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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-13 PRC MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 13, 2004 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Golf Course Maintenance Facility, 4000 S. Clay Street. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson (arrived at 5:51pm) Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Beverly Bradshaw, City Council Member Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Christopher Jones, Youth Commission Member Absent: Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Golf Manager Ken Ross, Public Works Director (left at 6 :34pm) Wendy Weiman, Engineer I, Public Works (left at 6 :34pm) John Voboril, Planner, Community Development (arrived at 5:37pm/left at 6:34pm) Rick Kahm, Director of Capital Projects Wayne Niles, Golf Course Superintendent Connie Rauzi, Englewood Resident (left at 5:54pm) Frank Rauzi, Englewood Resident (left at 5:54pm) Ray Thorpe, Englewood Resident (left at 5:54pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of ~r.tl-.8,..2004. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. /Viii""~ fl III. SCHEDULED VISITORS IV. There were no scheduled visitors. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS Connie Rauzi, Frank Rauzi and Ray Thorpe introduced themselves. Mrs. Rauzi stated that they lived next to Jason Park and referred to her letter and petition concerning the off-leash park at Jason that was included in their packets. Mrs . Rauzi said that they are greatly concerned with the overuse and condition of Jason Park due to the dogs and that the usage in the park seems to be continually increasing. Mrs. Rauzi spoke in regard to the dogs urinating on their fences, picnic tables, trees and bushes in addition to the constant barking. Commission members were told that the odor is offensive and the memorial garden is now nothing but dirt. Mrs. Rauzi commented that they had been to City Council in January and asked what more does it take to get an answer. Mrs. Rauzi asked what has been decided by the Off-Leash Task Force. Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, responded that the Task Force should have a recommendation in the next sixty to ninety days . Mrs. Rauzi stated that sixty to ninety days would take it to the end of the summer • while children have to play where the dogs are. Lee told the guests that the Parks and Recreation Commission does not make the decision. Mrs. Rauzi asked who does make the decision because Jason is not a park that should be designated as a dog park. Mrs . Rauzi spoke in regard to owners letting the dogs out of their cars to run the park while the owner remains in the car. Commission Member Woodward asked if Jason Park was okay before Bates/Logan was closed. Mrs. Rauzi stated no. Mr. Thorpe spoke in regard to the users of Jason Park not being Englewood residents. Commission members were told of a situation where a child was approached by a dog and became scared. Mr. Gomes thanked the guests for their comments. The guests were told that the Task Force should have a decision shortly, and in the meantime, to contact City Council members. City Council Member Bradshaw spoke in regard to the history with Bates/Logan Park and her concern with users in Jason Park and the wear and tear on the fields. Bradshaw commented that the Task Force is charged to find a location for a formal dog park and that its recommendation will not involve the four existing off-leash parks. Woodward spoke in regard to the situation last Saturday at Jason Park with Englewood Youth Soccer games, Smart Start and the dogs. Mrs. Rauzi thanked the Commission for their time . Bradshaw introduced Karen Miller, the new Englewood School District Liaison. V. ENGLEWOOD BIKE PLAN Ken Ross, Director of Public Works, began discussion on the Englewood Bike Plan. Ross informed the Commission that in 2001, the City of Englewood completed a Citywide Transportation Plan; at which time staff determined it would not be cost prohibitive to include a bicycle plan, and therefore, it was not significantly addressed in the Transportation Plan. Ross went on to explain that the primary focus of the bicycle plan is to make the bicycle system more functional, comprehensive and attractive. Discussion was turned over to Wendy Weiman. Weiman referred to the draft Master Bicycle Plan that was included in the packet. Commission members were told that existing bike paths were examined, noting that there were no trails to examine . Weiman spoke in regard to the City and County of Denver 's extensive bike and trail system and how it was used as a model by the City of Englewood. Ross discussed the map included in the plan. Discussion and suggestions followed . Ross explained that the next step would be taking the Bicycle Master Plan to City Council. Ross thanked the Commission for their time and suggestions. VI. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Rick Kahm, Director of Capital Projects, informed the Commission that Director Black and he have been attending the Sheridan Redevelopment meetings. A brief history of the meetings followed. Kahm explained that proposals have been submitted by two major master developers, Miller Weingarten and Westfield; in addition to Daniel Crow, owner of 17.0 acres ofland in the Hampden • Business Park area who plans on doing his own development consisting of a theater, offices and • residential. Commission members were told that at the last meeting, Sheridan business owners, being represented by Allied Development Group ? approached Sheridan City Council with their own plan to develop the area along Santa Fe and requested another meeting for an opportunity to present 2 • VII. • • their plan. Sheridan City Council agreed and scheduled a meeting for Monday, April 6th. Kahm reported that Sheridan business owners showed up in force at that meeting and discussed the plan of Allied Development Group, which included redevelopment of the golf course. Kahm stated that the businesses did support the City of Sheridan moving forward with development along Hampden. Commission members were told that another meeting has been scheduled for May 21st at which time a selection will be made on a developer. PIRATES COVE, SOUTH SUBURBAN EASEMENT Kahm continued, giving an update on several development/construction issues at Pirates Cove involving the City of Englewood and South Suburban Parks and Recreation District. Kahm discussed South Suburban acquiring land from the City of Englewood many years ago for Cornerstone Park including the PUD process that limited South Suburban to three ballfields instead of four due to insufficient parking. Kahm explained that as part of the agreement, the City receives a payment in lieu of taxes of $8,000 per year to offset the costs of providing City services to Cornerstone in addition to Englewood resident receiving resident rates at the batting cages and miniature golf facility. Kahm informed the commission members that at the onset of the Pirate's Cove project, Director Black and he had met with Dave Lorenz and staff to enlist South Suburban's support for the new traffic signal. Although South Suburban supported the traffic signal, they were not willing to participate in cost. At that meeting, Mr. Lorenz commented that they were no longer interested in developing the 4th ballfield and suggested their underutilized parking lot at Prentice and Hickory be used for buses from Pirates Cove . Kahm went on to explain that later in the year, the City approached South Suburban in regard a utility easement along Bellievew that would affect an area south of their ballfield. The request went before their Board and the City was required to buy an easement at a coat of $1.00/sf, approximately $6,000. Kahm stated that the City paid the required fee and the undergrounding was accomplished; noting that several years prior when South Suburban built their ballfields, the City dedicated Englewood undergrounding funds to underground the same lines adjacent to their property. The Commission was told that staff was considering some land south of the ball field for additional employee parking. City staff approached South Suburban and was told that an easement could be purchased at $1.00/sf, estimated cost to be about $16,000. Kahm also discussed the concern of softballs being hit over the 10-foot chain link fence into the water park and City staffs determination that a 30-foot tall safety net should be installed. Cost of the net was to be $30,000. Kahm reported that when staff met with Mr. Lorenz regarding the safety fence, Mr. Lorenz stated that th ey were not liable. Kahm stated that when the parking easement was brought up, Mr. Lorenz suggested an annual lease in the amount of $8,000/year. In addition, Mr. Lorenz stated that they had re-thought the bus parking situation and felt that the closer parking lot, just south of the miniature golf would be better for the City's use. Kahm told the Commission that Black has sent a letter requesting an easement for parking. Commission members were informed that Mr. Lorenz' response to the letter offers leasing space for employee parking in addition to a comprehensive parking plan which shares parking and allows development of the 4th ball field. Lease payment to be determined. Kahm announced that the City has moved forward with installation of the 30-foot safety net and will 3 have employees park a little further away in addition to having buses park along Prentice, an Englewood street. Commission members were asked for support in Black sending a letter to South Suburban withdrawing the City's request for an easement for parking, notifying them that their property for bus parking is no longer needed, and that a 30-foot net has been installed to protect our patrons from balls trespassing from their facilities, which will be monitored. The letter will also state that if they wish to construct a 4 th ball field, they will need to contact the Department of Community Development. A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Neyer and seconded by Commission Member Waldman in support of Director Black sending a letter to Mr. Dave Lorenz of South Suburban Parks and Recreation District in regard to issues that have been discussed concerning Pirates Cove. The motion passed unanimously. VIII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS IX. Golf Course Manager, Bob Spada, opened the floor for nominations of Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. A motion was made by Commission Member Waldman and seconded by City Council Member Bradshaw nominating Austin Gomes for Chairperson and Steve Neyer for Vice Chairperson. The motion passed unanimously. VOLUNTEER FLOWER GARDEN PROGRAM Manager of Open Space, Dave Lee, informed the Commission that four flower gardens have been adopted: Jason Park, Romans Park, the Englewood Recreation Center and the East Walkway along Broadway. Lee reminded the Commission that due to budget reductions, volunteers now need to pay for the flowers that they plant. Bradshaw suggested that there be a press release recognizing the volunteers. Gomes asked in regard to the flowerbeds at 285 and Logan and at 285 and Broadway. Lee stated that no money has been slated for flowers at those locations. Discussion followed regarding grants that may be available to cover the cost of the flowers in addition to having students or local organizations help plant the flowers. X. JASON PARK CONCERNS Discussion moved on to concerns regarding the off-leash park at Jason. Bradshaw stated that the Off-Leash Task Force has been charged to find a location for a formal dog park and that they have nothing to do with the off-leash parks . Lee stated that he hopes some of the pressure will be taken off of the off-leash parks when a formal dog park is in place . Bradshaw responded that it would not. Commission Member Woodward commented that it could still be six months before a site is in place and that Jason Park is having problems now . Woodward spoke in regard to the condition of the fields, noting that it is the worst condition that he has ever seen them . Woodward asked if it is due to the dogs or the drought. Lee stated both. • • A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Neyer and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Miller to recommend to City Council to temporarily ban the off-leash parks pilot program until further notice in light of the problems over the past couple • of years. 4 • • • Neyer spoke in regard to the overtaxing of the parks due to the drought and overuse and of his concern for the health and safety of the park users. Neyer stated that too many citizens are having to compromise. Neyer told the commission members to remember why the parks are there, reminding them that the parks have been referred to as the "crown jewel". Vote Results: Ayes: Nayes: Neyer, Gomes, Miller, Bradshaw, Jones Waldman, Woodward Motion Carried. Discussion followed regarding the clarity of the charge to the Off-Leash Task Force. XI. OPEN SPACE TAX Lee informed the Commission that he had attended an Arapahoe County Open Space Tax Advisory Board meeting where he was informed that the dispersing of funds will be in November and that it will not be for the full amount. Lee noted that the grant cycle would not begin until 2005. Bradshaw asked who would be collecting the tax. Lee replied that the cities. XII. PROJECTS UPDATE Recreation Manager Hultberg announced the Pirates Cove opening on Saturday, May 22"d. Discussion followed regarding the event. XIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE There was no update on the Cultural Arts Commission. XIV. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Spada announced that the golf well is complete and is pumping an average of sixty gallons per minute and will be used as a back-up to the existing irrigation system. Spada informed the Commission of a letter by Mr. Bill Benton was received in regard to renaming Belleview Park. Spada told the Commission that there is not a formal policy and that each request is handled on an individual basis. Commission members were told that a letter has been sent to Mr. Benton inviting him to attend the June Commission meeting to discuss his request. It was decided to table discussion on the request until the June meeting. XV. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Bradshaw invited the Commission to the South Suburban Park Foundation's 25th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 15th at the Union Bridge. XVI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:37pm . Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary 5