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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-11 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 11, 2000 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 Golf Course Clubhouse, 2101 W. Oxford Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairman Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Kathy Christie , Commission Member Mi tch 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 Also present: Gary Hultberg, Manager of Recreation Bob Spada, Golf Course Manager Lieutenant Steve Knoll , Safety Services (left at 6:35pm) Sergeant Rick Welboume, Safety Services (left at 6:35pm) Il. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any corrections or changes to the minutes of April 13, 2000. There were none. A motion was made to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Ill. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS v. There were no unscheduled visitors . PARK PATROL Manager of Open Space, Dave Lee , introduced Lieutenant Knoll and Sergeant Welboume of the City of Englewood, Safety Services Division. Discussion was turned over to Lieutenant Knoll. Knoll informed Commission members that he was at tonight's meeting to inform the Commission that due to a tremendous difficulty in hiring quality police officers , Safety Services will be unable to do as much in park patrol as in the past years. Knoll stated that the park patrol program is staffed with part-time police officers funded by grants. Knoll went on to explain that full-time officers are hired from the part-time pool and that the City of Englewood has lost a large number of full-time officers. Commission members were told that the funding is available, but that there is only one part-time officer who has been assigned to roving park patrol. Information regarding reports/incidents was distributed to Commission members. Lieutenant Knoll continued, explaining that due to the lack of officers , alternative measures are being taken to assure park safety. Sergeant Welbourne was introduced. Knoll commented on Welbourne 's creativity in dealing with the park patrol issue. Discussion was turned over to Sergeant Welbourne. Welbourne spoke in regards to the need for patrol on the evenings and weekends. Commission members were told that officers are enforcing a "no tolerance " polic y and that the Parks and Recreation Department will be notified of repeat offenders. In regards to patrolling, Welbourne explained that on-duty officers are using foot patrol , motorcycles and bicycles to patrol park areas and have been doing so on their own , and not by assignment. Commission members were informed of a flyer that will be distributed to park neighbors. The flyer will outline park rules along with a number to call to report any incidents. Welbourne discussed Cornerstone Park and said that although the park is located in Littleton , Englewood is responsible for patrolling the park. Welbourne stated that the flyer will also be distributed to Cornerstone Park neighbors to let them know they need to call Englewood. Commission members were told that a magnet has also been created with the phone number. Discussion ensued regarding trespassing notices and curfew. Commission members were told of other ideas by Sergeant Welbourne that included larger signs in the parks and announcements prior to the start of games outlining the more important park rules . Manager of Open Space , Dave Lee , spoke in regards to the leash law in Englewood. As previously discussed with the Commission, pets must be on a leash or under reasonable voice command if not on a leash. Lee stated that the problem is that the signs in the parks need to be revamped , which should be done by the end of June . Discussion followed regarding the Ordinance and enforcement of a leash law. VI. SCULPTURE ARTIST RECEPTION Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager, announced that there would be a reception for the Little Dry Creek Sculpture Garden on Saturday, May 13th. Hultberg exp lained that the reception is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Commission and will include the Society for the Preservation of Humanity , the group who created the artwork. Commission members were invited to the reception. VII. KAYAKING Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space, reported that Parks and Recreation staff has been working with representatives from Mountain Miser in regards to a White Water Rodeo on the South Platte River for June 9-11, 2000. Lee told Commission members that the Rodeo would be held at the Union shoot near Centennial Park and due to the location , jurisdictions including Englewood, Sheridan , South Suburban and the Colorado Water Conservation Board have been included in the discussions. Commission members were told that the group is expecting 100-150 people. Lee commented that he thought it would be less and would be mostly professionals. Lee also noted that event planners hope that the Rodeo will become an annual event. • • • • • • Commission was informed that the major concerns are through Safety Services which include traffic and neighborhood issues. Commission member Neyer asked if all the municipalities involved have given their approval. Lee replied not necessarily, that again concerns stem from Safety Services. VIII. CULTURALSPACE Director Black informed Commission members that the Department of Parks and Recreation was given 4 ,000 square feet of space at the Civic Center building. Black reported that the Cultural Arts Commission gave their final approval on design of the space at the May meeting . Discussion followed regarding the layout for the area. The space could possibly be finished by the opening of the Light Rail in July. IX. FUNDING, RECREATION FACILITIES x. Director Black told Commission members that at the City Council retreat last weekend, information had been presented in regards to bonding for Recreation facilities. Black reminded Commission members that the aquatic facility for the Arapahoe Rental property had been put on hold due to the CityCenter development. Commission members were informed that the bonds for the Englewood Recreation Center would be paid off in 2002 and that the timing was good. Information showing completion of projects was distributed to Commission members. Black explained the three main projects including the aquatic facility, Englewood Recreation Center expansion and Malley Senior Recreation Center expansion. Black reported that City Council gave their consensus to move forward with bonding for 2001. Black discussed the steps to follow . In regards to the $1.6 million budgeted for the Centennial Park Expansion, Commission member Christie asked if that included the ballfields. Director Black replied that the $1.6 million has to do with everything there . Black noted that the Colorado Rockies would be bringing $80,000. Black told Commission members that the site is a landfill, which will be an issue and involve mitigation. Cultural Arts Liaison Warner asked about the skate/ice rink. Director Black explained that it was on hold but that a portable rink could be considered once CityCenter was complete. In regards to the Skate Park at Centennial Park, Black informed Commission members that since South Suburban skate rink opened at Cornerstone, the park has also been put on hold and the thought is to now leave the area as natural space. Director Black commented that Chairperson Gomes is on the Malley Center Trust Fund and that the Board has raised about $316,000 with hopes of it going towards the expansion of the Malley Recreation Facility . CITYCENTER UPDATE Council Member Garrett g av e an update on CityCenter. Garrett reported that the residential developer closed on Monday, with a payment to the City of $5 million. Garrett added that the City is also close to closing with Miller Wiengarten. Discussion followed regarding the Civic Center building. Commission members were told that Wal-Mart is expecting a soft opening in July . Garrett explained that a soft opening is when the store opens prior to its grand opening. In regards to • the Art Wall at Wal-Mart, Garrett explained that thirty-eight entries were received, with four selected for pre-model for June 14th . Commission member Christie discussed the noise level along Santa Fe. XI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Director Black announced that staff is looking at a fee increase for the Englewood Golf Course. Black explained that when the course was expanded, it was recommended that an increase should be put through every two years. Black went on to explain that there is a new trend for a weekday rate and weekend rate and that the increase would be mostly for the weekend rates. Commission members were told that information regarding the increase would be sent to them for review, and for them to contact Bob Spada, Golf Manager, if there were any questions. Council member Garrett explained that the information had been presented at the City Council retreat and that a comparison of rates at courses had been shown which was beneficial in seeing where Englewood compared. Garrett suggested that that information also be included . Commission member Waldman suggested raising non-residents rates and leaving resident rates as is. Waldman noted that the Golf Course was a city service. Director Black responded that in comparison to other courses , the Englewood Golf Course 's non-resident • rates are right on the border and that the resident rates are way below. Black noted that staff would still do a comparison in regards to the impact to revenue if only the non-resident rates were increased by $2.00. Golf Manager Spada noted that it needs t o be taken into consideration that there are a lot of new courses and that 78 % of play at the Englewood Golf Course is non-residents . Spada commented that if the rates are too high , the course will lose those non-residents. XII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Youth Commission member Holmes reported that she had taken the Colorado Rockies Youth Field/Centennial Park Expansion design back to student government. Holmes said that the students were excited and commented that some stress will be taken off of Miller Field. Director Black noted that Youth Commission member Holmes ' and Grazulis ' terms expire as of June 1st. Black invited the two members back to the June 8th meeting. Commission member Christie spoke in regards to the new Englewood Leadership Academy, an alternative middle school that will be located upstairs of the Lowell Annex. Commission member Armstrong explained that Hal Dorian from the South Suburban Board of Directors is trying to organize a Parks and Recreation section for Colorado Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Discussion followed. Director Black stated that Administration received a request for a roster of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Armstrong • suggested that a representative be selected from the group. Commission members were informed that Denver will host the NRP A (National Recreation and Parks Association) Congress in 2001. Black told Commission members that money • • would be budgeted for Commission members to attend the Congress. Discussion followed regarding opportunities for board members. Commission member Waldman asked in regards to the # 11 Green at the Englewood Golf Course. Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, stated that the green had been vandalized. Lee explained that soil samples have been submitted to detennine what was used on the turf, but suspected Round-Up and WD40. Discussion followed regarding cost to repair the green including soil replacement if necessary. Lee told Commission members that a temporary green is being used and expects 4-6 more weeks off of the green once repairs have been done. Waldman passed on an article from USA Today about an Illinois school's PE model program. Waldman spoke in regards to another article from the Rocky Mountain News concerning "lifeguard lung". Waldman asked if the issue has been addressed at the Englewood Recreation Center pool. Director Black replied that the pool's water is monitored daily with reports available to Tri-County Health. Black went on to explain that there has not been a problem at the Englewood Recreation Center pool since it opened in 1985. Commission members were told that Brad Anderson, Aquatic Program Administrator, is a national trainer and a certified pool operator. Dave Lee infonned Commission members that he has had some inquiries about tennis court lights. Lee stated that he would do some research in the next month regarding neighborhood concerns and budget and bring the infonnation to next month's commission meeting for Commission's recommendation . Lee showed a thank you card from kindergartners from Maddox Elementary. Lee explained that the Parks Division planted a flowering crabtree at Maddox in honor of Arbor Day. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:04pm. Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary