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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproving the issuance and sale of Park District BondsAttest: RESOLUTION NO. 560 -77 Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, May 23 19 77 City Clerk Attest: 14 412/% President of Common Council. Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana May 24 1977 City Clerk Approved and signed by me 921 ak.. .'Z tf 19.. Ir Mayor RESOLUTION NO. Cvc? 7 7 RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF PARK DISTRICT BONDS OF THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS OF THE PARK DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS TO BE APPLIED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LIGHTED BASEBALL FIELD AT BELLE - VILLE PARK, THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAUL F. BOEHM PARK (EDISON ROAD), THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM AT ERSKINE GOLF COURSE, THE CONSTRUCTION OF TENNIS COURTS AT RIVERSIDE MANOR AND VOORDE PARKS, THE LIGHTING OF TENNIS COURTS AT MARSHALL FIELD, AND FOR THE COMPLETE RENOVATION OF POTAWA- TOMI PARK Z00 LOCATED IN POTAWATOMI PARK, A PUBLIC PARK WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. WHEREAS, the Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend has determined to take the necessary steps for the construction of a lighted baseball field at Belleville Park, the development of Paul F. Boehm Park (Edison Road), the replacement of the irrigation system at Erskine Golf Course, the construction of tennis courts at Riverside Manor and Voorde Parks, the lighting of tennis courts at Marshall Field, and for the complete renovation of Potawatomi Park Zoo located in Potawatomi Park, a public park within the City of South Bend, Indiana; and WHEREAS, a petition has been filed under the provisions of Chapter 119 of the Indiana Acts of 1937 by more than fifty (50) owners of taxable real estate of the City of South Bend, Indiana, requesting said Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend to issue park district bonds for the purpose of providing funds to be applied on the construction of a lighted baseball field at Belleville Park, the development of Paul F. Boehm Park (Edison Road), the replace- ment of the irrigation system at Erskine Golf Course, the construction of tennis courts at Riverside Manor and Voorde Parks, the lighting of tennis courts at Marshall Field, and for the complete renovation of Potawatomi Park Zoo located in Potawatomi Park, and on the payment of the incidental expenses in connection therewith and on account of the issuance of bonds therefor; and WHEREAS, the Common Council finds that the construction of such park and park de- velopment and the complete renovation of Potawatomi Park Zoo by the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana, is in the best interest of and will be for the general benefit of the City and its citizens; and WHEREAS, said Common Council agrees that such project must be funded by the issuance of park district bonds; and WHEREAS, it is necessary for there to be an appropriation in an amount not to exceed Two Million One Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($2,170,000.00), in order that the above projects proceed. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana: That the proposed issuance of park district bonds by the Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed Two Million One Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($2,170,000.00), the purpose of which is to provide funds to be applied on the construction of a lighted baseball field at Belleville Park, the development of Paul F. Boehm Park (Edison Road), the replacement of the irrigation system at Erskine Golf Course, the con- struction of tennis courts at Riverside Manor and Voorde Parks, the lighting of tennis courts at Marshall Field, and for the complete renovation of Potawatomi Park Zoo, a public park within the City of South Bend, Indiana, is hereby approved. Passed and adopted by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, on the day of , 1977. 7 Me ber of the Common Council ® I signed only to provide an opportunity for public discussion �.,_Rnd Council action on the issue. FILED IN CLERK'S OFFICE PRESENTED NOT f,P��:�vE� Irene Gammon CITY CLERK, SOUTH BEND, IND. ,�j4,pUBI�C A 01,TN. South Bend Common Council County -City Building 227 West Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, Indiana Gentlemen: Department of Public Parks Administration Building St. Louis Boulevard at Wayne Street South Bend, Indiana 46617 PHONE: (219) 284 -9401 May 16, 1977 The Department of Public Parks is requesting the Common Council to approve the enclosed resolution authorizing the Board of Park Com- missioners to sell bonds, in the amount of $2,170,000.00, for the following park improvements: 1. Renovation of Potawatomi Zoo $1,500,000.00 2. Replacement of irrigation system - Erskine Golf Course 220,000.00 3. Light baseball field at Belleville Park 90,000.00 4. Construct tennis courts at Riverside Manor & Voorde Parks and light Marshall Field tennis courts 68,000.00 5. Development of Paul F. Boehm Park 200,000.00 6. Contingency Fund, Bond Cost, Attorneys, etc. 92,000.00 $2,170,000.00 During the past few months, hundreds of volunteers have worked with the Park Department in circulating bond petitions throughout the city for the capital improvements listed above. The response of the citizens of South Bend was overwhelming in their opinion for approval of the bond issue. Naturally, the most controversial item was the zoo renovation and naturally this is where a small minority made a lot of statements which the citizens of South Bend did not buy as evidenced by the number of persons signing the remonstrator petitions - 1,214. South Bend Common Council Page 2 The 11,388 persons who signed the bond petition clearly indicated that they want a zoo in South Bend and that they want the other projects listed in the bond issue. Potawatomi Zoo, which was built in 1917, has been enjoyed by thousands and has proven to be the most popular facility in the park system for all ages. Unfortunately, the zoo has been neglected for many years and did not keep up with the changing of time. Thirty or forty years ago the menagerie type zoo was acceptable but in todays society the menagerie zoo is doomed. With the passage of the Animal Welfare Act of 1970, which requires zoos to be licensed, Potawatomi is faced with an ultimatum of either fixing the zoo or close the zoo down. It is not only the federal regulations that concerns the Park Board but our feeling of the humane treatment of the animals such as proper housing, adequate isolation quarters for sick animals, proper drainage, sanitation conditions and security for the animals from malicious acts. It is true that in a letter to Councilwoman Adams I stated that the zoo could possibly be brought to federal standards (at this time) for about $225,000.00. But as the federal people so clearly stated, they will be in touch with us concerning additional needed changes. In looking toward the future and prudent planning, the Board decided to spend enough money to obtain a complete zoo which will meet the federal requirements now and in the future. The $225,000.00 stated in my letter of January 17, 1977 listed the need for a perimeter fence and improvements in the bear ex- hibit. However, as pointed out by the Health Department, an improvement must be made in the pollution and sanitary conditions at the zoo which was not mentioned by the federal people but must be improved to bring the zoo up to the health department and our standards. I have met with Dr. McCraley, County Health Officer, and reviewed the plans for the new zoo. Dr. McCraley made some recommendations that we will incorporate into the new plans. The Park Department appreciated the help and the cooperation of Dr. McCraley and his staff in this important sector of the zoo plan. New utilities are very expensive but feel that such an expenditure is a must if we are going to have a zoo. Such a large expenditure was not mentioned or suggested by the federal people as a requirement. You could be assured that a couple of years from now they would demand such an improvement. To me it would seem crass to float a bond issue for $225,000.00 for zoo improvement and then come back two or three years later and float another bond issue for additi- onal improvements. Bond issues are expensive to prepare and sell and are very time consuming. It costs no more to sell bonds for $1.5 million than $225,000.00 and in my opinion it would be poor judgement and no doubt more expensive to sell bonds for $225,000.00 and try to improve the zoo on piecemeal basis. South Bend Common Council Page 3 In realizing that some trees will have to be removed for construction at the zoo and the ecological importance and appearance of Potawatomi Park must be maintained, the zoo plan calls for the planting of over 100 trees and thousands of shrubs and different types of plantings. The perimeter fence will also be screened by hundreds of plantings to hopefully make the chain link fence blend into the natural environment. One important item that must be considered is the increase of yearly maintenance cost of a new zoo and the other projects in the bond issue. It is hoped that the present staff at Potawatomi can maintain the new zoo. I realize the new zoo is a larger area and that there will be additional buildings to maintain but I feel that a new modern zoo will be easier to maintain and operate thus the present staff is adequate. I did add additi- onal funds for electricity ($500.00 for six months); cleaning supplies for six months, $500.00; and heating cost for new zoo building, $1,000.00 in the 1978 park budget for the new zoo operation. The cost to operate the new zoo could be more than offset if the Park Board decidesto charge an admission fee for out -of -city residents. Other Proiects In Bond Issue lacement of Irrigation Svstem at Erskine Golf Course Erskine Golf Course is one of the finest eighteen hole golf courses in the area but has one major drawback - an outdated irrigation system installed by the W.P.A. in 1938. The system is plagued by numerous leaks which means that the fairways must be dug up and the leaks fixed. We had over forty leaks last year. The present irrigation system is manually operated which means that two men - one at night and one during the daytime - must insert the sprinklers into the couplings in the fairway. This is an expensive operation since we loose two men from our maintenance crew to water. The new system will be an automatic system and will have pop up sprinklers which will be controlled by a timer. The greens superintendent can set the timer before he leaves each night and the course will be watered thus saving us two watering men and approximately $8,000.00 a year. The Erskine Golf Course took in over $115,000.00 last year in fees and is the only park facility that operates in the black (besides Elbel Golf Course). Persons using the golf course pay a good price to play the course and I feel that to maintain the course in top condition the irrigation system is definitely needed. Development of Paul F. Boehm Park (Edison Road) Several years ago the Park Department purchased thirty acres of land in the Northeast section of the city on Edison Road near Hickory. The thirty acre tract has been undeveloped since that time. The Park Board realizing the need of a neighborhood park in this section of the city included such a development in the bond issue. With the help of Councilman Roger Parent, a citizens committee was formed from residents living in the park are to re- ceive their ideas of how they wanted their park developed. South Bend Common Council Page 4 The Park Board held a public hearing at Tarkington School which is con- tiguous to the park land and received many ideas for park development from the residents. Ray Nemeth and myself met several times with committee representatives to work on the park plan. The park plan that will be shown at the May 23 council meeting is the result of these meetings. Yearly maintenance cost for Boehm Park is estimated at one part time employee, $2,000.00; electric current cost for four tennis courts and basketball courts, $900.00; and miscellaneous park maintenance, $2,000.00. Total estimated yearly maintenance cost for Boehm Park - $4,900.00. Liizht Belleville Park Baseball Field The City of South Bend has only one lighted baseball field - Kennedy Park - which is lighted with the energy consuming incandescent lights. The lights were installed in 1947 and because of their age are in poor condition. The ninety foot poles and wiring are also in poor condition because of their age. Another problem with the Kennedy baseball field is its location close to residential homes and the lacking of adequate parking facilities. At the new Belleville Park baseball field, there is adequate parking and the base- ball field has been constructed a long distance from the residential homes. The popularity of baseball in South Bend has increased and the new ball field would be used by high schools, American Legion and other independent baseball teams. Cost for electric current is approximately $1,400.00 a year. The cost is offset by charging for the use of the lights. Construct Four Tennis Courts at Voorde & Riverside Parks With tennis becoming the fastest growing participation sport, the Park Board has received requests from citizens in the Riverside Manor and Voorde Park for tennis courts. As noted in the new park master plan now being finalized, the city has a shortage of twenty -eight tennis courts as per the standard of one court per one thousand population. The eight tennis courts planned will greatly help relieve the shortage of tennis courts in the Northwest section of the city. Light Two Tennis Courts at Marshall Field Even a greater need than additional tennis courts is the need to light our present tennis courts for night play. Many citizens do not have time to play tennis during the daylight hours and there is a definite need for additional lighted courts. South Bend has only twenty -seven lighted tennis courts with fifteen of the courts being at Leeper Park where a fee is charged to play. Electric current costs to light the two tennis courts at Marshall would amount to about $300.00 a year. The remainder of the funds in the bond issue are for a contingency fund, bond cost, attorneys, etc. These funds are detailed in another handout in this package. South Bend Common Council Page 5 In summarizing, I feel that the $2,170,000.00 bond issue that you are to act on May 23 is the most important bond issue ever undertaken by the Department of Public Parks. With the future of Potawatomi Zoo at stake, which is visited by thousands of persons every year, I request the Common Council to give serious consideration in approving the bond resolution so that the Park Department can move ahead with the bond issue. Very truly yours, DEPA'RT'MENT OF 77/K FAR i iJames R. Seitz, Superintendent JRS:kb