HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 20, 2023 Meeting MinutesSouth Bend Board of Park Commissioners
Regular Meeting
November 20, 2023
The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, November 20, 2023, 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. Sam Centellas
Park Board members joined virtually were as follows:
Ms. Consuella Hopkins, Vice President
Ms. Georgianne Walker
VPA staff members present: Jordan Gathers, Interim Executive Director; Anastasia Smith-Davis, Executive Assistant; John Martinez, Chief of Park Operations; Maurice Scott, Chief Community
Officer; Maggie Sullivan, Marketing Manager; Amy Roush, Director of Development.
Other city representatives present: Michael Schmidt, Assistant City Attorney; Troy Warner, 4th District Councilmember, Canneth Lee, 1st District Councilmember.
Call to Order
Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:27 pm.
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on October 16, 2023.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of October 16, by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 4-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda of September 25, 2023, by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 4-0.
Outstanding Partner: Ecological Advocacy Committee
Jordan Gathers introduced the outstanding partner Ecological Advocacy Committee and welcomed virtually Chair Doctor Andrew Schnabel. Jordan shares his appreciation for Dr. Schnabel’s
service as Chair for the EAC. Jordan speaks on the phenomenal job EAC does of managing the resources we have in our natural environments, and their outstanding efforts. Garry Harrington
approached the podium as the EAC representative.
Jordan asked members of the EAC to join him for a picture. Garry accepted the award on behalf of the EAC and will present the new members at the next meeting.
New Business
Resolution for Zoo Tiger Habitat
Navarre Cabin Relocation
2024 Member Approval Ecological Advocacy Committee
Opening of Bids for Potawatomi Conservatory
Ravina Park COSB and NIPSCO
Josh Sisk shared the Zoo will be expanding to 23 acres, which is in the current agreement in the city. Surveys have been conducted to take on the extra corner of the park. New additions
to the Zoo include huge state-of-the-art breeding facility for Tigers and other small species around them. Will allow utilization of surrounding trees. Although there are a few old
trees that will need to be removed, the majority of the trees will remain in the area. They are hoping to break ground in Summer of 2024, with the expectation of opening exhibit in
2025.
Motion to approve the resolution on Zoo expansion for Tiger habitat expansion project by Mark Neal, supported by Georgianne Walker, motion carried. Roll Call vote 4-0.
Mark Neal continues with a new business item, Navarre Cabin relocation. Michael Schmidt, legal representative, gives insight into Cabin history and current owner and what the tasks of
the Park Board. Which is to give permission to the Historic Preservation Committee to move the historic landmark, although it is not Parks property. Although the Cabin is in a nice
location, it is not utilized nor active. It is proposed that the Cabin is moved to the campus of the History Museum. A certificate of appropriateness is necessary to begin the process,
the document must be signed by the Park Board versus Executive Director.
Motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness for Relocation of Navarre Cabin, by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuela Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 4-0.
Next item presented by Mark Neal, the 2024-member approval of the Ecological Advocacy Committee. Garry Harrington, Director of Rum Village Nature Center gives update on nominees for
membership. Garry speaks on the withdrawal of the last Chairperson, Steve Sass, earlier in the year and the position is now filled with Professor Andrew Schnabel. Garry introduces Chairperson
Schnabel, and he follows with his own introduction. Presentation of memberships tabled due to all membership applications were not present at time of meeting.
Motion to table EAC Membership Approvals by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuela Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 4-0.
John Martinez, Chief of Park Operations, gives details on the City’s RFP process. Sharing the terms of the agreements with its current operator and its manner of good business. The city
continues to look for new opportunities for education, programming, election management, and other ways of elevation to the public. Placing special emphasis on being good stewards of
the social infrastructure city is responsible for. John asks the Park Board to open the proposals that were received as part of the RFP process arriving at their offices on November
17th. Bids are passed to Michael Schmidt for opening, first bid from Botanical Society of South Bend, 34567, containing 7 packages. All packages are opened, first package has a zip
file inside, all others are the same minus a zip file. Second bid from Botany LLC, arriving on November 17th at 12:21 p.m., deadline for submission was 9:00 a.m., package is opened
but Legal department will be taking under advisement to see if bid is acceptable and whether anyone has been prejudiced by the late.
Motion to move bids to internal review by Mark Neal, supported by Sam Centellas, motion carried. Roll call vote 4-0.
John Martinez returned for presentation of item 5, Ravina Park and COSB resolution. Staff report delivered to last month’s meeting to the forward of our suggestion, board was not asked
to act until MOU was ready. Salmon creek flows through the South side of South Bend and fall through St. Joseph River. It goes over several properties, private and public, and one of
the foundries goes through Ravina Park. There is a large blockage, to move the blockage temporary inflatable dams have been placed. Removing the blockage is estimated to begin in December
when water levels are low.
Motion to move approve the MOU for Ravina Park between the COSB and NIPSCO by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuela Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 4-0.
Interviewing of Interested Residents
Mark Neal opened the floor for interested residents to speak on a topic not on the agenda.
April Lenski of 5526 Sunnyside Ave, 46615 Walkable Park. April shared she is one of the community gardeners in the area of the conservatory. She enjoys the space and seeing it flourish
and is very excited to see the possibilities of the park.
Ed Smith, 536 S Sunnyside, asks clarifying questions on the process going forward on the bids and whether there is any reason to object to a bid without a time stamp on it.
Report by Director of Community Initiatives – Maurice Scott
Maurice Scott, Director of Community Initiatives started report by sharing Community Initiatives moved under the umbrella of VPA at the beginning of the year. He went on to share grant
opportunities that have just been released through the South Bend Alive grant program. Alive grant is an initiative that was started 4 years ago as a response to violence prevention
in the community. Grants offer seed money up to $25,000 to some of the recipients that are out in the field doing the work. They have also decided to release an RFP. They have the intention
to be in all 6 districts and focus on parks, they have also merged with SBSC on a program called “Adopt A School”. This allows prevention staff to go into 2nd and 4th classes and teach
positive behavior practices. They have also teamed up with the MLK Center to do a HBCU college tour, visiting Howard University, Georgetown and the White House. Lastly, Maurice shared
a new partnership with the YMCA, where they host teen nights every 3rd Friday.
Mark Neal adds some comments on the progression of the Dream Center. Maurice shared the MLK Center turned 50 this year, originally opening in November of 1973.
Business by Interim Executive Director Jordan Gathers
Jordan Gathers thanks Chief Maurice Scott for his presentation and gave further details on the Dream Center. Welcomed Anastasia Smith-Davis, the newly appointed Executive Assistant.
Jordan Gathers gave the following updates:
Jordan started by mentioning the several conversations around Potawatomi and master planning.
Seitz Park is a project that was expected to finish this year but has had setbacks with unexpected occurrences. The new projected date of the park open is fall 2024.
He then mentioned the next project is Four Winds Stadium expansion. New elements will be added like seating and event spaces.
He moved on to Kennedy Park, currently waiting on matching funding to elevate water features at park.
Jordan shared that LaSalle Park has received over $2 million in investment to new features to the outside of the park, expecting the project completion to be 2024.
Shared an open invitation to Winter Open event at Howard Park on Friday, November 24th.
Lastly, he mentioned VPA continuing to focus on and build a strong team culture and continue with a standard of excellent service for the community.
Mark Neal asked if there were any questions for Jordan and commented on how he appreciates South Bend becoming a four-season city.
Adjournment
No other questions or comments from the Park Commissioners, meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm by President Mark Neal.
The next scheduled meeting will be held Monday, December 11, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at Howard Park Event Center and virtually.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anastasia Smith-Davis