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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-12 PRC MINUTES• I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of October 12, 2006 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Golf Course Maintenance Facility, 4000 S. Clay Street. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 6:15pm) Absent : Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Also Present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Wayne Niles, Golf Course Superintendent • II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of September 14, 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. SINCLAIR HANDBALL COURTS Gomes turned discussion over to Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, and Sinclair handball courts. Lee referred to the information that had been included in the packet regarding the handball courts, including a letter from Englewood Schools Superintendent Dr. McCabe requesting that when money becomes available, the courts be removed; in addition to a memorandum from Director Black that refers to the1974 intergovernmental agreement and city ordinance. In Black's memorandum, Black states that both the intergovernmental agreement and ordinance do not clarify who owns the handball courts or who is responsible for having them removed. Commission Member Garrett asked how much it would cost for the removal of the courts. Lee replied that he did not know but could get an estimate. Discussion followed on who should be responsible for the cost of having the courts removed. Englewood School District Liaison Karen Miller suggested that both parties discuss it further with their board or council to see what can be done. Commission Member Woodward asked how long the courts have been there. Lee noted that the intergovernmental agreement dates back to 1974 and would assume it was about that time when they were installed. Woodward told the Commission that Sinclair Middle School Principal Randy Johnson has spoken about putting in some basketball hoops where the courts are. Miller stated that she would find out if there are any other plans for that area. Lee informed the Commission that he would also get a scope of what costs would be for engineering services and demolition. VI. JASON PARK BAHA'I PEACE GARDEN Lee told the Commission that on the northeast corner of Jason Park is a peace garden by the Baha'i organization. Lee noted that the garden consists primarily of a large rock with a plaque. Lee explained that over the years, the garden has fallen into disrepair so last year he had contacted the Baha'i organization in regard to the garden, telling them that the City would place some fence around the garden to help protect it from the dogs and in turn asking them to fix it up. The Commission was told that no one ever came to work on the garden. Lee reported that he is now having a difficult time communicating with the organization and they are showing no interest in maintaining the garden. Lee stated that one option he is considering is writing a letter to the organization asking them what their interest is, and if there is not an interest, then the garden will be removed. Commission Member Waldman asked in regard to the Baha'i organization. Garrett replied that it is a small but active organization. A motion was made by Commission Member Waldman that the appropriate staff person write a letter to the Baha'i organization giving them a specific timeline to spruce up the peace garden at Jason Park; and if the timeline is not met, the City will return the rock/plaque to the organization and return area to its original state . Garrett amended the motion, stating that if the City does not hear back from the organization, it will have the right to dispose of the property as it sees fit. Englewood School District Liaison Miller seconded the motion. Waldman suggested the letter be sent registered with a return receipt. VII. DUNCAN PROPERTY Discussion moved to the Duncan property. Golf Course Manager and Acting Director Bob Spada informed the Commission that included in the packet is a letter from Mayor Wolosyn to the Englewood School Board stating that the Duncan property has been listed as a very high priority for acquisition as a result of the City's Park Master Plan and the City is very much interested in acquiring the park. Also in the letter, Wolosyn requests that those involved in the decision regarding disposal of the property contact the City to begin discussion on acquisition of the land. Spada told the Commission that a City/School meeting is scheduled for next week and the Duncan Park is on the agenda to be discussed. Lee noted that the department is very interested in the land since it is the only large parcel of land in the area in addition to the Parks Master Plan determining that the neighborhood is underserved. Garrett asked how large the parcel is. Lee replied that it is three acres. Miller was asked what it would take to return the current structure on the property to code. Miller replied $170,000; adding that All Souls may be interested in the building. Miller • • went on to explain that an administrative team is working on gathering information on the Duncan property, as with the Flood property, and the School Board will not make any decisions until they • get the information. • • • VIII. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE IX. Garrett reported that progress continues to be made in finalizing the development agreement; noting that a report will be given to City Council Monday evening. Commission members were told that the current plan is for the golf course to re-open on Memorial Day of 2008. Waldman asked if a contractor has been selected. Lee replied that decision will be made tomorrow. Woodward spoke in regard to funds lost to the golf course from it not being utilized from September 121h to current without any work being started on it. Garrett commented that it will be addressed in the agreement. Discussion followed . CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Commission members were told that the Cultural Arts Commission is currently discussing signage for Hampden Hall. VIII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE There were no items for Director's Choice. IX. COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Miller informed the Commission that Lisa Schomp with Ralph Schomp has generously donated a 2006 Mini Cooper to the Englewood Education Foundation that will be raffled off in December. Waldman asked in regard to the concessionaire at the golf course and if adjustments have been made to their contract due to impact from the construction. Spada told the Commission that the City is preparing to go to City Council to recommend a reduced payment for Caddie Shack while the golf course is under construction. Spada stated that Caddie Shack is looking at reducing their menu, in addition to hours of operation, while the course is partially closed. Discussion followed . Garrett added that it has all been discussed with the restaurant owner, Jim Dadiotis. Waldman discussed current playing conditions on the back nine . Gomes told the Commission that off-leash privileges need to be removed at the four parks and be returned to the citizens of Englewood . Gomes stated that the citizens and children need to have their parks back and look presentable again, noting that Jason Park is a good example of what the dogs have done to the parks. Lee told Gomes that the Commission can certainly write a letter or make a motion to City Council, adding that throughout this whole process, it has always been City Council's decision whether the off-leash parks would be returned to their original state or kept as off-leash. Woodward explained that when City Council gave its approval for a dog park, they knew that the decision on whether to shut down one or all of the off-leash parks would need to be addressed at some point. Woodward went on to explain that the decision was made to give it some time to see what happens and if the dog park will help to ease the amount of dogs at Jason Park. Woodward commented that the northwest greenbelt, Duncan Park and Centennial Park are truly neighborhood parks and maybe Jason Park is the one that will need to be re-evaluated. Lee told the Commission that over the past couple of years, complaints from Jason Park neighbors were often heard but since the dog park opened, he is not aware of any complaints. Discussion followed. Woodward spoke in regard to the vandalism the dog park received when it first opened. Lee was asked how the dog park has been in regard to cleanliness . Lee stated that it continues to look pretty good. Gomes stated again that the dogs need to be on leash in the parks. Waldman reported that there has never been a conflict at Duncan Park so why close it, adding that there are a lot of people like him who appreciate it the convenience of an off-leash neighborhood park. Lee told the Commission that it has been two months since the dog park opened which has proved to be very successful while Jason Park has proven to be another success in terms of off-leash areas . Lee told the Commission that it would be his recommendation to re-evaluate the situation after six months from the opening of the dog park, which would be February. The majority agreed to discuss the item at the March 2007 meeting. Woodward announced that as part of the '07 budget, City Council was able to provide the majority of • funding for two youth positions to the National League of Cities conference in Washington D.C. Woodward explained that there will be criteria for the selection of the two youth but he certainly encourages the two youth members on the Parks and Recreation Commission to consider applying. Woodward told them that as he gets more information, he will forward it on to them. XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm . /(k_/lfJJlJLl _ a_. (/-t_l,0zL J Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • •