HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-13 PRC MINUTESI. CALL TO ORDER
City of Englewood
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Minutes of October 13, 2005
The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at
5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Malley Senior Recreation Center, 3380 S. Lincoln Street.
Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson
Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson
Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member
Mitch Waldman, Commission Member
Jim Woodward, Commission Member
Beverly Bradshaw, City Council Liaison
Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member
Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member
Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison
Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison (arrived at 6:02pm)
Jerrell Black, ex officio
Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager
Dave Lee, Open Space Manager
Bob Spada, Golf Operation Manager
Commander Jeff Sanchez, Code Enforcement
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of
September 8, 2005. Commission Member Armstrong had a change in regard to the
recreation scholarship program where she had asked Recreation Manager Hultberg if the
scholarship covers the actual cost of the program or the fee of the program. Hultberg had
stated that it covers the fee to the program and not the actual cost of the program as stated
in the minutes. The minutes were approved as amended.
ill. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no scheduled guests.
IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no unscheduled guests .
V. 2005 PIRATES COVE REPORT
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Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg informed the Commission that Brad Anderson, Facility Supervisor for
Pirates Cove was ill and therefore unable to attend tonight's meeting. Hultberg stated that Anderson
would be at the November Commission meeting to present the 2005 Pirates Cove report.
PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Discussion moved to an update on the parks master plan. Dave Lee, Open Space Manager, gave a report
on the tasks that have been completed to date. Lee reported that a strategy meeting was held with Parks
and Recreation staff and representatives from EDA W . In addition, site visits were conducted to assess
conditions in preparation for developing concepts for improvement later in the process. Lee stated that
EDAW is in the process of reviewing Community Development and population projection data in order to
understand the relationship between population growth urban regeneration/infill and the need for parks
and trails. The Commission was also informed that EDA W is in the process of compiling inventory data e
on the parks system and has held recreation user group interviews to identify issues and concerns that they
may have as well as to document use levels and trends in program participation that may drive the need
for facilities. Lee stated that Left Brain Concepts of Lakewood has created and distributed a community
survey that has been sent to 2,000 Englewood households. The survey is due back in early November.
Commission members were told that 122 of the surveys have been received and that expected return is
10%, or approximately 200. A sample of the survey was distributed to commission members. Lastly, the
Commission was informed that parks staff is in the process of requesting bids for the demolition of
Belleview shelter #2 as part of the Master Plan process. The shelter should be demolished by the end of
November and a new shelter should be constructed in its place by early spring of2006.
Lee reported that EDA W will be present at the November Commission meeting to discuss the process of
the Parks Master Plan and to get an understanding of the Commission's desires. Commission members
were informed that the November commission meeting has been changed to November l 71h in order to
give EDAW and Left Brain Concepts time to compile the results of the survey for presentation to the
Commission.
VII. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE
In regard to the Sheridan Redevelopment project, Black reported that the lease agreement is close to being
finalized, and once it is, will be brought to City Council for its approval. Black informed the Commission
that the agreement will not be brought to City Council until after the first of November which will mean a
new City Council. Black stated that staff will be working with the new council members to bring them up
to date on the project. The Commission was told that the City is also working on the golf development e
agreement, a separate agreement which encompasses the design and specifications for the new golf
course.
As discussed at the October Commission meeting, commission members were told that Black, Golf
Operations Manager Bob Spada and Commission Member Armstrong attended the Men's Club meeting
to present the CPRA Community Service Award to the Men's Club in addition to discussing the Sheridan
Redevelopment plan and the City's role in the project. Black noted that staff met with officers of the
other clubs the following week to also discuss the project. Black commented that the Men's Club, in
addition to the Officers, were all pleased to receive the information and to get answers to their questions.
Black went on to explain that both groups asked questions concerning their organizations and the golf
course and that staff was able to put a number of rumors to rest. Discussion followed.
Waldman asked in regard to a timeline. Black explained that Miller Weingarten would like to start the
process next fall but that there are still a number of obstacles that the City of Sheridan and Miller
Weingarten need to resolve before the process can begin. City Council Liaison Bradshaw asked if there
has been any mention of the bike trail. Black responded yes, that they have already spoken to South
Suburban who told them they needed to speak to the South Suburban Park Foundation but that Miller
Weingarten has stated that they understand how critical the bike path is. Lee noted that borings, or test
samples, are being taken from the golf course to get more information in regard to the landfill.
VIII. DOG PARK STUDY UPDATE
The Commission was informed that the two dog park water study consultants have presented their A
findings to City Council. Black reported that in the presentation, City Council was told that if the park is •
kept clean, picked-up, graded and bermed, a dog park in the Belleview nature area would work.
Discussion followed regarding the cost for the dog park. The Commission was told that $50,000 was
budget in 2005 and in 2006 in open space funds for the dog park. Black went on to explain that the flood
plain study cost $17 ,000 and the cost for the water quality study was split between the parks and
recreation department and utilities, costing parks and recreation $13,000; leaving a remaining balance of
$20,000 for 2005. Commission members were told that estimated cost for items to proceed with the dog
park is $19,000. Black stated that the overall cost of the dog park is estimated to be $90,000. Black went
on to say that after the budget goes to 2nd reading, Public Works will move forward with grating and
seeding of the area with the remaining fund to go towards completion of the dog park in 2006. Black
noted that Assistant City Manager Michael Flaherty is working with Englewood Unleashed on a fonnal
agreement in regard to fundraising now that a location has been chosen.
Bradshaw asked ifit has been suggested that Belleview Park not be used in the name of the dog park.
Bradshaw was told yes, that the group understands the importance of not associating the dog park with
Belleview Park. Discussion followed.
IX. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE
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Cultural Arts Liaison Moore gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission. Moore reported that the
Commission judged artwork for the 2006 Student Art Calendar at the October meeting. Moore reported
that the cultural space has been the topic for discussion for the commission and that Englewood Arts has
fulfilled its obligation to raise $75,000 for the space. In regard to construction starting on the space,
Black told the commission that bids closed on Friday and Public Works is now trying to find an exact
budget. Moore asked in regard to a start date for construction. Black replied that a start date has not yet
been determined but that the space will be completed by March 1st. Moore announced that Englewood
Arts will be hosting a booth at the Malley Holiday Bazaar.
DIRECTOR'S CHOICE
Black informed the Commission that there is a group of students from Colorado's Finest Alternative High
School who is interested in doing a mural at the skate park. Black suggested that the group make a
presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission agreed. Lee stated that the skate
park has been hit heavily with graffiti and that he thinks it could work as a good deterrent.
VII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE
With this being the last meeting for City Council Liaison Bradshaw due to her term ending, Bradshaw
thanked the Board and said that it has been a lot of fun. Bradshaw started with the Parks and Recreation
Commission in 1980.
Commission Member Waldman commended Shannon Rhoades, Golf Course Coordinator, for doing a
wonderful job and being such a pleasure to work with. Waldman noted that he has heard many
compliments by the Men's Club in regard to how cooperative and helpful Ms. Rhoades has been with
their year-end purchases.
Youth Commission Member Neiderjohn stated that she has had a couple of complaints in regard to
graffiti at Jason Park. Lee said that he was not aware of any graffiti at Jason but would check into it.
Neiderjohn reported that she had attended The Zone, the new Rec Zone for older kids. Neiderjohn
reported that there were about fifty kids and that it was a lot of fun. Neiderjohn told the Commission that
the Youth Council will be working on a new name for the program.
Armstrong distributed information in regard to dog park standards and the Denver Public Schools
development program "Leaming Landscapes" that she had received from the Fall CPRA Conference.
Discussion followed regarding the Leaming Landscapes program.
Englewood School District Liaison Miller reported that the new field has started bringing in new revenue
and proving to be an extremely good investment. Miller invited Board members to the School Board
Candidate forum at Charles Hay on October 19th at 7pm and a reception for the school board members
with terms ending at Sinclair Middle School on Tuesday, October 25th at 4:30. e
Discussion turned back to Black who presented Bradshaw with a gift on behalf of the Board in
appreciation of her ten year of service on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commission members
stood and honored Bradshaw for her service to parks and recreation.
Lee gave an update on the recent snow storm that caused tree damage throughout the metro area. Lee
reported that although there was quite a bit of damage, it was not to the extent of the storm ten years ago
which cost the City $325,000 in clean-up. Lee explained that the City has received a number of inquiries
related to clean-up but has decided not to do a drop-off since trash removal services will pick up the
limbs. Commander Jeff Sanchez with Code Enforcement explained that his department has only received
one or two calls in regard to citizens needing assistance with clean-up if tree limbs. Sanchez distributed a
flier that is being distributed to Englewood regarding clean-up for damaged tree limbs.
Gomes thanked Commander Sanchez and commended him for his many responsibilities and the great job
he has done.
Recreation Manager Hultberg distributed a Counsilman Hunsaker brochure, Pirates Cove architect, that
features numerous pictures of Pirates Cove.
vm. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm.
Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary