09-25-06 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 Councilmember Dieter thanked City Clerk John Voorde and his staff for all their hard work during budget time. He also commended Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand for her expertise during negotiations and all of the budget meetings. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR COMMENTS REGARDING THE GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORIES Ms. Jean DeWinter, 1226 Altgeld, South Bend, Indiana, spoke opposed to the closing of the greenhouse and conservatories. She advised that that she is a marketing professional. It is her job to have ideas on how to sell things and how to make companies more profitable. She has been paid to market products on all types of budgets and sometimes the only budget that she has had at her disposal has been her own manpower, existing office supplies and the wonderful technology called the internet. She is here today to suggest that money can be made at the conservatories and greenhouses with little resources. This is in regard to the long term plan on keeping money for the operational budget for the greenhouses and conservatories. In her opinion it means using the in- house talent to find creative marketing strategies on a shoestring. She stated that she has ten suggestions: 1. Remove the awkward turnstile at the entrance that does not consistently take money or accurately calculate visitors. Replace with human volunteers who will accept a higher entrance fee and solicit additional donations. The Ft. Wayne Conservatory charges $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. As opposed to the $1.00 for adults and $.50 for children that is charged here in South Bend. 2. Increase visitor hours on weekends and have extended hours on special events. Greenhouse could again be manned by volunteer base, again reducing overhead. 3. Increase the rental fees for wedding showers, weddings and other events, the current rate of $25.00 and $35.00 that is currently being charged the Park Department is loosing money on hosting these events. Even a small increase to $75.00 to $150.00 depending on the size and number of hours is a reasonable fee for such a gorgeous setting. 4. Create a working greenhouse, rent space on a yearly or monthly membership to individuals or organizations that promote horticulture and horticultural awareness. 5. Work with the South Bend Community School Corporation to include the conservatories collection into its Science Curriculum. Find a local business to underwrite or sponsor that curriculum.If fact why doesn’t the City ask local businesses to donate their maintenance service or to underwrite its upkeep cost completely. 6. Grow and sell flowers, plant and herbs for purchase on a year round basis, especially hard to find rare species. These are desirable to green thumbs that will pay premium prices for something unique. 7. Begin an adopt a greenhouse program; this will insure that the space is actively maintained throughout the year. 8. Hold non plant related community events and fundraiser on the grounds. 9. Create a cost effective marketing campaign, one form could be an e-mail newsletter that costs just pennies per e-mail as opposed to .39 for a stamp and circulate to friends of the greenhouse and other interested citizens. The newsletter would work to keep people informed on the events taking place, opportunities for volunteer service and also act as a call to action when financial consideration is in need. These are just a few ways to increase the greenhouses and conservatories profitability. However, to truly understand their value, these options as well as many other ideas must 27