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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-14 PRC MINUTES• • • I. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of September 14, 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 Englewood Golf Course Maintenance Facility, 4000 S: Clay Court. Present: Austin Gomes , Chairperson Steve Neyer, Vice Chairperson (arrived at 5:48pm) Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member (arrived at 6:09pm) Kathy Christie , Commission Member (left at 6:20pm) Mitch Waldman , Commission Member (arrived at 5:39pm) Jim Woodward , Commission Member (arrived at 5:40pm) Tara Holmes, Youth Commission Member Martha Warner, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison (arrived at 5:39pm, Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Doug Garrett, City Council Liaison Kendra Grazulis , Youth Commission Member Also present: Gary Hultberg, Manager of Recreation Dave Lee , Manager of Open Space Bob Spada, Manager of Golf Course Lieutenant Steve Knoll, Safety Services (left at 5:50pm) Sergeant Rick Welboume , Safety Services (left at 5:50pm) left at 6:31 pm) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Due to lack of a quorum, the minutes of August 10, 2000 would be approved when a quorum is present. III. SCHEDULED VISITORS There were no scheduled visitors. IV. UNSCHEDULED VISITORS V. There were no unscheduled visitors. REVIEW OF 2000 PARKS PATROL PROGRAM As discussed at the May meeting, Lieutenant Knoll reported that Safety Services was unable to provide full-time officers to patrol the parks in 2000 due to staff shortage. Knoll reminded Commission members that Safety Services personnel had to come up with an proactive program strictly based off of volunteerism from the officers . A report of the 2000 Parks Patrol program was distributed to Commission Members. Knoll explained that thirty-five officers had submitted data relating to activities in the parks; resulting in 915 activities being documented. ·Knoll noted that most of these activities were initiated by the officers, and not from calls from citizens. Of the 915 activities, 4 71 activities resulted in some type of action being taken (ie: warning, summons or arrest), primarily for curfew or alcohol violation. An additional 436 "extra patrols" had been conducted, which entailed walking through the parks , of which nothing was found to be amiss. Knoll noted that a key to this year's patrols was that they were random patrols. In regards to past problems related to ball games and players, Knoll explained that there was very little problem this summer due to the coordination between Parks and Recreation and Safety Services. Knoll commented on the magnets that had been distributed to residents living next to parks, and reported that very few calls were received from citizens living next to the parks. In regards to the Parks Patrol program for 2000 , Knoll commented that the program far exceeded his expectations. Director Black concurred with Knoll . Knoll stated that the officers took ownership of the parks and that he was very pleased with how the program turned out. Commission members complimented Safety Services for a terrific joq in patrolling the parks this past summer. Commission Member Woodward asked ifthe Detention Pond/Hosanna Field was a park or if it was part of the school. Lieutenant Knoll stated that it is considered a park and , therefore , is patrolled as a park. Woodward continued , commenting on the amount of graffiti on a wall south of the fields. Manager of Open Space , Dave Lee, stated that he has already spoken to Don Tomassini with Englewood High School. Lee said that the school is aware of the graffiti and is taking care of it. In regards to the information presented tonight about the 2000 Park Patrol program , Director Black congratulated Lieutenant Knoll and Sergeant Welbourne and Safety Services staff on a job well done. Black also said that he would talk to the City Manager in regards to having Safety Services present the information to City Council and to also be recognized for administering such a successful program. VI. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES Discussion was turned over to Director Bl ack. Commission members were told that last month 's discussion pertaining to residenc y requirements involved two issues: 1) Englewood residents and 2) property or businesses owners in Englewood. Black went on to explain that an Ordinance was passed in 1991 or 1992 allowing a business owner to receive resident privileges in Englewood . In regards to last month 's discussion, Black told Commission Members that he is aware they had requested additional information pertaining to residency requirements. Commission members were informed that staff is still working on gathering that information and will have it available at a later date. VII. OLDE TYME FAIR • • Recreation Manager Hultberg reported that the Olde Tyme Fair was very successful with • approximately 5,500 people in attendance , an increase from the previous year. Hultberg also mentioned that a grant from SCFD was received to help defer the costs of the event. • • • VITI. FIVE YEAR CAPITAL PLAN IX. Discussion on the Five-Year Capital Plan would be postponed until further in the meeting . ARAPAHOE RENT AL Commission members were informed that the City closed with Arapahoe Rental last week and that the City now owns the property. Black explained that as part of negotiated agreement, Mr. Bowie, owner of Arapahoe Rental , would be allowed to remain on the site for up to eighteen months or longer per negotiation. Discussion followed regarding the benefits to the City by having Mr. Bowie on site . X. CENTENNIAL PARK EXP ANSI ON XI. Discussion turned to the Centennial Park Expansion/Rockies Project. Director Black reported that the City received approval from the State for the environmental clean up. Black explained that the area was formerly a dump. Black reported that the traffic study has been completed which confirmed what the neighbors were told , that there would be an increase in traffic but with very little negative impact to the neighborhood . In regards to the Rockies Field , Black told Commission members that a meeting was held with the Rockies, All Souls School and City staff, which proved to be a very difficult meeting. Black explained that the meeting referred to the Five-Year Capital Plan (FYCP), or funding for the project. Black went on to explain that the City's fund balance has decreased , and as part of the budget process, the proposed 2001 budget has recommended the shifting of funds for the project. Black continued, explaining that $355 ,000 was allocated in 2001 budget for the Centennial Park expansion but that the environmental clean-up will cost around $400 ,000 to $500 ,000. Commission members were told that with the recommendation to shift funds , funding would not be available to proceed with the environmental clean up and to begin the project. Commission members were told that the Colorado Rockies is committed to the project and that they have agreed to move the ground breaking to the spring of2001. Black stated that the dilemma is ifthe project is postponed until 2002 due to lack of funding , the City of Englewood and All Souls would need to reapply with the Colorado Rockies, which will not look good. Black informed Commission that he would be speaking to City Council at the budget workshop on September 30th in regards to the funding for the project, with the suggestion to phase the project . Discussion followed regarding phasing. Black explained that due to Centennial Park being located in Sheridan, phasing would involve going to Sheridan City Council and asking them to allow the water, sewer, etc. to be added in at a later time. With the arrival of additional Commission members, Chairperson Gomes asked for approval of the minutes from August 10 , 2000 . Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any additions or changes to the minutes of August 101h. There were none. A motion was made to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously . BONDING FOR RECREATION FACILITIES In regards to the City Council Budget Workshop on September 301 \ Director Black informed Commission members that he would also be discussing bonding for Recreation facilities. Black stated that City Council had directed the Department of Parks and Recreation to move forward with bonding for the expansion of the Englewood Recreation Center, Malley Senior Recreation Center and the development of an aquatics facility at the Arapahoe Rental site. • Black reported that the bonding could possibly include some of the Centennial Park Expansion. Discussion followed as to the next steps for bonding including the forming of a steering committee. XII. CITYCENTER UPDATE Director Black announced that Wal-mart would be opening on Wednesday, September 20th . Black continued, explaining that he had received a call from the Assistant Manager from Wal-mart, regarding Community Grants that they would be giving away at their Grand Opening Ceremony on the 20th. Black explained that $10,000 would be awarded, with the maximum of $2,000 per grant. Commission members were told that the Department of Parks and Recreation had submitted four grants, including one for the Skateboard Park, Halloween Carnival, Malley Computer Lab and the Cultural Arts Commission to help with their Feasibility Study. Black explained that discussions between City Council and David Taylor are moving forward and that negotiations are still continuing regarding finishing costs, etc. Commission Member Christie asked when the elevator for the Light Rail Station would be operational. Black replied that it is his understanding the wrong shaft was installed and that the City is trying to rectify the situation. Christie added that the stairs are very difficult for some people. Discussion moved back to the Five Year Capital Plan. Information was distributed to Commission members. As previously discussed, Black informed Commission members that $50,000 to $55,000 has been committed from the Colorado Rockies for the Rockies Field at Centennial Park. Black explained that funding was approved in the 2000 Public Improvement Fund for the Centennial Park Expansion/Rockies Project. To prevent delay or elimination of the project, Black stated that these funds would need to remain or new funds required. Black told Commission members that there is $400,000 in the Malley Trust Fund for the Malley Center Expansion. Discussion followed regarding using the Malley Trust Fund and Parks and Recreation Trust Fund resources to help fund the Malley Center Expansion and the development of an aquatic facility. Black recommended that the capital items transferred to these funds should be funded from other sources and/or delayed for one year. In regards to the Conservation Trust Fund, Black explained that instead of transferring other projects to the CTF, he recommends to use the fund balance to help with the bond projects and to assist with the completion of the Centennial Park Expansion/Rockies Project. Commission Member Waldman asked Director Black why Commission members received the budget information the same evening as discussion was to be held, and not prior to the meeting so that they could review it. Waldman added that the same thing happened last year. • Director Black apologized for the timeliness of the information. Black assured the • Commission that he would pass on their concern to the City Manager and the Director of Financial Services. • • • XI . Commission was told that City Council is requesting a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission as to the FYCP. In regards to the Centennial Park Expansion, A motion was made by Commission Member Waldman and seconded by Vice Chairperson Neyer, that in order to avoid the risk of losing funding for the Centennial Park Expansion, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommends to City Council to consider the Centennial Park Expansion as a high priority project. The Commission also recommends that the City of Englewood work aggressively with the City of Sheridan in order to complete the necessary portions of the project while funding is available. Youth Commission Member Holmes asked ifthe Centennial Park Expansion is also beneficial to the City of Sheridan . Black explained that the City of Sheridan supports the project and that they had requested water and sewer at the site, which will be included in the PUD. Black added that water and sewer would be available at the site once additional funding became available. The motion passed unanimously. In reference to the presentation by Director Black of the 200 I Five Year Capital Plan , A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by Vice Chairperson Neyer, that the 2001 FYCP, as presented by Director Black, be recommended to City Council. The motion passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Commission was updated in regards to the Big Dry Creek bike trail. Commission members were told that the City of Englewood has been working with South Suburban Park Foundation in the completion of the Big Dry Creek bike trail from Windermere Street to the Platte River and that the City now has ownership of several parcels of land along the trail. Black stated that the trail should be completed by the end of this year. Discussion followed regarding expansion of the trail in 2001 , including a bridge over the Platte River to connect in with the Platte River bike trail. XII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Discussion was turned over to Manager of Open Space, Dave Lee. Lee spoke in regards to discussion the Commission has had regarding park signage. Lee told Commission the new signs are now complete and that they would be placed at all park facilities and entrances. Commission viewed the new signs . Commission member Waldman asked in regards to signage and dogs. Lee explained that the original signs stating that owners must pick up after their pets are still in the parks . Lee noted that the new signs also state that dogs must be under reasonable control , per recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager, announced that the Department of Parks and Recreation has been awarded the CPRA Columbine Award for the Malley Computer Lab for best creative and innovative program in 2000. Hultberg stated that he, along with other department staff, would be attending the CPRA Conference this month to receive the award . Golf Course Manager, Bob Spada, reported that interviews were held earlier that day for potential concessionaires at the Golf Course Clubhouse ; and that a decision should be made in the next week. Commission Member Waldman asked as to the lag time in not having a concessionaire. Spada explained that Q's Tee II Green had left early, although they had paid up through their contract. Waldman spoke in regards to the service received from Q's over the last two weeks. Spada spoke in regards to an issue with a Men's Club member not being a resident. Spada explained that golf staff would be reviewing all pass holders to see if there are other violators. Spada noted that the new RecTrac system would also help control the problem. In response to Spada's last comment, Director Black asked Recreation Manager Hultberg to speak about Rec Trac, the new 'registration system for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Commission members were told that Parks and Recreation has purchased a new software program for registration and point-of-sale for all the Recreation facilities. Hultberg noted the system should be up and running by November. Commission Member Waldman asked if the golf course would then be taking phone reservations. Spada responded not currently, but that staff expects that they may eventually have to go to that. Commission Member Waldman spoke in regards to the Comprehensive Plan Committee that he had volunteered for. Waldman talked about the confusion he had experienced with the first meeting, mailing of information, etc. Other Committee members concurred with Waldman. Black stated that he had attended the last meeting and was made aware of the confusion. Black replied that he would speak to Bob Simpson, Director of Community Development about the committee member's concerns. Vice Chairperson Neyer thanked the Commission for the plant and card that he had received from the Commission due to his surgery. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm. Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary • • •