HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-05-12 PRC MINUTESEnglewood Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of May 12, 1994
The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order at 5:30 p.m . by Chairman Gomes at the Englewood Municipal Golf Course Maintenance Facility.
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Armstrong, Christie, Cox, Gomes, Lujin, Markwood , Neyer, Waggoner,
Black, ex officio
Gerlick
Chuck Esterly, Director of Public Works
Dave Lee , Golf Course Superintendent
Will Shafroth, Executive Director, State Board of GoCo Trust Fund
Chairman Gomes asked ifthere were any additions or corrections to the minutes of April 14,
1994. There were none. A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
Director Black advised that 1995 budget preparation is under way and information for the Public
Improvement Fund and Conservation Trust Fund will be brought before the Commission for review at
the June Commission meeting.
Director Black briefly discussed the status of plans for the 1994 fireworks display. The
fireworks vendor indicates the site at Centennial Park will meet his requirements for launching, and
parking provisions have been determined for approximately 900 vehicles along the north side of Union
Avenue .
Director Black advised that Commissioner Neyer received information pertaining to a fund
raising opportunity which would help to offset expenses for the fireworks display. The project would
involve individuals or groups selling 3-D glasses , adding a new dimension to fireworks viewing! Brief
discussion ensued . Black stated that Dana Glazier, Business and Community Outreach Coordinator for
Englewood, is coordinating this and other fireworks activities , and is looking for volunteers.
Director Black reported that representatives from South Suburban Parks and Recreation District
will attend the June Commission meeting to provide information regarding scheduling for construction
of Regional Park.
Director Black reminded the Commission that the June Commission meeting is stipulated in the
Commission's Goals and Objectives as the annual public forum. Black stated that a message was placed
in the Summer Recreation Brochure inviting interested citizens to attend.
Director Black advised that the Golf Course expansion project is progressing. Black stated that
approximately $200,000 has been saved by using a broker for obtaining approximately 150,000 yards of
dirt to be used in the construction. Black stated that alum sludge, approved by the State and the
Environmental Protection Agency, will be used for constructing a portion of the berms, and the Utilities
Department will fund the dirt necessary to mix with the alum sludge at the required ratio of 2 to 1. Black
stated that an agreement with the City of Sheridan regarding the Planned Unit Development (PUD) is
expected to be finalized in the near future.
For Commission's information, Director Esterly advised of some comments he received from a
neighbor of Cushing Park. Citing excessive noise and other disturbances coming from the skateboard
facility, the citizen is requesting that the facility be removed from the park. Esterly stated graffiti and
equipment repairs are being handled by Parks staff, and disturbance matters should be called to the
attention of the Police Department. Esterly stated that this individual declined an invitation to address
the Commission regarding the matter. Esterly reiterated that this and other similar matters should be
referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission for recommendation to Council. Esterly suggested that
the Commission might want to give consideration, in the not too distant future, to converting the
skateboard park into a permanent facility since it was initially established on an experimental basis.
Commissioners Markwood, Cox and Lujin entered the meeting at 5:40 p.m.
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Director Black introduced Mr. Will Shafroth, Executive Director of the State Board of the Great
Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, and gave a brief overview of his education, background and
accomplishments.
Mr. Shafroth summarized the founding of the Great Outdoors Colorado (GoCo) Trust Fund
Board, stating that as a result of passage of the initiative in 1992, the 15 member Board was appointed by
the Governor in April , 1993 and confirmed by the Senate in May, 1993; Shafroth was hired by the Board
in December, 1993; the Board began disbursing funds in January, 1994. The amendments passed by the
voters addressed four areas for funding: Wildlife, Parks, Local Government, and Open Space. Shafroth
stated that a strategic planning process is being developed by the Board to determine the long term plan
for making funding decisions . This strategic planning process is being determined by engaging the
primary stake holders in the four categories to offer their goals and priorities for grant funds, and what
projects they would like to see funded by GoCo. The Board will also determine how the four categories
could work together to achieve some common purposes.
Shafroth stated he expects that the Board will receive between $5 and $8 million to work with
per year through 1998 , at which time bond debts for new prisons will be paid off, as provided in the
amendment. Shafroth estimated that, beginning in 1999 , funds ranging from $35 to $45 million will be
available for disbursement per year.
Shafroth explained that reauthorization of the lottery funds will be made by the General
Assembly in 1998, and for that reason, he feels that, to broaden their base of support, politically and
otherwise, it is very important that the Board establish a record over the next four years that the agency is
effective and they are accomplishing projects which are highly visible and desired by the communities.
There was brief discussion regarding the possible use of GoCo funds for school funding in the
future; the use of the cultural tax vs. other grants and funding; and the ranking system used by the Board
when determining the disbursement of funds.
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Commissioner Armstrong reinforced the importance of informing the public on issues and
projects that come before the GoCo Board so that they vote correctly, and emphasized the importance of
parks and recreation boards and commissions, statewide, as representatives of the citizens, being used to
their potential for getting the word out to the citizens.
The Commission expressed their appreciation to Mr. Shafroth for his attendance and informative
presentation.
Director Esterly advised that most physical repairs to the fuselage of the Belleview Park airplane
(missile) have now been accomplished jointly by Council Member Vormittag and members of the
Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Armstrong advised she contacted playground
consultant, Les Ermold, who agreed to determine what safety factors need to be addressed in order to
make the airplane available for public use. Mr. Ermold agreed to provide the service at no cost to the
City. Armstrong will contact Parks Administrator, Chris Korba, with information to contact Mr. Ermold.
With regard to future development of Cinderella City, Director Esterly reviewed three alternative
development plans prepared by a consultant as a result of meetings held by the City for the purpose of
gathering citizen input on the future of the shopping center. Esterly pointed out that all three plans
include a roadway, through Cushing Park, to connect Cinderella City with Dartmouth Avenue. Esterly
stated that, although the three plans were developed as a result of citizen input, the consultants do not
believe that the roadway is essential for the success of the redevelopment of Cinderella City. Esterly
stated that should discussion pursue for development of such a roadway, the Commission should be
prepared to address matters concerning Cushing Park. Brief discussion ensued.
Commissioner Armstrong advised that she was invited to speak to the Englewood School Board
recently, at which time she expressed her belief that offering recreation programs at school locations is
essential in providing expanded opportunities for Englewood children.
Commissioner Armstrong reported that she is attempting to contact RBI regarding their
agreement to provide Englewood with a site plan for Centennial Park Lake.
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Commissioner Armstrong advised that an additional list of board and commission meeting dates
and locations of parks and recreation districts will be distributed to Commission members in order to
follow through with their obligation as stated in Goal no. 7 of the Commission's Goals and Objectives.
Commissioner Markwood reported that a neighbor of Jason Park has commented that soccer
balls from Englewood Soccer Association games are destroying the solarium in his back yard.
Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of extending the protective fencing that was erected in the
past to protect adjacent back yards. It was suggested that the Englewood Soccer Association should
assist in the expense of extending the fence. Future field needs to accommodate the expected increase in
the number of high school age players were also noted. Further discussion ensued regarding mutual use
of facilities with South Suburban Parks and Recreation District. Commissioner Markwood commented
that the Hosanna Complex soccer fields are currently being over-used by adult coed soccer and the
Schools' lacrosse games and practices that take place on these fields.
Commissioner Christie inquired about the possibility of scheduling summer recreation programs
to coincide with the closing and opening of the school year, eliminating the break in service for youth
taking part in the Before and After School Program. Director Black stated that the current schedule was
determined to allow for an orientation of summer staff, most of whom are college students. It was
suggested that perhaps the Before and After School Program could be extended an additional week until
the summer staff is prepared to take over, and again in the Fall before the opening of school. Black
stated he will explore some options.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p .m.
Lindsay J. Wilks, Recording Secretary
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