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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-14 PRC MINUTES• I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of June 14, 2007 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:31 pm by Chairperson Gomes at Belleview Park, pavilion #2 , 5001 South Inca Street. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member (left at 6:08pm) Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Bob McCaslin, City Council Liaison Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5 :41pm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Also Present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager • II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of May 10, 2007. Under Commission Members' Choice in regard to the question on a restroom at Duncan Park and the port-a-potty being removed due to a vocal neighborhood, Vice Chairperson Waldman stated that it was one neighbor who disliked the port-a-potty at Duncan Park and not the neighborhood. The minutes were approved as amended. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There was no one present for public comment. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There was no one present for unscheduled comment. ELECTRONIC PACKETS Black informed the Commission that City Council is discussing the option of having its packets sent electronically which he knows that some of the City's boards and commission are already doing . Black asked commission members if there was any interest in them receiving their packets electronically. Discussion followed . A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by Commission Member Woodward that the Parks and Recreation Commission packets VI. be sent electronically under a six month pilot program. The motion passed unanimously. CPRA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Hultberg told the Commission that next month 's meeting will be held at Country Buffet restaurant where the Board will present to Country Buffet the CPRA Community Service Award . Commission Member Armstrong reaffirmed that she will do the presentation. • VII. DUNCAN PARK UPDATE In regard to the purchase of Duncan Park from Englewood Schools , Black stated that the City Attorney 's Office is working with Englewood Schools in completing the purchase agreement. Black explained that if all goes to plan, the agreement will be presented to City Council tentati v el y in July for approval. VIII. ARAPAHOE COUNTY OPEN SPACE GRANTS Black announced that the Department of Parks and Recreation has been awarded the Arapahoe County Open Space Grant for $250 ,000 to be used towards the purchase of the Duncan property. Black explained that the City will be matching $62 ,500 with the grant. Commission members were told that $200 ,000 has been appro ved in the '07 budget under open space funds to be used towards matching funds for grants. Black reported that the Department will also be applying for a GOCO grant later this year for acquisition of the Duncan property. Commission members were told that Arapahoe County Open Space also awarded the Department of Parks and Recreation a grant of $13 7 ,300 for the replacement of pavilion # l at Belleview Park. • Commission members were told that Open Space Manager Dav e Lee is working with Public Works and a designer to designate a location for the new ADA accessible shelter, playground and restroom . Black told the Commission that total cost for the project is expected to be $228,000. Black explained to the Commission that as part of the Arapahoe County grant application process , the City can not spend any funds received through the grant until it enters into an agreement to expend funds . Black told the Commission that Arapahoe County had received nineteen grant applications of which thirteen were awarded, two of which were for the City. IX. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE In regard to an update on the Sheridan Redevelopment project, Lee reported that topsoil placement continues along holes 7 , 8 and 9 and the bridge spanning the wetland area between holes 7 and 9 has been completed. In regard to the front side, Lee reported that shaping, import of topsoil , drainage facility and irrigation continues. Golf Manager Bob Spada noted that the driving range has been laid out and shaping of the Par 3 has begun . Spada reported that the Jr. Golf program has begun with 406 participants compared to 413 last year and the temporary facility is working out well. Commission members were invited to the Jr. Golf BBQ on Wednesday, June 20 1h from l lam to 4pm. Hultberg reported that the golf course redev elopment project includes plans for a garden area with • landscaping and a piece of artwork . Hultberg explained that funding for the artwork will come from the Conservation Trust Fund and the one percent public art fund. Commission members were told that a committee will select the artwork and will be comprised of representatives from • • • x. Cultural Arts Commission , Parks and Recreation Commission and golf staff. Hultberg asked commission members if there was anyone interested serving on the committee . Armstrong volunteered to serve on the committee . CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE An update on the Cultural Arts Commission followed. XI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black acknowledged Open Space Manager Dave Lee for his work on the demolition and replacement of pavilion #2 at Belleview Park. Armstrong asked how much the new shelter cost. Lee explained that total cost was $80 ,000 to $90,000 which included demolition of the old shelter, laying of the new foundation, structure, etc. XII. COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller announced that items will be moved out of Flood Middle School July 16-19 . Miller stated that Englewood Schools is now receiving prospectuses from interested parties which should give the Board an idea of the kind of interest for use of the Flood property. Gomes asked if it includes the field area behind the school. Miller replied yes . Commission Member Woodward announced that City Council approved on second reading the purchase of the Oxbow property, located just below Lowe's at Belleview and Santa Fe, as part of the preservation of the South Platte River corridor. Woodward explained that money for the purchase came from the City of Englewood, City of Littleton, South Suburban and Arapahoe County, in addition to grant money . Waldman asked in regard to a recent Englewood Herald headline that referred to the City being close to bankruptcy. Woodward explained that the comment was made by a City Council Member while reviewing a five-year project outcome that compared expenditures to revenues. Woodward went on to explain that the figures reflected the impact of snow removal costs in the '07 budget and that the percentage of expenditures to revenues for '07 was carried over into the following years which is not accurate. Woodward stated that the council member had made a comment in reference to the numbers and if they were at all accurate numbers, the City will be bankrupt in the coming years . Woodward told the Commission that other possible revenue is in the works and that the situation is not as dire as suggested. Commission members were told that City Council will be meeting with department directors in September at which time budget reductions will be discussed. Woodward noted that because City Council wants to keep reserves at ten percent, some things will have to be cut from the '08 budget. Youth Commission Member Laughlin announced that she will be going to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji with the People to People Student Ambassador program in the next couple of weeks. Youth Commission Member Niederjohn commented that she had received a complaint in regard to the City 's website and accessing information. Black told the Commission that he has met with Deputy City Manager Mike Flaherty and IT Director Don Ingle in regard to the complaints . Black stated that staff is taking a look into the complaints and is pursuing forming a user group. Black told the Commission that the comments are appreciated and are of great concern to him . Hultberg informed the Commission that the Englewood Middle School inline hockey rink and basketball courts are near completion and a dedication will be scheduled after school is back in session. Miller stated that Englewood Middle School staff is now thinking that they may want to • utilize the handball courts for PE class and has requested that they not be removed . Waldman asked if someone has contacted the handball association in regard to the courts . Miller replied that she thinks someone from Englewood Schools has spoken to the group. Hultberg announced that the 2008 Sounds of Summer concert series will begin on June 21 st with the Nacho Men . Hultberg distributed information on Fourth of July activities and a recent D e nver Post article on senior programming . XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6 : l 5pm. /W~{l~ Deborah A . Severa, Recording Secretary • •