HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 21 2022 Park Board MinutesSOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING February 21, 2022 The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, February 21, 2022, at Howard Park Event Center, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd and virtually on Microsoft Teams for its regular meeting. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting were duly given as required by law. The public was provided with a link to join the virtual meeting. Park Board members present were as follows: Mr. Mark Neal, President Mr. Dan Farrell
Park Board members present and attending virtually as follows: Ms. Consuella Hopkins, Vice President
Park Board members absent were as follows: Ms. Aimee Buccellato
VPA staff members present: Aaron Perri, Executive Director; Annie Smith, Chief Development Officer; Jonathan Jones, Director of Recreation Experiences; John Martinez, Director of Facility & Grounds; Matt Frazier, Marketing Manager; Amy Roush, Director of Development; Bridget Fields, Special Events Manager; Eva Ennis, Marketing Manager; Jessica Williams, Executive Assistant. Other city representatives present: Clara McDaniels, Assistant City Attorney. I. Call to Order Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. II. Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting on Monday, January 18, 2022
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of Monday, January 18, 2022, by Dan Farrell, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
III. Consent Agenda Motion to approve the consent agenda of Monday, February 21, 2021, by Dan Farrell with deferment of item number IV, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0. IV. Use of Parks – New Events a. Depaul Academy – Rite of Passage Easter Egg Hunt at Southeast Park on April 9, 2022 Mark Neal asked if the group was present. Bridget Fields stood in to discuss Rite of Passage Easter Egg Hunt at Southeast Park on April 9, 2022, hosted by Depaul Academy. Bridget Fields stated that Depaul Academy would like to host this event at Southeast Park as it is not a typical event in the area. Motion to approve discuss Rite of Passage Easter Egg Hunt at Southeast Park on April 9, 2022, by Dan Farrell, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
V. Outstanding Partners – Laurence Okereke/UB League
Aaron Perri acknowledged UB League as the Outstanding Partner. Jonathan Jones introduced Laurence Okereke. Jonathan Jones stated that UB League takes place at the Martin Luther King Recreational Center on Sundays and has approximately 410 members. Laurence Okereke stated that he began UB League in 1977 and spoke about how he created the league to provide a haven. Now there is over 600 players registered from ages 14-45. Laurence Okereke was presented with a certificate. VI. Interviewing of Interested Residents Jan Richalski, a member of the public from the Botanical Society, gave treasury report. The report
included the admissions for the 2021 year. A letter with color coding indicating what the society would
like help with was submitted. Assessments for repairs started October 20, 2021, and the Botanical Society
would like this to be placed into the budget. Aaron Perri gave thanks to the conservatory and
acknowledged the issues stated. Connor Damian, a member of the public, posed concern for pricing for
concessions at Howard Park. Connor asked to consider concession prices for the new upcoming Seitz
Park. Aaron Perri relayed that Seitz Park will not be contracted for concessions. No further comments
were made.
VII. Innovation and Technology Camera Program Report David Finley from Venues Parks & Arts Informational Technology Department presented 10 slides and
talked about the goals of the Camera Program initiative. This initiative included 5 pilot sites for research.
The department evaluated the results of the pilot for improving safety in the city. David Finley stated that
crime decreased during the time of the pilot. The pilot locations were chosen intentionally. Graffiti
removal and vandalism decreased. Comparison charts of pilot parks showed beginning vs post results.
There was a decline of criminal incidents. Resident-initiated requests for park change went down. Aaron
Perri expressed satisfaction with the results and stated that everything that could be measured was moved
in a positive direction. No recorded negative feedback was given.
VIII. New Business a. Community Tree Nursery Collaboration Amended and Restated Agreement
Andrew Netter from the 14th floor of the County City building presented the Community Tree Nursery
Collaboration Amended and Restated Agreement. Andrew Netter stated that three entities maintain this
agreement. Legal asked that they do a restatement of this agreement. Funding now goes through a donor
the agreement is adding 9 lots. Annie Smith states Donor is Sandy Wilson through Marjorie Wilson trust.
Motion to approve Community Tree Nursery Collaboration Amended and Restated Agreement by Dan
Farrell, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
IX. Report by Organization
Jenny Zimmerman of First Tee of Michiana spoke about the basics of the program. Jenny Zimmerman
stated that the program is 80 percent life skills and 20 percent golf. The program grew to 393 participants
with initiation of the indoor program. First Tee offers ages 7-17 a completely introductory program. Jenny
Zimmerman also reached out to middle schools and had a great response in 2020. LPGA girls’ program
was created to be more social. Play with coach program happens Tuesdays and Fridays. More structure
was added for beginners. Jenny Zimmerman stated that the Newsletter showed the programs but there
were many people that did not have access. School Program extension used PE teachers to teach a class.
Now First Tee coaches go into schools and do after school or golf nights. The program has grown since
being able to go yearlong. Lack of equipment made it difficult to sustain this. Jenny Zimmerman
explained that having one class available for every school in future is a new goal. Kids Golf Free remains
the gold standard. Kids Golf Free wants to host themed events monthly as a goal for the future. Jenny
Zimmerman stated that there are 87 golf courses in the simulator including an indoor putting green. First
Tee National came to visit and 2nd national championship will come to the area soon. First Tee would like
to implement a new fundraiser this year. An organization pledged to donate 4years of operational funds.
Jenny would like to bring ring a top golf like experience to the four winds field. The need is coaches.
Consuella spoke about the continuation of this program. Mark expressed excitement about the growth of
the program as well.
X. Report by Director of Recreational Experiences – Jonathan Jones
Jonathan Jones gave a Howard Park ice skating update. Jonathan stated that this was the first year that ice
skating was an all-open skate experience. Last year, with Covid-19, ice skating was held in sessions.
Jonathan Jones added that ice skating is now a hybrid. There was a 2% increase. Howard Park sold more
season passes and private rentals have been implemented. This year 20 private events to date have taken
place and 10 have been scheduled in the weeks to come. Mark Neal asked about the Skate it Forward
program. Jonathan Jones explained that there were at least 200 plus participants through the Skate it
Forward program. Jonathan Jones stated that The YMCA and O’Brien Fitness Center are preparing for a
ribbon cutting soon. January brought in $5000 in revenue. There will be an enhanced scholarship focus
with leverage for the Skate its Forward participants in 2022. Jonathan stated that finding more age 21 and
over programs is a goal. There has been a preschool for Learn to Swim program expansion with Adams
High School along with VPA staff. The aquatic season extension is Memorial Day to Labor Day season
and the department is in process of hiring new aquatics manager.
XI. Report by Executive Director Aaron Perri Aaron Perri presented the 2021 Annual Report 2021. The operations cost recovery desired was 40% and
is now at 38.5%. Aaron Perri discussed the happenings of the staff retreat held on Wednesday, February
16, 2022. This retreat hosted 3 meetings. One meeting with all Venues Parks & Arts directors, one with
all leadership, and one with a strategic team. Aaron Perri recapped answers and overall information from
surveys taken by 31 participating staff. Mark Neal asked when the new strategic plan will be released.
Aaron Perri stated that it will be released the second or third quarter. Potawatomi Zoo is going to finance
a large portion of their capital plan through Hotel Motel Tax funds via a bond. This is scheduled to close
on March 2, 2022. Aaron Perri stated that it is time to be reaccredited this year. Updated standards
documentation for reaccreditation will be presented. These documents will require board approval
because renewal is every 5 years. Aaron Perri indicated there are recurring Dream Center meetings for
MLK Center and Park renovation. Two remaining public forums will be held on both March 10 and April
7 at the MLK Center. There will also be a community meeting tentatively scheduled for March 8th at 6:00
pm at the Charles Black Center. Aaron Perri stated the Seitz Park tentative opening is Spring 2023. There
will be a more definitive schedule when the Notre Dame project is completed.
XII. Adjournment No other questions or comments from the Park Commissioners, meeting adjourned at 6:34 by President Mark Neal. The next regular meeting will be held Monday March 21, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at Howard Park Event Center and virtually. Respectfully Submitted, Jessica Williams