The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1997-08-26 - MinutesPRAB SPECIAL MEETING BOTANICAL GARDEN CONCERNS AUGUST 26, 1997 A special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was held at 5:30 p.m. at the Parks & Recreation office located inside the Fayetteville Youth Center at 915 California Blvd. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns regarding the proposed land lease agreement between the City of Fayetteville and the Botanical Gardens Society of the Ozarks, Inc. PRAB members present were Ackerman, Bleidt, Judy, King, Staggs, Thiel, and Waite. Staff members present were Clark, Dugwyler, Nelson, and Rogers. Media present included Rusty Garrett from the Northwest Arkansas Times and Jill Smith from the Morning News. Copies of the land lease agreement with suggested changes from the August 19, 1997 City Council meeting drafted by City Attorney, Jerry Rose were reviewed. Chairman Ackerman briefly pointed out revisions to the document stemming from concerns of City Council and City staff. Clark said possible omissions from the contract concerned him more than current inclusions and suggested possibly reviewing the document again in a year to determine if relevant omissions in fact exist. One of BGSO's concerns is the Lake Fayetteville trail coming into their area where they would have no control. However, Clark said proper planning can minimize problems simply by the location of their facilities. This is just one of the issues that will be addressed during the upcoming public hearings held in connection with the conceptual design of the Lake Fayetteville trail. Dugwyler said that because the LandPlan visit in Tulsa was rescheduled to September 23, the public hearings were being pushed back until October. Confirming dates will be announced. Clark reminded the group that a PRAB member would be appointed to the BGSO board as a liaison as outlined in the contract; this person would be a working member of the BGSO board. Ackerman said this person would need to take a genuine interest in the botanical garden project and how it impacts the overall concept of the Lake Fayetteville program. Ackerman said he felt comfortable with the botanical garden concept and the diligence and time and effort BGSO has put into the project along with the professional assistance they have received. He said all of these things were very positive, and he believed this was a step forward in everything coming together in a facility which would complement our parks and our city. Furthermore, Ackerman said he looked forward to working with BGSO and provide support and felt no one would misconstrue the interest and concern over the contract as being not in favor of the project. The PRAB made the decision of approving the concept when they recommended it to the next level; this scrutiny is just a matter of fine tuning. This chance to 'fine tune' and review the proposed contract also gives the new PRAB • members the opportunity to offer their concerns and/or comments on • the project. MOTION: WAITE/STAGGS The PRAB moved to accept the proposed land lease agreement (which includes suggested changes from City Council meeting 8/19/97 and City staff) as presented from City Attorney, Jerry Rose. Motion approved unanimously 7-0. The PRAB also discussed a conceptual design presented by BGSO President, Donna Porter at the August 19, 1997 City Council meeting. The concerns regarding the drawing stemmed from a suggested trail location and how it possibly would affect the Lake Fayetteville trail. Dugwyler gave an overview of where the existing Lake Fayetteville trail would intersect or cross BGSO's proposed trail. Shared parking was another concern; Parks would participate in the construction of a shared parking area in the northeast boundary and any future additional parking would be at BGSO's expense. It was also realized that these were conceptual designs and actual construction would most likely vary from the current drawings submitted. In closing, Ackerman said we had the "best of all worlds" due to BGSO's "expertise, our background and focus, and public input." • In other business, Judy inquired about the possibility of touring unfamiliar park areas. It was suggested that Saturday mornings usually fare best. Dugwyler suggested that perhaps in the fall a tour could be scheduled for interested PRAB members and staff. • Meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m. John Nelson, Operatis Asst. 2 / Aug. 26, 1997 • PRAB Special Meeting FAYETTEVI LLE • • • THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board THRU: Dale D. Clark, arks Recreation Director FROM: Nancy Dugwyler, A9st. Parks Director DATE: September 5, 1997 SUBJECT: Green Space Ordinance Money -in -Lieu Fee Fayetteville's Green Space Ordinance was adopted on January 20, 1981. This Ordinance has enabled the City of Fayetteville to acquire a number of park land parcels. These parcels will be developed into a park system that will rival any in Arkansas. Money accepted in lieu of the land requirement has funded many improvements to the current parks system. With the continued growth of the Fayetteville area, improvements to the city's parks will continue. The money in lieu fee is based on the average cost per acre of land in Fayetteville. In 1994 the the average cost per acre was raised from $9,000 to $12,000. After consulting with several local land appraisers and real estate agents the parks staff feels that land values have risen enough to warrant adjusting the money in lieu fee again. Following is the information that was gathered: Troy Belote - Appraiser $5,000 per acre - $20,000 per acre The Real Estate Consultants $5,000 per acre - $10,000 per acre George Fawcett $20,000+per acre Jim Lindsey $20,000 per acre The cost per acre varies according to what area of Fayetteville the property lies in, but we must use only one cost. The average of the above figures is $15,000. This is a 25 percent increase in the 1994 money in lieu amount of $12,000. The last increase in 1994 was 33 percent. 113 WEST MOUNTAIN 72701 501-521-7700 FAX 501-575-8257 FACILITIES COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 6, 1997 Members Present: Ackerman, Bleidt, James Staff Present: Clark, Dugwyler, Rogers Re: Discussion of Harmon Track field continued Clark mentioned that funding this project would mean defemng current year projects indefinitely. Ackerman stated that we need to decide if this is a viable project for us and asked if we could stand by our decision. Concems stretching this as a Parks project were mentioned. Ackerman stated that we have to watch our HMR monies - we have to be able to justify our projects. We have been short on monies for such a long time and we have set out to budget certain projects already. James stated that justifying this project has been on his mind. We have other Park needs. We have trade-offs at this time with Dick Johnson and the Fayetteville Youth Center. We don't want to jeopardize these agreements was mentioned. Clark stated that he did not feel that this decision will jeopardize any agreements between Dick Johnson and the Fayetteville Youth Center. Bleidt stated that Dick Johnson said that one way or another the track will be funded. Johnson may have other funding sources in mind. Bleidt does not want to see us cancel or defer the projects we have been planning on. James stated that he did not think it would be a good idea to move funds on the Sr. Citizens Complex another year - he did not think that would send a good message and don't particularly like taking money out of the Veterans Memorial Park's road improvements and parking project. James said that he is concerned that this is not going to meet state standards for track meets. James proposed to ask Johnson what he thinks of us considering it on our 1999 CIP project listing - which would be this time next year since 1998 CEP has already been submitted for approval. Ackerman suggested approaching Johnson to come back to the Parks Board next year in June for the CEP budget deadline to consider it for a 1999 CIP budget item.