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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-08 PRC MINUTES• • • I. II. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of June 8, 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 Centennial Park, Shelter #1, 4630 S. Decatur. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairman Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Kathy Christie , Commission Member Mitch Waldman , Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member (arrived at 5:47pm) Martha Warner, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison (arrived at 5:48pm) Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison Also present: Gary Hultberg, Manager of Recreation Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space Kendra Grazulis, Former Youth Commission Member Tara Holmes, Former Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:51pm) Hank Long, Director of Englewood Public Library Virginia Steele, President of Denver City Restorations (arrived at 5:59pm) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any corrections or changes to the minutes of May 11, 2000. There were none. A motion was made to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. ID. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS There were no unscheduled visitors. V. HANK LONG AND VIRGINIA STEELE VI. Due to Ms. Steele not being present, discussion would be postponed until later in the meeting. TENNIS COURT LIGHTING Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, began discussion on tennis court lighting. Commission members were told that due to a recommendation from 1993, lights at the tennis courts in Englewood were no longer provided. Lee went on to explain that although the lights have been turned off, some users have enabled the lights by accessing the timers. Commission members were told that last month, park staff patrolled the tennis courts in the evening to monitor use. Staff saw the lights being used two times. Lee discussed that if a recommendation was made by the Parks and Recreation Commission in regards to lights at the tennis courts, the options available including making lights • available at all courts, only certain courts, or leave as is with no lights being available at any courts. Commission member Waldman asked if there was any signage at the facilities letting the public know that there are lights. Lee replied no but explained that as far as the public knows, lights are not available to them. Commission member Armstrong asked how many calls are received requesting lights. Lee replied that he receives approximately one per year. In terms of turning lights back on, Black suggested starting on a small scale and moving up if the demand is present, giving the example of starting at Romans. Commission member Armstrong asked in regards to the downside of lights being on. Lee read from the memo from 1994, which recommended the lights being turned off due to complaints from the neighbors. The comment was made that lights keep people around. Vice Chairperson Neyer asked if the tennis courts at Englewood High School have lights. Lee replied that the lights at the High School were turned off when Parks and Recreation turned off the lights at their facilities. Recreation Manager Hultberg noted that there would be some expense if lights were reinstated including new timers and possible replacement of lamps, if not fixtures. Commission member Waldman asked if something could be worked out with the School • District. Lee stated that he would find out. Youth Commission member Grazulis reported that there are lights at Englewood High School. Lee told Commission members that he would get in touch with the High School in regards to lights being available to the public. If so, Lee stated that signs would be posted at all tennis courts notifying the public that lighted courts are available at the High School. Commission members concurred with Lee's suggestion. Black informed Commission members that they would be updated as to Lee's conversation with the High School at the next Commission meeting. VII. GOLF FEE INCREASE Director Black informed Commission members that he would be discussing the golf fee increase since Bob Spada, Golf Manager, was not able to attend tonight's meeting. Black continued, saying that as discussed at the last meeting, additional information regarding the increase had been sent to them along with an attachment per Commission member Waldman's request for only a non-resident increase. Information sent included 2001 proposed fee schedule, revenue impact and fee survey of area golf courses, which showed Englewood being one of the lowest fee courses in the metro area. In regards to Waldman's request, Black explained that staff had looked into an increase for non-residents only but feels that the original proposal is appropriate. Black went on to explain that the Englewood Golf Course was rated the number one course for best bargain public course through CitySearch and that it also received the Englewood Herald's Best of the Best for golf courses voted by its readers. Recreation Manager Hultberg noted that the Englewood Recreation Center was also voted the best workout facility for the Englewood Herald 's Best of the Best. • • • Director Black told Commission members that according to Bob Spada's memo sent to them, that even with the increase, the Englewood Golf Course is still a great value. Black reminded Commission members that when the golf course expansion was done in 1995 , it was recommended that the golf course increase their fees every two years. A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Neyer and seconded by Commission member Christie in support of the 2001 fee increase for the Englewood Golf Course and to recommend that the proposed fee increase be presented to City Council. The motion passed 5-1 with Commission Member Waldman opposed . In regards to the vandalism to the # 11 green, Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space informed Commission members that results came back and showed that 2-4D herbicide had been used. Lee told Commission members that it should take anywhere from four to six weeks , depending on how well germination and spreading takes, for the green to be brought back to playing condition . VIII. CITYCENTER UPDATE IX . Commission members were updated in regards to CityCenter. Director Black reported that Walmart and the residential developer have closed. Commission members were also told that the moving of City Hall into the new Civic Center building had started tonight. Black invited Commission members to the grand opening on Monday. Black continued , saying that City Manager Sears , along with some City Council members and the retail developer, had attended the International Conference on Shopping Centers in Las Vegas. Black reported that tenants that showed interest for the site included Office Depot, Bailey's, Johnny Carina 's restaurant and possibly Petsmart. Black spoke in regards to the number of celebrations for this summer including the RTD Light Rail Opening on Friday , July 14th . With the arrival of Ms. Steele, discussion was turned over to Hank Long, Director of the Englewood Public Library . Long explained that City Council gave their approval for money for Englewood Historical Society to tum the Englewood Depot into a local history museum. Long went on to explain that the Englewood Historical Society is looking into developing a strategic plan and through a request for proposal , selected Denver City Restorations to work with the Englewood Historical Society. Long noted that part of that process for developing a strategic plan includes meeting with the Boards and Commissions of the City of Englewood to gather input. Discussion was turned over to Ms. Steele , President of Denver City Restorations. Ms . Steele spoke in regards to her role with the Englewood Historical Society and the role of the Englewood Historical Society. Commission members were asked for their comments. Discussion followed which included discussion on the Skerritt House , the Englewood Depot, involvement with Youth and the Cherrelyn Horsecar. Ms. Steele thanked the Commission for their time and input. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black discussed the Englewood Golf Course's Hole N' One Junior Golf Program, a program designed to introduce the game of golf to children ages 5-17 years of age. Black explained that the Englewood Golf Course had received a grant from the United States Golf Association for $10 ,000 to start up the prograµi. Black announced that there would be a check presentation at one of the classes on June 29th. XII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE As discussed at the May meeting, Commission member Armstrong discussed the formation of a Citizen Board for the State of Colorado. Armstrong explained that the formation of this board was unsuccessful a time before but that a gentleman from Foothills Parks and Recreation District is trying it again. Director Black announced that a CPRA Director's Section meeting would be held next Thursday. Black asked a Board Member to attend the meeting with him. Commission Member Woodward volunteered. Director Black spoke in regards to the construction at the Englewood Schools and the impact on the programs at the schools. Black explained that there have been some problems, which staff had expected, and that staff expects there will be more problems. Black recognized Larry Nisbet with Englewood Schools Administration, for his help and timeliness in addressing the problems. XII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Cultural Arts Liaison Warner told Commission Members that the Cultural Arts Commission negotiated with the Museum of Outdoor Arts for an Englewood Resident Program. Warner explained that resident discounts include: 5 six week after-school art classes exclusively to Englewood residents free of charge, scholarships for City of Englewood residents starting at 75% of the non-member fees for art classes, and ten percent off of non-member art class pnces. In regards to Warner's conversation, Vice Chairperson Neyer told Commission members that he had picked up a Museum of Outdoor Arts brochure and that he was impressed with what programs they were offering. Neyer added that he now has a different perception ofMOA. Discussion followed. Neyer commented as to the condition of the multi-purpose courts in Englewood parks. Manager of Open Space, Lee, explained that staff is aware of the condition of the courts, along with the tennis courts. Lee went on to explain that a poor job was done that last time they were re-surfaced and that staff is looking into re-surfacing them. Commission Member Waldman asked as to why the Rent-a-Worker program was not advertised in the last brochure. Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager, explained that the Department is no longer running the program due to low participation. Commission Member Christie asked in regards to the bond election for Englewood Parks and Recreation. Di rector Black reported that City Council had given direction to move forward with a bond election for Fall of 2001. Black explained that a citizen committee would be formed. Commission Member Armstrong spoke in regards to the unique design of the Union Kayake shoot along the Platte River. Armstrong explained that there would be a tour in October of 2001 of some of the more unique shoots in Colorado and was hoping they could spend some time at the Union shoot. Lee said there would be no problem and added that he has heard that the Union shoot is one of the best in the United States. • • • • • Youth Commission Member Holmes reported that she is re-applying for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Holmes also encouraged Commission members to go see Grease, the Department of Parks and Recreation's summer drama production. Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Warner commented on the South Broadway construction and the removal of the trees. Lee explained that due to the widening of the streets and the moving of the sidewalks, the trees needed to be moved but that they would be replaced with new ones. Recreation Manager Hultberg announced that the Sounds of Summer Concerts would be starting June 22nd at the Little Dry Creek Plaza. Hultberg also announced that Rec Zone, formerly Safe Summer has started. Flyers were distributed. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:10pm. '°1WILL d. ~uzU Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary