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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-12 PRC MINUTESCity of Englewood • I. CALL TO ORDER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 12, 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 Civic Center, City Council Conference Room, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice 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) Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Carolyn Armstrong , Commission Member Also present: Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Wayne Niles , Golf Course Superintendent Rick Kahm, Public Works Director Dave Henderson, Engineer IV Suzette Emerson, Architect Steven Bauer, Englewood Resident (left at 5:46pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of April 14, 2005. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Steven Bauer, Englewood resident, introduced himself and told the Commission that he was present to discuss the condition of the Sinclair handball courts and to offer a solution in getting them repaired. Mr. Bauer distributed a biography and a letter and pictures describing the condition of the courts and his offer to fix the courts at no cost to the City. Mr. Bauer explained that the three wall courts have developed cracks on the floor, some of which that are approximately two inches in width . Mr. Bauer told the Commission that he would water cut approximately 3 to 12 inches of the floor, ~inch deep, adjacent to the walls where the cracks are located and then fill and float out vinyl concrete patch on the areas. The floor would then be painted a color similar to the wall colors. Mr. Bauer discussed a timeline for the work, explaining that he would prefer to only have one court blocked off at a time. Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Moore asked Mr. Bauer in regard to covering the cost of the repairs himself. Mr. Bauer stated that he would have 14-16 people assist him and that he estimates the repairs to cost no more than $5,000. Commission Member Woodward brought up the issue of insurance. Black replied that it would be based on City standards. Black informed the Commission that the Department has begun the process of finding a consultant to do a Parks Master Plan. Black explained that the study should take approximately twelve months and one issue that will be addressed in the study will be the Sinclair handball courts, which will address cost associated with need. Black reported that staff has had discussions with the school district in • regard to the courts and that they stated the courts are used very little in addition to the school having concerns regarding safety and graffiti. Commission members were told that City has been able to do very little repair on the courts due to budget cuts. Mr. Bauer explained how there are very few handball courts remaining in the metro area and that he is associated with a handball association who has discussed giving $50,000 to the City of Englewood to renovate the courts, including lighting. Mr. Bauer asked ifthe City would be interested in such a proposal. Black responded that the City would welcome any support but that he is just not sure in regard to how much they would get used in addition to the outcome of the study and ifthe recommendation will be to keep them, get rid of them or to move them to another location. Mr. Bauer stated that it is worth it to him, even though it is only a quick fix. Gomes asked if there were any other questions for Mr. Bauer. There were none. The Commission thanked Mr. Bauer and told him that they would be in touch. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no unscheduled guests. V. CIVIC CENTER CULTURAL SPACE As previously discussed, Black informed the Commission that the City is working on completion of the cultural space on the second floor of the Civic Center building. Black stated that he had • asked Rick Kahm, Public Works Director, Dave Henderson, Engineer and Suzette Emerson, Architect, to attend tonight's meeting to give an update on the space. Black turned discussion over to Ms. Emerson. Ms. Emerson distributed conceptual drawings of the space and explained that plans are to keep the space as open and flexible as possible . Commission members were told that plans for the space would include a 35" platform stage, concrete patterned flooring, removable seating and track lighting. Ms. Emerson reported that the biggest concern has to do with sound, which the City has hired an acoustic engineer to assist in the process. Discussion followed. The question was asked in regard to seating. Ms. Emerson stated that the space would occupy 299 people, 189 when seated. Waldman asked where the City is at in the process. Ms. Emerson replied that it is in the design development stage. Commission members were informed that in April a presentation was made to the Cultural Arts Commission who gave its approval to move forward. Black reported that Public Works has hired someone to do a cost estimate of the space and once it is determined that the project will fit within the budget, the next step would be to bid the project. Black reported that plans are to have the space completed by the end of the year. Discussion followed regarding expected demand for the space. Black told the Commission that the City is working with Englewood Cultural Arts Center Association who has committed financial assistance on the project. Gomes asked if there were any questions. There were none . Gomes thanked Kahm, Henderson and Ms. Emerson for the presentation. • VI. RECREATION FACILITIES PROJECT UPDATE • Discussion turned to an update on recreation facility projects. Hultberg told the Commission that additions to Pirates Cove included a storage building, a large freezer unit and more lounge chairs. Hultberg stated that there will also be several improvements to the concession area including a ventilation system, equipment to expand the menu and a concession cart for selling small, cold items that should help alleviate the long concession lines that were so common last year. • • In addition, Hultberg reported that the Cushing Skate Park is in the process of having the asphalt replaced with a 4" concrete pad that will provide a better surface for skaters. Hultberg stated that six new obstacles have been purchased and that five existing pieces were saved for a total of eleven pieces of equipment at the park. Commission members were told that the June Parks and Recreation Commission meeting would now be held at Cushing Park for the grand re-opening of the skate park. Moore asked ifthe new park would be larger. Hultberg replied that it would be slightly larger at approximately 9,000 square feet. Hultberg explained that although it is modest compared to other skate parks in the metro area it is considered a "street park" and will be nicer than most. Hultberg noted that Spencer and Belleview fields have received new scoreboards with LCD lighting and that Spencer was retrofitted w ith new lights and Belleview lights were cleaned, re- lamped and refitted. Hultberg spoke in regard to recent stories in the news concerning problems with E .coli related to petting farms. Hultberg told the Commission that Parks and Recreation has been proactive by exceeding all Tri-County Health Department and USDA guidelines and recommendations by updating wash stations. Commission members were told that plans are for a full-size adult hockey rink and a full-size basketball court to replace the existing tennis courts at Sinclair Middle School. Hultberg reported that the City is working with the schools and that a letter of agreement has been received by the school district and will be going to City Council for its approval. If approved, construction will begin in the fall and be completed spring of 2006. VII. 2005 GOLF OPERATIONAL STUDY Golf Manager Bob Spada gave an overview of the brainstorming session that was held in December 2004 concerning declining play at the golf course and the long-term impact related to increased costs as expenses rise, and decreased revenue due to less rounds played. Spada explained that the information provided in the packet is an information piece that will be changed and updated throughout the process. Spada discussed the Englewood golf course 's current shotgun tournament policy that prevents shotgun tournaments to be held on weekends, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Spada stated that he would like to see the policy revised to make it more flexible by allowing a limited number of shotgun tournaments to be held on weekends during the summer months. Spada discussed the procedure and explained that the impact would be minimal. Spada reported that he has noticed a small decline in tournament play, noting that the golf course receives a number of requests for tournaments that cannot be filled. Spada asked the Commission to consider allowing staff to make a decision in regard to shotgun tournaments based on what is in the best interest of the golf course. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Commission Member Waldman and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Miller proposing the golf course administration be allowed to make a decision in regard to discussion that was held in allowing a minimum number • of shotgun tournaments at the Englewood Golf Course from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Board requests a report following the season to determine the impact to the pace of play and whether the policy be continued into the next year. The motion passed unanimously. VIII. DOG PARK FLOOD PLAIN STUDY Black reported that the flood plain study should be completed by the end of May and that the results would be presented to the Board and City Council at which time City Council would give direction whether to move forward with the water study. IX. FRANKLIN STREET PROPERTY UPDATE Commission members were informed that department staff has been working with Public Works and Community Development in selecting a realtor. Black stated that the deadline for realtors to submit a proposal is May 101h and that a meeting to select a real tor will be held to discuss the conditions set by the Commission. X. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UDPATE Black gave an update on the Sheridan Redevelopment project. Black reported that Bob Spada had attended the most recent meeting and that the developer has submitted a proposal to the City of Englewood that City Council is still reviewing. Black noted that City Council has not made a decision • and that whatever decision it makes , it will be based on what is best for the community and golf course. Concerning the meeting attended by Bob Spada, Spada stated that the Sheridan Redevelopment Agency approved the development agreement with Weingarten Miller Sheridan, LLC. The Sheridan Redevelopment Agency also approved the relocation regulations for the South Santa Fe corridor. Waldman asked what the relocation regulations consisted of. Black explained that it is a policy regarding imminent domain and how it will help businesses relocate . Spada informed the Commission that Daniel Crow from Hampden Business Park has filed a lawsuit against the City of Sheridan. Discussion followed. Waldman asked in regard to which of the three proposals Sheridan is pursuing. Spada explained that Sheridan is pursuing the proposal that would have the greatest impact on the golf course. Spada went on to explain that the proposal shows that the golf course would be shifted to the west. Commission members were told that due to it being in negotiations, no more information could be given. Waldman discussed long-term impact oflosing players from the course being down. Black explained that City Council is aware of that issue and that it is part of the data collection that is currently going on. XI. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Moore gave an update of the Cultural Arts Commission. Commission members were told that the final concert in the Spring Concert Series would be Saturday, May l41h at 2pm in the Community Room. Moore announced the Arts Alive Week at Maddox and Clayton Elementary Schools May 9th through • May l31h. XIl. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black distributed the most recent Public Works Project Update. • XIll. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE • Waldman asked what the policy is in regard to the golf course opening when there is snow. Golf Course Superintendent, Wayne Niles, explained that the course would be open as long as there is no ice and potential for damage to the course. Waldman noted that when there is snow, carts are not allowed which limits those who can play on the course. On behalf of the Keep Englewood Beautiful Board, Woodward thanked parks and recreation for mention of the SK run in the summer activity guide that will take place prior to the Olde Tyme Fair. Miller thanked Bob Spada for helping with the golf tournament to raise money for the Englewood High School boys golf team. Miller told the Commission that enough money was raised to have a boy's team in 2006. Miller discussed the school district being close to approving synthetic turf for the high school stadium. Lee informed the Commission that due to weather and equipment failure, parks crews have fallen behind in mowing and spraying resulting in an overabundance of dandelions in the parks. Spada announced the Positively Englewood golf tournament that will be on Monday, June 13th and the Dennis Walters golf show on Sunday, June 19th. Hultberg invited commission members to the Pirates Cove Open House on Thursday, May 26th. Waldman spoke in regard to an article in the National Recreation and Parks Association magazine on "dog days" where dogs are allowed to come in and go swimming in the outdoor pool upon closing for the season. Hultberg replied that staff would look into it. XIV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm. Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary