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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-08 PRC MINUTES• • • City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 8, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:3 lpm by Chairperson Gomes at Shelter #1 at Centennial Park, 4630 S. Decatur Street. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison (arrived at 5:35pm) Bev Bradshaw, City Council Liaison Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison (arrived at 5:45pm) Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Joe Sack, Fa cility Supervisor, Malley Senior Center Brad Anderson, Facility Supervisor, Pirates Cove Aquatic Center Sarah Rodriguez, Parks and Recreation Intern Lance Eich, Parks Intern Jessica Andersen , Parks Intern II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of June 10, 2004. Open Space Dave Lee noted that he was listed as present at the meeting, but was in fact absent. The minutes were approved as amended. III. SCHEDULED VISITORS Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg introduced Sarah Rodriguez, a Parks and Recreation intern from Aurora University. Hultberg said that Sarah had been helping out at Pirates Cove as well as in other areas of the Department. Dave Lee introduced Lance Eich and Jessica Andersen, both doing internships with the Parks Division. IV . UNSCHEDULED VISITORS v. There were no unscheduled visitors . SILVER SNEAKERS Malley Senior Center Facility Manager Joe Sack passed out flyers explaining the "Silver Sneakers Fitness Program", a program for which the Recreation Center and Malley Center recently became eligible. The program offers ·senior clients with insurance companies such as Kaiser the opportunity to buy supplemental insurance in addition to enjoying fitness classes and other amenities at an approved facility free of charge. The facility receives a • reimbursement each time an enrollee attends a class. Sack explained that the Rec Center will be taking registrations August 16 -20 and the Malley Center August 23 -27. Sack added that he expects the program to be very successful and increase Center attendance and revenues. Sack then passed out flyers for the Sounds of Summer program featuring Mr. David Booker & Swingtet, scheduled for 7:00pm at the CityCenter Amphitheater. VI. PIRATES COVE UPDATE Recreation Manager Gary Hultberg introduced Brad Anderson, Program Administrator for Aquatics and Manager of Pirates Cove. Anderson briefed the Commission on the successful opening of Pirates Cove this summer. Anderson reported that the previous day had been the busiest so far, with an attendance of 2, 134 people. Anderson noted that projected expenditures and revenues are on target. Anderson said that staff is working on solutions to the issues oflong lines for admission and concessions, noting that the concessions has also been very successful. Discussion ensued regarding staffing, rentals, etc. Commission member Carolyn Armstrong commended Anderson on the price structure and commented that she hoped prices would not be raised next year, because current prices make the park affordable for families. Gary Hultberg noted that Pirates Cove had been featured in an article in the Parks and Recreation Business Magazine. Commission Member Waldman asked whether there had been problems or concerns from South Suburban regarding parking. Jerrell Black replied that there had been minor complaints and that the issue would be discussed with South Suburban board members. VII. BILL BENTON REQUEST TO RENAME BELLEVIEW PARK Jerrell Black referred to Mr. Bill Benton's request at the June Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to rename Belleview Park for Mr. Ed Scott. Black said that he told Mr. Benton that the Commission would discuss the request and make a recommendation to City Council. Discussion ensued, including suggestions of naming pavilions or sections of parks, ball fields, benches, trees, or possibly recognizing citizens on a plaque at CityCenter. Discussion continued regarding vandalism, etc. Commission Member Carolyn Armstrong made a motion to recommend to City Council that since the Parks and Recreation Commission did not see a clear connection between Mr. Ed Scott and the Parks and Recreation Department, that Mr. Scott be recognized in some other manner. The motion was seconded by School District Liaison Karen Miller. It passed unanimously. VIII. OFF-LEASH TASK FORCE FINAL RECOMMENDATION Jerrell Black announced that at its last meeting, the Off-Leash Task Force had made a recommendation to present to City Council at Monday evening's Study Session; that due to the Task Force's not coming to a consensus, the Committee will be recommending that City • • • • • IX. Council consider Belleview Park nature area, Cushing Park, or Centennial Park north for a dog park. Black added that the Task Force's Final Report would also be presented to City Council on Monday. Black acknowledged Commission Members Mitch Waldman and Jim Woodward for their participation on the Task Force. Waldman asked about the status of the four existing off-leash parks. Black replied that City Council would determine that at a later date. Woodward reiterated that he believed Centennial Park to be the best location for a dog park. Open Space Manager Dave Lee asked whether Centennial park would remain off- leash. Jerrell Black replied that it had not been discussed. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENTUPDATE Jerrell Black informed Commission that the City of Sheridan had chosen Miller Weingarten for its redevelopment project, for which an agreement is expected to be reached in 6-8 weeks. Black added that the City of Englewood has not met with the City of Sheridan or Miller Weingarten. Chairperson Gomes asked about the status of the Golf Course. Black replied that City Council was steadfast in its position that the Golf Course is off-limits. X. PROJECTS UPDATE XI. XII . Gary Hultberg credited the success of the three bond projects to Facility Managers Bob Leonard of the Recreation Center and Joe Sack of the Malley Center, as well as Recreation Program Administrator Brad Anderson. Hultberg then announced that due to his increased responsibilities, Brad Anderson had been promoted to Recreation Program/Facility Supervisor . CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Cultural Arts Liaison Janet Moore briefed Commission on the Shots for Tots immunization Program for school age children. Moore said that several Cultural Arts Commission members had painted a Dala horse for the project, and that the first immunization clinic was scheduled for Saturday, July 17. Moore briefed Commission on the Art at the Shuttle Stops project, explaining that the project will consist of a shuttle bus that will run from Swedish/Craig Hospitals through downtown Englewood to the Light Rail Station. Artwork will be placed at the various shuttle stops. Moore reported that 12 pieces of art had been chosen, and said it was hoped that the shuttle would bring attention to Englewood. Moore said that an $850,000 grant had been received for the PEAK project which has its kick off scheduled for August 21 at CityCenter. Moore reminded Commission members that the Cultural Arts Commission would be sponsoring a craft project at the Olde Tyme Fair. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Jerrell Black informed Commission the Department had begun its annual budget process and would present the budget to the City Manager by the end of July. Black added that the Council Budget Workshop is scheduled for the end of September. Black said that CTF and Open Space funding would be brought to the ~ommission, and the 2005 budget contains a 0% increase. XIII. COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE City Council Liaison Bev Bradshaw commented that she was impressed with the staff at Pirates Cove. Bradshaw noted that the Big Dry Creek Project is at a standstill. Bradshaw added that the Denver Seminary issue has been on hold until a new council member is chosen following the resignation of Michael Yurchick. Bradshaw added that eight applications had been received for the vacant council position and interviews were scheduled for July 26. Bradshaw said that sales tax was down in June, and that negotiations with the city employees' unions were at an impasse. Jim Woodward commented that the soccer goals in the parks were in need of cleaning and painting. Dave Lee said his department had the paint. Woodward stated that Englewood Soccer Association also had paint and supplies and that they would take care of painting the goal posts . Commission Member Carolyn Armstrong praised Youth Sports Program Administrator Dave Parks for his representation of Englewood at the Hershey Track and Field event. Armstrong said that next year she would try to find a corporate sponsor for Englewood so it could form a team. • Chairperson Gomes informed Commission that he had been contacted by Robert Boardman regarding a tree that had been taken out near the Lions Train Depot at Belleview Park, leaving a large area unshaded. Gomes asked if the tree would be replaced. Dave Lee responded that the city had lost a number of trees due to drought, storms, and the IPS beetle, • and that since the forestry program was cut there was no funding currently for replacement of trees . Lee offered that Larry Nimmo may have some trees left over from the concrete utility program, and Jerrell Black said that that option would be looked into. Mitch Waldman inquired about the West Nile situation in Englewood. Dave Lee responded that areas were checked weekly for mosquito larvae and treated with vectobac, a bacterial agent. No larvae were found this week. Dave Lee then informed Commission that the Parks and Recreation Administrative office was receiving many more outside requests for special events in the parks, which are putting a strain on shelters, parking, Pirates Cove, etc. Lee said that he is considering a temporary moratorium on special events, and that he is planning a meeting in the fall to discuss the issue and establish appropriate policies. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55pm. Linda Trujillo , Recording Se retary •