HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-83 Parks & Recreation fdnmmt2#rr larvart
Wu flit Common &until of Or OltIg of bourn limb: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
The February 18, 1983 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee of
the Common Council was called to order at 4 :00 p.m. in the Council informal
meeting room by its Chairman .Councilman Lewwis A, McGann.
• Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Serge, Crone, Beck, Harris,
Szymkowiak, Zielinski, and McGann,• Eugenia Schwartz , James Seitz, John Oxian,
Kathryn Brookins, Mrs. John R. Liouberger, Jr. , Mrs. Elmer A. Rich, Ann
Puzzello, Melvin L. Holmes, John L. Horvath, Gwen E. Stiver, Leslie Chotz ,
Lewis L. Hegyi, Mrs. Carl F. Prell, Jack Detzler, Mrs. Stephen R.:. Phelps,
Steve Phelps, Peter Braasch, John Peddycord, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, and
Mr. Kromkowski.
Councilman McGann noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss
various questions raised at the February 14th council meeting regarding the
Fredrickson house. Councilman McGann then had everyone introduce themselves
who was in attendance. He then called upon the Superintindent of Parks,
James Seitz for a further explanation.
Mr. Seitz noted that the Last Will and Testament of Arthur A.
Fredrickson gave property to the First Bank and Trust Company as Trustee for
the purpose of the "establishment, beautification, maintenance and full
equipment by the City of South Bend, Indiana, by and through its Board of
Park Commissioners, of a. public park in said. City to be named, and known as
"Fredrickson Park, " within eight years after my death. . . " He further noted
that pursuant to. the will the City must deliver to the Trustee within in two
(2) years following Mr. Fredrickson' s death, a firm and binding commitment
to establish a park. There was no mention of the use of the house in the
will. . Mr. Seitz noted that the building and the maintenance of the park was
of utmost concern. He further stated that the Park Board never wanted the
house destroyed. He believed that minimum acreage necessary for a park should
be twenty (20) acrea. Land acquisition could run approximately $250, 000 and
a total of $450,000 to $500,000 would be needed for acquisition and •
development. Maintenance again would be an important aspect.
Councilman McGann then called upon Mrs. Schwartz for an update. She
indicated that a lease arrangement may be permitted under the Will. She passed
out a letter dated February 17, 1983 from Mayor Parent to John Oxian regarding
this issue. Councilman McGann then had her read in its entirety Item XIII
of the- Will. She noted that a firm commitment from the City had been given
to the Trustee.
Mr. Braasch of 1st Source Bank stated that they have not made a decision
regarding the lease but were reviewing the letter proposal. Mr: Peddycord the
. attorney for the estate stated that it is the banks duty and obligation to
carry out the intent of the will. They are willing to cooperate however the
house is a secondary concern. As of this date they have not received a
formal written proposal from' the City regarding the lease arrangement and hoped
that one was forthcoming. Mr... Peddycord noted that the will specifically calls
for the "establishing, beautifying and fully equipping said park for
recreational and picnic purposes. . . "
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Page 2: Parks and Recreation Committee
Mr. Peddycord stated further that Mr. Oxion' s suggestion of having
Southhold purchase the house may have been the best suggestion. Upon
questioning,Mr. Peddycord noted that liquid assets are approximately $300, 000
with the house and its contents being over and above this amount.
Mr. Oxian was then called upon and stated that the lease idea was a
suprise to him. He noted that the house had several problems including the
plumbing, heating, the roof, and the porch,and estimated at approximately
$50,000 would be needed for repairs.
It._ was noted that the contents of the house were valued at approximately
$100,000 and the house at approximately $120-130, 000.
Upon questioning, Mr. Peddycord stated that the definitions4af
"recreational and picnic purposes" do not include a museum.
Mrs. Brookins then relayed her conversation with the Mayor to the
Committee and stated that the maintenance of the house rather than the legal
concerns was the real issue. She believed the citizens were "falling between
the cracks. " She suggested that the Park Department buy the house and have
Southhold manage it; and further suggested that there be two locations
one for the park and one for the house.
Mr. Braasch noted that the City does not own the house and that it is
under the care of the Trustee. The City cannot take title to the house under
the terms of the Will, but could through an outright purchase of it by funds
outside of the Trust.
Councilman Serge suggested that the trianglar peice of property be
considered for a possible park location. It had been cited as a possible
"turn of the century park. " Councilman Szymkowiak also addressed this parcel
of property and suggested that but for the cost moving the house might be a
possibility. Councilman Serge also suggested the __annexe ; area by the airport.
Mr. Kromkowski, Chairman of the Park Commissioners stated that the Park
Department could not afford to maintain the house, but was willing to cooperate
and look into other possibilities.
Councilman Crone hoped that there would be continuing discussions with the
Council, and noted that in the five year report of the Park Department land
acquisition for a park was fifteenth out of eighteen priorities listed.
Councilman Crone also asked for a time table and was advised that the next step
should be a formal written proposal by the City to the Trustee and then a
response from the Trustee. Mr. Oxian also urged the Council to be involved with
this issue.
Councilman McGann summarized that as of this date nothing is certain.
The Committee was sympathetic to maintaining the Fredrickson house and encouraged
people to express interest in acquiring,. it. The legal issues will have to be
resolved by the attorneys and the Trustee and hoped that the estate would
maintain the house while these decisions were being made. He requested all
interested parties to keep in touch with his Committee and that a future meeting
will be scheduled on this topic. There being no further questions, Councilman
Zielinski mad a motion seconded by Councilman Crone that the meeting be
adjourned. Meeting was adjourned at 5 :10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lewis A. McGann, Chairman