HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-21 - Minutes -Meeting:Neighborhood Interest Forum Date:November 21, 2019 Location:City Hall, Room 219 Attendants:Will Dockery, James Tolbert, Lisa Orton, Lucas Regnier, Sonya Zimmer, Sarah Harrell Will Dockery called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm. 1.Minutes from 10/17/19 were approved. 2.Sustainability Presentation - Chris McNamara, Project Manager a.Energy Projects i.The mission is how to help the city continue to move forward towards sustainability. ii.Improvement bonds affect the arts corridor but that hasn’t expanded their mission. b.Wastewater Treatment Plant - Solar Power i.The wastewater treatment plant is one of the largest energy consumers ii.Energy Plan - to be the regional leader in sustainability iii.One of 41 in North America to receive an “A” from international group. iv.Fayetteville wants to reduce greenhouse gases 1.City government goals a.100% clean energy by 2030 b.Reduce greenhouse gases by 80% 2.Community goals a.50% clean energy by 2030. 100% by 2050. b.Invest in infrastructure to reduce driving c.Recycling programs d.Updates to building codes e.Help citizens take advantage of rebates available. i.Investor owned energy companies are required to offer rebates for energy efficiencies ii.List of rebates is available on the city’s Sustainability website c.Energy Action plan - adopted in 2018 i.Wastewater treatment plant uses 66% of the city’s energy consumption ii.Solar Array Project 1.Solar Array team consisted of Today’s Power, Ozarks Electric, and Fayetteville. a.Ozarks was interested in power storage to help in peak times. The batteries store energy and release during peak times. This allows Ozarks to buy energy at a lower price. b.Today’s Power is the sister company of Arkansas Electric Cooperative and operates across the Southeast US 2.Over 20 year the project will save $6 million 3.Net positive in under 5 years 4.Before this project, the city was at 16% clean energy. After the project, they were at 72%. This giant change led to a national award. 5.System is set to produce just above consumption. 6.Will have a bell curve of production due to sunlight availability. d.Question/Answer i.When are we planting native grasses at array site? 1.Probaby spring. That service has been contracted out but there are a few issues to be sorted before planting can start. ii.Why are we cutting down tree coverage and how does that fit into the greenhouse gases plan? 1.City can only do so much with private landowners - they can guide but not force owners to follow tree preservation. 2.Tree preservation code has been written but not approved. Urban Foresters have it to present to the city council. 3.As long as builders stay within zoning regulations then we don’t have much leverage - Bill by Right. 4.Rolling Hills Drive - 2 plans presented that show the effort make Fayetteville walkable/bikeable. Both plans will help with drainage. a.3 lanes with two 28 ft side paths b.3 lanes with a 10 ft and 8 ft path on each side c.A roundabout at Elizabeth and Loxley. iii.Surveys do not seem neutral - ask if you would support other protective measures but only give yes/no. Doesn’t allow to say what types. 1.Feedback on surveys goes to the communication department. 2.Quantitative and Qualitative input are both considered for projects. 3.Results are kept on city website under Records. iv.2040 Survey was found to be biased by a survey professor at the UofA. Lisa requested that it be rewritten but it was not. 1.We don’t have financial or staff resources to hire survey experts to write them. 2.City Council ratified the plan. 3.Neighborhood News Roundtable a.From Sonya Zimmer - Oct 20th tornado siren did not activate even though we under a tornado warning. i.Fayetteville doesn’t activate warning. U of A does on recommendation of UofA police and fire. Chancellor makes final decision with the National Weather Association ii.There is a red alert system that will send out alerts on cell phones iii.Sirens are intended for people outside iv.Dan Skoff - alarms aren’t set off on general warnings because it might show complacency. b.From James Tolbert i.Started talks with other neighbors about upcoming holidays and usualy increase in theft and how they can help each other out. ii.Happy Hollow Elementary entrance/exit is on 265/Crossover. The speed limit there is largely ignored. Is there something that can be done? 1.No crosswalks for kids on the east side of Crossover 2.Crossover is a major state highway, as is MLK, Wedington and Huntsville, and that means that the city can’t do anything. Even privately bought lights can’t be installed 3.Pepper Vine Drive residents are hearing that the school is set far enough away from the road so the city is hamstrung on what can be done. 4.Suggestions a.From Lisa - contact the school board. They can apply pressure to the right people. b.From Will - contact the state representative to get law about what cities can do to state highways changed. c.There is not good back way that doesn’t take you through multiple neighborhoods and/or apartment buildings c.From Lisa Orton i.Continues her work to save Markham Hill 1.At the last Planning Commission meeting, the developer Specialized Real Estate Group (SREG) presented their application for Phase 1 of their plans to develop Markham Hill. 10 members of the public spoke against the developer's plans and one member of the public (former employee of SREG) spoke for the developer's plans. The application was tabled for two weeks by the Planning Commission for the developer to change some details to possibly save the trees on Cross Ave as some neighbors requested. 2.Developers have done environmental studies but aren’t giving results to the public. 3.She researches Markham Hill history for her social media and now on KPSQ Radio on T/TH 8-9 am 4.Best solution will be to sell to a conservationist. There is one interested but won’t approach if the land is not for sale. ii.She will be resigning to focus on Markham Hill. December will be her last meeting. d.From Will Dockery i.Mt Comfort traffic will be affected by current construction ii.A hotel is beginning construction on Salem by Dickies e.From Lucas Regnier - no other comments at this time 4.General Discussion a.Membership i.What wards need representation 1.W1 - 2 members 2.W2 - 1 member 3.W4 - 1 member ii.Application process 1.No formal application. Maybe just an email to the president. 2.Ask resigning members to suggest replacements iii.Terms 1.Terms will be staggered by wards 2.Quarterly ward meetings would be when old member rolls off and new ones come on. a.Jan - W1 b.Apr - W2 c.July - W3 d.Oct - W4 3.Secretary will track who’s rolling off/coming on b.Tabled to next meeting i.Voting in new members ii.Town halls 5.Committee Business a.Next meeting is scheduled for December 19, 5:30 pm, room 326. b.Agenda for November i.Discuss strategies to get information about meetings to increase attendance (Stacy from NWA Gazette) ii.Discuss town hall type meetings once a quarter. Each town hall meeting would revolve around a specific ward. iii.Voting in new members iv.Round table Will Dockery adjourned the meeting at 7:08 https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/3659/Neighborhood-Interest-Forum