HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-23 - MinutesThe meeting was room 326 of the PRAB REGULAR MEETING MARCH 23, 1992 called to order by Steve Alexander City Administration Building. Members Present: Alexander, McConnell, Staff Present: Guests Present: Media Present: BUSINESS: at 5:30 p.m. in Anderson, Einert, Jenkins., Palmer, Waite, Waselues Clark, Cox, Edmonston Jim Hatfield, U of A Student Ron Wood, Tom Sissom LeAnn Crawley I. MOTION:WASELUES/JENKINS The minutes from the March 9, 1992 PRAB meeting were approved unanimously 6-0. II. PARK LAND PROPOSAL Jim Hatfield requested for PRAB to consider purchasing seven acres of land located on Wood Avenue behind the Council on Aging for a nature park. He had offered it to the Council, but they did not have the funds. Mr. Hatfield is requesting $49,000 for the seven acres. PRAB discussed the close proximity of Walker Park being within three blocks, and the current negotiations being made by the City to purchase the Walker property adjacent to Walker Park. PRAB Facilities Committee will visit the property on Monday, March 30 at 5:30 pm and will make a report at the next meeting. This may be a piece of property that Community Development might be interested in due to being located next to Morgan Manor, a low income housing development. III. SWEETBRIAR PARK RENAME Palmer reported that Jerry Sweetser requested for Sweetbriar Park to include his and Eason's name.. MOTION:WAITEJWASELUES The PRAB recommends to install a placque acknowledging the donation of land by the Easons and Sweetsers, but to keep the name of Sweetbriar Park. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 IV. ALTERNATE FUNDING Discussion: Palmer- Would like the Parks to become free standing and would like to know why the library and air museum insurance budget is under the Parks Division. PRAB Page 2 Waite- What action can we take, we have already told City Board at the annual meeting of the idea. Clark- Right now, we are at a comfortable position, we know where we are at and what is expected of us. Einert- Could we ask for our budget to be steady? Clark- Our finances need to be steady, and we need to know that we will not be cut first. Palmer- We don't want to rock the ship but when will the ship fall again? Waite- We could ask for Library to go under a Public Services category. Right now, there is only one level between Parks Director and City Manager. Even if we were on our own, things could change and we could be pushed back where we were. Alexander- We need to be careful not to disrupt how it is running now. Alexander- We need a committee to review possibilities. Palmer- Should we talk to Scott first, who knows if this is the last change. Waselues- If they want to make changes, they will. Clark- Staff will come up with a list of pros and cons of a free standing department. Alexander- Everyone needs to be careful what they say in public so it will not be misconstrued. Alexander- PRAB Budget Committee will meet with staff to review the pro's and con's of becoming a. Department. V. LAKE FAYETTEVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY CENTER There will be a meeting to discuss trails with Hal Brown, Dr. Simpson, Hiland Trails, University, and PRAB on Tuesday, March 24 at 12 noon at Lake Fayetteville. VI. GULLEY PARK RECREATIONAL CENTER SURVEY RESULTS School Asbell Bates Butterfield Happy Hollow Leverett Root Washington Ramay Jr High High School 1 Jefferson Woodland JH TOTAL Enrollment 525 467 631 481 595 529 516 677 ,200 409 800 6,830 Miscellaneous Returns % Returned 34 6% 12 141 45 58 107 35 26 3% 22% 9% 10% 20% 7% 4% 344 29% 13 4% No Returns 815 12% Yes 28(82%) 7(58%) 133(94%) 39(86%) 38(66%) 104(97%) 29(83%) No 5(15%) 3(25%) 5 (4%) 3 (7%) 20(34% 3 (3% 5(14%) 23(89%) 3(12% 257(75%) 77(22%) 8(62%) 3(23%) Maybe 1(3%) 2(17%) 3(2%) 3(7%) 0 0 1(3%) 0 10(3%) 1 (8%) 666(82%) 127(16%) 21(2%) 19 18 1 PRAB Page 3 DISCUSSION: Waite- So we still think we need the Center? Clark- The current facility generates 2,000 to 3,000 people on Saturdays, is Gulley capable of handling the people and the traffic? Anderson- Should we wait for the master plan? The population seems to be going east, maybe a sight east would be better. Waselues- Where would funding come from? Edmonston- We need to remember the importance of upgrading the present Youth Center. Clark- The main comments on the survey were that people were afraid a new center would segregate citizens from the north and south part of town. (i.e. rich and poor) The PRAB will set a meeting with the FYC Board to decide the next step. OTHER BUSINESS GREEN SPACE Spring Creek North Owner/Developer: Park District: Location: Units: Land Dedication: Money in Lieu: Addition Charles Sloan NE N of 45, E of Old Wire 4 single family units .10 acres $900 MOTION: ANDERSON/EINERT The PRAB recommends to the Planning Commission to accept money, $900, in lieu of land for the green space requirement for the Spring Creek North Addition. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 Anderson inquired about getting the Gulley Park Master Plan installed in the Park for people to view. Edmonston reported that the LWCF Grant for Gulley Park was turned down. Some of the cities receiving funding were developing their first ballfield complex. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Minutes Approved: Secretary