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Home My WebLink About1998-01-05 - Minutes• • • MONDAY, January 5, 1998 REGULAR PRAB MEETING NAME (Please. Print) GROUP REPRESENTING �� MAYA / - r 40 yy�-4 Rd,,, I- (A24Y 4c,w4t6 5faL/ p;S /IWar d Sl=/ / .te9 _re,ut� £awsnno. c .c' U mel-CRnsma, 11 goad / C0Qe ilizt w : 4 - ��-6-t ' -617d o -,-c, if- -7-74,,, E . w rs.1 -T• 1 (fri-tAEL P44et7— (-F SEstLJPr.Y 17c-cz AA 4//---~LC7Z 11 /I/CMQ C __COVEY '' 9 // oji-t I 1:44__ -k a ici-- v ,C 5 4-.1.-r- Cn(C uoeA) -u — FAYETTEVILLE THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS • DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE TO: PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD FROM: PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION DATE: December 29, 1997 SUBJECT: PRAB MEETING ON MONDAY, January 5, 1998, AT 5:30 PM IN ROOM 219 OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING I. Approval of PRAB Minutes - December 1, 1997 Meeting II. Park Superintendent - Selection Process - Kevin Crosson, Public Works Director III. Bates Elementary Green Space fund proposal - Faye Jones, Principal IV. Request of Hotz Park through Louise Schaper - Ackerman V. Old Water Treatment Facility on Mt. Sequoyah - Dan Coody VI. Washington School Lease Agreement update - Dugwyler VII. Nomination and election of Chairman and Vice Chairman - Ackerman VIII. Report on Parks and Recreation Advisory Board position openings - Rogers IX. Description of committees - Rogers X. Preparation of the Annual Report - Rogers XI. OTHER BUSINESS • • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Page 2 January 6, 1998 ATTACHMENTS: • Monthly Green Space Report by Kim Rogers • Monthly HMR Report by Kim Rogers • Bates Elementary playground project proposal • January Parks Newsletter • December 1, 1997 P.R.A.B. Minutes • Facilities Committee Special Meeting dated December 8, 1997 concerning Asbel1 gym, FYC parking, Davis Park, Davis Park Pond, Lake Fayetteville Trail, Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks, Mudcreek trail (near Gulley Park) • Letter to the Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks from the Fayetteville Parks & Recreation Division Staff and the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on the subject of completion of the land lease agreement • "Botanical garden society gets grant" article from the NWA Times dated December 11, 1997 • "Abandoned time bomb" article from the NWA Times dated December 11, 1997 - subject on the Mt. Sequoyah city property • "Lake Fayetteville trail project is on hold" article by Aaron Bleidt in the NWA Times dated December 21, 1997 • PRAB REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 5, 1998 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ackerman at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building. Members Present: Ackerman, Bleidt, Judy, Thiel Members Absent: Staggs - Illness Staff Present: Dugwyler, Nelson, Rogers Guests Present: Faye Jones, Principal, Bates Elementary School; Fred Turrentine, Fayetteville School Maintenance Director; Paul Bynum, Louise Montgomery, Harry Alward, Lois Alward, Jerome Jansma, Harriet Jansma, Dan Coody, Sara Brooke Burnside, Jim Whitfield, Michael Baker, Nan Lawler, Richard Covey, Greg House - Mt. Sequoyah residents; Lisa Paschal, City of Fayetteville Landscape Maintenance Specialist; Tonya Johnson, Student Intern • Media Present: Jill Rohrback, Morning News Rusty Garrett, Northwest Arkansas Times • ENSTNRSS: I. MOTION: BLEIDT/JUDY The Minutes from the December 1, 1997, PRAB regular meeting were approved as presented 4-0. II. Park Superintendent - Selection Process - Kevin Crosson, Public Works Director Mr. Crosson gave a brief outline and update on the selection process for a new Parks and Recreation Superintendent. He emphasized the importance of the decision in regards to the success or failure of the parks system. Mr. Crosson expects an extensive search process for the position due to the desirability of the position in the Parks and Recreation field across the country. The position opened January 2, 1998, and a Page 1 PRAB Reaular Meeting January 5. 1998 February 16 deadline has been established for applicants. The search will be extended if the caliber of applicants is unsatisfactory. The position will be advertised in local newspapers multiple times, and it will be advertised in the National Recreation and Park Association job bulletin a minimum of two times. An individual is expected to be on the job during the first quarter of 1998. Ms. Dugwyler has accepted interim duties until the position has been filled. III. Bates Elementary Green Space fund proposal - Faye Jones, Principal and Fred Turrentine, Maintenance Director Ms. Jones announced Bates Elementary School's partnership with the University of Arkansas, the Cherokee Nation, the City of Fayetteville, and the Walton Family Foundation. She presented a design for the park which will join the Trail of Tears Marker Park located on land provided by the University of Arkansas. The design includes playground equipment (including handicap accessible pieces such as parallel bars and a tic-tac-toe panel), picnic tables, and benches. Mr. Turrentine presented an overview of estimated costs associated with the proposed project. Turrentine said poured in place fall media required a concrete footprint. The $26,000 cost for poured in place fall media is for the purchase of material. Turrentine said school maintenance personnel will be trained to do their own poured in place as opposed to contracting that undertaking. Fencing would be unobtrusive and used to prevent children from dashing into the street. Steel, vinyl covered picnic tables and benches are also included in the proposal. Installation would be done by the Fayetteville School system. The total estimated cost for the project is $56,857. Mr. Ackerman said the project would enhance the area, and suggested the Facilities Committee visit the site. Ms. Dugwyler asked if the costs included an accessible route from the school to the playground. Turrentine said the 44 cubic yards of concrete included meeting ADA requirements on an incline on a sidewalk. Dugwyler said the area was quite steep, and Turrentine said they would have to do some switchbacks. Ms. Jones said the sidewalk in front of the gymnasium could possibly be used because it comes out at a more level slope. Mr. Ackerman also stated that the area is adjacent to the parking lot on the top side, so people can drive up and park and not have to negotiate Page 2 • • PRAB Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 from the street level if desired. Mr. Ackerman has received some recommendations from the neighborhood regarding Hotz Park. A Facilities Committee meeting was arranged for Thursday, January 8 at 4:00 p.m. to visit both Bates and Hotz Park. IV. Old Water Treatment Facility on Mt. Sequoyah - Dan Coody Coody: I basically wanted to see, after you have had a chance to view the property after your tour there, what your ideas may be. We [the neighbors] would like for you to endorse the concept of a simple, low -impact, low expense, neighborhood park. I think the neighborhood certainly supports that idea. Thiel: I certainly think it is a good idea. We need to see what we are going to do with the one building and for what it may be used. Dugwyler: The City has not yet offered this area to us for a park. We're a little premature because this decision has not been made; we're just gathering ideas for ourselves and the City at this point. Ms. Judy invited neighbors of the area to speak their ideas. Paul Bynum: I write a newsletter four times a year for the approximate 788 people on Mt. Sequoyah. The last issue I wrote an article mentioning the idea of a park and received no negative feedback. I think a park in the area is a wonderful idea. Michael Baker: I live on Fletcher Street at the base of Mt. Sequoyah. I walk every day. We do not currently have a park in which to walk. Crossing College Avenue is pretty much out of the question if you have a dog and children involved. A simple, low - impact neighborhood park would be wonderful for a family oriented neighborhood. I also think it would be a great tie-in with the Yvonne Richardson Center because I walk there. Jim Whitfield: I think it would be a great park site for the neighborhood. There is a spectacular view from there. I'm the curator of the entomology museum on campus, and I've taken classes to this site because it's a wonderful place for butterflies and bees. It's a highly visible, natural site. Louise Montgomery: I own property on Summit which adjoins the city property. I would love for it to be a park. I would like to Page 3 • • ARAB Reaular Meetina January 5, 199Q see it remain a quiet, family park. Jerome Jansma: I walk by this area at least five times a week. I think it would be a lovely idea to have a park there. It would be a substantial undertaking for the city, and it's a delight for me to think that it might become a reality. I think a broad view of the area should be considered. Adjacent property across Fletcher Avenue is also city property and is an unsightly area. For years it has been a place where people have recklessly dumped things. Greg House: My wife and I have been living and working in this area for about twelve years, and I've always found the old water treatment facility and unsightly area. This is also a dangerous area and an attractive nuisance for the community at large. The idea of a park would be delightful. My wife is concerned that it may attract people late at night, but hopefully it would be policed properly. I think it would be a benefit to the community. After hearing from several citizens, Ms. Judy suggested leaving the fence at the property and locking the gates at night. Mr. Coody presented the idea of converting the building into an observation deck or viewing platform. The consensus of the speakers expressed a desire for a low -impact, quiet neighborhood park. Ms. Thiel reminded everyone that it would be a public park. It would be an attractive area which would draw a lot of people. Mr. Ackerman said the City would be looking into a feasibility study as to the best use of the property, as well as the cost of demolition, renovation, preparation of the site, etc. Attention is being given to this area in a.timely manner by City Hall staff. Input from the community is certainly very important. Mr. Ackerman said the plan will take some time and is just now beginning to get underway, and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board would remain involved in the process. He encouraged citizens to contact the Parks office with questions or for updates as the issues progresses. V. Washington School Lease Agreement Update - Dugwyler Ms. Dugwyler reported that the lease agreement will be delivered to the school superintendent for the proper signatures and returned to the mayor for his signature. The lease agreement will be complete at that point, and we can begin work with Washington School on their proposed improvements. Mr. Ackerman Page 4 • DRAB Regular Meetina January 5. 1998 also reminded everyone that all the school lease agreements are up for revision and renewal this year. VI. Nomination and election of Chairman and Vice Chairman - Ackerman This agenda item will be forwarded to the February regular meeting because a quorem was not present. VII. Report on Parks and Recreation Advisory Board position openings - Rogers Ms. Rogers announced that there are a total of three open positions on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. By ordinance, two of these positions must be filled by Fayetteville Youth Center Board members. Advertisement for the third position closed on December 31, 1997 through the City Clerk's office. Three applications were received. The City Council nomination committee will most likely be appointing these positions at their January 20, 1998 City Council meeting. VIII. Description of committees - Rogers Ms. Rogers presented a brief overview of Parks and Recreation Advisory Board committees. The goal or the objective is to have three or four members under each committee selecting a primary and secondary committee. All board members are welcome to attend any meeting. The Facilities Committee reviews and recommends the addition and/or replacement of parks and recreation facilities, reviews the acceptance of green space park land and money in lieu recommendations and the expenditure of money in lieu funds, views the green space sites that will be voted on from the developers, and reviews all park acquisitions. The Budget Committee reviews and recommends the prepared budget by the Parks & Recreation Division to be approved through the City Council, assists in HMR and green space expenditures, assists in the Green Space Ordinance updates, recommends project priorities in the five-year CIP plan, and reviews the annual general operating budget. The Program/PR Committee reviews and makes recommendations on new programs and changes to existing programs and assists with promoting the "Benefits of Parks & Recreation" by becoming knowledgeable of all aspects of parks and recreation. IX. Preparation of the Annual Report - Rogers Page 5 ARAB Regular Meeting January 5, 1998 Ms. Rogers announced that herself and Mr. Nelson have been working on the annual report to City Council. Accounting closes 1997 at the end of January. The annual report will be distributed at the March Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting. Ms. Dugwyler reminded the group that they needed to make plans to present it to City Council. Plans should be made to get on the March City Council agenda. X. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Ackerman complimented staff on their efforts during this transition period. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. • MINUTES APPROVED: 2 - 2 - 98 MINUTES TAKEN BY: • First draft 1.6.98 / 9:15 a.m. Page 6