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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-08 Minutes SBBPC OUTH END OARD OF ARK OMMISSIONERS RM EGULAR EETING A18,2008 UGUST The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on th Monday the 18 of August, 2008 of 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 Henry, President Mr. Robert Goodrich, Vice President Dr. Thomas Kelly Mr. Garrett Mullins Park Board members absent were as follows: None Staff members present: Phil St. Clair, Superintendent; Betsy Harriman, Administrative Director; Bill Carleton, Fiscal Officer; Susan O’Connor, Recreation Director; Randy Nowacki, Director of Golf Operations; Terry DeRosa, Zoo Director; Richard Payton, Development Director; Mike Dyszkiewicz, Maintenance Superintendent; Garry Harington, Rum Village Nature Center Director; Matthew Moyers, Special Projects Manager; Thomas Bodnar, Park Board Attorney I.The meeting was called to order by Board President Robert Henry at 4:01 p.m. II.The first order of business was the interviewing of interested citizens. 1. There were no interested citizens wishing to address the Board. 2. Botanical Society- Martha Lewis Ms. Martha Lewis of the Botanical Society reported that she had obtained the insurance forms for the organization’s liability insurance. President Henry directed her to give the forms to Ms. Harriman. She distributed a copy of the latest newsletter to the Board. The Society presented a transition plan to the Mayor and other officials two weeks ago in the event that the greenhouse and conservatory are closed in 2010. She was waiting for a reply to their proposal. The Community Gardens, which have a location behind the Conservatory, are having a Farmer’s Market on the west side of South Bend during September. 3. Punt, Pass & Kick- Mr. Jerry Price Mr. Price, All West, Inc. 809 S. Meade St., South Bend, requested the use of Belleville Park on September 6, 2008 for the Punt, Pass and Kick Competition. It will be held from 11 am to 12:30 pm. - - 1 - - President Henry advised him to work with Ms. Harriman to meet all City requirements. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the request for the Punt, Pass and Kick Competition at Belleville Park on September 6, 2008 subject to the meeting of all requirements as stipulated by staff. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and it was passed. III.The next order of business was unfinished business. 1. Public Hearing on Sale of Park Property President Henry recognized Mr. Eric von Deck, attorney for Charles Hayes, Inc. He explained that their offer was made pursuant to the statute and was for $35,000. The sale would be finalized within ninety days, assuming there is clear title. Environmental site assessments have been done and nothing was found. It is subject to zoning approval. He distributed copies of their BZA petition to Board members. President Henry asked for anyone in attendance if they would like to speak in favor of the sale of the land for a cell tower installation. There were none. President Henry asked if there were any in attendance that wished to speak in opposition to the sale of the land for a cell tower installation. Mr. Al Heath of 2118 Kemble Avenue stated he was in opposition because of environmental reasons and he felt if the tower was to go in, it should be as a lease and not a sale of the property. Mr. Tim Janowiak, 16930 Adams Rd, Granger, spoke in opposition. He felt a public park was not a proper place for a cell tower. He raised a number of environmental and aesthetic objections, as well as relating personal experiences with a cell tower near his property. Mr. Garry Harrington, Director of the Rum Village Nature Center, spoke in opposition based on a concern for the impact of the tower on migratory birds and the aesthetic impact of the tower on the rest of the park. He explained that the tallest trees in the park were approximately 100 ft tall and the tower will be almost 200 ft. President Henry proposed tabling the issue until the next meeting to allow time to answer concerns raised during the meeting. Mr. Van Dyke and Ms. Cary Wallace of Charles Hayes, Inc. addressed the issues raised by the speakers regarding the bird migration, location of towers, aesthetics and their bid price. Director St. Clair expressed some departmental concerns with going forward at this point. Dr. Kelly said he wanted more information on the environmental impact of the tower before he could make a decision. President Henry suggested continuing the public hearing at the next meeting to allow time for further discussion and addressing of concerns. Dr. Kelly made a motion to continue the public hearing to the next regularly scheduled meeting on September 15, 2008. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion and it was passed. President Henry asked that the information be forwarded to Director St. Clair. 2. 2008-09 After School Program Resolution re: New Form of Agreement Ms. O’Connor explained that the After School Program is being eliminated after the - - 2 - - 2008-2009 school year. To simplify the administration of the program, she requested that the Board approve an amendment to the previous resolution that was ratified earlier this year. Working with the City Legal Department, the new resolution allows for the award amount to be given to the recipients in an up front lump sum rather than being reimbursed over the school year based on vouchers submitted by the organizations. They will still be required to submit monthly attendance reports and after the finish of the program they will submit a summary of their expenses. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve Resolution 2008-3 amending Resolution 2008- 2. Mr. Mullins seconded the motion and it was passed. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to authorize the Board to approve the new contracts with the After School Program Providers. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and it was passed. IV.The next order of business was new business. 1. Arborist License Approval a. Mark Temple Tree Service Mr. Mullins made a motion to accept the renewal of the Arborist License for Mark Temple Tree Service and Dr. Kelly seconded the motion. It was passed 2. Requests for Use of Parks- Betsy Harriman Ms. Harriman stated that they are aware of the requirements and will fulfill them. She requested the Board approve the following requests: a. Pride in the Park- Potawatomi Park- October 4, 2008 She recommended approval of the request. Mr. Goodrich made the motion to approve the above requests and it was seconded by Mr. Mullins. The motion was approved. 2. Request to Declare Property Obsolete- Bill Carleton a. Toshiba 7550 Copier Mr. Carleton requested that the copier be declared obsolete due to its age and the fact that parts are no longer easily obtained. Dr. Kelly made a motion to approve the request. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion and it was passed. V.Approval of Minutes Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on July 21, 2008 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Dr. Kelly and approved. VI.Approval of Maintenance Vouchers A motion was made by Mr. Mullins to approve maintenance vouchers for July 2008 totaling $1,150,260.79. It was seconded by Mr. Goodrich. There being no further discussion, the motion was passed. VII.Business by Director St. Clair 1. Director St. Clair reported on the effects of HB 1001 on personnel in 2008, 2009, and - - 3 - - 2010. It will result in a reduction of property tax revenue of $1.1 million in 2009 and an additional $1.358 million in 2010. The effect would be a reduction of 30 full time positions by 2010 as well as the closing of many park facilities and programs. Additional revenue sources will need to be found to avoid these cuts. The Local Option Income Tax has been discussed to fill the gap. We are looking at a Food and Beverage Tax. It is being used by over twenty counties in Indiana. It is felt this would spread the funding beyond city residents. An economic impact of Parks and Recreation is being put together. He is meeting with his counterparts in Mishawaka and the county to discuss this. VIII.Comments by the Recreation Director 1. Ms. O’Connor reported that the summer programs are finished. A skate park competition was held last weekend and the last concert was held at Potawatomi. 2. The grand reopening of Potawatomi Park was held since the last meeting and good responses are being heard regarding the playground and walking path in the park. 3. A national youth softball tournament was held at the end of July and we hosted 41 teams. Newton Park was used as well as Belleville. 4. Registration for fall programming has started with Flag football and River City Basketball. IX.Comments by the Director of Marketing & Promotions 1. Mr. Payton reported that he is in contact with St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He sent them a letter thanking them for their support in the past and continuing support. 2. On air interviews have been done with Martin’s Supermarkets, the St. Joseph County Parks and Cat Country radio station. 3. The Activity Guide will be out in the next few weeks. It will be distributed to the schools. 4. The Superintendent’s Golf Outing was held two weeks ago. All spots were filled and it was successful. A wrap up meeting will be held to go over the event and start planning for next year. 5. Information regarding HB 1001 is being put together to communicate with the public as to the reasons for the cuts and how they can help remedy the situation. 6. Mr. Moyers briefed the Board regarding the master plan meetings to be held in the council districts. They will start August 26 and be held in each of the six districts. Surveys are being done, also. X.Comments by Maintenance Superintendent 1. Mr. Dyszkiewicz reported that mowing is ongoing. Part time employees are leaving for the summer. - - 4 - - 2. The Potawatomi Park project is completed. A new playground, sidewalk, and picnic pads are finished. 3. The new playground at Martin Luther King Center is done, as well as the splash pad and newly paved basketball courts, and new benches and picnic tables. 4. At Muessel Park the old tennis court is being converted to a parking lot. A new pavilion will be constructed soon. 5. The renovation of Leeper Park Tennis Center is completed. The windows, doors and new roof are done, as well as the new courts. 6. Tennis and basketball courts have been repaired and resurfaced at many locations. 7.The repairs on the Ice Rink will begin soon. XI.Comments by the Zoo Director 1. Director DeRosa reported that repairs are proceeding well. 2. The butterfly exhibit is doing well this year as the new exhibit. Final numbers will be reported after the close of the exhibit in September. 3. The Zoo Society gala, Zoo To Do, is next Friday. 4. The new vet starts Sunday. The first order of business is to move the bison so work can begin on the new bathrooms. 5. The greenhouse will have areas of flat glass replaced. XII.Comments by the Golf Operations Director 1.Mr. Nowacki informed the Board that the Superintendent’s Outing was a great success. The weather was beautiful and the course was in great shape. He thanked all the staff for their help with planning and putting it on. 2. Ads in the Tribune are targeting slow times during the week. 3. Pro Link, the GPS provider, has secured advertising on the units with AT&T for three months. He is talking with local companies for next season and hopes to have all holes signed up. 4. The irrigation project at Elbel is complete and working well. The computers and software that run the irrigation systems are being upgraded. 5. Projects at Elbel include rough areas on #4 and 6. The timbers at #6 tee box at Erskine are being replaced and a new asphalt cart path to the green is being laid. Mr. Goodrich commented that he didn’t think he had ever seen the courses in better shape. XIII.There being no more business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m. - - 5 - - The next regular meeting will be held September 15, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O’Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary - 6 -