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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-22 - Minutes - TOWN AND GOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE July 22, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting Via Zoom Members: CITY COUNCIL & COMMUNITY MEMBERS REPRESENTATIVES • Teresa Turk City Council Member • Vacant U of A Student - Off Campus • Jack Avery Community Citizen at Large • Annie Dowling Community Citizen at Large • Alan Wilbourn Exec. Dir. Of Communications, Fayetteville Public Schools CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE STAFF REPRESENTATIVES • Susan Norton Chief of Staff Committee Co-Chair • Lisa Thurber Director of Communications and Marketing • Jonathan Curth Director of Development Services STAFF RESOURCES WILL BE CALLED UPON AS NEEDED UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS REPRESENTATIVES • Laura Jacobs Chief of Staff/Committee Co- Chair • Mark Rushing Associate Vice Chancellor, University Relations • Scott Turley Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities • Mason Berres President, Associated Student Government • Kolade Olatunde President, Graduate Professional Student Congress Meeting Video: https://reflect-fayetteville-ar.cablecast.tv/CablecastPublicSite/show/8494?site=1 1. Call to Order Susan Norton called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. 2. Roll Call In attendance: Teresa Turk, Jack Avery, Alan Wilbourn, Susan Norton, Lisa Thurber, Jonathan Curth, Mark Rushing, Scott Turley, Mason Berres, Kolade Olatunde Absent: Alan Wilbourn, Laura Jacobs 3. Approval of Minutes Turk moved and Turley seconded approval of the April 2024 meeting minutes. The minutes were unanimously approved. 4. Approval of Meeting Agenda No changes were requested to the proposed agenda. 5. Old Business: a. Potential impact to trees on north side of Maple St. during sidewalk/senior walk construction Turley reviewed general history and highlights of the Maple Street Cycle Track project, which focuses on safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. Because the MEETING MINUTES project includes realigned curbs, new sidewalks and other features, some existing trees must be removed. Turley shared a street-view presentation of these trees. Turk asked whether the City or the University owns this project; Turley said it is a City project with University involvement in construction planning/scheduling. He noted the project would likely be divided into three sections for roadway access management, and that a public information session was discussed to help residents better understand the project. Turk asked who made the decisions on which trees are being removed; Turley indicated the decisions would be made jointly between the City and University. Turk asked whether removed trees would be replaced with larger sized native species; Turley said they would use native species but was unsure on size of trees. Turk asked who would maintain the trees; Turley said the University would maintain those on University property. Turk encouraged larger-caliper trees as replacements for those removed through this project. Curth added that larger trees have higher mortality rate, and city forestry staff have seen better success with two- inch or smaller trees. Norton asked if Senior Walk construction was part of the Maple Street project; Turley said that the sidewalks down both sides of Maple will be Senior Walks. Turk commented that a large, mature tree was removed on the corner of Cleveland and Razorback for Senior Walk, and she heard negative feedback from residents of that area and students. Turley advised that bidding for the Maple Street project might take place in September or October, with a goal of having it under contract before the end of 2024. 6. New Business a. Committee term expirations/vacancies Norton reminded the committee of upcoming vacancies and expirations on the committee. She noted that Jack Avery can reapply for the committee, and that she is looking for recommendations to fill the recently vacant off-campus student position. b. U of A new student government representatives Rushing introduced Mason Berres, the new ASG President, who briefly addressed the committee. Rushing also noted that Olatunde continues to serve as GSPC President; Olatunde briefly addressed the committee. c. Fayetteville Police Department substation overview Sgt. Dallas Brashears with the Fayetteville Police Department gave an overview of the new police substation, located on the first floor of the parking garage on the corner of Dickson St. and West Ave. The substation focuses on supporting safety in the Entertainment District. It serves as a resource for officers patrolling trails and special events in the downtown/entertainment district areas. d. Parking addition study Gary Smith, Director – University of Arkansas Transit and Parking gave an overview of a new temporary gravel parking lot planned for the area west of Razorback Rd., north of Markham Rd. and just west of Hornsby Dr. Smith noted that a survey of this site is underway and will yield more details related to trees, development plans and capacity. He noted that the site is anticipated to be ready for use in January 2025. Smith explained that this lot provides substitute parking for two new residence halls being built (one of which is on a former surface parking lot). Turk asked if this lot would be permanent; Smith said he anticipates the lot being in use for about two years and that leadership direction points to it being temporary. Turk asked for an update on the residence halls sites; Turley said the two sites are on Maple Hill, and geotech boring is currently underway. Turk asked if there might be parking under the new dorms; Turley said that was considered but found to be impractical/cost effective. He said additional structured parking is being considered via a parking study. Dowling asked if Leverett School would still be safe considering new parking and residence hall plans; Turley indicated the University is taking Leverett School into consideration as it looks at sites for development. e. 2024/25 FPS school year timeline Norton said that Wilbourn provided her with information that school begins on Tuesday, Aug. 20. f. 2024/25 U of A move-in timeline Rushing said that the first day of classes will be Monday, Aug. 19. Early move in begins Aug. 7, with most students moving in around Saturday, Aug. 10. Rushing noted that move-in will continue right up until the first day of classes. He also indicated the first Fayetteville game for the Razorbacks will be Sept. 14. 7. Public Comment/Other Discussion Turk asked if the University has changed any policies around Greek Life parties. Rushing said he was not aware of any such changes but would check to confirm. 8. Next Meeting and Adjourn: The Q4 2024 Town and Gown Committee meeting will take place on Oct. 28, 2024, via Zoom. The meeting was adjourned at 3:54 p.m.