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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-03-04 - Minutes8.35
PRAB
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 4, 1991
The meeting was called to order by Mark Robertson at 5:30 at
Leverett Elementary School.
Members Present:
Staff Present:
Media Present:
Guests Present:
BUSINESS:
Alexander. Anderson. Einert. Jenkins. Palmer.
Robertson, Waselues
Clark. Cox, Edmonston. Franklin
Sissom. Wood
U of A Grad Student, Dan Coody
I. The February 4, 1991 meeting minutes approval will be at
the March 18, 1991 meeting.
II.
PARK EVALUATIONS
Park evaluation forms are due at the March 18, 1991
meeting.
DONATED TREE PROJECTS
The Northside Rotary Club donated 25 large Saw Tooth Oak
Trees and helped plant them on the south side of Gulley
Park. Anderson commented that the Parks maintenance
staff did a wonderful job planting the trees.
Jim Lindsey donated 100 Red Maple and Bradford Pear
Trees. Fifty-nine of these trees have been planted in
various parks to date.
III. OTHER BUSINESS
Waselues reported that the University of Arkansas
ankellen(cJ will set up a meeting to discuss Adopt -A -Park.
Waselues also reported that the Chamber of Commerce
Advertising and Promotions Committee might help with
funding of Park brochures and the Square Gardens.
Waselues also stated she would like to challenge civic
clubs to donations for Gulley Park. Palmer said a
picture should be taken to advertise the challenge.
IV. NATURE PARK DISCUSSION
Robertson- I talked with John Merrell. Merrell said he
had no problem if the PRAB waited until their next
meeting to make a formal recommendation.
Jenkins- Will our recommendation be binding?
Robertson- No. nothing we do is binding because we are an
Advisory Board.
PRAB PAGE 2
Palmer- Why was the public meeting given to the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board? After we have given a new
recommendation tonight, will the City Board of Directors
take immediate action?
Robertson- They will have our recommendation by March 18,
therefore, this item should make the April City Board
meeting.
Anderson- Scott Linebaugh thought this was for the PRAB
since it would be parks property.
Robertson- Scott also thought since there were new
members on the Board from when the issue first came up.
it would be good for new members to reassess it.
Palmer- Was the Board aware that the Parsons came before
the PRAB a few meetings ago and no action was taken. We
didn't think any actions should be taken.
Alexander- We did make a formal recommendation back when
we were asked to. did we not? It stated that we did not
want to maintain this property.
Yes. it is in the April and May minutes from the PRAB
meeting.
It stated in the discussion with the recommendation that
maintenance would be close to impossible with the current
budget.
Einert- I think it is quite appropriate for the PRAB to
have this meeting since it mightbe park land. City
Board meetings get to be public meetings if public
meetings are not scheduled. This is a chance to exercise
our right to listen to the community.
Alexander- Is the City Board not hearing our
recommendations or are we just not giving the right ones?
Anderson- Maybe they want to wait on a recommendation
until after the public meeting.
Robertson- They want us to make a recommendation based on
the public input from the meeting.
Palmer- This issue seems like it is after the fact. It
has been hashed around and is finally presented as a
public meeting. What is our objective tonight?
Anderson- Our objective does not seem to be if we can
finance it but if it is a need in our community.
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PRAB PAGE 3
Palmer- Do we have an overall master plan?
Edmonston- Yes, we do. First, we look at the master plan
to see if the area is in a priority need area and second,
we look at the park characteristics, its site and
surroundings. This master plan is from 1978. A new
master plan should be completed this year.
Robertson- I would like to know City Staff's basis on
their recommendation to possibly purchase this land if it
does not follow the master plan.
Anderson- There is no doubt in any of our minds that this
should. be green space, but is it reasonable that we can
afford it and that the money should not be spent on
better things?
Alexander- We need to go into the meeting to hear the
public with no preconceived outcome. After the meeting
we will talk with City Staff and find out what they want
from the PRAB at that point.
Palmer- There is a memo from John Merrell stating choices
of recommendations that the PRAB could possibly make.
Anderson- Our recommendation needs to be strictly from
parks needs. Is this the best way to spend the money or
is there a better use for the money?
Einert- The Parks Dept. never buys property anyway. the
City does. Would Planning have any input in a purchase
of this land?
Robertson- No, they are only involved in the rezoning
issues.
Anderson- The only people deciding on the purchase would
be the City Board. We don't need to worry about finances
or rezoning, they only want our recommendation on parks
needs.
Palmer- Why does the staff of the Planning Department
recommend us to recommend to the City Board to buy the
land if they have no input on the purchase?
Robertson- It seems if we concur with the purchase. City
Staff will find the money.
Einert- Basically, the public voice is coming through us
tonight.
PRAB PAGE 4
Alexander- Why did the City not take this public meeting
on -themselves?
Parks Staff- We would not want this established as a park
without our input.
Anderson- I have a delicate issue to discuss. What is
your involvement Mark with this issue?
Robertson- I made it perfectly clear at the City Board
meeting that I was not representing the PRAB. I was
asked by the Trust for Public Land to make a graphic
presentation of what options could be used for this
property.
Palmer- Were you paid?
Robertson- Yes. I was paid.
Anderson- I'm not attacking you, but I'm concerned that
with you being involved with two different positions, it
will get mixed up.
Robertson- Basically, right now I'm just gathering
information so I don't see any conflicts with it.
Palmer- Do you feel that when it comes to a vote. it
might be misconstrued?
Robertson- We'll cross that bridge when it comes to it.
The pay just covered my expenses.
Einert- Some of us may be members of the PTO and we are
PRAB members and do not get paid for either. Hopefully.
the public would know that we are volunteering our time
for the public good. My name is on that drawing. also.
I work for a lot of people in the City. This is my
business. I would hope my business would not conflict
with this.
Anderson- I know when Michael Green was elected to City
Board, many of his projects had to be terminated. There
is an ordinance that covers this for the City Board. It
is really hard not to see a conflict of interest with
this. I feel comfortable since I know you personally
that you will do what you feel is right.
Robertson- My involvement right now is done. I will
determine at the time of voting if I need to abstain from
voting or not.
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PRAB PAGE 5
Coody- Robertson was not our first choice for the
drawing. We needed someone at the last minute and he
said he would do it. He did not approach the Trust for
Public Land. they approached him. I personally don't see
a conflict of interest. If anyone at the public meeting
brings up the rezoning issue, tell them that is not the
intent of the meeting. This meeting is for the PRAB to
make a recommendation to the City Board of Directors.
Jenkins- Have any monies been donated towards this
purchase?
Coody- Yes. but not a lot. If we pay the price off by
years, we might could have fund raisers every year to
raise money.
Jenkins- Is there anyone right now willing to donate a
large sum of money?
Coody- No, but these people have not been approached yet.
Waselues- Who would maintain the visitor's center.
Coody- Not Parks. it could be A & P.
Anderson- Is ,the Trust for Public Land a new
organization?
Coody- Yes.
Alexander- I noticed that some land might be given to the
School?
Coody- Yes, this is an attempt to alleviate the traffic
problem at Leverett School.
NATION:PALMER/RINERT
The PRAB meeting adjourned at 6:56
MOTION APPROVED UNANTMODSLY 7-0.
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Minutes Approved:
Secretary
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