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 unless otherwise noted. Please call (504) 482-4888 to verify specific meeting dates.
In accordance with the American With Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact George Parker at (504) 483-9359 describing the assistance needed.
Board Meeting Minutes
MINUTES 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, December 13, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. by the President. The meeting was held in the Administration building.
PRESENT: Commissioners Lupo, Brennan, Brooks, Chase, Claverie, Clarkson, Fernandez, Fierke, Giffin, Hales, Hess, Hoffman, Katz, Laborde, LaFranca, LeGrand, Marsiglia, Masinter, McKeithen, Pappalardo, Payton, Pettus, Powell, Schoen, Schrenk, Shreves, Sloss and Vesich
ABSENT: Commissioners Bingler, Brown, DeBlieux, Farnet, Guidry, Romig, Sardie, and Slone
STAFF: Bob Becker, Rob DeViney, Kevin Cox, George Parker, John Hopper and Denise Joubert
GUESTS: Joey Richard, Brandy Smith, Susan Baxter, Joe Cook, Valesquez Jones and Juli Miller Hart
President Robert Lupo welcomed everyone and introduced new Commissioners Elizabeth Sloss and Cleland Powell.
The November minutes were approved.
President Lupo introduced Juli Miller Hart, co-chair for Lark in the Park, which is scheduled for March 2, 2012. Hart reported this is the 30th anniversary for Lark in the Park and indicated she would like 100% Board participation for the event.
President Lupo presented the President's Award to several individuals for their outstanding support of the Park. The recipients were:
Joe Cook Leadership in the development of the partnership between Fox 8 and the Park
Valesquez Jones Support of City Park's recovery from Hurricane Katrina from the Governor's office.
Jeffrey & Amy Silverman Support and dedication to the Park and the volunteer and challenge course program
Jeffrey Feil Support and dedication to the Park and the Big Lake project
Senator John Alario Support for the recovery of City Park from Hurricane Katrina
Chief Executive Officer Becker introduced Joey Richard with Postlethwaite & Netterville, who is the independent auditor for the Park. Richard presented his financial audit and reported there was one management finding regarding cash handling at the Tennis facility. In January, Richard will report to the Finance Committee the results of the cash handling audit and is also scheduled to begin an audit in Golf.
In his Management Report, Becker reported on December 10th Celebration in the Oaks had a record crowd of more than 10,000 people. Becker reviewed several of the major accomplishments in 2011 which included:
- Opened the new City Park Pepsi Tennis Center
- Opened the Arbor Room at Popp Fountain
- Opened the new Administration Building
- New deck in Couturie Forest
- New Soccer Pavilion near completion
- New landscaping at Big Lake
- Prepared the site for Miniature Golf course
- Created temporary parking in Tri-Centennial Place
- Secured state funding for the Splash Park
- Started construction on the Festival and Recreational Grounds
- Started design of the miniature golf complex
- Hosted ten million visitors
- Planted 650 new trees
The Board unanimously passed a resolution adopting procurement policies for Disaster Community Development Block Grants. This procurement policy will apply to the Festival Grounds, as well as future projects funded by Community Development Block Grants.
Committee Report:
A&E - Commissioner Edmund Schrenk reported ground breaking for the Festival Grounds took place. The anticipated completion date for the project is one year. The Miniature Golf project is currently in a design phase and anticipates bidding in mid February.
Athletics - Becker reported the Park is working to assist Tulane with their request for practice venues for their track, football, and tennis teams which are being displaced by their new stadium construction.
Golf - Becker reported the State has signed the final design contract to complete construction drawings for the new course. We are moving to apply all of the golf course damage claims to the course which will take 2-3 month for FEMA review. Meetings have been held with the BDF attorneys to finalize the draft CEA and Management Agreements.
Development - Commissioner Susan Hess reported sponsorship has been secured for twenty- eight holes for miniature golf. The Committee is still working to secure sponsorship for one of the eighteen hole courses.
Finance - Commissioner Bill Hoffman commended Kevin Cox and his staff for their work with the audit.
Special Events/CITO - Commissioner Susan Brennan encouraged all Board members to attend Celebration in the Oaks.
Horticulture and Grounds - No Report
NOMA - Commissioner Paul Masinter reported NOMA will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Friday, December 16th.
Nominating - The Board voted unanimously to elect Tom Fierke and Ben Hales for a second four-year term. The Committee further recommends Andrea LeGrand, Dessa Giffin and Will Tregre for three open-At Large positions. The Board will take action on these nominations at the January board meeting.
Legal - The Committee is reviewing ongoing legal issues.
Public Relations - Commissioner Laura Claverie reported Amanda Frentz is in charge of all social media for the Park.
Tennis - Becker reported the New Orleans Bowl Tennis tournament has been canceled, due to scheduling conflicts.
Botanical Garden- No Report
Friends of City Park - Dessa Giffin reported the chairs for Lark in the Park are Gayle Benson, Margo DuBos, and Juli Miller Hart. They will appear with Gen Trimble, the honorary chair, on the January cover of St. Charles Avenue magazine. Mary Johnson and Jackie Palumbo are Friends' new appointees to the Board.
Dog Park - Commissioner Jackie Shreves reported the 1st phase of the lighting project has begun. The Dog Park is currently processing permit renewals.
New Business:
President Lupo recognized outgoing Board Members Susan Hess, Laura Claverie and Paul Masinter. Lupo thanked them for their outstanding service to the Board and distributed commemorative plaques.
President Lupo presented Bob Becker with a plaque recognizing his ten years of exemplary service at the Park.
Public comment was then invited; there were no public comments.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 4:00 pm.
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Denise Joubert
Recording Secretary
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Laura Claverie
Secretary
