HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 21 2020 Park Board MinutesSOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 16, 2020
The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, March 16, 2020,
at Howard Park Event Center, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd., 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. Mark Neal, President
Mr. Dan Farrell
Ms. Aimee Buccellato
Park Board members absent were as follows:
Ms. Consuella Hopkins
VPA staff members present: Aaron Perri, Executive Director; Eva Ennis, Operations Coordinator; Bridget
Noonan, Special Events Coordinator
Other city representatives present: Clara McDaniels, Assistant City Attorney
I. Call to Order
President Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
II. Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve minutes of the February 21, 2020, Park Board meeting by Dan Farrell, supported by
Aimee Buccellato, motion carried.
III. Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda by Dan Farrell, supported by Aimee Buccellato, motion carried.
IV. Use of Parks – New Events
a. Recover Michiana | September 20 | Howard Park
Bridget Noonan explained that Recover Michiana would like to hold their annual event at Howard Park
on September 20. The event is a free and open to the public event with kids’ activities, music, speakers
and more with the purpose of connecting people to resources for addiction and bringing awareness. They
anticipate 300 or more attendees.
Motion to approve Recover Michiana on September 20 at Howard Park by Dan Farrell, supported by
Aimee Buccellato, motion carried.
V. Interviewing of Interested Citizens
Mark Neal opened the floor for citizen comments. There were no comments.
VI. Unfinished Business
a. Resolution 0003-2020: Endorsement of Park Bond E Transfer
Aaron Perri explained that the Park Bond E transfer will redirect the proceeds of the Series E Bonds to the
Series D Project to improve and expand a mixed-use trail from Howard Park, along Governor Joe Kernan
Park south to Sample Street. The total amount of the Park Board Series E proceeds approved to be
redirected to the Park Board Series D Project shall not exceed $725,000, and the total cost of the Series D
Project shall not exceed $2,000,000. There were no changes to the resolution from the last meeting where
the projects were discussed in detail.
Motion to approve Resolution 0003-2020 by Dan Farrell, supported by Aimee Buccellato, motion carried.
VII. New Business
1. Resolution 0004-2020: Howard Park Property Transfer
Aaron Perri explained that an additional parcel of land at Howard Park that was previously under the
ownership of the Redevelopment Commission should be transferred to the Board of Park Commissioners
to include all Howard Park property under their ownership.
Motion to approve Resolution 0004-2020: Howard Park Riverwalk Property Transfer by Aimee
Buccellato, supported by Dan Farrell, motion carried.
2. Howard Park Use Agreement
Aaron Perri explained that the Howard Park Use Agreement is a blanket agreement to be used when
people rent out the event rooms at Howard Park.
Motion to approve the Howard Park Use Agreement by Aimee Buccellato, supported by Dan Farrell,
motion carried.
3. Resolution 0005:2020: Honorary Recognition at Pulaski Park
Jonathon Geels, Troyer Group, explained that there is along history of advocacy for Pulaski Park to be
renamed since the 1970s to reflect the transition of the neighborhood demographics. Groups that use the
park most frequently are seeking more representation. The renaming of the pavilion and field at Pulaski
Park to Dolores Huerta Pavilion and Field would recognize both the Latinx community and women, both
groups that have little representation among landmarks in our community.
Mark Neal requested that if the sign at the corner of Western and Walnut is replaced that the new sign
include the name of the Dolores Huerta Pavilion and Field as well as the park name.
Motion to accept Resolution 0005-2020 to name the fields and pavilion at Pulaski Park to Dolores Huerta
Pavilion and Field by Aimee Buccellato, supported by Dan Farrell, motion carried.
4. O’Brien Center Childcare Program
Amanda Bender presented the O’Brien Fitness Center plan to offer childcare services to fitness members.
She reviewed policies and procedures that will be required of staff and reviewed the fee structure. Aaron
Perri noted that the board will need to approve the new fees and the policy changes.
Mark Neal requested an update on how the childcare services are going in 6-8 months.
Motion to approve the fee structure and the policies by Dan Farrell, supported by Aimee Buccellato,
motion carried.
VIII. Report by Executive Director Aaron Perri
Aaron Perri gave the following updates regarding the city’s next steps to address the COVID-19 crisis.
- Office workers will begin remote work after today.
- All playgrounds will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
- VPA will host virtual experiences daily on the Facebook page at noon. The virtual experiences
will feature behind the scenes tours and activities for people to do at home.
No other questions or comments from the Park Commissioners, meeting adjourned at 5:42 pm by
President Mark Neal.
The next regular meeting will be held Monday, April 20, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. in the Ribbon Town Room at
Howard Park.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eva Ennis