HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-11 PRC MINUTESEnglewood Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of September 11, 1997
The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order at 5:30pm by Commissioner Armstrong at the Golf Course Maintenance Shop.
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Armstrong, Waggoner, Christie, Markwood, Black, ex officio
Gomes, Neyer, Gerlick
Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space
Eric Ritter, Program Administrator, Youth Sports
Commissioner Armstrong con tinued to chair the meeting . A quorum was not present for the
approval of the minutes . The minutes would be approved later in the meeting upon the arrival of another
commission member.
Agenda item 4, Proposed Skate Park Addition, would be moved to last on the agenda due to
Commissioner Neyer 's request to be present during the presentation and discussion.
Director Black discussed the October 9th Parks and Recreation Commission meeting with City
Council. Items for the agenda were discussed. Agenda items include: Skate Park at Cushing Park, CPRA
Columbine Award, resident rates at Re gio nal Park, and the feasibility study .
Black announced that the City of Englewood, Parks and Recreation Department had been notified
on Monday that it was the recipient of the CPRA Columbine Award fo r its Safe Summer program. Black
noted that the Columbine Award is a very prestigious award. The award will be presented to department
staff in two weeks at the CPRA Conference in Steamboat Springs. By re ceivi ng the Columbine Award, the
City of Englewood will be eligible for national awards .
Commissio ner Markwood arrived at 5 :37pm.
Eric Ritter, Youth Sports Program Administrator, arrived at 5:45pm.
Commission members continued to discuss agenda items for the October 9th meeting. Additional
agenda items were discussed including the Belleview west parking lot , GOCO grant applications and lottery
re-authorization .
Commissioner Christie spoke in regards to After School programs being offered at the Middle
Schools . Black rep orted that a survey was taken to help determine a need . The results from Flood Middle
School came back positive. Black reported that as of now, a program at Flood Middle School is scheduled
to begin the first of the year .
LeighAnn Hoffhines, City Manager's Office, had contacted Black in regards to the 1998 City of
Englewood calendar. Hoffhines had requested a member from the Parks and Recre ation Commission to
serve on the photo selection committee . Black asked if anyone was interested. The commission suggested
Austin Gomes . Black would contact Gomes to see if he is interested .
Commission members were updated on the City Manager search. Eight-five applications were
submitted . Of the eighty-five, a selected gro up was chosen which were asked to submit additional
information. The interview process will take place the first of October with a selection being made the
following week.
The CPRA Conference at Steamboat Springs was then discussed. Black announced a banquet
would be held Thursday evening for award presentations including the Columbine Award and the
installation of Carolyn Armstrong as the new president of the association. Black stated that if a
commission member was interested in attending the banquet, the city would cover the cost. Black would
extend the offer to Austin Gomes and Steve Neyer.
Commissioner Christie announced that the Englewood Public Schools Early Education Program
had received an award.
Commissioner Armstrong spoke of a situation involving Sinclair Pool and a mix-up with a rental.
When the party arrived at the pool, the pool was closed. The party was able to locate a lifeguard. The
lifeguard, Heather Pearce, was not able to reenter the building but took the time to contact the Englewood
Recreation Center to have the party move over to the Recreation Center pool. Staff also rescheduled the
party at Sinclair Pool. Armstrong stated that the reason she was reporting the incident was not to complain
but to commend the lifeguard for her responsiveness.
Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, explained that he is preparing a proposal to present to City
Council at the budget workshop. The proposal is for plans to enhance the flower gardens at the Interchange
of Broadway and Highway 285, where the City logo is, and the Little Dry Creek area. Lee indicated that
due to budget and personnel cuts, the parks division was not able to maintain the flower gardens as once
before.
With the arrival of Commissioner Markwood, a quorum was now present to approve the minutes.
Commissioner Armstrong asked ifthere were any additions or corrections to the minutes of August 14,
1997 . There were none . A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved as presented. The
motion passed unanimously .
Discussion opened regarding the proposed skate park expansion at Cushing Park . Black apprised
Commission members of long range plans to move the existing skate park at Cushing Park to Centennial
Park. Eric Ritter, Youth Sports Program Administrator, continued. Ritter reported that the existing skate
park does not allow sufficient space between the existing equipment, making it unsafe for users. By
expanding the park to the east into the parking lot, the existing equipment could be spread out and
additional pieces of equipment could be added. Ritter discussed the new pieces of equipment that are being
considered.
Council member Waggoner asked if the rollerbladers use the park. Ritter replied yes.
A ten minute video was shown to the Commission regarding skate parks.
Commissioner Neyer arrived at 6:20pm.
Commission members were apprised of some complaints regarding the skate park. The complaints
involved kids remaining in the park late at night and graffiti on a fence alongside the park. Black reported
that Safety Services is working on the situation and enforcing the hours of the skate park, 8am to dusk.
Commission discussed the Centennial Park proposal. Council member Waggoner opined to keep
the Cushing Park Skate Park when Centennial's Skate Park opens . Commissioner Markwood concurred.
Black responded that it would be a possibility as long as the board would support the idea. Black
mentioned South Suburban's plans to put a skate park at Cornerstone Park.
Commissioner Christie asked in regards to roller hockey courts. Ritter replied that a portable rink
has been purchased for use at Flood Middle School. Christie asked about Sinclair. Black stated that the
tennis courts at Sinclair had just been resurfaced.
Commissioner Neyer asked for an update on resident rates at South Suburban's Cornerstone Park.
Council member Waggoner indicated that the PUD had been discussed at the City Council meeting .
Restrictions were added to the PUD including resident rates for City of Englewood residents at Cornerstone
Park, and the acceptance of payment in lieu of taxes. A hearing will be held the first of October. Council
will act on two weeks after that. If accepted , the restrictions would become effective 30 days thereafter.
Waggoner explained that if South Suburban declines , the PUD would be withdrawn and South Suburban
would have to reapply later.
Black informed Commission that the closing on the Home Lumber property is expected to take
place the end of October.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm.
Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary