Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-14 PRC MINUTES• • • I. II. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of August 14, 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 shelter #2 at Belleview Park, 5001 S. Inca Street. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Kathy Christie, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member (arrived at 6: 15pm) Jim Woodward, Commission Member Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison (arrived at 5 :35pm) Christopher Jones, Youth Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison (arrived at 5 :40pm) Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee , Open Space Manager Bob Spada , Golf C ourse Manager APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of July 10, 2003. Gomes noted that Kendra Grazulis, Youth Commission Member, was incorrectly listed as Tara Holmes. The minutes were approved as amended. III. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV . UNSCHEDULED VISITORS v. There were no unscheduled visitors . 2004 BUDGET UPDATE -BLACK Jerrell Black distributed a report compiled by Gary Hultberg outlining sponsorships, grants and volunteer savings . Black then passed out a memorandum and attached revenue and expenditure balance sheet that had been presented to City Council on Monday night, and also a 2004 Proposed General Fund Budget Summary. Black said that if City Council places a head tax on the ballot, it most likely would be in the range of $2.00 -$2.50; which, if it passes, would raise approximately $1.2 million. Black added that in that case, some cuts could possibly be added back into the budget. Black then drew attention to the 2004 Proposed General Fund Budget Summary, noting reductions to all City departments. Black highlighted Adjustments to the Parks and Recreation budget, including expected revenues from Pirates Cove, an increase in recreation fees, and the closure of Sinclair Pool. Black said that Parks and Recreation reductions included the elimination of one full-time and two-% time Program Administrators, two full-time park maintenance positions (currently vacant), and two seasonal park maintenance positions. Additional cuts include reducing one full-time Department Assistant to part-time, moving the summer concert series over to the Plaza (reducing the use of the Show Wagon), moving the Open Space Manager's salary to the Golf Fund, and possibly reducing the summer concert series in order to keep some KidStage programs. Black added that the flower and forestry programs will not be in the 2004 budget again, and that Public Works had reduced daytime maintenance at the Rec Center, which will now be done at night. Gary Hultberg emphasized that the Department was keeping all core program areas since they are all revenue producing, but that all remaining Program Administrators would be taking on heavier workloads. Commission member Kathy Christie asked City Co uncil Liaison Doug Garrett whether the City's sales tax revenues were improving. Garrett replied that some recent months had shown slight increases, and it was hoped that the trend would continue. Garrett added that City Council was currently debating the head tax, a property tax, and a car tax, or possibly a combination thereof. Discussion ensued. Garrett said that discussion of the taxes was on City Council's Agenda for Monday night , and tha t a decision should be made in the next three weeks as to which tax , if any , to put to a vote . Commission member Armstrong asked if the Department had pursued donations and/or sponsors for programs. Gary Hultberg replied that local businesses have generously supported Parks and Recreation. VI. GOLF FEES 2004 -SPADA Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, then turned discussion to proposed increases to golf fees. Spada sa id that increases were imperative due to improvements scheduled, an obligation to debt, and market conditions. Spada added that according to the survey of area golf courses, Englewood's fees would still be among the lowest if raised, citing South Suburban, whose resident rates would still be higher than Englewood's. Spada said that he is recommending increases to all fees. Spada added that he is proposing the elimination of 7-day passes, which he estimates would save $12,000, and is looking at eliminating resident rates for businesses. Doug Garrett asked if the proposed increases would take effect in the fourth quarter. Jerrell Black replied that changes in fees are typically advertised well in advance to give users time to be made aware; and that implementation would occur January 1. Discussion ensued regarding how much increases should be. Jerrell Black, with Commission members in agreement, stated that the newly proposed increases of $20, $20, $24, and $27 would be presented as a recommendation to City Council. Black added that he , the City Attorney, and the Finance Director had met and were working on a proposal to City Council regarding business usage. Black suggested to keep the business rate as is until an agreement has been reached, and to move forward with the basic fee increases. A motion was made by Commission Member Mitch Waldman and seconded by Vice Chairperson Steve Neyer to recommend to City Council to approve the fee proposal with the changes as discussed. The motion passed unanimously. • • • • • • VII. ERC OPEN HOUSE AND EXPANSION DEDICATION -BLACK Jerrell Black informed Commission members that the Rec Center Expansion was close to being done, and said that all will be receiving invitations to Expansion Dedication scheduled for Saturday, September 6. Gary Hultberg added that the Malley Center has also undergone major changes, and that its scheduled completion is October. Regarding the new aquatics center, Hultberg reported that construction is on schedule with water/sewer work aleady started . Hultberg added that invitations would be mailed shortly for the formal Groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Friday, September 12, 9:00am. VIII. OLDE TYME FAIR-HULTBERG IX. x. Gary Hultberg announced that the Olde Tyme Fair sche duled for Saturday, A ugust 23rd , would have some new attractions including camel rides and a cover band, the Fab Four. Hultberg sa id the Fair had been trimmed down to one day due to budget constraints. Hultberg added tha t the admission price of $2.00 includes over 100 activities. DOG PARK AT BATES/LOGAN AND EMERSON PARK-LEE Dave Lee began discussion of the issues raised by visitors at the previous meeting regarding Bates/Logan being su itabl e for a dog park. Lee passed around a location map and photos of Emerson Park and Clarkson/ Amherst Park, which had both been sugge sted as possible alternatives. Lee said that he felt Amherst Park was too small to be a dog park. City Council Liaison Doug Garrett suggested adding a playground to one of the smaller parks instead of changing Bates/Logan' status. Garrett a dded that the visitors who had attended the last Parks & Rec Commission meeting also spoke to City Council and presented a petition with 50 signatures to make Bates/Logan a leash park. Garrett then questioned Lee as to the size of Emerson Park. Lee said that it was about 1.3 acres, and that dog parks ideally require 5 acres. Lee added that with 11 residences close to Amherst Park, he would expect a reaction from a number of those residents if it were made a dog park. Discussion ensued regarding feasibility of moving the dog park, adding a playground and shelter to an existing park, etc. Doug Garrett suggested adding a playground an d picnic shelter to Emerson Park and not allow dogs. A motion was made by Commission Member Mitch Waldman and seconded by Commission Member Jim Woodward to recommend to City Council that Emerson Park be made a child friendly park, and that as funding becomes available; the funds would be secured to build a playground and a picnic shelter. The motion passed unanimously. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE -MOORE Janet Moore announced that the C ultural Arts Co mmission was sponsoring an even t at the Olde Tyme Fair where children can make gryphons. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Jerrell Black informed Commission members that the annual city picnic had been cancelled due to budget concerns. Black then told Commission that he had been appointed to a committee representing the City as a property owner as negotiations with the city of Sheridan commence regarding the development of an Urba n Renewal Authority . XI. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Mitch Waldman commented that he had been approached by co-workers who objected to inappropriate conversations they overheard by firemen using using the Rec Center. Jerrell • Black said he would look into it. Waldman spoke highly of the new bike path at Belleview Park, and questioned accessibility from Inca Street due to the access road being chain locked. Dave Lee said that entry is accessible at Chenango A venue. Dave Lee reported that he had received a call from a citizen regarding installing a horseshoe pit at Duncan Park. It was suggested that a restroom would have a higher priority, and that is not possible at present, but that the Department would keep the request in mind. Gary Hultberg announced that the Fall Activities Guide and Senior Activities Guides were in the mail. XII. The meeting was adjourned at 7 :50pm Linda Trujillo , Recording Secretary •