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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 20 2017 Park Board MinutesSOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2017 The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, November 20, 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 Mr. Dan Farrell Ms. Aimee Buccellato Park Board members absent were as follows: Ms. Consuella Hopkins Staff members present: Aaron Perri, Director of VPA; Eva Ennis, Operations Coordinator; Danielle Campbell, Assistant City Attorney; Clara McDaniels, Assistant City Attorney; Jeff Jarnecke, Deputy Director; Jackie Appleman, Experience Director; Amy Roush, Volunteer Coordinator; John Martinez, Facilities and Grounds Director; Patrick Sherman, Project Manager I. The meeting was called to order by Board President Mark Neal at 5:00 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the minutes on October 16, 2017 by Dan Farrell, supported by Aimee Buccellato. III. Consent Agenda Approval Motion to approve the consent agenda: IV. Interviewing of interested citizens. Mark Neal opened the floor to citizens interested in speaking on a matter not listed on the agenda. There were no comments. V. Reports of Organizations- South Bend Cubs Joe Hart reported that the South Bend Cubs drew over 354,000 attendees in the 2018 season which was record breaking attendance. Improvements coming to the Stadium include Berlin Place which will be completed the later part of summer 2018 and moving the fun zone to Williams Street. Chicago Cubs is very appreciative of VPA and the entire community for their support and partnership with the Cubs. Mark Neal asked if space where fun zone used to be located will be converted into more picnic table areas. Joe Hart confirmed that more seating will be placed there. Mark Neal asked for an update on capital improvement needs at the stadium. Joe Hart replied that VPA has been great to work with and has kept up with maintenance. The HVAC system is being discussed with VPA because of its age. Joe Hart added that Four Winds Field will host the 2019 Midwest All-Star Game. VI. Botanical Society Emily Bradford introduced herself as the new director of the Botanical Society. She explained that she intends to continue the work of Jamie Robinson in organizing plant collection, improving events, etc. The Botanical Society has hired an education coordinator, April Hammel, who has set up educational activities working with girl scout troops and Friday Flowers programs. Attendance has been increasing for programs. Membership has increased from 62 in 2016 to 175 in 2018. There has been an increase in volunteers, as well. VII. New Business 1. Natural Resource Management Plan Draft Matthew Moyers, Partnerships & Standards Coordinator at VPA, explained that the Ecological Advocacy Committee (EAC) advises the Board of Park Commissioners on ecological concerns facing South Bend and the parks system. The intent of the Natural Resource Management Plan is to be used as a set of guiding principles. The document will be reviewed annually by the EAC. Garry Harrington, Director of Rum Village Nature Center, explained that the EAC wanted to create something that could be a working document to be used in the city to protect our natural resources. South Bend contains many valuable properties that we want to make good decisions about how we treat flora and fauna, water and all resources that we should be protecting. Steve Sass, chair of Ecological Advocacy Committee, Thanked the board and Mr. Perri for prioritizing our City’s natural resources and creating the EAC. He commented that the NRMP is an excellent framework for creating ecologically sound decisions for South Bend, and he is proud to be in a community that is doing something like this. He appreciates that this document is proactive not reactive and thanked the city for honoring experts in community by making them part of decision making process. He added that South Bend can be a leader in Indiana for ecological advocacy. Aaron Perri commented that this document still a draft and it will come back to the board in December for adoption. The document focuses on overarching ideals not action plans, Action plans will manifest themselves as projects and decisions come up but this document will guide us in creating those action steps. He also noted that this document fulfills the recommendation from the Elbel Advisory Committee. Dan Farrell commented that the next step could be determining how this group interacts with different projects. Aaron Perri added that the Park Board ultimately has decision making power, but the Ecological Advocacy Committee will advise on best decisions to make. Matthew Moyers noted that VPA has opened the application process for 2018 EAC members. New member recommendations will come to the board in December. VIII. Report by Director Aaron Perri - Clara McDaniels will serve as the attorney for VPA. - Susan O’Connor is retiring after 27 ½ years with the City. - Cecil Eastman is no longer with the City. VPA is searching for a new Director of Finance. - A fire at Potawatomi Park happened on October 31. There was overwhelming support from the community in response to the fire. VPA is grateful for volunteers who helped clean up and people who donated to the park repair fund. Mark Neal asked if there has been an increase in vandalism. Aaron Perri replied that vandalism has actually decreased. - The Morris Foundation and Parks Foundation have merged into one VPA Foundation. Funds will remain restricted by project. - Best Week Ever 2018 is May 28 - June 3. - CAPRA renewal up in 2018. Policies and procedures will come before this board over the next few months to be included in that. - Charles Black Center construction has started. - Park Bonds were unanimously approved at Common Council. My SB Parks and Trails, which is funded 1/3 by the Park Bond, is the most significant investment in parks in South Bend’s history. No other questions or comments from the Board, meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.by President Mark Neal. The next regular meeting will be held December 18, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O’Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, Eva Ennis Executive Secretary