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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-10 PRC MINUTES• • • City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of January 10, 2002 I. 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 Service Center, 2800 S. Platte River Drive. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Kathy Christie, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commi ssion Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member (arrive d at 5 :52pm) Kendra Grazulis , Youth Commission Member T ara Holmes, Youth Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Liaison Also present: Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Steve Lasley, Parks Supervisor Il. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of November 8, 2001 and December 4, 2001. Vice Chairperson Neyer had a correction to the November 8, 2001 minutes. Under Commission Member's Choice, first paragraph, Neyer was quoted in commending the Parks and Recreation Department for its responsiveness. Neyer stated that he was not the one who said that. No other member responded that it was they who said it. The information would be struck from the minutes. A motion was made to accept the minutes as changed. The motion passed unanimously. ill. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS v. There were no unscheduled visitors. FEBRUARY MEETING Director Black notified commission members that the February Parks and Recreation Commission meeting falls on Valentine s Day . Black suggested moving the meeting to the week prior on February 7 , 2002. Commi ssion members concurred. VI. PARKS AND RECREATION BOND PROJECTS Commission members received a Public Works Project Update in regards to the Recreation • Pond Projects and CityCenter Project. In regards to Request for Qualifications for the Recreation Bond Projects, Black reported that twelve responses were received in which four firms were selected for further consideration. Black continued, explaining that Requests for Proposals and interviews will be held late January. Commission members were told that the preliminary project schedule for construction on the Englewood Recreation Center and Malley Senior Center is for it to begin by late summer 2002 and completed by spring of 2003. Construction on the Aquatic Center should begin in the winter of 2002/2003 and be completed before the summer of 2004. Commission Member Waldman asked if one architect would be selected to do all three projects or if an architect would be selected for each individual project. Director Black responded that one architect will be se lected for the Englewood Recreation Center and Malley Senior Recreation Center projects and a separate architect would be selected for the Aquatic Center. VII. CITY CENTER UPDATE Discussion moved on to CityCenter Update. City Council Member Garrett commented on the great job in leasing at the CityCenter site. Garrett discussed recent openings along Englewood Parkway and stores that are coming to the site including Garts, Ross, Petco and Supercuts. Discussion followed regarding the General Iron site and the old City Hall site. Commission Member Waldman asked in regards to the number of liquor stores that are allowed within a certain area. Garrett replied that he is not aware of an ordinance pertaining to the • number of liquor stores per area . Chairperson Gomes and Commission Member Armstrong gave their compliments in regards to the holiday lighting display at CityCenter. In regards to the new amphitheater at CityCenter, Gomes commented in regards to the audience facing west into the sun for evening performances. Garrett explained that there was not a lot of choice in regards to configuration for the facility due to space restrictions. Garrett stated that City Council is aware of the issue and that they will see what they can do as the time gets closer. In regards to the 2002 Summer Concert Series, Director Black reported that the series will remain at the Plaza and that there will be discussion in regards to moving it over to CityCenter for 2003. vm. OFF-LEASH PARK PILOT PROGRAM UPDATE Manager of Open Space, Dave Lee, introduced Steve Lasley, Parks Supervisor for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Lee informed commission members that at Monday night's City Council meeting, City Council approved the resolution for the Parks Pilot Off- Leash Program. Lee reported that the program will become effective in thirty days but that staff is moving forward with the program including making changes to parks signage. Commission members were told that to date, staff has received two calls in regards to the off-leash program, both to the negative. Lee told the Commission that they would receive reports from himself and Code Enforcement in regards to the program. Commission Member Armstrong commented that she has heard little regarding the off-leash • program. Armstrong asked commission members if they had heard anything . They had not. Armstrong stated that she had received rules regarding dog parks from the National Recreation and Parks Association and noticed that one rule it mentions that was not discussed was the number of dogs an owner is allowed to bring into the off-leash park. Armstrong reported that • • • IX. NRPA suggests limiting the number of dogs to two. Lee replied that he had addressed the issue in his report and that if it becomes a problem, it can be addressed due to it being a pilot program. CENTENNIAL PARK UPDATE Director Black gave an update on the Centennial Park Expansion/Rockies Field. Black reported that the restroom is up and waiting for inspection. Black spoke in regards to submitting the project for an Innovations Award through DRCOG. Commission Member Woodward asked in regards to lights. Black explained that the lights would be brought in under the second phase of the project but that the electrical has already been run. X. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Due to Cultural Arts Liaison Moore being absent, an update would be postponed until the February meeting. XI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE XII. Director Black expressed his gratitude to the Commission for their caring and support during his recent illness. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Commission Member Waldman commented on the recent going-away party for Tom Burns and what a nice celebration it was . Waldman spoke in regards to the successful term that Mr. Burns had and how he dedicated so much time for so little reward. Commission Member Armstrong informed the Commission that the South Platte River Corridor Committee would be holding two Open Houses for landowners to view their plan. Armstrong invited the commission members to attend an Open House. Commission Member Christie asked in regards to boundaries for the project. Armstrong explained that the project consists of land between Dartmouth and Belleview and a quarter of a mile on each side of the Platte River. Armstrong added that the group would make a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission once the plan has been approved. City Council Liaison Garrett asked if the Cultural Arts Commission is aware of the plan since the area being discussed in the plan is the land they are looking at for a Cultural Arts Center. Youth Commission Member Holmes announced that Anything Goes would be March 7-9, 2002. Holmes notified the Commission that her term will be ending in July and that due to being a senior and heading off to college, she would not be reapplying. Director Black told Holmes that the Commission would appreciate her help in recruiting a student for the vacancy. Commission Member Christie spoke in regards to the Englewood Alcohol Drinking Task Force that is being formed to look at drinking among students in Englewood. Christie explained that the Task Force would include representatives from the School District, City of Englewood and other organizations in the community. City Council Member Garrett thanked the Commission for working on the off-leash park issue . Garrett asked in regards to the maintenance program on the fitness equipment at the Englewood Recreation Center. Garrett commented that it seems to take a long time for equipment to be fixed . Director Black stated that it is important that the front counter staff be notified when a piece of equipment is in need of repair. Black also explained that staff does the work on the equipment but that there is sometimes a delay in repairing the piece of equipment due to getting a replacement part, etc . Commission Member Waldman commented on his recent visit to the Englewood Recreation Center and the soap dispensers being empty in the Men's Locker Room. Black stated that he would follow up . Garrett continued, commenting that the 5:30a.m. opening of the Englewood Recreation Center seems to be popular and has helped in spreading out the morning crowd. Director Black apprised the Commission of problems with the Englewood Recreation Center gym floor. Black explained that from the beginning, there has been a problem with the floor in regards to the wood slats separating. Commission members were told that staff has tried working with the company but that a lawsuit is now being considered. In the meantime minor repairs are being done until a solution can be sought. Commission members were told that the City Attorney is working on the proceedings and a decision will be made in the next couple of months. .. . . • In regards to the Community Forestry Program, Dave Lee informed the Commission that another issue has arose concerning eligibility . Lee explained that the Commission reviewed the Program's guidelines a year ago, which resulted in changing the wording to read "only single- family residences are eligible" and that homeowner associations, busine sses, apartment and condominium complexes, etc . are not eligible . Lee went on to explain that the Department has now been approached by Churches and Property Management companies in regards to eligibility. Lee asked the Commission for comments or suggestions. In regards to the property management company, Commission Member Woodward suggested that the subsidy check be • made out to the property owner. Commission members concurred with the suggestion. Churches would not be eligible. Commission Member Armstrong noted that Chairperson Gomes , Vice Chairperson Neyer' s and Commission Member Waldman ' s terms are expiring and asked if a letter of recommendation is needed . Chairperson Gomes stated that it is not necessary. XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:42pm . tlOMAL!I ~ Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary •