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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-10 PRC MINUTES• • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of February 10, 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 Service Center Training Room, 2800 South Platte River Drive. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Beverly Bradshaw, City Council Liaison Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:35pm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Also present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Clyde Wiggins, Englewood Resident (left at 6:58pm) Greg Kainer, Englewood Unleashed (left at 6:58pm) Alice Hanna, Englewood Unleashed (left at 6:58pm) Jill Wilson, Englewood Unleashed (left at 6:58pm) Debra Brown, Englewood Unleashed (left at 6:58pm) Kim Love, Englewood Unleashed (left at 6:58pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of January 13, 2005. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. ID. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for scheduled public comment. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for unscheduled public comment. V. ENGLEWOOD UNLEASHED The Englewood Unleashed presentation would be delayed until further in the meeting when all of the Englewood Unleashed representatives have arrived. • VI. SOUTH METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TOUR Discussion moved to the South Metro Chamber of Commerce Tour that was held on Tuesday, January 25 1h. Black thanked Commission Member Armstrong for bringing the tour to staff's attention. Black informed commission members that Community Development Director, Bob Simpson, had been working on the tour and as Armstrong had reported, the Museum of Outdoor Arts was a scheduled stop. Black stated that the City was able to include a presentation on Pirates Cove • during the time for the MOA presentation. Discussion followed in regard to the success of the tour. VII. BELLEVIEW PARK LARGE SPECIAL EVENTS Discussion on Belleview Park and requests for large special events would be postponed until later in the meeting. VIII. GOLF TOURNAMENT, EHS GOLF TEAM Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, reported that a golf tournament for the Englewood High School boy's golf team has been scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2005. Spada explained that the golf course gave the high school a reduced rate for the tournament. IX. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Director Black announced that Dave Lee and Bob Spada will be attending the City of Sheridan, Urban Renewal Authority meeting scheduled for Monday, February 14th. Items scheduled for discussion include an update on the Development Agreement with Miller Weingarten and the Relocation Policy. An update of the meeting will be given to the Board at the March meeting . X. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Commission Member Moore reported the Back to Bach concert will be held on Saturday, February 19th in • conjunction with the National Juried Art Show. Moore stated that the Englewood Arts website, www .englewoodarts .org is operational. ENGLEWOOD UNLEASHED PROPOSAL With the arrival of the remaining Englewood Unleashed members, discussion was turned over to Director Black and the Englewood Unleashed proposal. Black told the Commission that staff has been working with Englewood Unleashed in regard to a formal dog park. Commission members were reminded that in July of 2004, the Task Force made a recommendation to City Council of three possible locations for a formal dog park of which City Council decided on Centennial Park. Black introduced Greg Kainer, President of Englewood Unleashed. Mr. Kainer introduced the other members of Englewood Unleashed that were present. Mr. Kainer reported that the non-profit organization has almost eighty members, is ran by a Board of Directors and has six committees. Mr. Kainer turned discussion over to Ms. Alice Hanna. Ms. Hanna explained reasons for Englewood Unleashed submitting a proposal for an alternate site for a formal dog park, including safety and the cost to develop Centennial Park. The Commission was told that after City Council decided on Centennial Park off-leash users started expressing concerns with Centennial. A community meeting was held where it was unanimously agreed that Belleview Park should be considered as an alternate site for a formal dog park. In December, a proposal was submitted to City Council. Ms. Hanna explained that representatives from Englewood Unleashed then met with City staff and discussed the proposal in further detail. Ms . Hanna went on to explain that it was determined later • that there had been some confusion in regard to what area of Belleview Park the Task Force was proposing as a location for a formal dog park so Unleashed decided to resubmit a proposal with two alternate sites at Belleview Park: Area A, the upper portion that is already developed and has grass, and Area B, the native area or lower portion near the Windermere parking lot. Ms. Hanna told the Commission that Englewood Unleashed is open to either location and either area has community support, where Centennial does not. • Ms. Hanna discussed with the Commission the Task Force's recommendation to City Council and its vote of3-3 for Belleview Park as a compromise. Ms. Hanna stated that Task Force Member John Tomasso has said that he would change his vote in support of Belleview Park as an alternate site. In addition, Task Force Member and Council Member Jim Woodward commented that he had misunderstood the location that was being considered for a dog park and reported that with the information that he now knows, he would select Belleview as his first choice over Centennial due to cost. Council Member Bradshaw stated that she had also thought it was Area A that was being proposed by the Task Force. Bradshaw went on to say that she and Council Member Wolosyn had walked the site and that Wolosyn, too, had misunderstood what area was being proposed. Commission members reviewed a map of Belleview Park to identify the proposed areas. • • Englewood Unleashed Member and Task Force Member Jill Wilson discussed Belleview Park having community support and the importance of it for fundraising. Wilson explained that Belleview Park could be developed in a shorter time frame verses Centennial where it would be developed in phases due to cost. Discussion followed in regard to ADA accessibility for Belleview and Centennial. Lastly, Wilson discussed environmental issues that exist at Centennial with the soil and water. Discussion returned back to Mr. Kainer who discussed management of the formal dog park and having representatives from the off-leash community work with Parks and Recreation and Code Enforcement in setting guidelines. Mr. Kainer told the Commission that they would appreciate a recommendation from the Commission to City Council recommending Belleview over Centennial for a formal dog park. Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any questions. Moore asked in regard to the need for lighting . Ms. Hanna replied that lighting in primarily needed during the winter months due to most people using the park from the hours of 5 to 7pm. Moore asked what kind of surface Area B has. Lee stated that it is native weeds. Moore asked how much lighting is located in the area . Lee used the map to show the existing lighting and where lighting would be needed. Moore expressed her concern that people will hear that Belleview is an off-leash park and pull up to the playground side of the park and let their dog out. and that the area they are speaking of for a dog park is a somewhat hidden area. Gomes agreed with Moore. Woodward responded that it could be addressed with good signage. Wilson added that the off- leash community would be monitoring the park. Discussion ensued. Moore asked in regard to the percentage of Englewood Unleashed members that are Englewood residents. Wilson reported that approximately 95% are Englewood residents. Woodward spoke in regard to the bike path that runs along Area B and discussion that he and Bradshaw have had regarding it not being a problem. Mr. Kainer replied that it would be addressed in the guidelines and with monitoring. Youth Member Laughlin asked how tall the fence would be. Lee stated between 4 to 6 feet. Bradshaw noted that due to it being next to the bike path, requirements are that it be at least 54". Commission Member Waldman asked in regard to the number of gates. Ms. Hanna stated that they would like to have two gates, one on each side. Hanna discussed their preference that the Chenango lot be used for accessing the dog park. Discussion followed regarding the lack of knowledge of the Chenango lot. Woodward asked Englewood Unleashed members in regard to items that they could bring to the park such as fencing . Black interjected, stating that staff has met with representatives from Englewood Unleashed on several occasions and that there will be many more discussions but that they are not at that point yet. Black reported that discussion topics have been location and management issues. Black went on to explain that a number of concerns have come about since the suggestion was made to have the dog park at Belleview. Black reported that Stu Fonda, Director of Utilities, has a concern with the dog park being upstream to the Allen Filter Plant and has requested a study to determine if there will be an impact related to the intake of water. Black stated that another concern is the dog park being located within a flood plain and the impact, if any. Commission Member Armstrong asked if storm drainage flows into the Allen Plant. Bradshaw responded that it flows into the Platte River. Armstrong commented that the City would need to make sure it has all the proper environmental means incorporated from the beginning. Woodward • noted that there is berm that separates the water department from the park. In regard to a study, Bradshaw stated that it would need to be neutral. Discussion followed, including the impact that the dog park would have to parking. Englewood resident and former City Council Member Clyde Wiggins introduced himself and stated that he lives next to Belleview Park. Mr. Wiggins reported that Ms. Hanna came to his house to speak to him regarding the proposal. Mr. Wiggins told the Commission that he went around to the neighbors informing them and to see if they had any concerns. Mr. Wiggins explained that the main concern was that the dog owners would not be allowed to park in the neighborhood. Mr. Wiggins went on to explain that the neighbors saw no problem and thought that it would be a great use for the land. Mr. Wiggins noted that there was a concern in regard to money being spent on turf for the dog park; that they would rather see the money go towards updating the old and out-dated playground equipment. Gomes thanked the guests for their input and told them that after staff reviews tonight 's discussion, it would be brought back to the Commission. Armstrong asked when it would go to City Council. Bradshaw stated that if the Commission waits until March, then it would not go to City Council until April; noting that the Utilities Study would delay the process even further. Discussion followed. In regard to concerns made by Moore that people will assume Belleview Park is off-leash, the suggestion was made to rename the native area. Black explained that ifthe Commission decides that they want to rename the area, the Board would need to make a recommendation to City Council who would make the final decision. Woodward suggested that it could be part of the decision process with moving the dog park to Belleview. Mr. Wiggins told the Commission that at one time the City was looking at extending the train back into the native area but that there were some issues. Bradshaw noted that a Council Member was upset with the idea of the nature area going away. • Waldman stated that at one time, the Task Force had received a cost estimate for developing Belleview Park and asked how that compared now . Black reported that from a cost standpoint, it is pretty close. Waldman asked how much money has been allocated. Black responded $50 ,000 from open space funds . Ms. Hanna commented in regard to irrigation and turf being added into the cost estimate in addition to a reduction in the amount of fencing that would be required due to it being more 1.5 acres verses 2.5 acres . Discussion followed in regard to phasing in lights or turf to expedite the process. Armstrong stated that she was not willing to make a decision tonight without a recommendation from staff but that she would be willing to have a special meeting if necessary. Black told the Commission that there are two issues with utilities and flood plain restrictions need to be resolved. Lee added that the irrigation system at Belleview is currently over-utilized. A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Miller that the Englewood Unleashed proposal be turned back over to staff to gather more data in regard to flood drainage and utilities (irrigation, electrical, etc.). Once the data is collected, the Commission asked that it be brought back at which time a recommendation will be made to City Council. A special meeting will be called if necessary in order to allow a timely response. The Commission also requested that Englewood Unleashed address the concerns that were brought up by the Commission. Nays: Gomes, Armstrong, Waldman, Woodward, Bradshaw, Miller, Moore, ~~ • None Ayes: Motion Carried. • • Black asked for the motion to be read back for clarification. Commission members agreed upon the motion after it was read back to them . BELLEVIEW PARK. LARGE SPECIAL EVENTS Discussion moved to requests at Belleview Park for large special events. Lee explained that since Pirates Cove opened, the Department has received a number of requests for large special events at Belleview Park. Woodward asked how large. Lee stated a few hundred and that the requests usually include requests for carnival type set-ups. Moore commented that this has already been discussed. Lee confirmed that it had been discussed, but that the concern is now related to parking with Pirates Cove. Lee stated that staff is looking for direction in limiting such functions at Belleview Park. Armstrong explained that Cherry Creek State Park has a standing rule that normal users cannot be displaced for any special event at parks that are already at capacity. Armstrong did suggest a waiver that exempted the City. Commission members agreed to apply the same policy to Englewood parks. The Commission discussed having the large groups using a less-used park or referring them to South Suburban. Waldman asked if the drought restrictions have been removed. Black stated no, that it was a two-year policy. Commission members were told that staff would put the new policy in place and have it in the March packet for their review . XI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE XII. Black announced that City Council has appointed a new youth member to the Commission, Krista Neiderjohn. Black stated that she was unable to attend tonight's meeting. In regard to the Civic Center cultural space, Black told the Commission that the sound analysis report has been received and reviewed. Black reported that there would be a meeting tomorrow to review the engineer's evaluation regarding acoustics for the space. Black told the Commission that he would be bringing back information to the Board. Miller asked ifthe high school has contacted the City in regard to usage of the cultural space. Black responded that he was not aware of any contacts. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Bradshaw announced that the Audubon Society has evaluated the nature area at the golf course and due to the phenomenal number of birds, it is their recommendation that the Platte River corridor be designated as an Audubon area. Bradshaw stated that the American Cancer Society had contacted her in regard to a walk that they are planning. Bradshaw explained that the walk consists of a two-day, 48-hour camp out event that they would like to locate in Englewood. Bradshaw suggested the Hosanna Athletic Complex/Detention Pond area due to it being located next to the bike path. Bradshaw would refer them to Parks and Recreation. In addition, Lee noted that he has been in contact with representatives with the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in regard to a walk that is being planned from Chatfield to Washington Park. Lee reported that he is working with them to accommodate the walkers along their route. Woodward congratulated Bob Spada for a successful fundraiser for the tsunami victims . Spada reported that a total of $9,000 was raised for the victims, $5,500 from the silent auction and $3,500 in door donations. Spada thanked Armstrong for donations made by Englewood Education Foundation. • In regard to flowerbeds in the parks, Woodward told the Commission that he has taken it upon himself to solicit City Boards and Commissions to sponsor a flowerbed. Woodward reported that he was able to acquire 800 tulip bulbs from O'Tooles that City Council members helped in planting. Miller gave an update on the search for a superintendent for Englewood Schools. Miller reported that it is their hope that a selection is made by the end of the month. In regard to aesthetic turf for the Englewood High School stadium Miller stated that they are getting closer and have been able to get more money . Recreation Manager Hultberg informed the Commission that a family rate currently exists within the price structure for the Englewood Recreation Center and Pirates Cove but staff wants to re-evaluate the current definition of a family to conform to what other government agencies are doing to accommodate non- traditional families. Staff will bring a recommendation back to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Black added that a few years ago staff brought to the Commission information in regard to business owners receiving resident privileges at Recreation facilities. Black explained that a number of issues have arisen since it was instituted in 1990. Commission members were told that staff is researching the policy which will eventually be brought back to the Board for its review. Black went on to explain how the new policy would be tied in with the new registration system. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm. Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary • • •