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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2014 Minutes SOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 18,2014 The Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday August 18, 2014 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: None Staff members present: Phil St. Clair,Director of Parks; Bill Carleton,Director of Financial Services; Susan O'Connor,Deputy Director; Randy Nowacki, Director of Golf Operations; Mark Bradley, Marketing Director;Paula Garis, Special Events Supervisor; Steve Orlowski, Park Ranger Foreman; Cheryl Greene, Park Board Attorney I. The meeting was called to order by Board President Robert Goodrich at 4:00 p.m. H. The first order of business was the interviewing of interested citizens. 1. Councilpersons Valerie Schey and Dr. Fred Ferlic Ms. Schey and Dr. Ferlic were present to address the Board regarding the policy change that reconfigured the Park Police as Park Rangers. This change took them out of police style uniforms and removed their firearms. Ms. Schey asked that the Board provide their rationale for the change to her and other Council members and if they would consider reversing the policy. She read a letter she addressed to Deputy Mayor Neal that expressed her opposition to the change. She asked that the Board consider changing the decision. Attorney Greene replied that this decision was not made by the Park Board. It was an administrative decision made by the City Administration and does not rest with this Board. President Goodrich explained that the Board has not addressed this issue. Individually, they have expressed their concern for the safety of the employees as they do their jobs. Personally, he was concerned that the decision was made without consulting the Park Board in that it affects the Board and was disappointed that they were not afforded this courtesy. His concerns were the level of training they received, if they could attend the police academy to receive the same level of training as officers, and if in the fixture an employee was hired that had this training, would the policy change? Dr. Ferlic spoke in favor of the Mayor's decision to change the in policy. He felt that the liability issue was a major factor. Additionally, he felt that only police officers should be - - I - - armed and that the the Park Police did not receive adequate training to carry weapons. He stated that most crime does not happen in the parks and it wasn't necessary to arm them. He did say that if they did go through the thirteen week police academy training he would approve of them being armed. Mr. Jesse Davis spoke in opposition to the policy change. 2. Howard Park East Bank Neighborhood Association-Karen Schefineyer Ms. Shefineyer, Secretary of the Howard Park East Bank Neighborhood Association, informed the Board that her group started a petition two weeks ago. The petition is to "save Howard Park." Approximately 600 signatures have been obtained. The group wants "responsible development" in the Howard Park area. They are opposed to proposed plans to redirect a roadway through the park. This is tied to the sale and development of the nearby Transpo lot. President Goodrich stated that the Board was not supporting the plan that included rerouting a road through the park. Director St. Clair explained that the Department or the Board has not had a chance to look over the plans for the park. The decision of which development plan will be chosen for the Transpo property will be made by the Transpo Board. How that plan would impact Howard Park would have to be determined by this Board at a later date, but they have not seen any plan. III. Report By Organizations 1. South Bend Silver Hawks-Joe Hart, President a. Mr. Hart reported that nine home games are left in the season. b. Attendance is doing very well this season. He felt there was a chance to break the attendance record this year. c. He announced plans to become more of a year-round operation by constructing an indoor batting facility for use by the public as well as the team. It is proposed to be 10,000 sq. ft. and be located beyond the right field fence. Director St. Clair noted that an adequate batting facility has been lacking over the years. Mr. Hart also stated that it can be used for softball, also. Ms. Greene stated that several steps need to be taken in a short period of time to allow the construction to begin in October. d. Mr. Hart the Board and staff for all their help and good relationship over the past three years. 2. Potawatomi Zoological Society-Marcy Dean a. Ms. Dean reported that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has completed its accreditation inspection. A committee spent three days at the zoo. They had some issues that are being addressed, but she felt good about the inspection overall. The reaccreditation hearing will be held September 13 at the national convention. b. A new dietician and keeper have been hired. A national search is underway for a general curator. c. The master plan procedure is underway. It is hoped to have it done by December. d. The Teamster contract has been ratified. She thanked all that were involved. e. Storm damage has been cleaned up. - - 2 - - IV. The next order of business was unfinished business. 1. Request to Approve 2015 Fees- Susan O'Connor a. Ms. O'Connor requested approval of the updated 2015 fee schedule. Mr. BonDurant made a motion to approve the 2015 fee schedule as presented. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. V. The next order of business was new business. 1. Request for Use of Parks-Paula Garis a. Howard Park and East Race- September 27, 2014-The Color Run Ms. Willow Wetherall requested permission to have a 5k race that would include going through Howard Park and along the East Race. This is a change from last year's route. Mr. BonDurant made a motion to approve the use of the parks for the proposed route. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. b. Howard Park- September 10, 2014-Candlelight Vigil- Suicide Prevention Center Ms. Garis recommended approval of this request. Mr. Mullins made a motion to approve the request. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was approved. 2. Request to Rescind Approval of Arborist License a. Joe Cruz Tree Service Ms. Greene explained that the Board had approved this license previously, but he had not passed the test required for approval prior to that. Mr. BonDurant made a motion to make a recommendation to the City Controller to revoke the license of Joe Cruz Tree Service. Ms. Hill seconded the motion and it was passed. VI. Approval of Minutes Ms. Hill made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular Board meetings held on June 16, 2014 and July 21, 2014 as mailed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mullins and approved. VII. Approval of Maintenance Vouchers A motion was made by Mr. BonDurant to approve the maintenance vouchers for July 2014 2014 totaling $1,013,554.17. It was seconded by Ms. Hill. There being no further discussion, the motion was passed. VIII. Business by Director St. Clair 1. Director St. Clair reported that the department will be hosting the International Softball Championships here in August of next year. They just returned from Canada where it was held this year and he felt confident that the staff can handle a large tournament like this one. 2. Director St. Clair explained the tentative 2015 budget summaries for Park funds. 3. He distributed a summary of division reports that are compiled for meeting with the Mayor and staff. - -3 - - 4. He thanked all the staff for their efforts in cleaning up the streets and parks after the recent severe storm. IX. Comments by the Deputy Director of Parks 1. Ms. O'Connor reported that the last of the concert series will be held this month. 2. Celtic Fest will be held on August 31 in Howard Park. 3. The Fall Family Fun Fair will be held September 27 at Rum Village. 4. The ML King Center Men's Club picnic was held this past weekend and over 900 participated. 5. Flag football starts August 30. 6. Registration for youth classes starts on September 2. 7. Fall softball began last weekend with 73 teams. 8. Leeper Tennis Center has closed for the season. 9. Planning for the ISC softball tournament has begun. X. Comments by the Marketing Director 1. Mr. Bradley reported that the Parks Foundation met last Wednesday and would pay for the website to support the tree replacement program. 2. A press conference to announce the tree replacement program should take place in the next two weeks. 3. Passport to Play was held August 6 at St. Patrick's Park and fifty participants attended. 4. The Superintendent's Golf Outing was held earlier in the month and was successful despite the hour and half rain delay. 5. A photo contest for the fortieth anniversary of the Rum Village Nature Center will be held. 6. A $1,800 grant received earlier this year will be used to promote awareness of the City Cemetery in partnership with the Historic Preservation Commission,the Center for History and St. Mary's College. 7. It is hoped to have a special meeting after Labor Day to present the Master Plan to the Board. XI. Comments by the Golf Operations Director 1. Mr.Nowacki informed the Board that the 21'Annual Superintendent's Golf Outing was held recently and despite heavy rain and lightning, it was completed in good time. He thanked all the staff that were involved in putting on a great event. 2. GolfNow's website is up and running. Training is ongoing. 3. The First Tee's season is over and it went very well. 4. Dan Butler, the greens superintendent at Elbel is retiring at the end of the month after forty-one years with the department. 5. The Metro Golf Tournaments received great reviews on the condition of the courses from the players. Director St. Clair introduced Mr. Steve Orlowski, Park Ranger Foreman to address any questions the Board might have concerning the change in policy regarding them. President Goodrich asked if there were any comments or concerns he would like to make to the Board. Mr. Orlowski said that it is harder to enforce things without the badge of authority a uniform affords, but they are still doing their job in the parks. He felt the South Bend Police are helpful for larger scale incidents, but don't respond as well for some of the smaller issues they deal with. XH. There being no more business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m. by President Goodrich The next regular meeting will be held September 15, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O'Brien Administration Center. Respectfully Submitted, William Carleton Executive Secretary - - 5 - -