HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-05-02 - Minutes• • • PRAB REGULAR MEETING MAY 2, 1994 The meeting was called to order by Susan Driver at 5:30 pm in room 219 of the City Administration Building. Members Present: Bell, Driver, James, Kimbrough, Waite Members Absent: Savage, Wright Staff Present: Clark, Cox, Edmonston, Jan Simco Media Present: Beth Finzer, Ron Wood Guests Present: Walker Park - Pete Jenkins, Ila Campbell, Stephan Miller, AR Baseball Association - Gordon Hart, Terry Gulley, David Beall I. MOTION:JAMES/WAITE The minutes from the April 4, 1994 and April 19, 1994 PRAB Meetings were approved unanimously 5-0. II. PRAB COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Facilities: Waite (Chair), Kimbrough, James, Savage Budget: Kimbrough (Chair), Bell, Waite, Wright Program/PR: Savage (Chair), Bell, James, Wright Chamber of Commerce Developer's Sub -Committee: Wright III. WALKER PARK EXPANSION PROJECT: PETE JENKINS Jenkins: I have been involved with the youth baseball here for many years. I am representing myself, and in a fashion the Bambino Association. I am not directly representing the Association. I have talked with Dennis Kelly. My number one reason for being here is safety. A child was hit three or four weeks ago by a car. The other reason is lack of space with no look of improvements. I want to compliment you on the restrooms. They were badly needed. Also the restrooms in the concession stand have been cleaned up. You also helped with the lights on field #7 and groundwork prior to the season. Baseball ages 6-12 are only the ages the play at Walker Park. We have 76 teams with 988 players. There were children turned away. In 1990 and 1991 there were presentations made to this board and City Board for improvements to Walker Park. These figures I just told you are the projections we had for 1998. We have surpassed the projections for 1994. We have limited enrollment. We are four or five years • PRAB Page 2 behind where we should be. Last year there were over 7300 volunteer hours not counting scorekeepers and mothers watching kids. That is over $31,000 at minimum wage plus our expenditures at $40,000. This is just from the Association's funds. We are saving the City almost $100,000 a year by providing youth baseball though the Bambino Association. If we did not do it, who would? We feel like we are doing the community a real justice by promoting the youth through baseball. What happened to the Walker Park expansion plan that was approved in October 1992 by City Board. There were nine public meetings, lots of public input, and the plan met lots of criteria by several organizations which was ultimately approved by City Board. As far as I know that was the end of it. In the recommended projects for 1994, I see a sports complex and a new parking lot at Walker. Here is a copy of the approved plat by the City Board. This land became available through an estate settlement. The Walkers gave us the first opportunity to purchase this land for parks. There were objections by some member of the public to cutting the undergrowth, and some stated the land was not large enough for fields. But hundreds of people decided this was a good option. This plan was not created with haphazard numbers pulled out of the air. There were other options compared to this. The primary reason for buying this land was for youth baseball and soccer. There was an architectural plan paid for this design. What happened to it? This land is sitting down there doing nothing while our kids do not have enough space. This plan was in phases. Phase I was to remove 13th and Block street that run through the park, and install parking lots there. This is also an ideal place for the Senior Citizens center. There are lots of kids running across the street full of cars with no place to park the cars. This is a well laid out plan. We need to get the streets moved and fields in there. If the City gives us the reigns on most things, we will get it done. However, for this project, we need the City's help. We need to know we can follow the plat. I am requesting the Parks Board to find out. Driver: Your facts sound straight. We need to have some comments from PRAB members. • • • Bell: Waite: Driver: Jenkins: Waite: Edmonston Simco: Kimbrough Jenkins: Clark: Edmonston Kimbrough Edmonston Jenkins: PRAB Page 3 What happened to this plan, Dale? We had a change of City Government and we acquired Lewis Property. The funding for this plan was held up by City Administration. There is not much that can be done to build baseball fields until we take care of soccer fields at Lewis Street. City said to hold Walker until Lewis and Sports Park came about. We were advised those streets were not coming out. The street were built with Community Development funds and could not come out. When was this grant to build the streets? I remember the grant for the fields. There were two grants. We cleared the land, leveled the land and created fields. Community Development funds built Block Street. :Jan, how does this work? Once the streets are completed the City owns the streets and can decide what to do with the streets. :Back in late 1993 when were developing the CIP recommendations to the City Council, we had several thousand dollars for Walker Park. When the final CIP list came back from City Administration, Walker Park money was taken out of 1994 CIP and in its place was a $75,000 sports complex. When Kevin Crosson attended a meeting, we asked about this change. The information we got was that if the sports complex did not come about, we could still allocate that money to Walker Park. We asked if it could be allocated back to Walker Park. Where is this parking lot that is in the 1994 CIP? Is it in the flood plain? The horseshoe pits are there. :I think the lot was planned in the Walker Park Expansion across from the pavilion. With the restrooms coming in higher than we had budgeted, we did borrow some of that funding. :What was the original amount requested for Walker Park? :Between $100,000 and $150,000. The total for this project was $1,500,000 for everything the architect put in the plan. Baseball is five years behind the projection and next thing we know we will be ten years behind. Our program used to be the envy of the state and now we are not because of the crowding. Action needs to be taken now. No PRAB Page 4 one wants their child to get run over. PRAB and City Board acted at that time and now nothing has been done. We can't come up with million and half dollars. We are bound down right now. There were other buyers for the property. With the Baseball and soccer associations, we promoted this sale. We showed the need for the property and that is why it was purchased by the City. It is probably worth more now than what we paid for it. It is up to you and the City Board. Campbell: I have worked with Pete and concerned parents about the facilities. There is also Babe Ruth, Soccer, and Girl's softball to be concerned about. There is a situation with girl's softball fields. Why can't we get a million and half. Harrison did. Harrison has teams from Wyoming, Idaho, and other places that come and spend a week for tournaments. I don't know that much about finances but it is done in other cities. Fayetteville is a progressive city. Springdale and Rogers have complexes. Even Siloam Springs is building a new complex. There is a lot of talk about gang task forces. Well, sports is a great way to spend our money to help this problem. Why can't Fayetteville do this? It has been neglected. I am not trying to lay blame or look at the past but look at what we can do in the future. We need to all come together in a marriage and produce something. Fayetteville is booming on the Northeast side of town. There are 65 houses going in by Root School. My interest is my children and my future grandchildren. I ask that you all not say it cannot be done. It is being done all over our state. Bell: Ms. Campbell is right and Pete Jenkins is right. I am concerned about the child that was hit. I talked to Springfield Parks and we need to take a big step. I would like to receive authorization by this board to start a fundraising campaign. We could go to Wal - mart, etc. Dennis said the problem is having two Major Bambino complexes. This would cost $250,000. I want to implement this fundraising campaign in conjunction with the youth organizations. Kimbrough:We have had no guidance on this plan. We were told it was put on hold by City staff or the City Council. We can't move forward on this without finding out more. PRAB Page 5 Campbell: We were told in would be very expensive to build baseball fields on the terrain at Walker Park. If this is true, would it be possible to sell this land as a source of income for another location? Waite: Lots of people wanted it natural and they would not be for selling natural land. Campbell: It was my understanding that the purpose of this land was to improve Walker Park facilities. Waite: Improve Walker facilities means lots of things. It includes expansion of baseball, soccer, Senior Citizens center, and nature trails. This was the purpose. Campbell: When the land was purchased baseball was the purpose. The City does not have 200,000 to throw away on land. I don't want to cut down trees. But I would take my child's interest before a tree anytime. Driver: We have gotten the impression that Walker is on hold until we find out about the Sports Complex. That money does remain in our budget for fields. We need to know whether to resolve it with City Board or can staff mandate it. I see the money is there and can move forward. I don't know if the streets are the only hold up. Clark: We have construction of two soccer fields pending at Lewis Street. I think the money is there to expand. I don't think I have the power to spend it. We can build more soccer fields to relieve pressure. It will be fall or winter before these are completed. Funding is there for two fields and parking at Lewis. We can't add baseball at Walker without removing a soccer field. Waite: Going in with an incremental fashion is the only way to change over soccer and baseball fields. You can't implement this plan as it was phased in with a minimum of $600,000. Rimbrough:You can still phase it in by removing two soccer fields and adding baseball fields. Jenkins: We have an agreement with soccer for one of their fields now. The way it lays there you might get three baseball fields in two soccer fields. That would meet the projections but what would that do to soccer? James: A trade out. Edmonston:We need to have soccer's input. They don't believe Lewis will meet their total needs. There are irrigation pipes on the fields at • Driver: Clark: Jenkins: Campbell: Driver: Clark: Driver: Kimbrough Jenkins: Driver: Kimbrough Bell: Waite: Clark: Kimbrough PRAB Page 6 Walker Park. We finally have decent soccer fields at Walker Park. How do you see us being able to proceed with further development at Walker Park. We need to get a clear picture from City Council and Administration. We would have to meet with them and ask them. I have not talked to any Council members. I thought it was pretty much taken care of in 1991. I did not hear anything negative after the plat was approved. It is time to do something. I see genuine effort from you but let's not wait another three years. I talked to Mayor Hanna and he sent me to you. It sounds like we are back to the City Attorney's question. What authority do we have? This Board needs to discuss this and have a plan. The budget committee should meet and make a plan. :We need clarification from City Council before we can proceed much further. Is there an avenue? This was put on hold at the request of City Council. Fundraising would be a mission without a cause until we find out. If you have a copy of meeting's minutes before the plan was approved, we said we would do a lot ourselves. Many said they would donate. We need a formal budget request for clarification from City Council on Walker Park and we need the City Attorney's proposal on fundraising. There are lots of things on the table. :We need to get clarification before we can move forward. City Council is looking at one fourth to one half cent sales tax for CIP's. There is also $378,000 in the A & P budget. People keep reminding me of this money. They want types of proposals for the ballot in November. We don't really have a workable plan now that Lewis has five soccer fields going in. Is it still advisable to take the streets out? You could put four baseball fields in there without closing streets. If you don't get parking in there at same time you add fields and close streets you are dead. The Facilities Committee needs to meet with representatives from the Soccer Association. :We need to catch up before we can plan too far in the future. Jenkins: Waite: Kimbrough: Waite: Driver: PRAB Page 7 If you will just give us the room. One of the primary motives for quick action was the thirteen year old program which is still lacking. The Facilities Committee needs to meet with Soccer Association and Baseball Association in small numbers so we can get something done. This might be at the expense of soccer fields. Don't say at the expense of soccer. Soccer will gain two fields, and baseball will gain two or three fields. It is the timing. To do it this way we will eliminate two fields. There is a critical year or two there where soccer will stay the same. I suggest we have two subcommittee meetings. if you will coordinate those. Thank Jenkins. Connie, you Mr. IV. GREEN SPACE ORDINANCE PROPOSAL This document will be reviewed at the May 9, 1994 Planning Commission meeting and forwarded to the City Council's May 17, 1994 meeting. Park staff documented criteria that is used to decide if a land dedication would be required. Please review and make corrections to the following established criteria: Criteria for Requiring a Land Dedication 1. Physical characteristics of the site and its surroundings make the site suitable for a park. 2. The location of the land must be consistent with the Fayetteville Parks Master Plan. a. Review Parks Map Number 13 if the park is located within a priority 1, 2, or 3 area. b. Review the Needs Assessment of Neighborhoods to compare the 1990 and 2010 park acre needs to the existing park acres. 3. Consider the density and acreage of the subdivision. 4. Review location to other city parks. 5. A street or road must lead to the park. 6. Consider feasibility and cost of maintenance to the park. 7. Consider developmental cost of the park. DISCUSSION: Driver: Why does Number five on page two of agenda say street or road must lead to the park? Clark: The reason for this is to mow and maintain, we must have access for park equipment. • PRAB Page 8 Edmonston:At Davis Park we ended up paying for half a road and the street in front of the park. When people say why aren't you developing your park. Well the money is in the street. Some cities even say water and sewer must come up to park land. We don't want property out in the middle of a field with no access. Plus people won't have to go through people's yards to get to the park. Driver: Does anyone see any problems with the fourth draft of the ordinance? MOTION:KIMBROUGH/BELL The PRAB approves the fourth draft of the green space ordinance. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 5-0 V. ARKANSAS PARKS AND TOURISM 1995 LWCF GRANT It is time to start work on submittal of the 1995 grant application to Arkansas Parks and Tourism. During the past two years, we have been very fortunate in receiving $25,000 in 1993 for the development of Gulley Park and $25,000 in 1994 for Lake Fayetteville South Park. Northwest Regional Planning Office has consented to write the grant. With the rapid growth in the Walnut Grove Addition, Parks staff recommends that the grant be written to develop Davis Park according to the established master plan. A public meeting would need to be held at Davis Park before June 20 to qualify for the grant. PRAB needs to approve if the Parks would like to apply and which project. Discussion: Driver: We need to hold a meeting on site before June 20. We need to set a time. Clark: I suggested Davis Park primarily because development needs to take place. There are other parks, but we are behind on Davis. The neighborhood is fully developed. It would be next year before this would be approved, however we do have some plans we will proceed with. This would make a big impact. What is the amount of the grant? We request the maximum amount which is $50,000. They usually trim it down. Is this matching funds? Could the matching funds come from Green Space? Yes. Driver: Edmonston: Driver: Clark: PRAB Page 9 MOTION:BELL/WAITE The PRAB approves the grant application to be sent to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for Davis Park. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 5-0 Edmonston:The second or third week of June would be the best. Bell: What happened to the U of A student with the working on the Davis Park structure? Clark: Some of the people donating material backed out on her, so I have not heard from her. Driver: Did she modify her plan and bring it to you? Also, the U of A is doing a design on Lake Wilson. The meetings are Monday May 2 and Wednesday May 4 between 1:30 and 4:00 at the Union, room 311. The third year students are using lake Wilson as their project. VI. PARKS MASTER PLAN The Parks Master Plan 17, 1994 City Council will be discussed at May 10, 1994 at 4:30 has been submitted to be on the May meeting for approval. The proposal the City Council agenda session on p.m., City Hall room 326. Discussion: Driver: Do we need to go to the agenda session? Edmonston:It would probably be a good idea. VII. FALL BASEBALL PROPOSAL Hart: We are members of the Arkansas Ball Baseball Association. We want to put on a fall program from August to October for youth from ages 9 through 12. We just want the approval to use the facilities. We have talked with the Bambino Association, and have their approval. There will be a 9 and 10 year old and 11 & 12 year old division. There will be eleven teams minimum in each division and utilize four of the larger fields. Driver: Would this be open to all public? Hart: It would run similar to classic soccer with a select group of kids that walk, eat, and sleep baseball. It would be higher skill levels. Are there other towns doing this? This would be the first in Northwest Arkansas. Last year we had to go to Talequah, Oklahoma. Would this just be Fayetteville youth? Bell: Hart: James: • • • • Hart: Driver: Hart: Driver: Hart: Edmonsto Hart: Driver: Hart: Bell: Hart: Kimbroug Hart: Gulley: James: Beall: James: PRAB Page 10 We would start with Fayetteville Youth. If we need more kids, we would fill additional slots from out of town so each league would play 20 games. It will be $40 a child. Will this require field maintenance? We will maintain fields, take care of concessions, and pay for lighting. The Parks will only have to mow which they are doing. Are there other sports going on? We just want to give kids that truly love baseball a place to go. There are a few other sports like football going on then. n:Any child interested would go through a draft? No. We would ask the coaches to pick their teams. Most kids that want to play should get to play. They will play teams from this area. No traveling expenses? All games will be played at Walker. I might bring a team from Prairie Grove for them to play. I don't see any problem with this. We turn away kids. What if kids turn up for this fall program? I understand. The skill level will be higher. Probably someone that just wants to play ball will not want to go to this higher skill level. In Talequah they did not have this problem. I would like to guarantee that everyone that wants to play can. h:How many coaches do you have? We currently have 7 or 8 coaches and it has not been publicized yet. That is why we are coming early so we can go to the coaches and let them know about this program. We want to get the Parks Board okay first. We will have little different rules like Babe Ruth. There will be stealing, etc. There is a huge jump from Bambino to Babe Ruth. This will help the transition. There is a big drop off of children when transferring from Bambino to Babe Ruth. There is such a jump in skill level. We want to help these kids. What about the kid that is eliminated from the fall league but wants to play Babe Ruth? Will he be that much more behind? You have coaches that want more skill or not. So a kid won't be excluded. There will be a place for him in this program. • • Gulley: Bell: Clark: Kimbrough: Driver: Gulley: Driver: Gulley: Waite: Edmonston: Gulley: Waite: Gulley: Hart: Edmonston: Gulley: Beall: James: Gulley: Hart: Beall: Gulley: James: PRAB Page 11 Right, We are just trying to treat this different than summer ball. We vote for twelve all stars, but what about number thirteen that may actually be better than the others. This is just a fact of life. Do we have any scheduled maintenance after the summer season for backstops, etc? We won't have money until the first of the year. What other sports are there during this time? Soccer and football. This doesn't differ much from classic soccer? It is a lot more expensive for soccer than this. We ran through every opportunity that we might go in the hole. It is an experimental thing. We might come back next summer and make changes to correct it. Is eleven teams the magic number or can there be more? Yes, there can be more. How many classic teams are there? There are different levels of classic teams. If we only get five teams from Fayetteville, we will fill from the outside. Do we need to hear from the summer Bambino people? We have four or five people from their board on our board. It should help the summer program. Talequah's enrollment rose each year. They used the fall program to enhance the summer program. You will have pretty good rules set for picking teams? The Board will decide if there are any problems. The kids will fill out the forms. How will you handle forms? They have to turn in birth certificates. The coaches are responsible for obtaining accurate birth certificates, kids behaviors, and coached behaviors. We as a board act toward that coach if need be. We require two board members at all games to settle problems or disputes. We will try to settle all problems immediately. The fees will just be enough to break even. The coach will be responsible for equipment and uniforms. There is no other expense for the kids. Who pays light bill? • • • PRAB Page 12 Edmonston:Youth baseball pays it so it will be between youth baseball and them. Driver: I would like to try this and have you come back and let us know how this went. Clark: I would like them to try it. Give us a copy of the rules and a review at the end of the season. MOTION:BELL/KIMBROUGH The PRAB approves the Arkansas Ball Fall Baseball program for 1994 with a review at the end of the season. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 5-0 Kimbroug Beall: James: Gulley: VIII. WALKER Simco: h:Baseball gets narrowed down really easily. By the time you get to older ages there is only a handful playing. There should be some compromise between competition level and bringing in as many kids as you can. We are losing a lot of kids between major Bambino to Babe Ruth. Maybe this will prepare them to enjoy it more. Do they need to be on a larger field for stealing etc? We will move the bases back. SR. CITIZEN'S CENTER PROGRESS: JAN SIMCO We will be asking City Council on May 17 to consider grant award to Council on Aging for $375,000 from Community Development Block grant. The Sang Center is bursting at the seams, there is no parking left. This center is needed. The grant we are proposing will be awarded to the Council and they will have full authority to spend that money. There will be an initial $25,000 used to develop a design study, conceptual plan, scale model, and estimate of entire cost. We will then begin raising funds. The remaining $350,000 will probably fund thirty to forty percent of the total cost. With the scale model we can go to the mall and other groups for funding. We want to ensure the center has enough land for the center and the handicapped accessible trail. Stephen Miller said maybe we can use trail funds grants to complete trails. This map is the most recently reported plat on file PRAB Page 13 from the late 60s. This is pretty close to what was drawn on the Walker Park master plan. Once we get the grant