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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-13 PRC MINUTES• • • City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of April 13, 2000 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Commission Member Armstrong at Englewood Service Center, Training Room, 2800 S. Platte River Drive. Present: Steve Neyer, Vice Chairman Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Kathy Christie, Commission Member Mitch Waldman, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Kendra Grazulis, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:46pm) Tara Holmes, Youth Commission Member Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison Martha Warner, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Austin Gomes, Chairman Also present: Gary Hultberg, Manager of Recreation Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Jeff McVey, Sovereign Sports John Mosier, Sovereign Sports Jeni Rulon, Program Administrator, Youth General (left at 5:40pm) Youth Council (Savannah Mack, Kelsey Ransick, Brad Wanke, Roy Anderson, Keira Armstrong and Nicholas Nabholz) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Due to a quorum not being present, the approval of the March 9, 2000 minutes would be postponed until later in the meeting. III. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS There were no unscheduled visitors. V. YOUTH COUNCIL Recreation Manager Hultberg introduced Jeni Rulon, Program Administrator and staff liaison to the Youth Council. Hultberg explained that the Youth Council is an advisory board to the Parks and Recreation youth division. Discussion was turned over to Ms. Rulon. Ms. Rulon gave an update as to the activities the Youth Council has been involved with, incl uding meeting Englewood City Council and working with the Rotolo Park playground project. Youth Council members were introduced. Commission member Armstrong complimented Ms. Rulon on her work with the Youth Council. Armstrong spoke to the Youth Council members in appreciation of their input and encouraged them and their friends to contact a Parks and Recreation Commission member if they have any comments or suggestions . APPROVAL OF MINUTES The meeting was turned over to Vice Chairperson Neyer. With a quorum present, Vice Chairperson Neyer asked if there were any corrections or changes to the minutes of March 9, 2000. There were none. A motion was made to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. VI. ROCKIES FIELD Director Black introduced John Mosier and Jeff Mc Vey with Sovereign Sports. Black explained that Mr. Mosier and Mr. Mc Vey were at tonight's meeting to present a concept design for the Colorado Rockies Youth Field/Centennial Park Expansion, and to receive input from the Commission. Plans for the fields were distributed. Commission members were informed that if approved tonight, the next steps for presenting the plans would be a neighborhood meeting, then City Council and then Planning and Zoning. Black said that the information step would be to the City of Sheridan Planning and Zoning Commission as part of the PUD process. Black noted that the plans were not in final form. Discussion was turned over to Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager. Hultberg explained that staff from the City and Sovereign Design have spoken to each sports association in order to meet as many needs as possible. Hultberg noted that several hours were also spent with a kay aking representative for amenities along the Platte River trail. Director Black commented that there has also been discussion with All Souls School regarding usage. Black stated that in the near future, All Souls would be meeting with Sovereign Design and the Colorado Rockies to start fundraising efforts. Discussion was turned over to Mr. Mc Vey. Mr. Mc Vey walked through the conceptual plans. Discussion ensued. Mr. Mc Vey announced that Brent Mayne would be the Rockies Player to whom the field will be named after. Commission member Armstrong asked if the current ballfield and parking facilities would stay. Director Black replied that nothing on that side of the park would be affected. Armstrong also asked in regards to drainage into the Platte River with the use of fertilizers. Mr. Mosier responded that that part of the engineering plans have not been done, but that it would be addressed. In regards to the area along Union Avenue and west of the Colorado Rockies Youth Field, Director Black explained that additional landscaping could be added for aesthetic reasons. Discussion turned to lighting and the impact to the neighborhood. Mr. Mosier reported that th'.e Colorado Rockies has been working with a company for special lighting. Mr. Mosier explained the special lighting and glare reduction. Commission members were told that a • • • • • • representative from the company would be present at the neighborhood meeting. It was noted that there is already a lighted field in the area. Discussion followed regarding the location of the playground north of the ball fields and safety. The suggestion of taller fences or trees was discussed. Commission members were told that a concession stand would not be located at the Pavillion. Recreation Manager Hultberg commented that there are lots of self-contained concessions available. Mr. Mosier asked how the City of Englewood handles liability in a park. Director Black commented that the biggest issue in a park is neglect. Discussion continued regarding liability at the playground. Recreation Manager Hultberg stated that the City would protect its users however it needs to. Director Black told Commission members that staff is looking for a recommendation to move forward with the plans for the development of Colorado Rockies Youth Field/Centennial Park Expansion and the neighborhood meetings. Commission member Waldman asked in regards to a timeframe. Director Black explained that if the plans get approved, construction should start in July with an opening in October. Mr. Mosier added that the fields would be ready for play in the Spring of 2001 with a Grand Opening in the Fall, also of 2001. A motion was made by Commission member Waldman and seconded by Commission member Woodward that staff proceed with the planning and develo p ment of the Colorado Rockies Youth Field/Centennial Park Expansion . The motion passed unanimously. Commission members were told that the concept plans would be taken to the City of Sheridan on April 25 1h, with a presentation to City Council within the follo wi ng two weeks. Director Black added that the plans would be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission as a n informational item , then to the City of Sheridan Planning and Zoning Commission. City Council Liaison Garrett suggested that the plans be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission first in case there are any changes. VII. ARAPAHOE RENTAL Director Black gave an update in regards to the Arapahoe Rental property. Commiss io n members were informed that an agreement has been made with Don Bowey, the owner of Arapahoe Rental. The City Attorney is now reviewing the agreement. Black explained that per the agreement, Mr. Bowey would be allowed to remain on the premises for up to fifteen months in order to close out his business. Black added that it is his hope to close on the purchase within the next ninety days. Commission member Waldman asked if there were any problems with the soil testing. Director Black replied that there were a few issues but that the soil was cleaner than had been expected. Director Black told Commission members that the City Council Spring Workshop would be Saturday, May 6th. Black informed Commission members that he would be discussing with City Council the issue of bonding for an aquatic facility and the expansion of the Englewood Recreation Center and Malley Senior Center. Black noted that the earliest the vote would go to the voters would be in 2001. VIII. MEMORIALS IX. Manager of Open Space, Dave Lee, distributed updated brochures for the Commemorative Bench and Tree Planting programs. Lee asked for comments or suggestions from the Commission . Lee noted that he has six to eight people on hold wanting to do something in a park. A motion was made by Commission member Armstrong and seconded by Commission member Waldman to approve and recommend that the City of Englewood's Commemorative Tree Planting and Commemorative Bench programs be implemented as presented tonight. The motion passed unanimously. Vice Chairperson Neyer asked how the self-placed memorials would be handled, since they are not referred to in the information distributed. Director Black stated that the responsible party would be asked to remove the memor ial. If it were not removed, the City would then remove it. Commission members were informed that the Commemorative programs would be presented to City Council in Study Session Monday night. If pleased, the new policy will be implemented. SUMMER PROGRAM/ENGLEWOOD SCHOOLS Discussion was turned over to Recreation Manager Hultberg. Commission members were told that Englewood Public Schools are now under extensive construction due to bond improvements and that staff has worked diligently with Larry Nisbet with Englewood Schools to prevent any major impact to Parks and Recreation programs. Hultberg reported that he was happy to announce that there were no curtails or cutbacks and that summer programs would be running as usual. Director Black complimented Englewood Schools staff in how they have worked with the City. X. SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Schedules for the 2000 Summer Concert Series were distributed . Recreation Manager Hultberg noted that the concerts would be held at the Little Dry Creek for the entire summer. XI. GOLF COURSE, GOLF COORDINATOR POSITION Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager announced that the Golf Operations Coordinator position is currently being advertised. Spada commented that the position has been vacant since December 31, 1999 due to Jack Poole's retirement. Spada reported that since only one application has been received, the deadline would be extended to April 21, 2000. • • Discussion followed regarding changes to the job including going from a full-time to part-• time status. Golf Manager Spada explained that the Golf Course will be going to a computerized registration/inventory system in the near future and at this point, are not sure of • • • XII. future needs or responsibilities brought on by the new system. Spada went on to explain that by hiring a part-time employee, the division is not locked into something if responsibilities would change for that position. Director Black noted that by going to a part-time position, staffing is also reduced during the off-season, which will in tum save money . DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Commission members were told that along with the Commemorative Tree Planting and Bench programs going to Study Session Monday night, staff would also be discussing a Special Events Coordinator position to be housed at the Civic Center building. Black explained that the Department of Parks and Recreation would be overseeing the cultural space and Plaza area at the Civic Center building; and that the thought is the demand will be so great for usage of these areas, that the new position is necessary. Discussion followed regarding other responsibilities of the position including overseeing the Summer Concert Series and Olde Tyme Fair. Black noted that he had numerous conversations with the City Manager regarding the new position. XIII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE In regards to Q's Tee II Green restaurant and the food shack on the Golf Course, Commission member Waldman asked in regards to Q's contract and why the food shack has not opened. Golf Course Manager Spada replied that the shack opens in the summer months, which is usually sometime in May. Spada noted that there is not a contract with the restaurant in regards to the food shack but that there is an agreement in regards to the food cart that is out on the course. Spada explained that the cart is only brought out on nice days and when staff is available to run it. Commission member Waldman commented on the #3 Tee box and if it could be more level. Recreation Manager Spada explained that the issue is currently being evaluated by Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space. Spada reported that staff is also looking into improvements to the #4 green. Commission member Waldman asked in regards to the status of Riverside Miniature Golf facility and ifthere has been any interest in buying it. Recreation Manager Spada reported that there was a gentleman interested in the business. Spada commented that Mr. Simpson is asking $125,000 for the business and that it was his understanding that the interested party was not close to that price. Youth Commission member Holmes announced that the Englewood High School Drama Department will be performing "The Curious Savage" May 4th-6th. Youth Commission member Holmes commented that teen activities offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation are not being advertised at the High School. Director Black responded that City Council had asked for information relating to a Teen Center. Staff is currently putting that information together for the May Workshop. Holmes suggested a bowling night or an event with other local high schools . In regards to the Entry Port Signage presentation at the March meeting, Youth Commission member Holmes commented that she had taken the information back to the student who said that they would like to see artwork designed by students for the four entry ports . Council Member Garrett gave an update in regards to CityCenter. Garrett reported that the closing with Trammel Crow is scheduled for May 24th. Garrett announced that there would be a tour of the Civic Center building on Friday , May 5th, which would include Board and Commission members. Commission members were told that City Hall will move June 9th - 11th with a grand celebration on Monday , June 12th. In regards to a recent article concerning RTD and bridge safety, Council Member Garrett commented that concerns with safety seem to be more for in the future. Garrett stated that Light Rail will be up and running by the scheduled opening date of July 14, 2000. Discussion followed regarding the City of Sheridan Light Rail Stop and issues with parking and fare differential. Vice Chairperson Neyer asked in regards to protection for that surrounding neighborhood. Council Member Garrett responded that the City will have to wait and see if there is an impact. Commission member Armstrong commented on an attachment in the April packet about a meeting with the Arapahoe County Open Space and Trails Advisory Group. The flyer discusses the development and administration of an Arapahoe County Open Space program and the purchase or acquisition of open space lands. Armstrong stated that the she had met with the group today , and that they had discussed making recommendation on the use of County lottery funds. Director Black stated that it was his understanding that the group was trying to put through an open space tax. Black reported that the group is supposed to be making a presentation to Englewood City Council in the near future. Armstrong asked if the City of Englewood could apply for that. Black replied that there is not a lot of open space in Englewood, and the only area that he could think of that it would apply to would be along the Platte River. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7: 1 Opm. Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • •