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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-09 PRC MINUTES• • • I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of October 9, 2003 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:3 lpm by Chairperson Gomes at Englewood CityCenter, Community Development Conference Room, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson (arrived at 5:5lpm) Carolyn Armstrong , Commission Member Kathy Christie, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Christopher Jones , Youth Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Bob Spada, Golf Manager Kate Falkner, Metro State Student David Bertsch, Englewood Resident (arrived at 5:59pm, left at 6:25pm) Robert Townley, Englewood Resident (arrived at 5:59pm, left at 6:25pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of September 11, 2003. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Chairperson Gomes asked the guest to introduce herself. Kate Falkner introduced herself and explained that she is a student at Metro State College and that she is attending tonight's meeting due to a requisite for a planning course that she is taking. Ms. Falkner added that she resides at the CityCenter Alexan apartments. Chairperson Gomes announced that the agenda has been changed in order to allow City Council Member Garrett opportunity to speak before having to leave early. Gomes turned discussion over to Garrett. Garrett informed the Commission that at Monday night's City Council meeting, City Council passed a resolution 4 to 3 to make Bates/Logan an on-leash only park. Garrett explained that the resolution included possibly looking at Emerson Park as a replacement for Bates/Logan. Garrett noted that he is aware that staff has already looked at Emerson and determined it to be too small for a dog park. Commission members were informed that signs were posted Tuesday at the park informing the public of the change. Commission Member Armstrong asked in regard to the reason to make Bates/Logan an on-leash park. Garrett replied that the decision was made in part to the number of dogs at the park and that the park could no longer be used by children. Discussion followed in regard to comments that there has be~n an increase in dogs at Jason Park since Bates/Logan closed. Armstrong commented that of the five off-leash parks, Jason and Bates/Logan were the most heavily used parks and now that Bates/Logan is closed, is there any concern that the two biggest groups are now merging into one. Director Black explained that staff would be monitoring the situation. Discussion followed. Director Black asked the Commission in regard to Emerson Park being considered as a replacement for Bates/Logan. Commission members concurred that Emerson Park would not be a suitable off- leash park due to it being too small and not having parking facilities. Commission members wanted City Council to know that the Commission is still in support of the off-leash dog parks and that it supports finding an alternative location for the Northeast quadrant. Chairperson Gomes noted that a fenced dog park would be the best solution. Garrett told the Commission that he would forward its comments to City Council. IV. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS With the arrival of unscheduled visitors, Chairperson Gomes explained to the guests that they would be given five minutes each to speak. Gomes asked the visitors to introduce themselves. David Bertsch, 3201 S. Elati Street • Mr. Bertsch told the Commission that he and his neighbors have been very troubled over the amount of trash, kids, cars and problems that they have seen in their neighborhood; feeling that Cushing Park and it being opened until 1 l:OOpm is to be blamed for most of the problems. Mr. Bertsch explained that the park brings in a lot of traffic with kids and that neighbors know that there is drug activity in the park. Mr. Bertsch stated that he is seeing what can be done to get the • situation under control including closing the park at dusk. City Council Member Garrett asked ifhe has spoken to Safety Services. Mr. Bertsch replied that he had and that he was told it would be impossible to get a police officer posted at the park due to the City's current financial situation. Chairperson Gomes asked if he has spoken to Community Relations Officer Nancy Peterson. Mr. Bertsch replied that he has not. Commission Member Armstrong asked Mr. Bertsch if he was suggesting that the closing time for all parks be changed. Mr. Bertsch responded that he could only speak for Cushing Park. City Council Member Garrett asked the guests if they have seen an increase in activity at the park. Robert Townley, 3197 S. Elati Street Mr. Townely introduced himself and responded to Mr. Garrett's question that neighbors have seen it go up and down, particularly drug use. Mr. Townley spoke of the kids hanging out in the park late at night and questioned why they are even allowed to be there if it is illegal; that they should either be ticketed or told to leave. Mr. Townley explained that in the summer it was common to see two or three police cars going up and down Emerson Street every night with their lights off. Mr. Bertsch commented that it has been great to have the increase patrol in the neighborhood, noting that he definitely thinks that the presence of police helps. In regard to the activities in the park, Director Black said that Mr. Townley's comment is correct, that Cushing Park, just like other Englewood parks, have issues that come and go. Black told the guests that when there is an issue to call Safety Services. Black explained that Parks and Recreation would coordinate with Safety Services whenever an issue arises in a park. In regard to the eleven o'clock closing time, Black explained that for twenty-five years the parks have always • closed at 11 :OOpm, due in a large part to summer baseball and softball leagues. 2 • • • v. VI. Commission Member Christie stated that nothing precludes closing Cushing Park early. Mr. Townley noted that Cushing Park is not lighted and that the Skate Park closes at dusk. Discussion followed if it would be feasible to have different closing times for parks . Commission Member Armstrong stated that the Commission normally reviews police reports on a yearly basis and asked how Cushing Park compares to the other Englewood parks. Black replied that staff would need to look at the figures. Mr. Bertsch commented that he would also like to see the statistics, including those for the surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Townley remarked that it is the feeling of the community that kids are drinking and up to no good when they are hanging out in park late at night. Commission Member Armstrong asked why the problems exist at Cushing and not the other parks. Mr. Townley replied that Cushing has the skate park and that it has always been associated with drugs and drinking. Mr. Townley told the Commission that there are at the most four to five kids at the skate park, swearing and yelling. Chairperson Gomes thanked the visitors for attending the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and making them aware of their concerns. Director Black stated that he would speak to Safety Services. Black reported that City Council Member Garrett would forward their concerns to City Council at the next City Council meeting on October 20th. REC ZONE INTERNET USE POLICY Discussion turned to Internet Use Policy for Rec Zone. Director Black informed the Commission that a policy has been put in place for Rec Zone participants wanting to use the computers and that a copy of the policy had been included in the packet for their review. Commission members were told that there are filters on the computers. Commission Member Waldman asked if the set-up is similar to the Library. Black explained that the Library uses Smart Card, where the computers at Rec Zone are monitored by staff. PROJECTS UPDATE Director Black gave an update on the Recreation bond projects, explaining that the Rec Center is near completion with the exception of the family locker rooms. Black reported that the Malley Senior Center is closed this week and will open on Saturday for a Senior Open House. In regard to the Aquatic Facility, Black reported that it is still on schedule for an opening around Memorial Day 2004. VII. BUDGET UPDATE Director Black gave an update on the City Budget Workshop held on Saturday, September 25 1h. Black explained that sales tax revenue has increased over the last three out of four months and that projected revenue for year-end is expected to be higher than originally expected projected. Black went on to explain that with the new figures, City Council authorized restoring several City positions including the Youth Sports Program Administrator and building maintenance positions at the Malley Center and Englewood Rec Center. Black spoke in regard to the occupation head tax and mil levy for the November ballot and the possibility for additional revenue. Discussion ensued. Chairperson Gomes asked in regard to police. Black explained that the reinstated positions only include fire because there was a possibility that a station would be closed. 3 VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE IX. There was no update on the Cultural Arts Commission. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Director Black informed the Commission that at the last Cultural Arts Commission meeting, commission members voted to fund $25,000 for a sculpture at Pirates Cove . Commission members were told that the $46,000 pirate sculpture would be placed in the main entrance to the facility and that the money from the Cultural Arts will come from the Public Art Fund and the remainder of the money would either come from the Conservation Trust Fund or bond money. Youth Commission Member Jones asked if Pirates Cove would be open at night. Director Black explained that as of now they do not plan for it to be open at night but that it would be available for evening rentals. Black went on to explain that there will be lights in the pool to allow for night swimming but due to budget constraints, there will not be overhead lighting but that it could be added at a later date. X. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Commission Member and Englewood School Board Liaison Christie announced that enrollment at Englewood elementary schools has increased and that it was above what they had anticipated. Commission Member Armstrong spoke in regard to Mr. Bertsch 's concerns and how the Commission should proceed. Discussion followed. Director Black stated that it is standard procedure that a letter be sent to anyone who visits the Commission and that the same would be done for Mr. Bertsch. Bob Spada, Golf Manager, informed the Commission of the Golf Course's 2"d Annual Tent Sale on October 10-12. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:56pm. Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary 4 • • •