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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-10 PRC MINUTES• • CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 10, 2007 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5 :3 lpm by Chairperson Gomes at Englewood CityCenter, Community Development Conference Room. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Jim Woodward , Commission Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison (arrived at 5 :34pm) Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member (left at 6 :37pm) Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:37pm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Also Present: Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Talon Brame, Englewood Resident Karen Brame, Englewood Resident (Talon's Mother) (left at 5:44pm) Eddy Brame, Englewood Resident (Talon's Father) (left at 5:44pm) Doug Cohn, Englewood Resident and Englewood Days Representative (left at 6:04pm) Chris Hoagland, Keep Englewood Beautiful Commission Member (left at 6:04pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of April 12, 2007. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space , introduced Talon Brame and his parents Karen and Eddy. Lee explained that Talon had contacted him in regard to constructing a shelter at Centennial Park for his Eagle Scout project. Lee went on to explain that plans for the shelter include a fourteen to sixteen foot hexagonal structure to be placed on the back side of Centennial Lake where fisherman and trail users have access to it. Lee reported that he has given Talon a list of things that need to be done prior to construction beginning which include acquiring the proper permits from the City of Englewood and getting the Parks and Recreation Commission's approval. Lee turned discussion over to Talon Brame . Talon distributed a couple of pictures of park shelters that showed what the shelter would look like. Talon explained that his design for the shelter would include a cement pad with metal poles and roof that would be large enough to hold two picnic tables . Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Janet Moore asked Talon if he would be building the shelter by himself. Talon explained that his entire troop would be assisting him. Talon noted that due to time restraints, the shelter will need to be complete in four months . Black reminded the Commission of prior plans for the dog park to be placed in the back area of Centennial Park and issues related to landfill. Black told the Commission that this shelter will not be on landfill. Black went on to explain that the department has worked with other boy scouts on Eagle Scout projects but due to this project involving a shelter that the public will be using and sitting under, the department wants to make sure that the project meets engineering and safety standards. Talon informed the Commission that he is not pursuing any funding from the Commission, that he only needs the Commission's approval for him to proceed with the project. A motion was made by Commission Member Woodward and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Miller to allow Talon Brame to proceed with working with City staff in acquiring the necessary building and engineering permits to construct a park shelter at Centennial Park per Department of Parks and Recreation standards. The motion passed unanimously. Woodward complimented Talon for his accomplishment and told him that he should be very proud of himself. Gomes congratulated Talon. Black informed the Commission that staff would keep them apprised of the project and provide photos upon completion of the project. Black told Talon that the Commission would send him a letter stating that he has the Commission's approval to proceed with work on the shelter. Talon thanked the Commission and left with his mother and father. IV . UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Gomes turned discussion over to Doug Cohn who introduced himself and stated that he is here tonight on behalf of Englewood Days . Cohn stated that last year the Board had given its approval for Englewood Days to use the show wagon at no cost. Cohn asked the Board if it would do the same for this year. Black told the Commission that the policy states that the show wagon will not be leased out to outside organizations without the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendation to City Council. Black explained that last year the Board recommended to City Council to allow Englewood Days to use the show wagon in addition to waiving the rental fee in which City Council approved. Black noted that actual costs associated with personnel charges and towing will still apply. Moore asked ifthere were any problems associated with Englewood Days using the show wagon last year. Black responded no. A motion was made by Commission Member Woodward and seconded by Commission Member Moore to recommend to City Council that the rental fee for use of the show wagon for Englewood Days be waived. Actual costs associated with personnel charges for set-up and take-down and transportation of the show wagon would still be assessed. The motion passed unanimously. Cohn thanked the Commission. Gomes turned discussion to Chris Hoagland, Keep Englewood Beautiful committee member. In regard to the City's website, Hoagland told the Commission that he has noticed that the link to the Parks and Recreation Commission is difficult to find and suggested that it be relocated to a more prominent location on the City's website to increase parks and recreation exposure. Hoagland also noted that the text is very small and difficult to read. Black thanked Hoagland for the comments and stated that he is concerned that people are having trouble maneuvering through the department's website and finding information and will therefore be talking to the City's IT department. Hoagland spoke in regard to the promotion of Arbor Day and a year-round • • tree/branch recycling program, similar to the Christmas tree recycling in the winter. Lee explained • that summer is the busiest time for the parks department and that they do not have the manpower or time to deal with a mulch program during the summer months. Black thanked Hoagland for his comments and suggestions . Hoagland and Cohn left the meeting. • • • v . VI. VII. PIRATES COVE PROGRAMMING Black informed the Commission that "Senior Splash", an evening event for seniors only at Pirates Cove, will be on Wednesday, July 11th from 6:45-8:45pm. Black noted that "Senior Splash" was also featured on the front cover of the Malley Activities Guide. Black discussed plans for Craig Hospital to use Pirates Cove sometime in the future . SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Discussion turned over to an update on the Sheridan Redevelopment project. Lee stated that the Junior Golf area has been turned over to the City and staff is now preparing the area for the summer program that will begin the first week in June . Woodward asked in regard to registrations for program. Black reported that registration is slightly down from the previous years which was expected due to construction on the course. Lee told the Commission that shaping and grading continues on the front nine while it has been completed on the wood holes. Black reminded commission members that the spring budget workshop will be held on Saturday, May l 91h that will include a tour of the golf course at approximately 12:30pm in which the Board is invited to attend. Woodward asked in regard to the level of the Platte River due to the excessive rainfall over the last couple of weeks. Lee explained that the river has subsided 12 to 18 inches from where it had been. Lee went on to explain that although the golf course has felt the effect of an increased water table, future play will not be affected. Black reported that when plans were discussed for the golf course redevelopment, the City convinced Miller Weingarten to put up an armament to protect the holes from the Platte River. Lee added that without the armament, half of the dirt would have washed away from the recent storms. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Moore gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission, announcing that the last concert of the season, Zephyr Duo, will be on May 26th. Moore reported that the Juried Art has closed and the City of Englewood's Art Exhibit featuring local artists will open next week. Woodward commented that there is a lot of really good, nicely done art. Black added that it is a great opportunity to showcase the talent of the department 's seniors and program users. IX. DIRECT OR'S CHO ICE Black distributed to commission members the May 61h Sunday Denver Post article "Find the Place" that featured a picture of "Promenade'', the bronze sculpture of a dancing couple that is located in the front of the Malley Senior Center. Black explained that "Find the Place" features a photograph that has been submitted by a reader and another reader will respond back in to the newspaper stating where the picture was taken. Black went on to explain that Denise White, Marketing and Public Relations Administrator for the Department of Parks and Recreation had submitted the photograph. Commission members were apprised of City Council 's discussion Monday night concerning off leash privileges at Jason Park. Black reported that the Council Chambers were full and the end result was that City Council will hold off on making a decision until August while working with Englewood Unleashed on issues and complaints . Woodward explained to the Commission that when Canine Corral opened in August of 2007, City Council stated that it would not visit the idea ofremoving the off-leash privileges at the four Englewood off-leash parks for one year which will be in August of this x. year. Woodward went on to explain that in the meantime, City Council has an agreement with Englewood Unleashed to be the stewards of Canine Corral and Jason Park . Woodward explained that Englewood Unleashed will work with dog owners in educating them on the rules and regulations of the off-leash park that includes picking up after their dogs and not allowing them to run off-leash at the • playground or field area when children are present. Discussion followed . Black informed the Commission of a negative comment that was made to City Council in regard to the mud at Canine Corral. Black reported that the City invested $140 ,000 into Canine Corral when it was built and that all money for the dog park has been exhausted . Black told the Commission that the only way for grass to survive at the dog park is to have irrigation and a park large enough to rotate usage from one area to the other in order to allow time for the grass to grow. Commission members were reminded that from the beginning the City had told Englewood Unleashed that it did not have the funds for grass and if they wanted it, they would need to raise the money themselves. Discussion followed . Woodward noted that hay has been applied by Parks and Recreation and Englewood Unleashed and that the condition of the dog park can not be based off of this year due to the excessive amount of snow. The Commission was told that Englewood Unleashed estimates that approximately 200 people use the Canine Corral each day . City Council Liaison Bob Mccaslin stated that he had also heard of concerns pertaining to the lack of lighting in the parking lot. Lee replied that when the dog park was being built, Englewood Unleashed was concerned that there was not any lighting inside of the dog park . Lee explained to Englewood Unleashed that there was only $1,500 to spend on lighting and so the decision was made to move lighting to the inside of the dog park. Woodward spoke in regard to the hazard on the bike trail for west bound bicyclists coming around the comer and being right upon the dog park and any dogs off- leash. Black stated that staff would look into signage . COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Mccaslin thanked Black and Parks and Recreation staff for assisting him in writing a letter to CPRA for the Byline publication. Black thanked McCaslin on behalf of the Department for submitting the letter to CPRA. Woodward asked in regard to the mural at Cushing Skate Park that was painted by Colorado's Finest Alternative High School. Lee reported that the mural had been removed after being tagged several times and the Alternative High School telling the City that they had not authorized the mural. Woodward discussed the murals located on the Headed West building on South Broadway north of Belleview. Woodward noted that the owners of the store had the murals painted to keep taggers from tagging the building. Woodward spoke in regard to the South Platte Working Group comprised of the City of Englewood, City of Littleton, South Suburban, Urban Drainage and Trust for Public Lands. Woodward noted that the goal of the group is to preserve the Platte River corridor through the acquisition of property and will be pursuing a legacy grant through GOCO where Arapahoe County has pledged $3,000,000 and South Suburban Parks and Recreation has offered $4,000,000 . The Commission was told that the group toured the Platte River trail last week and Englewood showed itself well. Waldman notified staff of a soccer field that had been lined in the grass at Duncan Park. Lee • stated that the department had not authorized the painting of the field. Waldman asked in regard • to a restroom at Duncan Park. Black told Waldman that a permanent restroom facility is addressed in the Parks Master Plan . Black went on to explain that the Department plans to apply for a planning grant through GOCO for Duncan Park that will address a restroom facility. Black • • • reminded Waldman that there once was a port-a-potty restroom at Duncan Park but was removed due to a neighbor becoming vocal over it. Black informed the Commission that Youth Commission Member Niederjohn and Kirsten Litchfield will be making a presentation to City Council on their trip to Washington D.C . next Monday evening and invited board members to attend if interested. Woodward stated that he would like to see Neiderjohn and Litchfield make a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller invited commission members to the Sinclair Middle School 501h Anniversary celebration on May 31 st from 7:00 to 9:00pm. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm. ;ilLWtU_{L ~VA_ Deborah A . Severa, Recording Secretary