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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 PARC d z c\ 1865 OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK KAREEMAH FOWLER, CITY CLERK PARC COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 25, 2019 3:46 P.M. (ORGANIZATIONAL) Committee Members Present: Sharon L. McBride, Jake Teshka, John Voorde, John Mazurkiewicz (citizen member), Erin Patzkowsky(citizen member) Committee Members Absent: Oliver Davis Other Council Present: Regina Williams-Preston, Gavin Ferlic, Karen White, Jo M. Broden, Tim Scott Other Council Absent: None Others Present: Kareemah Fowler, Graham Sparks, Bob Palmer Agenda: Organizational Meeting Committee Chair Sharon L. McBride called to order the Organizational Meeting of the PARC Committee at 3:46 p.m. She introduced members of the Committee and proceeded with the meeting. Organizational Meeting Committee Chair McBride stated, There were a lot of exciting things that happened on PARC Committee last year. Notably, the bus tour. I think that brought out a lot insight of some of the deficiencies and opportunities for growth in the area. One(1) of the things that stemmed from that was looking forward to this year the renovation of Randolph Park. So, that has been graded out and will be taking place this year. That is along with the completion of Ravina Park. That took place in 2018. The Zoo entrance, there was the ground-breaking for that and they are continuing to work toward the ACA Accreditation. So,that is a huge undertaking and would be a great success for people not only locally but the region for people to come to the Zoo and give us the accreditation we need to continue to remain open and get the giraffe exhibit in and other animals that would not qualify without the accreditation. She went on, Also, connecting the River Walk. I know on Lincolnway East and along the river, they are still working towards the connectivity of the River Walk. The completion of the Charles Black Center is included in some of the highlights we've had from VPA. I'm pleased to say, for the Committee, we didn't have to work as hard this year, thank God, because they were self- sustaining. So, that was great. They had a lot of exciting things going on. Some of the items we are currently in the process on include the Tree Ordinance. They have continued and will be INTEGRITY' SERVICE'ACCESSIBILITY JENNIFER M.COFFMAN BIANCA L.TIRAuo JOSEPH R.MOLNAR CHIEF DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS DEPUTY/DIRECTOR OF POLICY ORDINANCE VIOLATION CLERK EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Blvd.I South Bend,Indiana 46601 I p 574.235.9221 I f 574.235.9173 I www.southbendin.gov CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK presenting to give an update on March 1 to let us know where they are. We need to see what steps we need to take, as Council, and hopefully will end up implementing that ordinance. We will be working diligently on that ordinance. We also need to keep our eyes on the bonds and TIF as well. I think we are doing a good job. We need to have the public better understand how the bonds are working and how TIF is being utilized. So, I think it would be great for us to learn and grow together with that. Committee Chair McBride then opened the floor to Committee Members. Committeemember Erin Patzkowsky stated, This is both of our second(2nd) year so, thank you for having us back. I professionally work for NIBCO and I am the E-Commerce Director and I was born and raised in South Bend. I joined this Committee because I went to ICU Daycare on the corner of Chapin and Lincolnway and that really instilled the sense of community in me. That is where my passion started, and I would like to get back to that. That is the goal I have for our Committee is keeping the kids involved during the summer months. There is no one really watching them but I'm excited to be here. Committeemember John Mazurkiewicz stated, This is actually my third(3rd)go-around. Anyhow, it is a pleasure. I'm a long-time resident. I am on the Board of DTSB. I work right across the street. I hang out at Potawotomi Park and various other parks around the City, so, I am very much in tune to what is going on. Some of the things we learned on the bus tour last year surprised the hell out of me. The fact we have things like that going on in South Bend, I don't see some of that. So, it is good to see and address some of that. Obviously, I am looking forward mostly to the opening of Howard Park. I get to drive by it about six(6)times a day coming to and from work.What is going on over there, it is phenomenal. We are here for Thanksgiving because, I keep telling everybody, Tim is going to be frying a turkey down there. Anyhow, I think that will be the big highlight here in South Bend. That park needed something. I'm looking forward to it. Committee Chair McBride then opened the floor to Council Members. Councilmember Karen White stated, I just wanted to add to your list, I know since the Wooden Indian has been taken down, it was long over-due, and we have all that space. I think some administrators have been in conversation with some City officials to really begin to look at what that site will look like. It's been leveled, and it is a prime area to have some partnerships with. Committee Chair McBride stated, I'm glad you brought that up. I was at the River Park Neighborhood Association meeting and the Chancellor from IUSB talked about the green space there. I think they are doing something as well. So, I will follow up to see what that looks like. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, A couple quick things. You mentioned TIF funding but, of interest, I think, perhaps to the Council, would be our budget project alignment to budget. So, we have quite a few bonds out there with different various dates and projects tied to them. A real good score sheet and progress report on a regular pace, I think for the Council's and community's benefit. There have also been some projects that have costed more because of where we are. So, I just want to make sure that we're all on top of that.I think that actually would require some tracking at a divisional level. So, if there is a way to do that, that would be great. We have the performing areas, then the green space, you've got Century Center, but getting down to that detail and a good thorough report that would sort of get at both of those things, that would be of interest. EXCELLENCE j ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southhendin.gov 2 *CITY OF SOUTH BEND ' OFFICE OF THE CLERK She continued, The other is the City and South Bend Community School's compact agreement, I know that's been reviewed and looked at on the School Board side, and I know there were a lot of folks that had interest in that over the years. I really haven't seen anything, and I don't even know the broad parameters of that. And then, just again, since the dates of the Parks Board meetings coincide with these Committee meetings, I would specifically like to see a change of those dates. If not for 2019 but for 2020 because we all have a shared interest in the success of our parks. I do think, lastly and more down in the weeds, but whenever there is a lease agreement being put out for a request for bids or proposals, Council should be made aware of those. So, more financial tracking type requests. Committee Chair McBride stated, I do attend all the Park Boards meetings and only one (1) conflicts with our dates. Councilmember White stated, That could be another Joint Committee Meeting. Financial Reporting has been consistent with all our Committees. Let's put our head together to see what that looks like. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I have a list for parks, I suggest we email the Chair, so she can compile that, and we can move forward. With no further discussion, Committee Chair McBride adjourned the Organizational Meeting of the PARC Committee at 3:56 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, SharohIcBri I'e Committee Chair EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend.Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov 3