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