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Home My WebLink About2007-08-09 PRC MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of August 9, 2007 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm b y Chairperson Gomes at Pirates Co ve Family Aquatic Center, 1225 W . Belleview A venue . Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong , Commission Member 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 (arri v ed at 5:35pm) Absent: Janet Moore , Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Also Present: Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Brad Anderson, Recreation Program Facility Supervisor Larry Nimmo , Field Operations Administrator (left at 5:56pm) Patti Miers, Consultant, PKM Design Group , Inc . (left at 5:56pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of July 12, 2007. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. 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. BELLEVIE\V PARK SHELTER/PLAYGROUND UPGRADE Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space , introduced Larry Nimmo , Field Operations Administrator for Public Works and Patti Miers , Consultant from PKM Design Group , Inc. who were present to discuss the redesign and upgrade of the Belleview #1 pavilion, playground and restroom facility. Commission members recei ved a conceptual plan for the Belleview #1 shelter, playground and restroom facility . Discussion was turned over to Ms. Miers . Miers explained to commission members that the current Belleview #1 shelter is outdated with low visibility and minimal seating capacity; adding that the proposed shelter would accommodate 288 people depending on the number of tables . Miers stated that in order to keep the project as economical as possible, the plan is to re-use the existing basketball court cement pad for the new shelter; in addition to keeping some of the newer existing playground apparatuses. Commission members were told that the existing toddler playground is also outdated and unsafe and the new • playground for ages 2-5 years would be decreased in size. Miers explained that the new playgrounds would have an engineered wood fiber surface to replace the existing peat gravel and rubberized surfaces for ADA accessibility. Commission members were told that the airplane theme would still be incorporated in the playground surroundings . Miers discussed the south end of the park that would include the basketball court next to the toddler area and a turf area with additional picnic tables. Lee noted that the airplane would not be disturbed. Miers discussed the existing ramp to and from the shelter being too steep for handicap access and plans for a new ADA accessible ramp that would lead from the parking lot to the shelter/playground area , to the restroom facility and beyond. Miers explained that the new restroom facility will be placed half way between the shelter and field area, with twice the number of stalls. Commission members were informed that due to budget restrictions , the new ramp and restroom facility may be phased in . Commission Member Armstrong spoke in regard to the risk of a basketball coming into the toddler area with the two areas being so close in proximity. Miers replied that it would be a risk wherever the court is placed and that the plan is to have the court where the risk would be least. Lee explained that there will be a fifteen foot walkway between the toddler playground area and basketball court. Gomes commented on his concern of having the basketball courts so close to the toddler area where the children could hear foul language. Lee stated that he would hope that there would be adults around to help monitor the situation. Discussion followed . Vice Chairperson Waldman asked in regard to the timeline for the project. Lee stated that the • project will begin this fall after City Council gives its approval. Commission Member asked if it would be finished in the spring. Lee replied yes. In regard to funding, Hultberg reported that funds have been appropriated for phase I in Open Space funds; in addition to the Arapahoe County Open Space grant that will be used for the replacement of the pavilion. Ms . Miers thanked the Commission for their time and comments. Miers and Nimmo left the meeting. VI. D UNCAN PAR K U PD ATE Hultberg reported that City Council approved on second reading the purchase agreement with Englewood Schools for Duncan Park acquisition. Commission Member Woodward spoke in regard to the National Night Out and Celebration party that took place on August ?1h. Woodward reported that events included a dedication ceremony, games and a prize drawing. VU. SHE RID AN RE D EVEL OP MENT UPD ATE Discussion turned to the Sheridan Redevelopment project and construction at the Englewood Golf Course. Lee reported that much of the new seed had been washed out following a recent downpour that dumped 1.61" of rain in an hour and a half. Lee went on to report that the • contractor has had to reseed those holes again while trying to meet the deadline of August 15th for seeding. Lee reported that the seed has now started to germinate in many portions of the course and staff will begin mowing the greens on the front nine starting tomorrow. • • • Woodward asked if the process of hauling out trash is complete. Lee explained that they are finished on the area that was previously the golf course but that they are continuing to remove trash out on the lease side. Lee was asked if everything looks to be on track for the May '08 opening . Lee replied yes. VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE An update on the Cultural Arts Commission followed . Hultberg spoke in regard to the Art at the Golf Course, stating that a Call for Entries has been sent out and the selection committee will be making a selection in September. Hultberg reminded commission members of the Artabout Englewood on Saturday that includes art shuttle and studio tours. IX. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE x. Hultberg introduced Brad Anderson, Recreation Program Facility Supervisor for Pirates Cove. Hultberg acknowledged several awards that Pirates Co ve and the aquatics division has received over the last few years . Hultberg also indicated that in October, Anderson will be attending the World Waterpark Association for his second time to speak. Discussion was turned over to Anderson. Anderson reported that the Pirates Cove '07 season has gone well , noting that June was slow but July's warm temperatures helped it to catch up . Woodward asked when Pirates Cove will be closing for the summer. Anderson explained that the last week that Pirates Cove will be open will be the week of August 13 th, and then only be open for weekends through Labor Day due to a majority of staff heading back to school and college. COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Waldman thanked Woodward and City Council for their help and support with the Duncan Park celebration party. Waldman commented that he was surprised in see the large turnout by the neighbors , in addition to City staff. Waldman also extended his gratitude to Dave Lee for his immediate response with a water hook-up and donation of a picnic bench at Duncan Park. Woodward informed the Commission that City Council has approved on first reading the purchase agreement for the Oxbow property. Discussion followed regarding the Arapahoe County grant that the City received that will be used in conjunction with other funding from the City of Littleton, South Suburban and the South Platte River Working Group for the purchase of the property . Woodward went on to explain that the South Platte River Working Group got accepted to apply for a legacy grant through GOCO. Woodward discussed a gap in funding for the Dartmouth and South Platte bridge projects in which he is pursuing the South Platte Ri ver Working Group to fund . Englew ood School Board Liaison Karen Miller reported that Englewood Schools is anxiously awaiting the start of the new school year; noting that everything is on course. Miller stated that the most recent census is showing an increase in enrollment for out of district students. Miller announced that the Open House/Grand Opening of Englewood Middle School will be Thursday, September 6th . Commission members were also informed that the Board voted to approve naming the Englewood Middle School library the Mary L. Flood Library and the auditorium the Charles B . Sinclair Auditorium . Commission Member Garrett announced that he is running for the Englewood School Board . • Hultberg told the Commission that staff is preparing for the opening of the new inline hockey rink and basketball court at Englewood Middle School. Commission members were told that the new rink will be a premier hockey rink in the area. XI. A DJ O URNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6: l 8pm . &!rWJULL a_~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • •