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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-14 PRC MINUTES• • CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of September 14, 2006 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:3 lpm by Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Recreation Center, Aquatics Room, 1155 W. Oxford Avenue . Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Jim Woodward , Commission Member Bob McCaslin, City Council Liaison Janet Moore , Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Absent : Krista Niederjohn , Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Also Present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Dave Parks, Recreation Program Administrator, Youth Sports Rich Payne, father of Seth Hunter Payne Bill and Erma Vandepol, grandparents of Seth Hunter Payne Lorene Stevens, aunt of Seth Hunter Payne II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of August 10, 2006. 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 v. There were no visitors present for unscheduled public comment. SETH HUNTER PAYNE MEMORIAL FUND CHECK PRESENTATION Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg introduced Dave Parks, Youth Sports Recreation Program Administrator for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Parks told the Commission that a little over a year ago, Seth Hunter Payne, was tragically killed at the age of 19. Parks told the Commission that Seth was a part-time employee of his who loved sports and could always be seen at the Recreation Center either working or playing. Parks described Seth as a good kid, who was always involved and had a good influence on kids. The Commission was informed that a memorial fund had been set-up in honor of Seth. Parks stated that his family has decided to donate the money in the memorial fund to the Department of Parks and Recreation's youth scholarship fund with the hope that other Englewood youth would be able to enjoy the sports and activities that Seth loved so much. The Commission was presented a check in the amount of $1,968. In addition, a plaque was presented to commemorate Seth's memory that will be displayed in the lobby of the Englewood Recreation Center. The Commission watched a DVD slideshow chronicling Seth's life and his love of sports. On behalf • of the City of Englewood and the Department of Parks and Recreation, Hultberg thanked the family for their contribution. Gomes told the family that the money will go a long way in helping the youth in Englewood. Commission members took a break to personally thank the family. VI. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, informed the Commission that on Tuesday, September 121h, the front nine, driving range and par 3 were turned over to Miller Weingarten. Lee reported that staff has removed flags, tee markers, cups, etc. and is now waiting. Lee stated that Miller Weingarten is currently in the process of selecting a golf course contractor, noting that the search has been narrowed down to two. Commission members were told of the "Golfer Appreciation Day" was held on Monday, September 11th that consisted of 18-hole play, lunch and raffle drawings of pro-shop items at a nominal fee. Spada spoke in regard to the calls the golf course is receiving from people that are unaware of the closure. Spada stated that he can definitely see an impact in play due to the partial closure, commenting that most people are choosing not to play nine holes. Lee told the Commission that staff is continuing to mow and irrigate the front-nine in the case that the sod will be used elsewhere, such as the junior golf program area. Commission Member Waldman asked where that area will be. Lee replied that it will be where the Riverside Go-Kart track was, explaining that it will be a temporary location in order to accommodate the 2007 junior golf program .• Commission Member Woodward asked as to the high school golf team. Spada reported that they are using the back-nine for their practices. In regard to contract negotiations, Commission Member Garrett reported that negotiations are continuing; adding that it is a very complex project with a lot of detail. Waldman asked ifthere was any chance that Miller Weingarten would pull-out of the project. Garrett replied no since there has been no dramatic shift in negotiations. Woodward asked in regard to the selection of a golf course contractor and if the City will have input as to the selection. Lee explained that the City had input on the original seven but from this point on, probably not. Woodward asked as to the City's involvement with specifications with the contract negotiations . Garrett reported that Bob Spada and Dave Lee have been highly involved with contract specifications. Gomes asked ifthe City has received a check. Garrett replied that the City will not be receiving a check until the agreement is signed which would not be until the end of September, first of October. VII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Janet Moore reported that the Cultural Arts Commission is discussing signage for Hampden Hall, both interior and exterior. Moore told commission members that the Englewood Arts 2006-07 concert series will start on September 23rd at 2pm and that the schedule can be found in the Englewood Activities Guide and on the Englewood Arts website. Moore stated that at the October Commission meeting, commission members will be judging artwork for the 2007 Englewood Calendar. VIII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Hultberg thanked Dave Parks for the Seth Hunter Payne memorial check presentation. • • • • IX . COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller informed the Commission that Superintendent Dr. McCabe is preparing a letter, on behalf of the Englewood Board of Education, declaring the Sinclair handball courts a nuisance and providing an "unwanted" environment next to the school. Lee reported that the letter has been received and has been forwarded to City Council. Miller announced that tonight will be the last forum on the middle school issue and that the Board will be making their decision on September 191h. Discussion followed. Woodward asked in regard to Duncan property and discussion by the School District to sell it. Miller explained that it is also being considered due to the repair and maintenance costs far exceeding revenues being brought in . Woodward stated that it is his understanding there is an informal agreement between the School District and the Department of Parks and Recreation where the City pays the school district $1 .00/year to lease and maintain the property. Miller replied that if they do, Parks and Recreation may like to see the area retained as a park. Lee reported that the Department is looking at means to purchase the property down the line. Woodward stated that it would be his assumption that the School Board would look at the City of Englewood as the primary purchaser of the Duncan property. Miller explained that the School District owns the whole property (building and land), leasing the building to All Souls and leasing the property to the City of Englewood. In regard to the middle school issue, Miller noted that the school district is looking for volunteers to serve on a committee for the preservation of historical items from Flood and Sinclair Middle Schools. City Council Liaison Bob McCaslin told the Commission that he is a member of the Keep Englewood Beautiful board. Mccaslin gave a brief history of KEB and explained that KEB has been responsible for the SK run for the last two years and is asking Parks and Recreation if there is any interest to take over the 5K run, with KEB's help. Woodward stated that he is not a KEB member but has served on the sub- committee and when the question was originally brought up, he approached Director Black on it. Woodward reported that per discussion with Black, it may not make sense for Parks and Recreation to take on the 5K run due to department staff already being tied up with Funfest. Hultberg told McCaslin that if there was some interest from the department, it would be considered but that it would be held as a separate event on a different day. Hultberg noted that as Woodward had pointed out, staff resources are already tied up with Funfest. Mccaslin stated that he would take the information back to KEB. Hultberg announced that Kathy Wallace, Aquatics Coordinator, received the Governor 's Summer Job Hunt Award on behalf of the Department of Parks and Recreation in recognition for outstanding practices in the recruitment and training of the summer 2006 youth workforce. Armstrong announced that the Department of Parks and Recreation was also awarded the Columbine Award for Park and Recreation Design for Pirates Cove. Hultberg explained that the award, presented by Colorado Parks and Recreation Association, is the most prestigious state award presented to a park and recreation agency. XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm . 1WtwL (l _ cb{JU_/ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary