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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-10 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 10, 2003 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at shelter #2 at Cushing Park, 795 W. Eastman Avenue . Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Kathy Christie, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member (arrived at 5 :36pm) Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Kendra Grazulis, Youth Commission Member Christopher Jones, Youth Commission Member Absent: Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Adam Halick, Englewood Resident Anita Halick, Englewood Resident Kelly Flynn , Englewood Resident II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of June 12, 2002. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED VISITORS IV . There were no scheduled visitors. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS Chairperson Gomes recognized unscheduled visitors Adam Halick, Anita Halick, and Kelly Flynn, Englewood residents, and told them they each had five minutes to address the Commission. Adam Halick told the Commission they were present to speak about problems they had encountered at Bates Logan Park since it had become an off-leash park. Halick said his family lived near the park and v isited it frequently. He said his family was concerned about their safety and health due to so many dogs in the park running loose with their owners not being nearby. Halick said that he and his children had felt unsafe when dogs at the playground approached them . Kell y Flynn added that she and her children have not gone to the park recently because of the dog issues. Anita Halick said that she was most concerned about the health issues because of the amount of dog feces not cleaned up by dog owners. Adam Halick said that they felt other parks in the area with no playgrounds and fewer visitors, (such as Emerson and Clarkson-Amherst Parks), would be more suitable for dogs . Halick added that he believed neighbors in the area would be willing to sign a petition asking for the off-leash policy to be moved to another park. Commission member Armstrong questioned the visitors as to how many neighbors were in agreement with their opinions. Adam Halick replied that he was not sure. Chairperson Gomes commented that it was unfortunate that the visitors had not been present at last month's open forum. Halick replied that they had not been aware of it. Chairperson Gomes thanked the visitors for attending and speaking on the issue . V. RECOGNITION FOR YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBER GRAZULES Jerrell Black thanked Kendra Grazulis, Youth Commission member, for her four years of service to the Commission, and presented her with a certificate and a pen set. Kendra thanked the Commission for its support. VI. P & RPROJECT UPDATES-HULTBERG Recreation Manger Gary Hultberg announced that the Rec Center addition had just received its Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, and that the new facilities would be open the next morning. Hultberg said that the new equipment had been delivered, and that all of the new facilities would soon be ready. Jerrell Black added that bids for the new aquatic center had come in within budget, so most everything in the plans would be completed . Black said that groundwork at the site had been done , and that the project was expected to be completed by May 1 of 2004 , with the opening scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. • Commission member Woodward asked how many bids had been received. Black replied • approximately 24 contractors submitted Requests for Qualifications . Of the eight who prequalified, all submitted bids. Chairperson Gomes asked when the groundbreaking would be . Black replied that would be scheduled once a contractor was selected . Gary Hultberg told Commission members that the ERC improvements were on track for completion in August, and that all will be invited to ERC's Open House and Health Expo on Saturday, September 6 . Tentative plans are to dedicate the ERC expansion that day . VII. 2004 BUDGET -BLACK Jerrell Black told Commission members that the 2004 budget was expected to go in at 10% below the 2003 budget, which would affect programming and staffing levels for parks and recreation. Black said that the City Manager would present an overview to City Council Monday night, July 14, and that City Council would discuss on August 11. Black added that the budget workshop was scheduled for September 28. Black stated that more information would be available at the next Board meeting. VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE-MOORE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Janet Moore reported that the Cultural Arts Commission was planning a kids arts and crafts booth for the Olde Tyme Fair . Moore added that the Commission was not able to come to an agreement with the artist for the sculpture in the roundabout, and that the Museum of Outdoor Arts has indicated that a sculpture for the site, • currently at Hudson Gardens, may be available at no cost. • • • DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Jerrell Black had no comments. X. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Commission member Waldman referred to the request for an increase to golf fees, citing South Suburban' s $14 difference for resident and non-resident users. Waldman stated that since many of the players at the Englewood Golf Course were non-residents, he believed fee increases should be directed at those players. Commission member Armstrong told the Commission that Frank Cosgrove, a former NRP A director, had passed away. Armstrong then reported that she had worked the fishing derby at the 4th of July celebration at Belleview and Cornerstone Parks, and commended Safety Services and Parks and Recreation for a fine program . Recreation Manger Hultberg added that the partnership with Littleton and South Suburban has been a positive one. Armstrong then returned discussion to the issues addressed by the unscheduled visitors, and asked for clarification as to whether the visitors had requested formal action . Black replied that he would draft a letter stating that the Board would research the visitors' suggestions and get back to them at a later date . Dave Lee said he would check out other parks where the off-leash program might be more favorable, and would bring pictures back for consideration to the next meeting . Commission member Kath y Christie told Commission members that the High School was in the process of installing air conditioning to the High School band and art rooms. Commission member Kendra Grazulis told the Commission that it had been a pleasure serving on the Commission, and that she had recommended it to others. Kendra also thanked those in attendance for their part in maintaining Englewood's park system, which is one of the best in the area. Dave Lee, Open Space Manager, reported that the state's first case of West Nile Virus had been found in Franktown. Lee added that he expected the virus to reach the Englewood area by August, and said that the parks department was using pesticides appropriately. Gary Hultberg announced that the Rec Center would be hosting three weeks of free fitness orientations for the newly installed equipment. Hultberg distributed flyers and schedules . Hultb erg informed Commission members that the Rec Center would be initiating a me m bership drive for the new Rec Zone program, where for three months youths can sign up for a free membership card entitling them to appropriate programs and facilities for admission of $1.00. After the membership drive, cards will be available for $2.00. Commission member Woodward asked what ages the program targeted. Hultberg replied that the program accommodates 8-17 year olds . Jerrell Black added that his 13 -year-old son had attended one of the free fitness orientations, and was very impressed at the information that was presented regarding fitness at home and fitness for life . XI. The meeting was adjourned at 6 :20pm. • • •