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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-13 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 13, 2006 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:31pm by Chairperson Gomes at Pirates Cove Aquatics Center, 1225 W. Belleview A venue Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Jim Woodward, Commission Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison (arrived at 5:32pm) Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison (arrived at 5:32pm) Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Absent: Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Also Present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Brad Anderson, Facility Supervisor, Pirates Cove Aquatic Center Matt Murray, Intern , Golf Course Rebecca Bengtson, Intern, Malley Senior Recreation Center II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of June 8, 2006. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT IV. There were no visitors present for scheduled comment. Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager, introduced Matt Murray, Intern at the Golf Course, and Rebecca Bengtson, Intern at Malley Senior Center, and told Commission that both had been very much appreciated by the Department. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Englewood resident Donna Marsh introduced herself. Donna was present to request the installation of horseshoe pits at Duncan Park. Commission member Woodward asked Marsh if there were many others in support of the request. Mrs. Marsh replied that in addition to her husband, she knew of several neighbors who would use horseshoe pits at that location . Chairperson Gomes told Mrs. Marsh that the Commission would take her comments into consideration; and after some research would respond to her as soon as possible . Chairperson Gomes then recognized Doug Cohn, En J ewood resident and businessman who was present to discuss the Englewood Days event scheduled for September 9, 2006. Cohn told the Commission that the event includes a car show, and that his group is requesting • use of the City's show wagon in the parking lot at 3400 S. Broadway for band performances. Commission Member Woodward told the Commission that City Council had agreed to support the event with parking and barricades , etc., but had declined the proposal to close Broadway. Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Moore asked if use of the show wagon had not been restricted in recent years. Jerrell Black replied that usage had been limited to City events, but that the Department had decided to support the usage for this Englewood event. Black added that the Department would waive the rental fee , but that labor and towing costs would be assessed . A motion was made by Commission Member Jim Woodward and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller to recommend to City Council that the City's show wagon be made available for the Englewood Days celebration scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2006. The rental fee would be waived but labor and towing costs would be assessed. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Clyde Wiggins , a city resident who lives near Belleview Park, then addressed the Commission with concerns he had regarding Belleview Park and Pirates Cove Aquatics Center. Wiggins praised Pirates Cove as a wonderful facility , but said he believed the park and the water park were over crowded at times due the large number of non-resident visitors . Wiggins suggested raising non-resident rates to help control the number of visitors . Wiggins added that he had seen an increase in alcohol use, dogs off-leash, etc ., and suggested if the Safety Services Impact Team were brought back, many of the issues could be brought under • control. City Council Liaison Mccaslin added that he had been approached by park users regarding insufficient lighting and crime near the Chenango parking lot area. Director Black told the Commission that the replacement of playground equipment was part of the Parks Master Plan, and that Belleview Park is at the top of the list for funds that will be budgeted for 2007 for the equipment. Returning discussion to the issues raised by Mr. Wiggins, Black agreed to make contact with Safety Services regarding increasing their presence in the park, and thanked Mr. Wiggins for his comments. V. PIRATES COVE UPDATE Chairperson Gomes then asked Pirates Cove Facility Manager, Brad Anderson, to update commission members on the current season at Pirates Cove. Anderson passed out summaries of Pirates Cove statistics through July 11, 2006. Anderson highlighted increases in admission of 9% over 2005, and 13% over 2004; in addition, concession revenues are up 19 % over 2005 . Anderson said part of the success is due to favorable weather, and also said that staffing issues had been worked out including the addition of managers and more maintenance workers, which had helped the park operate more efficiently. Council Liaison Bob McCaslin asked if a fee increase for non-residents was being • considered. Recreation Manager Hultberg said that non-resident admissions account for up to 95% of the total attendance, and that the park was reliant on the non-residents to • • • VI. succeed. Jerrell Black told Commission that with the success of Pirates Cove, the Department will be requesting through City Council funds for a part time, benefit eligible administrative assistant position, as well as a new water feature for the park to be in place by 2008 or 2009. Black added that the Department would propose to City Council to discuss fee increases every two years, beginning in 2008. Anderson then told the Commission about the recent "Senior Night" hosted at Pirates Cove, and asked Malley Senior Center Intern, Rebecca Bengtson, to explain the event which she had helped coordinate. Bengtson said that she had secured fourteen sponsors for the event which had 98 people in attendance. Woodward said he had heard several positive comments about the event. Bengtson added that staff will look at how the event could be improved and then consider making it an annual event. Anderson added that Pirates Cove is also considering adding an Adult Night for patrons in the future. CHERRELYN FIELD PROJECT Black then began discussion of the Cherrelyn Field Project, explaining that Cherrelyn Elementary School is looking at installing a green space at the school; and has asked for the City's assistance with the project including supplying and preparing the topsoil. Black said the City's costs were determined to be approximately $1,800 for the soil, and $1,125 for tilling and preparation. Black said results from the Parks Master Plan had shown the location to be favorable for a partnership, and that both the School and the City would benefit from the new field. Black added that funds had not been budgeted, but that perhaps CTF funds could be used . A motion was made by Council Liaison Bob Mccaslin and seconded by Englewood School District Liaison Karen Miller to recommend to City Council to accept the Cherrelyn Soil Amendment Project, where Parks and Recreation would assist with the addition and telling of topsoil, and Streets will assist with grading. The motion passed unanimously. VII. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Black reported to the Commission that an agreement, which will be presented to City Council on July 24, had been reached with Miller Weingarten for the Sheridan Redevelopment Project. Black said fact sheets and maps explaining the lease development agreement and design had been posted at the Recreation Center, the Golf Course, and the Malley Center. Black added that City Council would have a second reading for the project on August 7, followed by a 30-day referendum period, with work commencing at the Golf Course as early as September 12, 2006. Moore asked about the impact to bike trails. Black explained that the bike path would be closed at times, but that South Suburban Parks and Recreation District had been consulted and were satisfied with the plan. Black added that there will be a website as well as a hotline where people can get the latest information on the project. Woodward acknowledged former mayor and Special Council Garrett for his work on the project. Black agreed, saying that from the beginning, Garrett's negotiating skills had been instrumental in the project's success. VIII. DOG PARK UPDATE Open Space Manager Dave Lee then updated Commission on the progress of the new dog • park. Lee said that the name "Canine Corral" had been presented to City Council on Monday night, and that Council had recommended "Englewood Canine Corral". Lee added that the water quality pond had been finished, and the park had been seeded and watered . McCaslin asked about the weeds in the park. Lee responded that Parks has sprayed the weeds, and also had planted 12 trees both inside and outside of the park. Black added that funds were not available for an irrigation system. Black announced that the Department hoped to confirm with City Council and Englewood Unleashed for a grand opening on August 12 . Woodward asked if Englewood Unleashed had ordered the brick pavers. Lee replied that the group had sold 40 bricks and were negotiating with Home Depot for more. IX. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE x. Moore announced that the Cultural Arts Commission would again host a tent with children's activities at Englewood's Funfest on August 26. Moore then said that the Commission was working with Community Development on "Artabout Englewood" scheduled for Saturday, August 5. Moore explained that "Artabout Englewood" is planned as an all day tour of art in Englewood. The event includes a raffle drawing and ends with a dance at the ampitheater at CityCenter. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black had no items for discussion. XI. COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Woodward asked if Donna Marsh 's request for horseshoe pits at Duncan Park should be put on the Parks and Recreation Commission agenda. Black suggested tabling the issue for now due to changes being considered by the school district. Miller explained that the newly formed school accountability committee should finalize their decisions soon. Miller then invited commission members to a free performance by the Blue Knights at the High School the following evening . McCaslin told the Commission that only eight registrations had been received for the Fun Run at Belleview Park. Woodward responded that he expected registrations would p ick up in the last two weeks. Woodward explained that the run/walk is a 5K race scheduled for 8:30am on August 26 in conjunction with Funfest, and that those interested could register at the Recreation Center and at New Balance. McCaslin thanked Woodward for his help with the event. Moore asked if a chili cook-off was again planned for Funfest. Gary Hultberg confirmed that it was , and said he would get information for the competition to commission members . • Gomes congratulated Youth Commission Members Rebecca Laughlin and Krista Niederjohn • on their reappointments. • • • Lee passed on to the Commission that he had received many favorable comments regarding the flower beds throughout the City. Commission agreed that all were pleased with the return of the flower beds and that they were exceptional this year. Hultberg asked Intern Rebecca Bengtson to tell the Commission about the poker walk she was helping to plan for the Malley Center. Bengtson explained that the event, sponsored by Kaiser, would be at 1 O:OOam at Belleview Park. Bengtson added that the route had been increased this year . Black congratulated Intern Matt Murray for the great job he had done with the Junior Golf Program this summer as well as organizing the Golf Course's first Demo Day, which had been successful. XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:07pm. . {./~~ = tM ~ '· Limlaf\Jj{no, Recordin~