Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-13 PRC MINUTESCALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of September 13, 2007 Following the dedication ceremony for the City of Englewood's inline hockey rink and basketball court at Englewood Middle School , 1the regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:50pm by Chairperson Gomes at Englewood Middle School , 300 W. Grand Avenue. 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 Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Also Present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager •n. Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of August 9, 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. RECREATION PROGRAM AW ARDS Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager, announced that the Department of Parks and Recreation has been the recipient of two more awards. Hultberg told the Commission that Aquatics International has awarded Pirates Cove the Best of Aquatics Award for the "best overall community commitment" in the classification with a population of 50,000 and under. Hultberg explained that Aquatics International is a publication that is distributed to aquatic professionals throughout the world and is a source for facility management, products and services . Hultberg stated that the Department has also received the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association's Columbine Award for outstanding programming for the Night of the Stars Talent Show . Commission members were told that although this event has been offered for many years by Englewood's Parks and Recreation Department, this was the first year that other agencies were invited to participate. Hultberg reported that he expects that the program will grow into a metro- wide competition. VI. BELLEVIEW PARK UPDATE Commission members were informed that City Council had been presented with the Belleview Park redesign and upgrade plan and gave its approval. Black explained that funding for phase I of the project is available in '07 funds and that staff will be requesting for funding out of '08 funds for phase II of the project so that the entire project can be completed by Memorial Day of 2008. VII. GOLF COURSE BRANDING Discussion was turned over to Golf Course Manager Bob Spada who reported that City Council has directed staff to look at a new name for the golf course. Spada stated that a committee is being formed with representatives from the Englewood Golf Course golf leagues, staff and a representative from the Parks and Recreation Commission. Spada noted that Deputy City Manager Michael Flaherty will be facilitating the meetings. Spada asked for a volunteer from the Parks and Recreation Commission to serve on the committee. Commission Member Garrett volunteered to serve on the committee. Spada explained the process for selecting a name that would include the committee forwarding names for the golf course to the Parks and Recreation Commission who will narrow the list down for City Council to make a selection from. • In regard to art for the golf course, Spada reported that the City had received twenty entries from the Call for Entries which the Committee has now narrowed down to eight or nine. Spada discussed the possibility of tying the new name and logo for the golf course in with the art for the • golf course. Commission Member Waldman commented that the art chosen should be golf course art and not necessarily art at the golf course . VIII. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Commission Member Woodward asked how the seed and sod process went for the golf course and if the contractor was able to get all down by the August l 51h deadline. Lee explained that the contractor did everything that was needed to meet the deadline . In regard to the seed application, Lee reported that it has begun to germinate but that it is thin in most areas. Lee spoke in regard to City staff spending most of their time mowing. Woodward asked if the City will be reimbursed for the extra cost. Lee explained that the City will not be reimbursed since the work they are doing now is what would be their normal maintenance work . Lee went on to explain that it is his preference that City staff do the maintenance on the new seed and sod since they are the ones who know the equipment and have the expertise. Garrett stated that the expense for maintaining the golf course now has been covered under operational cost. Black reported that as part of the development agreement, the City has been compensated and will continue to be for two more years. Lee reported that other items that are being worked on include the rain shelter and restroom facility, electrical for the driving range and foundation for the ball shed . Commission members were told that staff meets with the contractor on a regular basis to go o v er punch lists . Waldman asked in regard the youth teaching area. Lee replied that at this point , it is going to be left as a teaching area for the Jr. Golf Program. The Commission was told that if it is determined • that there is a need for additional parking spaces then the area will be overlaid for parking. Lee reported that long term plans for the area include green space and a large shelter. .IX. DUNCAN PARK UPDATE • • Discussion moved on to Duncan Park. Recreation Manager Hultberg reported that the Department has submitted it s application to GOCO for Duncan Park. In regard to the Arapahoe County Open Space grant that the Department recei v ed for Duncan Park , Hultberg informed the Commission that City Council appro v ed the Intergovernmental Agreement with Arapahoe County Open Space for appropriation of funds . Hultberg stated that following the two readings and thirty day posting, the City will be ready to make the payment to Englewood Schools for Phase I of the Duncan Park purchase. X. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Janet Moore gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission. Moore announced that the first concert for the 2007 Englewood Arts Concert Series will be the Shubert Octet on Saturday, September 22"d at 2pm at Hampden Hall. XI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE XII . There were no items for Director's Choice. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller spoke in regard to Englewood School's policy regarding the distribution of information in student's take home folders. Miller told the Commission that according to Englewood School's Attorney, Englewood Schools cannot distribute information from Parks and Recreation as well as other selected organizations as previously thought. Miller stated that the school's weekly newsletters will let parents know that the information is available for them to pick up in the school. Director Black informed the Commission that he had met with Chris Gramstorff and expressed his concern from the Department. Black stated that he explained to Gramstorff that even if the information is available for parents to pick up at the school, there will be families who will not get the information. Black told the Commission that Gramstorff had suggested that the City's attorney review the policy which he is doing. City Council Liaison Bob Mccaslin reported that he had talked to the attorney for Douglas County Schools and was told that Douglas County Schools in addition to Littleton Public Schools have implemented the same policy. Discussion followed . Woodward informed the Commission that he had received a call from a citizen who lives next to Cushing Park who has concerns about the park and skate park. Woodward reported that neighbors to the park have complaints with the noise and cursing coming from users of the park. In addition, Woodward stated that neighbors are also seeing a large amount of people coming in on the light rail. Commi s sion members were told that the neighbors have started a petition and are planning on coming to an upcoming Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to speak. Discussion followed . Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, distributed a letter that the Recreation Administrative Office had received in regard to Jason Park and dogs. The letter was from a lady who had reserved the pavilion at the Jason Park and was very upset in how the dogs ran through the shelter begging for food and wandered in and out of the playground where children were playing. The letter stated that the owners of the dogs paid very little attention to their pets . Woodward commented that several months ago , City Council had discussed the issue if Jason Park should remain as an off- leash dog park and h ad requested that it be notified if the department recei v es any complaints or concerns . XIII. ADJ OURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:20pm. ~(1_~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • • •