Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-12 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of June 12, 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 Bates/Logan Park, 2938 S. Logan. Present: Aust in Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Kathy Christie, Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Kendra Grazulis , Youth Commission Member Christopher Jones, Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Mitch Waldman , Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Thomas Kolp , Denver Resident Paul Webster, Englewood Resident II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of May 8, 2003. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV . UNSCHEDULED VISITORS There were no unscheduled visitors. V. PUBLIC OPEN FORUM Chairperson Gomes opened discussion for open forum. Thomas Kolp, Denver resident and Bates/Logan Dog Park user introduced himself. Mr. Kolp stated that he represents forty responsible and professional people who use Bates/Logan's dog park who wanted to express their appreciation to the Parks and Recreation Commission for its courage and leadership in having an off-leash dog park. Commission Member Woodward asked Mr. Kolp how many times he comes to Bates/Logan park. Mr. Kolp responded about five times per week. Vice Chairperson Neyer asked Mr. Kolp how far he drives to come to the park. Mr . Kolp stated that he lives in the DU area. City Council Member Garrett asked Mr. Kolp what he has seen in regard to responsibility by the dog owners. Mr. Kolp told the Commission that most of the users are neighborhood people that are as responsible as can be. Mr. Kolp went on to say that the dog users have taken ownership of '· the park and will take the initiative to clean up after other dog owners. Commission Member • Woodward asked Mr. Kolp ifhe has used any of the other dog parks. Mr. Kolp stated that he has not due to not knowing of their locations. Mr. Kolp spoke in regard to an incident at a Denver church where residents had their dogs running off-leash until they were stopped. Garrett asked how they heard of Bates/Logan Park. Mr. Kolp stated from the church, and that they have all come to Bates/Logan following the incident. Mr. Kolp commented in regard to Denver and their lack of courage in instituting dog parks. Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, told Mr. Kolp that he had had a conversation with his counterpart from Denver Parks and that it seems that the issue with dog parks has to do with lack of funding for fencing , etc. Mr. Kolp asked of any problems the Commission is aware of at Bates/Logan. Lee said that there has been a fair share of complaints, primarily from neighbors to the park. City Council Member Garrett spoke of the Jason Park Social Club . Discussion was turned over to Mr. Webster, Englewood resident. Mr. Webster stated that he lives about a block and a half from Bates/Logan Park. Mr. Webster spoke of the community relationship that has developed due to the dog park at Bates/Logan. Mr. Webster commented in regard to the dog park being a nice feature in the neighborhood and how people have enjoyed having the amenity. Mr. Webster told the Commission that at the beginning, it was a little overwhelming due to the larger number of Denver residents that came to the park but that it slowed down over the winter. Commission Member Armstrong asked Mr. Webster ifhe has noticed any resource degradation at the park since it became a dog park. Mr. Webster responded that he has seen more degradation due to the drought than the dogs; noting that the dog users try to move around the park so not to wear spots . City Council Member Garrett told Mr. Webster that he is on City Council and that there have • been some intense meetings in regard to the dog parks. Garrett stated that City Council has appreciated the responsible ownership by some of the dog park users and if it were not for that, the privilege would have probably been taken away. Garrett added that City Council wants to see parks being used and that allowing dogs off-leash is another way to do that. Mr. Webster commended Code Enforcement Officer Caroline Faseruk for an excellent job in policing the area and .keeping the irresponsible dog owners out of the park. The question was asked in regard to any impact to rentals of the pavilion. Commission members were told that there has not been any complaints or problems associated to rentals and the dog park . The Commission thanked Mr. Kolp and Mr. Webster for attending the open forum. Mr. Kolp and Mr. Webster left the meeting. Lee pointed out that to the Commission that there are two young children contently playing on the basketball court with no concern of the dogs running about them in the park .. VI. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE There was no update on the Cultural Arts Commission. X. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Director Black distributed the most recent Project Update for the City of Englewood. Black informed the Commission that City Council ha~ directed the City to move forward with the • • • XI. • occupation privilege tax. Black noted though that it has not yet been formally proposed by City Council. Commission members were told of two public forums to solicit input; one on Tuesday, June 24 and another on Thursday, July 17, both at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Community Room. Black distributed a draft fact sheet for commission member's review. Vice Chairperson Neyer asked how much money the tax is expected to generate. Black replied approximately $2.6 million. Neyer asked if the number of workers affects whether a business is exempt. City Council Member Garrett explained that it is based off of if an employee makes $500.00 or less per month. Commission Member Waldman asked in regard to the self-employed. Black and Garrett said that they would follow-up. Black informed the Commission of a situation involving some property adjacent to Bates/Logan where a gentleman applied for a fence permit in which he stated that part of his property went into the park. Commission members were told that the resident provided a survey with the fence permit, which showed his property to be in the park . Black added that the property owner is in the process of selling his house and the new owner is interested in the ditch and water rights that lie within the property in question . Black explained that the park was built in 1962 and that the City has maintained the property for forty years. Per an "Adverse Possession" law, if someone other than the property owner maintains the property for eighteen or more years, than that person can claim adverse possession . Black stated that when the fence permit was submitted with the survey, the City told the gentleman no but over the last couple of weeks, there have been several meetings and City Council gave the direction for City officials to negotiate with the buyer. City officials have met with the buyer's attorney and have come to an agreement where the buyer will place a fence eight feet from the edge of the bank into the park. Black noted that the fence would be at least eighteen to twenty feet from the playground, losing very little park property. Black also explained that due to a Utilities easement, the fence would have two gates that will allow access into the ditch. The Commission was told that there would be no expense on the City's part. Discussion followed regarding the type of fence that will be put up and graffiti . COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Youth Commission Member Grazulis told the Commission that her term has expired and that she will be heading off to college. Grazulis thanked the Commission and told them it was an honor and privilege to serve on the Board . Recreation Manager Hultberg gave an update on the bond projects. Hultberg announced that the Recreation Center Open House & Health Expo has been scheduled for Saturday, August l61h. Hultberg noted that the rededication ceremony for the expansion might also be rescheduled for that day. Commission members were told that Malley's expected completion date is sometime in August. In regard to the family aquatic center bids, Hultberg reported that bids are due July 81h, with plans to go before City Council on July 21 s for approval on the contract and construction beginning shortly thereafter. Photos of the recently redecorated pool area at the Englewood Recreation Center were distributed among commission members. Information on summer events were also distributed. Hultberg reported that the Rec Zone program is doing well and that a membership drive will be held in the next three months for the opening of the new Rec Zone Youth Center. Hultberg told the Commission that the Recreation Department is in its second year of offering a High School volleyball program and has proven to be very S1:1ccessful with forty teams for a total of approximately 320 players. Director Black added that the Department recently received the finalist plaque for the Gold Medal award. Black stated that he and Hultberg would be going to the October NRP A Congress in St. Louis. City Council Member Garrett discussed a letter that he had received from All Souls Catholic School in regard to the Brent Mayne field. Garrett commented how the letter stated that due to the quality of the field, all the teams wanted to play at Brent Mayne. Hultberg informed the Commission that Arapahoe Community College would be using the Brent Mayne field for league games and practices this fall. Hultberg explained that there is normally not play in the fall on the ACC rental and will help to bring in some extra revenue. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6: 16pm . ~a-~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • • •