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Councilmember Dr. Varner stated, This is simply overwhelming. Over the years it has felt as <br /> though South Bend has had to do it all ourselves but now it seems as though we have some <br /> partners willing to participate this time around. I would like some other partners to participate in <br /> bigger ways but there is now a person looking into those partnerships. <br /> Councilmember Broden stated, This is a terrific plan. You have visualized it, but do we have <br /> enough people to see this through? Can we align more dollars? Also,where are the opportunities <br /> to get us to forty percent(40%) cost recovery? <br /> Mr. Perri replied, I think we have already done a phenomenal job of putting together a sum of <br /> outside sourced money that we are able to leverage. This is the first time in the City's history, <br /> which I am aware of, that we were able to bring in $12 million of outside funding. There will be <br /> extended needs throughout the years.Naming rights are a big opportunity. This is just the start <br /> and as we bring in additional funding it will allow us to go to parks that don't show up on the <br /> list. This plan will show the community what private commitment can do. We aren't increasing <br /> fees, so we need to reduce expenses while increasing attendance in order to get to forty percent <br /> (40%). <br /> Councilmember Broden followed up, So we will partner with schools and churches for Parks? <br /> Mr. Perri replied, We have an inter-local agreement with the schools that allows us to use some <br /> of their parks. There are so many schoolyard parks that have an opportunity to be helped. <br /> Councilmember Broden then stated, Tree replacement ratios are important and I want to make <br /> sure your Department keeps that up. <br /> Councilmember Scott stated, Trash cans are the biggest thing to a park. We have to make sure <br /> we keep those monitored. Also,there are a lot of places we are cutting grass where we don't <br /> have to cut grass. We have to look into that. Momentum is key and everything you all are doing <br /> is going above and beyond what is asked for. <br /> Committee Chair White thanked Mr. Perri for the presentation. With no further business, she <br /> adjourned the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 7:05 p.m. <br /> Respectfully Submitted, <br /> Karen White, Committee Chair <br /> 9 <br />