HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-06 - Minutes• • • Members Present: Staff Present: Media Present: PRAB SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 6, 1996 Waite, McCutcheon, Ackerman Clark, Dugwyler, Orzek, Nelson Rusty Garrett, Northwest Arkansas Times The purpose of this special meeting was to select a spokesperson and organize a presentation to address the questions ariseing from the July 30, 1996 City Council Agenda Session. Ackerman stated that we should address the concerns, clarify and address any questions the City Council might have. Priorities of the PRAB - There are several different factors which determine the priorities of projects. Dugwyler and Braswell conducted maintenance surveys which determined needs in the parks system. ADA factors also determine priorities. Gender equity played into the development of the girls softball complex because nothing has been done for girls since 1974 at Little Asbell. Dugwyler stated that there will be a demand for fast pitch softball and there would be high utilization of the facilities. There is also the possibility of renting the complex to the high school. Traffic Problems at Proposed Site - There will be traffic because the facilities will be used. The widening of Salem Rd. would alleviate some traffic, and parking would not be a problem. Ackerman stated that traffic problems would be short term and relied on the University of Arkansas sporting events as an example. Waite added that the street widening and addition of sidewalks would make it safer. NMR Dollars Towards Land Acquisition - $50,000 budgeted for land acquisition could serve as a down payment on a particular tract of land. CIP budgets are done yearly to budget for acquisitions. Parks Board/Department Criteria on Spending - Dugwyler stated the National Standard gives us criteria for setting goals and objectives. Clark stated the Master Plan specifically stated weaknesses and the girls softball complex was drawn from there. NWA Regional Planning Commission did the Master Plan and City Council approved it in 1994. Dugwyler also stated that risk assessment also played a role in spending. If playgrounds do not meet national safety standards they will move up on a priority list. Other examples include replacing gas chlorine with tablet chlorine and the replacement of damaged building structures. Clark informed the group that 491 girls played softball this year and 3 other teams from Fayetteville played in Springdale on a competetive league. Fayetteville currently only has recreational leagues but new facilities would allow for competitive leagues. Clark stated that girls softball is self supporting. The City of Fayetteville would not be taking on the program. The City would be asked only for developmental and maintenance costs. The suggestion of sharing fields among programs is not valid because everyone plays at the same time. Dugwyler informed the group that future plans for the girls softball complex included the addition of a trail around the facilities and the addition of playground equipment to develop the facilities as a park as well as a sports complex. Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.