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Home My WebLink About07-14-03 Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment formulate Ateport Ibarkix, .teereation, 1 uJtural Rrts an (entertainment. townittee The July 14, 2003 meeting of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 4:20 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Pfeifer, White, Verner, Coleman, Kelly, Kuspa, Kirsits and King; City Controller Rick 011ett, City Attorney Charles Leone, Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair, Fiscal Officer Bill Carleton,Building Commissioner Don Fozo,Tish Rogers, Donna Pfeil, Bill Simon, Greg Bogheim, Terry Bland of the gtODU1 IStatif grthitft and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Coleman noted that the Committee meeting was called to present additional information on the proposed 21st Century Parks Capital Improvement Initiative. He provided a six-page handout entitled"21st Century Parks Capital Improvement Proposal"(copy attached). Council Member Coleman then reviewed the six(6) goals highlight on the 1st page of the handout. He noted that the capital needs in 1999 were approximately$38 million. The capital needs in 2003 are approximately$ 20 million. He noted that the City has utilized a"pay as you go program". He then called upon the Park Superintendent to briefly address the capital items. Phil St. Clair noted that the capital items are a result of the 1999 Park Master Plan. He then highlighted the twelve (12) "Sample Major Capital Improvement Items" listed in the handout. He noted that the Park Maintenance Building relocation is a top priority from the Howard Park area along the St. Joseph River to another location. The Senior Citizen Center could be expanded and addressing the needs for indoor and outdoor aquatics facilities. Elbel Golf Course has opportunities to increase revenue. An outdoor basketball facility in the Southeast Side could become a gathering point. Neighborhood Park improvements are need for the 74 parks in the city at the tune of $ 3-4 million. Extension of the River Walk and enhancing Rum Village Park and Island Park. Potawatomi Zoo has addressed new exhibits in its Master Plan. The Greenhouse is over eighty(80) years old;is expensive to heat;and its outdated. Greg Bogheim then reviewed the five (5) items listed in the "Potawatomi Zoo Wish List" in the handout. He introduced Bill Simon, President of the Zoological Society; Donna Pfeil; and Bob Goodrich of the Park Board. Council Member Coleman then called upon Fiscal Officer Bill Carleton to review potential revenue sources. Mr.Carleton noted that the proposed equipment listing is for the fleet on a lease/purchase basis. Mr. Carleton noted that Fund # 201 "Park Special Revenue" represents the difference between what is taken in and what is spent with a required 7 1/2% cash reserve. Fund # 203 Recreation Non-Reverting" is run by user fees and addresses expenses. Fund # 271 "East Race" is dedicated for Fast Race Improvements funded by fees from race events typically held twice per year ranging from $ 3,000 to $ 6,000 per year. Fund # 272 "Special Events" is "iffy" and represents income from the Garage Sale and Summer in the City. Fund # 401 "Coveleski Stadium" receives user fees from Palisades baseball and is dedicated to Cove upgrades. Fund # 405 "Park Non-Reverting Capital receives income from golf, the zoo, picnic rentals, and other facilities and is used to maintain and upgrade such areas. Council Member Coleman noted that another option would be to consider fee enhancements. He called upon the City Controller to address possible savings in FICA. Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee July 14, 2003 Page 2 Rick 011ett noted that this area is currently being researched as to whether there would be a savings generated by changes with regard to FICA. Council Member Coleman noted that the Park Department has more part-time employees than any other department. He then noted that he did not address CDBG funds, Cumulative Capital Development funds or General Fund dollars in this proposed initiative. He stressed the need to pursue leveraging dollars in light of the current market conditions. In response to a question from Council Member Coleman, the City Controller stated that interest rates are holding in the 4.5% to 6% range which are the best rates in forty (40) years. Lease/Purchase options would have higher rates than general obligation bonds. Council Member Coleman noted that Parks have their own bonding authority. He then reviewed an"action time line"of 90 to 120 days. He added that the public process takes 60 days. He further noted that the leadership of the Park Department and Park Board would play an important role. Council Member Aranowski noted that by the last week in August the Council would be in daily budget hearings. Bill Simon, President of the Zoological Society noted that there is an opportunity to bring new visitors and cash flow to various Park operations. Council Member Kuspa inquired about the amount of space needed for giraffe exhibits, noting his concern over the lack of space for expansion. Greg Bogheim stated that the American Zoological &Aquatic Association sets forth standards and guidelines in this area. Council Member Coleman stated that such concerns could be addressed when specific capital needs are discussed. Tish Rogers, Executive Director of the Zoological Society noted that the new Master Plan addresses space concerns and the need for usable space and visitor friendliness. To implement the Master Plan would cost approximately $ 30 million. She noted that visitors are up as well as memberships. Don O'Blenis, a resident on Poppy Road and the Business Agent for the Roofers Union noted that building projects at the University of Notre Dame have basically shut down; and that the only major construction work going on is being generated by the South Bend Community School Corporation. The building trades and the contractors are hungry for business. Council Member Aranowski stated that the City must find out from Rick 011ett, City Controller, what we have in dollars, noting that COIT dollars are tight in light of the building programs for the Police and Fire Departments. He stressed the need to have exact figures before selecting projects which might be feasible. He added that he is aware of contractors being hungry for business and notes that the initiative presents a great list of activities, but the Council and Administration must know what monies will be available. Council Member Coleman noted that these concerns would be addressed in upcoming meetings. Dr. Varner agreed Wlih'Council Member Aranowski's remarks. He noted that much of today is an Parks, Recreation,Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee July 14, 2003 Page 3 emotional appeal, however there is a need to nail down funding. He requested a summary of revenue generated for each of the various Park activities for the past five (5) years, noting that that information would be useful to the Council and Administration. (Emphasis added) Council Member Coleman noted that today's discussion is not an emotional appeal but rather people who have vested interests with regard to their proposals. Donna Pfeil inquired as to how many Council Members had been to the zoo lately (majority of the Council raised their hands). She stated that many young families enjoy coming to the zoo. She stated that only the zoos in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and South Bend are accredited by the American Zoological and Aquatics Association. The zoo helps attract business to the community. She encouraged everyone to see the many functions of the zoo. Council Member Pfeifer requested information on the operation of the greenhouse. She asked for the hours of operation, attendance figures, heating costs, revenue generated, etc., of the greenhouse, in light of the comments made by the Park Superintendent. (Emphasis added). She pondered whether the City should continue to have a greenhouse. Council Member Coleman stated that the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee would meet on Thursday, July 17, 2003 at 4 p.m., and again on Monday, July 28th to continue discussions. (Emphasis added). Council Member Pfeifer suggested that the Council invite representatives of the South Bend Community School to an upcoming meeting in light of the Park Superintendent's comments of the hardship of working with the South Bend schools on recreational activities. (Emphasis added). Council Member Coleman thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Sean Coleman, Chairperson Parks,Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee KCF:kmf Attachments