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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-18-2011 Minutes SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK CONMUSSIONERS REGULAR MEETING JULY 18, 2011 The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday July 18, 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 Staff members present: Phil St. Clair, Superintendent; Bill Carleton,Fiscal Officer;Betsy Harriman, Administrative Director; Susan O'Connor,Recreation Director; Paula Garis, Special Events Supervisor; Randy Nowacki,Director of Golf Operations; Terry DeRosa,Zoo Director; Richard Payton,Development Director; Terry Conley,Maintenance Supervisor; Garry Harrington,Rum Village Nature Center Director; Thomas Bodnar,Park Board Attorney I. The meeting was called to order by Board President Robert Henry at 4:02 p.m. II. The first order of business was the interviewing of interested citizens. 1. An unidentified woman asked about food vendors selling at festivals. She requested a list of festivals. 2. Ms. Sara Stewart gave an update on the Unity Garden at Ravina Park. 3. Ms. O'Connor presented the Board with a trophy for 15t'place out of 84 teams that the Boy's 13 and under basketball team from King Center won at an AAU tournament in Tennessee. III. Report of Potawatomi Zoological Society 1. Ms. Marcy Dean,Executive Director,reported that the member picnic was held last Saturday and approximately 1,200 attended despite the heat. 2. The Society's Facebook page now has over 10,000 visitors/friends. 3. Ms. Dean discussed the media coverage the Zoo has received lately, including a television spot concerning how the animals handle the heat. 4. The last female otter has been named"Frances". 5. The butterfly exhibit is doing well,but was closed early yesterday due to the heat. 6. Zoo Brew will be held September 10. 7. Zoo Boo will be held in October. IV. The next order of business was unfinished business. - - I - - 1. Request to Open Quotes for LaSalle Park Sidewalk-Terry Conley Mr. Conley presented three sealed quotes for the project. Quotes for this project were rejected at last month's meeting. They were as follows: Northern Indiana Construction- $15,775, alt $ 6,330,total- $22,105 LL Geans- $14,996, alt $5,694 ,total- $20,690 Ziolkowski- $25,550, alt $7,000,total- $32,550 Mr. Goodrich made a motion to award the base and alternate quote to LL Geans in the amount of$20,690 subject to submission of the affidavits required by Senate Bill 590. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and it was passed. 2. Opening of Bids for Park Land Parcel in Voorde Park- Thomas Bodnar Only one bid was submitted. Mr. Bodnar opened a letter from Hoosier Tank stating they were submitting a bid of$10,000. Two appraisals of the property were done. The average of the appraisals was $67,000. He said that if the Board were to accept the bid an additional advertisement and public hearing would need to be done because the bid was less than 90% of the appraised value. Director St. Clair recommended that for $350,000 in improvements to take place the bid should be accepted and to move forward with the public hearing as soon as possible. Mr. Bill Welch co-owner of Hoosier Tank came forward to modify their bid to $60,300 in order to meet the 90%requirement. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to accept Hoosier Tank's modified bid of$60,300 for the property in Voorde Park. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and the motion was passed. Mr. Goodrich thanked Hoosier Tank for modifying their bid. V. The next order of business was new business. 1. Requests for Use of Parks- Ms. Harriman requested the Board approve the following requests: a. Kennedy Park-July 23, 2011-West Side Family Picnic b. Howard Park-August 28, 2011 -Bark For Life,American Cancer Society c. Howard Park- September 5, 2011-United Way Labor Day Celebration-. d. Howard Park- September 9, 2011-Reducing Obesity Coalition, St. Joseph County Health Department Mr. Jerry Price addressed the Board concerning the West Side Family Picnic. Ms. Harriman recommended approval of the request. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve this request. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was approved Ms. Harriman recommended approval of the remaining three requests. Dr. Kelly made a motion to approve the remaining requests. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was approved. 2. Request to Adjust Fees for Certain Recreation Programs- Susan O'Connor,Paula Garis Ms. O'Connor requested approval of adjustments to recreation fees. a. Due to increased labor cost,the large bouncer fee is increased to $240 for 3 hours. - - 2 - - b. Increase the Rum Village Wild Woods Daycamp to $60 c. Increase sports camps to $45 d. The fee for the new soccer league will be $45 e. Rental of the Charles Black Community Room will be $50/hr f. Fees for Fun Runs will be decreased to $3 for 19 and under and $5 for 20 and over. g. The Kid's Triathlon fee will be decreased to $22 Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the fees as submitted. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and it was passed. 3. Request to Open Quotes for King Center Basketball Lights and Construction of Kennedy Park Shelter- Terry Conley Mr. Conley submitted three sealed quotes for the installation of sports lighting at the Martin Luther King,Jr. Center. They are as follows: a. Shaum Electric- $39,382 b. Michiana Contracting- $38,100 c. Koontz Wagner- $41,250 All had the required affidavits and documentation. Michiana Contacting and Koontz Wagner qualify for the Local Indiana Business preference. Dr. Kelly made a motion to award the quote to Michiana Contracting in the amount of $38,100 subject to verification of the use of Musco lights. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion and it was passed. Mr. Conley presented three sealed quotes for the construction of a picnic shelter in Kennedy Park. They were as follows: a. Peacock Construction- $29,877 b. Forsey Construction- $34,690 c. Bob Grant Construction- Contacted,but submitted no quote. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to award the project to Peacock Construction subject to the necessary e-verify paperwork be filed prior to signing of a contract,the contract clause regarding a 40% down payment be stricken, and that they be allowed to withdraw from the contract subject to application of the prevailing wage per the recent change in state law. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed. 4. Request to Ratify Letter from Director St. Clair Designating Carl Littrell as Park's Representative regarding Wage Determination for Construction Projects- Thomas Bodnar Mr. Bodnar asked that the Board designate Mr. Littrell as the representative for the Park Department regarding prevailing wages per the recently enacted change in state law. The wages will be set quarterly. Dr. Kelly made a motion ratifying the letter naming Mr. Littrell as the Park Department's representative for wage determination. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed. 5. Request to Ratify Supplemental Agreement with Teamster's Union- Thomas Bodnar Mr. Bodnar presented the Board with the signature page of the supplemental agreement of the Teamster's Union's contract with the City of South Bend. This agreement applies to those things negotiated specifically with the Park Department. - -3 - - Mr. Goodrich made a motion to ratify the agreement. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and it was approved. President Henry informed the Board that State Senator Broden has sent the Board's letter regarding the recent change in state law about not restricting the possession of guns in public parks. He has forwarded the Board's letter on to all the members of the legislature. Mr. Goodrich asked that the Board's letter be included in the minutes. 6. Request to Ratify Resolution 8-2011 Regarding Recent Changes in Bidding Laws- Thomas Bodnar Mr. Bodnar reported that four changes have gone into effect regarding purchasing. The first is from the Common Council that asks that minority and women owned business be considered for quotes and bids. They would be from St. Joseph county or an adjacent county. The second is from the State Legislature and concerns illegal workers. Any contract with a vendor that is over $1,000 needs to submit an affidavit that they do not knowingly employ any illegal workers and that for subsequent new hires,they will employ the e- verify system. The third pertains to the prevailing wage law. As the result of an oversight,until January of next year, all construction contracts must meet the prevailing wage. This will be set on a quarterly basis. The fourth and final law gives a preference to contractors in the county the awarding body resides in, and adjacent counties. He says it is a very confusing,poorly written law. He said the resolution may be amended as clarification is made. It is an effort to give guidance base on how he feels the statute was written. Mr. Mullins made a motion to ratify Resolution 8-2011. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion and it was passed. Mr. Goodrich commended Mr. Bodnar for the efforts he made. VI. Approval of Minutes Dr. Kelly made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on June 20, 2011 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Goodrich and approved. VII. Approval of Maintenance Vouchers A motion was made by Mr. Goodrich to approve maintenance vouchers for June 2011 totaling $1,095,216.86. It was seconded by Mr. Mullins. There being no further discussion,the motion was passed. VIII. Business of Director St. Clair 1. Director St. Clair gave the Board an update on Miracle Park. The City Council will be asked for$1M in funding next Monday. Another $1M is being asked in funding from the Redevelopment Commission. Also, a long term lease is being sought from the Airport Authority Board for land at the northwest end of the airport. 2. Funding for the Conservatory is also being sought at next Monday's Council meeting in the amount of$1.2M. This will take down the old growing houses and provide - - 4 - - improvements. 3. Due to the heat this week, cooling centers will be opened at the Recreation Centers. 4. The City Forester has informed him that there are approximately 600 ash trees in the park system and 3,000 in the City. It is feared these trees will be lost due to the emerald ash borer insect in the coming years. It is hoped to be able to replace many, if possible. 5. The 2012 budget is being put together IX. Comments by the Zoo Director 1. Mr. DeRosa informed the Board that the Zoo has heat related procedures in effect for the animals and staff. 2. The Metronet installation in ongoing. 3. The new Teamster contract designates four zookeeper levels. He is talking to Human Resources to set up job descriptions. 4. The new vet is on staff. 5. The otters are throwing all they have in their exhibit into their moat. 6. Attendance is up slightly from last year. Director St. Clair noted that the Zoo attendance is one of the few operations that has an increase in attendance. 7. A new x-ray processor is being purchased to replace the old one. 8. The contractor has finished the compost area and they are beginning to compost again. The compost will be sold or bartered in the future. X. Comments by the Golf Operations Director 1. Mr.Nowacki reported that Erskine had 1 '/a inch of rain this morning. 2. The new well is in and working at Elbel,pumping 750 gal/min. The pumphouse is being finished by the trades and should be done this month. 3. Trap renovation is being done at Erskine. 4. Conditions are good at Studebaker with the new maintenance arrangement. Attendance is up. He commended the Erskine crew for their good work there. 5. The Women's metro lost a round at Erskine due to a thunder storm that hit during that round. 6. The Men's Metro starts this Saturday. The first two rounds are at Elbel,the third is at Erskine and the final round is at Blackthorn. 7. Twelve traps at Elbel have been filled in, These were hazards that no longer came into play. XI. Comments by the Recreation Director 1. Ms. O'Connor reported that programs have been cancelled because of the heat. 2. 314 coupons were sold for the Fitness Center on Groupon. 3. The Kid's Triathlon is this weekend. 279 have signed up. 4. The Men's Major Softball tournament is August 4. There are 13 teams. - - 5 - - 5. The summer programs are starting to wrap up. 6. The free programs are being well attended. XII. Comments by Development Director 1. Mr. Payton informed the Board that the next Park Foundation Board meeting is on August 10. 2. Foundation Board members will be at the Kid's Tri. 3. The Superintendent's Golf Outing is coming up on August 5. Foursomes and sponsors are still being sought. 4. The Activity Guide will be out soon. 5. The Miracle Park stakeholders are being kept up to date on the progress of the meetings for funding. XIIL There being no more business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held August 15, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O'Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary 7/6/2011 It is with a sense of urgency that the members of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend feel an obligation to voice our concerns regarding a recent bill passed by the Indiana Legislature. With all due respect for different positions regarding the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States,the board has serious concerns as to the possession of weapons, concealed or otherwise, at public recreation venues. Simply put,it is difficult to comprehend the reasoning behind recent legislative action. Two questions must be answered: First,what is the purpose of public parks if not to provide safe places for the enjoyment of exercise and leisure? Second,will the possession of a deadly weapon, concealed - - 6 - - or openly displayed,by any individual,make our public recreational facilities a safer place and provide a more enjoyable experience for adults and children? Numerous scenarios immediately come to mind in which tragic outcomes might too easily result. A family picnic reunion at which an argument erupts and turns violent; a pick-up basketball game evolves into rough play; or a public meeting that escalates to a heated discussion... While altercations do occur on occasion at our parks and recreation centers,they are generally a safe environment for the citizens of our community. The possession of a deadly weapon poses a significant risk of violence by one citizen upon another. Our city possesses outstanding parks,recreation centers, and golf courses that provide wonderful opportunities for leisure, as well as organized,play, sports, and learning experiences. The Board of Park Commissioners wishes to be on the record that we strenuously object to allowing fire arms, or any other weapons, at any park and recreation facility. By this we mean that under no circumstances do we countenance any weapons on park property. A citizen committing a violent act on another citizen should be illegal and treated as a police matter. At the June Park Board meeting a resolution was passed unanimously to express the above position as well as the Board's opposition to the recent legislation. It is the intent of the Park Board to contact: 1) News media with its concern; 2) The Indiana Parks and Recreation Association to state its position and request the Association's support; 3) All legislators,voicing the board's opposition and public safety concerns; 4) Local governmental groups and individuals voicing the Board's position. Let it be absolutely clear that the Park Board members are not opposed to the ownership of firearms, or other appropriate weapons. However,whether or not they are registered,they have no place at public recreation sites. Let's keep our parks a safe and positive environment for all of the community's individuals and families. Respectfully submitted, Robert Henry,President Robert Goodrich,Vice President Thomas Kelly Garrett Mullins Board of Park Commissioners South Bend Parks and Recreation Department