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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-08 Minutes SBBPC OUTH END OARD OF ARK OMMISSIONERS RM EGULAR EETING S15,2008 EPTEMBER The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on th Monday the 15 of September 2008 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; Paul McMinn, Assistant Recreation Director; Randy Nowacki, Director of Golf Operations; Richard Payton, Development Director; Rose Kaufman, Howard Park Senior Center Director; Linda Harrison, Senior Leader; Thomas Bodnar, Park Board Attorney I.The meeting was called to order by Board President Robert Henry at 4:02 p.m. II.The first order of business was the interviewing of interested citizens. 1.South Bend Baseball Club, LLC- Terry Coleman Mr. Coleman reported that the League Championship Series was canceled due to the heavy rains. The Silver Hawks were down 0-2 at the time. They had the best record in the eastern division for the entire season. Paid attendance is up 10% for the year to 163,000. The new schedule is more favorable earlier in the year with fewer early games. HOK has conducted their site visit and will submit their report soon. Mr. Kernan will come to a future meeting to do a formal end of the year review. 2.Recognition of Rose Kaufman and Linda Harrison Director St. Clair reported that two weeks ago a patron at the Howard Park Senior Center collapsed while playing cards. Utilizing their training, Ms. Kaufman and Ms. Harrison administered CPR and used an AED to stabilize the gentleman until the Fire Department ambulance arrived. He thanked them for a job well done. Mayor Luecke presented them with plaques commending them for their actions. He said they were examples of extraordinary employees applying their training. He said he was very proud of the actions - - 1 - - they took. III.The next order of business was unfinished business. 1.Continuation of Public Hearing on the Sale of Park Property President Henry requested the Board to make comments. Dr. Kelly asked about any additional information about migratory birds and cell towers. Director St. Clair explained that he received additional information from Rum Village Nature Center Director Garry Harrington prior to the meeting that addressed some of this. Mr. Goodrich said that in principle he is opposed to the sale of park lands. He said he would consider a lease of the property and would oppose the sale. Dr. Kelly said he agreed and added that a lease should be able to be adjusted at some point. Mr. Bodnar stated that if the land were to be leased, a new appraisal would have to be done to establish the fair market rental value of the property and it would have to be approved by the Mayor and the Common Council. Mr. Mullins stated that he would be opposed to a sale also, but would be in favor of a lease. Dr. Kelly and Mr. Goodrich thanked Charles Hayes, Inc. for their due diligence. President Henry stated that he would not be in favor of a sale of the land, either, but would consider the lease of the land. Mr. Charles Hayes of Charles Hayes, Inc., 814 Marrietta St. South Bend, IN, spoke in favor of the sale of the land. He stated that normally cell towers are leased, but their company has made a practice of purchasing the land. He is not opposed to leasing, but it would have to be a long term lease. He felt the migratory bird problem would not be an issue with the proposed 200 ft tower with no lights or guy wires. Director St. Clair asked where in the process Mr. Hayes was with the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Hayes said that they received a favorable recommendation from Area Plan Review and tabled the appeal at the past meeting until they had a favorable response from the Board. The next meeting will be on this coming Thursday. Mr. Al Heet, Vice President of the Rum Village Neighborhood Association, spoke in opposition to the sale of the property. He read a letter from the association that explained their opposition. They oppose it because they don’t think park property should be sold. They don’t understand the need for a tower in this location and don’t feel it has been sufficiently explained. He suggested contacting adjacent property owners to see if they would be interested in selling their property, rather than using park property. Mr. Bodnar explained that in order to lease the property, the appraisal will have to be redone to reflect the fair market rental value of the property and the solicitation for bids as a rental of the property will need to be advertised again. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to consider the leasing of the property, but at no time considering the selling of the property, and take the steps necessary within the statutes to go forward. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and it was passed. - - 2 - - IV.The next order of business was new business. 1. Arborist License Approval- The following license application was presented for approval by the Board: A. The Cutting Edge- new application Dr. Kelly made a motion to approve the application of the Arborist License and Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion. It was passed 2. Requests for Use of Parks- Ms. Harriman requested the Board approve the following requests: a. Breast Cancer Awareness Walk- October 11, 2008- Howard Park She stated that this was a returning event and was aware of the insurance requirements. She recommended approval of the request. Mr. Mullins made the motion to approve the above request and it was seconded by Mr. Goodrich. The motion was approved. V.Approval of Minutes Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on August 18, 2008 as revised. The motion was seconded by Dr. Kelly and approved. VI.Approval of Maintenance Vouchers A motion was made by Dr. Kelly to approve maintenance vouchers for August 2008 totaling $1,139,924.71. It was seconded by Mr. Mullins. There being no further discussion, the motion was passed. VII.Business of the Director 1.Director St. Clair reported that community forums have been held in locations through the th City as part of the 2009 Master Plan. The meetings began on the 27 of August and there th is one remaining to be held at the O’Brien Center on the 24 of September. This will be the seventh meeting held. The draft of the master plan will be done by the December meeting for ratification by the Board for submittal in January 2009 to the Department of Natural Resources. 2.At Fredrickson Park, a controlled burn is being contemplated to help manage the overgrowth of vegetation. Mowing is also an option being looked at. The naturalist at Potato Creek State Park has been consulted about this. 3.Director St. Clair handed out a list of Zoo projects that are ongoing and some that are proposed and outside the scope of the current contracts. 4.The Rotary Club and Community Foundation are partnering with us to renovate or replace the Bandshell in Potawatomi Park. He thought they would be at future meetings to show the Board some concepts they have for the project. VIII.Comments by the Assistant Recreation Director - - 3 - - 1. Mr. McMinn reported that the Department now has 17 AEDs at various locations and in Park Police vehicles. Eighty employees have been trained in their use and CPR. 2. There will be a fun run held at Rum Village park this Wednesday in conjunction with the South Bend Community School Corporation. It will be for intermediate school students. There will be a 2k for 5-6 graders and a 3k for 7-8 graders. 3. This Saturday will be the Rum Village Fall Family Fun Fair. IX.Comments by the Golf Operations Director 1. Mr. Nowacki reported that Erskine Golf Course sustained some damage from the 11 inches of rain over two days recently. A wall along the parking lot collapsed. They will open tomorrow. 2. Studebaker opened this morning and Elbel will open on Wednesday. 3. New tee signs are being installed next year at Erskine. 4. Aerifying will take place at Elbel on September 22 and 23; at Erskine on the 29 and 30, and at Studebaker October 2. 5. The tee box at hole #6 at Erskine has been completed. 6. Next week cart path repairs will start. X.Comments by the Director of Marketing & Promotions 1.Mr. Payton has been talking with TGI Fridays about sponsorships with various events such as Zoo Boo. 2.Farmer’s Market is donating food for the Rum Village Fall Family Fun Fair. 3.The master plan forums had spotty attendance at some venues, but good information was obtained. He thanked Matthew Moyers for his presentations at the meetings and facilitating them. 4.They are working on Indiana Parks and Recreation Association awards submissions for the fall annual meeting. 5.The fall activity guide was distributed last week. It went to schools and libraries in the community. On the back page there is information regarding sponsorships. 6.He commended the staff on all the hard work they put in during the past year and felt we should be very proud of all that was accomplished. XI.There being no more business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 4:54 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held October 20, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O’Brien Administration Center. - - 4 - - Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary - 5 -