approved, we will begin planning and then raise funds. Kimbrough:Has there been any discussion on renovating the house or are we building on to it? Simco: The problem with the building is it is a two story structure. It is worth leaving up. We could use the first floor and maybe the second floor could be used for a caretaker to live on site. We could add on to the house. The Council asked if they could go ahead and lease that property. We said yes and the lease has been signed. Clark: You will continue to use the Sang Avenue Center even after completion? Simco: Yes, we will plan to use Sang as the kitchen facility. The new center will have a kitchen but it will be much smaller. Waite: We have discussed a trail system that might link to the handicap trail. Will this cause a problem? Does it have to be dedicated for this? Simco: No, that is fine. The City will own the facility and the trail once it is built. Clark: We are using the garage for maintenance right now. Simco: There will be Sang staff people moving in and start cleaning up. We want to start using it as soon as possible. Some one will be there at least during the week. Waite: We might want to discuss how parking goes there for dual usage, etc. IX. BUTTERFIELD SCHOOL PARK Butterfield School Park is requesting matching funds for a pavilion/gazebo at their school. In 1993, PRAB approved to spend up to $10,000 in green space funds. Only $5,207 was expended on basketball backboards/goals and playground apparatus. Currently, there is a balance of $56,623 in the Green Space escrow account. Approximately $25,000 is committed to the Gulley Park restrooms, leaving a uncommitted balance of $31,623. Discussion: Driver: What is the figure requested? Edmonston:This is for a 30' x 36' pavilion which is $11,566 with school maintenance providing slab and maintenance. They will match up to half or whatever the PRAB will give. • • PRAB Page 14 Clark: This will go where to pond was drained and filled. They feel a pavilion will be suitably used. It would be used for classes, recreation, and open to the community. There would be tables and benches. Driver: Their original request leaves them shy of what they need. They are requesting the additional amount to match funds. Kimbrough:What did we give them money for? Edmonston:A playground apparatus and basketball backboards. Now they have decided they have to fill the pond area in and they want a pavilion. MOTION:WAITE/JAMES The PRAB approves up to $12,000 to come from northeast park district green space funds for recreational facilities at Butterfield School. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 4-1 (BELL NAY) X. PRAB FACILITIES REPORT ON CREEKWOOD SUBDIVISION MEETING ON APRIL 15, 1994: Susan Driver, Johnny James, Bill Waite, Dale Clark and Connie Edmonston met with Richard Doyle at the Creekwood Subdivision site off of Mount Comfort Road to view the proposed park site. Discussion: Waite: The concept is great. Richard is going to go ahead and put in a park to help sell his subdivision. In 5 acres, they will have trails, putting greens, etc. Five acres is not a whole lot of area but the concept is great. Driver: He seems very dedicated to preserving trees and natural beauty. It does provide a potential linkage for us to Hamestring creek and maybe to Highway 16. We have met with other developers and they are working on securing land to the south. Is there anything we need to do to follow up? Not now. Clark: Driver: Clark: XI. OTHER BUSINESS Driver: I would like a rundown on green space expenditures to be sent with a memo to Frances Langham. • • • PRAB Page 15 Waite: Have you had calls on Jackson Heights? Can we change the title of green space. People think it means don't stack as many houses. That is zoning not green space. We have no authority there. It is more of a parks and recreation ordinance. I would like to get this out to the public. When they see the density on Barrington Parke and Jackson Heights, that is not our green space Driver: I am not sure changing the name would solve the problem. Edmonston:Some cities use the term park impact fees. Waite: We need to get something out whether it is a letter to the editor or an article. Driver: You would be just the man to draft that letter. Waite: Okay, I will draft something. Driver: The City Attorney has drafted a revision of the rezoning ordinance. That is where that belongs. Kimbrough:When you set the budget committee, maybe May 12 or 13, 1994? We have to know what we want before we attempt to pay for it. Waite: We need to wait until we hear from baseball and soccer. It will take a little time to come up with this meeting. I would hope to have it next week. Driver: It would be good to have both of these meetings before the May 16th meeting. Waite: It will be a long meeting. We need to restrict the number of people that show up MOTION:WAITE/BELL The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm