Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-08 PRC MINUTES• • • I. II. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 8, 2003 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Servicenter, 2800 S. Platte River Drive. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Kathy Christie, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Christopher Jones , Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Member Janet Moore , Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Kendra Grazulis , Youth Commission Member Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of April 2, 2003. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. ill. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors . IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS There were no unscheduled visitors. V. POOL NAMING CONTEST, JUBILEE II VI. Recreation Manager, Gary Hultberg, discussed the upcoming Englewood Jubilee II celebration. Hultberg explained that Chairperson Gomes would be announcing the new name for the Family Aquatic Center at Saturday's event, with the young boy present that picked the winning name. An update on the three bond projects followed . FIELD RESTRICTIONS, DROUGHT UPDATE Commission members were reminded of restrictions that were placed on youth athletic fields the beginning of spring due to the drought. Restrictions included limiting practices to one time per week and field being blocked off except for game days. Hultberg stated that the restrictions worked well and due to changing conditions, the aforementioned restrictions have been lifted. The Commission was told that staff did not plan on any further restrictions for the fall but that if things change, feel that the associations will again cooperate. VII. BOND PROJECT UPDATES, POOL SLIDE/THEME PHOTOS Hultberg encouraged commission members to stop by the Englewood Recreation Center and see the remodeled aquatic area and construction project. Hultberg told the commission of the improvements to the pool including a 77' slide, thatch roofs over doorways, tiki torches and a mural. Commission Member Woodward discussed a complaint that he had received regarding the cost for admission for a young child and water temperature. Discussion followed. vm. 2004 BUDGET Director Black turned discussion to the 2004 Budget. Black gave a follow-up from the April meeting pertaining to the City's financial situation. Black reported that it looks as if City Council is leaning towards the occupational tax and explained that a decision would need to be made by July in order to get it on the ballot but that if it passes, could bring in 2-3 million per year. Commission members were told that the other issue currently being discussed by City Council is allocating costs generated by the Utility Fund. Black explained that Utilities currently pays the general fund $800,000 a year but that there is a possibility of an additional one million. • Commission members were told that the latest figures for the 2003 budget show that the City's budget is short $4.3 million; while most departments have already reduced their budgets by 10- 11 %. Black noted that Parks and Recreation has cut $470,000 so far from the 2003 budget. Commission members were told that in order to meet the additional budget shortfall, all divisions/program areas for Parks and Recreation would be affected, possibly including reducing • staff by 2 to 5 people. Black stated that the Department would be looking at additional fee increases for 2004. Black also noted that $100 ,000 has been transferred from the Golf Fund to the General Fund and that Dave Lee's salary has been transferred over to the Golf Fund. In regard to the administrative fee , Black told the Commission that the item had been discussed at last Monday night's City Council meeting and that the Financial Director is looking at all enterprise funds, including the golf course. Black discussed three different scenarios for an admin fee. Commission members were told that staff is still not in support of the admin fee. Discussion followed regarding services provided by the golf course to the City. Black explained that due to a bond requirement, staff is already looking into a fee increase and if the admin fee were put through, fees would increase to approximately four to ten dollars per round, which would do great harm to the golf course. Discussion followed. Black stated that he would keep the Board apprised. Black told the Commission that one decision that has already been made in regard to budget cuts is closing the last Before and After School site at St. Louis effective in the Fall. Black reminded commission members that St. Louis was the last B&A site due to the school district taking over the program a couple of years ago . Black noted that the B&A program is the only program to be cut due to the budget so far. IX. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE There was no update on the Cultural Arts Commission . • • • • x. XI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE As discussed at the April meeting, Black told the Commission that staff has been researching information in regard to Englewood business owners receiving resident privileges at City facilities and the high rate of abuse. Commission members were told that staff has met with the City Attorney and the Director of Finance to rectify the situation. Black reviewed two options being discussed including allowing Englewood business owners to receive a set number of passes that can be used by either their family members or employees; or creating a business rate that is between the resident and non-resident rate. Black reported that the information would be brought back to the Commission for their recommendation. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Commission Member Waldman asked when the lights at the Golf Course would be turned on. Golf Manager, Bob Spada, reported May 15 1h. Vice Chairperson Neyer asked in regard to the activity along Little Dry Creek. Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, explained that Urban Drainage and Flood Control is completing the second phase of stabilizing the bank. Lee went on to explain that last year, Urban Drainage redid the Big Dry Creek bank in Belleview Park and due to funding , was not able to redo Little Dry Creek until this year. Lee stated that the project would be completed in 2003. Englewood School District Liaison, Kathy Christie, reported on the financial situation for the school district. Christie discussed support for a mil levy. Recreation Manager Hultberg distributed the summer activity guides . Lee gave an update on the golf course wells. Lee stated that drilling will finish up tomorrow with testing in the next month. Lee noted that the depth of the well is approximately 825'. Lee told the Commission that he is on the West Nile Task Force and discussed areas that are being treated in the City, including parks and the golf course . Commission Member Waldman asked in regard to plans for the former Riverside property. Spada reported that there is currently no Master Plan for the site but noted that the area has been seeded and that it would be at least three years before a study is complete . Spada announced that the Golf Course received Colorado Community Newspapers "Best of the Best" for golf course and pro shop . Hultberg stated that the Recreation Center also received "Best of the Best" for recreation centers . Discussion followed in regard to next month 's meeting at Bates/Logan and agenda for the Public Forum. It was decided that dinner would be served at 5:00pm to allow time to eat before the public arrives . XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:3 5pm . Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary