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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-12 PRC MINUTESI. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of January 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 Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:32pm) Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:3 lpm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Also present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Wayne Niles, Golf Course Supervisor Brad Anderson , Recreation Facility Manager, Pirates Cove Alice Hanna, President, Englewood Unleashed (left at 7:20pm) Rebecca Cassel, Englewood Resident Jean Schlaeger, Colorado 's Finest Alternative High School (arrived at 5:3 lpm, left at 5:42pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of November 17, 2005 and December 8, 2005. 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. MURAL AT CUSHING SKATE PARK Jean Schlaeger with Colorado 's Finest Alternative High School was introduced. Ms. Schlaeger discussed a proposal from Colorado's Finest Alternative High School to paint a mural on the half pipe ramp at the Cushing Skate Park. Ms. Schlaeger explained that it is the hope of the students to raise the level of awareness that graffiti can be an art form while also giving the kids an opportunity to express themselves . Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, reminded commission members of a similar project at the Southwest Greenbelt which proved to be very successful in reducing unwelcome graffiti in the park. Commission members asked in regard to an example of the artwork that is planned for the Skate Park. Ms. Schlaeger stated that she did not have it with her but that she would e-mail the images of e the proposed artwork. Ms. Schlaeger informed the Commission that funding for the project would be coming from a grant and that she would need approval by the Board in order to proceed with application for the grant. Commission Member Armstrong told Ms. Schlaeger that although the Board needs to approve the artwork, she would fully support the project if she needed to proceed with the application. Commission Member Woodward stated that the Northwest Greenbelt seems to get tagged quite often and suggested it as another project for the school, if interested. Black stated that if the school would be interested, it can be included in with the discussion. Discussion followed. VI. PIRATES COVE REPORT Discussion turned to Pirates Cove report for 2005. Recreation Manager Hultberg told the Commission that Pirates Cove had a successful second year; noting that revenue and expenditure numbers mirrored those from last year. A 2005 Pirates Cove Overview with revenue and expenditure figures was distributed, showing a net of $211,000. Anderson discussed the slight decrease in attendance compared to 2004 and explained that it could be due to having to close the facility for eight days of inclement weather in addition to Englewood Public Schools and other school districts going back to school so early. Anderson noted that the .50¢ increase in gate admission fees helped to compensate for the decrease in admissions. Discussion followed. Black reported that staff is expecting to see next year's figures level off due to increases in operating and maintenance costs. Gomes asked that for next year's report, a breakdown of expenditures associated with concession costs be provided. Hultberg replied that those figures are available in the detail report for 2005 but that the detail report was not provided for tonight's discussion due to it being quite a few pages. A Black told Gomes that the concession information would be included in next month's packet. W Anderson informed the Commission that staff has been working with Public Works in regard to an issue involving some skimmers (baffle in the wall) at Pirates Cove. Anderson stated that over the 2005 season, several skimmers have broken which may have compromised the ground. Anderson went on to explain that further inspection will help to determine the seriousness of the damage. Anderson reported that although the warranty of the equipment has expired, all underground piping is covered for one more year. Waldman asked ifthe broken skimmers were replaced with upgraded models. Anderson replied that they were. Black told the Commission that staff has been working with Public Works in addition to the architect and designer of Pirates Cove to resolve the situation and make sure everything gets done properly. The Commission was told that there is also some concern in regard to the water clarity in the leisure pool. Anderson discussed means of water dilution and filtration to increase the water clarity. VII. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPOINTMENT TO MALLEY TRUST FUND Black informed the Commission that Chairperson Gomes' appointment to the Malley Trust Fund ends the first of February and a new appointment will need to be made by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Commission Member Waldman and seconded by Commission A Member Armstrong nominating Austin Gomes as the Parks and Recreation w Commission Liaison to the Malley Trust Fund. The motion passed unanimously. VIII. PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE IX. Dave Lee, Open Space Manager, reported that EDA W, Parks Master Plan consultants, has met with the Cultural Arts Commission in December and City Council the first of this month. Lee told the Commission that a public meeting was held last night in which fifteen people attended. Lee stated that the public meeting went well and that some good feedback was received. Commission members were notified that the next public meeting will be held on March 2ih. Gomes asked in regard to comments and suggestions from the public meeting. Lee told the Commission that there were some comments made in regard to trail access in addition to the playgrounds and restrooms needing to be updated. Black added that most of the comments heard at the public meeting are similar to what was said in the survey. Discussion ensued. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE In regard to the Sheridan Redevelopment project, Black told the Commission that the City continues to move forward with discussion with Miller Weingarten and that it is still working on the lease agreement and golf development agreement. Commission members were informed that the City has also been working with Dye Design in regard to course layout. Black reported that Miller Weingarten wants to move forward quicker than the City is willing to; noting that regardless of what happens, the City is making sure it is protected both short-term and long-term. Discussion followed. X. DOG PARK UPDATE Lee distributed a picture he recently took of the formal dog park at the Belleview nature area that showed the site graded. Commission members were told that the City has received a grant for a shelter and port- a-let to be located on the south side of the bike path. Woodward asked ifthere will be access from the dog park. Lee explained that it needs to be located outside of the 100-year flood plain. Lee discussed five large cottonwoods that were able to be saved that will provide ample shade for the dog park. Lee also noted that other trees will be planted but will be some time before large enough to provide shade. Discussion was turned over to Alice Hanna, President of Englewood Unleashed who thanked Black, Lee and City Council Member Woodward for their work in getting a formal dog park at the Belleview nature area. Hanna noted that the off-leash community is extremely happy. Ms. Hanna addressed the proposal by Englewood Unleashed that had been included in the Commission packet. Hanna informed the Commission that Englewood Unleashed is proposing a brick fundraiser that would consist of 4" x 8" individual red bricks to be installed in a pathway leading from the Windermere parking lot to the dog park. Hanna told the Commission that Englewood Unleashed has an initial goal of selling 500 bricks which would raise $10,000. Hanna went on to explain that with the Commission's approval, Englewood Unleashed would also like to include corporate sponsorship that would consist of 8" x 8" bricks with the company logo. Hanna told the Commission that Englewood Unleashed is primarily aiming for financial donations but also wants to pursue in-kind contributions which Hanna asked for parameters. Other items proposed by Englewood Unleashed include an information board that could be used to post rules and regulations, information on organizations and upcoming events. Hanna noted that the board would be a permanent feature at the park. In addition, Hanna requested a link from the City website to the Englewood Unleashed website. In regard to a name for the formal dog park, Hanna told the Commission that Englewood Unleashed would like to be involved in conducting a contest. Hanna proposed to have Englewood Unleashed pre- select names for the dog park which would then be forwarded to the Parks and Recreation Commission for their recommendation to City Council. Armstrong asked Hanna if Englewood Unleashed were a 501c3. Hanna replied yes. In regard to the brick project, Hanna explained to the Commission that Englewood Unleashed would need to know as soon as possible due to a short time frame. Discussion followed in regard to the bricks and concerns with installation, maintenance and vandalism. Black told Hanna that a number of issues brought up tonight would need to be discussed and brought back to the board for their recommendation. In regard to the information board, Black spoke in regard to the City's bulletin board policy where only City information can be posted on City bulletin boards. Black explained that some of the facilities have public information boards for pre-screened information. After a brief discussion, A motion was made by Commission Member Woodward and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller to move forward with Englewood Unleashed conceptual plan to sell bricks as a fundraiser for the formal dog park. Ayes: Nays: Gomes, Armstrong, Waldman, Woodward, Miller, Neiderjohn, Laughlin None The motion passed unanimously. Hanna asked in regard to what needed to be done next. Black told Hanna that staff will review and discuss the requests made by Englewood Unleashed and then follow-up with them. Black stated that the items will need to go before City Council in which he will notify Hanna when that will occur. Discussion followed in regard to the name selection. A motion was made by Commission Member Woodward and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller to allow Englewood Unleashed to hold a contest for naming of the formal dog park. Englewood Unleashed would then submit to the Parks and Recreation Commission their top choices of which the Commission will make their recommendation to City Council; submitted names need to have separation from Belleview Park. Ayes: Nays: Gomes, Armstrong, Waldman, Woodward, Miller, Neiderjohn, Laughlin None The motion passed unanimously. Hanna thanked the Commission and lastly informed them that Englewood Unleashed has been approached by a local resident who is starting a dog waste pick up business and has volunteered to pick up Jason Park once a week. Hanna stated that the gentleman's comment was that Jason Park was one of the cleanest parks he has ever seen. XI. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Discussion moved to the Cultural Arts Commission where Black informed the Commission that completion of the cultural space is progressing with a completion date around the first or second week in March. Recreation Manager Hultberg discussed plans for the grand opening celebration scheduled for March 18 and 19. XII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black regrettably informed the Commission that Vice Chairperson Neyer will not be reapplying for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commission members spoke in regard to the tremendous job Commission Member Neyer has done including the numerous projects he has been responsible for. XIII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Englewood School District Liaison Karen Miller reported that the City School Committee is being reformed. Miller spoke in regard to the exciting things the group can do for Englewood children. Woodward announced that City Council Member Bob McCaslin will be the City Council Liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commission members were told that McCaslin had a prior engagement for this evening but would be at the February meeting. Due to the warm temperatures and lack of moisture, Golf Course Superintendent Wayne Niles reported that golf maintenance staff has had to water the golf course and then re-winterize. Lee informed the Commission that due to structural problems, the Cushing Park bridge has been demolished, and following bid process, be replaced by early summer. XIV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:33pm. ,iJJJwWL (l ~ Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary