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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 27 2017 MinutesSOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING JUNE 27, 2017 The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at the O’Brien Administration & Recreation Center, 321 E. Walter St., South Bend, Indiana for its regular meeting. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting were duly given as required by law. Park Board members present were as follows: Mr. Mark Neal, President Ms. Consuella Hopkins Ms. Aimee Buccellato Park Board members absent were as follows: Mr. Dan Farrell (Mr. Farrell joined the meeting via conference call) Staff members present: Aaron Perri, Director of VPA; Eva Ennis, Operations Coordinator; Jackie Appleman, Experience Division Director; Ben Dougherty, Assistant City Attorney; Susan O’Connor, Recreation Director; Amy Roush, Volunteer Coordinator; John Martinez, Facilities and Grounds Director; Matthew Moyers, Community and Standards Coordinator; I. The meeting was called to order by Board President Mark Neal at 5:30 p.m. II. Riverfront Parks and Trails Conceptual Framework *This presentation is available at riverfrontparksandtrails.com Aaron Perri reviewed the nine-month process of the Riverfront Parks and Trails planning which included three community forums, numerous stakeholder meetings and hundreds of pieces of feedback via the website and meetings. The presentation will present the framework for how to re-envision the riverfront parks and trails. Chad Brintnall reviewed concepts for Seitz Park, Howard Park, Leeper Park, and Pinhook Park. Neal Billetdeaux discussed options for signage, lighting, seating, fencing, public art and other site furnishings along the riverfront trail system. He also explained how the concepts call for stronger connections to the river and along the river and connecting existing trails to fill gaps. Pat Doher thanked the public for participating and noted that the designs are based on that participation. Aaron Perri addressed the next steps of the process. The conceptual framework will come back to the Park Board next month for adoption. The City will then begin exploring financing for these designs; $10 million is already secured for some projects. Howard Park and Seitz Park construction has been escalated because of funding opportunities for those two projects. Regularly updated information will still be available at riverfrontparksandtrails.com. III. Public Comments Capture questions and respond to them in written form. Laura Blair asked if the city gets use out of the hydroelectric power generated by the turbine being installed at Seitz Park. Aaron Perri replied that the agreement states that Notre Dame will install the turbine. The City could not afford to do build a hydroelectric facility but the installation of the turbine fits into Notre Dame’s sustainability plan. The partnership agreement includes Notre Dame paying for the upgrades at Seitz Park. Ms. Blair commented that the plans for wetlands at Howard Park may need to be rethought. She expressed concern for mosquitos and geese collecting in the wetland area. Ms. Blair also commented that the memories and history of the duck pond at Leeper park are important and the duck pond should not be removed. She also expressed concern that the fountain will be damaged where it is at. She added that she is concerned with Leeper Park Art Fair not being able to happen. She noted that she does like the better lighting and widened sidewalks in the plan. She expressed concern for the safety of children at the bumpout areas along the river. Ryan Snodgrass commented that he is excited about the designs and likes the way the Howard Park designs look. He commented that he does have concern that the amount of tree cover depicted in the designs will not be realized as has happened with the SmartStreets landscaping. He requested dense tree cover at Howard Park. Ginny Garner Kapsa commented that she is excited about ideas and the Riverwalk plans look beautiful. She asked if there is a plan for keeping geese and mosquitos out of the wetland areas at Howard Park. She also recommended a building right on the water with a place to have event space. She expressed concern with the space for Seitz Park and safety of children in that area. She requested that the duck pond at Leeper Park be maintained and expanded to what it used to be. She recommended a lazy river style feature for the ducks to keep water moving. She also recommended turning Leeper Park into an art-focused park in a Victorian, turn of the century style. She recommended a cooperative program with education to inform people about ducks at the duck pond. Ellen Seatte commented that part of the accessibility and enjoyment of the duck pond is just watching the ducks and not doing activities. She expressed concern for movable furniture/items being stolen and their not being funding to replace it. Aaron Perri stated that answers to questions will be posted online in 10 days. Mark Neal opened for Park Board comments. Consuella Hopkins asked what the outcomes of conversations with AM General were. Aaron Perri replied that the city has had conversations about using some of the parking on off-peak hours and using the AM General parking lot as an entryway or staging area. Mark Neal asked what the general time frame for the projects considering some funds are already identified. Aaron Perri replied that deconstruction is anticipated to begin in fall 2017 and the construction of the new facilities will begin in spring 2018 with a year long construction process. Construction at Seitz Park will begin this fall with the start of the hydroelectric project. Mark Neal asked how the 2014 Parks Master Plan has that been looked at as part of this process. Aaron Perri replied that the 2014 Master Plan process reviewed the entire parks system and what the community wanted in their neighborhoods. This conceptual framework would address a bulk of what was included in the 2014 master plan. Aimee Buccellato commented that Riverfront Parks and Trails is a strong and considerate plan, and SmithGroup JJR took a lot of time to listen to community feedback. She added that the framework is ambitious and she feels fortunate to be in a city that is willing to take on these ambitious projects. Jo Broden commented that she is excited about the opportunity to connect to the river and create a destination. She also commented that the project is a great aspirational vision and thanked community and city staff members for their participation. Mark Neal thanked SmithGroup JJR, city staff, and the community for their work. The board expects to take action on this conceptual plan at its next board meeting on July 17. IV. Approval of Minutes Consuella Hopkins moved to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2017, regular Park Board meeting, supported by Aimee Buccellato, motion carried. V. Consent Agenda Ben Dougherty read the following items from the consent agenda: • Approval of VPA vouchers for the month of May 2017 • Use of Parks Requests: o Real Services Fall Family Fun Day | Sept 16th | Rum Village o Men’s Talk Annual Cookout | June 24th | Potawatomi Park o SOAR Neighborhood picnic | Sept 16th | Southeast Park o Lest We Forget WWII Landing Craft Rides | Aug 3-4th | Pier Park o Hospice Foundation Bike Michiana for Hospice | Sept 17th | Pinhook and Elbel o Michiana Celtic Society Festival | Sept 3-4 | Howard Park • Arborist License Applications: o Crossing Xtreme Tree Service o Homer Tree Service o Epic Remodel Inc o Van Norman’s Property Service Ben Dougherty noted that he reviewed the Arborist License applications and all necessary documents have been received. Aimee Buccellato moved to approve the consent agenda, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. VI. Use of Parks Requests - New Events Jackie Appleman reviewed the Epic Night Run event which is a color throwing night run. The event is also working with public safety and public works. Consuella Hopkins requested a map of the event run route. Jackie Appleman reviewed the Notre Dame Heritage Trail event. The event will start set up on August 24 event is on the August 25 and 26. Notre Dame has been working with public works on the walk route. Eva Ennis reviewed the Shakespeare in the Streets event noting that Notre Dame’s Shakespeare Program is partnering with the neighborhood to put on a community theater production outdoors at Fremont Park. Aimee Buccellato moved to approve the new use of park requests, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. VII. Interviewing of Interested Citizens Conrad Damien commented that he appreciates the department cleaning up the pocket park on Miami that belongs to the neighborhood. He asked who is responsible for the maintenance of new streets downtown because there are weeds already growing and coming up in grates around the trees and newly planted flowers. He requested that a fence be added between the parking area and the walking area at Memorial Park. He also commented that the riverbank along Lincoln Way East needs to have weeds removed. VIII. New Business 1. Best Week Ever Report Jackie Appleman introduced the Experience Division summer interns Nia Parillo, Danielle Massey and Jordan Willekens. Jackie Appleman reviewed the Best Week Ever event noting that over 50,000 people were in attendance at the 100 events during the week. The event received overwhelmingly positive reviews in the post event survey which also revealed the wide range of attendees that participated. IX. Business by Director Aaron Perri Aaron Perri gave the following updates: - The Fremont Park Splashpad opened last week. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony with neighborhood partners, Council Members Tim Scott and Regina Preston, and the Mayor. - This year was the 30th anniversary of the Leeper Park Art Fair. The Leeper Park Art Fair donated the park bench to the city in celebration of the anniversary. - JPR held a 90 % design review meeting of Charles Black Center renovations with staff. The anticipated start date for the project is early to mid- September. The EPA did give approval to move forward on the project contingent on following the soil management plan. The management plan treats soil in a way that protects neighborhood and surrounding area during the project. The City is still waiting on final results for the entire park. Programs will be relocated during construction primarily to school facilities. - Director’s Youth Scholarship Golf Outing is set for September 15. Mark Neal asked about the 2018 budget. Aaron Perri replied that there will be no major changes in the budget. Most major shifts were implemented last year with fees, so there are no major changes anticipated this year in fees. Consuella Hopkins asked what the plans are to target the park deserts. Aaron Perri replied that the city is using ParkScore results to determine where there are park deserts that need to be addressed. No other questions or comments from the Board, meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.by President Mark Neal. The next regular meeting will be held August 21, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O’Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, Eva Ennis Executive Secretary