HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 15, 2024 Park Board Meeting MinutesSouth Bend Board of Park Commissioners
Regular Meeting
April 15, 2024
The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, April 15, 2024, 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
Ms. Georgianne Walker
Park Board members not present:
Ms. Consuella Hopkins, Vice President
VPA staff members present: Jordan Gathers, Interim Executive Director; Anastasia Smith-Davis, Executive Assistant; John Martinez, Chief of Park Operations; Macey Hanna, Director of Recreational
Experiences; Amy Roush, Director of Development; Cynthia Taylor, Director of Community Programming; Kelli Notteboom, Aquatics Manager.
Other city representatives present: Michael Schmidt, Assistant City Attorney; Troy Warner, 4th District Councilmember.
Call to Order
Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm.
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on March 18, 2024.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of March 18, by Sam Centellas, supported by Georgianne Walker, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
1. Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda of April 15, 2024, by Georgianne Walker, supported by Sam Centellas, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
2. Use of Parks-Returning Events
Motion to approve returning events of April 15, 2024, by Georgianne Walker, supported by Sam Centellas, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Mark Neals interjects that there will be a change in the agenda, reviewal of New Business will happen after consent agenda, the regular agenda order will follow.
New Business
MOU Renewal VMF & VPA- Amy Roush
Amy Roush of 301 South Saint Louis Blvd presents for review the 2024 MOU for Vibes Music Festival. Amy shares that there were minor changes made, which include a 30-day termination clause,
clarification on payments process between VPA and VMF along with a couple other minor changes.
Mark Neals shares his excitement for the next Festival on July 13th.
Motion to approve the MOU by Sam Centellas, supported by Georgianne Walker, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
MOU IPI & VPA- Jordan Gathers
Mark Neal introduces the new item, the MOU between IPI and VPA and turns it over to Jordan Gathers.
Jordan Gathers begins with stating this MOU is twofold, VPA is receiving funding of $25,000 and providing office space. It is felt that this partnership is inclusive and offers programming
for after school programs and the community at large. Jordan opens for questions.
Sam Centellas questions if this MOU is designed to be annual. Jordan answers that it is currently set for a one-year contract, but the parties are hopeful that after this first year
the contract can be revisited. Michael Schmidt continues with mentioning historically the city has been in support of IPI, so the funding and the partnership at O’Brien is a new way
for the city to partner with organizations they support and make sure they are in successful environments.
Mark Neals comments asking if all programming through IPI will happen at the O’Brien Center. Hiis question is answered by Jordan, who says by way of the agreement O’Brien Center is the
primary hub, but VPA will be flexible with IPI allowing them to use whatever facilities they feel are needed within VPA.
Motion to approve the IPI & VPA MOU by Sam Centellas, supported by Georgianne Walker, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Outstanding Partner: IUSB Honors Program- Jordan Gathers
Jordan Gathers opens with honoring IUSB’s Honor Program for their consistent help with VPA’s Earth Day events over the years. He applauds them for their efforts to educate their students
beyond the classroom by affording them opportunities to be involved in Community events. Jordan invites the Honors Program team to speak on behalf of the award.
Mark Neal invites a representative to speak on behalf of society.
Margie Anella, Director of Development of Potawatomi Zoo thanks the Board for the support and freedom given to the Zoo to be able to grow in the way that they have.
Interviewing of Interested Residents
No statements were made.
New Business
Resolution No.0001-2024- Michael Schmidt begins on behalf of VPA, resolution is stating that there will be a transferring of ownership for the Four Winds field from Board of Parks Commissioners
to the Redevelopment Authority. Currently under contract with Larson Danielson construction company to work on design and bid. The city is pursuing a bond to cover the financing. Michael
continues by stating the assets that need to be transferred where the improvements are going from the Park Board to Redevelopment Authority. This resolution will go under state law.
Michael goes on to further explain the process of when a governmental agency wants to transfer over ownership a resolution is put forth. He continues by stating operationally nothing
is going to change, the Park Board will still functionally manage operations associated with Four Winds Field.
Motion to approve Resolution No.0001-2024 by Sam Centellas, supported by Georgianne Walker, motion carried. Roll-call vote 3-0.
Mark Neal introduces the next item.
Assignment of Lease- Swing Batter Swing, LLC- Michael Schmidt states himself and Richard Nussbaum, legal consultant worked on this assignment document up until the morning of Park Board
and apologizes to the Board for adding this item last minute. Due to having a tight timeline, they decided to use this meeting to get this presented to the Commissioners. This item
is explained as just assigning the lease agreement, the Parks Board has previously been the landlord but are no longer the landlord over the facilities and now the lease is going to
the redevelopment authority. The documentation presented to the Commissioners is the master lease agreement that speaks to the redevelopment authority not only accept responsibility
but day to day operations, the point of contact will remain under Venues Parks and Arts. Michael Schmidt suggested Richard Nussbaum speak on the assignment of the lease.
Richard Nussbaum, attorney practicing law in South Bend at 210 S Michigan, Suite 500, South Bend 46601. Richard states Michael has given Commissioners a good summary of what is happening.
He continues to say it is not unusual for the first ten years if the stadium’s operation is to be owned by the redevelopment authority because of the outstanding bonds.
The last item is introduced by Mark Neal
VPA & DTSB 2024 Service Agreement, John Martinez of 1020 High Street, Chief of Park Operations begins with stating this agreement is like ones in previous years. The agreement is worth
$1,015,000 and covers DTSB operations. Items are broken down across programs in South Bend like façade grants for businesses, seasonal landscaping, and more. The city of South Bend
has a matching fund that pays the other half of the salary for an outreach ambassador that assist with the population experiencing homelessness.
Mark Neal questions if DTSB will work with a third parties, and if they expect the same level of services or will they increase compared to what we have been receiving. John answers
that within the contract, we will receive the same level of services. He continues to say the teams working together in the agreement will find ways to leverage the partnerships.
Motion to approve VPA & DTSB Service Agreement by Georgianne Walker, supported by Sam Centellas, motion carried. Roll-call vote 3-0.
Reports by Organization: Potawatomi Zoo- Josh Sisk and Margie Anella
Josh Sisk thanks the Board for their partnership and continues with a 2023 review. Visitation was a record breaking 350,000 visits in 2023, a 100,000 increase from 2022. They have also
had 36,000 attendees for zoo events, events from corporate to family planned. They were able to educate over 65,000 people through programming. 2023 was overall a record-breaking year,
seeing the most births since the zoos open. Josh shares that the zoo plans to open the new Bear exhibit this year and invites the Board to the ribbon cutting on March 28th. He reflects
on the Winter Day events, where in the past they’ve seen close to 1700 people attend, while this year there were over 4600 people in attendance. They had the chance to have a soft opening
for a new café on zoo grounds and the overflow of attendees helped them create better internal systems. One of their newest exhibits is the Bear café development. This café will have
the Bear exhibit connected, allowing visitors to eat and enjoy up close and personal views of the bears. The bears will not be in the exhibit until landscaping is completed. The next
development they are excited for is the Big Cat track, as the first zoo expansion that will go through the park that will get the big cats out of their cages. The expansion will provide
a more natural, modern habitat for the tigers and leopards. This project is expected to cost $5,000,000 but an official campaign will be launched sometime this year. The hope is to
break ground by Spring 2025 for the Big Cat exhibit. Mark Neals asks about parking efforts with the new expansions, Josh answers the Zoo is working with the Mayor’s office to find parking
solutions.
Mark Neal introduces the next item, Report by Director of Community Programming with Cynthia Taylor.
Cynthia Taylor, 321 E Walter St, begins her recap of Community Programming. She updates the Board with her newly appointed responsibilities which include overseeing the Martin Luther
King Center, Pinhook Park, Rum Village Park, and Charles Black Community Center. She has recently added two team members, a Special Events Manager, and a Youth Employment Specialist.
In 2023, over 35,000 people attended programs and projects. Over 3,168 Seniors were served in the meal service along with 4,733 people taking advantage of fitness programs in our facilities,
and over 3,576 youth participated in summer basketball programming. Cynthia states that this year they are looking forward to rebuilding recreation programs and expanding programs and
services. The desire to have programming reach all, from toddler age to seniors and create environments where diversity thrives. She continues to say that accessibility has been an
issue in the past, but now projects and programs are being planned to be inclusive and accessible, eliminating barriers so everyone can participate no matter their demographics or financial
stability. The overall presence community programming wants the community to have is that they are dependable and provided helpful programming. Mark Neal asks about the new hire of
the Youth Employment Specialist. Cynthia mentions the new hire, Shakir is a South Bend native, who has graduated from Clay High School and earned a college degree and is back in the
community to serve. She mentions his excitement and plans for the employment program.
Business by Interim Executive Director Jordan Gathers
Jordan begins by thanking all who are in attendance and continues with the following updates.
South Bend has received the USA Tree City Growth award from the Arbor Day Foundation for the third consecutive year.
Special events, Daddy Daughter Dance exceeded their number of attendances from last year by 500.
Special events, Mom Son Dance, also saw a major increase in attendance with a total of 1800 attendees, a record-breaking number.
Jordan gives praises to the Marketing team for their intentional efforts to update our community on our projects and programming. He continues with the updates.
Four Winds Field expansion has a lot of excitement behind it with the addition of the second deck and opportunity for elevated experiences.
Steel Signing Ceremony for the MLK Dream Center, April 18th, one of the first events of this nature in our community.
Leeper Park Tennis Center progress is being made. Several meetings are being held to discuss and create maintenance package for the groups interested in enhancing the overall space.
Free movies series at the Morris is still going strong and will continue through Spring and Summer
The Steven Jay Licky Colin Trail’s ribbon cutting is March 21st at 11:30am. This new pathway on a historic railroad has the community excited and ready to engage.
Jordan concludes his updates.
Adjournment
No other questions or comments from the Park Commissioners, meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm by President Mark Neal.
The next scheduled meeting will be held Monday, April 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at Howard Park Event Center and virtually.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anastasia Smith-Davis