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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-12 PRC MINUTES• • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of March 13, 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 Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Kendra Grazulis, Youth Commission Member (left at 6:25pm) Christopher Jones, Youth Commission Member Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Kathy Christie, Commission Member Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Linda Counterman (arrived at 5:39pm/left at 6:49pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of February 12, 2003. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. ID. SCHEDULED VISITORS IV. There were no scheduled visitors. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS Linda Counterman, introduced herself, stating that she resides next to Bates/Logan Park and was at tonight's meeting to discuss her dissatisfaction over the off-leash program. Ms. Counterman explained that the situation with the dogs at Bates/Logan is very unfriendly with dogs running freely, destroying grass, trees and shrubs and taking precedence over the park while the owners stand in groups socializing. Ms. Counterman commented how the park is now mud with dog feces everywhere, including on the field. Ms. Counterman discussed how the department requires permits for children to play sports in the park in order to save the grass put does not require some type of permit for the dogs to run and destroy park property. Ms. Counterman reported that she has already spoken to City Council but felt that her concerns and comments went unheard. Ms. Counterman noted that she is a small voice to a large number of people with concerns and asked the Commission for their help . Commission Member Armstrong asked in regards to her neighbors and their feelings regarding the situation . Ms. Counterman stated that she is not on the best of terms with her neighbors as ,, they are also ones who let their dogs run freely in the park. Commission Member Woodward and Recreation Manager Hultberg responded in regards to Ms. Counterman's comment regarding permitting for youth sports, explaining that the permits are due to the drought and are in place to • restrain large groups from organized play but that neighbors and casual park users are always welcome in the parks. Chairperson Gomes thanked Ms. Counterman for her comments. Ms. Counterman left. Gomes asked Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, in regards to the situation at Bates/Logan. Lee stated that he too has some concerns regarding the condition of Bates/Logan, adding that some of the statements made by Ms. Counterman were correct. Lee reported that although the dogs have attributed to the deteriorating condition of the park, the drought has also had a devastating effect. Commission members were told that Bates/Logan Park, compared to the other off-leash parks, is used considerably more. Lee informed the Commission of a meeting that was held on a Saturday morning in January at Bates/Logan in an effort to resolve such issues. Lee stated that there were approximately forty people in attendance, including dog owners and park users, members from the Jason Park Social Club, neighbors, representatives from Code Enforcement and City Council Member Ann Nabholz. City Council Member Garrett spoke in regard to Ms. Counterman's comments regarding City Council. Garrett stated that City Council listened to her concerns but that the majority of comments were that the program was working well. Discussion followed. Director Black told the Commission that Ms. Counterman contacts Dave Lee at least once a week and that Mr. Lee has been overly responsive, as with Code Enforcement. Black noted that the majority of comments received are that people are pleased with the program. Black added that according to the Ordinance, staff would continue to monitor the dog park program on a regular basis. Black asked the Board how they would like to respond to Ms. Counterman's comments. It was decided that a letter would be sent to her through the Commission. V. AQUATIC CENTER NAMING CONTEST Recreation Manager Hultberg discussed the aquatic naming contest, explaining that the contest would be open to all Englewood residents between the ages of 5 and 18 years and would run through April 18th. Hultberg explained the procedure, stating that the Englewood Youth Council will review all the entries and choose 6-8 finalists; after which a special committee comprised of members from the Parks and Recreation Commission, Cultural Arts Commission and City Council will select a winner to be announced at the Englewood Jubilee Celebration. VI. FIELD SCHEDULING Discussion moved on to field scheduling for the Hosanna Athletic Complex at Englewood High School. Director Black explained to the Commission that the City maintains and schedules the fields; in return, the Englewood School District pays a fee to the City and has first priority in scheduling. Black reported that City staff met with the Englewood High School Athletic Director, Dave LeNoble, and EHS Baseball Coach Shawn Wyss. Black stated that the meeting was held to discuss field use for this year and problems that arose in the past including lack of or not up-to-date schedules and renting of the baseball field without approval from the City. Black • explained that due to the tight budget, staff is looking at ways to increase revenue including possibly renting the Harry Wise Field. Black explained a situation that the City has been dealing • • with regarding Mr. Wyss running a summer baseball league that is not sanctioned by the High School. Black stated that Mr. Wyss uses the Harry Wise field in the summer without being charged a fee. Commission members were told that a fee might be implemented in the future. Black told the Commission that any changes related to rentals or fees would be brought to the Board in advance. In addition, commission members were told that there has been some concern that an outside organiz.ation is using the Detention Pond fields without a permit, possibly a semi-professional football team. Staff is following up. VII. RECREATION BOND PROJECTS Recreation Manager Hultberg gave an update in regards to the Recreation bond projects. Hultberg stated that the projects are on schedule with no major problems. In regard to the Family Aquatic Center, Hultberg reported that the project is also on schedule with an expected groundbreaking this summer and an opening in May of2004. VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Moore reported that the recent Juried Art Show was a success with sixty-eight artists representing twenty states. Director Black recognized Moore for her time and effort she put into the show. Moore told the Commission that the City of Englewood received the Colorado Business in the Arts Community Leadership Award. Commission members were informed of the Englewood School District Art Show and other upcoming events. X. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Director Black turned discussion over to Recreation Manager Hultberg and an additional request for rental of the Show Wagon. Hultberg reminded the Commission that as previously discussed, the Show Wagon would not be rented to outside agencies with the exception of those agencies that the Department has maintained a long-term commitment with (Englewood High School and Western Welcome Week). Hultberg informed the Commission that Western Welcome Week has requested an additional use. Discussion ensued regarding the prior decision to not rent the Show Wagon and a long-standing relationship with the City of Littleton. A motion was made by City Council Member Garrett and seconded by Cultural Arts Liaison Moore to allow the Western Welcome Week one additional use under the fee structure as previously agreed upon, for this year only. The motion passed unanimously. XI. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space reviewed the latest Code Enforcement report. Commission Member Waldman spoke in regard to a report of a Lacrosse team practicing at Duncan Park. Manager of Open Space Lee responded that staff is working with Code Enforcement and Safety Services to help enforce the permit policy in City parks. Lee thanked Waldman for the information and stated that staff would follow-up . City Council Member Garrett discussed the declining budget for the City of Englewood. In regard to the extension between tee times, Golf Course Manager Spada stated that the change is working out well with no wait time during the week for golfers. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:55pm. ~a -~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • •