Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-14 PRC MINUTES• CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood . PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of April 14, 2005 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 Clubhouse, Caddie Shack on the Platte, 2101 West Oxford A venue. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison (arrived at 5:35pm) Beverly Bradshaw, City Council Liaison Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison (arrived at 5:35pm) Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Also present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Rick Kahm, Director of Public Works Bob Simpson, Director of Community Development Wayne Niles, Golf Course Superintendent Mark Kottwitz, Parks Supervisor Shannon Rhoades, Golf Operations Coordinator Lindsey Strutzel, Metro State College Student Englewood Youth Council (Lisa Parrish, Abigail Austin-Flaherty, Kelsey Ransick, Kirsten Litchfield, Josh Martinez, Michael Martinez, Catherine Meyer)(left at 5:46pm) Debby Pool Arapahoe Acres resident (arrived at 5:38pm, left at 6: 15pm) Yvonne Steers, Arapahoe Acres resident (arrived at 5:39pm, left at 6: 15pm) Dave Steers, Arapahoe Acres resident (arrived at 5:45pm, left at 6:15pm) Eric Crotty, Arapahoe Acres resident (arrived at 5:45pm, left at 6: lOpm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of March 10, 2005. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Scheduled visitor, Steven Bauer, was not present. Manager of Open Space, Dave Lee, told the Commission that Mr. Bauer was attending tonight's meeting to speak in regard to the Sinclair handball courts . • IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for unscheduled public comment. Before moving on to scheduled agenda items, Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg introduced Lindsey Strutzel, Metro State College student and volleyball coach for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Hultberg explained that as a Parks and Recreation major, Ms. Strutzel is required to attend a Board meeting. V. ENGLEWOOD YOUTH COUNCIL Hultberg introduced the Englewood Youth Council and Coordinator, Lisa Parrish, who is filling in for Jeni Rulon while she is on a one-year leave from the Department. Youth Council members introduced themselves to the Commission. Krista Neiderjohn, President of the Youth Council, gave a report on projects the group has been working on for 2004-2005. Ms. Neiderjohn reported that a goal for the Youth Council is to come up with a program for older kids ages 14-17 due to that age group no longer being allowed to attend Rec Zone. Discussion followed. Gomes congratulated the group for the large amount of projects that they have been involved with and told them they deserved a hand. Commission members applauded the youth. VI. FRANKLIN STREET PROPERTY • Due to unscheduled visitors arriving after Unscheduled Public Comment, Gomes opened the floor back to Unscheduled Public Comment, informing the guests that they each had five minutes to speak. Eric Crotty introduced himself, stated that he owns a home on South Franklin Street and is speaking for the homeowners in Arapahoe Acres. Mr. Crotty told the Commission that the City needs to look at the ownership of the South Franklin Street property, and if appropriate, return it to private ownership. Mr. Crotty discussed the historical importance of the homes in the Arapahoe Acres neighborhood to the city, region and country. Mr. Crotty spoke in regards to the improvements that the City was doing on the home and explained that as a homeowner, he appreciates the renovated homes and looks to the City to set an example in the neighborhood and • return the home to its original design. Mr. Crotty told the Commission that as a member of the Arapahoe Acres community, he asks the Commission to respect his and the community's comments and to act accordingly. There were no other speakers. Discussion returned to Black who gave a brief history of the Franklin Street property. Black told the Commission that in 1991, Larry Scott had passed away and left the property to the City of Englewood, Department of Parks and Recreation. At that time, the Department had three options: 1) to sell the property with no improvements, 2) make improvements to the property and sell it, or 3) make improvements to the property and lease it. Black explained that in 1991, the approximate value of the house was $80,000 so the Department decided to keep the property, fix it up, lease it and put the money into the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Black went on to explain that when the last renter left a few months ago , the Department decided to make some improvements to the property but made a mistake by not researching enough as to the history of Arapahoe Acres and suggested guidelines in preserving the historical homes. Black told the Commission that after members of the Arapahoe Acres neighborhood spoke to City Council, staff decided to stop the improvements and use the time to determine what should be done with the property. Commission members were told that staff has had discussion with City Council and due to the Parks and Recreation Commission being trustees of the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, it is being brought to them for their recommendation. Black reported that the department has been working with Public Works and Community Development regarding the property. Commission members were told that Rick Kahm, Public Works Director, and Bob Simpson, Community Development Director, are attending tonight's meeting to speak in regard to the appraisal and divesting the • property. • • • Black turned discussion over to Rick Kahm. Kahm reported that he had Metropolitan Appraisers do an appraisal on the property and based on the property "as is" and recent sales, appraised the value at approximately $300,000. Kahm went on to say that the appraiser's advice to the City is to sell the property "as is" with no improvements with the possible exception of changing out the front-facing window. The appraiser noted that comparable values were from fall and winter sales and suggested that the selling price for the property be set much higher than the appraisal value. Discussion followed. Commission members were told that the Department has received several phone calls and letters from individuals interested in buying the property. Bob Simpson spoke to the Commission in regard to whether the City should do the improvements to the property. Simpson told the Commission that it would be appropriate to let the purchaser renovate the property to the character of the neighborhood and his/her own taste. Woodward made the suggestion that an allowance be included with the real estate contract for completion of the property in accordance to the neighborhood. Discussion followed. Waldman asked what the City was receiving for rent. Black replied $1,000/month but that it would be raised ifthe City decided to continue to rent the house. Bradshaw commented that it has always been her feeling that the City should not be in the property-owning business and that it is time to divest. Gomes agreed with Bradshaw. Discussion followed. Black told the Commission that staff would work with Community Development in the process of selecting a real tor if that was the recommendation. A motion was made by City Council Member Beverly Bradshaw and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Karen Miller that the 2931 S. Franklin Street property be put on the market with the stipulation that an allowance to finish the necessary repairs to the exterior of the house in accordance with the historical Arapahoe Acres neighborhood be included as part of the real estate negotiation . Ayes: Nays: Gomes, Waldman, Woodward, Miller, Bradshaw, Neiderjohn, Moore None The motion passed unanimously. Discussion followed in regard to the asking amount for the house in addition to the amount of money to be stipulated for the allowance. It was decided that the board would wait to see what the realtor suggested. In order to not delay the process any further, a telephone poll or special meeting would be held if necessary. VII. DOG PARK Black informed the Commission that City Council gave approval to move forward with the Flood Plain study for a dog park at Belleview Park native grass area. Black noted that it has been confirmed that open space funds can be used to fund the studies. Discussion followed in regard to using the $50,000 for the studies that had been allocated in 2005 for a dog park. Bradshaw and Woodward told the Commission that it is City Council's intent that the open space funds only be used for the flood plain study. Bradshaw noted that the water fund will pay for the water study. Bradshaw explained that there is a greater chance of the flood plain study not going through so City Council is having that done first so if it does not get approved, the money will not be spent on the water study . Commission members were informed that the task force had convened for one additional meeting to discuss the dog park at Belleview Park. The Commission was told that the vote for the dog park at Belleview was 4-2, and the two opposed had concerns that the City would be taking a risk with the City's water supply. Black noted that the two were present at a City Council meeting to speak of their concerns. Discussion followed. Black reported that there have been several discussions with Englewood Unleashed in regard to • the management of the site. Commission members were told that they would be kept informed. vm. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Discussion moved to an update on the Sheridan Redevelopment project. Black reported that the City received a proposal, which was reviewed and is now waiting for some additional information. Woodward spoke in regard to a Supreme Court case that concerns urban renewal that could have an impact on the project. IX. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Moore gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission. Moore reported that the Juried Art Show finished and the Commission is now discussing and reviewing plans for the new cultural space. Black informed the Commission that he is arranging for a presentation of the cultural space for them. X. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE XI. There were no items for Director's Choice. Lee introduced Mark Kottwitz, Park Supervisor. Lee told the Commission that Kottwitz comes from the City and County of Kansas City, Kansas. Commission members introduced themselves. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Bradshaw spoke in regard to Positively Englewood, a newly formed organization planning to raise money for Parks and Recreation scholarships. Bradshaw noted that they are taking over the Keep Englewood Beautiful golf tournament. Bradshaw thanked Dave Lee for his work with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Commission members were informed of the Old Town Englewood Merchants Association car show and sidewalk sale on Saturday, July 23, 2005. Miller reported that the Englewood School Board has finished appropriation of budget funds. Miller told the Commission that the Board agreed to 12% in reserve funds which will leave $1.2 million to be used to build a science lab at Colorado's Finest Alternative High School in addition to getting synthetic turf for the high school stadium. Miller announced that the golf tournament for the Boy's Golf team would be April 301h. Lee reported that parks staff is in the process of opening restrooms, filling ponds and turning on fountains. In regard to the information that was provided on Englewood Soccer start dates, Lee asked Woodward if he needed any more information. Woodward explained that he was checking due to his understanding that games were not to be allowed on Englewood fields for the first two weeks of competitive state soccer league. Black commented that the City wants to work with every group but that the longer games can be held off the dormant grass, the better. • • • • • Woodward spoke in regard to an incident a few weekends back involving a soccer playing getting injured at Jason Park and rescue having trouble getting access into the park. Lee said that he would follow-up with Safety Services . Hultberg discussed the information on the Silver Sneakers program that had been sent in the packet. Hultberg explained that participation of the program has far exceeded expectations. Hultberg informed the Commission that the City of Englewood is partnering with the Englewood School District on a grant to identify and prevent bullying. Hultberg explained that the three-year grant will teach them to identify instances of bullying and ways to intervene. Golf Course Supervisor, Wayne Niles, reported that the golf course recently had a special needs group of 15-20 kids from Abraham Lincoln High School participate in a cleanup along the greenbelt. Lee stated that the Design and Build pieces have been installed that include a piece at the Broadway/285 Interchange and the Broadway/Hampden fountain area. Lee told the Commission that for a community service project, the Flood Middle School 8th grade class did a cleanup from the Plaza area to the Hosanna Athletic Complex. Lee gave an itinerary for Arbor Day that will consist of a tree planting at the golf course nursery on Saturday, April 16th and a tree climbing demonstration at Clayton Elementary on Tuesday, April 26th . Lee noted that for the 20th year in a row, the City of Englewood has been designated as a "Tree City USA". Bradshaw asked that thank you letters be sent to the Abraham Lincoln and Flood students for their help with the cleanups . Spada announced a Dennis Walters show that will be held at the golf course on Sunday, June l 91h at lpm. Spada encouraged commission members to attend to see the disabled golfer's show, saying that it is very entertaining. Shannon Rhoades announced the 1st Annual Demo Day at the golf course on Sunday, May 1st from lOam to 2pm. XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:28pm. Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary