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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-13 PRC MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of March 13, 2008 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:33prn by Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Civic Center building, Public Works Conference Room, l 000 Englewood Parkway. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Douglas Garrett , Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Bob McCaslin, City Council Liaison (arrived at 5:38prn) Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Also Present: Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Beverly Bradshaw , Chairperson, South Suburban Park Foundation (left at 6:16prn) Lila Downing, Director of Softball , Englewood Youth Sports Association (left at 6: l 6prn) Torn Downing, Englewood Youth Sports Association (left at 6 : l 6prn) Judy Blanscet, Englewood Youth Sports Association (left at 6:16pm) Theresa Harper, Englewood Youth Sports Association (left at 6: l 6prn) ll. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of February 14, 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. ENGLEWOOD GIRL'S SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT Before moving on to the Englewood Girl 's Softball Tournament, Director Black introduced Donna Schnitzer from the Cultural Arts Commission . Black informed the Commission that Schnitzer will be replacing Janet Moore as the Cultural Arts Commission Liaison. Discussion moved to Lila Downing with Englewood Youth Sports Association. Ms. Downing announced that Englewood Youth Sports Association will be hosting the 2008 Midwest Plains • Regional Babe Ruth Softball Tournament on July 17-20, 2008. Ms . Downing explained that the tournament will consist of sixteen teams, thirty-three games and bring in close to one thousand people into the City of Englewood . Discussion followed regarding the Babe Ruth Softball League organization . Ms . Downing discussed having a link on tournament's website that will highlight Englewood and its restaurants , businesses , etc. In regard to Englewood Youth Sports As sociation hosting the tournament, Ms. Downing told the Commission that the Association is expecting costs to run the tournament to be around $6,000 . Ms. Downing reported that the Association is looking for donations to help cover expenses . Black informed the Commission that the Department has been working with Ms. Downing in regard to field usage and that the Department has agreed to be a partner with Englewood Youth Sports Association in helping with the tournament. Vice Chairperson asked Ms . Downing if they are looking for volunteers. Ms. Downing replies yes . Discussion followed. Black informed the Commission that Ms. Downing is also planning on going to City Council to inform council members about the tournament. Black noted that Commission Member Garrett has suggested that City Council issue a proclamation that will formally welcome the participants and their family and friends to Englewood for the tournament. Waldman and City Council Liaison Mccaslin spoke in regard to their past experiences with Babe Ruth tournaments and the huge impact it has on the community. Ms . Downing thanked the commission members for their time . VI. SOUTH SUBURBAN PARK FOUNDATION Discussion was turned over to Beverly Bradshaw, Chairperson of the South Suburban Park Foundation. Ms . Bradshaw gave a brief history of the South Suburban Park Foundation, explaining that it was founded in 1979 and created to enrich open spaces and to improv e park and recreational amenities for residents of the south suburban communities of the metropolitan Denver are a. Bradshaw went on to explain that in the 1980 's , Mary Carter, a Bow Mar resident, took on the task of leading a group of people in the creation of an 8-mile green way that would run the length of the Platte Ri v er though Arapahoe County. Commission members viewed a presentation narrated by world renowned photographer, John Fielder, about the history, past successes, current projects and future goals of the South Suburban Park Foundation. Following the presentation, Black recognized Ms . Bradshaw for her energy and effort that she has put forth o ver many years; noting that a lot would not have been accomplished without the South Suburban Park Foundation and Ms . Bradshaw . Ms. Bradshaw thanked the Commission for its support and assistance with grants over the years . Ms. Bradshaw and representatives from Englewood Youth Sports Association left the meeting . VII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Black opened the floor for nominations for Chairperson. Commission Member ·waldman nominated Austin Gomes. Commission Member Miller seconded the nomination. Black asked if there were any other nominations. There were • • • • • none. The floor was closed. Gomes was declared Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission . Black opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chairperson . Chairperson Gomes nominated 'Waldman. City Council Liaison Mccaslin seconded the motion. Black asked if there were any other nominations. There were none. Waldman was declared Vice Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Black congratulated Gomes and Waldman. Gomes thanked the commission members for their support and confidence in him . VIII. REVIE\.V OF DRAFT LETTER TO CUSHING PARK NEIGHBORS IX . x . Commission members reviewed a draft of the letter to go to the Cushing Park neighbors in regard to the Commission's decision to not close the Cushing Skate Park. Waldman pointed out where activity should be actively. A motion was made by Commission Member Garrett and seconded by Commission Member Miller to move forward with sending the letter to the Cushing Park neighbors with the correction. All were in favor. The motion passed. Hultberg noted that a copy of the Cushing Skate Park report would be included with the letter. BOY SCOUT REQUEST Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space, notified the Commission that he had been contacted by Phil Gilliam with the Boy Scouts of America in regard to holding an overnight event in the Belleview Park #3 and #4 area for a group of inner-city mentally disabled youth for them to earn their tenderfoot badge. Lee stated that there will be approximately 125 adults and youth . Lee told the Commission that the group is requesting the weekend of August 23 and 24, with August 16 and 1 7 as their second choice. Lee explained that if the Commission gav e its approval for the group to hold the activity, he would also request that the special event permit fee be waived . The Commission was informed that the Boy Scouts would be bringing in an above-ground fire ring and additional port-a-lets. Waldman asked in regard to cooking and parking. Lee replied that it was his understanding that there would not be any cooking but that he would verify. In regard to parking, Lee stated that he would also need to verify on times of arrival and departure since they would be using the Belleview Park and Pirates Cove parking lots . Garrett asked about clean-up. Lee explained that the group would be doing their own clean-up as part of the youth's duties but that extra trash cans would be pro vided. Black stated that if the group was given permission , the Department would coordinate with Safety Services to have them do extra patrols in addition to notifying the neighbors. Woodward commented that the weekend of August 23 and 24 is the Democratic Convention . It was also noted that Englewood FunFest is also on August 23rd which is held at Belleview Park. Waldman suggested tabling the issue to give staff time to address the issues that have been discussed. Commission members concurred. PARKS AND RECREATI O N COMMISSION MEETING \.VITH CITY C O UNCIL Commission members were notified that the Parks and Recreation Commission has been scheduled to meet with City Council on Monday, April 14, 2008 , at 6 :00pm in the Community Room at the Englewood Civic Center. Black distributed a list of items for discussion with City Council that would be put in to a brief memorandum for City Council. XI. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Golf Operations Manager Bob Spada stated that the back nine holes are open for play. Lee reported that golf maintenance staff has started mowing the greens and repairing damage from the geese over the winter. Waldman asked in regard to the potential of opening on May 24, 2008. Black stated th at it is the City's hope to open on the 24111 but that there is several issues that need to be worked out with Miller Weingarten including turf and parking lot. Black explained that the City will not know until May i 11 if the course will be ready to open on the 24th but noted that the City will not open the course until it is ready . Waldman asked if the Men 's Club has been updated. Spada responded that the information was gi ven to Craig Olmstead for him to report to the Men 's Club members. Waldman asked where the new bridge will be going in at. Lee explained that it will be about fifty feet south of the existing golf cart/pedestrian bridge; adding that the new bridge will be the pedestrian bridge and the existing bridge will remain the golf cart bridge. XII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION • Discussion moved to an update on the March Cultural Arts Commission meeting. Schnitzer reported that the Cultural Arts Commission is preparing its Annual Report to present to City Council. Schnitzer informed commission members that the Cultural Arts Commission has approved lighting for Duo, the sculpture donated by MOA in memory of Olga Wolosyn that sits in the piazza area . Woodward noted that the lighting has been installed. Schnitzer reported that Artabout Englewood has been scheduled for September 27 and 28 which will allow Englewood • High School and Clayton Elementary to participate. Commission members were told that the Cultural Arts Commission has approved the purchase of the Red Wedges in memory of Olga. Black stated that the Red Wedges were on the Landscape and Fine Art Fund list for discussion with City Council but will now be removed. In regard to the Art at the Shuttle Stops collection, Schnitzer reported that an Englewood business has purchased a sculpture from the collection and the City will recei v e a portion of the purchase to replenish the art shuttle fund. Waldman asked if there has been any discussion in regard to rotating the art shuttle artwork . Schnitzer replied that the program is coming up on its second year which will mean that the pieces will be rotated . XIII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black reported that the Commission will be recognizing Janet Moore at the April meeting for her time she gave as Cultural Art Commission liaison. Black informed commission members that Mark Graham from Community Development and he had met with representatives from Arapahoe County Open Space Grant Board at the golf course to look at locations for the Oxford Bridge and Dartmouth Bridge. Black explained that the purpose of the meeting was to look at the locations and not promote the bridges but that it is the City's hope to get a grant to offset some of the costs . The Commission was told that City Attorney Dan Brotzman has been working with the Englewood Schools Attorney regarding the issue of distributing flyers. Black reported that • Brotzman has drafted a memorandum of understanding that the School 's Attorney is reviewing which the City hopes will resolve the issue. • • • XIV. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE In regard to the presentation by Ms. Downing from Englewood Youth Sports Association and the need for donations , Garrett informed the Commission that it is his understanding that there is some funds available for the Commission to make a small donation . Garrett asked Black how much would be appropriate. Black replied that $250 could be allocated. A motion was made by Commission Member Garrett and seconded by Vice Chairperson \Valdman that the Parks and Recreation Commission contribute $250 to the Englewood Youth Sports Association for hosting the 2008 Midwest Plains Regional Babe Ruth Softball Tournament. All were in favor. The motion passed. Miller announced that the Englewood School Board has hired Sean McDaniel for Superintendent. Miller reported that McDaniel comes from Oklahoma and the School Board is very excited. Black asked when Mr. McDaniel will start . Miller explained that Dr. McCabe will be leaving the end of June and that McDaniel is not scheduled to begin until the first of July but if the budget can be worked out , McDaniel will start earlier to work with Dr. McCabe in order to make the transition go smoothly. Woodward st ated that City Council members and youth representati ves got back from the NLC Conference in Washington D .C. last night. Woodward reported that the conference went well and that City representatives were able to meet with United States Senators Ken Salazar and Wayne Allard and United States Representative Diana DeGette. Waldman reported that the back nine holes at the golf course are playing well. In regard to Black's comment that the City will not open the golf course if it is not ready, McCaslin told Black that he agrees with him and not to rush it. Commission members concurred with McCaslin. Black discussed opening the course too early and then having problems over the next couple of years that the City will be trying to fix . Black referred to a recent article in a golf magazine regarding Fossil Trace golf course and their decision to postpone opening the course on time and the problems they avoided in doing so. Niederjohn reported that the Englewood High School production of Th e Wi z ard of Oz was great and that the next performance will be Arsenic and Old Lace. Youth Commission Member Laughlin invited the Commission to her school's production of Honk on April l 7 thru 19. Laughlin explained that the play is a version of Hans Christian Anderson's Th e Ugly Duckling . Lee gave an update on reno v ations for Belleview Park , reporting that the pavilion, restroom and playground have been remo ved. Lee also noted that a couple of large , mature trees had to be remo v ed but that there are plans to replace them . Commission members were informed that the parks division has experienced another theft, this time involving thirty-three brass risers at the Little Dry Creek Plaza. Lee reported that each riser will cost $500 a piece to replace so staff is consulting with an outside firm to see if another material besides brass could be used . The Commission was told that parks is still dealing with a lot of thefts , most being backflow preventors. Discussion followed . Waldman asked in regard to the status for the new logo for Broken Tee. Spada replied that the logo has been finalized and the City is now waiting for vendors to come back with a design to be • sized properly and placed on merchandise items. Gomes asked about the restaurant at the golf course . Black reported that the restaurant is doing fine and is starting to gear up for the opening in May. Spada added that the restaurant has changed its menu in addition to putting a plan in place for beverage cart service . XV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm. /l~(L .~ Deborah A . Severa, Recording Secretary • •