06-11-01 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, 2001 WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, recognizes that Congress passed the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act ( UPARR) in 1978 which authorized $725 million to provide matching grants and technical assistance to economically distressed urban communities; and WHEREAS, the Council further recognizes that the program authorizes the competitive federal assistance in urban localities for rehabilitation of critically needed recreational facilities; and WHEREAS, such rehabilitation grants provide capital funding to renovate or design existing "close -to- home" facilities with the federal government providing seventy percent (70 %) of the funding and the local community providing thirty percent (30 %) of the funding; and WHEREAS, from 1978 through 2000, UPARR awarded $230 million for 1,295 grants to 400 local jurisdictions in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and these awards included over $4.1 million to Indiana cities, but South Bend has never received a UPARR grant; and WHEREAS, the City of South Bend is supportive of the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization's (NNRO) efforts to improve the overall quality of life and has identified Coquillard Park as a Neighborhood Park which is in need of rehabilitation; and WHEREAS, the NNRO is a partnership of neighborhood residents, the University of Notre Dame, St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, Memorial Hospital, Madison Center and Hospital, and the City of South Bend, along with the sponsorship and promotion by the WNDU television station whose overall goal is to revitalize and enhance the quality of life by focusing its efforts on Coquillard Park since it serves as an historical "front yard" and green space for nearby residents. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AS FOLLOWS: Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, hereby supports the City of South Bend's Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program grant application request in the amount of $500,000 for the Coquillard Park revitalization project and further believes that this park is in critical need of rehabilitation of the park's recreational facilities. Section II. The South Bend Common Council believes that the Coquillard Park project can serve as a model for other neighborhood park rehabilitation projects in the City of South Bend because of its involvement of residents from the neighborhood partnering with other agencies to positively and creatively address the park's deficiencies thereby providing opportunities for neighborhood recreation and development. Section III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. s /Charlotte Pfeifer Member of the Common Council Councilmember Kelly made motion to hear the substitute version of this bill. Councilmember Aranowski seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Coleman reported that the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee met on this bill and sends it to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Mark Bradley, Director of Marketing, South Bend Parks and Recreation Department, made the presentation for this Resolution. Mr. Bradley advised that this Resolution is in support of a grant the Parks Department is seeking through the National Park Service. This action was initiated by the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization organization with support by organizations such as WNDU Channel 16, the South 1 7 L