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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-08 PRC MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of January 8, 2004 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at Englewood Recreation Center, 1155 W . Oxford Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Beverly Bradshaw, City Council Member Gene Turnbull , Englewood School District Liaison Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Christopher Jones, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5 :41pm) 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 Melissa Kiesling, Fitness/Wellness Program Administrator, Parks and Recreation Tara Micheli , Youth Program Administrator, Parks and Recreation Sue Conaway, Arapahoe County (left at 6:57pm) Lauri Dannemiller, Senior Manager, Community Development (left at 7 :00pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of November 13, 2003 and December 11, 2003. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. ID. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS v. There were no unscheduled visitors . ARAPAHOE COUNTY OPEN SPACE TAX Director Black introduced Sue Conaway with Arapahoe County who was present to discuss the open space tax that was passed in November. Information was distributed to commission members. Ms. Conaway told the Commission that projected revenue from the .25% countywide sales and use tax is estimated to bring approximately $14,000,000 which will be divided in the following increments: 50% Share Back to Cities, 3% Administrative Costs , 12% Grants, 4% Heritage Areas (Fairgrounds and 17 Mile House), 3% Maintenance Costs and 28% Open Space and Trails . Ms. Conaway told the Commission that based on the $14,000,000, it is e&timated that the City of Englewood will receive at the minimum $614,000 per year. Ms. Conaway explained that funds are distributed to incorporated municipalities based on population and that funds can be used for the purchase, development or improvement of existing parks and sports fields. Conaway noted that 10% of the received funds could be used for the maintenance of existing or new open space, parks and sports fields and that funds could be banked. Commission members were informed that funds would not be distributed until March of 2005 and that 2004 would be used to form an Advisory Board and set up a program. Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Moore asked ifthe interest earned from the money received in 2004 would become part of the shares distributed to the municipalities. Ms. Conaway explained that the interest earned would be used to urchase open space. In regard to the Board being formed, Commission Member Armstrong asked if each City would have a representative on the Board. Ms. Conaway replied that appointments to the Board are handled through the County Commissioner's Office and that the Board will consist of a representative from each district along with two at-large appointees . Armstrong asked if the City made a recommendation in regard to its representative . Black responded that City Council sent a letter recommending Council Member Bradshaw for the Board. Ms. Conaway stated that an announcement in regard to the appointees would be made on February 10th. Armstrong asked in regard to the 54,000 residents of unincorporated Arapahoe County and why the decision was made to exclude them from receiving any funding. Ms. Conaway explained that the decision came down to maintenance and County officials feeling that the South Suburban Recreation District is already serving the population. Armstrong verified that the funds couldn 't be used for recreation facilities such as the Englewood Recreation Center. Ms. Conaway replied yes, that is correct. In regard to funds not being distributed until 2005, Black commented in regard to the City of Aurora requesting to receive funds earlier and other cities making similar requests including the City of Englewood. Ms. Conaway stated that County is anticipating that item to be discussed at the meeting on the 21 st and that the City of Aurora is requesting payments more often than once a year which would require going back to vote. Lauri Dannemiller, Senior Manager for Community Development asked in regard to bonding. Ms. Conaway said that it is not written in the resolution and that it would need to go to vote. Chairperson Gomes thanked Ms. Conaway for her time. Ms. Conaway told commission members to feel free to contact her at any time if they had a question or comment. VI. RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE Recreation Manger Hultberg reported that the Englewood Recreation Center and Malley Senior Recreation Center bond projects are completed. Hultberg told the Commission that he asked Tara Micheli, Youth Program Administrator and Melissa Kiesling, Fitness/Wellness Program Administrator to attend tonight's meeting and give an update on their program area, the Youth Center and Malley Fitness Center; both of which were major components of the bond projects. Discussion was turned over to Tara Micheli. Ms. Micheli told the Commission that the Youth Center houses state of the art equipment including computers, big screen TV, pool table, foosball table, air hockey table, pinball and Nintendo, Playstation, GameCube and Xbox game systems. Ms. Micheli explained that Rec Zone is opened the first and third Friday of each month for 10 to 17 year olds and that attendance averages between 200-300 children per night. Ms. Micheli went on to explain that the Center is also opened after school during the hours of 3-6pm Monday thru Thursday for children 8-17 years old and on Saturdays 1 Oam to l pm for families. Commission members were informed that there were 5,500 kids in the program in 2003, an increase from 2,300 in the previous year. Ms. Micheli reported that a membership drive was held September through December in which 550 kids joined. Vice Chairperson Neyer asked in regard to the percentage of residents that use the Youth Center. Ms. • • Micheli responded that approximately 95% of the participants are Englewood residents. Commission • Member Woodward asked ifthe children using the Center are mainly middle school age. Ms. Micheli commented that it has been all ages but that it is primarily boys who use the program. In regard to the 2 • • • VII. age range, Micheli added that there are 12 to 15 staff working each Friday night and that there have been few problems. Commission Member Woodward asked ifthere is a charge to use the equipment. Ms. Micheli replied no but that it is equipped to add later if necessary. Hultberg added that due to the large number of children on Friday nights, the Department has decided to provide security, which seems to provide a comfort level for parents. Discussion was turned ov r to Melissa Kiesling, Fitness/Wellness Program Administrator. Information pertaining the Malley Fitness Center, including photos, was distributed to commission members. Ms. Kiesling reported that the Fitness Center opened in November of 2003 and is equipped with cardio equipment (treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines), seventeen pieces of Nautilus selectorized equipment, free weight area, stretching space and locker rooms. Ms. Kiesling explained that Malley members 55 years of age and older are required to complete an orientation at a cost of $5.00 for residents and $7.00 for non-residents; after which they are able to use the Center for free for one year. Ms. Kiesling reported that 227 seniors have taken the orientation and since the opening in November, the Center has been used approximately 650 times. Commission members were told that drop-in activity has increased to an average of 25 users per day and due to demand, two new weight/fitness classes have been added. Hultberg added that the Malley Fitness Center is a one-of-a- kind facility; explaining that no other Senior Center has equipment like this. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT Director Black informed the Commission that the City of Sheridan has adopted the urban renewal plan for the South Santa Fe Drive Corridor Redevelopment Area. Black explained that the plan is divided into three areas: Area A including frontage area along Santa Fe and Hampden Avenue, Area B including the intersection at Oxford Avenue and Santa Fe and Area C being the Front 9, Driving Range and Par 3 Course of the Englewood Golf Course. Black went on to explain that he has had discussion with Englewood City Council regarding the Plan, and had attended the City of Sheridan's Public Hearing on December 301h where he represented the City of Englewood as a landowner. Black said that he presented to Sheridan City Council a letter that stated that the City of Englewood felt the Golf Course was the highest and best use of the land and requested Area C be removed from the plan. Black reported that there were approximately 60-70 people at the Public Hearing, of which 12 to 14 people spoke, all against the plan; but that Sheridan City Council voted 7-0 in favor of it. Black noted that Sheridan's City Council did state that they felt the Golf Course was a good use for the area and that there were no immediate plans to include it in the redevelopment but that if it was included in at a later date, it could house retail. Black stated that the next step for the City of Sheridan is a Request for Proposal, which will take 60 to 90 days. In regards to the three phases, Black explained that area A includes 200,000 square feet ofretail space and that redevelopment on Area B could not take place until area A is completed, which could take 3 to 10 years or longer. Commission members were told that Sheridan's City Council could not commit to what properties could be taken but that there are not plans to cross the river. Black told the Commission that he and Golf Manager Spada would keep the Commission apprised. Commission Member Woodward asked where a City the size of Sheridan could come up with funding for the land acquisitions being discussed. Black explained that there are several funding methods that could be used. VIII. PROJECTS UPDATE Hultberg turned discussion over to the Recreation bond projects. Hultberg stated that Pirate's Cove is on schedule with an opening date the end of May. Discussion followed regarding a tour of the aquatic park for commission members on a Saturday morning in a couple of weeks. 3 IX. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Moore spoke of the Shots for Tots presentation by Swedish Medical Center staff at the January meeting. Moore stated that the Cultural Arts Commission would be assisting Swedish Medical Center in establishing an index of artist for their fundraiser. • Moore announced an upcoming concert on January 2?1 h at CityCenter. Moore reported that Englewood Arts has received a couple of grants and that two more schools have joined the Strings Attach program. Black told the Commission that MOA has agreed to loan the City a piece of artwork to be placed in the roundabout. Black explained that the only cost to the City would be for moving and installation, which will be taken from the Public Art Fund. Black noted that staff and commission members would be meeting with City Council the end of the month to finalize the agreement. X. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Commission members were told that the City of Sheridan passed a head tax in the November election, which will have some impact to golf course employees . Black explained that due to the City being a government entity, it is exempt from paying the $3.00 tax per month but that the employees are still responsible for their share. Black went on to explain that employees are exempt from paying the tax if they earn $500.00 or less , which means that only nine full-time and approximately seventy part-time employees are impacted . Black indicated that based off of 2003 figures , approximately $800.00 would have been paid to the City of Sheridan. Black stated that he has recommended that the golf course pay the fee due to the concern that the tax could impact recruitment and retainment of part-time employees. Black informed commission members that it has always been a policy of City Council to have a standing invitation to meet with Boards and Commissions if they so desired. The Board thought it • would be a good idea due to the number of projects by Parks and Recreation. Black asked in regard to a meeting on March l 51h. Chairperson Gomes stated that he was not available. Black told Commission members that he would check with City Council in regard to a meeting in April. In regard to off-leash dog parks, Black reported that City Council has directed staff to form a task force to explore the feasibility of a designated area for a dog park. Commission members were told that the task force would include Director Black, Open Space Manager Dave Lee, Assistant City Manager Michael Flaherty, Sergeant Sanchez from Code Enforcement and two representatives each from pro and con off-leash parks. Black told the Commission that he would also like to have two representatives from the Parks and Recreation Commission on the task force . Commission Members Woodward and Waldman volunteered to serve on the task force. Discussion followed regarding the role of the task force and it's objective. City Council Member Bradshaw spoke in regard to her decision to make Bates/Logan an on-leash park . Due to comments made at the last commission meeting concerning an increase of users at Jason Park, Commission Member Woodward asked in regard to the status of Jason. Lee replied that the use at Jason has remained stable primarily due to the cold weather but that he expects to see an increase once the weather turns warmer. Armstrong asked if the task force would get into regulations and guidelines. Black indicated that he expects some to be discussed. Black informed the Commission of the death of Caitlin Smith, granddaughter of Bill and Carol Belt, long time Englewood residents and Englewood parks and recreation supporters. Black explained that Carol served on the Parks and Recreation Commission and Englewood for Recreation Committee and that Bill is a former City employee . Commission members were told that the Department would be • making a donation to the memorial fund . 4 • XI. • Black welcomed City Council Member Bradshaw and Englewood School Board Liaison Gene Turnbull to the Commission . COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE City Council Member Bradshaw spoke of the presentation to City Council by Denver Seminary. Bradshaw explained that Denver Seminary is moving to a larger property in Littleton and that a high- end retail and condominium and town home development has been proposed for the site. Information regarding the project was distributed among commission members. Bradshaw spoke in regard to events being planned for the Piazza including the farmer's market and placement of the Purple Heart Memorial. In regard to the City's financial status, Bradshaw stated that the City is doing well. Commission Member Waldman spoke of the decline in registration for youth recreation sports in South Suburban Parks and Recreation District and asked if the City was seeing the same decline. Black added that registration seems to be consistent over the past years, noting that it is the City's policy that every child is given the opportunity to participate . Englewood School Board Liaison Turnbull told commission members that he is looking forward to serving on the Commission. Hultberg announced that the Department is proceeding with plans to take down Sinclair Pool and is meeting with the School District in regard to usage of the area once the pool is removed. Turnbull stated that he wanted to see the local community and the SAC Committee inv9lved in the decision. Commission Member Waldman asked in regard to the past interest by the School District in taking over and maintaining the pool. Hultberg noted that it was staff at Sinclair that was inquiring in regard to saving the pool. Turnbull indicated that it was not cost effective. Discussion followed regarding a use for the area including a skate park or basketball courts. Lee informed the Commission of the Landscape Maintenance Agreement between the City of Englewood and City of Sheridan for medians along Santa Fe. Lee reported that in February of2003, Sheridan decided to opt out of the maintenance agreement. Lee told the Commission that Sheridan has now agreed to be responsible for their portion of costs associated with water, electricity and repairs to the irrigation system. XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7 :05pm. 1Jli M ·ULL {i__ <flwj ZJL-/ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • 5