HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicly Thanking Phillip St. Clair for His 34 Years of Dedicated Public ServiceRESOLUTION
No. 4527 -16
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
January 25, 20--16—
Attest:
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
January 25,
20 16
City Clerk
President of Common Council
Approved and signed by me /.j j zz 20 IL
City Clerk
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RESOLUTION No. 5 z— I (c : a �; 11i RECREATION
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA PUBLICLY
HONORING AND THANKING PHILLIP L. ST. CLAIR, PARK SUPERINTENDENT AND THE FORMER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, AND HONORING HIM
FOR HIS 34 YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
6, the South Bend Common Council recognizes that Phillip L. St. Clair began working for the City of South
Bend in 1982, and that in 1993, South Bend Mayor Joseph E. Kernan appointed this able- bodied Marine to be the Park
Superintendent to oversee the operation, management and ongoing development of parks, with this position being expanded
in 1995 to also oversee all park and recreation programs, services and activities; and
6►1" some of the many projects and "hot button issues" Phil has creatively tackled and effectively addressed
include the renovation of the Ella Morris Conservatory by making it into an energy efficient and welcoming venue;
maintaining the City's 14 Community Parks, 26 Neighborhood Parks, maintaining 7 Block Parks, maintaining 13 Special
parks, while working to have the Department of Parks and Recreation become accredited for the 1 st time on September 25,
2007, and becoming one of just four departments in the State of Indiana to be accredited by the Commission for
Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and now is among 142 accredited agencies in the United States
which are recognizes "for excellence in operation and service ... while providing assurance to the public that the agency
meets national standards of best practice" representing the top 1% of all park and recreation agencies achieving this
recognition; and
G," under Phil's leadership, dedicated support staff & employees, the Department of Parks & Recreation was
selected as the "Outstanding Agency" by the Indiana Parks & Recreation Association in 2012; and
Gr in 2014, Phil helped work with residents to "put together some strategic thoughts, ideas & plans" to build
a roadmap which became the 5 -Year Park Master Plan, 2014 -2018. It focuses on We Build Community Through People
Parks and Programs and is "...intended to help meet the needs of current and future residents by positioning South Bend
to build upon the city's unique parks and recreation assets and identify new opportunities" through this citizen -driven plan
which establishes "a clear direction to guide city staff, advisory committees, & elected officials in their efforts to enhance
the community's parks & recreation programs, services & facilities" which attract over 1 million visitors a year; and
6), Phil established the South Bend Parks Foundation in December of 2010, for the purpose of "providing
resources to build community through people, parks, and programs, in support of Phil's vision that the South Bend's parks
and recreation have a "long -term legacy" of such programs which would "forever remain an integral part of our community ".
Section I. On behalf of all of the residents of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council is proud to publicly
honor and sincerely thank Phil St. Clair for leading the Department of Parks and Recreation into the 21 st century with the
vision, dedication, determination and countless hours of hard -work in order to see that the recreational needs and priorities
throughout the many outstanding park venues located throughout South Bend were being not only met, but exceeded.
Section II. The Council wishes Phil and his wife, Deb, a long and wonderful retirement filled with unforgettable enjoyment.
We look forward to seeing you walkipg along the East Race, and enjoying sights and sounds along the-St. Joseph River and
at the many other outstanding park venues which Phil helped develop and maintain in the City of South Bend.
S ction III. shall be in full force and effect from and after
ap val by
Randy Kelly, 3'
Jo B den, 4''' District Cou cil Member
avid Varner, 5" District
1260 '
Kareerfiah Fowler, City Verk
the Common Council and
6`h District Council Member
John Voorde, At Large Council
Gavin F rl , At Large Count Member
Kareq L. White, At Large CouncilMember
Kathleen Cekanski Farrand, Council Attorney
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Pete Bu , Ma South Bend, Indiana