HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-15 MinutesN
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
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A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on Tuesday,
March 15, 1994, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the City
Administration Building, 113 W. Mountain, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
PRESENT:. Mayor Fred Hanna;. Aldermen Kit Williams, -Conrad Odom,
Woody Bassett, Fred Vorsanger, Len Edens, Heather Daniel,
and Stephen Miller; City Attorney Jerry Rose; City Clerk
Sherry Thomas; City Treasurer Glyndon Bunton;
Administrative Services Director Ben Mayes; Associate
Planner Tim Conklin; Public Works Director Kevin Crosson;
members of staff, press, and audience.
ABSENT: Alderman Joe Box
CALL. TO ORDER
Mayor Hanna called the meeting to order with seven aldermen
present.
OLD BUSINESS
Mayor Hanna introduced consideration of items that have been
brought before the Council but were tabled or no decision made to
allow further information to be presented.
A. CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION: An ordinance amending the amount
of monthly compensation for aldermen of the City of
Fayetteville.
An ordinance increasing the amount from $350 to $750 per month
was left on its first reading at the March 1, 1994 meeting.
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City Attorney Rose read the ordinance for.the second'time.
Mayor Hanna stated he would like to leave this ordinance on its
second reading until all of the aldermen`are present to vote on it.
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CITY TREASURER'S -REPORT
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Treasurer Glyndon tBunton gave the December 31; 1993 Financial
Report and stated copies^of the financial report are available for
inspection in the Office of the City Clerk. Bunton reported:
1) all funds were within budget and fund balances were positive
when compared to projected fund balances submitted with the budget;
2) debt -decreased approximately $32 million due to the early
retirement of the 1990 Sales Tax Bond issue; 3) the citizens voted
to reinstate the one cent City sales tax of which 75% is dedicated
toward capital improvements and 25% is to be used for discretionary
purposes; 4) sales tax,. collections totaled $5.1 million, a
March 15, 1994
decrease from 1992; 5) County sales tax revenue totaled $5.2
million, an increase from 1992; 6) Hotel, motor and restaurant tax
revenue increased 12% over 1992; 7) Water & Sewer revenues
increased .$1.4 million for a total .of.$14.6 million; 8) Sanitation
revenues increased $616,000 for a total of $1.2 million; 9)
Airport revenues increased $65,000 for a total of $1.2 million; and
10)...Total City assets are approximately $187 million.
•CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Hanna introduced consideration of items which may be approved
by motion, or contracts and leases which can be approved by
resolution, and which may be grouped together and approved
simultaneously under a "Consent.. Agenda":
A. Minutes of the March 1, 1994 regular City Council meeting;:_
B. Moved to Item 3A
C. A resolution endorsing the recertification of Armstrong
Brothers Tool Company's participation in the Arkansas
Enterprise zone Program
The company is requesting recertification so they may continue
to receive benefits afforded by the State of Arkansas when
adding employees. to their workforce.
RESOLUTION 34-94 AS RECORDED IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Williams, seconded by Miller, made a motion to approve the consent
agenda. upon roll call, the motion passed by a vote of 7 to 0.
AIRPORT PARKING LOT
Mayor Hanna introduced consideration of a resolution authorizing a
budget adjustment for the construction of a new long term passenger
parking lot at the Fayetteville Airport. The City, Street
Department will build the parking lot which will cost $102,466 plus
a $7,534 contingency.
Alderman Williams stated he wanted to assure the citizens the City
is moving ahead with the much needed parking lot. This will
provide an additional 140 parking spaces. The construction cost
will be less by doing the job in house than it would have been by
bidding it out.
Mayor Hanna stated the City has been doing a.lot of this type of
job in house and saving money.
Mi11er,,secondeddby .Daniel, made a. motion to approve the budget
adjustment.. .Upon roll call, the resolution passed bya vote of.7
to 0.
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March 15, 1994
RESOLUTION 35-94 AS RECORDED IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
REZONING R94-3 AND R94-4
Mayor Hanna introduced consideration of ordinances rezoning .76
acre from A-1, Agricultural, to R -O, Residential -Office, and 10.18
acres located on the south side of Mission and east of Whippoorwill
from A-1, Agriculture to R-1, Low Density Residential, as requested
by Mel Milholland on behalf of Sam Mathias. The Planning
Commission voted 9-0-0 to recommend the rezoning.
Alderman Daniel proposed an amendment to the ordinance adding .25
acre to the .76 acre request for R94-3 and reducing the 10.18 acre
request in R94-4 by that same amount. This would then require the
developer to meet the large scale development and off-site
improvement requirements as required for any development exceeding
1 acre in size. She stated she has received many calls about the
phenomenal growth taking place in Fayetteville.
Tim Conklin stated the large scale development regulations would
require right of way along the roads and for street improvements.
City Attorney Rose read the ordinance for Rezone R94-3 as presented
for the first time.
Mel Milholland, engineer for the development, stated he was not
expecting this type of change, so he is unable to speak for his
clients if this would be acceptable. He stated the amount of land
they had requested to be rezoned was determined by the size of the
building, and he did not know if this would be acceptable. He
requested the ordinance be left on its first reading until he can
confer with his client.
Alderman Edens stated he felt the Council was now getting into
telling people how to rezone their property.
City Attorney Rose read the ordinance for Rezone R94-4 as presented
for the first time.
Both ordinances were left on first reading to give the developer
time to review Alderman Daniel's proposed amendment.
ANIMAL SHELTER
Mayor Hanna introduced consideration of a resolution to transfer
operation of the Fayetteville Animal Shelter from the Humane
Society of the Ozarks to the City of Fayetteville, and approval of
budget adjustments.
Mayor Hanna stated the society has asked the City to take over the
full operation of the Shelter effective March 1, 1994. The Council
will need to approve budget adjustments to recognize new revenue
March 15, 199
sources, :to.*utilize.,$21,214. of Generale Fund Unreserved Fund
Balance, and to establish anew expenditure budget for the Animal
Shelter. The Council will also need to delete one Animal Control
Officer position that is currently' vacant, add three full-time
positions and three part-time positions, and approve & new
agreement between the City..and the'Society that will rescind the
current leasing and operational agreements between the two parties.
Ben Mayes stated the City has had a very productive association
with the Humane Society. This 'is the next step in that
association, taking over the operation of the Animal Shelter.
Alderman Vorsanger stated the additional cost to the City is only
$21,000 to take over the shelter.
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Alderman Williams- thanked the Humane Society for building -the
shelter.
Jo Frei, president of the Humane
venture with the City, and a good
Society, stated it was a joint
job has been done. :
Mayor Hanna stated the Humane Society would now focus their
attention to work in the county.
Miller, seconded by Odom, made a motion to approve the budget
adjustment. Upon roll call, the motion passed by a vote. of 7 to 0.
RESOLUTION 36-94 AS RECORDED IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
PUBLIC NUISANCE
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Mayor Hanna introduced considerationofa request by citizens to
declare River City, (Deja Vue, Inc.) a public nuisance.
City Attorney Rose stated he had been asked to present the Council
with their various legal alternatives He stated there has been a
request by Bonnie Davis asking the Council to declare River City a
public nuisance. In 1982, the City declared the Landing Strip a
public nuisance and urged the ABC (Alcoholic` Beverage Control) to
revoke their alcoholic- beverage permits. There are no legal
proceedings necessary onthe part of the City, just ask the ABC to
investigate. Rose stated another alternative was for the Council
to ask the City Attorney to make this same request of the ABC.
Another alternative'is to enforce the existing laws on the books.
Because of repeated' violations,, the club could be declared a
nuisance. Those violations include public indecency, .public
intoxication, assault, battery, serving alcohol-after•hours; etc.
However, the police ;cannot be everywhere at,`a11 times and devote
all of their time'.to"River City.
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Rose.stated the.- Council could change the zoning laws to state that
dance halls have to.»be granted a conditional use in order to='be
March 15, 1994
allowed to operate. This probably would not affect River City
because they would be grandfathered in with this new law. Rose
stated the City could seek revocation of River City's liquor
permits. The City only issues two of these licenses --one for
retail beer and wine sales and one for operating as a private club.
The City has no control over the state licenses. A hearing would
have to be held on these licenses, and this would not automatically
shut down River City. The permits must be revoked first, and then
the City would have to go to court and get the club closed.
The City would have to seek to close River City on the grounds of
them being a public nuisance. A determination would have to be
made whether River City was a public or a private nuisance. A
municipal corporation can only take action against a public
nuisance. If it were determined that River City was only a private
nuisance, then the person(s) being harmed could file suit against
them to have them closed.
Rose stated the City could condemn the property for a public
purpose, buy the property, and locate something else in that
location. However, this action could set a precedent for future
properties the City may not want to set.
Alderman Edens asked if the people living around River City had the
same power as the City to sue River City.
Rose stated they did, except they do not have the power to take
away their liquor licenses.
Alderman Daniel stated she felt the City should protect the
homeowners.
Bonnie Davis addressed the Council stating she moved into her house
in November of 1992 which is the Davidson Mansion built in 1859 and
is located on the northern boundary of the Washington Willow
Historic District. She stated her home is basically uninhabitable
because of the noise from River City. She stated she has been
assaulted by vehicles on her property twice. People have made drug
sales in her bushes and urinated on her porch. She is not opposed
to responsible drinking, dancing, and music, but she is opposed to
this establishment that does not do anything to its unruly
customers. She stated her yard is a mass of ruts, and 6 sets of no
parking signs have been removed. She stated she and her son have
been threatened when they have had cars towed from their property.
She stated her property was sold and is zoned as residential
property. All of this has affected her mental health making her a
nervous wreck. She has video and audio tapes, transcripts of her
diary, and pictures she would be glad to share.
Jim Boyd, an attorney for 20 years, stated he lives down the street
from River City. He stated the situation Ms. Davis describes does
exist. Each time the City decides to get tough, River City gets
March 15, 199441•`
better temporarily, -but each time -they revert back'to their former
ways. He.stated this condition has moved into the area, and not
the houses moving in around the condition. He stated River City
attracts too many of theH wrong "kind of people into the
neighborhood, and he stated something needs to be done.
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Ron Bumpass, a resident one block from River City, stated he would
like the fire marshall to discuss fire:codes, capacity, .etc. He
stated the parking ordinance"also needs to be addressed. :There are
only about 100 to 120 parking places at River City, but it holds a
lot more people. He stated -River City is a'victim tof its own
success. •He stated he feels River City meets the "but for" rule
when describing a nuisance. "But for" River City, none of the
parking problems, noise, traffic, etc., would occur in the
neighborhood. He asked the Police Department to'review the number
of. incidents around the Total and IGA Store compared to River City
for the past two years. He has found people passed out -in his
yard, and this does not happen in other neighborhoods in this City.
He feels River City.'should relocate. He statedthis is serious
business because between 11 and 2 a.m., thereare usually .5
policemen in the River City area, and this leaves the restof the
City unprotected. He asked the City Council to declare River City
a nuisance.
Arlin Max Steele, 533 N. Willow, has lived at this address since
1956. He brought a.letter from Betty Lighton, a resident of 603 N.
Willow, who asked the City Council to declare this club a public
nuisance. He stated people must be able to enjoy'their residences.
He stated there needs to'be business that is compatible with the
neighborhood at this location rather than a dance hall. Heis not
against such an establishment, they just need to be relocated. tHe
urged the. Council to declare it a nuisance and protect the
neighborhood.
Claudette Hunnicutt, a resident on Washington Street, stated she
has been putting up with this business for years. There is open
drinking :in the 'parking lot .almost every:-night+of ',the 'week:
Customers start congregating around 10:00 p.m., and some of them
have been somewhere else before coming here, and they arealready
intoxicated. Some of the people stay on the parking lot until•4?00
a.m. partying. She has`stood outside in her yard to protect;•her
property and that of her neighbors who were too scared to come out.
She has been both verbally and physically abused and threatened:
She stated there are open violations of the fire -codes, including
locking fire exists. The residents of this neighborhood made.their
street no parking after 11:00 p.m. However, River City patrons do
not obey, this law. 'she stated she calls the police on•a regular
basis, and they do all they can. She stated the police have other
priorities as well: "
Mike Hawkins;-: attorney for River.City,'-stated=River City operates
under all of the ordinances and .laws of.this City. He stated River
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March 15, 1994
City is divided into two sections --the east side has live music,
and the west side has a restaurant and billiard room. He stated
River City has 30 people employed, who are responsible, working for
a living to support their families, and are taxpayers and
registered to vote. He stated according to the statute, there are
three classes of people that can sue: (1) the city attorney, (2)
the district attorney, or (3) private citizens. He asked why the
City was getting involved in this dispute at all. He stated River
City paid almost $13,000 in taxes to the City, and now the City is
using this money to try and shut down River City. Hawkins stated
neither he nor his clients have ever seen any of the documentation-
-the videos, audios, tapes, pictures, etc. He suggested the
neighbors get with the owner of River City to work this out and
leave the City out of the picture.
Alderman Bassett asked Mr. Poe, owner of River City, if he has
given any consideration to relocation.
Jim Poe invited members of the City Council to visit River City.
He stated they have a full service restaurant and lounge. He might
be able to remove the live entertainment to another location, but
he has over $100,000 invested in lights, sound systems, etc.
Alderman Bassett stated he considers River City a true interference
with the people who live in the neighborhood. He asked Poe what he
would tell the people.
Poe stated he would ask them to come talk to him. He stated he has
offered to meet with the neighbors, but they have only had one
meeting. He would be glad to sit down and work out solutions. He
stated their DJ's announce for the people not to park on the
streets and to exit on College Avenue. He stated no one objected
to him putting his business at this location 6 years ago. He
stated he is willing to compromise. He agrees their location is
the problem.
Alderman Williams asked Poe how he would respond to Ron Bumpass
about the limited number of parking spaces.
Poe stated they have 160 spaces, and they use the lot across the
street owned by Doc's. They are trying to bring more quality acts
to Fayetteville.
Alderman Miller asked if, there is someone stationed at the door to
stop people from taking bottles and cans outside.
Poe stated there is from the
closing time at 2:00 a.m. The
are the ones customers brought
time they open at 5:00 p.m. until
containers seen on the parking lot
in their cars.
Alderman Miller asked if they patrol their parking lot.
March 15, 1994
Poerstatedthey have 5 security -guys who clear the lot by 2:00 a.m.
Alderman Miller stated he sees posters on utility poles, and this
is against City'.ordinances. There are also flyers placed -under
windshields. He stated he picked up over 500 of these:flyers
himself.
Poe stated the flyers -on the poles are generated by the bands, and
he has told(4his people -not to place any flyers on windshields.'!_
Alderman Bassett'stated during the; last couple of weeks,'there have
been 60-70 citations issued .for under age drinking. -He asked Poe
how many of those were issued'at River'City.
Poe stated he knows of only 1.
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Alderman Bassett- asked him if he has a problem, with underage
drinking.
Poe stated.people can get fake ID's. They do not let anyone into
their lounge under `the age of 21. There are. -children -that
accompany their'parents in the restaurant and game area. ,They do
their best to keep from serving alcohol to '.anyone under 21. . He
does not think 'anyone has accused him of doing this. He
understands it is his location that is the problem.
Alderman Williams asked Poe if he would consider shortening his
hours of operation. ,•
Poe stated they would consider it, but they may not change. Their
business is geared from 5 to 2.
Dash Goff, owner of the property River City occupies, stated he may
have a solution. He stated Mr: Poe has been a very good tenant for
the. past 6 years. 'If the City can come up with some other business
to occupy the building or buy the building, he would be willing to
help Poe build a new building. He stated he felt this needed to be
explored, and he can sympathize with the neighbors.
Terry Hunt stated Poe has been providing security :to the
neighborhood. He' does not feel that is his job. He -stated-he
would be willing to compromise and help find a suitable renter. the
stated the neighborhood feels they have been compromised.
Charles Howard stated he is interested in the noise -issue and'in
the city attorney's` statement about the City, ordinances being
enforced. He stated lastfall,. the Arkansas.Democrat-Gazette
contained a quote'bythe Fayetteville Chief of Police stating the
noise ordinance is unenforceable. He stated he would like -to have
Chief Watson's input about the noise and traffic problems.
March 15, 1994
Alderman Williams stated they would get the figures from the police
department.
Alderman Vorsanger stated Mrs. Hunnicutt has brought this to his
attention since he came on the Board in 1989. He has heard all
types of horror stories about what happens in the neighborhood
after hours. He stated these things are being done by citizens and
other people in the community. He understands there are sexual
acts in the yards and front porches as well. The biggest nuisance
is the conduct of these people. We have ordinances on the books
now to take care of these matters, so he feels the police should be
patrolling the area and giving out tickets. He agrees something
has to be done.
Alderman Bassett stated the problem is catching the people in the
act. By the time the police are called and get to the scene, it is
too late.
Alderman Williams stated there has been a lot of effort made by the
police department. He wants to check the police reports. He
stated there may not be enough officers in the area to solve the
problems.
Alderman Vorsanger stated if the word gets out and the City does
its best to strictly enforce offenders, the thought of being put in
jail will go a long way with the customers.
Mayor Hanna stated in the last two weeks, the police department has
issued over 100 citations to under age drinkers. A major portion
of these has been in the River City area. They have outgrown their
location. He asked the city attorney to prepare an ordinance to
abate the nuisance and notify the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
Alderman Odom stated he cannot support this because it would be a
direct attack on River City. They would have blemish on their
record if they ever tried to get another alcohol permit for a
different location.
Hawkins stated there are provisions in state statutes for the
citizens to bring their own suits. He does not feel City tax
dollars should be spent on this issue.
Alderman Daniel stated she disagrees. She stated she is ready to
take the responsibility.
Alderman Williams stated he would like answers to the questions
brought out in this discussion.
Alderman Bassett stated he feels Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Poe should
have the opportunity to look at Mrs. Davis' evidence. He also
feels a representative from the police department should be at the
next meeting. He also feels strongly that it would be in
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March 15, 1994
everybody's best -interest, including• River City's 'if they could
find another location.•
Alderman Odom stated he feels the ordinance should be addressed
regarding a conditional use for; a dance hall. He stated if River
Citymoves from the location,there is nothing in the ordinances to
prohibit another dance hall:from'moving in.'
Mayor Hanna stated this will be on the next agenda, There will be
reports from the traffic division and. the police department. He
also invited Mrs. Davis to'bring her:Itapes, videos, etc., to the
next agenda session." He invited Mr.'Hawkins and Mr. Poe to attend
as well. a, .
GREENSPACE ORDINANCE
Mayor Hanna introduced consideration of an amendment -to the
Greenspace Ordinance.
Alderman Williams stated the .Parks .& Recreation Advisory Board
(PRAB) and the Planning Commission are currently working on
revising the greenspace ordinance. He stated he does not feel the
City should have. track developments without keeping with the
village concept and 'area parks. He is proposing a change in the
major development section of the ordinance whereby the definition
of a major development shall be if it is a large scale development
or subdivision that contains 40 acres or more or contains 100
housing units or.lmore,.the total possible development shall be
considered when its first stage, phase, or parcel is presented for
review. He feels small neighborhood parks is a good concept. He
stated large scale developments are approved,,every month. If the
City does not act soon, it will be too late to be applied to all of
these new developments.' He wants a way to be provided for people
and children to walk`to a park.
Alderman Williams. stated there are several issues that need to be
considered. One issue is the ownership of the neighborhood park.
Alderman Miller stated he likes the idea of neighborhood parks.
His only concern .is'that the 40 acre and 100 units is too large.
He is in favor of requiring a park with a 20 acre or a 50 unit
development.
Alderman Edens stated one of the key issues is who will maintain
the little parks.
Alderman Williams stated Mr. Raby.who developed the General Plan
encouraged the development of homeowner associations to pay for the
upkeep of the parks.'
Alderman Daniel stated she would like to,see thehomeowners' take
more responsibility for their neighborhoods.
March 15, 1994
Alderman Edens stated he would like the input of the PRAB and the
Planning Commission before the City Council jumps into this.
Jerry Sweetser stated he was at a loss for words at the City
Council even considering something like this without the input from
people who will be paying for this. Homeowners associations seem
to be in constant battle. Neighborhoods are filled with couples
and young kids, and they want to assess the older people for a
wading pool. He asked if the City was having a crisis in the parks
we currently have.
Alderman Williams stated there is a crisis. He wants developers to
donate land and not just money for greenspace.
Sweetser asked him if he was aware the PRAB did not accept land and
wanted money instead.
Alderman Miller stated that will change.
Sweetser asked if Williams saw the neighborhood parks being used by
the public or would they be private.
Alderman Williams stated that is a different issue.
Sweetser stated in Park Place they spend a lot of money on their
private park and on enforcement problems. He would like the City
Council to really think about this before doing something.
Sweetser stated he would recommend public hearings on this. This
will affect a lot of people and cause a lot of problems.
Alderman Edens stated another theory is to have larger parks for
the various growth areas. The City would buy 40-50-60 acres in an
area. The developers would pay cash to be applied to this land for
developing parks. He stated he does not feel the small
neighborhood parks would be used by the public.
Alderman Williams stated the PRAB has told him they would be used.
He stated unless the City increases the greenspace money, there
will be no way to afford to buy the 40 to 60 acres for a park.
Alderman Edens stated the public could vote a millage increase for
park land.
Mayor Hanna asked what is the approximate annual budget for the
Parks & Recreation department.
Ben Mayes stated it was about $820,000.
Alderman Edens asked what 1 mill would generate.
Mayes stated about $275,000 and about $330,000 in capital projects
for 1994.
March 15; 1994
Mark. Marquess stated the Council needs to'look at -a .couple' of
issues. He feels if the City adopts this, there could be problems
bringing two separate subdivisions and developers in on a POA. He
stated this is just one of'the problems: He stated he deals with
affordable housing, and many'of the people are on a limited income.
Each resident has a particular, 'individual need, and he feels it
could be impossible to meet with.these small neighborhood parks.
He feels the concept needs;to:be further thought out, and'public
hearings need to be held. A.lo.t of people have had bad experiences
with POA's, and they do not want tobelong to one. He stated many
people may not be willing to pay;r.for:a small park when they would
rather go to a larger pariewith'bailfields, etc.
Alderman Bassett stated he agrees there are a lot of unanswered
questions. However, 9 out of 10 people who talk to him are
concerned about the explosion of growth, the disappearing
greenspace, traffic,` and the infrastructure falling behind. • He
wants to find a way ;to address these concerns in a fair way.
Marquess stated the developer wants to be able to do what is best
for each individual development.. He does not.think the _City can
put in a specific "mandate that will fit, the needs of each
individual development.
Alderman Williams stated he agrees there is a lot of input still
needed on this issue:
Alderman Daniel asked Marquess what he considered affordable
housing.
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Marquess stated under $80,000. The average subdivision in this.
area is comprised:of about.1/3 retired people, 1/3 single, and 1/3
married couples with very few children.
Alderman Williams stated the major objection presented so far is
about the park being'owned'by a homeowners' association. He asked
if it would be better for$the.parks to'be'owned by.the City.
Alderman Bassett stated he wants to deal with the growth in this
area, and he feels there is a crisis.
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Sweetser stated not too long ago, the City was talking about owning
too much land in the parks system. He asked about selling some of
the unused land and `relocating parks to areas where there is a
need. .•
Alderman Bassett stated the only"discussion he remembers was•about
unused land being sold to pay off City debt.
Sweetser stated it was also not fair to the new people coming into
Fayetteville to have.to pay for all of this type -of parks for -'a11
March 15, 1994
of the citizens. He stated the City may need to look at some type
of tax measure to be used to pay for parks.
Robert Reus thanked Alderman Williams for bringing this problem up.
He stated if something is not done soon, all of the greenspace will
be gone. He feels small parks in subdivisions tend to bring in an
element of community to the neighborhood. He stated he was against
the City selling off some of this "useless" land. He feels the
City will be glad to have this land in the future.
Mel Milholland stated for 22 years he has lived in this area and
been involved in developing subdivisions. It has not been too many
years ago that the park fees came into being. He stated POA parks
only work in certain types of subdivisions, and definitely not in
all of them. There must be some options left to the developer
regarding equipment in the parks, etc., and the developers have to
be able to be innovative. Milholland stated he likes to use
innovative ideas so things will be different in each subdivision.
The developers need to pay their share of the park fees. There are
potential users of these parks that have never paid any park fees.
It appears to him the City Council has upped the fees to developers
and found that is now not sufficient. So, now the City wants the
developer to build a separate park in their subdivisions.
Alderman Williams stated he is not proposing to ask a developer to
pay cash in addition to building a park. Currently, a developer
has the option to put in a private park.
Milholland stated if money is donated in lieu of land, it is
usually worth 3-4 times the value of park fees.
Alderman Miller agreed that park fees are too low.
Mr. Johnson, with Re/Max Realtors, stated about 3 to 4 years ago,
lots were selling for around $8,000 each. Now they are selling for
$11,000-$12,000-$13,500 each. Costs keep increasing. If the City
keeps increasing costs to the developers, this will only increase
the costs to the buyers, and we are already talking about
affordable housing being in the $80,000 range.
Alderman Daniel stated she is concerned about affordable housing.
Not everyone can afford an $80,000 house. She stated she would
like to see some mixed housing.
Mayor Hanna stated this item will be placed on the next Council
meeting agenda for further discussion.
March 15, 1994
OTHER BUSINESS
JACKSON PLACE
Mayor Hanna stated Alderman Vorsanger presented an appeal to the
City Clerk regarding the Jackson Place Subdivision decision by -the
Planning Commission. Mayor Hanna stated the Councilneeds to vote
whether or not to hear the appeal. He stated •the Planning
Commission voted 7 to '2 to approve this subdivision.; They did
address the drainage problem.
Alderman'Vorsanger-1stated he has - had several'calls- from people
living in that' area, and they are unhappy over several things
regarding this subdivision. They feel there is a drainage problem
that has not been taken care of. The residents are also concerned
about establishing'a neighborhood of 24 acres and 68 -lots in•an
already congested area where the traffic empties onto Mission.
Alderman Vorsanger stated between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., the traffic
is bumper to bumper at the intersection of Highways 265 and 45. He
stated he feels it is time to take another look at this, especially
since this new development is going into an already established
neighborhood. • •
Vorsanger, seconded by Daniel, made a motion to hear the appeal.
Upon roll call, the motion passed by a vote of 7•to 0.
41.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
Mayor Hanna stated the.Advertising & Promotion Commission has
submitted the name of Jon Davidson, the managerof the Hilton
Hotel, to fill the vacancy on their committee.
•
Edens, seconded by Odom, made•a motion to approve the appointment
of Jon Davidson to the -Advertising'& Promotion Commission. Upon
roll call, the motion passed by a vote of•7 to 0.''
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
Alderman Miller stated the Environmental Concerns Committee will
hold a meeting on Monday, March 21, 1994, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 111.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:56 p.m.