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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-11-09 PRC MINUTES• • • I. II. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of November 9, 2006 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at Caddie Shack on the Platte at the Englewood Golf Course, 2101 W. Oxford A venue. 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 (arrived at 5:5 lpm) Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Also Present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Wayne Niles, Golf Course Superintendent APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of October 12, 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 There were no visitors present for unscheduled public comment. V. DOG PARK GROUP ACTIVITIES Open Space Manager Dave Lee informed the Commission that he had received an e-mail in regard to concerns of a Denver-based boxer group utilizing Canine Corral for a "meetup". Lee explained that the e-mail addressed concerns in regard to the size of the group and some of the dogs behaving aggressively. Lee told the Commission that he has tried to contact members of Englewood Unleashed to get more information but has been unable to find out anything else. Lee discussed the department policy for special events and activities that utilize City of Englewood parks and asked the Commission if it felt that policy should also apply to Canine Corral. The Commission discussed what constitutes a special event. Commission members agreed that Canine Corral should adhere to the same special event policy as other City of Englewood park facility. Lee reported that a sign would be posted at the entrance to the dog park. Commission Member Woodward commented that Safety Services will need to be made aware of the change since they are responsible for patrolling the park on the weekend. Director Black suggested that it may be helpful if staff put information together regarding the Department's • policy on special events in park facilities and bring that back to the Commission in January with a recommendation. Woodward commented in regard to Englewood Unleashed gatherings and if that constituted a special event. Black explained that Englewood Unleashed has a formal agreement with the City. Woodward relayed a compliment he had received concerning the straw that had been laid down in the dog park and how much it is appreciated by users of the dog park. Lee explained that the straw had been laid out to compensate for the rain and snow but that the department was not able to cover all areas as they had wished for due to lack of funding. VI. SINCLAIR HANDBALL COURTS Lee referred to documentation that had been provided in the Commission packet in regard to a proposal to provide professional engineering services for the removal of the handball courts at Sinclair Middle School. Lee told the Commission that estimated cost is $4,513 to prepare a demolition estimate and an engineer's report. Commission Member Waldman asked who would pay for it. Lee stated that it has not been decided ifthe school district or the City of Englewood would be responsible for the cost. Englewood School Board President and Liaison Karen Miller stated that she passed on the information from last month's meeting to the Board and would do the same with this information. Black informed the Commission that he had met with Chief Operations Officer Chris Gramstorff who said Sinclair Middle School Principal Randy Johnson has told him that with the merge of the • two middle schools, there may be a need for additional basketball courts and has suggested that only the interior walls of the courts be removed. Mr. Gramstorff stated that he would be following up with Mr. Johnson to get more information. Discussion followed. The question was asked in regard to the lights. Lee explained that the lights have not been used since 1990. Waldman asked ifthe City has had any experience with the engineering company. Lee replied that Public Works has used them. VII . DUNCAN PROPERTY UPDATE Discussion turned to Duncan Park. The Commission was told that the City has sent a letter to the School Board stating that the City is very interested in acquiring the Duncan Park property and would like to enter into discussion with the school district on acquisition of it. Black reported that a committee has been formed to discuss the acquisition, with Karen Miller and Shelley Thompson representing the School District and Jim Woodward and Ray Tomasso representing the City. Black stated that due to timing being a priority, plans are for a meeting to be scheduled before the end of the year. Black explained that the City will be applying for grants through GOCO and Arapahoe County for Duncan Park and deadline for submittal of the grant applications is February. Woodward reported that both the School District and the City are in the process of getting appraisals on the property. Waldman asked if the property consists of both the land and building. Miller replied yes. VIII. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Commission Member Garrett reported that progress is slowly being made on finalizing the development agreement and that the City is now starting to see assurances pertaining to the environmental clean-up of the site. In regard to a closing date, Garrett stated that it looks to be toward • • IX. the end of November. Waldman asked if a contractor has been selected . Garrett responded that the contractor will be American Civil Constructors . CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Janet Moore discussed the Englewood Arts 2006-2007 concert series in addition to upcoming holiday performances. VIII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE • IX. • Black informed the Commission that there are no agenda items scheduled for the December meeting and suggested that the meeting be cancelled with the understanding that if an issue arises, a meeting would be called. A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Waldman and seconded by Englewood School District Liaison Karen Miller that the December Parks and Recreation Commission be cancelled due to lack of agenda items and if an issue arises, a meeting would be called. All were in favor. Motion passed. Black turned discussion over to Cushing Skate Park. Black explained that a couple of months ago a council short-term request was sent to Safety Services in regard to concerns of drug activity at Cushing Skate Park. Black went on to explain that Safety Services responded back to City Council with an option of possibly closing the skate park. Black noted that the short-term request did not come to Parks and Recreation and if it would have, closing the skate park would not have been the Department's recommendation . Black stated that staff reviewed 2006 statistics for Cushing Park that showed only one reported incident related to drug activity which the department feels does not substantiate closing the facility. Black stated that if there is any criminal activity happening at Cushing Park or any other park facility in the City, it is Safety Services responsibility to handle the situation. Moore asked if the department ever gets calls from concerned neighbors. Lee responded that more often those calls will go to Safety Services rather than the Department of Parks and Recreation. Woodward commented that this situation is similar to the concerns that Clyde Wiggins brought to the Commission in regard to problems at Belleview Park and Pirates Cove and the need for more enforcement and visibility from Safety Services. Discussion followed. The Commission concurred that it would not consider closing the Cushing Skate Park until it sees more evidence to support otherwise. The Commission agreed that Safety Services needed to put more effort in patrolling the park. COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE Moore announced the opening of Art-Nie, a co-op art gallery located in the old March Hare building on South Broadway. Moore indicated that the gallery has art from thirty-eight Colorado artists, four of which are from Englewood. Miller discussed Englewood High School hosting CHSAA state soccer and lacrosse tournaments again now that the stadium has artificial turf. Discussion followed . Youth Commission Member Neiderjohn announced the Englewood High School play "Skin of our Teeth" on December 8 and 9. In regard to Canine Corral, City Council Liaison Mccaslin reported that he had been asked if it would be possible to separate small dogs from the large dogs. Lee explained that there are some dog parks that do separate out small and large dogs but that Englewood does not have the room to do that. Lee continued, informing the Commission that he has been able to make contact with the Baha'i organization in regard to the peace garden at Jason Park. Lee stated that the organization has told him that they will do some restoration work to the garden over the fall and winter in addition to planting in the spring. Gomes wished commission members and their families a happy and safe holiday. XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:32pm. ;{)L/l{))(iLl~ fl @~_J Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • • •