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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-02 - Minutes• • • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1998 REGULAR PRAB MEETING NAME (Please .44,t):: GROUP REPRESENTING Sint&dL 1, r/ 2 Crews Comae° (;tlV T e /l ,O L(,eKG * /'l1 r y crt wrz'e �,.�o....s C �. - cca (�`,�,jSS I II,rn jw e C., ill, 0 . (GA GSC ✓vt a rn W l/l • • TO: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board FROM: Connie Edmonston, Parks at Recreation Superintendent DATE: October 23, 1998 RE: PRAB Meeting on Monday, November 2, 1998 at 5:30 p.m., City Hall Room 219 AGENDA 1. Approval of PRAB October 5, 1998 meeting minutes Approval of PRAB Special Meeting - BMX - October 20, 1998 2. Park Video: This week's video series will feature Asbell, Lewis, Gordon Long, and Davis Parks. 3. Green Space Fund Request* In the Southeast Park District, $49,343 is required to be spent at the end of 1998. Of this total, $23,000 was expended as part of the payment on the Walker Park parking lot. PRAB dedicated $29,884 as the city's portion of the $30,000 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for the Walker Park playground improvement project. Due to the first bids coming in over budget and the time to redesign and re -bid the playground, this project has been delayed. Playground equipment takes from six to eight weeks for delivery. This may hamper expenditure of these green space funds by the end of the year. Therefore, staff recommends for PRAB to rededicate $29,884 of the Southeast Park District funds from the Walker Park playground project to the Walker Park parking lot project. The Walker Park playground project would thus be funded from HMR. PRAB Motion: 4. Other Business: 5. CLP Update: 6. Adjournment Attachments: Green Space Monthly Report HMR Monthly Report • PRAB Meeting Minutes - October 5 and October 20, 1998 CIP Update 1 • • • PRAB REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 2, 1998 The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Bleidt at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building. Members Present: Bleidt, Charboneau, Judy, Luttrell, Staggs Members Absent: Ackerman, Eads, Thiel Staff Present: Edmonston, Gulley, Nelson Guests Present: Peggy Smith Hart, Robert Hass, Rebecca Weaver - Fayetteville Juvenile Concerns Committee Media Present: Jill Rohrback, Morning News 1. Approval of PRAB October 5, 1998 meeting minutes Approval of PRAB Special Meeting - BMX - October 20, 1998 MOTION:JUDY/STAGGS: The minutes from the October 5, 1998 PRAB regular meeting were approved as presented, 5-0-0. MOTION:LUTTRELL/JUDY: The minutes from the October 20, 1998 PRAB special meeting were approved as presented, 5-0-0. 2. Juvenile Concerns Committee Request - Peggy Smith Hart Peggy Smith Hart, Interim Chair of the Juvenile Concerns Committee, proposed a budget adjustment item for the 1999 Parks & Recreation budget in the amount of $4500 to fund three teen parties throughout 1999. Ms. Hart presented a short videotape highlighting a Mardi Gras party hosted by the JCC. The City of Fayetteville's Juvenile Concerns Committee began offering teen parties in 1995- 1996. Ms. Hart said food and door prizes were not necessary for teens to enjoy themselves, and they prefer live bands in a club setting. Ms. Hart also said that by charging a small fee at the door helps recoup some advertising and decorating costs. By charging a fee, teens seem • November 2, 1998 / Page 1 PRAB Regular Meeting to understand that it costs money to make these events available. Ms. Hart said that although the teens have been well behaved at past events, a plain -clothed officer and adult chaperones provided peace of mind. Mr. Bleidt said advertisingand promotion of the events were crucial to their success. Ms. Hart said there were a lot of options available. Ms. Edmonston requested that the Juvenile Concerns Committee evaluate each event and report attendance and expenses to the Parks office. JUDY/CHARBONEAU The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board supports this endeavor and recommends to the City of Fayetteville to fund the request of three teen parties throughout 1999 in the amount of $4,500. The motion carried 5-0-0. 3. Park Video: Asbell School Park: Asbell School Park is one example of the cooperation between the Fayetteville Public Schools and the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Division to provide educational and recreational facilities for the community. In a 25 year lease agreement created in 1973, the school and city agreed the school grounds would become city parks after school hours, on weekends, and during the summer. The agreement has worked as a `win-win' model for the school and city jointly purchasing playground facilities, picnic tables and benches, basketball goals, and gymnasiums to serve the children and community as well. Asbell School Park is located between Sang Avenue and Lewis Street and consists of ten acres. There are two softball fields—one of which is used for adults and a smaller one which is used for the Youth Center's girls softball program and the Fayetteville High School team. A concession stand and restroom facility is located on the southeast portion of the park in close proximity of the softball fields. Community Development Block Grant Funds built the east parking lot on Lewis Street. In 1988, Asbell began to develop into a soccer complex. There are currently four soccer fields built by the city with automated irrigation systems. The Fayetteville Soccer Association worked closely with the Parks staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in developing and assisting in funding special projects for the soccer complex. Today, approximately 1,000 youth participate in the soccer program. There are also several adult soccer groups that utilize the soccer fields when available. Throughout the years, the Parks Division has jointly funded playground equipment for the school park. November 2, 1998 / Page 2 • • • • • PRAB Regular Meeting The Asbell gym was built in 1970 by Delta Building Company with the Parks Division committing $16,000 toward the construction. The gym received much usage from the school's physical education program and activities, as well as the Parks Division's and Youth Center's programs including youth and adult basketball, volleyball, Kid's Connection After - School Program, and special events. The gym was renovated in 1983 as well as again during the summer of 1998 in which the ceiling tiles were replaced with special acoustical tiles and the interior was painted. Future development of Asbell Park includes replacement of facilities as needed. Asbell School Park is a very busy park that is highly utilized throughout the year. With the joint efforts of the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Division, Youth Center, Fayetteville Public School System, Asbell PTA, and the Soccer Association, a wonderful facility has been created to enhance the lives of the many who enjoy Asbell School Park. Lewis Avenue Park During the early 1990s, there was an explosion in the participation of soccer. Asbell and Walker Park North were not big enough to accommodate the additional players. The University of Arkansas was most gracious to allow the City Parks and Recreation Division to lease several acres lying directly east of Asbell School Park for soccer fields in 1993. The land was leveled and graded with green space funds in the amount of $8,714. Two irrigated soccer fields were constructed in 1994 with an additional two more fields in 1995. During 1996, the soccer complex was completed with construction of the concession stand and restrooms, automated irrigation system, parking lot, two rail wood fence, and landscaping with green space funds in the amount of $24,500. One or two additional fields are planned to be developed in the near future. Plans are currently being made to improve the turf condition by establishing a maintenance program for the soccer fields. The Fayetteville Soccer Association conducts the youth soccer program. There are over 1,000 youth playing recreational and competitive soccer in the City of Fayetteville. The soccer program takes place in two seasons. Spring which occurs from March until May and a fall season occurring in September and October. Many of the competitive teams from the Comet Association practice almost year round preparing for tournaments. The Junior High and High School teams also utilize the fields. Gordon Long Park Gordon Long Park was dedicated to the Parks and Recreation Division as part of the park land dedication requirement of the Lakeside Village Apartments in 1995. Developer Jim Lindsey exceeded the park land requirement by donating an additional 1.58 acres to the 5.04 acres required, making the park 6.62 acres. Lindsey further donated and installed the playground equipment and play surface, three spring play toys, swing set, picnic facilities, November 2, 1998 / Page 3 PRAB Regular Meeting parking lot, paved trail, wrought iron fence around the boundary of the park, and landscaping. On July 17, 1997, Jim Lindsey and the community officially dedicated the park asGordon Long Park in memory of Jim's long-time friend. Since the beginnings of Gordon Long Park, Jim Lindsey has provided maintenance and care of the park. The Parks Division is scheduled to start maintaining the park in the spring of 1999. Our most gracious thank you goes to Jim Lindsey for providing this beautiful park for the neighborhood to enjoy. Davis Park Located one-half mile from the 71 Bypass west on Highway 16 in the Walnut Grove Subdivision, Davis Park consists of 9.2 acres. Davis Park was the city's first park dedicated from the Park Land Ordinance in 1988. The park was named after the owner and developer Bryce Davis. Landscape Architects, Bob Callans & Associates, created the master plan of the park in 1990. The first development of the park was paving one half of Comell Street from Salem Road to the park at a cost of $10,933. In 1994, land excavation, grass and tree plantings, and picnic facilities were installed with green space funds. Through a $30,000 grant with the Arkansas State Parks Real Estate Transfer Tax in 1997, a playground structure, half basketball court, ADA improvements, sidewalk, two -rail wooden boundary fence, and an entry way were developed along with $8,895 from the Park's general sales tax, HMR, and green space funds. Future plans for the park include a pavilion, sand volleyball court, additional picnic/playground facilities, and maintenance of the old pond area. Michael Langford volunteered to design and build a timber frame 12' x 20' pavilion during the fall of 1998. 4. Green Space Fund Request: In the Southeast Park District, $49,343 is required to be spent at the end of 1998. Of this total, $23,000 was expended as part of the payment on the Walker Park parking lot. PRAB dedicated $29,884 as the city's portion of the $30,000 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for the Walker Park playground improvement project. Due to the first bids coming in over budget and the time to redesign and re -bid the playground, this project has been delayed. Playground equipment takes from six to eight weeks for delivery. This may hamper expenditure of these green space funds by the end of the year. Therefore, staff recommends for PRAB to rededicate $29,884 of the Southeast Park District funds from the Walker Park playground project to the Walker Park parking lot project. The Walker Park playground project would thus be funded from HMR. MOTION: CHARBONEAU/STAGGS The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board accepted staff's recommendation to rededicate $29,884 of the Southeast Park District green space funds from the Walker Park playground project to the Walker Park parking lot project. The motion was approved 5-0-0. November 2, 1998 / Page 4 • • • • • • • • PRAB Regular Meeting 5. Other Business: Ms. Edmonston reported that a meeting was held with SWEPCO today at Gulley Park. There has been numerous problems with vandalism of the existing lights along the trail, and SWEPCO has offered to donate lighting for the park and maintain them. Requests have been received from park patrons to better illuminate dark areas of the park, and we are looking forward to moving ahead with this project. 6. CIP Update: The Veterans Memorial Park restroom project will be before City Council on November 17; the bid, including contingency, came in under budget at $163,621. The Finger Park Entrance, Gate and Sign contract has been awarded and work should begin soon. The Davis Park pavilion construction is in process. The Wilson Castle Renovation re -bid is scheduled for opening November 4. Filter replacement and dressing room renovation for Wilson Pool contract with Carter & Burgess has been awarded. The Walker Park parking lot should be completed within the next 15 to 30 days. The Walker Park playground will be on the November 17 City Council agenda. Wilson and Gulley restrooms retrofitting is almost complete. Fencing for the girls' softball complex should begin this week. FEMA regulations are slowing progress on the Greathouse Park bridge. School maintenance is now installing the new playground at Bates School Park. The December Parks & Recreation Advisory Board was re -scheduled for Monday, December 14, 1998 at 5:30 p.m. 7. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. MINUTES APPROVED: /2- /4.98 MINUTES TAKEN BY: C:24 Y2John Nelson November 2, 1998 / Page 5 • • • TO: Parks and d� Recreation Advisory Board FROM: Coni% £dmonston, Parks & Recreation Superintendent DATE: October 30, 1998 RE: Reminder of PRAB Meeting on Monday, November 2, 1998 at 5:30 p.m., City Hall Room 219 - Addendum to meeting. Peggy Smith Hart from the Juvenile Concern Committee specially requested for PRAB to review this proposal. It was received after the packets were mailed. Due to the short agenda and the fact the city is trying to finalize all budget proposals, I am asking you review the requests. In analyzing the project with other city staff, they agreed that PRAB should review this request and recommend if it is a valid project for the city to participate. City staff felt this request would best fit into the Parks and Recreation Division budget. In regards to the proposal to move up the CIP skate park from the year 2000 to 1999. It is my recommendation for the skate park funding to remain in 2000 for the following reasons: 1. This is a very popular activity throughout the country. I would like to have ample time to research and evaluate this special type of facility due to the liability and feasibility issues involved. (1 1298ADD) I have heard some neighboring cities are investing in portable skate parks. I would like to see how they work out for them first before we make the investment. The skate park is a lower priority than the proposed 1999 projects. 1 • Oct -22-98 05:OOP nwa rape crisis FAYETTEVI LLE THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE. ARKANSAS 501-927-1023 P.02 • Ms. Connie Edmonston, Superintendent Parks and Recreations Dept. City of Fayetteville 915 California Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 Dear Connie Thank you for speaking with me today regarding funding for activities that the City of Fayetteville's Juvenile Concems Committee sees as important for teens. Below, please find a proposal for funding for three teen parties throughout 1999 which would be hosted through the Juvenile Concerns Committee. We would ask that you consider this proposal for a budget adjustment item for the 1999 Parks & Recreation budget. Also. we would ask the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to consider recommending the building of the proposed Skate Park during the 1999 year instead of 2000 as is presently planned in the CIP. Interest among teens seems strong now, and this would be a way to demonstrate to Fayetteville's teens that the City does listen to their suggestions and concems. If more information is needed, please contact me at 927-1025. I will plan to attend the upcoming Parks & Rec Advisory Board meeting in November to answer any questions the Board may have about our request. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Sincerely, Peggy Smith Hart Interim Chair Juvenile Concern Committee Bill Ackerman, Chair, Parks & Rec Advisory Board Nancy Hendricks, Mayor Hanna's office Proposed funding request: Three teen parties throughout 1999, i.c. Mardi Gras party, May Day party, and Halloween party. Juvenile Concems Committee members, parents, alderman, and would provide adult supervision during the events. 1 Party $1,500 band $750 venue $750 for a total of $4,500 for three teen parties 113 WEST MOUNTAIN 72701 501-521-7700 FAX 501-57S-5257 • • Oct -29-98 04:23P nwa rape crisis 501-927-1023 Juvenile Concerns Committee requests for Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Budget Adjustment P.02 History The City of Fayetteville's Juvenile Concerns Comrninee (JCC) began offering teen parties during the 1995-96 year. It began with the dedication of JCC members to raise funds, to secure a band and venue, and to get the word out to teens. The first party, a Halloween party at George's Majestic Lounge featuring the band Punkinhead, was a great success. We followed up with a RAVE at the Walton Art Center's Starr Theater in March '96 and ended the year with an end of the school dance for junior high teens at the Fayeneville Youth Center. During the 1996-97 year, we heard from teens who were disappointed that no Halloween party was planned that year. They thought it was good idea, and believed it should be an annual event. With little JCC volunteer time available that year, we chose to host a Mardi Gras party in January '97 at Slightly South of Dickson (now JR's Dickson St. Ballroom) at which Ultra Suede performed. With new members on the Committee for the 1997-98 year, we hosted a Halloween party at JR's Dickson Street Ballroom featuring the band, Hunkrpown. During this Committee's first year of service we focused mainly on guest speakers for the Committee and the viewing audience, not on special events. With the beginning of the 1998-99 year, the JCC began to consider once again offering parties for teens. At the request of Mayor Hanna (whose office helped fund the last two parties) we are coming to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to ask that they help support these Teen parties. By making a budget adjustment to add funding for the teen parties, budgets for P&R funded projects would not need to be reduced to help us provide entertainment for teens. What We've Learned Food and door prizes are not necessary for teens to have a good time. They want to hear live bands, not DJs - they can hear DJs at school functions. The Parks & Rec Department verified this when they implemented the Concert in the Park Summer series successfully. However, teens also want to go to clubs to hear good Local bands. By hosting non-alcoholic parties at local venues, we were able to give the teens what they wanted. Senior high teens that can drive themselves to the locations seemed to appreciate the fact that a local club was opened just for them. Junior high teens were not as receptive. We have had anywhere from 50 (junior high party) to almost 400 persons attend. The average attendance would probably be 170 teens. Charging a small fee at the door helps recoup some costs (copying costs, decorations). Also, by charging a fee teens seem to understand that it cost money to bring these events to them. Teens behave themselves during the events; however, having a plain -clothed officer available helps provide peace of mind to the adult volunteers chaperoning the parties. Recommendation Having annual events is better for teens. If we offered three standard parties throughout the year, it would enable students to count on some entertainment options. Offering annual events may make predicting attendance easier. We are asking only for funding to cover the cost of venues and bands, @ $1,500 per event.