HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-12-05 Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment The Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee (PARC)
of the South Bend Common Council
Minutes from Meeting of December 12, 2005
The December 12, 2005 meeting of the PARC Committee was called to order by its
Chairperson, Derek Dieter at 5:06 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner,
Kuspa, Rouse, Kirsits and White. Among those also present were Mayor Stephen Luecke, City
Clerk John Voorde, City Attorney Charles Leone,City Engineer Carl Littrell, City Community and
Economic Director Sharon Kendall,Public Works Director Gary Gilot,Controller Catherine Fanello,
Jamie Loo (South Bend Tribune), and Aladean M. DeRose substituting for Kathleen Cekanski-
Farrand, Council Attorney.
A full quorum of the Committee existed with all member present,namely Council Members
Kirsits and Puzzello.
A. Paint the Town with Bike Lanes
Ms. Judith Roberts of Riverside Drive, South Bend,made a power point presentation to the
Committee advocating additional bike lanes throughout the City. She explained the difference
between bike trails which are good,but located off the main roads, and bike lanes which are part of
roadways. The bike lane of Twyckenham was a good beginning, but it needed a master plan and a
public education program.
Ms. Roberts showed a comparison of bike lanes in various cities throughout the United
States. One medium size city,Portland, Oregon, has 150 miles of bike lanes. The benefit to cities
are good health of citizens, reduced gas consumption and reduced pollution. Bike lanes also have
a "calming effect" on traffic, lower stress for both vehicle and bicycle riders. Vehicles slow down
speed and tend to stay in their own lanes.
Ms. Roberts said that it was important for bike lanes to lead to actual destinations such as
downtown South Bend,IUSB,Notre Dame,etc. She said bike riders will go out of their way to find
a bike lane leading to a desired destination and assured the Council that people will use lanes if they
exist.
One of Ms. Roberts' power point exhibits showed a proposed grid for bike lanes including
Twyckenham North and South, Colfax East and West. These street are wide enough to
accommodate a standard four foot bike lane. She thanked City Engineer Carl Littrell for his
helpfulness in configuring a grid.
As for funding,Ms.Roberts proposes fund raising for the public education component(radio,
billboards, law enforcement seminars), and an appeal to local business for "Adopt a Mile of Bike
Lanes." She understands the cost to be about $1,000 per mile for striping costs.
Committee Member Kirsits asked whether the Plan would exclude parking on the designated
streets. Ms.Roberts responded that it is OK to park cars on streets with bike lanes. However,some
streets will then be able to accommodate parking on one side only, not on both sides of the street.
It depends on the width of the street.
Ms. Roberts closed by saying that federal grant money may be available because civic
projects which reduce petroleum consumption are favored.
The Committee thanked Ms. Roberts for her work and presentation.
B. South Bend Silver Hawks
Mayor Luecke reported that the American Baseball League had turned down the petition to
transfer ownership of the Silver Hawks for purposes of relocating the team to Marion,Illinois. The
new owners have the option to re-petition as long as the Hawks remain in South Bend.
The City's lease of Coveleski Stadium to the Silver Hawks runs through December 2006 and
the Mayor expects the lease payments to increase. The current lease provides reduced lease
payments but gives the City certain bonuses for spectator attendance.
Until the current purchase offer is withdrawn,no competitor's bid to acquire the team can be
considered.
Chairperson Dieter thanked the Mayor for his information, and no further business came
before the Committee. Mr. Dieter adjourned the meeting at 5:32 p.m.
Respe,tfully submittedt,‘
10 NO
-■114111111--
Council Member Dtirric,ILDieter, Chairperson
Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee
AMD/cw