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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-11 PRC MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 11, 2006 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:33pm by Chairperson Gomes at Hamdpen Hall at the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member (left at 6:15pm) Douglas Garrett, Commission Member (left at 6:34pm) Jim Woodward, Commission Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member (left at 6:40pm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Also present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Wayne Niles, Golf Course Supervisor Jean Schleager, Colorado's Finest Alternative High School (left at 5:5 lpm) Deon Baca, Colorado's Finest Alternative High School (left at 5:51pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of April 13, 2006. There were none. The minutes were accepted as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for scheduled comment IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There were no visitors present for unscheduled public comment. CUSHING SKATE PARK MURAL Discussion was turned over to Jean Schleager with Colorado's Finest Alternative High School who had spoken to the Commission in January in regard to murals for the large skate ramp at Cushing Skate Park. Ms. Schleager introduced Deon Baca, a student at the Alternative High School. Ms. Schleager distributed drawings of the proposed murals for the skate ramp; explaining that the murals the students are proposing depict a graffiti theme. Ms. Schleager discussed the issue of graffiti being accepted as an art form and the need for more legal space. Discussion followed if the murals were to vandalized and City policy that it be removed or covered up immediately. Black asked Ms. Schleager if CF AHS would be willing to help the City in those instances. Ms. Schleager explained that if graffiti is done well, graffiti artists will show respect to it and not paint over it but stated that if vandalized, the high school could take care of it. A motion was made by City Council Liaison Bob Mccaslin and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller to accept the proposal from Colorado's Finest • Alternative High School for murals at Cushing Skate Park. Commission Member Woodward asked Youth Commission Members Laughlin and Niederjohn what they thought of the murals. Laughlin stated that she loves the idea and thinks that it would be respected by others . Niederjohn said that she thinks it would help bring more people to the park. Commission members were all in favor. The motion passed. Ms. Schleager and Baca thanked the Commission and left. VI. PARKS MASTER PLAN Dave Lee, Open Space Manager, informed the Commission that the Parks Master Plan draft has been completed and had been included in their packet for review. Lee told commission members that the draft will be reviewed and discussed with EDAW at the June meeting. Commission Member Garrett asked as to a schedule and prioritization in completing projects that are be recommended in the Parks Master Plan. Lee explained that there will be $30-32 million in projects and $16 million available from CTF and open space funds in addition to alternative funds and grants; noting that there will not be enough to fund everything recommended in the Master Plan. Lee went on to explain that the shelters and restrooms will have the highest need. Garrett suggested that internally, the process of prioritizing projects be started now. Black noted that the process will be started as soon as the final plan is completed. Woodward asked in regard to the • handball courts. Lee replied that he has requested that it be addressed in the Master Plan. VII. SINCLAIR HANDBALL COURTS Lee reported that a few weeks ago, he had received a call from Sinclair Middle School in regard to a gate and chicken wire that had been added to the fencing at the handball courts. Lee stated that because the changes were unauthorized, a police report was filed and in that time, the handball club admitted that they were responsible for the changes. Lee explained that Steven Bauer with the handball association has sent two letters, one being a letter of apology and his commitment to bring the fence back to its original state, and the second letter saying that he had met with Randy Johnson, Sinclair Middle School principal, who agrees that the gate should remain in addition to being locked with limited access to recreational groups. Commission members were informed that according to Chris Gramstorff, Chief Operations Officer for Englewood Schools, not everything in Mr. Bauer's letter in regard to his conversation with Mr . Johnson, is correct. In regard to bringing the fence back to its original condition, Lee stated that a professional company will be brought in to repair the fence, for which the handball association will be billed. As discussed at last months meeting pertaining to signage for the handball and tennis courts, Black told the Commission that Mr. Gramstorff agreed that signage would be sufficient since school would be getting out very soon and the hockey rink will be installed in the fall. VIII. ATHLETIC FIELD UPDATE Lee told the Commission that in March, CPRA professionals met with representatives from Colorado • State Youth Soccer Association (CSYSA) to discuss athletic field usage and scheduling. Lee explained that CPRA and CSYSA agreed to work together to make sure the fields are in good and safe • • • IX. x. XI. condition . Items agreed upon by both organizations to ensure that teams remain on even playing level include: 2007 spring season to start last week of March, 2007 fall season proposed to start mid- August, and modified schedule from Saturday-only games to include occasional weekday games in order to collapse season down to prevent running into re-growth and re-sod season. CSYSA also agreed to assist in encouraging people to leave dogs at home so not to interfere with games . RECREATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Discussion was turned over to Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager, and the Recreation Scholarship program. Hultberg reminded the Commission that in August, the board recommended to use the interest earned from the sale of the South Franklin Street property to fund the recreation scholarship fund. Hultberg explained that there is $10,000 available for scholarships which $8,000 has been estimated to be expended . In regard to guidelines for issuing scholarships, Hultberg told the Commission that there have been instances where a request for scholarship has been declined due to the child not living in Englewood, although they attend an Englewood school and participate in City of Englewood sponsored activities. Hultberg asked the board if they would like to consider an exception for non-resident students who attend Englewood Schools and participate in after-school on site activities. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Waldman and seconded by Commission Member Woodward to allow all Englewood Public School students to be eligible for scholarship through Englewood Parks and Recreation after-school on site programs. All were in favor of the motion. Motion passed. SOUTHWEST GREENBELT HORSESHOE PITS UPDATE Lee reported that the shield that had been placed on the light at the Southwest Greenbelt horseshoe pits has helped to deflect light shining into Ms . Brumage's windows while still allowing play at the horseshoe pits in the evenings. According to Nancy Peterson, Community Relations Police Officer, there has been no further contact with the neighbors . Lee noted that Officer Peterson, requested that "no alcohol" signs be posted at the horseshoe pits so with Commission's recommendation, the parks rules signs will be posted towards the park entrance and three "no alcohol" signs will be posted on the fence of the horseshoe pits . Commission members concurred with the change. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Commission Member Garrett told the Commission that the Sheridan redevelopment project is slowing moving along. Waldman asked if September 12, 2006, was still the target date for construction to begin at the golf course . Black replied yes . XII. DOG PARK UPDATE Lee gave an update on the dog park at the Belleview nature area, reporting that the fence is up and ready for the gate to be installed; native grass seed is starting to germinate. In regard to the water quality pond, Lee reported that the engineering plans that the feature was budgeted off of was inconect and has ended up costing an additional $22,000 that what was budgeted. Black noted that although most of the money has been spent, the primary concern is water quality. Woodward asked in regard to selection of a name for the dog park. Lee responded that Englewood Unleashed should be forwarding their choices for a name in June for the board to make a recommendation to City Council. XIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Moore reported that the Juried Art Show brought in approximately 600 visitors . The Commission was informed that the four sunflowers purchased by the Cultural Arts Commission through the • Public Art Fund will remain in their current location at Wal-Mart until a location is determined through the Parks Master Plan. XIV. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black informed the Commission that the spring budget workshop will take place on Saturday and items he will be discussing with City Council will include: a brief update on the Parks Master Plan, the golf course development plan, Sinclair Middle School inline hockey rink, replacement of the "bladder" for the Little Dry Creek fibre dam, and lighting for the Centennial ball field. XIV. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller reminded commission members of the boy's golf team tournament on Saturday. Miller discussed the first district accountability meeting. Waldman told the Commission that he was a judge, along with Commission Member Woodward, at the Englewood Unleashed chili cook-off. Waldman commented that it was a very nice event. Hultberg announced the Parks and Recreation's Englewood Art Exhibit featuring local artists from May 16-25. Commission members were told that the farm and train depot are being resided. The farm will be receiving metal security doors and a new ventilation system. Hultberg reported that Pirates Cove will open on May 2ih and that an Open House for Pirates Cove will be held on May 25th that will include a duck race . Lee stated that the parks division has contracted out the planting of flowers for the flowerbeds in the interchange areas. Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, informed the Commission that the Englewood Golf Course recently participated in the filming of"How Low Can You Go" which involved three golfers, each at a different golf course in the United States, who tried to break ninety. Spada reported that the golfer at the Englewood Golf Course shot eighty-four. The event will be aired on the Golf Channel on May 1 ih at 7pm. Commission members were told that registration is taking place for the Jr. Golf program. Discussion followed in regard to vendors for the Funfest. XV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:50pm . /W!JJKL~ ~ cflwcL/ Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary • •