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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-10 PRC MINUTESEnglewood Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of March 10, 1994 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Chairman Neyer in Conference Room B at City Hall. Members present: Armstrong, Christie, Cox, Gerlick, Gomes, Lujin, Markwood, Neyer, Waggoner, Black, ex officio Members absent: None Also present: Charles Esterly, Director of Public Works Chairman Neyer asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of February 10, 1994. There were none. A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Director Black introduced and welcomed visiting Council Member Vormittag, along with newly appointed Youth Commission Members, Chris Cox and Dagan Lujin. Black clarified that the Youth Members terms will expire on June 1, 1994, and invited Youth Members Cox and Lujin to reapply at that time to serve a one year term. Commission members and staff introduced themselves in turn to the new Youth Members. Agenda item no. 4, election of chairman and vice-chairman, was postponed until the arrival of Commissioner Armstrong. Commissioner Gerlick distributed copies of the revised 1994 Goals and Objectives for Commission's review. Following brief discussion, Commissioner Gomes made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Markwood, to approve the revised Commission Goals and Objectives for 1994. The motion passed unanimously. Director Black informed the Commission, as per a letter contained in the Commission packets from Kevin Greene of South Suburban Park and Recreation District, that due to the beginning of construction of Regional Park, the land to the north and south of Belleview at e Windermere will not be available for the July 4th fireworks launching and spectator parking this 1 year. Brief discussion ensued regarding alternate locations to hold a fireworks display, including Riverfront in Littleton and Mclellan Reservoir. The Commission agreed that the Fireworks Committee should determine possible sites for the display. The possibility of a lazier show was discussed as an alternative to the customary display. With regard to expansion of the Golf Course, Director Black reported that the architect firm of Ohlson Lavoie Corporation has been retained for the clubhouse expansion and indoor training facility design; and Dye Designs was selected as architect for the course des ign. Black stated that a presentation is being prepared for the Sheridan Planning and Zoning Board on March 30, 1994. Commissioner Armstrong entered the meeting at 5:55 p.m. The meeting was turned over to Director Black to conduct the election of Commission Chairman. Director Black stated that the floor was open for nominations for Cha i rman. Commissioner Waggoner nominated Austin Gomes for Chairman, seconded by Commissioner Christie. Commissioner Markwood nominated Steve Neyer for Chairman. Mr. Neyer declined the nomination. There being no further nominations, a motion was made and seconded that the nominations cease. Director Black declared Mr. Gomes Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Chairman Gomes resumed the meeting and called for nominations for Vice-chairman. Commissioner Gerlick nominated Steve Neyer for Vice-chairman, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong. A motion was made and seconded that the nominations cease. Mr. Neyer was declared Vice-chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission. With regard to the design of the Windermere bridge at Big Dry Creek , Director Esterly displayed drawings of graphics for the bridge walls that could be included in the bridge design. Esterly described the design options and stated that any one design or combination of the designs could be requested. There was lengthy discussion regarding graffiti/vandalism situations that may exist and the effectiveness of various methods to remove the graffiti, as well as labor and materials expenses to maintain the surfaces. The Commission felt that visibil ity of graphics on the abutment would be limited, and agreed that City funds should not be used for graphics for this e 2 e bridge but that the color scheme used at Oxford and at Dartmouth should be carried through to the Windermere bridge. Director Esterly discussed a draft policy regarding the Volunteer Flower Garden Program. The Commission expressed concern with the manner in which the program was instigated, stating that the Commission was not given an opportunity to consider the program prior to its initiation and advertising for volunteers. Considerable discussion ensued regarding the 1994 budget reductions, including reductions in programs and staff. Director Black suggested that he and Director Esterly schedule a discussion in July or August with the Commission to describe in detail programs and other reductions or eliminations from the Parks and Recreation budgets. Upon review of the draft policy prepared by Parks staff outlining the functions of the Volunteer Program, the Commission felt that it is not appropriate for volunteers to be required to purchase the flowers and fertilizer while providing all required labor. Commissioner Waggoner made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Neyer, to request Council to provide funding from the e existing budget to purchase flowers and fertilizer for the 1994 Volunteer Flower Garden Program. The motion passed with one opposing vote from Commissioner Armstrong. Armstrong stated that her opposing vote only reflects that she does not wish to vote for a policy without having an appropriate time frame to consider all aspects of the policy. Other means of financing the flower garden were discussed, such as soliciting donations from interested citizens. Director Esterly advised that inquiries have been received from citizens, some members of the Planning and Zoning Commission and Council Member Vormittag who are interested in volunteering to renovate the Belleview Park airplane for public use. The Commission discussed at length the historic value of the plane, which was originally fenced off due to its deteriorating and unsafe condition. Copies of a letter from CIRSA were distributed which addressed City liability exposure surrounding the airplane when made available as play apparatus. Esterly warned that since the airplane is not a piece of engineered playground equipment, but is, in fact, an Air Force missile, and once open to park users, the Commission should be willing to accept possible liability that may arise should it be made available once again for public use. 3 After considerable discussion regarding the extent of needed repairs and costs for those repairs, liability, etc., the Commission agreed that a playground specialist should be contacted to advise what steps should be followed to bring the airplane up to today's standards prior to turning the renovation project over to a citizen group. Commissioner Armstrong stated she will contact some experts from the playground industry who may be willing to make some recommendations for renovating the airplane and will report back to the Commission at the April meeting. Director Esterly will inform Council Member Vormittag that the Commission is looking into their inquiry and will notify him of the results of their investigation. Director Black advised that, as the Commission discussed previously, he was able to meet with Mr. Will Shafroth, Executive Director for the State Board of Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, and invited him to meet with the Parks and Recreation Commission. Black sent a letter to Mr. Shafroth (copy included in Commission packets) to reinforce the invitation. Director Black reported that an inquiry was made by an individual interested in acquiring a list of groups reserving park shelters with the intention of contacting them regarding photographing their function at the parks. Director Black stated his request was denied. The individual indicated he would pursue obtaining a sales license from the City and check other means for contacting the groups. Director Black reported that Chairman Gomes' Commission-appointed term on the Malley Center Trust Fund Committee recently expired. A motion was made and seconded to reappoint Chairman Gomes to represent the Parks and Recreation Commission on the Malley Center Trust Fund Committee. The motion passed unanimously. Director Black informed the Commission that he received a letter from Colorado National Bank regarding Elsie Malley's trust. The letter explained that Mrs. Malley amended her trust in 1989 stipulating that $1,000 per month be transferred to the Malley Center; however, due to a bank error, the transfers were not made. Therefore, a check in the amount of $4 7,000 was forwarded to the Malley Center, which includes $5,000 in interest. Director Black stated that the check was deposited in the Malley Center Trust Fund. 4 Director Black stated that an Ordinance will be presented to Council for approval on first reading on March 21, to amend the Commission's quorum requirement from five members to four members. Approval on second reading will be on April 4, and the Ordinance will become final 30 days later, on May 4, 1994. Director Black reported that Council Member Hathaway advised City Council that Scott Simpson, proprietor of Riverside Miniature Golf Course, applied for a loan through the Small Business Loan Program sponsored by the City of Englewood, the Chamber of Commerce and EDDA. Although his business is located on property owned by the City of Englewood, his loan was refused since the property is located in the City of Sheridan and was not considered by the loan committee to be an Englewood business. Black stated that Hathaway suggested Council send a letter to the Small Business Loan Committee expressing Council's feeling that Riverside should be reconsidered for a Small Business Loan since it is operated for the City, on City property. Black stated that Council Member e Waggoner suggested that the City purchase a share in Riverside Miniature Golf Course; the City would, upon sale of Riverside, collect on the share purchased, and would have first right of refusal. Director Black explained that Scott Simpson is in hopes of retaining the Riverside facility and wishes to expand development in the future. Commissioner Armstrong made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Markwood, to recommend to City Council that appropriate action be taken, up to and including the City purchasing a share in Riverside, to facilitate Scott Simpson in obtaining the loan needed to insure his continued ownership of the Riverside Miniature Golf Course. It was stipulated that using monies from the Golf Course Fund to purchase a share in Riverside would be appropriate since the City's percentage of gross from Riverside is deposited in that account. The motion passed unanimously. Director Esterly reported that Great Outdoors Colorado has presented an additional trails grant program from which the City has applied for additional funds that would provide a retaining wall along the south shore of the Centennial Lake and allow a 12' wide path instead of the 8' wide 5 .. path that was proposed in the Fishing is Fun grant application. Esterly stated that staff is making e a presentation to the GO Colorado committee on Monday, March 14. Commissioner Gerlick distributed copies of an auditions announcement for the upcoming production of "While the Lights Were Out", sponsored by Theatre! Englewood! The meeting was adjourned at 7: 12 p.m. Lindsay J. Wilks, Recording Secretary 6