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Home My WebLink About1998-02-02 - Minutes• • • MONDAY. FEBRUARY 2. 1998 REGULAR PRAB MEETING NAME (Please Print) GROUP REPRESENTING - Al" i'%vr i NO67 Ghvu 7 SMN cE- G(,A- clt SELF �7o Per Perk der Sort int pt ---y j (. /. MOE-1-",lALr� 1� , (L 0 VA)li% x(S id1 b�fbp ,/r,rs .:.. , 9-4/;::: bocci �GAYEQs /. lid • 1 ie_ `i 13 Laic ;IQ ab ce, l M 4,L�- PAY, FA -u.. p p is (.t, (CIGU L /��i2 AVt rtPC 5GSrv1 Si (Park k . Dai e --Mt 4- s-inN) f k bdain..4,.i 67124 4-- I-(4 (- A i (fl Art ll if N ,« SUl 7C- yyCt-0--d I' uA \er:i\ 6r_eu 91 :h3 Coca -WIC\ �e -{-(/ 516Y1 e Grock Pigiii}J Ct-cam! 411 6 FAYETTEVILLE THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS • DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE • • TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION January 26, 1998 PRAB MEETING ON MONDAY, February 2, 1998, AT 5:30 PM IN ROOM 219 OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING I. Approval of PRAB Minutes - January 5, 1998 Meeting II. Introduction of Matt Charboneau/new PRAB member - Dugwyler (replaced Bill Waite) III. Introduction of O.E. Luttrell/new PRAB (replaced Johnny James) IV. Orientation information - Dugwyler V. GREEN SPACE Development: Engineer: Owner: Location: Easton Village Jorgenson member - Dugwyler North of Hwy 45, East of Crossover Park & Vandergriff School • Parks and Recreation Advisory Page 2 February 6, 1998 Park District: Priority: Total Acres: Units: Land Dedication: Money in Lieu: 1990 Needs: 2010 Needs: Existing Acres: Board Northeast This property was outside the city limits when the 1994 Master Plan was completed, so no priority has been established 76.5 169 Single Family Units 4.225 acres $63,375 .8 to 1.7 acres 1.5 to 3 acres 55.42 (Crossover Park - 20, Lake Fayetteville East - 25, Brookbury - 5.42) Outstanding Features: This development is over 100 units and over 40 acres. Park land is required unless a waiver is requested from the City Council VI. Lease of Lake Fayetteville East - Don Babb vit. Fayetteville Youth Baseball - David McConnell • VIII. Fall Baseball League at Walker Park - Rex McGill IX. Walker Park parking lot update - Dugwyler X. Sutton Street property update - Kathy Thompson XI. Bocce (sport) request - Nancy Williams XII. Bates School playground proposal update - Dugwyler XIII. Hotz proposal update - Duqwyler XIV. Square Gardens report - Dugwyler XV. Washington School lease update - Duqwyler XVI. School lease update - Dugwyler XVII. Proposal to amend the fee structure for Lake Fayetteville softball field rental - Dawson XVIII. OTHER BUSINESS Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Page 2 February 6, 1998 *PLEASE READ THROUGH THESE ATTACHMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING ON FEBRUARY 2ND! ATTACHMENTS: • Monthly Green Space Report by Kim Rogers • January 5, 1998 P.R.A.B. Minutes • Facilities Committee Special Meeting dated January 2, 1998 concerning Mt Sequoyah/old water facility city property • Facilities Committee Special Meeting dated January 22, 1998 concerning Bates Park, Hotz Park, Sutton Street Property • Updated 1998 PRAB Members Listing - will be updated again as soon as we received committee selections and the new board member • Description of Committee Functions for our board members from Kim Rogers • List from Nancy Dugwyler - School Park Access Issues • School Lease Agreement (DRAFT) copy • Happy Hollow School Park sign design for all School/City Parks • Proposal for amending the fee structure for the Lake Fayetteville softball field rentals • Newsclippings, both from the NWA Times on "Head to the closest park for winter fun" by our own Aaron Bleidt and "Board inspects Sutton park site" by Rusty Garrett • Attached to the news clippings is a map of the Sutton Street property that will be discussed at the February 2nd board meeting • Green Space copy of a map of the area to discuss • Green Space Preliminary Plat for Easton Village which will be discussed at the February 2nd board meeting • Old Post Office plat ( Square Gardens to be discussed at the February 2nd board meeting ) • • • PRAB REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 2, 1998 The meeting was called to order by acting chairman Ackerman at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building. Members Present: Ackerman, Bleidt, Charboneau, Judy, Luttrell, Staggs Thiel - Illness Dugwyler, Nelson, Dawson, Perkins Members Absent: Staff Present: Guests Present: Constance Clack, Kathy Thompson, Cindy Long, Chris Krueger, Anita Scism - Sutton Street property; Bill Moeller - University Heights Neighborhood Association (Hotz Park); Thomas Davis, Nancy Williams - Bocce; Rex McGill - Fayetteville Baseball League; Don Cozart, Gary Atha, Marc Crandall - Easton Park Development; Scott Mulherin, Jerry Stone - Great Plains Coca Cola Media Present: Rusty Garrett, Northwest Arkansas Times Amy Schlesing, Morning News BUSINESS: I. MOTION; BLEIDT/JUDY The Minutes from the January 5, 1998, PRAB regular meeting were approved as presented, 5-0. (Luttrell arrived at the meeting later). II. Introduction of Matt Charboneau/new PRAB member - Dugwyler (replaced Bill Waite) Ms. Dugwyler introduced Matt Charboneau, a local restaurant owner and member of the Fayetteville Youth Center Board, as a new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member. February 2, 1998 / Page 1 PRAB Regular Meeting III. Introduction of O.E. Luttrell/new PRAB member - Dugwyler (replaced Johnny James) Ms. Dugwyler introduced O.E. Luttrell, also a member of the Fayetteville Youth Center Board, as a new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member. IV. Orientation information - Dugwyler Ms. Dugwyler said that an orientation for new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members would be conducted in the month of March. V. GREEN SPACE Development: Engineer: Owner: Location: Park District: Priority: Total Acres: Units: Land Dedication: Money in Lieu: 1990 Needs: 2010 Needs: Existing Acres: Outstanding Features: Easton Village Jorgenson North of Hwy 45, East of Crossover Park & Vandergriff School Northeast This property was outside the city limits when the 1994 Master Plan was completed, so no priority has been established 76.5 169 Single Family Units 4.225 acres $63,375 .8 to 1.7 acres 1.5 to 3 acres 55.42 (Crossover Park - 20, Lake Fayetteville East - 25, Brookbury - 5.42) This development is over 100 units and over 40 acres. Park land is required unless a waiver is requested from the City Council Marc Crandall, a representative of Easton Park Development, appeared to answer any questions Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members might have regarding this project. Ms. Dugwyler said that because this development is over 100 units and over February 2, 1998 / Page 2 • • • • PRAB Regular Meeting forty acres, ordinance requires that land be taken unless a waiver is requested from City Council. PRAB members were asked to take into consideration that the existing 55.42 acres consisting of Crossover, Lake Fayetteville East, and Brookbury are all undeveloped at this time. Ms. Dugwyler recommended that the Board visit the site before making a decision. VI. Lease of Lake Fayetteville East - Don Babb Requestor was not present at the meeting. VII. ray onnell Item removed from agenda VIII. Fall Baseball League at Walker Park - Rex McGill Rex McGill, President of the Fall Baseball League, presented a proposal for batting cages for the spring and fall baseball leagues at Walker Park. Mr. McGill distributed a conceptual drawing of 55 x 55 batting cages located outside of left field of Field #8. The batting cages would be situated near the scoreboard to make use of electric in the event pitching machines were used. The league is proposing four 12' x 12' x 50' individual cages. There would be two cages built into one unit (24' x 12' x 50') with a center divider separating into two units. There would be two sets of these. The netting would hang from cables and would be removed at the end of the season to prevent weather damage. An eleven to twelve foot fence would be put around the cages. Mr. McGill said a combination lock would most likely be used to prevent vandalism, and the combination would be changed each season. The league has volunteered to construct the batting cages. Estimated costs were also presented at $4034.80 less $1987.20 committed from the fall and spring leagues. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was asked to fund $2047.60 for the project. Mr. Staggs inquired about the locking of the cages, and Mr. McGill said the combination would be filtered out to select individuals through coaches. Mr. Ackerman reminded Mr. McGill that when public monies are used to finance projects in public February 2, 1998 / Page 3 PRAB Regular Meeting parks, the needs of the community must be addressed. There is a concern of securing the facility against vandalism and/or theft. Ms. Dugwyler asked if the league would be responsible for hanging and removing the netting from the cages, and Mr. McGill said the nets would be put in place at the beginning of the spring season and removed after the conclusion of the fall season. Ms. Dugwyler was also concerned that the proposal included limiting public access to the batting cages. Mr. Ackerman said the proposal would be taken under advisement, and staff would be in contact with Mr. McGill. It was also brought to the Board's attention that Field #6 was in need of new bleachers. IX. Walker Park parking lot update - Dugwyler Ms. Dugwyler said the parking lot went to the Planning Commission on January 26 for a conditional use because it was zoned R-2 instead of P-1. It was approved, so the project should be bid in the upcoming months. X. Sutton Street property update - Kathy Thompson Kathy Thompson, a Sutton Street neighbor, proposed that the City purchase the property from Mrs. Bobby January. Ms. Thompson said the property has a lot of history. She believes Mrs. Roberta Fulbright named the park the Woodlands Park. The park was used extensively in the 1930s and 1940s. Ms. Thompson said she viewed the park as a walk -by, meditative, historic park in which children play. She suggested leaving the park natural, adding only indirect lighting and replacing a wall along Sutton Street which had existed in the past. Mr. Bleidt stated he had contacted some property owners in the area who expressed interest, but he would like to hear opposing views as well. Ms. Dugwyler suggested inviting the public to the next regular meeting to comment on this issue; everyone should be given the opportunity to express their views. Ms. Judy said one of the main concerns was the lack of parking along Sutton Street which might present a problem. Ms. Thompson said no parking signs should be placed and that there were other places to park in the neighborhood. Mr. Charboneau inquired February 2, 1998 / Page 4 • PRAB Regular Meeting about the price of the one acre property. Ms. Dugwyler said it was listed at $79,900, but the firm expressed interest in talking to the City. Ms. Thompson said she thought Mrs. January was in favor of making the site a public park. Mr. Ackerman said, after touring the site, he felt it would make a very nice park. He also pointed out that if the property became part of the parks system that it would be made available to the public. He encouraged Ms. Thompson to work with the neighborhood, determine the pros and cons of making the site a public park, and get a consensus of the neighbors. Mr. Ackerman said the PRAB was more than casually interested in the site becoming a neighborhood park subject to a firm coalition of the majority in favor of a neighborhood park and the negotiation of a reasonable, justifiable price. Ms. Constance Clack, a neighborhood resident, expressed concerns regarding the traffic situation. The catholic church and school presents a lot of congestion in the area. There is not a place for cars to park. She also reported an increase in the number of crimes in the neighborhood which may present a safety issue regarding children. Anita Scism, a resident of 417 E. Lafayette whose back property adjoins the Sutton Street site, applauded Ms. Thompson's vision. However, she stated that there were problems in the area, and she urged the PRAB and City Council to examine them carefully. Ms. Scism reported that there are times she cannot access her own driveway due to cars parked along Lafayette in no parking zones. Chris Krueger, a Sutton Street resident, urged the PRAB to take the time to learn all the issues in the area. She stated a concern regarding the traffic, and she said parking was very limited. XI. Bocce (sport) request - Nancy Williams Ms. Williams requested the construction of a bocce court. There is a court planned in the concept plan of the senior citizen center. Ms. Williams asked if there was anything her group could do to help expedite the construction of a bocce February 2, 1998 / Page 5 PRAB Regular Meeting court in lieu of waiting on the development of the senior citizen center. Ms. Williams said bocce is an Italian game similar to bowling which is played outdoors. There is a court in Tontitown which is used extensively. It is a social game. The court is packed earth, sand, or grass. Ms. Williams did not have the dimensions of the court, but she stated she did not believe it was a tremendous expense. Mr. Ackerman said it would be helpful to determine the number of participants who would utilize a facility of this nature and where the group would like to see a court constructed. Mr. Ackerman also suggested contacting the Council on Aging; there could possibly be a larger following for the sport than may be realized. Mr. Ackerman said the PRAB would look into the matter, and encouraged Ms. Williams to investigate further. XII. Bates School playground proposal update - Dugwyler Ms. Dugwyler said plans for the proposed playground at Bates Elementary had not been received. Discussion was suspended until plans are received. XIII. Hotz proposal update - Dugwyler Ms. Dugwyler said, after the PRAB members tour of the park, concerns of the playground equipment was addressed. The equipment does not meet safety standards and should be replaced. A proposal to honor an individual from the neighborhood was also submitted, and this matter will be addressed by the neighborhood association. Ms. Dugwyler said $50,000 is budgeted each year for playground replacement, and she requested a PRAB recommendation to move forward with playground equipment replacement at Hotz Park. Mr. Bill Moeller, a representative of the University Heights Neighborhood Association, expressed his appreciation for the consideration of this issue. Mr. Moeller also said that the neighborhood association would work on the memorial and make it fully acceptable by the Parks and Recreation Division. Mr. Charboneau stated that minutes from the Facilities Committee meeting of January 22, 1998, indicated that there were not many children in the neighborhood. He inquired whether it was feasible to wait until there were more children. Mr. Ackerman February 2, 1998 / Page 6 • • • • PRAB Regular Meeting • XIV. said the child usage is probably not to the magnitude in which it could be due to the current equipment in place. The neighborhood is also in transition, and the park is highly utilized by the neighboring community. MOTION: JUDY/BLEIDT Ms. Judy made the motion to upgrade the playground equipment at Hotz Park. Motion approved unanimously 6-0. Item removed from agenda XV. Washington School lease update - Dugwyler Ms. Dugwyler said the lease for Washington School has been signed by both the school officials and the mayor. The school is waiting to see plans for a new gym and how the dimensions will affect plans for park improvements. XVI. School lease update - Dugwyler Ms. Dugwyler reported that the twenty-five year leases with the schools will expire this year. The City of Fayetteville leases property from the schools, and we aid in funding to make these parks. Staff proposes renewing these leases for another twenty-five years. Draft versions of the proposed new leases for the ten area elementary schools were distributed to PRAB members. Ms. Dugwyler said that after this new lease is approved, the Parks and Recreation Division would establish boundaries in these parks and mark with signs. This would make the public aware that these are public parks and encourage their use. Mr. Ackerman said this has been a wonderful arrangement, but he asked PRAB members to take this under advisement and review the proposal. He also asked that the Facilities Committee meet to review the proposed lease as presented. February 2, 1998 / Page 7 PRAB Regular Meeting XVII. Proposal to amend the fee structure for Lake Fayetteville softball field rental - Dawson The existing ordinance (§ 97.016 Fee For City Park Ballfields For Tournaments] is somewhat ambiguous. A PRAB approved March 2, 1987 revision is currently what the Parks & Recreation Division follows. Mr. Dawson has met with neighboring cities and learned that we are charging less money for the use of our fields. Staff is proposing a fee of $50 per field per day to defray maintenance costs. The city will prepare the fields on Friday; any additional preparation during the tournament must be arranged in advance and will be $60 per prep whether it is one, two or three fields. Additionally, fees must be paid at the time of reservation. Games may not start before 8:00 a.m. and no game may start after 10:00 p.m. or end later than 11:00 p.m. Mr. Staggs stated he felt eliminating the $100 clean up deposit was questionable. Although there has not been much of a problem in the past, if this fee were eliminated it could present future problems. Mr. Dawson said the current system required any money, including deposits, be processed upon receipt and there would be a two-week period to process any refunds. Ms. Dugwyler said the ordinance needed to address the $50 flat fee per field per day and the $60 for additional field prep; the rest is Division policy which does not need to be addressed in the ordinance. Mr. Ackerman stated that it has been a long time since user fees have been addressed. He recommended that staff re-examine the fees and get them more in line with actual costs. Mr. Dawson said there was a considering factor in the fact that the fence length at Lake Fayetteville is 275 feet. Neighboring cities have 300 foot fence lengths, and we have lost a lot of upper division teams to those facilities. It is important to not price ourselves out of tournaments. Mr. Ackerman asked that these figures be re-examined because he personally felt the proposed fees were too low. XVIII. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Staggs distributed a report submitted by Rick Couvillion, former Facilities Committee Chairman for the Fayetteville February 2, 1998 / Page 8 • • • PRAB Regular Meeting Soccer Association. The report concerns the current condition of Fayetteville's soccer fields and suggests recommendations for improvement. The report will be reviewed by the PRAB. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. MINUTES APPROVED: ,3-2-98 MINUTES TAKEN BY: Oki g John L. elson First draft 2.3.98 / 10:17 a.m. Second draft 2.6.98 / 2:05 p.m. February 2, 1998 / Page 9