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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. 8.36 • 8.37 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. 8.38 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. • Minutes Approved: Secretary 8.39