The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2009-05-04 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes for May 4, 2009 Opening: The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Chairman Wade Colwell at 5:34 p.m. on May 4, 2009 in room 326 of the City Administration Building at 113 West Mountain in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Present: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Colwell, Biendara, Hatfield, Waite, P. Jones, Mauritson, and Meinecke were present. Meldrum arrived at 5:40 p.m. Staff members Edmonston, Humphry, C. Jones, Gipson, Thomas and the audience was present. 1. Approval of April 6, 2009 PRAB Meeting Minutes PRAB Motion: The April minutes were approved by a voice vote of 7-0-0. 2. Botanical Garden Monthly Report: Walt Filers Walt Eilers was not present to present the May Botanical Gardens report. There was a handout discussing the economic impact of the Gardens in Northwest Arkansas. It was mentioned that the Greening of the Gardens is Thursday. 3. Eagle Scout Project at Lake Wilson: Cameron Baker Cameron Baker (Boy Scout Troop 116) is working on his Eagle Scout project. He would like to build an informational kiosk at Lake Wilson, along with a bench. He is planning an 8 x 22 oval shape area with mulch around it. He will build the kiosk and bench first, then level off the area, put weed barrier down, and then put pebbles. In the kiosk, he would like to put maps and the off leash dog park rules. Colwell said that he will have to have 100 hours total on the project. He suggested that Baker confer with Lisa Netherland to see if she had any thoughts on his plans. Netherland said to not use the weed barrier, because it's a waste of energy and time. Mulch might be better than pebble, because it's easier to haul. Colwell suggested that he try to find a shady spot for the bench. Biendara said that mulch picks up bugs and ants. She suggested that he leave the area natural. Meinecke suggested that where the foot traffic will be, he could put gravel, and leave everywhere else natural. Edmonston said that Baker should request that a park planner go with him for the first visit Colwell said that Baker will be the fourth person in his family to be an Eagle Scout. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to accept the Eagle Scout project, and Mauritson seconded it. Motion passed 8-0-0 by voice vote. 4. Eagle Scout Project at Lake Sequoyah: Skylar Gambert Skylar Gambert is with Eagle Scout Troop 116. His Eagle Scout project is to build picnic tables at Lake Sequoyah. He wants to build several tables to locate along the trail. The tables will be functional and mobile. Colwell asked how many tables will be built. Gambert said that was one of the things he wanted to discuss with PRAB. Colwell wanted to know how the project would be paid for. Gambert said that he has friends in construction. Meldrum asked what type of wood would be used for the tables. Gambert said he will use plastic wood. Edmonston said that type of wood needs support so it won't sag. Colwell said he knows someone that has a good type of wood, and will talk to Gambert later about it. He suggested that the tables should be by the kiosk, the trail, and close to the parking lot. Maybe one could be placed overlooking the dam, and also the bridge. Lake Sequoyah needs an organized cleanup. He said Gambert may need to combine the table project and a cleanup to make his 100 homy. Biendara suggested that he makes some benches also. Meinecke said that he could keep making and placing the tables until his 100 hours is used up. PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned to accept the Eagle Scout project, and Meinecke seconded it. Motion passed 8-0-0 by voice vote. 5. Wilson Park Landscape "Worm" Design: Lisa Netherland, Park Horticulturist Netherland said that the worm would be 40' long. They tried boulders for the border, but that didn't look good. The worm will be made out of magnesium oxide cement. Eugene Sargent is the designer. This will be a test project. They are planning to put out a couple of informational signs about earthworms. Netherland said she wants to educate the public by having fun, in keeping with the whimsy of the Wilson Castle. Meldrum asked where the water would run off. Netherland said it doesn't really run off. She has never seen standing water on the walkway. Meldrum said he didn't want standing water on the sidewalk. Edmonston said that the worn will be looked at as an art piece. It will have to go through the art council, and then the City Council. Netherland said that the estimated cost is under $3,000. Hatfield said that he appreciated the thoughtfulness of thinking out solutions. Netherland said that they are very budget conscious. Colwell asked where the money for the project would come from. Edmonston said she's not sure yet. PRA Motion: Mauritson motioned to accept the worm design, and Colwell accepted it. Motion passed 8-0-0 by voice vote. 6. Community Garden Update: Lisa Netherland, Park Horticulturist Netherland is thrilled that there is now a mission statement for the Community Gardens. It is "to facilitate the development and growth of sustainable community gardens in Fayetteville that build community and produce fresh, high quality food for all." Colwell asked how it would be determined who takes home what from the gardens. Netherland replied that people will have their own plants. Colwell said he thought it would be that people could get what they want. Netherland said that it could be like that. It depends on what the people want. Meinecke asked what size the gardens will be. Netherland said that it depends on what the residents decide. Edmonston said she's very proud of all that Lisa has done. Netherland said that she hopes to start a garden this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Seven Hills Residential Center. 7. Park Land Dedication: Development Name: Engineer: Owner: Carole Jones, Park Planner Campus Suites Crafton Tull Sparks John Home Location: Park Quadrant Southwest corner of Drake Street and Gregg Avenue NW Units: 156 Multi -family units Total Acres: 12.02 Land Dedication Requirement: 2.65 acres Money in Lieu Requirement $106,080 *Final fees to be determined at Planning Commission approval* Existing Parks: Developer's Request: Staff Recommendation: Estimated Annual Maintenance: Justification: Gordon Long Park and Scull Creek Trail Money in lieu Money in lieu N/A Gordon Long Park is located across Gregg Avenue from the development. Jones said that these apartments were formally the Drake Street Apartments. They are across from Gordon Long and Scull Creek. input as well as the input from the Colwell suggested that PRAB take the money and run. Meinecke said that this area would have the pool and clubhouse and access to the trails. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to accept the staff recommendation, and Mauritson seconded it. Motion passed 8-0-0 by voice vote.- 8. ote: 8. Dog Park Rules: Carole Jones, Park Planner Staff talked with Jill Hatfield, Animal Services Superintendent, and revised the draft rules for the dog park based on her input as well as the input from the April PRAB meeting. Colwell asked why a 15 year old needed to be accompanied by an adult. That's too old, he said. C. Jones said that age limit was pretty standard. Meinecke said he noticed the age limit also. Waite said the age should be lowered. Edmonton said the age can be lowered if PRAB wants to do it. Biendara said no one will check the ages at the park- Park ark Park Staff Recommendation: Approve Dog Park Rules as revised PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to lower the "accompanied by an adult" age from 15 years old to 13 years old, and to approve everything else as written. Meinecke seconded it. Motion was approved 8-0-0 by voice vote. 9. Sweetbriar Park ANRC Grant Match Proposal: Carole Jones, Park Planner C. Jones said that an application has been made for a grant at Sweetbriar and Wilson Parks. It will be similar to what we did at Gulley Park. If there is a match, then up to $40,000 will be budgeted from the NW quadrant. She is asking for PRAB's thoughts on the $40,000. Colwell commented that anytime we can pick up a matching grant, it's good. Meinecke asked what the ratio would be. C. Jones said she didn't know, because the guidelines aren't out yet. Colwell asked if it can be used for the trailhead, or maybe the bridge. C. Jones said possibly it could be used for that. Mauritson wanted to know if this grant is approved, would the $40,000 be encumbered. Edmonston said yes. Park Staff' Recommendation: If the grant is approved, matching funds up to $40,000 to be budgeted from the Northeast Park Land Dedication Fund. PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned to commit to the $40,000 and go for the grant. Waite seconded it. Motion passed by voice vote 8-0-0. 10. Doc Mashburn Park — AR Parks & Tourism Outdoor Recreation Grant Report: Carole Jones, Park Planner C. Jones said this park was formally known as Fairlane Park. Parks has received $50,000 as a matching grant, and has $100,000 to match. She is trying to finalize the plans and get them out for the bids. There was a good turnout for the public meeting. 11. Parks and Recreation Department Website Update: Chase Gipson, Recreation Superintendent Gipson said that, as of today, online registration is available. The Belford Group, locally owned, gave Parks a demonstration last year, and won the bid, since they will do it for free. There is a fee for customers to register online. This is a pilot program for Belford. Only fall soccer registration is available right now. Next year, summer camps, softball and swim lesson registration will be added. The information the customers enter will automatically be inserted into the database There have been a couple of letters to the editor about the tennis courts being available mainly to the U of A students, and not to the general public. The facts are that the U of A has a couple of the courts Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. They volunteered to switch to Walker Park for their other court hours. Gipson has been trying to return a call to the Times to correct the information. Colwell asked if Gipson could write a letter to the editor for a rebuttal. Gipson said that had been discussed, but then other people will expect Parks and Recreation to answer their concerns personally in the paper. Colwell wanted to know if Gipson is in charge of the Gulley Park concerts. Gipson said yes. He added that concert posters will be available soon. 12. Regional Park Update: Connie Edmonston, Park & Recreation Director Edmonston said that Engineering is closing the survey, and it will be done in a month or so. The Regional Park is getting closer to reality. 13. Other Business: Meldrum is going to ride his bike from Fayetteville to Colorado. His website is www.stevesbikeadventure.coni. Colwell said he was going to try to ride with him from Wichita for a couple of days. Bike to Work Week will start on May 9, 2009 with a proclamation from the mayor. Colwell asked for an update on the bake Fayetteville Outdoor Festival. Edmonston said it was absolutely wonderful. There will be a meeting on Wednesday to critique the festival. Waite said that everyone did a great job. The looks on people's faces were wonderful. Biendara said that there was a continuous line for the kayak usage. Gipson said that there were an estimated 3,000 people there. Edmonston said that the Solar Races are May 26-31, 2009. She also said that there was an opening on the PRAB committee. Darby Benson resigned because his new job interfered with the PRAB meetings. The deadline date to apply is May 29, 2009. Terry Lawson with the Fayetteville Youth Baseball gave a short presentation. Opening night for Youth Baseball 2009 was a night to remember. Several people that were involved in the baseball program but have died recently had memorials put on the five new scoreboards. There was even a flyover. Walker Park, where baseball games are played, is old. There are many areas; such as the fences, the overhead protection, the concession stand, walkways, bleachers and the restrooms, that badly need renovation. Southpass is needed, because more tournaments could be played, thus bringing in more revenue for Fayetteville. 14. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.