HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-08 PRC MINUTESEnglewood Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of June 8, 1995
The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order at 5:37 p.m . by Chairman Gomes at the Englewood Servicenter Training Room
Note: Because of the threat of bad weather, the June 8th meeting was relocated to the Englewood
Servicenter. This meeting was originally scheduled to take place at Baker Park.
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Christie, Gerlick, Gomes, Markwood, Black, ex officio
Armstrong, Neyer, Waggoner
Chris Korba, Parks Administrator
Alex Habenicht, City Council Member
Alice Main, Cultural Arts Administrator, City of Aurora
Chairman Gomes asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of May 11, 1995 .
There were none. A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved as presented. The motion
passed unanimously.
Chairman Gomes acknowledged that there was no one present for the Annual Public Forum.
Chairman Gomes introduced and welcomed Council Member Alex Habenicht to the Commission.
Council Member Habenicht reviewed her participation in the field of cultural arts, through the Englewood
Recreation Department drama program, the Englewood Chamber of Commerce Cultural Arts Committee,
and serving as the representative appointed by the Arapahoe County Commissioners to the Arapahoe
County Cultural Council. Ms. Habenicht stated that, in the metro area, the City of Aurora is one of several
communities that has moved forward in expanding their cultural arts programs. Ms. Habenicht, therefore,
invited a representative from the ,City of Aurora to provide the Commission with an overview of the process
used by Aurora in achieving their cultural program goals.
Council Member Habenicht introduced Alice Main, Cultural Arts Administrator for the City of
Aurora, to the Commission. Ms. Main expressed the need to provide affordable cultural arts activities and
programs to citizens metro wide. Ms. Main stated that, slowly over the years, interest in cultural arts
programs has grown. Aurora's City Council appointed a steering committee to develop a community arts
plan to provide direction for the future of Aurora's cultural arts system. Copies of Aurora's Community
Arts Plan were distributed to the Commission. Ms. Main suggested that Englewood could use Aurora's plan
as a guideline for coordinating programs currently offered in Englewood and the future direction of
Englewood's cultural arts vision.
Ms. Main stated the first step taken by the steering committee was to gather and research citizen
input on what was needed and wanted for the community through citizen meetings and surveys. Goals and
objectives and an implementation plan were then developed. Ms. Main stated that, in the process of
developing the plan, it was determined that a Cultural Affairs Commission was needed, and would be
appointed by City Council. The focus of the Cultural Affairs Commission would be to coordinate various
arts segments of the community, from individual artists living in Aurora to arts organizations, and to provide
a networking between the two groups. Ms . Main stated that this Council-appointed commission also
provided a clarification that the arts and cultural life of the community is worthy of a separate Council-.
appointed commission. Ms . Main stated it may be necessary to appoint various sub-committees to your
Cultural Arts Commission related to specific aspects of the arts .
Ms. Main stated that Aurora also developed an Arts and Humanities Council, which is a 501 C3 non-
profit tax-exempt organization, for which brochures were distributed for Commission's information. An
Arts and Humanities Council can raise funds to facilitate programs, provide programs in the schools, hire
artists to work with school programs, host educational workshops and conferences, etc.
Ms. Main suggested that the first step in developing a cultural arts program would be to appoint a
Cultural Arts Commission to meet with citizens to determine the direction of the program needed in our
community. The Cultural Arts Commission would then assign specific tasks to various groups.
At Commissioner Gerlick's inquiry regarding economic impact from recreation programming, Ms.
M~in stated that staff in Aurora determined, as an example, that one dance student generates approximately
$500 per year back into the community for expenses such as supplies, equipment, and clothing, to support
their participation in the dance class .
Responding to Council Member Habenicht regarding Aurora's support of school programs, Ms.
Main stated that the majority of the Aurora programs are provided through the Parks and Recreation
Department. Their Arts Council, on occasion, has applied for grants or raised funds in the community to
support school cultural programs, and coordinating with a local art teacher to provide arts experiences to
schools where art teachers are not on staff. Ms. Main stated that Aurora 's Cultural Arts Department, when
grants and other funds are available, provides "Artist in Residence" programs in the schools, arranging for
local artists to spend a period of time with students on art activities, theater, etc., after which the students
showcase their work for invited guests from the community.
Ms. Main suggested that various arts councils can be contacted to provide copies of by-laws that
could be adapted to the needs of the Englewood community.
Commissioner Gerlick briefed the Commission on a well attended "Call to the Arts" meeting,
sponsored by the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. Gerlick stated that a useful networking/contacts list
was formed by people attending the meeting. Gerlick stated that discussion at the meeting emphasized the
need to form a Cultural Arts Commission within the City, to which City Manager Clark suggested the topic
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be addressed first by the Parks and Recreation Commission to make a recommendation to City Council.
Gerl ick stated that the trend seems to be leaning toward grant funds being awarded to programs sponsored
through cultural arts commissions. Gerlick added that cultural arts commissions are being formed in many
of the cities and districts in the Denver metro area. Discussion ensued regarding the benefits of creating a
Cultural Arts Commission and a 501C3 Cultural Arts Council. Commissioner Gerlick made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Christie, to recommend to City Council that a Cultural Arts Commission be
established in the City of Englewood. The motion passed . Commissioner Gerlick stated he will draft a
Jetter from the Commission to City Council in support of the motion. Commissioner Markwood suggested
that the motion should also stipulate that a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission will serve on
t he Cultural Arts Commission. Discussion ensued ; however, the motion was not amended .
Director Black advised of water damage at the Malley Senior Recreation Center caused by an
unexpected heavy rain storm on June 4 . A computer, printer, ceiling tiles , and carpet were damaged.
Minimal damage was done at the Englewood Recreation Center.
Director Black reported that the newly renovated Golf Course pro shop is now open . Other
construction at the Golf Course is nearing completion, and landscaping will be installed in the near future.
Sidewalk and a bike trail along Oxford Avenue will also be installed. Black.stated he was advised that the
Colorado Department of Transportation will install the bike trail from Santa Fe west to the east Golf Course
property line , in conjunction with the Santa Fe Corridor improvements project. The City will complete the
bike trail west from the east property line to the South Platte River.
Director Black noted that the Safe Summer program will begin on June 9. The Safe Summer
program is free of charge to youth ages 10 to 17. Black stated that the existing Nighttime Out program has
been incorporated with the Safe Summer program for the summer months . Early hours are scheduled for
ages 10 to 14 -Fridays from 8-11 :00 p.m., and Saturdays & Sundays from 6-10:00 p .m. Later hours are
scheduled for ages 14 to 17 -Fridays from 11 p.m.-1 :00 a.m., and Saturdays & Sundays from 10 p.m.-1 :00
a .m.
Director Black reported that the Fall Youth Football Program is being canceled due to insufficient
registration . Black stated that City Council will be advised of the outcome of registration for that program .
The Recreation Department will proceed with a Flag Football Program for the fall.
Parks Administrator Korba relayed information regarding the pond at the Little Dry Creek Plaza.
Korba stated that during a recent dam patching process, a flash flood hit, causing additional damage to the
dam . Korba stated that the contractor, who originally installed the dam , will be brought in from California
to assist with repairs after the threat of flash flooding has ceased. New parts have also been ordered for the
pumping station, and Korba estimates the dam repairs should be completed and the pond filled by late July .
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With regard to reseeding the Par 3 course, Director Black advised that it appears the seed applied
last Fall is now beginning to germinate, probably because of the consistent rain during the month of May.
Black stated a professor from CSU evaluated the course and recommended over-seeding and spot-seeding
rather than reseeding the entire course. The course should then be ready to open on schedule in September.
Parks Administrator Korba briefed the Commission on the status of the Volunteer Flower Program.
Korba stated that two gardens are yet unassigned -one at the Police/Fire Building, and one at Jason Park.
Korba inquired if the Parks and Recreation Commission would be interested in maintaining one of the
available garden sites. There was no response!
Korba briefly discussed the Centennial Park master plan.
Chairman Gomes advised that the 4th of July fireworks program has been canceled for 1995.
Gomes stated that the Fireworks Committee is in hopes that an Englewood organization or business will
step forward and commit to organizing the event and solicit necessary funds for 1996. ·
The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
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