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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-13 PRC MINUTESEnglewood Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of June 13, 1996 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5 :35pm by Chairman Gomes at Belleview Park, Shelter #2. Members present: Members absent: Also present: Gomes, Gerlick, Waggoner, Armstrong, McKay , Black, ex officio Neyer, Christie, Markwood Chris Korba , Parks Administrator Trinity Nissen , Intern Chairman Gomes asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of May 9, 1996 meeting. There were none. A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved as presented . The motion passed unanimously . Director Black introduced Trinity Nissen, summer intern for the Parks and Recreation Department. Trinity is from Iowa State University and will be with the Department through the end of July . The Parks and Recreation Commission hosted a public forum for the June meeting . Nancy Hoover was present in regards to the Tae Kwon Do class offered through the Parks and Recreation Department. She was concerned about several incidents involving two of the Tae Kwon Do students . Black said he would look into the class , and staff would be back in touch with Ms. Hoover. The Commission thanked Ms . Hoover for coming to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Chris Korba, Parks Administrator , informed Commission that the Department is looking into alternatives in displaying the Belleview Park airplane. Korba explained the airplane is actually a Mace Missile, made out of aluminum , and came into the park when the park was developed . The issues surrounding the structure involve the airplane not as a piece of playground equipment, and if allowed to be played on, the City will have to change the airplane somehow to make it safer . The airplane is currently fenced . The Parks Department has to repair the fence on an as needed basis and/or annually due to v3;Ildalism . Last year , Council Member Vormittag along with a few volunteers painted the airplane . Funds are budgeted in the Conservation Trust Fund to move or repair the airplane . Korba explained several possibilities are being considered. These include: 1) Removing the airplane 2) Keeping the airplane as is 3) Keeping the airplane as is except use more substantial fencing -Estimated cost is $3,871. 4) Raising the airplane on stilts -Proposal cost is $7896, and includes lifting the airplane out of the playground and placing on 20ft. stilts along the slope. 5) Restoring the airplane for play -This option would include building a deck around the missile to lessen height of the fall, and covering it with a heat-resistant coating. Korba felt this option was not feasible due to the liability factor . A piece of equipment to replace the airplane has been researched . All available pieces of equipment are considerably smaller, Korba remarked . In regard to option five , Commissioner Armstrong asked if the airplan e was covered with a plasti c to solve the bum problems , remove the sharp projections, and provide a cushioned fall area, would it be o ut of the price range . Korba responded it would not be out of the price range, but would require a substanti al amount of work. Armstrong felt the missile is not of much use as an Englewood landmark. Korba read a letter from CIRSA stating "the missile is dangerous with sharp edges and points , head entrapments, etc. and recommends the fence be raised to keep people out and/or to put it on stilts depending on available budget". Ermold Parks and Recreation Products, a playground equipment provider, also suggests that the "structure presents sufficient opportunity for injury and would cons ider removing it. The missile invites children to play on it but the hazards present a definite risk to the user". Commissioner Waggoner moved to fix the missile and place on stilts. Armstrong seconded. Commissioner Gerlick intervened with questions . In regard to the coating, Gerlick asked if the Parks Department had looked into Rhino Linings, a rubberized coating. Korba replied that would help to a point, but the sharp edges are still a problem. Gerlick asked if the rubberized surface would also work as a shock- absorbent surface pad under the missile. Korba said he would stay with peat gravel since it was still the least costly and meets CPSC guidelines. It was asked by Gerlick if a piece of equipment comparable to the missile had been found. Korba responded nothing with similar impact, but he could continue to research that option . Director Black inquired if the airplane was removed, could it be removed intact. Korba was not sure how it would hold together. Black noted if it was removed, the Cultural Art Commission would be starting shortly, and there may be a possibility of a piece of art that could be looked at elsewhere. Armstrong agreed. Commission recommended to continue to repair the fence and to take the issue to the Cultural Arts Commission once in place to make a different determination. Commissioner Armstrong left at 6:20pm. Director Black distributed information regarding FYCP (Five Year Capital Plan). In regard to th e Public Improvement Fund, Black explained the Santa Fe Landscaping item and explained that the parks division will be assuming the project. It was noted that the amount is for materials only and additional funding would be required for the maintenance of this project. The Five Year Capital Plan for the Golf Course consists mostly of items passed on from the previous year. Under piping from new well to lake, $75,000 has been budgeted . The golf course has ran into water problems and has had to water all greens at night, which, draws down on the wells . The difficulty is the existing piping . Within the next few weeks , the course will be looking into installing a new back-up pump and drilling a new well, replacing an existing well. The piping will follow-up into a long- range phasing plan for allocation of water at the golf course . The Conservation Trust Fund has only a few items for 1997. It was pointed out lottery funds could be lower in 1997 due to the grocery store strike . Black explained $75,000 is allocated under the CTF Contingency Fund for 1997and $75,000 per year for emergencies and as a contingency fund for park and open space, such as Home Lumber. Black would like the Department to be in the position where funding is built-up so when applying for grants, the budget will show match funds are allocated . The funds could also be used to acquire properties that became available . Commissioner Waggoner questioned if the funding for the feasibility study was included in the list. Black responded that was under 1996 funding, $70,000 from the Conservation Trust Fund and $30,000 from the Malley Center Trust Fund. Black noted depending on funding that it could be included, and that some projects for 1996 may come under budget, and if so, more dollars would be there than projected. If not, to add the feasibility study would possibly reduce another project as well. A motion was made by Commissioner Waggoner and seconded by Commissioner Gerlick recommending to add a feasibility study for the Community Arts Center. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Gomes added presuming funds are available. Director Black briefed Commission on the situation with EDDA and landscaping at the Plaza. Harold Celva informed City Council that the current landscaping at the Plaza is interfering with viewing the showagon at the Summer Concerts. Mr. Celva had asked that the trees in the planters be replaced with a different type of tree or landscape . Council instructed Mr. Celva to get with a landscape architect and put a plan together, in conjunction with the Parks Department. Black informed Commission that a meeting was scheduled with Mr. Celva and the architect for Monday but was canceled due to a medical emergency with Mr. Celva. Black informed Commission that another meeting is now scheduled the first of next week. During a conversation with Commissioner Neyer earlier in the week, Black expressed Neyer's view that EDDA has only eight to ten concerts per year and that should not be a reason to remove the trees . Waggoner pointed out the recommendation is not to remove the trees, but to replace with some lower growing shrubs. Gomes added Mr. Celva requested a different type of tree with a longer trunk with no foliage along the bottom, allowing viewing of the Showagon . Parks will probably be asked to remove the ex.isting landscape. Concern involves the electrical wiring and the root span of the trees and whether the trees can be removed without damaging the planters . Gomes recommended having Harold Celva and the architect attend a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to present his recommendation. Commissioner Gerlick announced auditions for The Music Man were held. There were 130 auditions . Approximately 90-100 people will be in the cast. The show dates will be August 2,3 and 4, 1996. Chairman Gomes announced the Englewood Holiday Parade will be held on October 26 , 1996. The parade is traditionally held on the first Saturday in November but due to a conflict with the Band Master 's Association competition, the prior weekend was chosen . Applications have been sent to schools and responses have already been received. The Fourth of July Fireworks celebration will be held at the Cornerstone Park/Belleview Park. The fireworks will be fired from the south side of Belleview instead of the north side as in previous years. The park will open at 4:00pm and will include picnics, games and performances. Parking will be free . The meeting was adjourned at 6:50pm . Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary