HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-05 - MinutesPRAB
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 5, 1995
Members Present: Driver, James, Mackey, Richard, Savage, Waite
Members Absent: Knight, Mackey, Stone
Staff Present: Clark, Cox, Dugwyler, Heath
Guests Present: Rick Guyton
Media Present: Rusty Garrett
BUSINESS:
The meeting was called to order by Susan Driver at 5:30 pm in room
219 of the City Administration Building.
I. MOTION:JAMES/WAITE
The minutes from the May 1, 1995 meeting were approved
unanimously 5-0
II. Dale Clark introduced Mike Heath, the new Program
Coordinator for the Parks Department.
III. LAKE SEQUOYAH
Guyton: I live right off Hwy 16. My land borders the
city property. I have talked to Dale about the public
use of the property. My home is for sale but I am still
concerned about the use of that land and the river. I
understand the original land owners could use that land
for the past 25 or 30 years as long as the land stayed
within the family. I have seen land sold and used the
same. Two houses down, the owner is leasing his land for
grazing and they use city land also. Seems inappropriate
for land to be used this way. I have had fence knocked
down and trees destroyed by this. It surprises me that
city has not managed this property so it can be better
utilized by the people. There are lots of ducks, deer,
quail, etc. I want to see the city have a plan for the
property that secures these natural resources. I have
seen dead cows floating in the river and junk heaps down
there. I would like to see you look at this property.
It is helter skelter and people do as they choose. I
have called Elkins Police because of poachers. My
concern is that there is a plan for this property in the
future and regulations to be enforced.
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Driver: Have you spoken to the AR Game & Fish?
Guyton: I think Elkins may report to them.
Driver: I hate it that you are moving. We need good
volunteers to head this up. Dale has been working on
this.
Clark: We believe we have researched all these leases
now.
Driver: We plan to send letters to people no longer
having these rights. We could then be in a position to
prosecute.
Guyton: This could be a wonderful wildlife management
area. I have seen students come out and do projects.
When I moved here, I did not realize how great and
beautiful this area is. My major concern is that it is
not being managed at all.
Guyton: Signage would be good. Some hunters did not
realize they were on city property. If people knew
where the boundaries were, I think most sportsmen would
respect that.
IV. GREEN SPACE
Emerald Phase II
Owner/Developer: JB Hays
Location: N of Emerald I, N of Township, E of Hwy 71B
Park District: NE
Units: 3 single family
Acres: 2.13
Land Dedication: .08 acres
Money in lieu: $900
Master Plan: Priority 1, neighborhood 1, 72 existing
acres, 1990 needs 22 to 44 acres, 2010 needs 34 to 68
acres
MOTION:RICHARD/WAITE
The PRAB recommends to the Planning Commission to accept
money, $900, in lieu of a land dedication for the green
space requirement for Emerald Phase II.
MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 5-0
GULLEY PARKING LOT AND WILSON TRAIL UPDATE
Clark: Gulley Park Parking lot has 22 semi -organized
spaces now. We want to present a proposal that still
might not be adequate but would give us 34 spaces and
organize it differently. The other alternative would be
use some parkland. This lot is usually full. I have a
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problem saying 35 spaces is sufficient.
Driver: Mrs. McCann said many of these people that park
live around there. It might help when we complete the
mud creek trail.
Clark: We could use some land in the park.
James: I don't think 12 spaces will solve it. While we
are there go ahead and make enough.
Clark: When church is not in session, they have allowed
us to use their lots. Baptist Church requested no access
there though.
Savage: When I have been there, the park area by the
parking lot is not used much Groups prefer the flatter
area by the second bridge.
Richard: Do we want 150 space to bring more people in
all around the city. What will this do to the nature of
the park?
Driver: I am interested in providing walking access to
this area. I think it would alleviate future parking.
Clark: We classify this a community park so we have to
have some parking. We don't have a formula for deciding
number of spaces.
Len: In our new ordinance there is a certain amount
required for commercial recreation.
Clark: We would like to get this done this summer.
James: Where is the overflow going now?
Richard: They park in a jumble since it is not organized
and makes it hard to get out. I don't see much use of
the church parking lot.
Waite: I have seen a lot of use in the open area.
Richard: Most objections are that neighbors consider
this a walking park. They will object to paving for more
cars.
Clark: Lets wait for the numbers and I will talk to the
church. At Wilson Park, we need to construct a bridge
and complete the trail. It will take 1480 feet to
complete the trail. We are moving it off the street at
the most level spot possible. The bridge and trail will
be accessible and provide accessibility on the concert
area.
Driver: Would it not make sense to put a sidewalk on the
upper side of Louise?
Clark. Maybe, there is a sidewalk on the other side of
the street, but most people want to walk on the park
side. Some places on Louise you would have to have a lot
of buildup.
Driver: I am happy to see it completed.
Clark. It is one of our biggest requests.
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VI. HMR TAX
Driver: I wanted to set a workshop to start assigning
PRAB Members tasks. We need the unfunded capital lists.
I will meet with Chamber of Commerce Development
committee on June 15. Let's meet Thursday, June 8 at
5:00 pm
Len: Some other alderman are chomping at the bit to
support this. What is your time table?
Driver: We are supposed to be on the June 20 City
Council and at the agenda setting session.
Len: That is the 13th.
Driver: We want this issue to be put on the ballot with
backing from Council and the rest will be up to this
board to reach people. We will work on advertising
campaign. We are going to present this in such a way
to make people want to come out and vote.
Waite: It will be heavy on the speakers and open channel
advertising. We will build up to the final 2 or 3 weeks
and then spend the major money from the Trust Fund.
Len: People understand open space is critical. I think
we will get a lot of support.
Driver: The main issue is that parks maintain its
current funding. I think a resolution would be good to
keep our current level with the same level of increase
which is very minimal.
Len: Absolutely, Dale will still have to use his budget
to operate.
Richard: I think the key is unfunded projects.
Len: We need to get open space before development not
play catch up afterwards.
Driver: How do you see the flow of information coming
from the PRAB on the land use plan?
Len: There will be hearings. For example, there will be
a certain number of dwellings built in the next 20 years,
this is how much park space we need. This gives you a
database. I am behind this and the sooner the better.
OTHER BUSINESS
Clark: There is drainage work to be done in the
Greathouse park area. The Corps of Engineers is
responsible for preparing a drainage plan for that area.
Ed Connell: This will involve Cato Springs branch and
town branch ending up at School street. This is a 50/50
project with the City and the Corps. They will control
the project. Both of these streams have a lot of trees
and trash in them. They retain a lot of water not needed
to be retained. By cleaning out channel, we can
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dissipate the water a lot faster. This will help with
flooding problems. This is a permanent easement on
entire channel. The Street Department will be in charge
of maintaining. Minimum of 40 feet across, about 2 or 3
feet on embankment of either side. The burn area is on
the south side of town branch. There is one in park, and
three on other properties.
Driver: Who will be responsible for the sightliness in
the long run?
Connell: The city. The Park is only one part of an
overall project.
Driver: I think it is a wonderful idea.
Waite: What is our situation with the bridge?
Clark: Precarious. It is on the unfunded list.
The next meeting will be on July 3, 1995.
Richard: Are we discussing the Trails coordinator?
Driver: The meeting of Trails Committee next month would
be a good one to attend at 5:00 room 111. The person who
has been retained to do trail design will be there.
MOTION:JAMES/DRIVER
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.
Minutes Approved.
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