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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-11 PRC MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of October 11, 2007 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:3 lpm by Chairperson Gomes at Malley Senior Recreation Center, 3380 S . Lincoln Street. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Jim Woodward , Commission Member (left at 6 :15pm) Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison (left at 5 :57pm) Karen Miller, Englewood Schools Liaison Rebecca Laughlin , Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:34pm) Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Ab sent: Douglas Garrett , Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Also Present: Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Tom Vandermee, Interim Director of Safety Services (left at 6 :08pm) Jeff Sanchez, Police Commander (left at 6:08pm) Ted McChesney, Cushing Park Neighbor (left at 5:56pm) Tom Wullstein , Cushing Park Neighbor (left at 5:56pm) Steve McKee , Cushing Park Neighbor (left at 5:56pm) Ro y Stanle y, Cushing Park Neighbor (left at 5:56pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of September 13, 2007. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Gomes welcomed the neighbors of Cushing Park and informed them that they had ten minutes to speak. The group thanked the Commission and presented them with a copy of a petition and information documenting the neighbors concerns about the skate park. Commission members were told that the original petition has been given to City Council. Mr. McChesney, speaker for the group , told the Commission that the neighbors of Cushing Park are concerned with the nuisance and trash that ha ve become a daily occurrence at both the skate park and up and do w n Galapago Street. McChesney reported that neighbors are also dealing with excessive noise and profanity coming from the skate park in addition to observing drug acti vity and gang acti vity. McChesney stated that there are a lot of older kids that use the park and many of the park users are coming to the park by light rail. McChesney reported that neighbors now feel that the park is not being used by many Englewood kids. In regard to the excessive noise , McChesney explained that when the wheels on the skateboards hit the metal sheeting on the ramps, the sound is like trash cans banging together. The Commission was told that the noise can start as early as 7am. Commission members were asked by the neighbors if they would want that in their back yard. The group spoke in regard to the park no longer being a good environment, telling the Commission that there is a family in the neighborhood with two small children who • will no longer take their children to the park due to it not being a descent place . The neighbors told the Commission that their recommendation is to relocate the skate park to the northeast corner of Miller Field where it could be observed and controlled more easily by the Englewood Police as well as Parks and Recreation. Commission Member Woodward asked the group if they thought the problem was due to the activity or the location. The neighbors stated that they thought it was a combination of both the skate park and light rail access, adding that if it was moved in view of the police station, the problems would be solved. Commission Member Annstrong asked the neighbors if they felt the problem is much worse now . The group stated that they tolerated the nuisances for a number of years but that it has progressively gotten worse. In regard to the neighbors' comment that there are a lot of older kids , Armstrong asked as to the age. The neighbors said that they are 18, 19 and older. The Commission was told that rumors from the park are that the older kids have extorted money from the younger kids who want to use the skate park. One of the neighbors told the Commission about a situation where he had confronted a user of the skate park and the skate park user told the neighbor he had a gun. Director Black informed commission members and the Cushing Park neighbors that if the Board was amenable, he would like staff to have some time to research and gather data to bring back to the Board for more discussion. Discussion followed. Armstrong asked in regard to the skate park and if it was lit, locked or supervised. Black explained that things have greatly changed over the • years compared to when it first opened. Armstrong commented as to the use of light rail to access the park and if the skate park was taken out, would the park still be a gathering place. The Cushing Park neighbors commented that the light rail has nothing to do with the problems . Armstrong told the group that she does not necessarily agree, noting that if the Department moves the skate park and the problem continues, the problem was not solved. The neighbors stated that the noise and trash problem would be solved. Discussion followed . Tom Vandennee, Interim Director of Safety Services, stated that he agrees with Black that some time is needed to research and gather data in order to make a decision. Vandermee told the neighbors that according to police records for 2006-2007 , crime statistics for Cushing Park have dropped. Vandennee told the neighbors that he is not suggesting that the problems are not real but that it is terribly important for Safety Services to have specific data in order to know what course of action to take. Vandermee encouraged the neighbors to call the police when any unwanted activity is observed. Discussion followed . Gomes requested that Safety Services increase patrols around Cushing Park. Gomes thanked the McChesney, Wullstein, McKee and Stanley and told them that the City would be in touch with them after information is gathered and a decision is made. The neighbors thanked the Commission for its time . Following departure of the neighbors, discussion followed regarding the neighbors concerns. Black told the Commission that City staff needs to gather more data and if the decision is made to either close or move the skate park then a sign would be posted at the skate park informing the • users of the decision. Discussion followed whether to post a sign now at the park letting the users know that there have been complaints in regard to profanity, trash and unwanted activity and that • • • the skate park was endangered of being closed. Commission members agreed that a sign at the skate park now informing the users the risk of the facility being closed was a good idea . A motion was made by Commission Member Woodward and seconded by Commission Member Armstrong in support of the Department of Parks and Recreation posting a sign now at the Cushing Skate Park informing its users that the future of the skate park is in jeopardy. All were in favor. The motion passed. Black stated that he would follow-up with Vandermee for guidance from Safety Services in regard to posting the sign. Woodward suggested that staff also follow-up with the neighbors. In regard to increase patrols around the park, Black stated that Safety Services has already increased patrols at the park. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There was no one present for unscheduled comment. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Black informed the Commission that the City of Englewood was notified this morning of plans to close the South Platte Ri ver bike path for three to four months. Black noted that he did not know specifics but that the City has expressed its displeasure to the closure . Gomes asked if the City knew as to why the bike path was being closed. Black explained that it was his understanding that it is due to safety concerns with the bicyclists coming through during construction in addition to them being behind schedule on construction of the bridge and Brady Court. Following discussion , A motion was made by Vice Chairperson \Valdman and seconded by Commission Member Armstrong on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Commission in opposition of the closure of the bike path that would result in any loss of travel ability north to south and vice versa. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Black told the Commission that City staff in addition to South Suburban Parks and Recreation District will be meeting with the City of Sheridan , Miller Weingarten and the contractor, Adolphson Peterson to discuss options, including alternate routes , to closing the bike path. Woodward suggested that the South Platte River Working Group also join in. Waldman asked who is representing the City of Englewood . Black replied Dave Lee and himself. In regard to renovation to the golf course , Lee stated that staff has had numerous walk through 's with the golf course developer, American Civil Contractors , who is now working on punch list items. Lee reported that three rain shelters have been constructed , the driving range ball shed being under construction and dri ving range lights being installed . Lee stated that golf course maintenance staff has now taken over the irrigation for the entire golf course; noting that they have already assumed responsibility of fertilization and mowing of the course. Commission members were told that over the next couple of weeks the driving range nets will be put up. Waldman asked if the rain shelters will have lightning rods. Lee responded that they were not in the development agreement so if they will be done , the City will be doing them on their own . Waldman asked in regard to weed control on the golf course . Lee explained that crews are mowing since weeds don't tolerate low height and will start an herbicide application process in the spnng. VI. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Black reported that the October Cultural Arts Commission meeting was a very solemn meeting • due to the passing of Mayor Wolosyn . Black informed the Commission that the Museum of Outdoor Arts will be dedicating a sculpture to the City of Englewood in memory of Olga Wolosyn that will be placed in the piazza area . XI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE There were no items for Director 's Choice . XII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Englewood Schools Liaison Karen Miller announced that Englewood Schools is in the middle of school board election. Miller informed the Commission that the School District is working with a marketing group who will be providing their services pro-bono for a marketing study. In regard to branding for the Golf Course , Golf Course Manager Bob Spada reported that the Branding Committee has met to review the suggested names for the Englewood Golf Course that had been submitted by the public. Spada explained that suggestion boxes were at the Golf Course, Englewood Recreation Center, Malley Senior Center and City Center. Spada told the Commission that at the November meeting, staff will be presenting to the Commission the names selected by the Committee for the Commission's input and recommendation to City Council. Armstrong told the Commission that over l 00 names had been entered and suggested that the Commission be gi v en the list of all names that had been submitted . Spada stated that he would have the list • available to the Commission. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6 :26pm. ;{)L~a ~t-()_ <ftu-UJ_/ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary •