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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-17 PRC MINUTESI. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of November 17, 2005 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:32pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Golf Course, 2101 W. Oxford Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member (left at 6 :36pm) Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member (left at 6:30pm) Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Operation Manager Jana McKenzie, EDA W Consultant (left at 7:40pm) Chad Schneckenburger, EDA W Consultant (left at 7:40pm) Tamara Palmer, Treasurer, Englewood Lions Club (left at 5 :50pm) Glenn Palmer, Englewood Lions Club (left at 5:50pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of October 13, 2005. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT Discussion was turned over to Glenn and Tamara Palmer with the Englewood Lions Club who were present to discuss a memorial park bench by the train depot in Belleview Park. Mr. and Mrs . Palmer explained that most of the public is not aware that the Lions Club owns and operates the train and that money from tickets sold is used to help fund the Colorado Lions Camp for mentally and physically disabled Colorado residents. Commission members were told that the Lions Club would like to replace a current bench with a memorial bench with hopes that it will promote conversation between the public and train personnel. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer stated that the Lions Club has been working with a local artist in designing the memorial bench. The Lions Club logo, name and memorial plaque would be incorporated within the design of the bench. Photos of samples of benches were distributed among the Commission. The Commission was told that the Lions Club is aware of the memorial bench policy and would be asking for a variance with hopes that the City will recognize the support the Lions Club gives them but that the artist is willing to work with the City in regard to design and location for the bench in addition to meeting bench standards . Discussion followed in regard to the concerns that the bench was more arti st ic than durable and would not stand up to vandalism. Commission Member Woodward noted that the photos are only conceptual and that another design would be brought back to them with sturdier legs, etc. Commission Member Armstrong asked if it was an artist or a bench company that would be designing the bench. Mrs. Palmer stated it is an artist. Armstrong asked Mr. and Mrs. Palmer if the Lions Club understands that if the bench is vandalize d, the City would not be responsible. Mrs. Palmer responded that they understand. Woodward told the Commission that as a Lions Club member, the Lions Club is ready to work with the Department of Parks and Recreation to do whatever is necessary. Woodward went on to note that the last four or five Citizens of the Year have been Lions Club members and the Lions Club brings a lot to the City of Englewood. Armstrong discussed that although she has no concerns in e approving a memorial bench for the Lions Club, her concern is that the Commission would be starting to approve different style benches. Discussion followed. Gomes thanked Mr. and Mrs. Palmer and stated that the Commission would be back in touch. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer thanked the Commission for their time and left the meeting. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no unscheduled guests. Further discussion was deferred while dinner was served. V. PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE Following dinner, Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, introduced Jana McKenzie and Chad Schneckenburger with EDA W, parks master plan consultlants. Lee informed the Commission that the parks master plan process began in August and issues that will be addressed will include 1) where parks and park facilities need to be updated, 2) inadequacies in the park system, and 3) how better to promote future park use. Commission members were informed that a steering committee has been formed that is comprised of Director Black, Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg, Dave Lee, Capital Projects Administrator Dave Henderson and Community Development Manager Harold Stitt. Discussion was turned over to Ms. McKenzie and Mr. Schneckenburger. Ms. McKenzie gave an e overview of the parks master plan process that includes a citizen survey, site assessment and inventory, interviews with user groups, meetings with the Parks and Recreation Commission and Cultural Arts Commission, presentations to City Council and public/community meetings . Discussion and presentation followed. Ms. McKenzie spoke in regard to interviews with user groups (Englewood Soccer Association, Englewood Youth Sports Association and Englewood Public Schools). Ms . McKenzie reported that all were happy with only a few needs that included another soccer field for Englewood Soccer Association and a girl's softball field for Englewood High School. In regard to results of the citizen survey, Ms. McKenzie told the Commission that annual park usage rated 16% -never, 42% -use 1-10 times per year, 18% -11-20 times per year and 24% -21 times or more per year. Sixty-one percent rated Englewood parks as "good" with Belleview Park as their favorite and Centennial Park needing improvements the most. Citizens reported that they would like to see more trails in addition to climbing walls, nearby fishing and an ice hockey rink. Vice Chairperson Neyer asked who compiled the information. Ms. McKenzie replied that Left Brain Concepts, the company who also administered the survey. Neyer commented that it may have been helpful for the Commission if they could have seen the survey beforehand in order to understand how questions were read. Black noted that the survey in addition to results of the survey would be sent to them in the next packet. Ms . McKenzie discussed the low number of soccer fields in the Englewood park system. Commission member Woodward asked if Sinclair Middle School fields were included in the survey. Ms. McKenzie reported that they had not but that Hosanna fields had been due to the City managing and maintaining e them. Ms. McKenzie noted the lack of a park in the area between Quincy/Hampden/Broadway and Clarkson . Ms. McKenzie discussed the dispersement of park land and if there was a need for pocket parks . Discussion followed. Black informed the Commission that the first of several community open houses will be held in January or February. Date and location would be available once plans are finalized. Commission members were told that following the community meeting, staff and EDA W will be making a presentation to City Council in addition to one more meeting with the Commission. VI. DECEMBER 8, 2006 MEETING Black informed the Commission that there are no agenda items for the December 8, 2006, meeting and suggested canceling the meeting. Commission members concurred. Black noted that a meeting would be called if any issues would arise . VII. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Black reported that staff gave a presentation to City Council on the Sheridan Redevelopment project in order to bring new Council members up to date. Commission members were told that negotiations on the lease are still on-going but that things are progressing. Commission Member Waldman asked if the spring of next year is still a feasible start date for construction on the golf course. Black explained that there are still a number of issues that need to be worked out. Discussion followed regarding access from the golf course onto Santa Fe and the cost of the project. Waldman asked if the course would have a new design. Black explained that the layout of the course is something currently being discussed and that it entails more shifting of the course than redesign . VIII. DOG PARK STUDY UPDATE IX. Commission members were informed that the formal dog park in the Belleview nature area is moving forward. Black reported that public works will be coordinating the moving of dirt within the next couple of weeks and that the 2006 budget had been approved with $50 ,000 for continuing development of the dog park. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Moore told the Commission that the primary focus for the Cultural Arts Commission is the City Center cultural space. Moore announced the upcoming Just Baroque concert on Saturday, November 26 and the Big Band Christmas concert on Sunday, December 18. VI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black congratulated Commission Member Woodward on his election to City Council and being elected for Mayor pro tern. Black noted that City Council will be appointing Council Liaisons to City boards and commission at the December 5th meeting . VII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Englewood School Board representative Karen Miller announced that she had been elected as president to the Englewood School Board. Woodward invited commission members to the Englewood Shines celebration on December 3rd . Armstrong commented that Englewood Shines is the same time as the Parade of Lights in downtown Denver. Recreation Manager Hultberg noted that Englewood Shines is not a parks and recreation event. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm. Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary