Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-09 PRC MINUTES• [. CALL T O ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION C O MMISSIO N Minutes of October 9, 2008 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5 :30pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Malley Senior Recreation Center, 3380 S . Lincoln Street. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong , Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Karen Miller, Commission Member Bob McCaslin, City Council Liaison Jim Woodward, Commission Member Christina Kruk , Youth Commission Member I Reb ecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:34pm) Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commiss ion Li aison Jerrell Black, ex officio Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Joe S ack, Recreation Program & Facilities Supervisor Paul Evans, Englewood High School Athletic Director .u. AP PROV AL OF MINUTES • Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of September 11, 2008. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There we re no it ems for Scheduled Public Comment. IV . UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no item s for U nscheduled Public Comment. V. GOLF CART FLEET Bl ack infom1ed the Commission that staff will be bring in g a propo sa l in regard to golf carts to the Commission for its recommendation to City Council. Black explained that the Golf Course is at the end of a five-year agreement with Easy Go Golf Ca11s so golf staff will be re-evaluating its fleet. Black went on to explain that the golf course is currently using gas powered cal1S but will be looking at electric po wered cai1s; noting that storage , wiring, etc . will need to be considered . Discussion followed . Vice Cha irperson Waldman asked if staff will be looking at other makes of carts besides Easy Go. Black replied, yes, that staff will be looking at all makes of golf cai1s that are available. Almstrong spoke in regard to a recent a11icle in the Parks and Recreation magazine pertaining to golf carts for the disabled . Golf Manager Bob Spada repo11ed that Golf 4 Fun donated two golf ca11s to the Englewood Golf Course that are equipped with swivel seats so a golfer does not ha ve to leave the cart to hit the ball. Spada stated that each ca11 is valued at approximately $10,000 . VI. BROKEN TEE UPDATE D iscussion turned to an update on Broken Tee Englewood. Spada announced th at Fox 31 News is • airing tonight 's weather forecast from Broken Tee Englewood. Spada reported that the Denver Christian High School golf team, who practiced at Broken Tee Englewood, took first place in the 3A Di vision. Spada stated that Denver Christian has given a lot of credit to B roken Tee golf course . Spada a lso reported that yesterday, Altitude was at McGetrick Golf Academy filming George Carl, the coach of the Denver Nuggets, and four uggets players, getting fitted for golf clubs and taking lessons. Spada announced that Broken Tee Englewood placed fourth on Channel 7's A-List. Waldman asked if the City has finalized the golf project with the developer. Black responded no but that it is very close. Black explained that staff will be meeting with City Council on ovember 3 rd to discuss the final details . VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Schnitzer gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission. Schnitzer discussed the Artabout Englewood event that was held on Saturday, September 271h; reporting that attendance was very low . In regard to the Attwork in Hampden Hall program , Schnitzer reported that artwork from Cultural Arts Commission members and members of the Malley Senior Recreation Center is now up for viewing. Schnitzer explained that the a1twork will stay up through D ecember at which time new a1twork will be hung . Schnitzer went on to say that a Call for Entries will be held and will be open to all Englewood residents. Schnitzer announced that at the October Cultural Atts Commission meeting, commission members judged a1twork for the 2009 Student Art Calendar. • IX. DlRECTOR'S CHOlCE Black turned discussion to the Landscape and Fine A1ts Fund. Black stated that there is CutTently $690,000 in the fund . Black reported that City Council has approved for funding from the Landscape and Fine Arts Fund for the replacement of decorative light globes on South Broadway. Black went on to explain that staff will be meeting with City Council the beginning ofNovember to further discuss the Fund but that other items that could be funded including holiday lighting and electrical repair in the downtown Englewood District. In regard to the holiday lighting, Bl ack stated that the City will be pa1tnering with the Englewood Business Impro vement Di stiict for holiday lighting this year. Black informed the Commission that at the Budget Workshop with City Council , City Council reinstated funding for the Parks Superv isor position so the Department will be moving forward with hi1ing for the position with hopes to have it filled by the first of the next year. Commission members were told that at a recent City Council meeting, a lady had spoken to City Council in regard to concerns with the Cushing Skate Park . Black explained that it was determined that the lady did not ha v e the information the Depa1tment had put together in response to the neighbor 's concerns so the D epa1iment did another update that included the latest Calls for Service . In regard to the Calls for Service , Black repo1ted that it appears that there is not a significant change from the last report. Black reminded commission members that staff had stro ngly encouraged the neighbors to call and repo1t and incidents. Commission Member Woodward stated that the fewer incidents could be attributed to more visibility by Englewood police. Black discussed with the Commission not holding a meeting in December due to the holidays. Black stated that if a board member feels that there is a need to hold a meeting or if an issue comes • e x. • • up that needs to be addressed, a meeting will be scheduled. Commission members concurred with Black to cancel the December meeting. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Commission Member Waldman reported that there is a new tree at Duncan Park in addition to new signage regarding grant funding. Waldman noted that the poles to the new signage do not match the poles for the existing signage. Black stated that he would pass it on to Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space. Englew ood Schools Liaison Karen Miller announced that two Englewood elementary schools have received a grant for a new computer program that provides mini computers to students to help them improve their writing skills. Miller introduced Paul Evans, Athletic Director for Englewood High School. Miller reported that se veral changes have been made to the administrative staff at Englewood High School. Miller reported that Brooke Davis has been appointed as the Interim Principal, Bobby Thomas is the new Assistant Principal , Paul Evans is the new Athletic Director and Mandy Miller is the new Dean of Students . Miller stated that Mr. Evans will also be in charge of the Middle School athletic program . Black told the Commission that st aff had recently met with Mr. Evans and Ms . Da v is and had a very productive meeting . Black told Mr. Evans that City staff is looking forward to working with them . Mr. Evans told Black that the Administrativ e Staff is also very excited to ha ve the opportunity to work with the City. Miller announced that the Englewood Education Foundation Fall Fling will be Saturday, November 15 th . Youth Commiss ion Member Chri stina Kruk announced that there will be an Englewood High School Choir concert at Hampden Hall on Friday, October 17 th. Armstrong encouraged commi ssion members to take a few minutes when the y lea ve tonight to look at the tribute in the hallway on George Hergret, the 87 year old pitcher on the Malley senior baseball team . Armstrong spoke in re gard to Mr. Her gret and what a fine baseball player he is . Arm strong al so st a ted that the Malley Cats baseball team took first place in the Senior Baseball Tournament. Arm strong told the Commi ss ion that she presented the CPRA Community Serv ice Award to Lo Milke with Red Bird Faims at the October 20t h City Council meeting . At·m strong spoke in regard to the recent Engle wo od Alts production of Yo u 're a Good Man , Ch a rlie B rovvn. Armstrong stated that she was not a ble to attend a performance but heard that it was absolutely fantastic ; noting wh a t good publicity it is for the Department and the a1ts . In regard to Black 's discussion on BID 's involvement with holiday lighting, Woodward told the Commission that BID will also be replacing the banners on Broadway with holiday banners. Discussion followed regarding BID 's plans for holding sales the last Saturday of the month . Hultberg informed the Commission that staff will be meeting with the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood Commission (ACE) in regard to starting a recreation rewards program . Hultberg explained that the program would consist of a Recreation ID card holder presenting his or her card at participating Englewood business for a discount on products or services. Hultberg went on to explain that staff will be presenting the idea to ACE to see if there is any interest. Discussion was turned over to Joe Sack, Recreation Program and Facilities Supervisor for the Malley Senior Recreation Center. Sack told the Commission that the Malley Senior Center has been awarded a grant through the Englewood Elks Club in the amount of $400.00 to help with providing educational • and entertainment programs during its VOA lunch program. Sack info1med the Commission that the Malley Trust Fund is researching the potential purchase of a baby grand piano . Sack rep01ted that the Malley Center has had an upright piano since its opening and the purchase of a baby grand piano would greatly enhance the Grand Ballroom at the Malley Center. Sack stated that the Trust Fund will be reviewing quotes at next Wednesday 's Malley Trust Fund meeting . Sack announced upcoming events including the Malley Halloween Spooktacular event on Friday, October 31 5 \ Malley's most popular senior event, and the Annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 151 from 9 :00am to 4 :00pm. Mr. Evans thanked the Commission and told commission members that he is excited in what lies ahead for athletics at Englewood High School. Evans spoke in regard to the relationship between Englewood Schools and the Depaitment of Parks and Recreation and it mutually benefits both of the organizations . Gomes a sked in regard to the newly constrncted medians on South Broadw ay betw een Tufts and Belleview and who is responsible for planting and maintaining the medians . Black replied that the City has contracted with a contractor to plant and maintain the medians for one year. Discussion followed in regard to the maintenance of the medians after the one-year agreement expires. XI. ADJOURt~MENT The meeting was adjourned at 6 : l 9pm. Deborah A. Severa , Recording Secretary • •