HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-31-2022 Personnel & Finance• 0
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
D AWN M.jONES, CITY C LE RK ----=====-----------------===========
PERSONNEL AND FINANCE
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent:
Others Present:
Agenda:
AUGUST 31, 2022, 5:00 P.M.
Sheila Niezgodski, Eli Wax. Troy Warner, Rachel
Tomas Morgan
Henry Davis Jr.
Dawn M. Jones*, Victoria Trujillo*, Justin LePla*,
Rachel Tomas Morgan*, Canneth Lee*, Bob
Palmer*, Cynthia Taylor*, Rachel Cortes*,
Benjamin Doughlas*, Jordan Gathers*, Matt
Frazier*
2023 Venues Parks and Arts Budget Presentation
Council Questions and Feedback on Proposed 2023
VPA Budget
Public Input on Proposed 2023 VP A Budget
Members marked with an asterisk (*) are present digitally
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
https ://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx? dbid=0&mediaid=357175
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski called to order the Budget meeting at 5:00 p.m.
2023 Venues Parks and Arts Budget Presentation
The following highlights were presented:
• Senior-Citizen Spirit week is ongoing in South Bend. A lunch-and-learn series discussing
financial literacy is being held.
• There is Wi-Fi in twenty-two (22%) of parks, and by the end of 2023, over forty percent
( 40%) will have access.
• A grant was received allowing the city to distribute free bicycles to citizens.
• Multiple festivals are scheduled.
• Last year, the Council approved the purchase of two (2) fifteen passenger ( 15) vans for the
parks department. The vans have not yet arrived due to supply chain issues. Ford has begun
accepting new orders and the vans should arrive by the spring.
• Wheelchair tennis games have begun to be hosted regularly.
• Seventy-five thousand ($75 ,000) dollars are distributed annually in scholarships, including
the free children's golf and skating programs.
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CITY OF SOUTH BE D OFF ICE OF THE CLE RK
• A kayak and paddle board rental kiosk were opened.
• The table tennis league is ongoing.
• Through American Rescue Plan dollars, the athletic playing services are being repaired for
a cost of one million two hundred thousand ($1 ,200,000) dollars.
• The roller-skating program, basketball leagues, and aerobics programs are ongoing.
• The installation of the solar panels has been completed.
• Non-native and invasive plants are being removed from parks. A nature trail was installed
geared towards youth to view native trees.
• Randolph Park was divided by Samson Street. Working with Public Works, the council
approved the removal of the street to ensure that the park is safe for children to play in.
• The natural resource management plan was updated and adopted revising how public
spaces are cared for.
• The wildlife coexistence plan is being drafted to address how to handle certain species such
as Canadian geese.
• Thirty thousand (30,000) pounds of food was rescued and distributed, preventing it from
going to waste.
• Energy efficient lighting was installed at arenas to reduce light pollution in neighborhoods
and lower energy costs.
• The zoo parking lot expansion was completed.
The Council reviewed the proposed draft 2023 VP A budget.
Council Questions and Feedback on Proposed 2023 VPA Budget
Committee Member Davis reported that he supports tree planting but expressed concerns that it
could lead to issues in the future.
The presenter confirmed that, having learned from past mistakes, the parks department has
specifically planted trees that will not cause issues.
Committee Member Davis asked how items are priced.
Justin LePla reported that pricing is outlined in the strategic plan. Items that are highly accessible
by the community are covered by the department and there is no expectation of cost recovery.
Items like summer camps, where the department is supervising and feeding children, do have a
cost component to cover expenses which will be subsidized.
Committee Member Davis expressed concerns that the programs available are not common public
knowledge and concerns that the sporting events are not generating enough revenue to provide
transportation to and from sporting events. There needs to be more revenue generating projects to
justify the amount of equity that is being requested in the draft budget.
Committee Member Davis asked if there is an opportunity to fill the violence prevention programs
with park staff.
Justin LePla suggested that it is a possibility but not a direction he has considered.
Committee Member Davis asked for more information regarding the reporting and organizational
structure and what the expectations are for individuals associated with these initiatives.
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CITY OF SOUTH BEN D OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Justin LePla reported that there should not be many changes to the existing structure.
Public Input on Proposed 2023 VP A Budget
Committee Member Davis suggested that the community needs to show that South Bend is not a
diminishing community and come together.
Cheryl Wal sh suggested that pools are part of their neighborhoods and when a pool closes it is
difficult to transport children to different pools. She suggested that there should be at least two
pools. She suggested that more people need to be made aware of the programs and services
available.
With no further business, Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski adjourned the Budget meeting at
6:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski
NOTICE FOR HEARING AND SIGHT IMPAIRED PERSONS
Auxiliary Aid or Other S<'niiccs may be Available upon Request at No Cha~c.
Please ~ivc Reasonable Advance Request when Possible
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