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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-2013 Minutes SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2013 The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday February 18, 2013 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 Park Board members absent were as follows: Mr. Bruce BonDurant Staff members present: Phil St. Clair, Executive Director; Bill Carleton, Fiscal Officer; Betsy Harriman, Administrative Director; Susan O'Connor, Deputy Director; Randy Nowacki, Director of Golf Operations; Sharon Smith, Zoo Concessions Manager; 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. 1. Ms. Karla Coar, president and certified arborist of Super Tree, Inc. of Niles, Michigan addressed the Board regarding her arborist license being tabled from last month's meeting. She said that the comments on her renewal application were a result of frustration due to her dealings with Code Enforcement. She related that she runs a high quality business and was dismayed to see other tree services that may or may not be licensed that did not. She asked that the Board reconsider her license. Ms. Greene responded that the Park Board is the only entity that issues arborist licenses for the City of South Bend. The Department of Code Enforcement does not issue licenses. She said she reviews each application and where there is incomplete information, she asks that the Board return the application for further information. She felt that her application was incomplete. President Goodrich thanked her for coming in and said that the Board would consider her application with the others that the Board would consider later in the meeting. III. Report By Organizations 1. Potawatomi Zoological Society- Marcy Dean a. Ms. Dean reported that the Zoo Society's new website is almost finished. She hopes it will be running by opening day on March 27. b. The Butterfly Exhibit planning is still underway. Opening day will be May 25. - - I - - c. Special Events planning is also ongoing. The first event will be June 7, a wine tasting event. d. The train will be inspected on March 11 by the State of Indiana. 2. Botanical Society a. Ms. Gray informed the Board that their marketing committee is completion a color brochure and working with the River Park Business Association. b. The collection committee is working on the Martha Lewis Memorial Garden with the Park Department and Lehman and Lehman. c. The Tropical Food Island is still being planned. d. the membership/volunteer committee is regrouping because the chairman has moved. e. The events committee is planning the Spring Show on March 23. And the Flower Sale order forms will be distributed and the Easter Bunny Brunch held. d. A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Morris Conservatory will be held on April 27. e. June 8 the Michiana Bonsai Society will have a display. f. Wedding Day Magazine was at the Conservatory doing a photo shoot for their spring edition. IV. The next order of business was new business. 1. Request to Approve Arborist Licenses The following applications were submitted for approval: a. Doug's Mishawaka Tree Service, Inc. b. Acorn Landscaping, LLC c. The Crossing National, Inc. d. Ballew Landscape Construction e. ArborCare, Inc. f. Super Tree, Inc. g.Vera Cruz Tree Service, LLC h. B and B Floral Adventures i. Cut-Rite Services j.Fuerbringer Landscaping & Design, Inc. k. Foegley Landscaper, Inc. 1. TLC Tree Removal, Inc. m. Kevin's Tree landscaping of Michiana, Inc. n. Alex's Take Down Tree Service o. Landmark/Solliday Landscaping p.Kachur Tree Service Ms. Greene reported that Cut-Rite Services did not complete the application and she recommended that it not be approved at this time. Ms. Hill made a motion to approve all but Cut-Rite Services. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed. 2. Requests for Use of Parks- Betsy Harriman - - 2 - - The following requests for the use of parks were submitted for approval by the Board: a. Stations of the Cross—LaSalle Park—March 24th b. Workers' Memorial—Howard Park—April 28th c. Rum Village Disc Golf Tournament —Rum Village—June 8th d. Revival—New Kingdom Outreach Ministries—LaSalle Park—July 31-August 2nd e. Zombie Walk—Howard Park— September 7th f. Multiple Sclerosis Walk—Riverwalk to Viewing Park—May 4, 2013 g. Urban Adventure- Various Parks- July 27th Ms Harriman recommended that all be approved. Mr. Mullins made a motion to approve the requests for the use of parks. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was approved. V. The next order of business was unfinished business. 1. Opening of Chemical and Fertilizer Bids- Randy Nowacki Mr. Nowacki presented four sealed bid packages for chemicals and fertilizers. Ms. Greene inspected the submissions and reported that each was in compliance. Mr. Nowacki opened each packet and read the first and last items aloud. He then requested that the Board refer the bids to staff for review and to bring his recommendations to the March meeting for award. Ms. Hill made a motion to refer the bids to staff for review and recommendation at the March meeting. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed. VL Approval of Minutes Ms. Hill made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on January 22, 2013 and the special meeting held January 30, 2013 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mullins and approved. VII. Approval of Maintenance Vouchers A motion was made by Mr. Mullins to approve maintenance vouchers for January 2013 totaling $839,941.69. It was seconded by Ms. Hill. There being no further discussion, the motion was passed. VIII. Business of Director St. Clair 1. Director St.Clair reported that the department is in the early stages of planning for the update of the five year master plan. 2. He mentioned the Mayor's State of the City address last week and related that the Park Department is in good financial shape. Our cash balances are strong. 3. He thanked Paula Garis and Susan O'Connor and the staff for all the efforts that went into the Daddy/Daughter Dance last week. 4. He thanked the golf staff for the great turnout at the annual open house last Saturday. 5. He mentioned the Crossings School's forestry intern program that we are participating - - 3 - - with. They are working with our forestry program and helping with jobs we are involved with. They are learning forestry skills as well life skills. Also, the South Bend Community School Corporation is offering an intern program that we are going to participate in. 6. We are trying to reduce the amount of water from our splash pads that is going into the sewer system by diverting the water. It will be diverted to ponds and water gardens. 7. Approximately $80,000 was recently approved for capital improvements for Coveleski Stadium. It is hoped the projects can be completed by opening day. 8. The 311 call center program has been started. Currently, the call center is handling the calls for three departments. At a point in the future Parks will be included. We are providing typical question that we receive and information that will be useful when they begin receiving our calls. 9. Key Performance Indicators are being furnished to the Mayor's Office. IX. Comments by the Maintenance Superintendent 1. Mr. Mike Dyszkiewicz informed the Board that the department is partnering with Notre Dame in Communiversity Day. They will help with the building of the rain gardens for the splash pad run offs. The Crossings is helping with the trades as an intern. The Boy Scouts will be helping with various projects through the year. The Notre Dame Alumni Association will be working with some maintenance projects, also. 2. Fencing repairs and table and bench repairs are ongoing. 3. The Howard Park Ice Rink is running very well with the repairs that were done late last year before opening. 4. He is getting quotes for the neighborhood group near Kennedy park for improvements to the park. X. Comments by the Zoo Concessions Manager 1. Ms. Smith reported for Ms. Arriaga that Winter Day was held on February 9 and was well attended. 1,039 were there compared to 392 last year. March 9 will be the next Winter Day. 2. A group of Animal Science students from Purdue attended the Zoo last Saturday. They were given a tour of the Zoo by Ms. Arriaga. 3. New strollers are being purchased. 4. A female African Wild Dog from Toledo Zoo has arrived. This is a nonbreeding animal due to age. 5. Ms. Arriaga attended Zoo Management School in West Virginia recently and appreciated the support of the department, Board and City in professional development. - - 4 - - XI. Comments by the Development Director 1. Mr. Payton gave the Board a copy of the new Park Foundation Board members. Seven have been selected to serve. 2. The next Park Foundation meeting will be March 13. 3. A uniform survey form is being developed. XII. Comments by the Recreation Director 1. Ms. O'Connor announced that 1,088 participants attended the Daddy/Daughter Dance last Tuesday night. She wanted to recognize George Rogers, of the Charles Black Recreation Center, for escorting twelve young ladies to the dance. They would not have been able to attend otherwise. This is the second year he has done this. President Goodrich recommended that a letter be sent on behalf of the Board recognizing him. 2. Camp Fair is this Saturday at Century Center. 3. A fun run will be held this Saturday at Rum Village. 4. Learn to Swim recently started with 102 participants. 5. The life guarding classes have started and family swim will start next week. 6. River City Basketball held its sixth game last Saturday. Parking has become an issue at O'Brien due to this. 7. Summer employment will begin soon. 8. Paul McMinn and Jewel Davis have completed 35 years of service with the City. 9. Blues and Ribs Fest planning will hold the second meeting tomorrow. 10. Garry Harrington went to national naturalist training in Canada recently. Several area naturalists bussed together to the training. 11. Camp Awareness registration begins on March 5. XIII. Comments by Golf Operations Director 1. Mr. Nowacki reported that a fence at Erskine was hit by a car. He is attempting to contact the party that was driving the car. 2. The membership cards are being used. They are bar coded and are linked to player's information. 3. New ads have been helpful in bringing in customers. 4. Reel lifts and a new greens mower will be purchased as part of 2013 capital. 5. Concessions is gearing up for the new season. 6. 254 people showed up for the Open House last Saturday. This was the best attendance in the ten years it has been held. XIV. There being no more business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at - - 5 - - 5:10 p.m. by President Goodrich The next regular meeting will be held Monday March 18, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O'Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary