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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-12 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of February 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 the Public Works Conference Room at the Civic Center building. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstron g, Commission Member (arrived at 5:46pm) Kathy Christie, Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Member (left at 6:35pm) Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member (left at 6:35pm) Kendra Grazulis , Youth Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Christopher Jones , Youth Commission Member Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Joe Sack, Facility Supervisor, Malley Senior Recreation Center Scott Hunsaker, Counsilman Hunsaker and Associates Lauri Darling, Lyman Davidson Dooley Architects Rick Kahm , Capital Projects Director, Public Works Dave Henderson , Spec ial Project Coordinator, Public Works II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of January 9, 2003. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS v. There were no unscheduled visitors. FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER PRESENTATION Director Black introduced Scott Hunsaker with C ounsilman Hunsaker and Associates and Lauri Darling with Lyman Davidson Dooley Architects, water consultants for the Family Aquatic Center. Rick Kahm and Dave Henderson with the City of Englewood, Public Works Department were also introduced . Discussion was turned over to Ms. Counsilman and Mr. Hunsaker who gave a brief history of their firms. Conceptual site plans for the Family Aquatic Center were shown to the Commission. Ms. Darling discussed parking and traffic access for the facility. Mr. Hunsaker spoke in regard to the existing hillside and utilizing existing topography to divide the facility • into three levels: upper, middle and lower. Hunsaker went on to explain that the middle, or central section, is where the entrance would be in addition to the concession stand, bathhouse and administration building. Hunsaker explained that due separation of the three levels, the patron could enter the facility on a busy day and not feel crowded. Other amenities on the middle level will include a leisure pool with zero beach entry and maximum water depth of 3 '8", an interactive water feature, a sand play area in addition to a spray ground. Mr. Hunsaker explained that the upper level includes an action/lazy river with a leisure island, water slides with a splash pool and a vortex area. The lower area will feature a 25-meter, six- lane lap pool, a one-meter diving board in addition to a drop-slide. Mr. Hunsaker stated that the facility would have features for patrons of all ages. Chairperson Gomes asked in regard to shade. Mr. Hunsaker responded that there would be eight 20-foot shade structures in addition to forty tables with umbrellas and trees. Mr. Hunsaker noted that shade has been discussed at great length. In regard to a traffic light at Belleview, Director Black told the Commission that South Suburban is not interested in an additional entrance into Cornerstone. Black stated that the City would proceed with a "T" intersection with a light. The question was asked in regard to lighting. Black stated that the initial cost oflighting came in at $100,000 to $150,000, so the numbers are being refined to see if it could be a possibility. Black discussed the cost of lighting verses rental costs and payback and the issue with night • rentals with adjacent neighborhoods. Black noted that items to be determined pending budget include lighting and a third slide. Black thanked Mr. Hunsaker and Ms. Darling for their time. Recreation Manager Hultberg explained that staff has met with the Englewood School Board in regards to a having a contest where Englewood students name the new Aquatic Facility. Hultberg went on to explain that the project would involve the Englewood Youth Council. VI. COLORADO DISC DOGS Discussion moved to Director Black and a request by Colorado Disc Dogs for use of Jason Park in June. Black reminded commission members of previous discussions regarding use of Jason Park and issues pertaining to large groups and the impact to the neighborhood and lack of parking. Black explained that this request has those same concerns by staff. Black reaffirmed that the Commission was still of that opinion. City Council Liaison Garrett suggested offering an alternative location such as the athletic field area at Brent Mayne. Black explained that the Jason Park Social Club has scheduled their "Dog Days in June" event at Jason Park the same day as a large family reunion and that staff is coordinating with the Club to move their event to Centennial Park. The question was asked in regard to dog events and the impact to grass . Black explained that a dog event is not like an athletic event in regard to damage ; but that it will still have a substantial impact. Black also informed the Commission that City Council moved forward with making dog parks a permanent feature of the Leash Law with the notation that a report will be brought back to City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission every six months. Discussion ensued . • • • • VII. A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by Commission Member Neyer to uphold the previous decision of the Board and deny the request by Colorado Disc Dogs for use of Jason Park on June 28, 2003 . The motion passed unanimously. Black noted that the previous decision referred to in the motion was in reference to athletics only. Armstrong stated that not all events impact an area or are drought related and that there should be no reason to not approve an event if will not ca use damage to the grass and can be an opportunity to bring in additional revenue. Vice Chairman Neyer discussed the existing moratorium to include any new activity on areas that would be impacted by the drought. A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Neyer and seconded by Cultural Arts Liaison Moore to adopt a moratorium that no private special events be allowed on open space areas that could be drought related. A review would follow in September. The motion passed unanimously. DROUGHT IMPLICATIONS/ENGLEWOOD GOLF COUSE AND FIELD USAGE Director Black turned discussion to drought implications at the golf course and in the parks . Black told the Commission that staff had met with C ity Council to discuss their recommendations, which had been included in the packet. In regard to the golf course , Black explained that course conditions are being impacted by the drought in addition to the mild weather. In order to prevent extensive damage , Black reported that measures have been taken, which include increasing interval of tee times from 8 and 9 minutes to 10 minutes and limiting cart use . Black went on to explain that carts would be allowed n the front nine only on paths , but no carts would be allowed on the back 9 or Par 3. In additio n, handicap flags would only be available to those with a state issued handicap permit. Black stated that a review would be done at the end of March. It was noted that there has been an increase in play due to some Denver courses closing. Commission members were informed that in cooperation with the Utilities Department, a deep well is being drilled at the golf course that will provide enough water to irri gate the course for one year. In regard to athletic areas, Black reported that the Jason and Bates/Logan fields have been closed off with the ex ception of Saturday games . Per agreement with Englewood Soccer Association, teams would be limited to one practic e per week per team. Black explained that new to this year, permits would be issued for practices with signage at all parks stating "all organized play and practice by permit only". Commission members were told that Sinclair had been closed for play this spring and that the City was able to accommodate the additional play at Cushing and in the outfields at Belleview and Spencer. Black stated that due to poor field condition at Ba tes/Logan, there :s a possibility the field could be closed for the fall season. Black recognized Englewood Soccer Association for their cooperation . VIII. RECREATION BOND PROJECTS Recreation Manager Hultberg announced that the Englewood Recreation Center is in its week of closure for annual maintenance in addi ti on to finishing the new gym floor and other bond projects that could not be done while the Center was opened . Commission members were informed that the bond project continues on schedule with an expected completion date in June. Hultberg noted that the circuit w eight system has been relocated to the lobby area in order to allow construction crews to complete the new weight area. The equipment is expected to remain in the lobby area for about three months. In regard to the Malley Senior Recreation Center, Facility Supervisor, Joe Sack, reported that construction is proceeding rapidly and that it also remains on schedule. IX. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison, Janet Moore briefed the Commission on the Cultural Arts Commission's decision to purchase a piece of art for the round-a-bout. X. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Director Black distributed a recent article from the Englewood Herald in regard to youth serving on Boards and Commission. The article recognized Youth Commission Members Grazulis and Jones for their service on the Parks and Recreation Commission. XI. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Commission Member and Englewood School District Liaison Kathy Christie asked in regard to the Indoor Golf Facility and ifthere has been an increase in use since the new owner came on. Bob Spada, Golf Course ·Manager, reported that the facility now has approximately fifty members and continues to increase gradually. Youth Commission Member Grazulis informed the Commission of the recent National Honor Society Blood Drive and of the upcoming play. Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Moore distributed invitations to the upcoming Juried Art Show. Commission Member Waldman asked when the path at the Back 9 would be paved. Spada replied that staff is currently evaluating the situation and that there is a strong possibility that it could be done this year. Waldman commented in regard the number of track teams, etc . that use the Englewood Recreation Center track. Recreation Manager Hultberg responded that track teams use the facility periodically and accommodations are made for all groups. Director Black discussed the deterioration of the sewer line under the racquetball courts and the lack of courts available to the public. Vice Chairperson Neyer spoke in regard to timing of the Aquatic Facility and drought issues. Black stated that a report is currently being compiled that explains that the City of Englewood uses approximately 16 million gallons of water per day verses the new water park using 1.5 million gallons of water per season. Neyer suggested that the Department be more proactive in educating the public on water use for the new facility. Black added that the City is also looking at means of re-using the water. In regards to water use for last summer, Black told the Commission that the golf course reduced water consumption by 36% and the parks reduced consumption by 35%. Black also noted that the golf course has purchased a computerized weather station that adjusts length of water based off of precipitation received . Waldman commented on the recent demolition of the old golf course clubhouse and Riverside . Black spoke in regard to the options available for the former Riverside property. Commission members were told that a direction should be made by the end of the year but that construction probably would not start until at least three years due to funding. • • • XI . ADJOURNMENT • The meeting was adjourned at 7 :25pm . fl/wJLJ~~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • •