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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 20 2020 Park Board MinutesSOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING April 20, 2020 The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, April 20, 2020, via Microsoft Teams virtual meeting for its regular meeting. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting were duly given as required by law. The public was provided with a link to join the virtual meeting. Park Board members present were as follows: Mr. Mark Neal, President Mr. Dan Farrell Ms. Aimee Buccellato Ms. Consuella Hopkins VPA staff members present: Aaron Perri, Executive Director; Eva Ennis, Operations Coordinator Other city representatives present: Clara McDaniels, Assistant City Attorney; Councilperson Sharon McBride, Councilperson Troy Warner; Shawn Delahanty, Director of Services (IT); Dan O’Connor, Chief Technology Officer I. Call to Order President Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Mark Neal took roll call attendance. All board members were present. Mark reviewed the agenda and procedures for the meeting. He added that the meeting will also include public comment and a report by Aaron Perri. II. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the meeting minutes of March 16, 2020 by Consuella Hopkins, supported by Dan Farrell, roll call vote – 4-0. Motion carried. III. Interviewing of Interested Citizens Mark opened the floor to the public. There were no comments. IV. New Business 1. MOU with Cultivate Culinary & 2. MOU with Food Bank of Northern Indiana Aaron Perri explained that Venues Parks & Arts has been coordinating food security during this crisis. This effort to provide food to the community has been in coordination with Cultivate Culinary, United Way, Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend Community School Corporation, and St. Joseph County Health Improvement Alliance. These organizations have been distributing over 12,000 meals daily which is over 600% normal distribution. The City of South Bend released $50,000 to help fund food access, and VPA raised over $10,000 with the Side-by-Side t-shirt campaign. There was a need for consistent labor to produce food, so City of South Bend employees were recruited to help with food packaging at Food Bank of Northern Indiana and Cultivate Culinary. The agreements have an expiration date of May 31, 2020. Clara McDaniels noted that all COVID-19 safeguards put in place are being complied with to ensure the safety of the city employees working at the locations. Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Cultivate Culinary and Memorandum of Understanding with Food Bank of Northern Indiana by Dan Farrell, supported by Consuella Hopkins, roll call vote – 4-0. Motion carried. V. Report by Executive Director Aaron Perri Aaron Perri gave the following updates: • Aaron Perri recognized Troy Warner for his help with food drives. • Everything in VPA is closed including all face-to-face programming, playgrounds, facilities, skate parks, fitness center, and community centers. Parks and trails remain open. VPA will first start to re-open playgrounds, golf courses, and other assets that don’t require people to be in close proximity first when guidelines allow. • Staff is currently working on special projects. Facilities & Grounds are still working and taking care of spaces. • Youth Jobs Program is still moving forward assuming we’ll be able to hire employees for the summer. • VPA is hosting virtual tours, virtual nature programs, and virtual fitness programs. • Mark Neal asked when jobs and hiring starts for the summer. Aaron Perri replied that VPA is hiring now in hopes we can start work this summer. • Mark Neal asked if in terms of park amenities, does that include splashpads being closed. Aaron Perri replied that splashpads are closed now but they normally don’t open until Memorial Day, so we’re still preparing them to open if we are able to. • Mark Neal asked when Studebaker Fountain is opening. Aaron Perri replied that we plan to start up around Mother’s Day to reduce risks of pipes freezing. No other questions or comments from the Park Commissioners, meeting adjourned at 5:20 pm by President Mark Neal. The next regular meeting will be held Monday, May 18, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. with location to be determined. Respectfully Submitted, Eva Ennis