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Home My WebLink About06-06-11 Personnel And Finance (2) �.,� - � ;�. � � _ � E 'e�, �n-'� PERSONNEL AND FINANCE JUNE 6, 2011 Committee Members Present: Tom LaFountain; Oliver Davis; Karen White; David Varner Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter; Ann Puzzello; Tim Rouse Others Present: See Attached Sign-In Sheet Agenda: Bill No. 27-11 —Appropriation Major Capital Investments 2011 Personnel & Finance Committee Chairperson Tom LaFountain opened the hearing by introducing Mayor Luecke who described the capital spending Bill 27-11. The Mayor characterized the requested funding as strategic investments. He said the projects outlined were part of South Bend's continuing re-investment program assuring the Council revenue streams were adequate to make the projects affordable. The Mayor then called upon Parks Director, Phil St. Clair who briefly described the three items under his purview. They are: 1.The Conservatory at Potawatomi; 2. Miracle Park; 3.An irrigation water pump at Elbel Golf Course. Miracle Park was described as being a 106 acre park for the physically challenged just south of Blackthorn which, would be leased from the Airport Authority for$1.00 year. Councilmember David Varner asked the eventual projected investment total, to which Phil said approximately$5 million. Councilmember Karen White wondered who made the location decision? Were other sites considered? Who was involved? Is the park part of City Plan? Phif St. Clair cited the favorable lease cost for the site of$1 year. He further cited the positive experience with the small area at Potawatomi built to provide accessible recreation for all. In response to Oliver Davis, Phil said Council input was welcome. Derek Dieter expressed support for Miracle Park citing its potential regional draw and economic benefit. Councilmember Puzzello was also supportive, noting the proposal was thoroughly studied. Karen White expressed concern the dollars available for other recreation centers would be compromised. Phil St. Clair maintained they would not be shortchanged. Regarding the Conservatory Greenhouse, Phil St. Clair said the$1.2 million would be used to demolish the 90 year old glass greenhouse while upgrading the Conservatory to make it more energy efficient and ADA compliant. Councilmember Rouse asked if the greenhouse area was being considered as a location for the proposed new River Park Firehouse. Phil said it could. Phi!also addressed the Elbel pump request saying it was necessary due to the failure of the 1964 pump it would replace. The Mayor added that the Miracle Park proposal was much broader than the$1 million start-up request. Moving on, Gary Gilot listed the separate projects making up the$2.1 million request for paving. It breaks down like this: 1. $600,000 for resurfacing in the industrial parks. 2. $1,350,000 for paving in districts more or less split evenly. 3. $1.2 million for the Laurel-Western improvements at the Kroc Center. 4. $350,000 for street lighting including a limited re-start of the yard light program. Other projects mentioned were the sewer re-location at Riverside and Angela and lastly, repairing the river walkway near the new river condos off E. Colfax. Councilmember's Rouse and White both asked about the criteria and process that went into the prioritization of projects. Councilmember White asked Gary Gilot for a written report. The last item proposed under infrastructure was the Alonzo Watson Bridge over Chapin near the Kroc Center. The Mayor said he heard a clear message from the Council that the bridge was needed. Additionally, the Mayor said the bridge needed to be ADA compliant. Councilmember's Tim Rouse, Oliver Davis and Karen White all wanted more facts in the form of a cost study comparing fixing the old versus building a new pedestrian bridge comparing that to intersection improvement. The Mayor then sought approval of$12 million to acquire and demolish the Family Dollar Store with the intent to give it to St. Joseph High School for a part of their athletic fields. The Mayor cited the potential economic development ramifications of the new High School proposal. The Mayor said the$1.2 million proposal will leverage$35 million in economic development dollars. Various Councilmember's questioned the verity of the appraisals. Competing with the above is the acquisition and re-platting of the TRANSPO site for$ 1 million. Councilmember Varner asked if they could recoup dollars by selling lots. Jeff Gibney answering for the city said the payoff of these lots could be$2.4 million. Councilmember Varner asked why such a potentially lucrative project would not be pursued by private developers. Both Councilmember's Varner and Oliver Davis said they needed more details on the City's deal with TRANSPO. Under the public portion of the meeting 12 people offered comments on Bill No..27-11. 1. S.J. Szabo questioned the generous donation to the Catholic Church wondering about separation of church and state. He suggested TRANSPO sell their property to private developers. He also stated that Miracle Park and the bridge over Chapin Street was not needed He suggested the city keep the greenhouses to grow their own flowers. 2. Heidi Gray, Manager, Conservatory&Greenhouses stated that more public parking would help chances of attendance and rentals. 3. Catherine Hostetler, Director, Historic Preservation Commission, supports investment in Conservatory saying attendance is up 48% so far this year. 4. Dr. Fred Ferlic advocated public/private partnerships. Opposed public investment in the conservatory, the Chapin footbridge, and the value placed on the Family Dollar Store and doubted the potential of the TRANSPO site. 5. Jessie Davis opposed the footbridge, Miracle Park as well as the dollars for the TRANSPO site. Also advocated separation of church and state. 6. Molly Anderson supported Miracle Park. 7. Chuck Lennon supported Miracle Park. 8. Pat Meyers said projects should be left for next Mayor. 9. Don Scheffmeyer represented the East Bank Village Partnership; spoke for both the TRANSPO and the St. Joseph High School proposals based upon their economic impact. 10. Pete Agostino asked Council to slowdown spending on new projects at the expense of helping the mentally disabled. 11. Jerry Ivacic expressed concerns about the remoteness of the Miracle Park site as well as opposition to the footbridge and the Dollar Store. 12. Matt Edmonds, President, St. Joseph High School Board supported the Family Dollar Proposal. There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson LaFountain adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Re�pectful�;5� itt , / T_-GZL � t / __ ! Tom aFountain, Chairperson � Personnel and Finance Committee