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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-03 Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment i Contmtttte Ztport rks, Itartation, (Cultural grto au4 eutertaGtum txt Commttt e The April 3, 2003 meeting of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 3:32 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Coleman and Kuspa; City Controller Rick 011ett, Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair, Park Board Member Bob Goodrich, Fiscal Officer Bill Carleton and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Coleman noted that a present of the Committee was present. He noted that yesterday he unveiled a publicly his 21st Century Parks Investment proposal. He stated that the city has made tremendous capital improvements and credited the efforts of the Park Superintendent, Park Board and the Park Department. Council Member Coleman stated that true vision and fiscal discipline is most evident, however there are still tremendous capital needs. He contended that it is right to address longer term capital needs by investing now. He then asked the Park Superintendent for his comments and presentation. Phil St. Clair, Park Superintendent, noted that it is important to review where the Park Department has been fiscally for the past five(5) years. He provided a 6-page handout which reviewed each of the park funds by focusing on three (3) areas, namely: maintenance & upgrades, fleet & miscellaneous equipment, and new construction (copy attached). Mr. St. Clair stated that approximately $38 million is needed to address capital needs which include some quality of life issues. Mr. St. Clair noted that estimates for zoo upgrades range from $7 million to$30 million and$5 1/2 million is needed for various upgrades in the neighborhood parks. He stated that the biggest complaint of the department is that it lacks an aquatic center. He stated that he receives many complaints about this and sees it as the weakest link in the park department program. The Park Department is considering moving the maintenance garage from the banks of the St. Joseph River and developing an amphitheater there instead. Discussions have taken place on enlarge the Howard Park Senior Center,and perhaps developing it into a multi-service facility. A study would be necessary to see what the needs are in this area. He stated that Leeper Park needs upgrades, with proposals of developing it to the original way it was under the George Custer days. He noted that the King and Black Centers are in"good shape",with playground apparatus being added to the Black Center this year. New roofs are needed at O'Brien and Newman. Mr. St. Clair stated that O'Brien and the skatepark are doing well and that they are looking at expansion possibilities for both. He concluded his remarks by stating that he would compare our parks to any other cities of comparable size,however he would like to be on the front-end of new developments overall. Council Member Coleman stated that the capital improvement budget in 2002 was $421,000; and that$850,000 has been budgeted for 2003. He noted that if the park department would bond today it could make improvements in today's dollars. He contended that "now is the time to make something happen". He then called upon the City Controller for his presentation. Rick 011ett, City Controller, provided a 4-page handout to the committee (copy attached). He stated that today's investment climate has the lowest rates in over forty (40) years. Rates range from 1.3% to 5.1% with 4.6% being the average. He then reviewed the data on financing principal in the amount of$2 million, $5 million and $10 million (see handouts). Mr. 011ett stated that the "bond investment process" would require a bond ordinance to be drafted which would be either a lease-type or debenture-type. Public notice of thirty(30) days is required,with the overall Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee April 3, 2003 Page 2 process taking a minimum of two(2) months. Council Member Coleman stated that"there is overwhelming evidence that there cannot be a better time to go forward,and that time is of the essence in light of the historically low rates". He further noted that the time is right for the city to consider these proposals. He noted that there are many challenges to the labor force. He stated that"the real purpose is to create jobs in a bad economy", noting the similarity of this proposal to the New Deal. Mr. St. Clair stated that the last Park bond was in 1983 for the East Race Waterway. The zoo bond issue was in 1979. Mr. St. Clair stated that the Park Master Plan is scheduled to be completed in January 2004. Council Member Coleman stated that redistributing money within the capital budget without raising taxes would be the best route. It would require the prioritization of projects. It would be his hope that the Park Superintendent would bring his recommendations to the Council, so that they could be included in the process. It is also his hope that the Zoological Society would be a partner in the process so that dollars could be leveraged. He stated that if participation is enhanced that it may avoid "getting bogged down in a remonstrance". He suggested that the guiding skeleton be the Park Master Plan which is currently being developed. Robert Goodrich, a member of the Park Board, voiced initial concern, but noted that he is interested in the process. He noted concern over the non-reverting funds which lowers the financial needs in other areas. He stated that he is open to the idea, and suggested that perhaps a Park Foundation should be discussed and formulated. Council Member Coleman stated that if necessary the ordinances governing the park non-reverting funds could be amended. He stated that "if the greater good could be addressed now that it may be a once in a lifetime opportunity". He sees this as a challenge and an incentive for the Mayor and the Park Superintendent to find existing dollars so that this could happen. He contended that every effort should be made for this to happen. He also noted that a Park Foundation may be good for future needs. Council Member Aranowski noted that the economic climate may not be like it is now for a long time. Council Member Kuspa stated that if the park system deteriorates that the city would spend more money later for upgrades. Council Member Coleman stated that to "not explore this possibility would be a disservice to the community". He stated that in the next several days he would sit down with the Mayor so that he could walk him through the process. He also noted that he would like the opportunity to speak before the Park Board. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Coleman adjourned the meeting at 4:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Sean Coleman, Chairperson Parks,Recreation, Cultural Arts&Entertainment Committee KCF:kmf Attachments