HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-05-18 - MinutesPRAB REGULAR MEETING MAY 18,. 1992 The meeting was called to order by Steve Alexander room 326 of the City Administration Building. Members Present: Staff Present: Guests Present: Media Present: BUSINESS: Alexander, McConnell, 5:30 Anderson, Einert, Palmer, Waite, Waselues p.m. in Jenkins, Clark, Cox, Edmonston Ruby Johnson Mary Beth Lohr, Terry Wood (NWA Times) I. MOTION:PALMER/WAITE The minutes from the May 4, 1992 PRAB meeting were approved unanimously 7-0, with the corrections to Other Business: Palmer was not the one who requested foot patrol for Walker Park and on Item IV: it was not stated that the street would need to be widened to provide diagonal parking along Block Street. II. WALKER PARK Clark discussed Ruby Johnson's proposal with the City Attorney. The three options are to sell the 40 ft x 50 ft area of land to Ruby Johnson, to write an agreement for Ms. Johnson to use the land and in return have the option of purchasing the property if she decides to sell it, or the City could purchase the land now if Ms. Johnson is willing and allow her a lifetime lease on the land. Clark's recommendation is the option of allowing Ms. Johnson to use the land and to provide a fence for her protection. DISCUSSION: Jenkins: Should we wait until the parking lot is platted before we make a decision? We should install the fence before the parking lot. Would future owners have same right-of-way to the land? No, and we have the right of first refusal if she decides to sell the land. Clark: Einert: Clark: MOTION:PALMER/WAITE To adopt staff recommendation to allow Ruby Johnson a 40' x 150' non -transferable usage easement to her property. The City will be responsible for installing a six foot chain link fence. The City will have the first option to purchase the land at the appraised value. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0 Anderson: Clark: Jenkins: Clark: PRAB Page 2 Would the land be worth more if it were ever zoned commercial? We would get it at the appraised price and we would have ample notice if rezoning were ever to occur. • Can Ms. Johnson transfer her rights? No III. GREEN SPACE Garland Gardens Owner/Developer: Joe Fred Starr Location: E of Garland & N of Poplar Street Park District: Northwest Units: 40 2 -bedroom apts & 20 1 -bedroom apts. Land Dedication: 1.2 acres Money in Lieu: $10,800 MOTION: JENKINS/MCCONNELL The PRAB recommends to the Planning Commission to accept money, $10,800, in lieu of land for the green space requirement for Garland Gardens. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0 IV. WALKER PARK ARCHITECT Anderson reported that the selection committee met to review the four firms that submitted proposals for the Walker Park .Donated Land Development. The firms consisted of Callans & Associates, Riggins & Brittenum, Mark Robertson, and MESA. They were rated on past record of performance, proximity, and familiarity with the area. Callans & Associates were selected and a contract will be negotiated. DISCUSSION: Alexander:This process is the way of choosing the architect that would do the best job and hopefully the price will not be too high. Clark: You cannot base this solely on price for these kinds of services. McConnell:How do we know if the price is right there is only one bid? Alexander:There are people on staff that are qualified to know. Einert: The landscape architects submitted a statement of qualification for the whole city to use not just for a specific purpose. Palmer: It seems with competitive bidding, we would get more for our money. Is this procedure the law? Alexander:If we do not like their price, we tell them Anderson: The design fee is a small part of the project, we need the firm that will do the best job. Alexander:This PRAB Page 3 is not our decision. It Edmonston:There will be two to three two to three presentations presentation to the City contract is approved. Were the firms present or just credentials? The current firm is working on two other parks projects. That came up in the selection. They will have sixty days to complete the contract. Einert: Alexander: OTHER BUSINESS: is a city policy. public meetings, to PRAB, and a Board before a their still Clark reported that the Walker Park parking lot should be completed in three weeks. The ditches have been dug and fill dirt has been brought in. Anderson commented that Bill Whitfield has offered to donate some fill dirt if needed. Clark reported to Palmer that the possibility of diagonal. parking along Block Street at Walker Park had been considered, and it would cost more than the present plan because of the excavation that would have to be done. Comments on the Vegetation Management Plan public meeting were as follows: DISCUSSION: Anderson: We had a new $22,000 soccer field at Asbell completed last year. With the herbicide ban, the field is not much anymore. Einert: Who will decide what is "necessary?" Edmonston:With the effects we have seen, what will happen in another year? Alexander:We need a committee to analyze document so we can take action. Palmer: Does the City Board have the final say on the plan? Edmonston:Yes. Clark: Sports organizations need to voice what they can and cannot live with in the plan. Edmonston:It would be great to be chemical free, but it is not realistic. Clark: The committee had suggested to have volunteers to pull weeds, but volunteers are very hard to get. Waite: We do not need to attack this issue, just show the impact it will have. i.e. If the public wants ballfields, this is what will have to be done. PRAB Page 4 TURF GRASSES: 30% .infestation of weeds is not acceptable, spot spraying is more hazardous, need to spray weeds at the beginning of the season before the children are on them rather than wait until the children are playing on the fields. POISON IVY: Must be controlled. Alexander received a letter from Jeanie Hill thanking the PRAB for deciding not to use Gulley Park. The PRAB will look for an alternative site but did not state that Gulley Park had been totally rejected as a possibility. Clark received a letter from Dr. Simpson, Superintendent of the Fayetteville Public Schools stating they would meet about the possibility of placing the recreation center on school property located in Crossover Park. MOTION:JENKINS/MCCONNELL The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Minutes Approved: Secretary