Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-12 PRC MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of April 12, 2007 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5: 31 pm by Chairperson Gomes at Caddie Shack on the Platte at the Englewood Golf Course, 2101 W. Oxford Avenue . Present: Austin Gome s , Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong , Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member (left at 6:29pm) Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member 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 Wayne Niles, Golf Course Supervisor Shannon Rhoades, Recreation Program Administrator II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of March 8, 2007. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for scheduled public comment. IV . UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for unscheduled public comment. V. PARKS AND GOLF WATER ISSUE VI. The Commission was told that Parks _and Golf Water Issue had been removed from the agenda. SINCLAIR INLINE HOCKEY/BASKETBALL COURT UPDATE Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg gave an update on the Sinclair Inline Hockey and Basketball Court. Hultberg informed the Commission that Renner Construction has been selected as the contractor and work on the project should begin the end of the April and be completed by early July. Hultberg explained that the project will include a full-size hockey rink and an adult size basketball court. Vice Chairperson Waldman reported that he recently played golf with Steve Bauer, President of the Colorado Handball Association and the gentleman who spoke to the Parks and Recreation Commission in April of2005 regarding the poor condition of the Sinclair handball courts and his • proposal to repair them. Waldman stated that Mr. Bauer had asked in regard to the status of the handball courts. Waldman told Bauer that the removal of the handball courts has been put on hold until Englewood Schools decides what their need is for the area. Waldman said that Bauer told him that the Sinclair handball courts are now the only courts in Colorado and asked that the City and Englewood Schools at least consider talking to him before the courts are removed. Black told Waldman that Englewood Middle School will have the final decision in regard to the handball courts and according to Dr. McCabe and Chris Gramstorff, at this point they are not sure what their need is for the area and are not going to rush into any major decision. Waldman asked who with Englewood Schools should Bauer contact. Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller replied Chris Gramstorff. VII. SHERIDAN REDEVLEOPMENT UPDATE Discussion turned to an update on the Sheridan Redevelopment project. Lee reported that the Junior Golf area is essentially complete and scheduled to open June 1st. Lee stated that about eighty percent of the top soil had been brought in. In regard to contour shaping of the holes, Lee explained that the shaping of the holes east of the Platte River continues while shaping of the woodland holes is complete. Commission members were told that installation of drainage facilities has begun and the lakes in the back nine are ready to be drained to allow for wet well and intake installation. Commission Member Woodward asked in regard to repair of the pump houses that were burglarized in early spring. Lee reported that repair on one of the two is complete. Waldman asked if the project is on schedule. Lee stated that the schedule for seeding and laying sod is still an issue and continues to change every couple of weeks but that time is being made up with the trucking in of top soil. Commission Member Garrett noted that there is a penalty if the course is not ready by the specified date. Waldman asked in regard to the deadline for when seeding needs to be complete. Lee replied August 15, 2007. Black acknowledged Dave Lee, Golf Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Supervisor Wayne Niles, and Golf Course Construction Consultant John Hoofuagle for all of the hours they have spent to make sure everything is being done as specified, etc. VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE IX. Commission members were told that the grant that funds operation of the art shuttle will end in September 2007. Black explained that the City is prepared to continue providing its share of funding for the shuttle and is asking RTD to pick up the remaining funding so that it will continue to operate . Black reported that the Cultural Arts Commission has written letters to RTD encouraging it to fund the shuttle. Black reported that the Cultural Arts Commission is currently working on the Juried Art Show in addition to several upcoming concerts; noting that information on those is in the Activities Guide. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black notified the Commission that he had received a phone call from a gentleman who lives near Emerson Park who would like to see the park turned into an off-leash park. Black stated that he • • • x. • • discussed the history of off-leash parks in Englewood to the gentleman and invited him to attend a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and/or a City Council meeting. Black noted that the gentleman did not seem too receptive in attending a Board meeting . Black informed the Commission that he will be meeting with Chris Gramstorff on a monthly basis to discuss City/School issues and for this last month's meeting, Gary Hultberg and Dr. McCabe had joined them. Black stated that items of discussion included the summer drama program that is held at the Englewood High School auditorium and issues with air conditioning and the impact to Parks and Recreation programs due to losing two gymnasiums with the closing of Flood Middle School. Commission members were told that the City Council Spring Budget Workshop will be on Saturday, May 19th at the Golf Course Maintenance Facility and will include a tour of the golfcourse. Black invited the Commission to join City Council for the tour. In regard to a time for the tour, Black stated that he will follow-up with them once details are finalized. Black turned discussion over to Commission Member Garrett and City Council's plans for the $4.19 million it received as part of the golf course redevelopment agreement. Garrett told the Commission that City Council has agreed to withhold a portion of the money for future funding of golf course improvement projects as needs arise. Garrett explained that it will give staff the ability to address City Council if necessary and City Council will be amenable to listen . Black commented that City Council has been very committed from day one to make the golfredevelopment project work. COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Commission Member Woodward reported that a lady recently spoke to City Council in regard to Jason Park and dogs being off-leash. Woodward explained that discussion on Jason Park was brought up again at Monday night's Study Session and City Council has discussed possibly changing the park from off-leash or modifying the hours of when dogs can be off-leash. Woodward discussed the recent National League of Cities Conference in Washington D.C. that Youth Commission Member Niederjohn and Kirsten Litchfield attended as youth representatives for the City of Englewood. Woodward reported that the two youth asked great questions and represented the City very well. Woodward stated that they were able to meet Senator Ken Salazar and Senator Allard's staff in addition to State Representative Diana DeGette who will be visiting Englewood High School in September. City Council Liaison Bob McCaslin, who also attended the NLC Conference, reported several other delegates had commented in regard to how impressed they were with the Niederjohn and Litchfield. Woodward added that Niederjohn and Litchfield will be making a presentation to City Council on their trip to Washington D.C. Garrett stated that he recalled there being an issue with the wetland area and an attempt to dry it up for course development. Lee explained that monitoring wells have been installed in the wetland area to monitor the level of ground water and at this point it is still temporary with on-going tracking and no decision having been made. Miller told Niederjohn that the Englewood School Board would also enjoy seeing her and Litchfield's presentation on their trip to Washington D.C. Niederjohn offered to also make a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission if interested. Commission members stated that they would enjoy seeing it. Waldman asked in regard to the Red Tail Hawk nest that was in a tree within the woodland area at the golf course. Black explained that when trees in the woodland area were being marked for removal, the City was adamant that that particular tree would remain even though it was dead . Golf Course Supervisor Wayne Niles noted that staff monitors and documents sightings of the hawk which averages several times per week. Black explained that there are federal guidelines as to when work can and can not take place during the hawk's nesting period which the City has agreed to follow. Waldman commented in regard to the replacement of some of the playground equipment at Duncan Park. Lee responded that the City purchased new playground equipment the end of last year to replace a number of older pieces of equipment in the parks. Mccaslin spoke in regard to the results of the 2007 City of Englewood Citizen Survey and the Parks and Recreation Department receiving at or above normal ratings. McCaslin congratulated Parks and Recreation and said that it is one of the best departments in the City and always amicable and efficient to work with. Commission Member Armstrong agreed with McCaslin and added that Englewood's Parks and Rec Department has an outstanding reputation across the state of Colorado and suggested that McCaslin submit the information to Colorado Parks and Recreation Association for their Byline magazine. Hultberg informed the Commission that for the past three years, Pirates Cove has been named the Best Family Destination by Colorado Parent magazine. Hultberg stated that Kids ' Pages , a similar magazine to Colorado Parent, is now doing their own survey in which Pirates Cove was voted the Best Family Destination, beating out Water World and Blitch Gardens. In addition, Hultberg reported that Belleview Park was voted Best Neighborhood Park. • Hultberg explained to the Commission that CPRA has started a program to help recognize community support to Parks and Recreation Departments and the Department has chosen to honor Country Buffet for their continued support of Department events and programs. Hultberg noted • that although Country Buffet also helps the Library and Safety Services, the recognition is specifically by Parks and Recreation. Commission members were told that staff felt it would be more appropriate if it was presented by the Board and suggested hosting a Commission meeting at Country Buffet for the presentation. Armstrong volunteered to make the presentation. Lee reported that the pump house at the Rockies Field was vandalized last week resulting in $2,000 in theft of brass and copper wiring. Recreation Program Administrator Shannon Rhoades informed the Commission that staff is starting to plan for the Junior Golf Program for this summer and is in need of teacher assistants in addition to help with setting up and cleaning up following lessons. Rhoades stated that they are also looking for volunteers to assist with the Junior Golf BBQ. Golf Course Manager Bob Spada expressed his appreciation to City Council for its support of the Junior Golf Program and stated that staff is excited to have the temporary facility for the summer program. Chairperson Gomes thanked the Commission for the card of best wishes that they had sent to his wife Sheila. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:40pm . /\;;;1, • ~LLCL(JU!~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary