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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-08 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of November 8, 2001 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:36pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Englewood Golf Course , 2101 W. Oxford Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson Kathy Christie, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Kendra Grazulis , Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Tara Holmes, Youth Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison Also present: Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Amy Doe-Torres , Special Events Coordinator for the Department of Parks & Rec (left at 5:45pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of October 11, 2001. There were none. The motion passed unanimously. Ill SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS v. Discussion was turned over to Amy Doe-Torres , Special Events Coordinator for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Ms. Doe-Torres spoke in regards to the special event "Englewood Shines" on December pt and 2nct which will include the lighting of the City Center holiday light display and a 35' Christmas tree, the arrival of Santa on the Light Rail, and a replica of "Who- ville" from the "The Grinch" movie. NEW SHOW WAGON RENT AL POLICIES Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space , informed commission members that the Department of Parks and Recreation is scheduled to purchase a new Show Wagon in 2002. Lee explained that the new Show Wagon would replace the old Show Wagon that is twenty-seven years old. Commission Member Waldman asked in regards to the cost for the new Show Wagon . Lee reported that it would cost approximately $90,000. Commission members were told that the Show Wagon averaged about twenty uses per year with the exception of last year due to problems associated with old age. Commission was told that the Show Wagon was only rented out to the Englewood High School for graduation, Sheridan Celebrates and Western Welcome Week. It was also noted that the majority of requests that came in for the Show Wagon are for non-profit organizations which allows for the reduced rental fee which in turn means less • recov ery cost for the Department. Discussion followed regarding use and policies for the new Show Wagon . After considerable discussion, Director Black stated that due to the new Show Wagon not being ordered until after the first of the year and the time it will take to receive it, rental use and policies for 2002 is not an immediate issue . Black continued, suggested the discussion be put on hold and brought back to the Board at a later time . A motion was made by Commission Member Waldman and seconded by Commission Member Neyer that for 2002, the use of the Show Wagon continue to be restricted to the City of Englewood with three additional uses by Englewood High School, Sheridan Celebrates and Western Welcome Week; with the agreement that the item will be brought back to the Commission for further discussion later in the year 2002. The motion passed unanimously. VI. PARKS AND RECREATION BOND PROJECTS Director Black announced that the Parks and Recreation Bond passed in Tuesday 's election. Black acknowledged the hard work by staff and the Englewood for Recreation Committee including the Chair, Selwyn Hewitt. In regards to the project, Black reported that staff is starting to move forward with a meeting scheduled for next week to discuss financial and scheduling strategies . Black noted that the first two projects would be the Malley Senior Recreation Center and the Englewood Recreation Center with the design and construction of the Aquatics Center following closely behind. VII. CENTENNIAL PARK UPDATE Commission members were informed that the Centennial Park and Brent May ne Colorado Rockies Field Dedication on Saturday, October 27th was a big success . Black recognized staff and contractors for their hard work the last week prior to the event. Black told the Commission that although Brent Mayne was unable to attend the dedication; expectations are that he will be come back in the spring. VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE There was no update on the Cultural Arts Commission. IX. CITY CENTER UPDATE Director Black distributed the most recent City Center Project Update by Rick Kahm , Engineering Manager/Capital Projects Manager. D iscussion followed regarding retail and restaurants at the site. X. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Director Black told commission members that at Monday night 's City Council meeting, City Counc il passed on 2nd reading the Ordinance restricting the number of animals per households to • two dogs and two cats. In regards to a leash law , Black reported that City Council also passed • on 1 st reading an Ordinance for a leash law with the inclusion of an off-leash park's pilot program. Black went on to explain that the pilot program would be a one-year program with a sunset clause . · • XI. • • Discussion was turned over to Dave Lee. Information regarding options for a Parks Pilot Program was distributed to commission members. Options included on-leash areas , off-leash areas , different zones in parks , time-share arrangements and designated parks as off-leash areas . As suggested, Black told commission members that staff has looked into the possibility of a dog park near the Platte River. To establish that portion of Centennial Park as a dog park would cost between $80 ,000 to $100,000. Also, an amendment to the State 's Hazardous Waste Voluntary Approval Plan would be required for that site. Discussion ensued regarding options presented and possible locations for a dog park including a pocket park or the back area of Belleview Park. Lee commented that he has considered all possible locations but that parking, noise , odor, traffic and resistance of neighbors have all been an issue. In regards to the pilot program , Black stated that if the recommended program was not working, City Council wo uld probably ask the Commission to take a look at it and to recommend changes or to terminate the program . After considerable discussion , A motion was made by Commission Member Waldman and seconded by Commission Member Neyer that the Parks Pilot Program all ow dogs to be off- leash/under control for all parks during the hours the parks are open. The only exception to the Parks Pilot Program would be around designated areas as specified by the Parks and Recreation Department (ie: playgrounds, pavilions and ballfield areas). The motion passed unanimously . COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Commission Member Neyer commended the Parks and Recreation Department for its response to requests by the citizens of Englewood. Neyer gave the examples of the earlier opening hours of the Englewood Recreation Center and the bond projects . Commission Member Woodward discussed the new athletic field at the Centennial Park/Rockies Field and it being a perfect location for a soccer program for disabled youth. Woodward stated that the size and accessibility make it ideal. Comm ission Member and Englewood School District Liaison Kathy Christie commented on the new sidewalk along Windermere for the Oxford Station Light Rail. Director Black noted that Public Works was responsible for installin g the sidewalk . Christie asked Director Black to pass on her appreciation to the Public Wo rks Department. In regards to the "Englewood Shines " event that was spoken about earlier in the meeting, Grazulis noted that Englewood High School would also be participating in the event. Director Black was told that there is a lot of excitement by the youth in Englewood in regards to the new Aquatic Park that passed in the bond election. Commission Member Waldman spoke in regards to the deteriorating tennis court surface at Sinclair Middle School. Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space , stated that he had recei ved information regarding tennis court surfaces at the recent NRP A Congress. Discussion followed regarding the surface at the Sinclair courts and that when purchased, was told it had a fifteen- year life span . Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, informed the Commission of a pilot program for the Englewood Golf Course consisting of a cross -over format for weekends only during the winter months. Spada explained that players would start 18 holes on the 1st and 10th holes, with a normal play going into effect after 4-5 hours. Spada explained that due to frost delays and shorter days in the winter months , there is less time for play on the course, resulting in loss of revenue. Commission Member Waldman asked if Golf Course staff has considered pushing more 9-hole play. Spada responded that staff has looked at all angles to the situation. Chairperson Gomes asked in regards to the Riverside Miniature Golf and Go Kart track. Black • reported that the owner, Scott Simpson, is still interested in selling the business but has not been successful in finding a buyer. Black explained that the course is still operational but that Mr. Simpson is not running the drag strip. Black told commission members that the City owns the main entry building and the land that Mr. Simpson pays rent on along with a percentage of revenue he receives off of his business. Recreation Manager, Gary Hultberg, thanked the Commission for their involvement with the bond project and thanked Chairperson Gomes and Commission Member Woodward for their participation on the steering committee. Due to the lack of agenda items for the December Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Chairperson Gomes informed commission members that there would not be a December meeting. Commission members were told that a meeting would be called if directed by City Council pertaining to the leash law . XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7 :44pm. Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • •