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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-94 Parks & Recreation Committee Report Parks and Recreation Committee To the Common Council of the City of South Bend The March 28, 1994 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council member Cleo Washington, at 4 :40 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting room. Person in attendance included Council members Luecke, Washington, Kelly, Puzzello, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda and Ladewski ; Phil St. Claire, Jeff Rinard, Ron O'Connor, John Leszczynski, Mike Garbacz, Randy Nowacki, Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council member Washington noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 25-94 which would create the Golf Course Division within the Park Maintenance fund and appropriate monies from the park maintenance division. Phil St. Claire made the presentation. Mr. Ron O'Connor presented to the Committee a memorandum dated March 7, 1994 which detailed each of the appropriation Ordinances (copy attached) . With the passage of Bill No. 25-94 it would help maintain the entire operations of the three (3) municipal golf course operations. Mr. St. Claire then detailed the line items as set forth in the Ordinance. Council Member Duda questioned the storage of golf carts and it was noted by Mr. St. Claire that there are plans to build a storage shop at the Elbel Golf Course for the cost of approximately $5, 000 . 00. Council Member Ladewski questioned the Elbel club house. Mr. St. Claire noted that the exterior work to the building will be completed this year at that the interior will be begun, in December of 1994 and will be completed in the spring of 1995. It was noted that the club house and the pro shop will be moved to the upper level in 1995 so that there will be one central location. Revenues from the rentals were not significant and the rental of the club house may be eliminated all together. Council member Ladewski voiced concern with regard to that proposal . He also voiced concern with regard to the golf carts . He was advised that there's an approximate 250 to 300 dollar difference between electric and gasoline driven golf carts. Parks and Recreation Committee March 28, 1994 Page 2 Council member Slavinskas noted that he prefers gasoline type golf carts. It was noted that the electrical golf carts usually can do 54 holes where as the gasoline driven golf carts need to have a engine over haul every 2 to 3 years. The life expectancy of the electric golf carts is expected to be 4 to 5 years. Council Member Slavinskas noted that there should be increased revenue with the relocation of the pro shop which should off set any decrease in rental of the facility. In response to a question raised by Council member Coleman it was noted that there are no plans for paving lots improvements all though they are necessary. Council member Ladewski requested an update with regard to sponsor for each hole with regard to advertising. It was noted that the City is currently advertising for the T- markers and score cards. Mr. St. Claire;.introduced Mr. Mike Garbacz the director of golf and Mr. Randy Nowacki at that time. Council member Slavinskas welcomed Mr. Garbacz to his new position. He commended him for his Junior Tour activities. Following further discussion, Council member Slavinskas made a motion, seconded by Council member Coleman, that Bill No. 25-94 be recommended favorably to Council . The motion passed. Council member Washington noted that the next item to be reviewed by the Committee was Bill No 26-94 which would appropriate $11, 450 within the Zoo Endowment Fund. Mr. St. Claire made the presentation in the absence of Mr. Johnny Martinez . He noted that there would be a construction of a maintenance storage facility and a renovation of the Swan Lake Islands. The source of the funds is the Dorothy Shanafelt Douglas Trust Fund which is currently in its third year of a ten year trust period. Following further discussion, Council member Coleman made a motion, seconded by Council member Kelly, that Bill No. 26- 94 be recommended favorably to Council . The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 27-94 which would appropriate $220, 980. 06 from the non reverting revenue categories within the park maintenance fund. Mr. St. Claire made the presentation. • Parks and Recreation Committee March 28 , 1994 Page 3 He noted that there is a five (5) year lease agreement which the city is proposing for the mowers and for the other necessary equipment to properly maintain the golf courses. Current equipment is 20 to 30 years old. That total would be $90, 279. 000 there would be $113 , 89. 000 fro faze 1 and faze 2 for resurfacing of the parking lot at the zoo and other maintenance type items; $12 , 902 . 06 would be spent for structural improvements from the east race waterway; $3 , 380. 00 would be spent to pay for building any equipment improvements from the Howard Park Ice Rink and $2 , 140. 00 would be spent on masonry work to selected picnic ovens in the Potawatomi park picnic area. In response to a question raised by Council member Coleman it was noted that the golf revenue was on target however the zoo revenue was down due to decreased attendance. In response to a question raised by Councilmember Ladewski it was noted that the number three (3) hole at Elbell is in the process of be reseeded and padded down with new bunkers and sand traps and that similar work is being done on hole number eight (8) . It would be approximately two (2) months before they would be open to the public. Council member 'Slavinskas voice on going concern with regard to the geese problem at hole number three (3) on Elbel . The response to a question raised by Council member Luecke regarding the East Race non reverting revenues, Mr. Rinard noted that the State Board of Accounts allows reserved accounts for reserved expenditures and that it would not reduce the levee. Following further discussion, Council member Slavinskas made a motion, seconded by Council member Coleman, that Bill No 27-94 be recommended favorably to Council . The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 28-94 which would appropriate $375, 000. 00 from the operating balance of the park maintenance fund. Mr. Phil St. Claire made the presentation. He noted that there are several ADA problems with regard to the administration building in the Newman Center. It is hoped that the recreation and parks departments could be brought into the same building. He then highlighted information set forth in the March 7, 1994 memorandum (copy attached) .