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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-08-13 PRC MINUTES• • Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of August 13, 1998 \ The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairman Gomes at Cushing Park, 795 W. Eastman Street. Members present: Armstrong, Christie, Gomes, Markwood, Neyer, Waggoner, Waldman, Black ex officio Members absent: Also present: Nicole Davis and Julia Ciebiera, Commission Youth members Gary Hultberg, Manager of Recreation Dave Lee, Manager of Open Spaces Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Denise White, Marketing and Public Information Administrator, Department of Parks and Recreation Linda Trujillo , Administrative Aide, Department' of Parks and Recreation Chairman Gomes asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of July 9, 1998. There were none. A motion was made to approve the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Jerrell Black, Parks and Recreation Director, introduced Denise White, Marketing and Public Information Administrator for the Department of Parks and Recreation . Black then updated Commission on the progress of Cinderella City. Black said that demolition was progressing quickly, and invited Commission members to a demolition ceremony that the City would be hosting at the site on Tuesday, August 18, at 1 O:OOam. Black distributed an article from Friday , July 24th's Rocky Mo_untain News rating area mini-golf courses . The article rated Riverside Mini Golf less than favorable. Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, commented that he has discussed the concerns with Scott Simpson, the owner of Riverside Mini-Golf. Spada reported that Simpson is committed to improving the conditions at the course. Spada added he would be visiting the mini-golf the next day to see ifthe concerns were being addressed. Spada added that Simpson has been trying to sell the property, but has not been successful. Black explained that an ordinance to revise the City's agreement with Riverside Mini-Golf was on the agenda for the next City Council meeting. In the original agreement made in 1995, the statement referring to liability insurance was inadvertently left out. An amendment allowing the insurance deduction would be added to the current agreement. Black then gave a brief history of Riverside Mini-Golf. Black stated that Simpson had attempted • to sell the property to the City several years ago, but that the City had not entered into serious negotiations due to an appraisal indicating a lower value for the property. Commission member Christie questioned the arrangement between Simpson and the City. Black explained that~ City owns the property, and that Simpson has a lease until year 2010. The City has • first right of refusal on any offer made for the property. Black then introduced Bob Seams, a consultant with Urban Edges. Seams had been invited to speak to Commission about the urban trail project, which would tie the bike path at Belleview Park from Big Dry Creek down to the Platte River. Seams said that the goal of completing the path to the Platte River was an $890,000 project, and that the South Suburban Park Foundation had retained McLaughlin Engineers to do the engineering work. Seams explained that meetings had· been held with key landowners in the area, particularly RBI, who had agreed to provide right-of-way on either the north or south bank of the river. Seams explained that $413,000 had · been raised to date for the project with contributions coming from the City of Littleton, the City of Englewood, the Urban Drainage District, the Arapahoe County Conservation Trust Fund, and State Trails. A campaign to raise the rest of the funds would include soliciting corporations. Completion of the trail will include finalizing right-of-way to the Platte, and securing easements from the railroads. Commission member Christie asked about the anticipated finish date. Seams answered the proposed finish date will be sometime in 2000. Black asked if it would be possible to work with the Park Foundation on a link from Cinderella City to the Greenway Trail. Seams answered that he would present that question at a Board meeting he would be attending the next day. Dave Lee, Manager of Open Spaces, asked whether Littleton or Englewood would maintain the new section. Seams said that it was his understanding that South Suburban would be the main entity. Seams left the meeting at 6:15pm. Discussion turned to the Olde Tyme Fair scheduled for August 22 and 23 at Miller Field. Gary Hultberg, Manager of Recreation, distributed flyers. Hultberg said the four components of the Fair included food, field games, on-going entertainment, and a midway. Hultberg then announced that the Englewood Fall Activity Guides had been mailed. Hultberg noted that Denise White , the new Marketing & Public Information Administrator, had made many improvements to the Guide. Discussion turned to Englewood Recreation Center renovations. Hultberg explained that a racquetball court had been converted to a circuit training room with an extra 800 feet. Further improvements will include adding fans, TV 's, mirrors, etc. Hultberg also talked about the addition of an elevator for the Rec Center, which would allow elderly and disabled access upstairs. The apparatus would actually be a lift rather than an elevator . Hultberg announced that the Rec Center would be closed August 31 -September 4 for annual maintenance. • • • • • Discussion then turned to Director's Choice. Black announced that he and Hultberg would be ._ attending the Starburst award presentation at Hyland Hills the next day. The Department submitted the missile project at Belleview Park for the award. Black updated Commission members on the situation involving the methane explosion near the Golf Course last fall. Black said that staff from the Golf Course and the City Attorney were working with the Tri-County Health Department about the issue. Black disclosed that the cause of the explosion was found to be a faulty furnace, but that methane levels were found to be high. Black said holes had been drilled in the area to moniter methane levels since December, and that he would keep the Commission posted on the situation. Also regarding the golf course , Black reported that Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager, would bring to the next meeting informat ion regarding fee increases at the golf course. Commission member Waldman asked whether the increases would be weighted. Black responded that the increases would most likely be across the board. Commission Waggonner asked about the Kiewet property. Black said that the property had been sold and would be a waste transfer site. Residents were concerned about the possibility of septic and a shallow well at the site. Black said that the City is tracking the situation. Commission member Ne yer asked about possibly acknowledging Hyla Ferguson and others for their work on murals done at Rotolo Park. Dave Lee responded that it was planned to bring Ferguson and her group before City Council to do a proclamation. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55pm. Linda Trujillo, Recording Secretary