HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-14 PRC MINUTESEnglewood Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of March 14, 1996
The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order at 5 :43p.m. by Vice Chairman Neyer at the Englewood Golf Course.
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Neyer, Armstrong, Christie, Gerlick, Waggoner, Markwood ,
McKay , Samuelson, Black, ex officio
Gomes
Doug Clark, City Manager
Chris Korba, Parks Administrator
Bob Stephenson, Parks Maintenance Technician II
Vice Chairman Neyer asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of
February 8, 1996 . There were none . A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be
approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Director Black introduced Doug Clark, City Manager. Doug informed commission of
the Study Session on Monday night with the developer for Cinderella City . Miller, the
developer, is looking at developing approximately 400,000 square feet of retail and entertainment
site at the Cinderella City location.
Regarding the recent announcement of the funding for RTD 's Southwest Corridor Light
Rail Project, Doug stated it was wonderful news for Englewood and the redevelopment of
Cinderella City and in integrating the two projects . Mayor Bums was in Washington D .C. for
the announcement and is expecting a full-funding agreement to be signed within the next month .
Discussion ensued .
Commissioner Gerlick questioned the progress of the Cultural Arts Center and the recent
study session. One of the reasons a study session was called was because of the Cultural Arts
Center. The City is beginning to notice interest being directed more toward the layout of
Cinderella City property and not the Cultural Arts Center. Doug is not aware of anyone who is
opposed to the center, and the C ity is continuing to study the information and researching other
Cultural Art Centers in the metro area and in Colorado .
A question was asked by Bob Stephenson regarding park and open space at the new
Cinderella City development. Doug stated ~he plans the developer presented included a large
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portion of open space including a plaza and green area.
Director Black introduced Sally Stricker, restaurant manager of Tee II Green, the new
concessionaire at the Golf Course. Sally welcomed the Commission to the restaurant . The
restaurant has already hosted a Men's Club banquet, and all three Ladies Clubs will be having
their banquets at the restaurant. Currently the Kiwanas and Optimist Club meet at the restaurant
on a weekly basis.
Parks Administrator Chris Korba familiarized Commission on the long-standing problem
the City has had with graffiti. The Parks Department has reduced the amount of graffiti
vandalism in the City by the quick removal of the graffiti through the efforts of Bob Stephenson
and the Parks Department. Last year the Parks Department initiated a program where a mural
was painted on an area (Northwest I) that was prone to graffiti. Since the mural was painted, the
amount of graffiti to that area has declined. Due to the success of the program, the Parks
Department has looked into other areas. The Parks Department has selected the skateboard
apparatus at Cushing Park due to the high volume of graffiti. Englewood High School Art Club,
who painted the original mural, was contacted by Bob Stephenson to submit some samples.
Commissioner Waggoner asked about the area by Little Dry Creek underpass . Bob Stephenson
anticipates that area to be painted with a mural in the future. Stephenson added that due to the
cooperation between the Police Department and the Parks crew, graffiti has declined in that
sector to about 5% of what it originally was. Commissioner Armstrong commended Chris and
the Parks Department on their effort to end graffiti vandalism, and supported the mural at the
skateboard park. Armstrong felt the Commission does need to continue to approve the artwork.
Englewood High School Art Club student Jennifer Marquisee arrived with sketches for
the skateboard park. Commission viewed the sketches and gave their comments. Ten students
have volunteered for the project.
Commissioner Neyer asked how the skateboard apparatus was holding up. Considering
that the apparatus is four years old, Chris reported the parks crew is having to repair the
apparatus quite frequently. The department is aware some of the equipment will need to be
replaced within the next few years. Discussion ensued.
In regards to the Commission being required by charter to meet every month, Director
Black talked to the City Attorney . The City Attorney recommended that Debby contact each
commission member a week prior to the meeting date to see if there were any items for the
agenda. If there is not, then the meeting can be canceled, with a notice being posted at City Hall
the day of the meeting . In regards to the December meeting, it was recommended to tentatively
schedule the meeting but not to formally cancel the meeting in case there is an agenda item that
comes up. The minutes of the canceled meeting will be Debby contacting each Commission
member.
Director Black informed Commission that LuAnne Mickelson, Recreation Manager, will
be attending the April Commission meeting to discuss feasibility studies. Feasibilities include
the Malley Senior Center expansion, possibilities of the Englewood Recreation Center expansion
and a complete look at the general needs of recreation as a basis for long range planning for
parks along with general recreation.
Chris Korba was congratulated for receiving a grant of $43,000 from Fishing is Fun.
The grant was applied towards the purchase of a pier at Centennial Park and ADA approved
biking and hiking paths.
Director Black reported a staff member was informed by Don Tomasini, Englewood
High School instructor, that locks were going to be put on the EHS tennis courts in order to
control the vandalism to the courts. Two locks were going to be put on the courts, one for
Englewood High School and one for the Parks and Recreation Department. Black's concern was
that since it is one of the better courts in the City of Englewood and used quite heavily there may
be negative feedback if they are locked. There are no other tennis courts in Englewood that are
locked. Chris Korba noted that the Parks and Recreation Department no longer has an agreement
with Englewood School District on resurfacing of the courts and funding of the lights.
Discussion ensued.
Youth Commissioner Shawn Samuelson informed Commission that the Leadership Class
at EHS is planning a Spring Fling event for the Englewood community on April 13, 1996. It will
be an all day event including a fair with local restaurants and merchants, a field day and a
softball tournament.
Commissioner Armstrong distributed 1996 goals and objectives for Commission's
reviews . Following brief discussion, Commissioner Markwood made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Gerlick, to approve the revised Commission Goals and Objectives for 1996. The
motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Gerlick announced "The Music Man" will be the 1996 summer drama
production. A brief discussion followed regarding auditions.
Regarding the Before and After School program, Commissioner Christie has received
comments on program structure at Cherrelyn Elementary. There has been concerns that the
program at Cherrelyn does not have enough variety for the older children who have been in the
program since kindergarten, since the recent staff change. Director Black remarked that is a
common concern with the older children , and he would look into it.
Commissioner Christie asked if anyone had taken notice of the empty lot on the corner of
Navajo and Tufts, and if there were any plans for it. It was reported that plans include
connecting Navajo and Windermere with an "S" curve.
Christie reported Maddox Elementary had a sand volleyball court which is available for
public use after school hours and on weekends. Christie also asked if it was a possibility to
advertise the court at the Englewood Recreation Center, and to provide a rental net. The
Englewood Recreation Center does have volleyball standard kits available to rent, but it was not
known whether they would be compatible with the Maddox courts . The comment was made that
nets could be rented from rental companies.
Christie mentioned that posters were hung at the elementary and middle schools to
advertise the football program. The posters were very prominent, and Christie felt the Parks and
Recreation would also benefit to advertise their sport programs in the same manner rather than
flyers.
Commissioner Neyer had a question on field usage for the youth football program.
There was a potential problem for field usage at Hosanna Athletic Complex. The Parks and
Recreation Department was contacted by Gary Kozacek to use the Hosanna field for the Youth
Football program and the Colorado Wildcats. There was a conflict with the Colorado Wildcats
and EHS schedulipg. It is a policy of the department to not schedule practices. Gary would be
providing a schedule for the Youth Football program.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55pm.
Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary