01-26-15 PARC - Laserfiche WebLink

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PARC JANUARY 26.2015 3:00 P.M. Committee Members Present: Dr. Fred Ferlic, Derek Dieter, Henry Davis, Dr. David Varner Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Valerie Schey (EAB), Oliver Davis (EAB), Gavin Ferlic, Karen White Others Present: Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Erin Blasko, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Phil St. Clair, John Murphy, Bob Emery Agenda: Organizational Meeting Dr. Fred Ferlic, Chairman of the PARC Committee called his organizational meeting to order with all Committee members in attendance. Dr. Fred Ferlic began by distributing the new PARC Committee brochure which details the challenges and opportunities facing the South Bend Park System in 2015. The brochure also references the recently published 5 year Master Plan for the park system. This plan is the result of extensive citizen participation which identified wants and needs for parks city -wide. Dr. Fred Ferlic emphasized that with limited funding the establishment of priorities to be set for action will need to be a collaborative effort among the Council, the City Administration and the public. Dr. Ferlic also reminded everyone the PARC Committee is also responsible for the oversight of operations at Century Center, the Morris Civic Auditorium, and the Palais Royale. He also reminded Councilmembers that parks and recreation were the Councils # 3 priority right behind public safety and economic development. Dr. Ferlic then turned to the Council for comments. Derek Dieter went first. He emphasized the importance of each Councilmember to communicate specific priorities for action in the park system. He also emphasized the value of public /private partnerships for park projects when possible. Karen White wanted to know who and how park priorities will be established. Karen suggested those decisions be made collectively with the Council Administration, Park Board and the Public. Henry Davis emphasized the value of taking into account feedback from the neighborhoods. Tim Scott favored a business -like 5 year plan for each department. He also agreed with Karen's question about who and how final park project selections will be made. Dr. David Varner said other potential park funding sources like TIF funds should be looked at beyond park bond dollars. Specifically the mentioned historic Leeper Park's needs. Dr. Fred Ferlic indicated a volunteer effort was forming to enhance Leeper. Karen White seeing that the Park Department projected 30% of their operating budget coming from fees wondered where these fees were coming from and would they be kept at an affordable level.