10-26-09 PARCS Committee - Laserfiche WebLink

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s: :~; >: - t~,~~` PARCS COMMITTEE October 26, 2009 Ann Puzzello, Chairperson, PARCS Committee called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m. Committee Members Present: Oliver J. Davis, Timothy Rouse Other Councilmember's Present: David Varner, Derek Dieter, Karen White, Henry Davis, Tom LaFountain Other's Present: Dale Devon, Gregg Zientara, Mayor Steve Luecke, Mikki Dobski, Bob Mathia, Jeff Parrott, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Gary Gilot, Tom Price, John Voorde Agenda: Update -College Football Hall of Fame -Mayor Steve Luecke In response to the Council's request for an update on the status of the College Football Hall of Fame. Mayor Luecke made a presentation to the PARC Committee Chaired by Councilmember Puzzello. The Mayor recounted what had transpired since the city was notified on September 22, 2009 by the National Football Foundation that they would be moving the Hall to Atlanta. He noted that though the city has a contract with the NFF to keep the Hall in South Bend through 2010 he might prefer they leave earlier, even by the end of the year. The NFF has stated they would work to accommodate whatever scenario the city prefers. The Mayor said a number of issues need to be addressed. Namely, contractual specifics, transitional issues, timelines, and re-use of the building. To that end the Mayor said he had initiated atwo-pronged approach. One would be to work out specifics with the NFF. Second, he announced the appointment of a 28 member committee to plan for re-use of the facility which the city will be making payments on through 2018. Councilmember Rouse saying taxpayers feel as though they've gotten a raw deaf from the start. So a private tax paying entity should be sought allowing taxpayers a break, Rouse stated. Luecke said he favors a public use. City Clerk John Voorde asked if any consideration is being given to the suggestion the Hall be converted to a Casino. The Mayor said there was none. Councilmember Varner said if we provide the same funding support to anon-profit use that the Hall now enjoys we really haven't made any progress. Councilmember Henry Davis said he was up set that he was not on the re-use committee in that the Hall was in his district and he had already initiated discussions with the architect and others about feasible re-uses. He and Councilmember White also felt concerned about the lack of racial and ethnic diversity on the re- use committee. Rouse re-emphasized his concern for the taxpayers who have and will continue to foot the bill for the Hall. *Tribune story and re-use committee list attached. There being no further business to come before the Committee at this time, Chairperson Ann Puzzello, adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m. R gectfully Su fitted, zello, airp PARCS Committee