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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-12 PRC MINUTES• • • I. II. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of August 12, 2004 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:31pm by Chairperson Gomes at Pirates Cove Family Aquatics Center, 1225 W. Belleview Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Bev Bradshaw, City Council Liaison Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Also present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Brad Anderson, Facility Supervisor, Pirates Cove Aquatic Center Sarah Rodriguez, Parks and Recreation Intern Prior to discussion beginning, Director Black introduced and welcomed new youth member, Rebecca Laughlin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of July 8, 2004. In regard to her comment that the city employees' unions were at impasse, Bradshaw clarified that it is the Police and Non-Emergency Unions that area at impasse. The minutes were approved as amended. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for scheduled public comment. IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There were no visitors present for unscheduled public comment. GOLF COURSE CONCESSIONAIRE Golf Course Manager, Bob Spada, informed the Commission that the contract for the restaurant concessionaire would expire in October of this year. Spada stated that the Department has decided to go out for bid and according to a recent walk-thru, it looks as ifthere are four to five interested vendors. Commission members were informed that a selection would be made in September. Discussion followed. VI. PIRATES COVE Brad Anderson, Facility Supervisor for Pirates Cove, welcomed commission members to Pirates • Cove. Anderson stated that the facilities' first season has been successful with very little problems. Anderson told the Commission that the facility would be starting back to school hours on August 23rd, which will consist of being closed Monday through Friday, until the pool closes on September 6th. Anderson explained that with the majority of staff would be heading back to school, it would be difficult to maintain regular hours without compromising safety. Commission members were told that attendance has averaged about 1500 people per day. Black recognized Brad Anderson for an outstanding job this past season. Black told the Commission that a report on Pirates Cove would be presented to City Council at the budget workshop the end of September, which he will also be providing to the Commission. VII. DOG PARK UPDATE Dave Lee, Open Space Manager, informed the Commission that the Off-Leash Task Force met with City Council at the July 12th Study Session to discuss their recommendation for an off-leash dog park. Lee explained that the Task Force narrowed possible sites to three: Belleview Park Nature Area, north side of Centennial Park, and Cushing Park but was then unable to come to a consensus on any one site; leaving the decision up to City Council. Lee reported that City Council eliminated the Belleview Park Nature Area almost immediately due to it being the last natural area in the City. City Council then discussed Cushing Park becoming a similar situation as Bates/Logan and Jason, which left the north side of Centennial Park as the best location for a dog park. Cultural Arts Liaison, Janet Moore, asked ifthe area would be fenced. Lee responded that City Council has directed staff to put together a budget for the off-leash park, which includes • money for fencing, but that no money has yet been appropriated. City Council Liaison, Bev Bradshaw, thanked Commission Members Waldman and Woodward for their efforts and time on the Task Force. Waldman asked about the flow of water that comes into the area designated for the dog park. Lee replied that the water is not stagnant and that there are no health problems associated with it. Waldman asked in regard to the status of the four · existing off-leash parks. Bradshaw stated that presently, City Council has no plans to discuss the issue. Lee gave an update on Jason Park, noting that the number of dogs has tapered off though he is not sure of the reason for the decline. Gomes thanked Waldman and Woodward for their work on the Task Force. VIII. 2005 BUDGET, CAPITAL Black announced that the preliminary 2005 budget has been submitted with a 0% increase. In regards to the capital budget, Black stated that information would be brought to them at the September meeting for them to make a recommendation to City Council. Moore asked about funding from the Arapahoe County Open Space Tax. Black stated that the City would be receiving approximately $500,000 per year but that the first distribution is not scheduled until December, which will be a partial payment with the remainder following in June. Black informed the Commission that per decision by City Council, some of the funding has been designated towards personnel costs, which saved two Parks and Recreation positions from lay-off during last year's budget cuts. • • • • IX . x. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE In regard to the City of Sheridan redevelopment project, Black stated that there have been no new developments since his last update. Black noted that Miller Weingarten has requested a meeting with the City of Englewood but that the City has declined at this time. Black explained that the City felt it was not appropriate to have discussions with them when there are issues that need to be worked out between the City of Sheridan and property owners. PROJECTS UPDATE Black reported that most projects are complete. Black stated that staff is preparing a report in regard to the projects that will include information on the improvements and their impact such as acquiring the Silver Sneakers program. XI. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Moore gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission projects including the Art at the Shuttle, Dala Horse and PEAK in the Park. XII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black announced that Joe Sack, Facility Supervisor for Malley Senior Recreation Center, has been named Senior Professional by the Colorado Association of Seniors. Black informed the Commission that Commission Member Woodward would remain on the Parks and Recreation Commission as a citizen representative while City Council Bradshaw will remain as the Council Liaison. XIII. COMMISSION MEMBERS' CHOICE School District Liaison, Karen Miller, announced that school would be starting on Monday, August l 61h. Miller spoke in regard to the search for a new superintendent due to the resignation of Sherry Gerner. Black reported that staff would be meeting with Athletic Director Brent Getchel next week to discuss and review field use for the fall. Black noted that staff meets with the high school athletic director two times a year to discuss field usage and any other issues related to the spring and fall seasons. Miller told the Commission that the school district is pursuing synthetic turf for the Englewood High School stadium. Miller reported that bids will be going out next week and if all goes according to plan, installation should be complete in November. Gomes asked Youth Commission Member Laughlin what school she attends. Laughlin replied that she goes to St. Mary's Academy. Laughlin discussed a team from her karate school entering the SK run at Funfest. Bradshaw announced that a public hearing on the Seminary property is scheduled for Monday evening at 7 :30pm. Bradshaw complimented staff on the Sounds of Summer concert series and the Tuesday Kidstage performances. In regard to Moore's update on the Art at the Shuttle, Bradshaw noted that the shuttle would start on September ?1h. Discussion followed regarding the route for the shuttle. Commission members were told that the Medical building at the old City Hall site would open in the fall. Discussion followed regarding Bill Woodcock attending a Parks • and Recreation Commission meeting to present information on the trails project. Black stated that he would contact Mr. Woodcock. Lee notified the Commission that he was recently contacted by a gentleman who was concerned about the condition of the handball, tennis and multipurpose courts at Sinclair Middle School. Lee explained that there has been no funding for the last two years for the maintenance and repairs of facilities such as those. Lee stated that the gentleman was not pleased with his explanation and asked what else he could do. Lee told the gentleman that he could speak to City Council. Bradshaw spoke in regard to the large amount of graffiti throughout the City. Lee responded that it is typical before school starts. Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, announced that Bob Nelson, ex-chair of Golf 4 Fun, has been elected into the Golf Hall of Fame. Spada spoke in regard to the work that Mr. Nelson has done for the disabled golfer. Spada gave an update on the golf rounds, comparing 1999 rounds to 2003 rounds. Spada noted that golfrounds for the Denver metro area have decreased an average of 18%, where rounds at the Englewood Golf Course have decreased only about 5%. Spada discussed theories as to why rounds have fallen, including economy, the threat of West Nile Virus, heat, drought and the increase in the cost to play golf. Spada also noted that tournaments have been down. Commission members were told that the trend is continuing for 2004. Discussion followed in regard to ways the golf course is trying to increase play including the Jr. Golf Program and family classes. • Bradshaw asked about the condition of the course. Spada commented that it has never been better, giving credit to Dave Lee and his staff. Waldman asked how the study was done with the number of new courses that have opened between 1999 and 2003 in the Denver metro area. Spada explained that the total number ofrounds in the Denver metro area has declined by 150,00 and that all courses have seen a decline in rounds played; noting no golf course has had an increase. Black credited Bob Spada, Dave Lee and their staff for the golf course only have a 5% decrease in play compared to the 18% for the metro area. Gomes asked if City Council has done anything in regard to the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendation on renaming Belleview Park after Ed Scott. Bradshaw replied that the item has not been discussed by City Council. Black stated that he is preparing a response to Mr. Benton informing him that the recommendation has been forwarded to City Council. XIV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm. Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary