04-09-01 Parks & Recreation - Laserfiche WebLink

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r y • 1G mantilla import: marks anti Iturtation Qtommitae The April 9, 2001 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Council Member Sean Coleman at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, King, Kelly, Varner, Pfeifer, Ujdak, White, Coleman and Kirsits; Citizen Member William J. Kuminecz, Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, City Attorney Charles Leone, Larry Magliozzi, Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair, Paul McMinn, Joe Sergio, Jim Frick, Colette Bigi of Granger, Corey Clapper Bob Wilson, Adam Taruscki, Phil Maternowski, Jeff Kelly, Phil Misle, Matt Mulligan, Terry Bland of the 'ottt.b tt rributtU,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Coleman suggested that the meeting be moved to the Council Chambers in light of the persons assembled there. The meeting was then re-located. Council Member Coleman introduced the members of the Parks and Recreation Committee namely Council Members Ujdak, Aranowski, King and himself; and William J. Kuminecz as a citizen member. He suggested that anyone wishing to address the Committee sign the sheet at the podium. Council Member Coleman noted that this Committee meeting was scheduled in order to receive a presentation from the Park Department on the proposed skate park facility. Mayor Luecke opened the presentation noting that the funds originally proposed for a skate park facility were not in the park budget, but rather in the general capital budget. The Mayor noted that he hoped to move forward on the project but agreed to work with the Council since no process was in place. He concluded that the Administration would be filing a resolution for Council consideration which would authorize moving forward on the project before anything is started on the skate facility. He thanked all those in attendance for coming. Phil St. Clair, Park Superintendent, stated that he has been in that capacity for eight (8) years. A 12,000 to 15,000 square foot inline skating and skateboard park is proposed to be constructed at O'Brien this year. He noted that there are 300 facilities of this kind in the United States constructed last year and that a like number will be constructed this year. The cities of Valpariso and Niles, Michigan have skate parks. Mr. St. Clair stated that between $ 4- 5 million are spent each year on community parks for maintenance. $ 250,000 from COIT funds are being proposed to fund the construction of such a park in South Bend. Paul McMinn,Assistant Recreation Director, stated that skating facilities are now receiving national attention. A 1st class facility is proposed for South Bend which would include lessons and partnerships with private entities. The City has 75 parks, however there are limited activities for 12 to 17 year olds. The proposed park would be open nine(9) months of the year. Following the formal presentation, Council Member Coleman than asked the Council if they had any questions. Council Member White inquired about the location and accessibility for the total community to the proposed site in light of the limited public transportation provided on the weekends. She noted that busses stop operating at 6 or 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Mr. St. Clair stated that they did not want noise or lighting to be a problem to the neighbors. He also wanted parking to be provided,and with a park at O'Brien there would be adequate