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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-09 - MinutesPRAB REGULAR MEETING MARCH 9, 1992 The meeting was called to order by Steve Alexander at 5:30 room 326 of the City Administration Building. Members Present: Staff Present: Guests Present: Media Present: BUSINESS: Alexander, McConnell, p.m. in Anderson, Jenkins, Palmer, Waite, Waselues Clark, Cox, Edmonston Hal Brown, Jack Kreie, Winston Watson, U of A Student LeAnn Connors, Jeff Koenig Mark Minton - Morning News Simpson, Floyd Crawley, Frank I. MOTION:JENKINS/MCCONNEL The minutes from the February 24, 1992 PRAB meeting were approved unanimously 6-0. II. DAVIS PARK EASEMENT Harry Gray, Northwest Engineers, presented the proposal from Resolution Trust Company for the City to assist in half of the construction of a street for an easement to Davis Park. RE/MAX submitted the proposal which included the following: 1. City to pay half of the construction cost of Cornell Street as an easement from Salem Road to Davis Park. The City's cost would be $10,933 ( 1/2 of total cost of $21,865) 2 City to pay the cost of the park street from Cornell Street to Princeton Street at $22,500. 3 RE/MAX would pay for the extension of Columbia Avenue from Princeton Street to Yale Street for $17,600. An easement would need to be granted across park property. MOTION:JENKINS/WAITE The PRAB recommends to the City Board of Directors to accept the proposal for the Davis Park easement. DISCUSSION: Larry Palmer and David McConnell stated that they supported the proposal because an easement to the park is needed, but wanted the motion to include that the construction of the street would not be taken from the Parks budget or the Green Space account. MOTION APPROVED 5-2 (PALMER AND MCCONNELL NAY) PRAB Page 2 III. LAKE FAYETTEVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY CENTER Dr. Winston Simpson. School Superintendent- Scott Linebaugh approached Jerry Rose in the summer of 1991 to investigate if the resolutions with the schools could be rewritten. Rose said they could, so Linebaugh wrote Simpson to see if some of the Environmental Study area could be used for other uses. Simpson placed the issue on the January 1992 School Board agenda. This PRAB meeting is the first opportunity for the school employees to meet with City representatives. Hal Brown, Fayetteville Environmental Stu•y Teacher- The center was started in 1974 with a grant that provided classrooms, lab, pontoon boat, docking, and nature trails. This center is an "intense" nature study. Any alterations in the usual environment can affect the nursery areas. Presently, there are wood ducks, deer, and geese populations living there. The main problems of the. Center are vandals and breaks in fences that allow people to drive motorized vehicles on the grounds. Any development on the property will cause drainage into the Lake and will affect its quality. The area is wheelchair accessible, has nature trails, and the public can come in on foot. Groups such as the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and Hyland Trails use the center. There are also some daycamp groups that use the center. Jogging trails could possibly impact the nature area. The areas mowed by City employees are good for students to perform activities in, but are not good for the wildlife. This center is unique for school systems in this area. Edmonston- Would jogging trails work at all? Brown- If they are on the total perimeter. We can work with you and professionals from the University to see exactly what impact a trail would have on wildlife. Floyd Watson Springdale Environmental Study Teacher- The schools appreciate the City letting us use this land. There are many people that use the center that are never publicized, such as students from out of state and occasionally out of the U.S. IV. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEE Frank Connors, Chairman of the Committee- clarified that the committee is merely looking for possibilities of land for a municipal golf course. Lake Fayetteville would be an ideal spot because the City already owns the land, it is easily accessible by two cities, and is a beautiful area. If the South side of the lake were considered, it would be of Scottish design which is 9 holes up the course and 9 back down. For an 18 hole golf course, at least 150 to 200 acres is needed. The Chamber does not want to affect the Study Center in any way. PRAB Page 3 Three survey facts about golfing: 1. The average population that plays golf is ten percent, in Arkansas it is five percent. 2. Arkansas is the number one nation for private golf courses requiring memberships (municipal is less expensive) 3. Public golf course users in the country include 79.2 percent of the golfing population. Some municipal courses have failed, some have done well. Edmonston- Who would it be ran by? Connors- Most successful courses are owned by City but contracted out to a professional golf management service. This usually creates more profit because that is the job of these private services. Jeff Koenig- This is a high priority concern for our community. The Chamber would act as a catalyst. Right now only the location is needed, details can be worked out later. Clark- Industrial Park is an area to look at. Anderson- Will the Chamber help with financing. Koenig- Yes they will help with fundraising, but not until the land is earmarked. This meeting is directed to see if there is any available park land. If there is not, then we will find other land. Connors- If there are any available sites, please let us know. There could be additional land the Chamber would privately purchase. Golf is a money making producer, whereas parks are not. VI. GREEN SPACE Northwest Acres Estates Owner/Developer: James Moore Location: N. side of Hwy 16 W. (West of Spedee Mart) Park District: NW Number of Units: 16 Duplexes Land Dedication: .64 acres Money in Lieu: $5,760 MOTION:JENKINS/WAITE The PRAB recommends to the Planning Commission to accept money, $5,760, in lieu of land for the green space requirement for Northwest Acres Estates. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 6-0 VII. PARKS MASTER PLAN Clark reported that staff met with NWA Regional Planning Commission and that public meetings will be planned in the near future. The new parks plan will entail 15 to 18 years. The current plan has proven to be fairly accurate up to the present time. • PRAB Page 4 VIII. SWEETSER CONCRETE DONATION This item is tabled. IX. PARK ALTERNATE FUNDING This item is tabled. X. SWEETBRIAR PARK RENAME PROPOSAL This item is tabled. XI. GULLEY PARK RECREATION CENTER SURVEY RESULTS MOTION:JENKINS/WAITE The PRAB recommends to table this item until the next meeting. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 6-0 OTHER BUSINESS: Palmer would like a sign identifying Gulley Park on Old Wire Road. Anderson requested a master plan of Gulley Park to be weatherproof (such as plexiglass) and placed in the park for viewing. NOTION:JENKINS/WAITE The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Minutes Approved: Secretary