07-14-03 Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment

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formulate Ateport Ibarkix, .teereation, 1 uJtural Rrts an (entertainment. townittee The July 14, 2003 meeting of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 4:20 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Pfeifer, White, Verner, Coleman, Kelly, Kuspa, Kirsits and King; City Controller Rick 011ett, City Attorney Charles Leone, Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair, Fiscal Officer Bill Carleton,Building Commissioner Don Fozo,Tish Rogers, Donna Pfeil, Bill Simon, Greg Bogheim, Terry Bland of the gtODU1 IStatif grthitft and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Coleman noted that the Committee meeting was called to present additional information on the proposed 21st Century Parks Capital Improvement Initiative. He provided a six-page handout entitled"21st Century Parks Capital Improvement Proposal"(copy attached). Council Member Coleman then reviewed the six(6) goals highlight on the 1st page of the handout. He noted that the capital needs in 1999 were approximately$38 million. The capital needs in 2003 are approximately$ 20 million. He noted that the City has utilized a"pay as you go program". He then called upon the Park Superintendent to briefly address the capital items. Phil St. Clair noted that the capital items are a result of the 1999 Park Master Plan. He then highlighted the twelve (12) "Sample Major Capital Improvement Items" listed in the handout. He noted that the Park Maintenance Building relocation is a top priority from the Howard Park area along the St. Joseph River to another location. The Senior Citizen Center could be expanded and addressing the needs for indoor and outdoor aquatics facilities. Elbel Golf Course has opportunities to increase revenue. An outdoor basketball facility in the Southeast Side could become a gathering point. Neighborhood Park improvements are need for the 74 parks in the city at the tune of $ 3-4 million. Extension of the River Walk and enhancing Rum Village Park and Island Park. Potawatomi Zoo has addressed new exhibits in its Master Plan. The Greenhouse is over eighty(80) years old;is expensive to heat;and its outdated. Greg Bogheim then reviewed the five (5) items listed in the "Potawatomi Zoo Wish List" in the handout. He introduced Bill Simon, President of the Zoological Society; Donna Pfeil; and Bob Goodrich of the Park Board. Council Member Coleman then called upon Fiscal Officer Bill Carleton to review potential revenue sources. Mr.Carleton noted that the proposed equipment listing is for the fleet on a lease/purchase basis. Mr. Carleton noted that Fund # 201 "Park Special Revenue" represents the difference between what is taken in and what is spent with a required 7 1/2% cash reserve. Fund # 203 Recreation Non-Reverting" is run by user fees and addresses expenses. Fund # 271 "East Race" is dedicated for Fast Race Improvements funded by fees from race events typically held twice per year ranging from $ 3,000 to $ 6,000 per year. Fund # 272 "Special Events" is "iffy" and represents income from the Garage Sale and Summer in the City. Fund # 401 "Coveleski Stadium" receives user fees from Palisades baseball and is dedicated to Cove upgrades. Fund # 405 "Park Non-Reverting Capital receives income from golf, the zoo, picnic rentals, and other facilities and is used to maintain and upgrade such areas. Council Member Coleman noted that another option would be to consider fee enhancements. He called upon the City Controller to address possible savings in FICA.