of boating at Centennial Lake because of the liability position in which the City would be placed, and he questions the City allowing boating at Centennial Park when a large number of districts in the area are discontinuing boating. Youth Commissioner Ramelow stated that he would not be in favor of boating at Centennial Lake because of insurance expenses and also that fishing on the shore may be impaired because of boating on the lake . He stated he would be in favor of special boating permits for groups such as Scouts but not boating for the public. Commissioner Kozacek entered the meeting at 5 :55 p .m. Chairman Neyer expressed mixed feelings on the subject in that he realizes the liability concerns that exist but also agrees with Commissioner Clayton that Centennial Lake is a City facility paid for by the taxpayers and should be made • available for use by the citizens. Commissioner Kozacek stated his concerns are with liability and the lack of staff to patrol the facility. Commissioner Clayton made recommend that in 1989 permits concerning liability matters. Commissioners Braucht, Gomes, a motion, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong, to be issued to special groups subject to restrictions The motion was defeated with four opposing votes from Kozacek and Youth Commissioner Ramelow. Director Winkle reported that as a result of extensive investigation by City staff, City Council determined that the City is unable to pursue a 1989 fireworks program. Winkle reviewed some information that was included in the Comm i ssion's packets concerning a fireworks program. Commissioner Clayton stated that City Council feels an activity of this kind should be organized and suppor t ed by the various public service groups in this area. Clayton stated that Council is willing to support a fireworks display financially and assist the project but they are not willing to have a fireworks display funded by taxpayers. Clayton stated that he and Councilwoman Habenicht will meet in the Fall with Director Winkle and staff to lay the groundwork for a display in 1990. Discussion included the possibility of laser shows, different locations to consider for a fireworks display, specifically the golf course, charging fees, etc. Commissioner Braucht made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gomes, to recommend to Council that a committee be created to coordinate the 4th of July celebration for 1990. The motion passed unanimously. Director Waggoner reported that the graffiti covered walls along Little Dry Creek, as per Youth Commissioner Hathaway's inquiry, are part of the old structure which is under the maintenance of the State Highway Department. Waggoner stated he discussed this with the Highway Department Maintenance Superintendent who indicated he will check into it. Director Waggoner reported that bids for lighting of the driving range at the golf course have been received and he is awaiting Council's award of the low bid to Maupin Electric for the sum of $45,250. Waggoner stated that Council had approved $59,000 in the 1989 golf course budget for driving range lighting. Waggoner stated that the project should be completed by the end of July. Director Winkle reviewed information pertaining to the Before and After School Program that is being developed in cooperation with Englewood Schools . She stated that the pilot program is scheduled to begin in the Fall at Charles Hay Elementary. She stated that information will be mailed the latter part of July to inform parents of the details of the program. Winkle stated that an extended weekly program fee of $40 has been determined which includes an amount to be reimbursed to the School District, for expenses for their part in the program . This amount is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $2,000 annually. She stated that there is no classroom space available for the program and therefore the cafeteria will be utilized . Winkle informed the Commission that an all day care program for days when school is not in session has been added to the original Before and After School Program proposal. Winkle stated that since parents will be taking their children out of their present day cares in order to put them in the Before and After School Program , it will be necessary for the Department to commit to the program for the entire school year whether or not the minimum enrollment is met. The Commission discussed facility tours for Commission members in an effort to become better informed on matters pertaining to Parks and Recreation . Following discussion, the Commission agreed that Commission meetings will be held at a different location each month and that a tour of that facility will be given . It was noted that since the meetings are open to the public, adequate advertising as to \ • • the meeting location will be nesessary. Director Winkle will check with City • Attorney DeWitt to make sure there will be no problem with public acce s s to the meetings if held at a different location each month . Director Winkle briefly discussed the 1990 budget preparat i on process and passed out copies of a memo from City Manager Fraser. ) Director Winkle passed out information concerning Senate Bill 76 for the Commission's review. • Director Winkle reported that Council approved a recommendation from the Malley Center Trust Fund Committee that an amount not to exceed $900 be expended from the Trust Fund for the services of a property acquisition negotiator for acquisition of property from the St. Louis Parish should that opportunity arise. • • Director Winkle reported that City Manager Fraser has asked staff to develop information concerning the possibility of constructing a water park facility in Englewood. Commissioner Clayton stated he believes the benefits to the City from a facility of this type would be great in terms of recreation opportunities and revenue to the City. Following some discussion, Commissioner Kozacek made a motion , seconded by Commissioner Gomes, to recommend to City Council that staff investigate and gather information to determine the possibilities of providing a water park facility in the City of Englewood. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Gomes asked if Director Waggoner had investigated the feasibility of permitting self-contained concession carts at Belleview Park as was discussed at the Commission meeting in May. Director Winkle stated she will pass this inquiry on to Director Waggoner, since he left the meeting earlier. Commissioner Gomes also inquired about the continuous burning of the tennis court lights. Discussion ensued. With respect to a recent Boulder County mountain school bus accident, the Commission discussed safety conditions of City vans and busses and qualifications of City drivers. Director Winkle stated she will report back to the Commission concerning this matter. · Commissioner Clayton passed out some samples of advertising that could be considered for the Recreation Brochure. For Commission's information, Commissioner Clayton stated that he appreciated the Commission's point of view concerning boating permits for Centennial Lake but that he does intend to present his proposal to City Council. Commissioner Braucht asked about possible solutions to the air conditioning problem at the golf course clubhouse. Director Winkle stated that a new compressor has been ordered for the system and the City maintenance staff believes that this will correct the problem. The maintenance staff advised of the possibility that the system may be too small for the size of the building and height of the ceilings . Discussion included the advantages of installing a swamp cooler, cracking windows open at the high point of the ceiling for ventilation, etc. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m . Linda Wilks, Recording Secretary • ~Yo ,?~ #~~1/1 ~/o ~~~~ _C_O_U_N_C_I_L __ C_O_M_M_U_N__;I;__;..C-'A~T_I_O_N DATE July lo; 1989 INITIATED BY STAFF SOURCE PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION none ACTION PROPOSED AGENDA ITEM SUBJECT 8 (a) Parks & Recreation Commission Parks & Recreation Commission Recommendations Sharon Winkle , Director of Library and Recreation Services .At its meeting of June 8, 1989 the Parks and Recreation determined to recommend the following items to City Council: • 1 . The Commission recommends the establishment of a Committee charged with the development and implementation of a public fireworks program in commemoration of the Fourth of July for presentation in 1990. Commission member Braucht volunteered to serve on such a Committee should it be established. 2. The Commission recommends that staff be assigned to investigate potential Englewood sites suitable for development as a "water park" site .