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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-08 PRC MINUTESCALL TO ORD ER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 8, 2008 The regular monthly 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 Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Karen Miller, Commission Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Jim Woodward , Commission Member Also Present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager • II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of April 10, 2008. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There was no one present for scheduled comment. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There was no one present for unscheduled comment. BROKEN TEE UPDATE Director Black informed the Commission that the United States Golf Association (USGA) was out at Broken Tee Englewood yesterday to evaluate the condition of the course and to determine the probability of it opening on May 24, 2008 . Bl ack reported that thre e of the six front holes will not be ready for play by the 24th. Black explained that with the USGA's suggestions on things to do to and with stipulations regarding play, the Par 3 Course and driving range could open on the 24th. Black went on to explain that the teaching area is in excellent condition and will open on the 24th . Discu ssion followed in regard to implementing a temporary schedule for play. Commission members were told that more information will be available on Saturday 's tour of the golf course but it will be staffs recommendation to delay the opening by at least a couple of weeks . Discussion was turned over to Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, who reported that the contractor is half way through planting the one hundred trees on the course; noting that digging is being done by hand which will help prevent damage to the course. Vice Chairperson Waldman • asked where the trees are being placed. Lee replied throughout the course. Golf Operations Manager Bob Spada told the Commission that one of the USGA representatives that came out to analyze the course is from Washington State and travels the country setting up for US Open tournaments. Spada reported that staff was really impressed to hear the gentleman tell them that he really liked the design of the course and has interest in coming back for the Grand Opening celebration . Black added that the gentleman is also a high school golf coach and said that it was one of the nicest courses he has seen in the country. Spada informed the Commission that Impact (aka: the Broken Tee sculpture) has been installed. Spada commented that the sculpture looks a little out of place right now while the grass grows in around it but that it will look nice once things are all tied in together. Waldman asked in regard to the new tee markers and if they will be placed on all of the holes or part of the holes. Spada reported that they will be placed on all of the holes. In regard to the delay in opening the course , Waldman asked if the issue is waiting for more grass to germinate . Lee ex plained that the grass still needs to mature and thicken. Lee went on to explain that growth is approximately three weeks behind schedule due to low soil temperatures but that staff has seen substantial improvement in the last three weeks and could see the same in the next three weeks . Discussion followed. VI. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Discussion turned to an update on the Cultural Art s Commission. Cultural Arts Commission Liai son Donna Schnitzer reported that as part of the Commission 's commitment to start a • permanent art collection for Hampden Hall , the Commission has purchased the "Best in Show" piece from the National Juried Arts Show . Schnitzer informed commission members that the Department of Parks and Recreation Englewood Art Exhibit opens Tuesday , May 13 , running through the 18th and featuring art from 90 local artists. As discussed at last month's meeting , Schnitzer discussed ide as for art along Broadway as part of the Chamber of Commerce's plans to beautify Broadway. VII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black informed the Commission that Recreation Facility & Program Supervisor Brad Anderson's father has passed away . Black thanked Engle w ood Schools for its commitment in resolving the issue with the distribution of fliers in its schools . Black discussed how valuable the distribution of information is to the Department in getting the word out to parents regarding parks and recreation programs . VIII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Commission Member Douglas Garrett discussed a recent conversation he had with Charlie Monfort regarding the Colorado Rockies Field of Dreams project. Garrett was told by Monfort that the Rockies have drastically cut back on the program because of problems with the fields not being maintained to adequate standards. Garrett told commission members that he had discussed • with Monfort the City of Englewood's Rockies field and how well it looks and is being maintained. Garrett went on to say that Recreation Manager Hultberg wrote a letter to Monfort in • • • regard to what the City of Englewood does to maintain its Rockies Field, a "crown jewel" in the City. Discussion followed . Waldman commented in regard to the off-leash dog park at Duncan Park and the amazing amount of socializing that goes on at the Park. Commission Member Karen Miller informed the Commission that Sean McDaniel , the new Superintendent, has started this week. Miller also told the Commission that Englewood Schools has donated the flag pole from Flood Middle School to the City of Englewood . Black explained that City Council had discussed placing a flag pole on the west side of the Civic Center building so that it was more visible from the Santa Fe side . Miller reported that full-day kindergarten will be av ailable at no cost to all children of all elementary schools in Englewood starting next year. Miller also announced that intramural basketball will be offered at Englewood Middle School beginning next year. Miller explained that the new program will be a feeder program into the high school program where the same sanctions can be required by the students, such as maintaining an adequate GP A. Discussion followed if the new basketball program would be replacing the current basketball program being offered by the Recreation Department. Black suggested that school staff meet with the Parks and Recreation staff to discuss the overlap of the two programs and what needs to be done regarding scheduling, contacts, etc. Lee gave an update on the Belleview Park remodeling project, informing the Commission that the restroom is almost complete with the metal roof now being placed on the building. In regard to the playground and shelter area, Lee reported that the girders for the shelter are now going up and the surface for the basketball court and playground are going in . Lee noted that new trees are also being planted . Lee told commission members that Mark Kottwitz, Parks Supervisor, has resigned to take a job in Missouri to be closer to family . Staff informed that the Parks and Recreation Administrative staff has received a request for use of the its show wagon by Health One in conjunction with the City of Centennial for Celebrate Centennial under th e Stars event on Saturday, August 9 , 2008. Commission members were reminded of the policy it had implemented when the new show wagon had been purchased that restricted renting the show wagon to outside agencies other than the agencies that the City has maintained a long-term commitment with . Black explained that those agencies include Englewood Schools , Western Welcome Week and the City of Sheridan but noted that the City of Sheridan ended up purchasing the City 's old show wagon so it no longer has a need to rent the show wagon. Garrett asked why the policy was implemented . Black explained that the policy was put in place due to the cost of the show wagon and wear and tear on it. In regard to the request , Hultberg informed staff and the Commission that South Suburban had already requested use of the show wagon in the past for the same event and was told no. Discussion followed . Schnitzer asked how often the City uses the show wagon. Hultberg stated that the show wagon was once used for the Sounds of Summer concerts but now with the new amphitheater at the CityCenter it is no longer used for that. Commission members were told that the show wagon is used for special events including the Fourth of July Celebration and Funfest. Hultberg went on to say that most cities have a "share policy" regarding equipment such as a show wagon. Garrett suggested that the Commission take a look at usage of the show wagon now compared to previous years and if usage has lessened, consider allowing the show wagon to be rented to outside agencies and possibly sett ing up a replacement fund . B lack told the Commission that staff would have that information available at next month's meeting. IX. Spada announced that the new entry way sign for the golf course will be going up next week; noting that the entry way into the golf course has been completed redone. A DJO URNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6: 12pm. Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • • •