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Home My WebLink About12-17-2012 Minutes SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2012 The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday December 17, 2012 at the O'Brien Administration&Recreation Center, 321 E. Walter St., South Bend, Indiana for its regular meeting. Notice of the date,time and place of the meeting were duly given as required by law. Park Board members present were as follows: Mr. Robert Goodrich,President Ms. Amy Hill,Vice President Mr. Garrett Mullins Mr. Bruce BonDurant Park Board members absent were as follows: Staff members present: Phil St. Clair, Superintendent; Bill Carleton,Fiscal Officer; Susan O'Connor,Recreation Director; Paul McMinn,Assistant Recreation Director;Randy Nowacki, Director of Golf Operations; Richard Payton,Development Director; Mike Dyszkiewicz, Maintenance Superintendent; Cheryl Greene,Park Board Attorney I. The meeting was called to order by Board President Robert Goodrich at 4:03 p.m. II. The first order of business was the interviewing of interested citizens There was no one wishing to speak. III. Report By Organizations 1. Potawatomi Zoological Society-Marcy Dean Ms. Dean reported that the Zoological Society's audit will take place in January. 2. Preparation for the butterfly exhibit for the coming year is underway. 19,091 went through the exhibit in 2012. She felt this was good given that it was closed for a few days in July due to heat. 3. The zoo train had 54,905 riders in 2012. 4. Marketing and planning is underway for opening in March. 5. The 2013 conservation calendar is printed and she distributed them to the Board. IV. The next order of business was unfinished business. Director St. Clair explained that there is no unfinished business,but that the public/private partnership agreement with the Zoological Society and the memorandum of understanding with the Botanical Society are still ongoing for 2013 V. The next order of business was new business. 1. Howard Park Building Energy Upgrades-Jonathon Burke Mr. Burke,Director of the City's Energy Department,reported on upgrades that have - - I - - been proposed for the former Park Administration office building in Howard Park as well as improvements that have been made at other park facilities. He proposed changing the heating and air conditioning system to make it more efficient and to add more insulation. There are drainage problems that need to be corrected. The electrical service needs to be upgraded. He estimates that to do necessary improvements it would cost $70,000 to $75,000. He has funding available. He requested the Board's approval to continue studying the project. Mr. BonDurant asked what the use of the building would be. Mr. Burke said that the Energy Office and the Park Police would share the space. Mr. BonDurant made a motion to approve further study of improvements to the Howard Park Building. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. 2. Request to Approve Contract for Elbel Master Plan-Randy Nowacki Mr.Nowacki gave the Board an update on the master plan for Elbel Park Golf Course. He has been working with a golf course architect to modernize the course and make it more playable for all levels of players. The first phase was completed on the first hole. Smaller trees were removed along the fairway. It helped open up the hole to air flow and sunlight. This decreased the use of fertilizer and chemicals for disease. He hoped to come back in 2013 to have the Board ratify a contract to complete the master plan. V1. Approval of Minutes Mr. BonDurant made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on November 19, 2012 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hill and approved. VII. Approval of Maintenance Vouchers A motion was made by Ms. Hill to approve maintenance vouchers for November 2012 totaling $828,299.25. It was seconded by Mr. Mullins. There being no further discussion,the Board approved the motion. VIII. Business of Director St. Clair 1. Director St. Clair commended Mr. Dyszkiewicz and the maintenance staff for their efforts in getting the ice rink operational for the season. It was questionable that they could fix it in time, given the extent of the damage to the header. 2. He also recognized Todd Brill and Wes Weaver for the work they did with the mold clean up at Newman Center. 3. He also thanked Ms. O'Connor and Garis for their work getting ready for Downtown for the Holidays. 4. He reported that the department has been collaborating with the Crossing School and their arborist training. It has been going well and they have been getting job training along with our forestry crews. 5. He announced that the Graffiti Abatement Program has been awarded an IPRA award for the "Good to Great Program"that will be awarded at the state convention in January. John Martinez and Rolando DeLeon will be there to accept the award for the program and the - - 2 - - Department. 6. He also announced that Mr. Goodrich was awarded as the "Park Board Commissioner of the Year."He will also be honored at the state convention. 7. He reported that there is a breach in the wall along Seitz Park on the island. It is washing out soil and creating a void under the sidewalk. Lawson Fisher has been contacted to investigate a repair. IX. Comments by the Potawatomi Zoo Food and Beverage Manager 1. Ms. Smith commented that Interim Director Arriaga is on her way to Omaha Zoo to deliver a monkey. 2. The Zoo is closed for the season. Attendance was up by approximately 5,800 over last year. 3. A female chimpanzee arrived from Busch Gardens last week. Plans for introduction are ongoing. 4. Our female red panda was released from quarantine and she was introduced to the male. X. Comments by the Development Director 1. Mr. Payton reported that the Park Foundation board meeting was held last week.New members will be coming on board in January. He will provide a list at the next meeting. 2. Board strategies for 2013 will be discussed. 3. A new marketing and promotions piece that will highlight upcoming events and programs called"What's Up in South Bend Parks". It will go out weekly and is targeted to the local media and businesses. 4. Two grants will be applied for. One is for advertising for the Blues Fest and the other is for work on the cemetery records. Mr. Goodrich commented on the number of volunteer hours at the centers. XI. Comments by the Recreation Director 1. Ms. O'Connor congratulated Mr. Goodrich on his recognition as `Board Member of the Year". 2. She presented the Board with the James Ferrell Award of Excellence for receiving a 100% grade from the national softball tournament we hosted. 3. She showed the Board a video of the keynote speaker from the National Recreation and Parks Association national congress. XH. Comments by the Golf Operations Director 1. Mr.Nowacki reported that the Black Friday Sale at Erskine was well attended and successful. 2. He will bring a proposal for 2013 rates to the next meeting. - - 3 - - XM. There being no more business to come before the Board President Goodrich adjourned the meeting at 5:12 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held Tuesday January 22, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O'Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary