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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-2011 Minutes SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK CONMUSSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MAY 16, 2011 The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday May 16, 2011 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. Robert Henry,President Mr. Robert Goodrich,Vice President Dr. Thomas Kelly Mr. Garrett Mullins Park Board members absent were as follows: None Staff members present: Phil St. Clair, Superintendent; Bill Carleton,Fiscal Officer; Betsy Harriman, Administrative Director; Susan O'Connor,Recreation Director; Randy Nowacki,Director of Golf Operations; Terry DeRosa,Zoo Director; Richard Payton,Development Director; Mike Dyszkiewicz,Maintenance Superintendent; Maurice Scott,King Center Director; Thomas Bodnar, Park Board Attorney L The meeting was called to order by Board President Robert Henry at 4:04 p.m. IL The first order of business was the interviewing of interested citizens. 1. Mr. Mark Carboneau updated the Board on the progress of the Park Foundation. A strategic planning session was held. The three elements they discussed were "story", "strategy", and"structure". 2. Ms. Marci Dean,Executive Director of the Potawatomi Zoological Society,reported to the Board that the Society recently completed their 2009-2010 complete audit and there were no problems noted. A copy was given to the Board. The otter exhibit opening is going well. The Society is putting on family walks through the neighborhood on June 11. It is 1.5 miles and starts and ends at the Zoo. Proceeds are going to the otter exhibit. New signage is in place in the Zoo. The train is running. The new membership is open and doing well. She has had positive comments on how streamlined the membership process has become. III. The next order of business was unfinished business. 1. Boland Light Bids- Mike Dyszkiewicz,Patrick Brown Mr. Dyszkiewicz requested that the bid be awarded to Michiana Contracting in the amount - - I - - of$126,450. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the request to award the bid to Michiana Contracting for the amount of$126,450 using the base bid and the voluntary alternative of Musco lighting. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and it was passed. IV. The next order of business was new business. 1. Request to Approve Arborist Licenses The following license applications were presented for approval by the Board: a. Cut-Rite Services (New) b. Peek's Tree Experts (Renewal) Dr. Kelly made a motion to approve the Arborist Licenses and Mr. Mullins seconded the motion. It was passed 2. Requests for Use of Parks-Betsy Harriman Ms. Harriman requested the Board approve the following requests a.Juneteenth Celebration- LaSalle Park-June 18 and 19, 2011 b. Michael Jackson Tribute - Seitz Park-August 28, 2011 c. CROP Walk-Howard Park- October 2, 2011 d. Kick off to Restaurant Week,LaSalle Grill,Howard Park,June 25, 2011 Mr. Goodrich made the motion to approve the above requests and it was seconded by Dr. Kelly. The motion was approved. 3. Request to Approve Resolution 4-2011 ratifying a utility easement in Boland Park- Thomas Bodnar Mr. Bodnar explained that the title problems with this park have been resolved and requested that the resolution be approved. Mr. Mullins made a motion to approve resolution 4-2011. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion and it was approved. 4. Request to Approve Agreement with Weed and Seed Alliance for After School Program at Martin Luther King,Jr. Center-Maurice Scott, Center Director Mr. Scott introduced Ms. Stephanie Coleman the After school coordinator at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. She explained that the Center would be receiving a Weed and Seed Alliance grant to conduct an after school program. It would provide staffing and computers for the program that would run through June 30. This is a pilot program and it is hoped the grant would be extended through June 2012. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the Weed and Seed Alliance grant for the after school program at King Center. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed, V. Approval of Minutes Dr. Kelly made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on April 18, 2011 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mullins and approved. VL Approval of Maintenance Vouchers - - 2 - - A motion was made by Mr. Mullins to approve maintenance vouchers for May 2010 totaling $1,084,241.55. It was seconded by Mr. Goodrich. There being no further discussion,the motion was passed. VII. Business of Director St. Clair 1. Director St. Clair reported that he felt that the memorandum of understanding with the Zoological Society would be ready for consideration by the Board at the next meeting. 2. The Park Department is taking on a graffiti abatement project for the City. It is estimated there are 600 graffiti sites in the City currently. In addition to a 3-4 person removal crew, a comprehensive program is planned to identify, track,remove, and prevent graffiti in the City utilizing other departments as well. 3. The MOU for Voorde Park is not ready for approval. 4. He spoke to the Democratic caucus of the Common Council regarding Miracle Park. 5. The Blues Fest will be held June 11. It is a fund raiser for Miracle Park. 6. Included in the pending capital request before the Common Council is $1.2M for the Conservatory for upgrades to the facility. Miracle Park funds are part of this request also, that will be up for second and third reading on June 13. 7. LaSalle Park parking problems are much improved due to the efforts of the Park Police. 8. The Department received an award from the Michiana Area Construction Industry for the Chris Wilson Pavilion in the municipal category. VIII. Comments by the Recreation Director 1. Ms. O'Connor reported that a new fishing class is being offered at Pinhook. It will be offered for four Saturdays. 2 The Mother's Day Equestrian ride was held at Potato Creek. 3. The Bike the Bend program was impacted by the rain on Sunday. 4. The Wellness Program is hosting lunch and learn programs through the summer. 5. Preschool at O'Brien ended this week and they are getting ready for Kid's World summer camp. 6. The softball leagues have been affected by the rain this spring. 7. The intramural flag football program at Edison School finishes tomorrow. IX. Comments by the Development Director 1. Mr. Payton thanked Mr. Carboneau for updating the Park Board on the Park Foundation. 2. The Blues Fest advertising is going well using several media to get the word out. 3. He will be meeting with the recreation staff to help with advertising and marketing their programs. 4. Planning has started for the Superintendent's Golf Outing. 5. A Miracle Park Stakeholder's meeting was held. - -3 - - X. Comments by the Zoo Director 1. Mr. DeRosa reported that the Bike the Bend event at Potawatomi Park was affected adversely by the rain on Sunday. 2. The Butterfly Garden will open soon. Butterflies are hatching. 3. A"virtual tour"was created by an individual as a donation. 4. The East Barn roof replacement is going slowly due to the weather. 5. The composting pads are done. 6. Part time positions are being filled. 7. The green roof on the otter exhibit is growing well. X1. Comments by the Golf Operations Director 1. Mr.Nowacki reported that six equipment bids have been received and awarded through the Board of Public Works. 2. The irrigation well will be drilled next week. A good vein of water was located. This will save about $14,000 a year in cleaning. 3. The Studebaker pro shop roof is finishing. 4. Email marketing has been ongoing and is doing well. 5. There have been five tree removals and twelve planted. 6. There have been irrigation issues at both courses due to lightning strikes. 7. The sand for the bunkers has been selected and will be placed after the Metro Tournament in August. XII. Comments by Maintenance Superintendent 1. Mr. Mike Dyszkiewicz informed the Board that the Maintenance Department is behind in mowing because of the weather in April and May. 2. Twenty part time staff have been hired. 3. Volunteer groups have been very helpful. The Southgate Church cleaned the plant beds on Michigan St. Mr. John Hunter of the Eaton Corporation is coordinating some painting projects at Voorde and Boland Parks. 4. The sports lighting at King and Black Center are being replaced. 5. A new basketball park is being installed at King Center,replacing a little used tennis court. 6. The pools are being prepared for opening in June. 7. The path at LaSalle Park is being installed. 8. At Kennedy Park, a new pavilion,basketball court, and playground equipment will be added. XIH. There being no more business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 5:25 - - 4 - - p.m. The next regular meeting will be held July 18, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O'Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary