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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-2013 Minutes SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2013 The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday November 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 Mr. Bruce BonDurant Park Board members absent were as follows: Staff members present: Susan O'Connor,Deputy Director; Paul McMinn,Assistant Recreation Director; Brian Powell,Financial Specialist IV; Randy Nowacki,Director of Golf Operations; TJ Mannen, Elbel Golf Professional,; Dave Firestone, Erskine Golf Professional; Laura Arriaga, Interim Zoo Director; Sharon Smith,Potawatomi Zoo Food and Gift Supervisor; Mike Dyszkiewicz,Maintenance Superintendent; Mark Bradley,Marketing Director; Karen Myers, Youth Program Supervisor; Ann-Carol Nash,Park Board Attorney L The meeting was called to order by Board President Robert Goodrich at 4:02 p.m. IL The first order of business was the interviewing of interested citizens. There were no citizens wishing to address the Board. III. Report By Organizations 1. Potawatomi Zoological Society- George Horn Mr. Horn gave an update on the public-private partnership between the Zoological Society and the City concerning the transfer of the operation of Potawatomi Zoo to the Zoological Society. A basic agreement has been reached and there are several issues to be resolved,but he felt they could be settled and the target date for transfer of the operation is January 1, 2014. He hoped to return to the December 16, 2013 meeting with the final document to request approval of the Board. IV. The next order of business was unfinished business. 1. Mr. Goodrich requested the Board make a motion to rename the softball diamond at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Mr. Seabe Gavin, Sr. Ms. Hill made a motion to name the softball diamond at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center after Mr. Seabe Gavin, Sr. Mr. BonDurant seconded the motion and it was passed. 2. Mr. Goodrich discussed the tree stump carving at Potawatomi Park. He said he discussed it with Director St. Clair and Director St. Clair said he had asked the City Forester to make a - - I - - recommendation to him regarding this matter. Mr. Goodrich felt that the Board needed to work with the Forester regarding his decision. Mr. BonDurant asked that the Board have a discussion with the Forester regarding this issue. President Goodrich asked Ms. O'Connor to relay this request to the Forester. V. The next order of business was new business. 1. Request for Use of Parks-Brian Powell a. St. Nick Six-December 7, 2013-Various parks- St. Joseph Church Mr. BonDurant made a motion to approve the request. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. 2. Request to dispose of Obsolete Equipment-Randy Nowacki Mr. Nowacki requested that he be allowed to dispose of two portable welders located at the golf courses. They are very old and parts are no longer available. Both are inoperable. Ms. Hill made a motion to dispose of the welders. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed. 3. Request to Approve 2014 Golf Fees-Randy Nowacki, TJ Mannen,Dave Firestone Mr. Mannen presented the proposed rates for 2014. Mr. BonDurant made a motion to approve the 2014 golf rates. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. 4. Request to Approve Arborist License a. Nichols Tree Service and Small Excavating Ms. Nash recommended approval. Ms. Hill made a motion to approve the license of Nichols Tree Service and Small Excavation. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was approved. 5. Request to Approve Independent Contractor Agreement for 2014- Susan O'Connor Ms. O'Connor requested that the Board approve the form of contract for the Independent Contractor Agreement to be used during 2014. It has been examined by the legal department. Mr. BonDurant made a motion to approve the form of contract for the Independent Contractor Agreement for 2014. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. VL Approval of Minutes Mr. BonDurant made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on October 21,2013 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hill and approved. Ms. Hill made a motion to approve the minutes of the special Board meeting held on November 5, 2013 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Mr. BonDurant and approved. VII. Approval of Maintenance Vouchers A motion was made by Ms. Hill to approve maintenance vouchers for October 2013 totaling $906,909.37. It was seconded by Mr. Mullins. There being no further discussion,the motion was passed. VIII. Comments by the Deputy Director - - 2 - - 1. Ms. O'Connor reported that staff attended the annual American Softball Association in Oklahoma City. The Men's Major Tournament that the department hosted this year received a 100% score and was awarded the Award of Excellence. We were one of six cities that received this recognition. 2. We will not be hosting an ASA tournament in 2015 in order to host an International Softball Congress ten day tournament. We will bid on 2016 tournaments next year. 3. Youth classes ended last week. 4. "Around Town for the Holidays"will be December 6b and 7b. 5. "Pizza with Santa"will be held this year. 6. The Ice Rink will open November 29,weather permitting. 7. The Fitness Center membership has increased, due to the addition of the Silver Sneakers program and the St. Joseph County Wellness program. IX. Comments by the Maintenance Superintendent 1. Mr. Dyszkiewicz commented that there was a major storm yesterday and the department took control of downed trees and branches. There hundreds of storm damage locations called in. Clean up is still underway and should be completed in two days. This will delay leaf pick up. 2. The Park Department will now do snow removal for the Department of Community Investment's properties. An agreement for $18,600 has been agreed to. Previously, it was done by a private contractor. 3. New energy efficient lights have been retrofitted in the O'Brien Gym. 4. The King Center gym floor has buckled due to a leak under the floor. It is being repaired and should be back in use soon. 5. An addition to the O'Brien Center parking lot has added some needed spaces. 6. Snow plowing will begin soon. 7. The Ice Rink is ready to go. The chiller was repaired by two maintenance employees, saving a large expense to replace the unit. X. Comments by the Marketing Director 1. Mr. Bradley remarked on the master plan process. A pre bid meeting will be held this Friday at O'Brien. Twelve companies have indicated interest. 2. The Passport to Play program will be held on December 12 at the Ice Rink. XI. Comments by the Interim Zoo Director 1. Ms. Arriaga reported that zoo attendance was affected by the weather in November. 2. There was no major damage at the Zoo from the wind storm yesterday. 3. A full time vet is now on staff. 4. Preparation for the accreditation inspection is ongoing. Electrical upgrades are being done by Park Maintenance staff. XII. Comments by the Golf Operations Director 1. Mr. Nowacki informed the Board that three trees were blown over during the storm - - 3 - - yesterday. There were many limbs down at Elbel and Erskine. 2. Elbel will close on November 27`"for the year. 3. A Black Friday sale will take place at Erskine again this year. 2014 passes will be available. XIIL There being no more business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 5 p.m. by President Goodrich The next regular meeting will be held Tuesday January 21,2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O'Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary