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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-21-2011 Minutes SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 21, 2011 The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday November 21, 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 Ms. Amy Hill Mr. Garrett Mullins Park Board members absent were as follows: Staff members present: Phil St. Clair, Superintendent; Bill Carleton,Fiscal Officer; Susan O'Connor,Recreation Director; Paul McMinn,Assistant Recreation Director; Randy Nowacki, Director of Golf Operations; Laura Arriaga, Interim Zoo Director; Richard Payton,Development Director;Mike Dyszkiewicz,Maintenance Superintendent; Thomas Bodnar,Park Board Attorney I. 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. Gregg Zientara, Controller of the City of South Bend and President of the Park Foundation Board,requested the Board approve a services agreement between the Park Foundation and the Parks Department. The purpose is to contract with the Foundation for a one time payment of$25,000 for support of park projects. Mr. Goodrich stated that he thought the Foundation had made good progress over the year and supported their efforts. He made a motion to approve the agreement. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed. III. Potawatomi Zoological Society 1. Ms. Marcy Dean,Zoological Society Executive Director,reported that 10,492 visitors attended Zoo Boo last month. 2. The Zoo train is closed for the season. There was increased ridership this year by staying open an extra month. 3. Zoo Boo went well. There were 10,492 visitors on both days. 4. The otter landscaping project is done. 5. She requested approval of three events that the Zoological Society is planning for 2012, Family Walk,Member's Picnic, and Zoo Brew. Mr. Goodrich complimented her on her report and made a motion to approve the request for the three events. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. - - I - - IV. The next order of business was unfinished business. There was no unfinished business. V. The next order of business was new business. 1. Request to Declare Fitness Equipment Obsolete-Paul McMinn Mr. McMinn requested the Board declare a six station fitness equipment obsolete. It is old and parts are hard to find. It will be held for the city auction. Mr. Mullins made a motion to declare this piece of equipment obsolete. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion and it was passed. 2. Request to Declare Veterinary X-ray Processor Obsolete- Laura Arriaga Ms. Arriaga requested that the Board declare the Zoo's old x-ray processor obsolete since the purchase of the new processor. Mr. Mullins made a motion to declare the old processor obsolete and unfit for its intended purpose. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion and it was passed. 3. Request to Approve Zoo Education Fees for 2012-Kelly Ulrich Ms. Arriaga requested approval for a request to increase fees for certain Zoo educational program fees. It has been two years since fees have been raised. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the request to increase the Zoo educational fees. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. 4. Request to Obtain Quotes for Voorde Park Project-Mike Bultinck Mr. Bultinck of Lehman &Lehman, Inc.,requested permission to solicit bids for the Voorde Park renovation project. The budget is approximately $350,000. He reviewed the project and timeline with the Board. The Redevelopment Commission is providing the funding. Ms. Hill made a motion to approve the request to solicit bids. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion and it was passed. 5. Request to Approve Modification of August 2012 Regular Minutes- Thomas Bodnar Mr. Bodnar requested a motion from the Board to approve a modification to the October minutes correcting the price of a parcel of land to be sold to the state of Indiana near Fredrickson Park. The correct price is $810.00. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the amendment to the October minutes. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was approved. 6. Request to Approve Memorandum of Understandings with the Potawatomi Zoological Society Regarding the Train and Butterfly Exhibit-Director St. Clair Director St. Clair and the Mr. Horn,President of the Zoological Society,presented two memorandums of understanding before the Board for approval. They concerned the zoo train and the butterfly exhibit. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the MOUs between the South Bend Park Department and the Potawatomi Zoological Society. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed. VL Approval of Minutes Mr. Mullins made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on October 12, 2011 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hill and approved. - - 2 - - VII. Approval of Maintenance Vouchers A motion was made by Mr. Mullins to approve maintenance vouchers for October 2011 totaling $837,802.94 It was seconded by Mr. Goodrich. There being no further discussion,the motion was passed. VIII. Business of Director St. Clair 1. Director St. Clair updated the Board on the Conservatory project. Bids were received and awarded through the Board of Public Works for approximately $1,080,000. 2. The first phase of Miracle Park is still under way. A parcel of land has not been located for the park at this time. The earlier proposed location was not utilized due to infrastructure availability. 2. The Potawatomi Park exercise area upgrades are underway in partnership with the Community Foundation. A splash pad is being planned as part of the project thanks to Mr. Richard Pfiel. 3. The City is still in negotiations with the South Bend Baseball Club over the stadium agreement for Coveleski Stadium for 2012. 4. Employee evaluations and end of year reports are being finished. IX. Comments by the Interim Zoo Director 1. Ms. Arriaga reported that the Zoo will be closing Sunday. 2. The Zoo's male snow leopard will be transferred to Binder Park. 3. The female bison has arrived and has been introduced to the male and they are doing fine. 4. The wallaby shelters are finished in time for winter. X. Comments by the Recreation Director 1. Ms. O'Connor reported that she was recently at the Amateur Softball Association's annual meeting and the department was awarded an award of excellence for the men's major tournament that was held last August. A score of 100%was received. We have held 15 tournaments over 13 years and have received an award of excellence award for all. We were awarded the men's major tournament again for 2012. Mr. Henry commended the staff for their record. 2. Youth Instructional classes are wrapping up for the year. 3. Around Town for the Holidays will be held in two weeks. It will consist of the tree lighting ceremony and breakfast and teas with Santa, and skating with Santa on Sunday. 4. Due to the weather,the Ice Rink will not open on schedule this Friday. 5. The Thanksgiving luncheon at Martin Luther King,Jr. Center was held last Thursday and 128 attended. XI. Comments by the Golf Operations Director 1. Mr.Nowacki informed the Board that Studebaker was closed on November 17. Elbel will be open until December I and Erskine will remain open,weather permitting. - - 3 - - 2. The weather has slowed down the sand trap project. Five are yet to be completed. 3. A golf course architect has been consulted regarding the sand traps at Elbel as well as a master plan for the course. 4. The will be renewing the contract with Course Trends regarding the website for the courses. 5. After meeting with chemical and fertilizer representatives,they believe prices will go up 12-15%in 2012. 6. He requested permission to request bids for chemical and fertilizers for 2012. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve his request and Ms. Hill seconded it. The motion was passed. 7. In response to a question,he replied that he is looking into replacing golf cars next year due to the age of the fleet. X1I. Comments by Maintenance Superintendent 1. Mr. Mike Dyszkiewicz informed the Board that leaf removal is ongoing. 2. Water is being shut down in parks. 3. The greenhouse foundation has been removed in preparation for new construction. 4. The shelter at Kennedy Park has been completed. X111. Comments by the Development Director 1. Mr. Payton informed the Board that the Parks Foundation is involved selling paper tree lights for $1 as donations to offset the cost of the tree lighting in downtown. 2. Award nominations have been submitted to the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association for their consideration. 3. The new activity guide is finished and will be distributed next month. 4. The Convention and Visitor's Bureau is offering a grant for advertising for the 2012 Blues Fest that we will apply for again. Director St. Clair requested a special meeting to be held on November 29, 2011 at 4 pm. XW. There being no more business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held December 19, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O'Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary