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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-04 Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Parks, Ark,Recreation and Culture(PARC]Committee The October 25, 2004 meeting of the Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture (PARC) Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 4:00 p.m. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Kelly, Puizzello, Varner, Kuspa, Coleman, White and Kirsits; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, City Clerk John Voorde, Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair,Rita Kopola, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Coleman noted that he called the Committee meeting to have a presentation on the Park Master Plan, however he would like to call upon Mayor Luecke first regarding an announcement which was made earlier today. Mayor Stephen J. Luecke stated that after consulting with the Park Department staff, the Park Board and the Council that he has concluded that the city will not host Summer in the City in 2005. He stated that this news he states with regret,however it will free up staff time and that there will not be such a large monetary subsidy necessary. Council Member Puzzello inquired whether the parade would be continued. Mayor Luecke stated that he has talked with Rick Kring and he would like to have the parade tied to something. He noted that sponsorships decreased and participation decreased when Summer in the City was reduced to a one-day event. Council President White inquired whether the primary driving force for the Mayor's decision was financial. Mayor Luecke stated that the city was less successful with sponsors and that there were increased security costs incurred by the city. He regretted that the event recently had a"negative public relations tag", despite the positive actions by the city. He commended the Parks and Recreation staff over the years for their dedication,energy and enthusiasm. Council President White stated that she believes the need for diversity is critical, to which the Mayor agreed. Council Member Coleman stated that in the interest of keeping the process going forward,that he would like to have the Council participate in future discussions and not just be merely in the loop. He stated that he looks forward to looking at ways to celebrate the community. Mayor Luecke stated that he welcomes ideas and thoughts, especially from the community. Council Member Coleman then called for a presentation on the Park Master Plan. Parks, Arts,Recreation and Culture(PARC)Committee October 25,2004 Page 1 Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair made the presentation. He thanked the Council Members for the opportunity to briefly review the document. He stated that a master plan is necessary for grant applications at the state and federal levels. It gives a blue print which is not carved in stone but rather is a working document which can be tweaked each year. Input was received from meetings held in each of the six (6) Councilmanic Districts and questions were submitted in order to get feedback. He noted that Section "K" addresses "Issues" and that Section"M"addresses the"Action Plan". Mr. St. Clair summarized the following in comparing the City of South Bend parks to the national standards: Community parks: traditional park-like settings 568 acres in the city 757 acres= national standard Block parks: very small attracting visitors from a one(1)block area 24 acres in the city 54 acres= national standard Neighborhood parks:227 acres in the city 324=national standard Mr. St. Clair stated that the city has a total of 840 acres dedicated to parks, plus "special parks" which have 470 acres. The national standard is 1,140 acres for a city of our size. The City Administration is looking at ways to develop and acquire more green space and to develop standards for them. He noted that the Master Plan also provides a history for the past five (5) years, provides analysis, and rates various issues from "1"being the best to "7" being the worst. He noted that aquatics come up periodically through the survey. He stated that they would be going back into the Council Districts and make a more thorough presentation with maps. Council President White inquired about how the Park Master Plan would be integrated with the City Plan. Mr. St. Clair stated that a meeting would be held on November 6th to start that discussion. Dr. Varner inquired whether the bike paths and the walk ways were included in the acreage and was advised that they were. He suggested that quality parks and quality programs are more important than complying with acerage requirements, noting the the city has great golf courses. He further suggested that the city needs to look at maintenance costs and costs to upgrade and improve park facilities. Mr. St. Clair clarified his figures and stated that the city has 1,290 park acres now and that only 330 acres would be called for under the national standards. He also noted that school green spaces cannot be counted toward the national standards. Council Member Coleman inquired about the process and the time table for discussion of the proposed Park Master Plan. Mr. St. Clair stated that he would be getting the schedule of meetings out to the Council within the next two(2)weeks. Parks, Arts,Recreation and Culture(PARC)Committee October 25,2004 Page 2 ri Council Member Pfeifer inquired whether the Howard Park bridge would have to be replaced with cement in light of the continuing vandalism. She also suggested more green space in the downtown. Mr. St. Clair stated that they have the means however many of the city employees have voiced concern about working on the bridge due to safety considerations. The Administration is also looking at contracting out the project. Mayor Luecke stated that Zoo Boo will take place this weekend and that the new train would be ready for this event. Council Member Puzzello requested that a tour of the various park operations be planned for next Spring,to which Mr. St. Clair agreed. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Coleman adjourned the meeting at 4:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Sean Coleman Parks,Arts,Recreation and Culture(PARC)Committee KCF:kmf Parks, Arts,Recreation and Culture(PARC)Committee October 25,2004 Page 3