HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-14 - Minutes•
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1998 REGULAR PRAB MEETING
NAME ,(Please Print)
GROUP REPRESENTING
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TO: �n��
FROM: Condi E`dmonston, Parks el Recreation Superintendent
DATE: September 3, 1998
RE: PRAB Meeting on Monday, September 14, 1998 at 5:30 p.m., City Hall
Room 326
AGENDA
1. Approval of PRAB August 10, 1998 meeting minutes
2. Park Video: This week's video series will feature Lake Fayetteville.
3. 1999 Budget Approval: Please review the proposed 1999 budget. If you have any questions
prior to meeting, please call me at 444-3473.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
• 4. Informational Items:
• City Council approved the Hotz Park playground equipment bid award in the amount
of $45,908 and an amendment to the Parks' Ordinance permitting the Mayor and his
designee (Parks Superintendent) to establish fees for ballfield tournaments at the
August 18, 1998 City Council Meeting. t7
• Bid opening for the Walker Park playground replacement is September -1X1; 1998.
• Fall League Softball has 85 teams entered. This is ten more teams than the summer.
Summer Concert Series Attendance
Cate Brothers 1,000
Arkansas Winds 300
Ozark Mountains Brass Band 525
Local Hero 1,500
Jason D. Williams 2,200
Ultra Suede 4,000
Trout Fishing in America 5 250
TOTAL 14,775
5. Adjournment:
Attachments:
Green Space Monthly Report
HMR Monthly Report
• PRAB Meeting Minutes August 10, 1998
1999 Proposed Budget
CIP Update
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PRAB
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 1998
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ackerman at 5:30 p.m. in R Dom 326 of the City
Administration Building.
Members Present: Ackerman, Bleidt, Eads, Judy, Luttrell, Staggs, Thiel
Members Absent: Charboneau
Staff Present: Edmonston, Dugwyler, Nelson
Guests Present: None
Media Present: Jill Rohrback, Morning News
I. Approval of PRAB August 10, 1998 meeting minutes
MOTION: THIEL/STAGGS
The minutes from the August 10, 1998 PRAB regular meeting were approved as presented,
7-0-0.
II. Park Video:
Lake Fayetteville is comprised of 652 acres; 458 acres is land and 194 acres is water. In
1948, $800,000 in bonds were issued to construct Lake Fayetteville. The lake was completed
in 1949. The City purchased approximately 250 acres from four property owners in the
amount of $93,000 to complete the Lake Fayetteville facility. The lake was named Lake
Fayetteville in 1950. Due to drought in the summers of 1952, 1953 and 1954, the City
provided a second bond issue of $450,000 for a pump station at Lake Fayetteville. The
Beaver Water District was established in 1959 by Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and
Bentonville to provide the cities with treated water from Beaver Lake. In 1971, there was a
move to try to sell Lake Fayetteville. There was a public hearing about the sell of land which
resulted in a rally and petition drive from the citizens not to sell the pioperty and therefore
transferred the lake to the Parks and Recreation Division in 1972.
Environmental Study Center: Located on the north side of Lake Fayetteville at 511
Lakeview Drive, the Fayetteville and Springdale public schools requested to develop an
Environmental Study Center at Lake Fayetteville in 1973. The Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board and City Board of Directors adopted a resolution to lease 200-260 acres to
the schools for 50 years to develop an environmental study center. Today over 5,000 students
from Springdale and Fayetteville enrolled in kindergarten and grades 5, 7, and 10 utilize the
'September 14, 1998 / Page 1
PRAB Regular Meeting
study center. This figure does not include the Sierra Club, Boy Scout and Eagle Scout troops
patronage. Facilities include a classroom building, two pontoon boats, docking area,
observation pier, a trail, and a blindfolded interpretative trail. The camp recently completed
a shoreline vegetation program and has four Eagle Scout and two University of Arkansas
projects in progress. Future plans include developing an arboretum and grand prairie
restoration of seeding.
The Parks and Recreation Division started Nature Discovery Camp in 1993 and turned it
over to the Fayetteville Youth Center to sponsor a well rounded day camp program at this
site. Through the environmental education program, children will increase their awareness
and appreciation of the natural world through direct hands on experiences. The camp
activities include group games, daily nature hikes, observation of forest, field and lake
ecosystems, wildlife and plant identification, and guest speakers. This camp consists of six
one-week sessions from June to July. The Nature Discovery Camp is a wonderful
opportunity and experience for children to learn about nature and the environment.
Softball Complex: The facilities include three softball fields, a concession stand, and a
storage building. During the spring season of 1998, 75 teams with over 1,500 participants
were enrolled. During the fall season of 1998 there are 87 teams with over 1,750 participants.
In addition to the regular leagues, there are approximately 30 tournaments conducted on
weekends throughout the year The Parks & Recreation Division starts off the season in
February with the Arctic Classic Tournament which hosts about 30 teams. In 1973, the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board started a fund drive to solicit funds for the development of
the softball complex. In 1975, the softball complex was constructed with funding from Levi
Straus and other private sources, revenue bonds, and Federal grant funds. Fields #2 and #3
amenities including bleachers, dugouts, drinking fountains and scoreboards were installed
in 1981 from a G.O. Bond Construction fund, park donation fund, City general fund, and the
State Department Local Services. The complex was further upgraded in 1985 with field
irrigation systems, bleacher covers on field #3, new playground equipment and drinking
fountains. In 1987 new restrooms were built and the concession stand was remodeled. The
softball program continued to increase in popularity, and in 1992 the parking lot was
expanded. Today the Lake Fayetteville softball program is the largest softball program in the
state. The future proposed CIP includes replacing the remaining fence on field #2 in 1999,
and replacing the fence on field #3 in 2000. Replacement of the playground structure is
proposed to occur in 2001.
Lake Fayetteville boat dock: Lake Fayetteville is a fisherman's dream. Facilities include
a boat dock consisting of 49 stalls, picnic area, and a boat dock office managed by the boat
dock contractors Jim and Dollie Black. The boat dock office was built in 1976 for $11,000.
In 1982 the City gave control of the boat docks to the Parks Division. In 1990 the first annual
Kid's Day Fishing Tournament was held with great success. Many improvements have been
made to this area including 12 new boat stalls to be completed this year which brings the
September 14, 1998 / Page 2
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PRAB Regular Meeting
total to 61 stalls, a new deck in front of the office, landscaping, two new piers, and one boat
ramp with a deck in between. These improvements are funded through HMR and Green
Space funds and also through a grant with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Plans
for future development included in the proposed 1999-2002 CIP budget is construction of
a RV campground facility.
Hobby Use Area: The hobby use area is located to the east of the lake across highway 265.
In 1972 the Model Airplane Hobby Use Club made their home at this site. They constructed
a landing strip and had many flying activities. Due to the new homes built in this area, the
noise of the airplanes caused the Model Airplane Club to move to Combs Park. The northeast
area of this site also served as the home of the archery club, but the club later moved to Lake
Wilson. In 1993 the City approved the request from the Washington County United Way to
purchase two acres of land on the northwest corner for the construction of their building.
There are no immediate plans for future development of this park.
Botanical Gardens: After several public meetings with the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board, this 98.6 acre site was chosen to be leased to the Botanical Garden Society of the
Ozarks for 25 years. The Society's purpose is the establishment and operation of a botanical
garden where diverse collections of plants will be displayed, utilized, and preserved for
educational, environmental, recreational, and scientific purposes. It will promote public
awareness of the vital and unlimited roles that plants perform.
Veterans Memorial Park: Located on the south side of Lake Fayetteville off of Zion Road,
this 40 acre park facility consists of a pavilion, restrooms, three sand volleyball courts,
playground equipment, picnic areas, nature trail, and a fishing pier. In 1983 the Ozark
Volleyball Club assisted in the development of the sand volleyball courts. In 1998 the Parks
Division had a sand volleyball league from June to August consisting of 6 teams and 39
participants. The Ozark Volleyball Club held five tournaments this year and also had open
free play volleyball. Throughout the years, the Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts have assisted
in development of the trails and bridges in this area The Horseshoe Club constructed
horseshoe pits on the northwest side of the park in 1985. The Horseshoe Club eventually
moved to Walker Park where they donated and built their own pits. A large pavilion was
built in 1996 from Green Space funds and a grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks
and Tourism. This pavilion area is very popular and is frequently reserved for Targe
gatherings and social events. On July 4, 1996, the south shore park was officially named
Veterans Memorial Park at a special dedication ceremony with speaker Veteran Walter
McKinney. Improvement plans for 1998 include construction of a new restroom to
accommodate the large gatherings, entrance road improvements, and sidewalks. Future
proposed plans include replacement of the playground equipment in the year 2002.
Lake Fayetteville Trail: In 1997 two public hearings were held concerning the construction
of a trail around the perimeter of Lake Fayetteville. Landplan Consultants from Tulsa,
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PRAB Regular Meeting
Oklahoma was hired to design the trail from HMR funds. The design was completed in June
of 1998. $130,000 is designated in 1998 to begin construction of the trail. In addition, a grant
from the Arkansas Highway Transportation Department Recreational Trails Grant in the
amount of $20,000 to assist with construction costs is available. The City of Fayetteville also
has bicycle police offices that patrol the park and trail regularly. The trail in its natural state
is about 2.64 miles at this time. When the trail is completed around the lake it will be close
to five miles.
III. 1999 Budget Approval:
Mr. Ackerman said after reviewing projects, there are obviously more projects than can be
funded. As the budget process moves forward, the Parks and Recreation Division hopes to
become a benefactor of some additional funding as the budget is finalized. The Parks &
Recreation Advisory Board met on August 17 and August 24 to review the 1999 proposed
budget.
MOTION: JUDY/THIEL
The 1999 proposed budget was unanimously approved as presented by staff, 7-0-0.
IV. Informational Items:
• City Council approved the Hotz Park playground equipment bid award in the amount
of $45,908 and an amendment to the Parks' Ordinance permitting the Mayor and his
designee (Parks Superintendent) to establish fees for ballfield tournaments at the
August 18, 1998 City Council Meeting
• Bid opening for the Walker Park playground replacement is September 17, 1998
• Fall League Softball has 85 teams entered. This is ten more teams than the summer.
Summer Concert Series Attendance
Cate Brothers 1,000
Arkansas Winds 300
Ozark Mountains Brass Band 525
Local Hero 1,500
Jason D. Williams 2,200
Ultra Suede 4,000
Trout Fishing in America 5,250
TOTAL 14,775
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PRAB Regular Meeting
Ms. Edmonston announced that Terry Gulley had been selected as the Turf and
Facility Coordinator and would begin September 21, 1998 with the Parks and
Recreation Division.
Ms. Dugwyler announced the upcoming Recreation & Park Board Member
Workshop offered in conjunction with Arkansas Recreation and Park Association
Fall Conference scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 1998. The program is designed
for multiple members of a board and includes topics such as The Job Of The Board
Member: The Legal Aspects and Strategic Planning. Board members interested in
attending the workshop should contact Ms. Dugwyler.
PRAB briefly discussed the green space issue of acquiring new park land. As these
developments come before the PRAB, a thorough evaluation of the parcel(s)
proposed as park land need to be performed.
Mr. Bleidt said he had received a number of telephone calls regarding the
undeveloped park land at Bridgeport. Mr. Bleidt challenged the PRAB to visit with
citizens and determine development issues for unencumbered green space monies.
Mr. Bleidt said he was going to look at the Bridgeport/Fieldstone/Willow Springs
area and hopefully present ideas at the next PRAB meeting.
V. Adjournment:
• The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
MINUTES APPROVED: / D -S- 98
MINUTES TAKEN BY:
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