HomeMy WebLinkAbout30. 2016 Parks Department Budget - Questions and ResponsesSouth[Bend0
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Items of Inquiry needing more information:
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• Requests /questions from the September 23 2015 Personnel and Finance Committee
meeting and inquires received thereafter:
1. Slide # 5: Provide more detailed information on the "Made Men" Program which is in
its 2nd year — benchmarks, measurable outcomes, challenges, goals, etc. Are
transportation needs being addressed for access /vans? (Henry Davis) Attached is an
Annual Report for Made Men which outlines facts, results, and desired outcomes.
Transportation needs are currently being reviewed and will continue to be discussed
to find solutions to meet the needs of the program.
2. Update on the park bond: how decisions are being made, how are decision tied to the Park
Master Plan (Henry Davis) Park bond expenditures are based on priorities determined by
citizens, user organizations, stakeholders, and city administrators. The Park Master Plan
clearly demonstrates the many capital and deferred maintenance needs throughout the entire
park system. It also illustrates the need for various types of programming that point our
funding initiatives to the items listed on our "short list" of the more than $30. Million worth
of upgrades described in the park master plan.
3. When can discussions begin with representatives of the South Bend Community School
Corporation on establishing collaborative talks on usage of gyms, pools, etc. (Henry Davis)
There have always been discussions regarding shared use of both school and park facilities
with SBCSC. It would be nice to have more access to the school facilities but we have to
recognize that programs run through the school corporation often use their facilities at the
same time that the parks department would run their programs. There is also a cost associated
with bringing in custodians when opening up a facility for either parks or schools. Parks are
not opposed to having further talks with schools regarding shared usage but recognize we are
currently doing shared usage to some degree.
4. Updated status on Miracle Park and projected timetable of next steps, if any. (Karen White)
We are currently looking at the land that is adjacent to the Belleville Softball Complex given
we have all the basic infrastructure in place at Bellville. A small land acquisition will need to
occur and we are currently negotiating that at this time. There are private sector
representatives that are actively fundraising approximately 50% of the nearly $400,000. Cost
to construct the facility. We would like to have funding and land ownership in place by next
spring so that construction could take place immediately following.
5. Elbel Golf Course: status update and projected timetable of any anticipated action by the
Board of Park Commissioners, BPW, SBCC, etc. (Derek Dieter) The appraisal and survey have
just been completed for the golf course. I have not seen the numbers yet but should know
very soon. The plan is to assess the numbers and determine if the course will be put on the
market for sale. The sale would have to be authorized by the park board and the city council.
Advertising for bids could take place as early as the October Park Board meeting.
6. Charles Black Center: What means of getting updates out to the residents are being used?
How can they be improved? (Henry Davis) We are planning a neighborhood meeting once we
have all our details and approvals completed. We are very close to arranging a meeting with
the neighbors at La Salle Park regarding the upgrades at the Charles Black Center.
7. Park Rangers: are the protocol changes addressing the public safety concerns on park
properties? (Karen White) As you know the Rangers no longer carry side arms. With this
change, part of our revised protocol has been working in two man teams during evening park
patrols. Our duty manual requires that all park rangers must contact SBPD whenever any sign
of criminal activity is occurring in our city parks. I believe our parks are generally safe and very
active regarding all leisure activities. However, items of concern are limited to excessive
drinking of alcohol, late night criminal activity, graffiti, and homeless camps in the parks.
8. Graffiti update requested with statistics, costs, enforcement of local regulations /results.
(Karen White) Currently the Graffiti Abatement Program continues to remove all graffiti from
private and public property free of charge within the City of South Bend. In 2015 program
costs are budgeted at $92,050. 74% of all graffiti reports are generated by the removal crew
who also has the ability to issue citations through Code Enforcement. In 2013 they removed
graffiti from 570 sites, 568 sites in 2014, and a YTD of 269 in 2015. Currently we have a 7.5%
retag rate which is considered very successful for the national 10% retag rate that cities our
size see as successful. In addition to our 24 hr response time for gang and vulgar graffiti, we
also update the SBPD graffiti database and interface directly with Pat Hechlinski in Crime
prevention and Officer Kyle Dombrowski. Any fee based enforcement of regulations are
handled by Code Enforcement.
9. Recreation Centers: What is the timetable & costs for air conditioning? (Karen White)
Currently O'Brien, King, and Charles Black have air cooling units ranging from roof top units to
wall mounted systems. Using Park Bond funds we are planning for the 2016 installation of air
conditioning in the gymnasiums at Charles Black ($55,000) and King Center ($90,000). These
figures are estimations until the designs are back for the individual locations. We are
scheduling to have them installed in the beginning of the 2nd quarter for 2016.
10. Recreation Centers: What is the timetable and costs for IT upgrades? (Henry Davis) * Please
see Ron O'Connor's remarks Overall IT upgrades for the recreation centers will costs
approximately $17,000. These upgrades consist of WIFI for each center at an approximate cost
of $9,800. In addition, Charles Black Center (CBC) is in need of improvements for a multi -media
center at a projected cost of $6,200, plus the need for two more printers costing at a cost of
$500 each. WIFI upgrades will be targeted to complete by year end 2015 with the Multi -media
center slated to be completed 1St quarter 2016.
MADEL\
MADE MEN
1522 WEST LINDEN AVENUE
SOUTH BEND, IN 46628
THE PRESCRIPTION TO END VIOLENCE AND CHANGE LIVES
Made Men is a movement, created for the youth in our community. We focus
on principles, hope, motivation, insight, and rules by which one should live.
With love, support, and teaching, we are birthing a new generation of leaders
that stand firm on a solid foundation.
In November of 2014, the Made movement was initiated at the center with two
pilot programs in area high schools. This program focuses on self- improvement,
life skills, leadership skills, financial independence, building productive
relationships, and being "alive and free ".
Maurice Scott - MLK Center Director
Jason Jordan - Program Coordinator, MADE Program
Cedrick Joseph - Pauline - Program Coordinator, MADE Program
FACTS
5K+ Number of people reached annually through groups and presentations in
schools, the juvenile justice system, colleges, community organizations and
community events.
3k+ Number of students participated in Power Jams
6 Power Jams held in the schools and community
240 Number of students served weekly during school year
2 Number of High Schools presently hosting weekly meetings
50 Number of youth participants in summer internship program
6 Number of workshops and trainings completed in the community
20 Special events and social outings for teens hosted in the community
FACTS
*Thousands of young people Alive and Free
*Graduation rates increasing
*Number of occurrences of violent acts in school decreasing
*Collaborative program started with JJC
*2 more SBCSC schools added to weekly meetings
*Weekly meals served to teens at weekly meetings at King Center
*Increase the number of high school graduates in the schools we service by5%
*Increase the number of high school graduates that go on to college
*Have a 90% or better college graduation rate
*Continue to reduce violence in the schools we service
*Become part of all SBCSC High schools by 2016 -2017 school year
*Create opportunities for youth to go on more educational field trips
*Create college visitation trips