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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-11 PRC MINUTES• • • I. II. III. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of March 11, 2004 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Commission Member Armstrong at Malley Senior Recreation Center, 3380 S. Lincoln Ave. Present: Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Beverly Bradshaw, City Council Member Gene Turnbull, Englewood School District Liaison Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward , Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Christopher Jones, Youth Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Golf Manager APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commission Member Armstrong asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of February 12, 2004. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS There were no unscheduled visitors. V. JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL VI. Commission members were informed that the joint meeting with City Council would be Monday, April 5th at 6:00pm in the Community Room at the Civic Center building. Discussion followed in regards to items for discussion with City Council. Director Black announ c ed that there would not be a regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in April due to the meeting with City Council. FIELD USAGE Open Space Manager Lee reviewed the information provided in commission member's packet in regard to field usage and his recommendation to extend the moratorium for two more years. Lee told the Commission that per the State Water Task Force, all current information indicates that drought conditions are continuing in 2004 . Commission members were informed that field requests and usage continue to escalate on an annual basis, as it appears that teams are being limited or displaced from athletic fields elsewhere. Lee pointed out that the .off-leash parks also have an impact to the wear and tear of the athletic fields. Commission members were told that the Department has reduced watering in I the parks and at the golf course, which is showing its effect but prudent. Lee reported that even when the drought conditions lift, it is his recommendation for an extra year for turf to recover. The Commission was informed that the issue would be brought back for further discussion if the drought were to continue. Armstrong asked in regard to Colorado Coed Soccer League and how they were originally allowed to play on Englewood fields. Black reported that when CCSL originally brought their request to the Parks and Recreation Commission, they had brought a roster that showed a substantial number of their players had a connection to Englewood. Armstrong asked in regard to the Apache League and Craig Hospital who use the baseball/softball fields . Black replied that they too have a connection to Englewood. Armstrong spoke in regard to last month 's request from the Colorado Wolverines for a practice field. Armstrong reaffirmed that the Department is not denying any rights to the Colorado Wolverines that has not already been denied to any other team and that all teams currently playing on fields have been long- time users with some connection to Englewood. Lee confirmed that she was correct Discussion followed in regard to the use at the parks and the difficulty in monitoring the parks. Black noted that the parks division is currently down by five employees. A motion was made by Commission Member Waldman and seconded by Commission Member Woodward to extend the moratorium on limiting athletic field usage to the current number of games provided and allow no new permit requests for a period of two years. Armstrong asked the Commission if they would like to revisit the issue in one year. Lee stated that he would bring it back for discussion in one year. The motion passed unanimously. Commission members were informed that fees for the youth sports organizations have been raised from $3.00/game to $5 .00/game effective fall of 2004. Lee reported that a letter would be sent to the organizations informing them of the increase. VII. POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTION OF OFFICERS Black informed commission members that election of officers would normally be held in March but due to the Chair the Vice Chair both being absent from tonight's meeting and there not be a meeting in April, the election of officers will be rescheduled for May. VIII. SHERIDAN REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE Discussion turned to the Sheridan Redevelopment. Black reported that he had met with City Council on Monday to give them an update on the March 3rd Sheridan redevelopment meeting that he had attended. Black stated that the purpose of the meeting was to provide Sheridan City Council with a status report of the project. Black informed the Commission that six proposals had been submitted. Commission members were told that proposal A was from an existing business that is looking to relocate; proposal B and Care from existing businesses located along the Santa Fe corridor with the key component of their proposals being the redevelopment of their existing businesses; proposal D is from a developer who just purchased 31.5 +/-acres surrounding the existing Hampden Business Center and proposals E and F are • • from larger development corporations, both of which could possibly include portions of the Englewood • Golf Course. 2 • • • IX. Commission members were informed of two meetings scheduled for March 15th and 16th where each developer will make a formal presentation of their proposal to Sheridan City Council. Black told commission members that the meeting was open to the public and invited them to attend if they wished. Waldman asked which portion of the golf course is being proposed . Black responded that the presentation showed the redevelopment coming in from the east side. Discussion followed in regard to if the golf course can be taken by imminent domain. PROJECT UPDATE Recreation Manager Hultberg announced that the Englewood Recreation Center and Malley Senior Recreation Center projects are complete. Hultberg reported that the Pirates Cove project is on schedule and if the weather holds out, may possibly finish earlier than scheduled. Commission members were informed of another tour scheduled for April 101h at 1 :30pm. Hultberg also discussed a soft opening on May 2ih. X. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE XI. Hultberg gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission including the Dala Horse project, sculpture in the roundabout , Juried Art Show and NAEA Convention . DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black informed the Commission of a conversation he had in regard to a verbal request to rename Belleview Park after Ed Scott, Englewood's Citizen o f the Century. Black explained that he had asked the gentleman to send him a letter with the request and that he would schedule a time for him to speak with the Commission ifhe so desired. Commission members were given a copy of the 1991 memorandum outlying the informal policy of naming/renaming city facilities where each request will be passed on to City Council and handled on an individual basis . Discussion turned to the Department's policy on donating items for Englewood school events, auctions, etc . Black stated that the passes to Recreation facilities have always been offered as a donation but that it is policy to not give annual passes . Black stated that the policy would be the same for Pirates Cove. Black gave an update on the Off-Leash Task Force . Black stated that at the next meeting the Committee would be starting to discuss site selection, criteria and eventually rules and regulations. Black told the Commission that Cushing Park was brought up as a possible site for a dog park. Black noted that Cushing Park is the second mo st heavily used park in Englewood's park system and that many more complaints are received by Cushing Park neighbors than Bates/Logan. Discussion followed. Waldman spoke in regard to the vagueness of the charge from City Council. City Council Member Bradshaw stated that she would get some direction from City Council at the next Study Session. XII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Englewood School Board Liaison Turnbull spoke in regard to issues being faced by the Englewood School Board including the need to replace the elementary school 's playground equipment, budget and residency requirements for the Superintendent. Turnbull discussed the Neighborhood Meeting concerning Sinclair Pool. Turnbull spoke of the small turnout for the meeting, due in part to inclement weather. The Board was told that an inline hockey rink and full-size basketball court have been discussed for the area but due to budget, the area where the pool was would be grassed over and the underutilized tennis courts will have two courts converted to a basketball court. 3 City Council Member Bradshaw gave an update on the Denver Seminary proposal and Elati Maintenance Facility. Bradshaw spoke in regard to the city budget and noted that it is in better shape than last year. Discussion followed in regard to Bradshaw not being appointed to the Arapahoe County Board due to her being an elected official. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6 :48pm. ;.0.~d~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary 4 • • •