Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-14 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of March 14, 2002 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 Englewood Civic Center, City Council Conference Room. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Kathy Christie, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Kendra Grazulis, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:36pm) Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison Janet Moore , Cultural Arts Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Tara Holmes , Youth Commission Member Also present: Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Shannon Rhoades , Golf Operations Coordinator Amy Doe-Torres; Special Events Administrator (left at 5:36pm) Lauri Dannemiller, Planning Analyst, Community Development Harold Stitt, Senior Planner, Community Development John Vorboril, Community Development II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of February 7, 2002. Under item X., Englewood Alcohol Task Force, Vice Chairperson Neyer suggested that "for kids to do" be added to the end of the second sentence so that it reads "Neyer commented that he foresees the inclusion of Parks and Recreation due to comments that there is not enough for kids to do". It was also noted that combining was misspelled under item VII., Parks and Recreation Storage. The minutes were approved as amended. III. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS v. There were no unscheduled visitors . SUMMER SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE Discussion was turned over to Amy Doe-Torres , Special Events Administrator for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Ms. Torres discussed the tentative special events summer schedule for 2002. Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, introduced Shannon Rhoades, Golf Operations Coordinator for the Englewood Golf Course. • VI. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Director Black introduced Lauri Dannemiller and Harold Stitt with Community Development. Mr. Stitt gave a brief history and overview of the Comprehensive Plan, noting that there are four components to the Plan: Housing, Business and Employment, Transportation, and Parks and Open Space. Mr. Stitt also explained that the goals are projected for the year 2020. Discussion moved to Ms. Dannemiller who discussed the six goals of the Parks and Open Space component of the Plan: • • • • • • Provide sufficient parks and recreation facilities to meet the needs of the citizens of Englewood. Provide recreational opportunities that are consistent with the City's role in regional park and open space preservation, and the regional goals of sustainable growth. Develop a full range of programs for the preservation of open space and park development. Preserve, utilize or improve key natural resources of the City, like the South Platte River, as a natural urban greenway. Provide a balanced and connected system of open lands, natural areas, recreation facilities, parks, trails and greenbelts. Integrate planning for parks and open space in the land use, housing, transportation, environmental, economic and cultural plans of the City. Comments and suggestions to the Plan followed. VII. FIELD USAGE/PERMITTING Manager of Open Space, Dave Lee, informed the Commission of concerns related to overuse of fields, particularly the Hosanna Field by an adult semi-pro football league. Lee explained that the Department only permits for games; practices are on a first-come basis. Discussion followed whether the Department should change its permitting policy. Commission Member Waldman spoke in regards to the lack of field availability for softball practice. Waldman asked if the Brent Mayne field was available for practice. Director Black replied that the field is closed for individual team practice for the first year while the sod matures. After that, staff will make a decision whether to open it for practice. Discussion followed. Black suggested that Jeff Jones, Adult Sports Administrator, be invited to the next Commission meeting to discuss field scheduling. In regard to overuse at Hosanna, it was decided that staff would speak to the team in shifting play from field to field. VIII. RIVERSIDE MINIATURE GOLF/GO KART Commission members were updated on the status of Riverside Miniature Golf. Director Black reported that he, Bob Spada and Scott Simpson, owner of Riverside, had met to discuss the future of the Riverside. As previously discussed, Black told the Commission the Mr. Simpson • has had little success in trying to sell the business, and that he has dropped the selling price to • $60,000 for everything. Black stated that he would be meeting with a gentleman on Monday who has some interest in buying Riverside. If that fails, Black explained, Mr. Simpson would be giving his sixty-day notice, being out by mid-May. Black noted that it is Mr. Simpson's hope that the City will purchase the business. Discussion followed regarding the substantial amount • • IX. of money required to bring the business up to standards. Black told the Commission that he would keep them apprised of the status of Riverside . OPEN FIRES IN PARKS Lee told the Commission that discussion has taken place with Ben Greene, Fire Marshal for the City of Englewood, pertaining to having open fires in City of Englewood parks. Lee explained that the item has now been forwarded to the City Attorney and would be brought to the Commission for discussion at a later date. X. PARKS AND RECREATION BOND PROJECTS UPDATE XI. XII. Director Black reported that City Council authorized staff to move forward with a contract with Barker, Reiker and Seacat, architects for the Englewood Recreation Center and Malley Senior Recreation Center expansion project. In regards to schedule, Black stated that both the Rec Center and Malley Center would be worked on at the same time, with expected completion of the Rec Center and the Malley Center in late spring of 2003. OFF-LEASH PARK PILOT PROGRAM UPDATE Dave Lee read Code Enforcement's February report for the Off-Leash Park Pilot Program, reporting that fifty-six calls have been received, and flyers and warnings are being handed out to park users and violators. Lee added that he received one additional call regarding Belleview not being a designated off-leash park. Commission Member Waldman spoke in regards to signage and trash receptacles at Duncan Park. Commission Member Woodward asked in regards to the dog park at Washington Park in Denver. Chairperson Gomes explained that the City and County of Denver is using Washington Park as a trial run but that it would not be a permanent location. Gomes noted that there are time restrictions for the dog park. Lee stated that he would follow up with more information in regard to Denver. CENTENNIAL PARK UPDATE Director Black reported that All Souls Catholic School is now using the Brent Mayne Field and that all work should be completed by mid to late April. XIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Moore gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission, reporting that the Englewood School District Art Show is on display in the Englewood Public Library now until the end of March. Moore told the Commission that photos had been selected for the General Iron Works Photo project, which will be placed on the third floor of the Civic Center building. Commission members were informed that there are three vacancies on the Cultural Arts Commission and to help spread the word to any individual that may be interested. Moore also mentioned some upcoming musical events for April. XiV. CITY CENTER UPDATE City Council Member Garrett distributed the most recent update on City Center. • XV. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Director Black apprised the Commission of two recent incidents involving the Recreation Center, one with a gentleman on leave from the military wanting to use the Recreation Center free of charge. Black explained that the policy is that the gentleman needs to pay. Commission members concurred. In regard to the second incident, Black explained the Englewood Recreation Center has a non- resident mother who is adamant that her seven-year-old son go into the ladies locker room with her to take a shower following swim lessons. Black stated that the policy is children under the age of five can go into a locker room of the opposite sex. Black discussed ways that staff is trying to rectify the situation but that the mother remains adamant that the son comes in to the locker room with her. Commission members were told that family changing areas are in the plans for the ERC expansion. Black also noted that if the mother is not pleased with options given to her, he would invite her to attend a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Black informed the Commission that staff has met with Englewood School District personnel in regard to easing the transition of the three remaining Before and After School programs to the School District in the fall. Black announced that the new Show Wagon has been ordered and should be available the end of May or sooner. XVI. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Youth Commission Member Grazulis announced that Anything Goes was very successful and that spring sports have begun at the high school. Commission Member and School District Liaison Christie discussed upcoming budget cuts for the school district. Commission Member Waldman spoke in regards to the condition of the Englewood Golf Course. Manager of Open Space, Dave Lee , responded to Waldman 's concerns. Waldman asked in regard to the gentle man who was going to attend last month 's meeting to discuss lighted tennis courts. The Commission was told that due to the return of daylight savings , the gentleman said he did not have a need for lighted tennis courts. He also said that he might attend a meeting in the fall when it starts getting darker early again. Waldman asked in regard to the lighted tennis courts at Englewood High School. Lee replied that per agreement, the courts at the high school are not available to the public April to May so that the school may use them for tennis practice and tournaments . Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, responded to Waldman 's prior comments regarding the condition of the course. XVII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:26pm. Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • • •