The City Park Board of Commissioners generally meets the fourth Tuesday of each month except August. Meetings begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Pavilion of the Two Sisters in City Park. Please call (504) 482-4888 to verify specific meeting dates.
Board Meeting Minutes
April 2009MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE NEW ORLEANS CITY PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
A meeting of the Board of Commissioners was called to order Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. by the President. The meeting was held at The Pavilion of Two Sisters.
PRESENT: Commissioners Marsiglia, Lupo, Broussard, Giffin, LeGrand, Brennan, Shreves, Hemperley, Pappalardo, Masinter, LaFranca, Breaux (represented by Stuart Johnson), DeBlieux, Fierke, Claverie, McCranie and Perry
ABSENT: Commissioners Adams, Hoffman, Katz, Hales, Brooks, Farnet, Laborde, George, Heintzen, Wise, Romig, Morrell, Hess, Schoen, Marshall, Midura and Tregre
STAFF: Rob DeViney, John Hopper, Beau Bassich and Denise Joubert
GUESTS: Don Tillar, Holly Barham
The March minutes were approved.
President Mike Marsiglia welcomed everyone and informed the Board that Chief Executive Officer Bob Becker is attending an American Planning convention in Minneapolis.
In his President's report, President Marsiglia reminded all Commissioners to file their financial disclosure form by May 15th. If anyone has any questions in regards to completing the form feel free to contact Paul Masinter or the Ethics board.
President Marsiglia informed the Board that golf will not be discussed at this meeting. Within the next several weeks all board members will receive a report prepared analyzing the proposed plan and staff recommendations.
President Marsiglia reported that he and other board members met with Senator John Alario to discuss the proposed golf project. Senator Alario was supportive of what the Park is attempting to accomplish and warned Board members to exercise caution, especially in financial matters. Senator Alario understood the Park was not trying to take the Zurich Classic away from the Tournament Players Club in Avondale.
President Marsiglia and CEO Becker met with Councilwoman Shelley Midura and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu to brief them on the status of the Park projects. He said each of those officials is supportive of the Park's efforts.
Marsiglia and staff also met with Bill Owens from ERA concerning the horse park feasibility study. Marsiglia said he expects the study to be completed in about 6 to 10 weeks and added that the study is coming at the request of Senator Mary Landrieu.
Marsiglia said he and Bob Becker recently had dialogue with officials from the Louisiana Children's Museum concerning the facility's proposed relocation to City Park. He said certain milestones have to be met by the Museum for the project to proceed, and one of those is a report that is scheduled to be delivered in the next several weeks.
An agreement has been reached with Voodoo officials regarding the dates of the annual music festival. He said the final agreement forced five weddings to be rescheduled, and he commended the Park staff for their adroit handling of such a delicate issue. Marsiglia said officials from the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Audubon Nature Institute offered their venues to the parties who needed to reschedule their weddings, and Voodoo is paying part of the cost for those parties to change the date.
President Marsiglia reported Senator Mary Landrieu brought a group of volunteers to perform a work project in the Park. Marsiglia commended John Hopper and Jim Morrison for doing a great job in organizing the volunteer project.
Chief Operating Officer Rob DeViney reported spring has been a success and cited events such as the Big Bass Fishing Rodeo and the Crescent City Classic. He updated the board on several capital improvement projects, including:
- Big Lawn - Clearing now complete, bids to go out May 5th.
- Tad Gormley Stadium - Work close to completion on new synthetic playing surface
- Dog Park - Construction about to begin
- Tennis Complex - Funds released by state, bids have been published and construction should begin in the next 60 days provided a favorable bid is received.
- Administration building - The lowest bid came in at $3.4 million, which DeViney said was encouraging because the architect's estimate was $3.6 million. He added the new building will include many environmentally friendly green elements, which will come at an extra cost but it is money the Park has already allocated in its capital budget. DeViney will email the board a list of the green elements in the new design.
Commissioner Susan Brennan asked DeViney about the use of cement over asphalt on the parking lots at Tri-Centennial Park and Tad Gormley Stadium. Brennan recommended the Park use cement in both facilities. Commissioner Sally Perry recommended a policy be put into effect that management will use its best efforts to incorporate the most environmentally progressive details in every project. - Lighting - DeViney said he is in negotiations with FEMA regarding the final settlement for replacement of lighting in the Park. He said FEMA's offer was $427,000 for the entire project. DeViney reported that the cost of wiring for the lights without the cost of fixtures was $1.7 million. He said the goal is to replace 100 fixtures south of I-610.
Chief Development Officer John Hopper reported the Park is busy with volunteers and fundraising.
A resolution was passed giving the Park approval to apply for the Louisiana Recreational Trails grant program.
A resolution was passed authorizing the Park to sign a cooperative endeavor agreement with the City of New Orleans for design and construction of the festival grounds.
Committee Report:
A&E - Rob DeViney passed out a report of Capital projects.
Athletics - No Report
Golf - Don Tillar reported the North Course has been extremely busy. A marketing campaign will be held to introduce opening the top tier and extending the hours at the driving range. An agreement was reached with Carl Rabito, a golf instructor, to set up a golf academy at the driving range.
Development - Chief Development Officer John Hopper reported the committee is working with a consultant on case statements.
Finance - Commissioner Karen DeBlieux reported the Park had a good month financially in March, one significant reason being the success of the North Course.
Special Events/CITO - Commissioner Susan Brennan reported the committee is looking for sponsors for Celebration in the Oaks.
Horticulture and Grounds - Andrea LeGrand reported the Big Lake walking path is near completion. The committee is discussing contracting SDT, Ted Anthony and EDS to provide maintenance along the Big Lake area. LeGrand also reported the State has reduced the reforestation grant by 10 percent.
NOMA - Commissioner Paul Masinter reported the Museum of Art is looking into alternative expansion sites.
Nominating - No Report
Legal - The committee is in the process of reviewing and updating the By-Laws.
Public Relations - No Report
Stables - No Report
Tennis - Commissioner Errol Broussard reported the State released $3.3 million for construction of a new tennis complex. The committee decided instead of hiring a tennis instructor that a tennis manager and court maintenance attendant would be retained. DeViney reported the new facility will have several green elements.
Botanical Garden- No Report
Friends of City Park - Dessa Giffin reported Summer Rum is scheduled June 12th.
Dog Park - Commissioner Jackie Shreves reported the official ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for May 5th at 10:30am.
New Business - President Marsiglia reported J.P. Morrell submitted a bill to the Legislature requesting City Park take over all non-flood assets of the Lakefront. Marsiglia will update the Board as needed on the bill.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th at the Pavilion of Two Sisters.
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Denise Joubert
Recording Secretary
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Oakland Adams
Secretary
