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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 Annual Report- PARC (Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts, Entertainment) Committee~ ~ ROTAWAT~O~M~ ~> 2010 Annual Report of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment (PARC) Committee of the South Bend Common Council 2010 South Bend Common Council Date: December 7, 2010 To: The South Bend Common Council The Office of the City Clerk From: 4`h District Council Member Ann Puzzello, Chairperson Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment (PARC) Committee As Chairperson of the Council's Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee, I am pleased to file my Annual Report. This filing is a requirement of Section 2-10 (i) of the South Bend Mu~iicipal Code which calls for the Chairperson of each of the Council's Standing Committee to file such reports by the 2°d Monday in December. Duties• The Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment (PARC) Committee is charged with the following duties pursuant to Section 2-10 (i) (1) of the Sotrth Bend Municipal Code: "Overseeing the carious actii~ities of the Cerrttr~y Center, Regional Museum of Art, College Football Hall of Fame, Morris Performing Arts Center, Department of Parks and Recreatiort> Stardebaker Alirseum a~~d ~~elated activities ". 2010 PARC Committee Members: We were fortunate to have the same Council Members serving on the Committee that we had last year include. These members included: Council Member Ann Puzzello„ Chairperson Council Member Timothy A. Rouse, Vice-Chair Council Member Oliver Davis, Member Council Member Al "Buddy" Kirsits, Member I believe that this is the only Council Standing Committee who has two (2) citizens members, namely Kyle Chamberlin and Ralph Lampkin. 2010 Annual Report of the PARC Committee- Page 2 December 7, 2010 Meetings and Topics Under Discussion: This year the PARC Committee has met seven (7) times to date to discuss such topics as: • Receiving an update from the Century Center Board of Managers which approved a 3- year extension of the management contract with Global Spectrum • Reviewing various appropriation requests such as the Morns Performing Arts Centers request for $39,100 for needed maintenance items; and their $10,2000 marketing request • Reviewing appropriation requests for the College Football Hall of Fame which included a $71,000 request for various repairs and expenditures of a capital nature; • Reviewing appropriation requests for the Park Department from a federal stimulus grant of $353,437 which was to be used to hire up to forty (40) seasonal workers • Communiversity Day which was held on April 10, 2010 where college students worked in several City Parks, at the zoo and at the conservatory; followed by a cook-out at the Robinson Center • Reviewing the state grant of $2 million to help in the construction of the Kroc Center, with such funds being used as an operating endowment match for the facility. The grant monies would be appropriated in the amount of $500,000 every six (6) months • Reviewing proposed multi-million dollar upgrades to the Coveleski Regional Stadium and surrounding properties Goals and Challenges in 2011: I am very proud of the many cultural and recreational opportunities which the City of South Bend provides. The award-winning Morns Performing Arts Center in downtown South Bend; the unanimously National Recreation and Parks Association re-accredited Potawatomi Zoo; South Bend's 1St park established in 1879- Howard Park; the Belleville Softball Complex; the Century Center beautifully located along the majestic St. Joseph River; the College Football Hall of Fame; the East Race Waterway; our greenhouses and conservatories; the O'Brien Recreation Center and its many offerings; the Charles Black and the Martin Luther King Centers; and our very well-maintained golf courses located across the city- Elbel, Erskine and Studebaker- just to name a few. Despite the fiscal challenges resulting from the state circuit breaker law, our Park Department, Park Board and dedicated park employees have stepped up to the plate and are continuing to maintain our many park facilities. While other cities have closed many of their park programs, South Bend's have remained strong. 2010 Annual Report of the PARC Committee- Page 3 December 7, 2010 My goals remain steadfast, namely: 1. To continue to support the multi-faceted programs which enrich the very fabric of our city so that NONE are placed on the chopping block for elimination 2. To insist that the City of South Bend's Parks and Recreation website actively promote the Conservatory, since there is a viable partnership with the Botanical Society of South Bend which offers a variety of activities for the public to enjoy 3. To assure that all of the recreation centers, playgrounds, pools, the Conservatory, and the Rum Village Nature Center are properly staffed and equipped for all to enjoy during these tough financial times facing our city and our nation I whole-heartedly believe that by working together, our recreational and parks programs will continue to be maintained and will flourish.. Residents and visitors who come to South Bend enjoy the cultural and recreational offerings we provide. I look forward to working closely with you again next year on these fine projects. Thank you. Resp, fully submitted, ember Ann Puzzello, Chairperson Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment (PARC) Committee South Bend Common Council cc: Phil St. Clair, Park Superintendent Potawatomi Zoo Director Terry DeRosa c,~ S .t .~ n ~, 1 li~°3 ~Il ~~, ~~ > CITY CLh __ ~(~. ~~r. ~, !.