HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-03 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS • • DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE TO: PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD FROM: Dale D. Clark, Parks & Recreation Director DATE: October 21, 1997 SUBJECT: PRAB MEETING ON MONDAY, November 3, 1997, AT 5:30 PM IN ROOM 219 OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING I. Approval of PRAB Minutes - October 6, 1997 Meeting II. Annual Report from Babe Ruth Baseball - Mark Taylor III. Annual Report from Bambino Baseball - Dennis Kelly IV. BMX proposal - Marvin Light V. Harmon Track (behind Fayetteville High School) request for funds proposal - Dick Johnson VI. N.R.P.A. (National Recreation & Parks Association)Salt Lake City, Utah meeting report - Dugwyler VII. Announcement of park restroom winterization - Clark VIII. Walker Park parking lot design update - Dugwyler IX. Washington School lease update - Clark X. Lake Fayetteville Trail Public Workshop Report from October 7th - Dugwyler & October 28th - Clark XI. Arkansas Recreational Trails Fund Program, Administration Workshop report, October 29,1997 Little Rock trip - Rogers XII. Arkansas Recreational Trails Fund Program Notification of • Receiving Grant Monies - Clark Parks and Recreation Advisory Board • Page 2 November 10, 1997 • • XIII. Proposal on increasing the Green Space money in lieu formula update from the October 21 City Council Meeting - Dugwyler XIV. Girls Softball Complex Phase II update (bid status)- Clark XV. 1998 C.I.P budget update - Clark XVI. Parks' Project Status Report - Clark XVII. OTHER BUSINESS ATTACHMENTS: • Green Space Report • HMR Report • Response letter to City Administration on green space fees • List of Park land provided through the green space ordinance • Copy of the population growth chart from the Morning News • Copy of a Editorial from the NWArkansas Times • Copy of the letter from City Administration anwering/questioning our request to update the green space fee formula • Lake Fayetteville Public Meeting of October 7, 1997 synopsis by Nancy Dugwyler • • • PRAB REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 3, 1997 The meeting was called to order by James at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building. Members Present: Bleidt, James, Judy, King, Staggs, Thiel, Waite Members Absent: Ackerman Staff Present: Clark, Dugwyler, Nelson, Rogers Guests Present: Ronnie Hankins, Jerry Bell, Ben Thompson, Paul Davis, Mark Taylor — Fayetteville Babe Ruth Baseball; Dennis Kelly — Fayetteville Youth Baseball League; Steven Faust, Marvin Light, Charles Ball, Stacey Light — BMX Track proposal; Dick Johnson — Fayetteville High School; Peggy Smith — Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce/Fayetteville Jaycees; Heather Daniel — City Council Media Present: Rusty Garrett, Northwest Arkansas Times BUSINESS: I. MOTION: THIEL/BLEIDT The Minutes from the October 6, 1997, PRAB regular meeting were approved unanimously 7-0. 11. Annual Report from Babe Ruth Baseball — Mark Taylor Taylor: As you can see from the handout distributed, based on the income [$31,146.66] and expense [$36,844.73] report, we are currently operating at a loss [of $5,698.07]. We inherited from last year approximately $5,000 with which we started the year We made some capital improvements in an attempt to improve the facilities and make it safer for the kids to play. We are pushing to improve the Babe Ruth facility; we can only do that with help from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and the business community. We have been to (and played in) parks in Mountain Home, Harrison, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Pea Ridge, and Lincoln. Quite frankly, our park does not stack up. We feel like Fayetteville is probably one of the top fifty cities in the United States in which to live, and our baseball facilities are in the bottom fifty. We are trying to make some improvements to gain on that. For instance, last year we had approximately 175 kids participating in our program. That means 175 mothers, there is one toilet in the women's restroom. We are trying to do something about the problem(s) now. I have outlined a three year plan of what we would like to see happen to bring the facility up to par. If there is anything you can do to help us, we do appreciate it. We are hosting the 1998 State fourteen -year-old baseball toumament which will bring seven teams into town which will be spending a week's time and a lot of dollars in Fayetteville. If we do a good job with that Page 1 PRAB Regular Meeting November 3, 1997 [tournament], we move on to the regionals and possibly even the World Series [which Springdale has hosted the past several years]. If Fayetteville had the [proper] facilities, I think more people would rather come [to Fayetteville] as opposed to Springdale Rogers: On the 1999 improvements the complete fencing and dugout renovation on both fields total $95,000 — how do you come to that figure? Is that just for the fencing? Taylor: That is just a guess I talked to Bob [Braswell] on what it would cost to replace the backstops on fields one and two, and he was giving me numbers from $30,000 to $35,000 for just the backstops alone. That is not a solid bid price. Rogers. It can be lower than that. Clark: But it would depend on how you write the specifications and what is required for baseball. I believe the costs are greater for baseball than what we see on our softball fields. James: Some of this would be in-house work if the City purchased the materials? Taylor: Yes. We would supply a lot of the labor. We can utilize community service workers most weekends to a certain degree. Waite: Are you changing the orientation or size of either of the fields? Taylor: No, not to any major degree. We have a batting cage which was built behind field number one. When it was built, there was not sufficient room left between the fences in which to mow. I would like to move the fence in a few feet for this reason. Field number two has no protection from wind and there is no shade; if we moved the fence a little on field number one we could turn a comer on field number two and plant something to provide shade. Waite: The last renovation at this facility was about twenty years ago. If we are going to sink this amount of money into the facility- if there is any change in orientation, increase in the fence line, or other things to be done- this is the time to do it. Once this amount of money is spent by whomever, we need to make sure the changes are acceptable for a long period of time. Taylor: Unless there is some regulation change, everything we currently have in regards to distances is within the regulations of a playing field for this age group. James: We are still holding the space on Highway 265 for Babe Ruth baseball. At one point the program was growing each year. Taylor: I don't see that in the next ten to twelve years. We have two fields, and with the number of games we could play, we could probably hold three times the number we currently have and play on two fields. Clark: Are you growing in any particular age group or are the numbers staying fairly consistent? Taylor: They are fairly consistent. From year to year the numbers may change a percentage or two. Rogers: How are you expecting to achieve the goal of doubling the number of participants? Taylor: We feel like we must improve the facility. Parents have a tendency to steer their children towards what they want them to do. Unless they are going to a nice environment, they may not do that. The improvements guideline was accepted for consideration for the budgeting process. Mr. Taylor may be called upon at a later date to provide a priority list. Page 2 • • • PRAB Regular Meeting November 3, 1997 I11. Annual Report from Bambino Baseball — Dennis Kelly Kelly: I am Dennis Kelly with the Fayetteville Youth Baseball (six to twelve -year-olds). I would like to thank the City of Fayetteville and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board for supporting these kids. We may not have a complex like Springdale, but we do have a great group of kids and parents We have a solid program and a lot of support from a lot of parents and Board members. I ast year we had 916 kids in the program which was down by 16 from the previous year. We had 74 teams represented. That is a lot of coaches and a lot of volunteer labor. We did take a little bit of a poll to help determine why our numbers dropped this year, and it seems most of the kids that did not return were participating in soccer at the time. Baseball and soccer overlap; we would like to move our season farther out to correct this problem, but we are affiliated with Babe Ruth. Their toumaments are pretty much set in stone, so we have to back our schedule up to accommodate those tournaments at the end of the year. We had a relatively successful season this year. We were re -districted this year, and there were three positions out of our district that could have had teams in the State All Stars tournament. We filled two of the three spots. There is some potential right now. We have requested the ability to host a state tournament in the near future. There is a possibility as early as this year of doing that. If we do we have to do some extra work to make the fields ready to host a state tournament. We raised our fees this year from $35 to $45 per child; children unable to meet that fee are given scholarships. We did discontinue our promotional candy sale which we had done in the past. We did not see any negative drawbacks from this. We were hesitant to put any money into the park this year because we were scared of the fact that we might end up in the red; after closing the books on the year, we had gained roughly $5,000. We are looking forward to a few improvements in the near future. We would like to have a first class facility, but we are going to look at the changes realistically. Our growth has not come up to the potential of what we thought it would be. The fields we currently have are certainly suitable for what we have at this time. We had originally projected looking at another field around the year 2000. Unless this year and next changes drastically, we probably will not need that field that early. We do need more bleachers, particularly on the new field, and an adequate press box will be required by the state for state tournaments. We would like to see improvements made on field number six in the way of cleaning up the old bleachers and putting down concrete pads. The most concern with the facility has been parking. It is needed. We have policed the coaches very well, and I think we have a very positive program. We provide adequate insurance for everyone involved. Dugwyler: How much are sponsors? Kelly: $250 to sponsor a team. I think outfield signs are initially $300; Gary Atha, Treasurer, would be able to tell you for certain. Clark: Parking problems definitely exist. They are drastic at certain times in the evening [between games]. Parking is available to the north, but it is a quarter of a mile to walk. Recently, SWEPCO put lighting along Block St. which helps lighting the street from the north parking lot. Currently Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Inc. is working on a design for a parking lot across the street in the wooded area. Beth Sandeen, Landscape Administrator, and our horticulturist are looking at the area because there are a lot of trees there. I don't know if it's feasible, but at certain times perhaps traffic should be directed in one direction to alleviate some of the problems. When you turn your kid loose, who is excited about a ball game, it is dangerous. Page 3 • • • PRAB Regular Meeting November 3, 1997 The possibility of designating one way traffic was discussed to help alleviate some problems and safety concerns. Kelly also asked for help in preparing ballfields on a daily basis during season play. The PRAB will consider the request. IV. BMX proposal - Steven Faust & Marvin Light Faust: My name is Steven Faust. Marvin Light and myself have been involved in cycling for several years. I have a son who is six years old, and he has a limited area in which he can go cycling. He has raced in many races as a child, and a lot of the races held here in the Fayetteville area have a good tum out. We are interested in starting a BMX (Bicycle Motocross) track in the Fayetteville area. That track, hopefully, would be an attraction for a lot of local kids. Just about every kid has a bicycle, but riding on the street is not always the safest thing to do. This would provide an opportunity for them to get off of the streets and get on a track and promote interest in cycling. A brief videotape was shown illustrating the sport of Bicycle Motocross (BMX). Statistics indicate persons are more likely to be injured in any other sport. Currently there are tracks in Springfield, Missouri, Little Rock, Arkansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma (with a second track under construction), Neosho and Carthage, Missouri. A local track could draw from these areas. The governing body for BMX racing, the American Bicycle Association (ABA), would construct the track for free contingent on a land dedication for a period of five years. Tracks range in length from 800 to 1500 feet long and could be constructed in an area of approximately 100 by 80 yards for the track itself, fenced, and with adequate parking. Utilities would also be needed. Donations of time and money would be sought from local businesses. The request was for land only; donations would be sought for fencing around the track. Seasons are generally from January to November. The track would be supervised (primarily for track condition) while it was open and in operation. Insurance is provided at cost through ABA for $35 per year for each participant Light suggested the north end of Walker Park; PIMB members felt Walker was already hill. PRAB members expressed interest in the proposed facility and suggested staff look at land which might be available and get back with the group by the first of the year. V. Harmon Track (behind Fayetteville High School) request for funds proposal - Dick Johnson Fayetteville High School Athletic Director, Dick Johnson, presented to the PRAB a packet of information regarding the modernization of the Harmon Field trail. Pictures of a seven lane track and a sample of asphalt -latex coating surface were distributed; the latex coating would cost $55,000. The school system would reconfigure the track to 400 meters and would provide the hard surfacing of the track (as part of the parking lot project). The track would remain seven lanes Page 4 • • • PRAB Regular Meeting November 3, 1997 which would exclude it from hosting state track meets. The track would be open to the public, and the school system would maintain the facility. James said the proposal would have to be considered for 1999 because the deadline had passed for 1998 projects. VI. N.R.P.A. (National Recreation & Parks Association) Salt Lake City, Utah meeting report - Dugwyler Dugwyler reported on attending the N.R.P.A. meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. Some of the sessions attended included Master Plans for Parks and Trails, Parks and Recreation Agency Accreditation, Innovative Funding: Exclusive Beverage Contracts, New ADA Guidelines for Play Facilities, This Old Pool, and Be A Changemaster - Survival for the Future. Dugwyler suggested to the PRAB to update the existing ten year master plan adopted in 1994 to reflect the enormous changes which have occurred and, as part of our strategic plan, to have as a goal the accreditation of the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Division. Newer playgrounds such as at Wilson Park, Davis Park, Gordon Long Park, and the Happy Hollow School Park are in good shape to meet ADA guidelines; however, we have over twenty playgrounds which do not meet standards. It will be expensive to comply with new standards, but we will continue to progress. Dugwyler also reported on splash pools as an alternative to expensive outdoor pools. VII. Announcement of park restroom winterization - Clark Clark announced that cost estimates have been received on retrofitting the restrooms at Wilson Park and Gulley Park to keep them open during the winter. Plumbers have been asked to see what they can do about putting timers on the toilets to automatically flush. These jobs are small and difficult to bid, but we are (struggling) continuing. VIII. Walker Park parking lot design update - Dugwyler Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Inc. have received needed information from Beth Sandeen, Landscape Administrator; they have also talked to Chuck Rutherford, Sidewalk and Trails Administrator. They will be meeting with Lisa Paschal, Landscape Maintenance Specialist, as well. The minimum standard for a development of this nature is a four foot sidewalk with six foot greenspace between the sidewalk and the road; 60 inches is favored by ADA. Designs are currently in progress and will be presented to the PRAB soon. IX. Washington School Lease update - Clark The legal description has been received from the school system. A memo to the Page 5 • • • PRAB Regular Meeting November 3, 1997 Public Works Director has been prepared as to our next step. Clark suggests a lease of one year to put it on the same cycle as the other school parks (their leases expire next year). This item is current/y in progress. X. Lake Fayetteville Trail Public Workshop Report from Tuesday, October 7th & 28th - Dugwyler/Clark Keith Franklin of LandPlan presented several examples of trails, surfaces, and different applications of trails during a public meeting on October Z The second meeting was held on October 28. Issues regarding multi -use and running trails were raised during the second meeting and questions of surface. King: Public input is public input. I had to keep reminding myself this is input, and this is good. 1 personally had the idea of a multi -use, all weather surface. An asphalt surface through the woods does not detract. People drive to Vermont to drive through the woods, and that is an asphalt surface through the woods; they drive miles to go there. I've had runners call me. Wade Colwell called me. Wade is not disagreeable; he is expressing his opinion because he has a vested interest due to the time and effort he and the boy scouts have put into it [the trail]. I've had other runners call me and tell me that whatever is put out there will be used. The people who were griping about it will use it. I see viable alternatives to make people happy. 1 would hate to see the entire plan shelved because of conflicting interests. We have many options. If we come to a decision we can live with, budget wise and for the entire community, we need to look at what is best for 100% of the population. Options were discussed in regards to the type of trail and the concerns of various individuals including the Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks. Bleidt felt the PRAB should meet with BGSO representatives and Environmental Study Center representatives to decide on trail location. A major concern of BGSO is security issues regarding their facilities of an open trail. Clark stated that the focus of the Parks Division should be on a multi -use trail. There are many other projects which can be focused on if conflicts cannot be resolved; however, there is merit in continuing to study the trail. The consensus of the Board was to continue moving forward with the trail project and members were looking forward to the recommendation from LandPlan. Waite commented on the trails at Gulley Park and Wilson Park; there was no great clamor for them, but they have been extremely popular and highly used. XI. Arkansas Recreational Trails Fund Program, Administration Workshop report, October 29, 1997 Little Rock trip - Rogers Rogers: On October 28, I attended the Arkansas Recreational Trails Funding Program grant workshop in Little Rock with our internal auditor, Yolanda Fields. The workshop was sponsored by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department and directed by Steve Weston. The workshop provided vital information and requirements for the grant funds. Several issues were discussed including environmental clearances, state historic preservation Page 6 PRAB Regular Meetino November 3, 1997 requirements, contract agreement, on-site visits, and reimbursement procedures. We also went over plans and construction specifications as well as the issue of accessibility. The workshop overall was very helpful. XII. Received official notification of receiving $20,000 grant funding from Arkansas Recreational Trails Fund Program - Clark Clark announced that last year a concept plan of Lake Fayetteville was submitted. A $20,000 grant has been received, and all trails must be accessible. XIII. Proposal on increasing the Green Space money in lieu formula update from the October 21 City Council Meeting - Dugwyler Dugwyler: This issue went before City Council on October 21 and received a very favorable response. One City Council member suggested that our $15,000 formula was not enough and proposed an amendment which would increase it to $20,000. They did make an amendment to our agenda request to review this ordinance every two years and make recommendations. It was left on the first reading and will be on the City Council agenda tomorrow (November 4) night. XIV. Girls Softball Complex Phase II update (bid status) - Clark Clark: Advertisement for bids went out October 23 and October 30. The bid opening date is November 12 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 326 of the City Administration Building. We have a lot of deductive alternates to see if we can't keep it within our budget. We've also asked that the soccer complex go on to Large Scale Development. As you know, the Mt. Comfort Road improvements and sidewalk issues will come up there. We are sure they will recommend that that be corrected, we are going to ask that those projects be included in the street capital improvement projects and given high priority. XV. 1998 C.I.P. budget update - Clark Clark announced that City Council has approved the submitted C.I.P. budget for 1998. XVI. Parks' Project Status Report - Clark Clark reported that Nelson has been working on an ongoing project which records the daily work summaries of Parks Maintenance personnel. Nelson will be presenting a report to the PRAB next month. XVII. OTHER BUSINESS Staggs inquired if there had been any response from Tommy Haseloff of Hog Heaven regarding the PRAB's decision regarding the netting at Lake Fayetteville; Page 7 • • PRAB Regular Meeting November 3, 1997 Clark has not received a response on this issue. Daniel: 1 am Heather Daniel from the City Council, but I am here as a free agent. As you know there is an ordinance pending before the Council dealing with skateboarders and inline skaters. Personally, I do not believe this ordinance will pass. This group wants respectful consideration like we give other groups such as bicyclists, joggers, and pedestrians. 1 would like the PRAB to think about sometime in the future providing a place for skateboarders to practice their art. 1 realize this is not entirely satisfactory. Many of the skateboarders want to be downtown; they want to be on Dickson Street. Safety is the main factor regarding this group. I would appreciate you considering this in your future plans. James: Do you know what these people are looking for in a place to skate regarding area or terrain? Daniel: No, I just know that 1 have seen ramps and such. We're not going to be able to meet all their needs, but 1 think we could provide something safe for them. Waite said skateboarders and skaters tended to go for transportation trails which was out of the PRAB's league. A skating park would be reasonable and certainly could be planned if there was an interest, and it would have to be centrally located. Waite suggested representatives for skateboarding present their ideas for consideration. Dugwyler has researched this issue and said skateboard parks are very popular across the country. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. MINUTES APPROVED /2 - / - 91 MINUTES TAKEN BY: Page 8 • • • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3. 1997 REGULAR PRAB MEETING NAME (Please Print) GROUP REPRESENTING f/wadsTTW 2 g/ Zig maw -CreK ;S&L_ dill Ilheil' I/�( P�Pa 1 (�c 5t'/ p 50,!C/S.. £tk Se—L TAu(, EkYtnt-V(u.G CJAia.. FuTIH fJMi,(iAL ` <-✓Av6 e e \es 'bn/\ 1j M K ��iicr< 1,0,005/1 4— 17-(23 7 �G•1/' P?du;A Li 64 x 9/a<JC p/0/031 an gvn/ TQtL 4cposa-e _ f7- 6-/ - AL /A- �c L/ �CG�J /CcFtreft70-, X e,7 { 1?L,e.2C%�`CI�L/ L ea5 ce t C3