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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-10 PRC MINUTES• • • I. II. III. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 10, 2008 The regular monthl y meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at Bellev iew Park Pav ilion #1, 5001 S. Inca Drive. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Karen Miller, Commission Member (arrived at 5:34pm) Bob McCaslin, City Council Liaison Jim Woodward, Commission Member Kristina Kruk , Youth Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Absent: Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager (arrived at 5 :54pm) Gary Hultberg , Recreation Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Brad Anderson, Recreation Program Facility Supervisor, Aquatics APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of June 12, 2008. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There was no one present for scheduled comment. IV . UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There was no one present for unscheduled comment. Director Black introduced newly appointed Youth Commission Member Kristina Kruk . Ms. Kruk told the Commission that she is currently in eleventh grade at Englewood High School. Commission members introduced themselves to Ms . Kruk . SHOW WAGON USAGE Discussion began on Show Wagon usage . Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space, told the Commission that in 2002 , the Department of Parks and Recreation purchased a new show wagon to replace its current show wagon that was twenty-se v en years old. Lee reported that prior to 2001, the Department rented the show wagon an average of eight times per year. Lee explained that due to on-going problems with the show wagon 's deteriorating condition, the Department decided that in 2001 , use of the show wagon would be limited to City functions and those agencies that the City had maintained a long-term commitment with including Western Welcome Week, Englewood Schools and the City of Sheridan. Lee told the Commission that the majority of requests that the Department receives for rental of the show wagon are by non-profit organizations which means a reduced rental fee . Lee discussed fees to rent the show wagon and the need to recover transportation, towing and personnel costs . Commission members were informed that at the November 2001 Commission meeting, staff discussed with the Commission plans to purchase the new show wagon and limiting use of the current show wagon . Lee reported that the Commission concurred with staff and passed a motion that the Department continue with the restriction of not renting the show wagon to outside agencies throughout 2002 with the agreement that the item be brought to the Commission at the end of 2002 for further discussion. The Commission was told that at the January 2003 meeting, the Commission revisited the issue and staff recommended that the limited use of the show wagon continue to due budget constraints , staff reduction and wear and tear costs not being included in the rental fee. Lee explained that the Commission passed a motion to continue with the restriction of renting the show wagon to outside agencies with the understanding that if an outside agency wished to rent the show wagon, that agency could submit a request to City Council. Lee reported that over the last five years , the Department has received on average three to five requests per year for use of the show wagon. Lee noted that the City uses the show wagon for its 4th of July and Funfest events in addition to continuing its on-going commitment with Western Welcome Week and Englewood Schools. • Commission Member Garrett asked if staff has any recommendation at this time in regard to use of the show wagon. Lee stated no. Garrett told the Commission that the show wagon is not being used to its potential and having it sit there makes no sense . Garrett recommended that the Department make it available for rental with rental fees covering all rental costs in addition to including a replacement fee . Black told the Commission that he agrees with Garrett that the show wagon is not getting the use that it could but explained that if the Department moves back into the arena of renting out the show wagon an • average of eight times a year, the Parks Division does not ha ve the staffing level at this point to support the additional work hours . Black stated that he strongly encourages and supports the show wagon being rented out but that he would request that the rental fee not be waived. Garrett agreed , noting that there is a difference in supporting and subsidizing non-profit agencies and it not being the City's responsibility to subsidize. Discussion followed including limiting the number of rentals per year. Garrett suggested tabling the discussion for tonight to give staff time to discuss and come up with a recommendation that would work for the department that would continue the policy of grandfathering for Englewood Schools and Western Welcome Week in addition to leasing the show wagon on a limited use . Lee commented that he agreed that limiting the number of times the show wagon is to be rented per year would greatly help the Parks Division . Commission Member Woodward noted that with any cost to rent the show wagon, excluding Englewood Schools and Western Welcome Week, there needs to be a depreciation fee at the very least. Garrett replied that it will be City Council's decision when they pass the ordinance . Woodward stated that it has always been the decision of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Garrett responded that if it has to do with fees, it is City Council 's decision. Black told the Commission that staff will bring back a recommendation at the August meeting. VI. ANNUAL BOARD, COMMISSION AND AUTHORITY APPRECIATION NIGHT Black informed commission members that included in the packet is a memorandum from Mayor Woodward and City Council inviting them to the City 's Annual Board, Commission and Authority • Appreciation Night on Monday, August 11 th at Pirates Cove. Black encouraged commission members to come and to bring their family to swim prior to the recognition. • • • VII. VIII. IX. BROKEN TEE UPDATE Lee reported that Broken Tee Englewood opened to the public on June 27, 2008 ; noting that it was thirty-four days later than expected but that it could have been worse considering construction began three months later than planned in addition to weather delays . Lee told the Commission that the course is receiving rave reviews. Lee stated that starting tomorrow, mats will no longer be used at the driving range and balls can be hit off of the grass . Lee noted that the course has been very busy and staff feels that it is a great product and something of great pride. CULTURAL ARTS COM.MISSION UPDATE Black told the Commission that the July Cultural Arts Commission meeting was hosted at the golf course that included a tour of the golf course . Black stated that it was nice to hear comments from non-golfers . Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Donna Schnitzer continued on from Black 's comments in regard to the July Cultural Arts Commission meeting being held at the golf course . Schnitzer discussed the Broken Tee sculpture with the new landscaping that includes nati ve grass and flowers . Schnitzer told commission members that Ted Vasilas and Bob Laughlin with Englewood Business Improvement District had attended the July meeting to discuss the Art on Broadway project. Schnitzer distributed pictures of bike racks and flowers pots that will hold flowers and art that BrD has already agreed on using in the downtown Broadway area . DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black introduced Brad Anderson, Recreation Program Facility Supervisor for Aquatics . Black turned discussion over to Anderson for an update on Pirates Cove. Anderson reported that the summer started out slow due to cooler, wet weather but noted that Pirates Cove has been opened every day without even ha vi ng to close in the afternoon due to thunderstorms . Anderson stated that revenues have been up for this year due to a fee increase . Anderson spoke in regard to a problem with the boilers at Pirates Cove that has been rectified resulting in increased water clarity in the leisure pool. Anderson also reported that additional filters were added to the play structure . Woodward asked Anderson in regard to after-hour rentals and parties . Anderson replied that weekend birthday parties and after-hour rentals are completely booked for the remainder of the season. In regard to birthday parties, Anderson explained that six parties are held per day. Woodward asked about the afternoon rate. Anderson responded that the late afternoon rate is for residents only and encompasses the resident acquiring a special card at the Rec Center that will allow them a reduced rate to swim the last couple of hours a day . Anderson reported that very few people ha ve utilized the special rate. Black welcomed Ms. Kruk to the Parks and Recreation Commission . X. COMlVIlSSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Kruk announced that she is a cast member in the Department 's production of Fiddler on the Roof and encouraged commission members to come see the play the first weekend in August. Woodward asked Englewood Schools Liaison, Karen Miller, in regard to the Flood School property and the report that there are twelve interested parties. Miller replied that she has not heard of anything but that she would check into it. Gomes commented in regard to the excessive of amount of grass and weeds in the center median on Broadway between Dartmouth and Floyd . Woodward reported that a Council Request had been submitted in regard to the medians and weeds. Lee explained that the Department contracts with a company to maintain the medians and in the past years , the medians were maintained twice a month . XI. Lee went on to explain that due to budget constraints, it was changed to once a month. Lee reported that although the change has saved the City some money, the complaints have increased. In regard to the grass and weeds being in the medians right now, Lee reported that he has notified the contractor • that the medians need to be sprayed. Woodward told Lee that Council Member Randy Penn has a background with plants and would love the opportunity to discuss some ideas for the medians . Lee replied that he will make note of that; adding that the medians are an expensive endeavor which would need to be discussed and appro ved by City Council. Woodward spoke in regard to a recent presentation to City Council by a representative from the Department of Energy pertaining to governments using alternative energy sources to reduce energy costs. Woodward discussed the use of wind turbines in an artwork form along Santa Fe and the grant opportunities that are available to share in the cost to start such a program . Woodward told the Commission City Council has interest in the program so he will be discussing the program further . Lee gave kudo s to Gary Hultberg for his work on the Arapahoe County Open Space grant to remodel the Belleview Park pavilion, restroom and playground where tonight 's meeting is being held . Lee noted that the new shelter is the largest shelter in Englewood 's park system with a capacity of 280 people . Lee explained that the stones on the comer of the shelters came from the old City Hall building on South Elati Street. Black added that the Belleview project is the second major project to be done in the Parks Master Plan, Duncan Park being the first, with many more to follow. Hultberg stated that the Summer Da y Camp program is going very well this year with both camps completely full. Hultberg also reported that the Sounds of Summer concerts are pulling in approximately six hundred people per concert. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6: 15pm . Deborah A. Severa , Recording Secretary • •