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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-04 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Minutes for January 4, 2010 Opening: The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Chairman Steve Hatfield at 5:31 p.m. on January 4, 2010 in Room 111 at the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Present: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Biendara, Hatfield, Hazelrigs, Lindsey, Mauritson, Meinecke, Meldrum and Waite were present. Watson was absent. Staff members Edmonston, Jones, Jumper, Humphry, Thomas, and the audience were present. 1. Introduction of new PRAB Members: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Jennifer Hazelrigs and Michael Lindsey Recreation Director Edmonston introduced Hazelrigs and Lindsey, and they gave a brief introduction of themselves. They are both looking forward to being a part of PRAB and serving the community. 2. Botanical Garden Monthly Report Walt Eilers Eilers introduced Rae Von Holdt, the first full-time, professional Executive Director for the Botanical Gardens. She said she is excited about the Gardens, and is looking forward to working with PRAB. Eilers then discussed some 2009 accomplishments such as: increased attendance for their educational and cultural programs; the construction of the Reading Railroad; their first strategic plan was developed; and the gardens were recognized in Citiscapes as a family educational and recreation destination, and the best place to get married. 3. Election of PRAB officers for 2010 Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director Edmonston asked for nominations for the chairman and the vice chairman. Mauritson nominated Hatfield for chairman, and Hatfield nominated Mauritson for vice chairman. PRAB Motion: Biendara motioned to accept the nominations, and Meldrum seconded it. Hatfield and Mauritson abstained. Motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote. 4. Approval of December 7, 2009 Meeting Minutes PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned to accept the December minutes as written, and Biendara seconded it. Motion passed 8-0-0 by voice vote. 5. PRAB 2010 Orientation Date: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director Edmonston told the board that the PRAB orientation is held every year to go over the responsibilities of the board. She asked the board to pick a date and time to have this meeting that will be approximately 2 hours in length. Hatfield said that the meeting needs to be before the next scheduled PRAB gathering. Meineeke said the middle of the day would be okay. Hatfield asked the group if January 19`" or 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. would be a good day and time. The group consensus decided January 20, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m as the orientation date and time. The meeting place will be announced at a later date. 6. HMR Amendment Information Edmonston said that the current ordinance for the hotel/motel/restaurant tax has an error in it. When it was passed, the wording for the voters should have said the money was to be used to help pay for park development, operation, and maintenance. The word maintenance was left out, and it needs to be corrected, since it's a state statute. This ordinance helps determine the way HMR funds are distributed to Parks. It brings in around 2 million dollars annually. Hatfield asked who would determine the ratio of the funding. Edmonston said that PRAB would be involved in the decision making Hatfield asked what prompted this move. Edmonston said that the aldermen have been talking about it. This issue is something that will have to go before the citizens for a vote. Lindsey asked who would pay for the election. It would cost a lot. Edmonston said that the City would pay for it. Meinecke asked where the funding for Parks would come from. Edmonston said it was the same money, but just different wording. Biendara said she is concerned that the funding will change for Parks and Recreation. She asked who decided how the money would be allocated from the HMR taxes. Edmonston said that the City Council would. Biendara commented that they could take away money from Parks and Recreation. Edmonston said that they could do that. Waite said the whole situation sounds innocent, since it's only about one word, but it actually is a big deal. Mauritson said this is the reason that the citizens of Fayetteville need to be educated on this issue. Edmonston said that she doesn't think any funds will be taken away. Meinecke asked if a time would come that Fayetteville would be saturated with parks, and the funds would be used for only maintaining them. Edmonston said that a time is coming where decisions will have to be made. Mauritson commented that the maintenance costs won't ever go down, and will always be an issue. Biendara said that her greatest concern was that the City Council will take away a big chunk of money. Hatfield said that now is the time to talk to your alderman. Ask questions, and let them know how you feel. Edmonston said that the Council doesn't have to give us money, but they have been very generous in the past. Meldrum asked if this issue would go before the Council tomorrow night. Edmonston said yes, it will. Meldrum said that didn't leave much time for anyone to talk to their alderman. Mauritson said that this will go back to the citizens of Fayetteville. Make your voice heard. Hatfield said for everyone to talk to their alderman. He said Biendara made a valid point about the council giving or not giving Parks funding. 7. Other Business Biendara asked for an update on Red Oak Park. Jones said that the public comments were received. Ten citizens preferred Option 1, three citizens preferred Option 2, and ten citizens preferred "other" options. Parks and Recreation Staff have been working on an alternative to plan to present to Council, and they are trying to finalize it. Biendara then asked for an update on Gulley Park. Jones said the bore was completed and the water line has been installed in the casing located in the bore. The rest of the pipe should be arriving soon. She's hoping, barring the weather, that the project will be done by the end of February. Biendara wanted to know how the dog park was coming along. Jumper said that things were still on track. The construction drawings were 90% complete. She also gave a brief overview to the new PRAB members about the Procter and Gamble donation of $30,000 toward the new dog park. Waite asked about the Wilson Park Trail. Jones said that she is working on the drawings. She is hoping that the current trail will get replaced with concrete. Meldrum let Edmonston know that the graffiti on Scull Creek is bad right now. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas.