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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-09 PRC MINUTES·. ~ • I. • II. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of June 9, 2005 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Cushing Park,, 795 West Eastman Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member (left at 5:58pm) Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Beverly Bradshaw, City Counci l Liaison Janet Moore , Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Also present: Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Rick Kahm , Public Works Director Bob Simpson, Community De velopment Director Greg Kainer, Englewood Unleashed APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of May 12, 2005. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT ,. There were no scheduled public guests . IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There were no unscheduled guests. BELLEVIEW PARK DOG STUDY UPDATE Discussion was turned over to Rick Kahm, Public Works Director for an update on the Belleview Park flood plain study. Kahm informed the Commission that staff would also be attending Monday night's City Council meeting to give an update. Commission members were told that a number of possibilities in terms of breakaway or knockdown fencing were explored to try to come up with a solution that would allow a dog park in a flood plain. Kahm told the Commission that the study has come back that would allow grading of the site. Kahm explained that grading would be required to level the site, taking it down approximately a foot which would mean that it would not be necessary to go through FEMA since there would be no rise in the flood plain, a savings of approximately $4,000. Commission members were told that proposed cost for the site was estimated at $38,000. Kahm reported that the City expects it will be able to do much of the work, which will lower cost to approximately $10,000. Commission Member Armstrong asked who was the Consulting Engineer. Kahm replied Muller. Black told the Commission that staff would be outlining other estimated costs for further direction. Black thanked Kahm and Bob Simpson, Community Development Director, for their time and effort they have put into the study. Gomes asked in regard to the existing off-leash parks and what would come of them if and when the Belleview dog park is approved. Black explained that at this time they would remain open because the off-leash parks are a separate issue from a formal dog park. Black went on to explain that the recommendation to staff was to form a task force to explore a formal dog park and that the off-leash parks were not part of the Task Force's discussion. City Council Liaison Bradshaw asked who paid for the study. Black replied the $17,000 for the study came from the Arapahoe County Open Space Fund which $50,000 had been budgeted. Armstrong asked how long the water study would take. Bradshaw reported that Utilities Director, Stu Fonda, Utilities Director, has estimated 6-8 weeks. VI. FRANKLIN STREET PROPERTY UPDATE Simpson announced the City has hired James Koustas as the realtor for the Franklin Street property. Discussion followed regarding the selection process. Commission members were told that Mr. Koustas has started working and has had three to four showings. Simpson noted that the unofficial listing for the property is at $410,000. Black informed the Commission that Mr. Koustas lives in Arapahoe Acres and has sold a number of homes in the neighborhood. Discussion followed. VII. SINCLAIR HANDBALL PROPOSAL Dave Lee, Open Space Manager, informed the Commission that he has solicited a number of contractors to look at what it would cost to repair the Sinclair handball courts but that he has received no solid quotes yet to present to the board. Lee discussed how the courts were built with footers at the base of the walls, which has caused the floor of the courts to concave in making it more difficult to repair. In regard to last month's presentation by Stephen Bauer who proposed to spend his own money to fix up the Sinclair handball courts, Black stated that he is very uncomfortable to allow someone to spend $5,000 to $10,000 of their own money to fix the courts and two years later, have the courts removed. Black explained that if the courts are in need of repair, then they need to be fixed so he has asked Dave Lee to look into what it would cost to get them fixed temporarily until the Parks Master Plan is completed. In regard to Mr. Bauer's proposal, Lee reported that he had been told by a professional contractor that what Mr. Bauer is proposing could actually do further damage to the courts. Bradshaw commented that the lack of use could be due to the condition of the courts and suggested that staff talk to other districts that maintain handball courts and see what type of use they get. Black responded that staff would be happy to survey other districts; noting that the Parks Master Plan will also be doing extensive research on handball court use in the metro area. • .f ~- • ~· VIII. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UDPATE XI. Black reported that the City has reviewed Miller Weingarten's proposal and is now waiting for a response back from them. Black explained how the proposal has the golf course shifting westward. Black also confirmed that other properties are involved. In regard to the most recent meetings attended by Bob Spada, Black stated that there has not been a lot of information provided and what information has been given has been told "is subject to change". Commission Member Waldman commented in regard to the number of years it will take to rebuild an 18-hole course. Black told Waldman that the City is gathering data on that issue. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Moore informed the Commission that the Cultural Arts Commission would be having a booth at the Old Tyme Fair. XII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black announced the Positively Englewood golf tournament on Monday, June 13th and explained that proceeds from the tournament would go to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for parks and recreation program scholarships. XIII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Bradshaw explained that in a conversation with Greg Kainer from Englewood Unleashed, Mr. Kainer asked in regard to the new rules and regulations signs for the off-leash dog parks and if they were posted. Black explained that the signs have not been put together due to his understanding that the group did not come to a final agreement on them . Black stated that he would follow-up with Mr . Kain er. Englewood School Board Liaison Miller announced that the Englewood High School stadium would be getting synthetic turf; nothing that the process will begin the first of July and should be completed by the end of August. Miller reported that Colorado's Finest Alternative High School would be getting a new science lab. Waldman spoke in regard to the large amount of fundraising golf tournaments that are being held in the City and the expense in participating in them. Waldman explained that people do not have a lot of money to spend on golf tournaments. In regard to prior discussion concerning the status of the off-leash dog parks once a formal dog park is opened, Waldman explained to the Commission that the future of the off-leash parks had always been an issue with the Off-Leash Task Force but that it's task was to find a location for a formal dog park and the off-leash dog parks were a separate issue and never part of the discussion. Lee spoke in regard to a letter he had received from Frank and Connie Rauzi, neighbors of Jason Park, regarding their concerns about the condition of Jason Park "due to the over-use by the no-leash law for dogs". Lee told the Commission that the Rauzi's had called him last week, which he had urged them to address City Council and the Commission. Lee commented that they had chosen to do it by this letter. Lee informed the Commission that he had been approached by Earl Ladewig regarding the misplacement of a plaque in Cushing Park. Lee told the Commission that the plaque was in honor of a son of his, Melvin Ladewig, that went missing in action. Lee noted that the plaque was placed in the park in 1972. Lee stated that he nor long-time parks staff has any knowledge of the plaque but according to Mr. Ladewig the plaque was there last year. Commission members were told that staff will be using a metal detector to search the area in case the plaque has been buried. Lee asked Commission in how they would like staff to proceed if the plaque is not located. Vice Chairperson Neyer noted that the new policy does not allow plaques and asked if the City allegedly paid for the plaque. Lee stated that he assumes the City paid for it. Moore asked if the City planted a tree with the plaque. Lee said yes and explained that the tree is now 30-40 years old. Black discussed a commemorative board is now located at City Center where plaques such as this are now placed. Discussion followed. Armstrong told the Commission of a similar situation at Cherry Creek State Park and explained that the City needs to resolve the situation by telling the family that this time the City will replace the plaque but the next time the plaque is lost or vandalized the City will not be responsible. Hultberg gave an update on Pirates Cove. Commission members were told that there have been a couple of good weather days in addition to two or three complete closure days due to the temperature falling to 65° or below. Hultberg explained how the facility will be closed so not to incur staff costs. The Commission was told that a leak was discovered in the pool and staff is working to get the problem resolved; noting that it is under warranty. XIV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6: 11 pm. iJtMU1% {L 0f!cUU_; Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary • ·~