HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-05 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting Minutes February 5, 2007
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by
Chairman Wade Colwell at 5:35 P.M., on February 5, 2007 in Room 326 of the City
Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Present:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Colwell, Davidson, Burke, Davis,
Biendara, Mauritson and Bitler were present; Hatfield was absent; Park Staff
Edmonston, Coles, Whillock, Patterson; Trail Coordinator Mihalevich and audience were
in attendance.
1. Approval of January 8th, 2007 PRAB Meeting Minutes
PRAB Motion: Davidson moved to approve as written and Mauritson seconded
the motion. Motion passed by voice vote of six approvals and Bitler abstaining
due to his absence at the January 8th meeting.
2. Approval of January 23rd, 2007 PRAB Meeting Minutes
PRAB Motion: Colwell stated he was misquoted and requested a correction to
the minutes by changing the word fines' to permeable'. The motion to accept
as amended was made by Mauritson and seconded by Bitler. The motion passed.
3. Salem Meadows Subdivision Park Name Recommendation:
Staff recommends naming the 1.89 acre park located in the Salem Meadows
Subdivision on 3508 West Marsh Street, Salem Park. There have been several
public meetings with the neighborhood in which no suggestions for naming the
park were submitted. This area has been known as the Salem Community,
Salem Street, Salem Community Building and School. (See attached request.)
This park is under contract for development and needs to be identified by an
appropriate park name. According to our Naming of Facilities Policy, the names
are submitted for review to PRAB and are automatically tabled until the next
month to allow for public input.
Park names are tabled according to the Naming of Facilities Policy until
the next PRAB meeting on February 5, 2007.
PRAB Motion: Mauritson moved to approve the name, Salem Park as
recommended by Staff. Burke seconded the motion which passed 6-0-0. Davis
and Hatfield were absent for the vote.
4. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Representative Appointment:
February 5, 2007/ 1
Burke said a single person attending all meetings rather then rotation of
members is preferred by the Board of Botanical Gardens.
Edmonston said the ordinance states 'representative of Parks Board to
participate' so we can choose.
Biendara said she would like to but the time conflicts with another meeting she is
obligated to attend.
Davis asked if we should alternate Board members attendance or not.
Davidson thinks we should alternate attendance though the Botanical Gardens
Board would rather we not.
Colwell asked Jay if he'll go as the first rotation to the February meeting.
Davis volunteered to attend in March.
Choosing a Board member to attend the monthly meeting of the Botanical
Garden Board will be on the agenda monthly.
PRAB Motion: Mauritson moved to rotate Parks Board Member attending the
Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks Board meeting monthly until someone
volunteers to attend the meetings on a permanent basis. Bitter seconded and
the motion passed with a vote of 7-0-0. Hatfield was absent for the vote.
S. Criteria for Selecting Park Land and Trail: Connie Edmonston, Director of
Parks and Recreation
See attached criteria.
Davis stated it appears the wording has been condensed and made shorter to
make it easier to comprehend.
Edmonston said item #6 on the old list was removed. It stated dwellings should
face public streets on two sides of development. That's just a preference and not
a requirement so it was removed to prevent difficulties for some developers.
Edmonston read the two new criteria:
• Park land shall not be less than 2 acres unless it is a pocket park or
located in an area that could be expanded in the future.
• Proposed park land to be deeded in phases shall be prioritized
according to the needs of the park system.
She explained the one addressing process of deeding land in phases by saying
the Parks Board will choose the part of the total proposed area to be deeded first
February 5, 2007/ 2
so to get land that best benefits Parks' needs. The developer can take it to
Planning Commission should they disagree with Parks Board's choice.
Burke asked if this had been the case in January would this have changed what
the developer proposed.
Edmonston stated that it would not have. The only option we had in that was
the piece by the school (Owl Creek) because none of the rest of the proposed
land for future parkland dedication touches either Harmony Point Park or Legacy
Subdivision.
Bitler asked why the last bullet point in the addition to the Criteria for Accepting
Land was added. (Proposed park land to be deeded in phases may be prioritized
according to the needs of the park system.) He inquired if it was due to
something from the last meeting or something Staff has come across.
Edmonston said it makes sense to be able to pick the piece of property if we can.
We want to be able to pick the piece that makes more sense, such as a piece by
a street just in case the rest of the development doesn't happen. That way Parks
isn't stuck with a piece of land that isn't accessible or useable.
Edmonston used Eagle Park as an example for multiple donation process where
Parks accepted land near the street first in case other land was not developed or
donated as planned.
The Board requested changing the word "shall" in the second added criteria to
"may" and that was approved.
Regional Park Report: Edmonston reported on the Southpass property and the
change of park designation from Community Park to Regional Park. She said a
meeting last week with the developers and planners resulted in a discussion
regarding all the needs of Parks Department which included every single aspect
of park usage. They discussed safety issues, accessibility (ADA), trail corridors
over Kessler Mountain. She expressed her appreciation for the 200 acres and
one million dollars the developers are donating to the City's park system. She
said the group will be returning to Fayetteville in late February for further
discussions and hope to meet with Parks Board.
Davidson stated the need for Parks Board and Staff to be clear on Parks'
priorities because of other groups with needs in Fayetteville.
Biendara said a list of the various parks and their amenities would be good to
know.
Edmonston said she would send the park inventory list to the Board.
February 5, 2007/ 3
Colwell suggested a place to begin would be to focus on what amenities we're
getting ready to lose, such as Lewis Soccer Fields. Those things we know we'll
need he further stated.
Edmonston said the economic impact was discussed, such as having enough
fields to have larger groups coming in for tournaments. We need to bring money
back into Parks. She said the idea will be a 'one stop recreation' area.
Colwell said the Park Maintenance and Park Offices should also be on location
there.
Davidson said he'd like to know how many fields would be needed to prevent
turning away people wanting to participate.
Edmonston said the adult programs in softball will remain at the current facilities
and youth programs will be in the new park.
Davis requested a summary of public meetings held at the airport over the years
to discuss the needs of the public in regards to the park.
Edmonston state she would get that information to the Board.
6. Other Business:
Leverett Commons - Staff requests Parks Recreation Advisory Board repeal the
motion made January 8, 2007 to accept parkland dedication for Leverett
Commons and to accept the $7,480 money -in -lieu.
Biendara moved to repeal the previous motion at the January 2007 meeting to
accept land. Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0-2. Burke and
Bitler abstained as they were absent at the January meeting and did not vote on
the first motion. Hatfield was absent for this vote.
Davis moved to accept $7,480 money -in -lieu. Mauritson seconded the motion
and the motion passed 7-0-0 with Hatfield absent for the vote.
Parks and Recreation 2006 Annual Report - Edmonston introduced the 2006
Annual Report which will be presented to City Council members.
Davis moved to accept the Report as presented. Mauritson seconded and the
motion passed 7-0-0 with Hatfield absent for the vote.
Eagle Scout Project - Colwell announced a work day at Lake Sequoyah on
Saturday and Sunday, February 10 and 11. The work is the Eagle Scout project
February 5, 2007/ 4
on the trail coordinated by Alex Heatherington. Colwell invited everyone
interested to join in the project.
Colwell requested a map be placed in the kiosk at Lake Sequoyah.
7. Adjournment: Colwell adjourned the meeting at 6:35 P.M.
Minutes prepared by Cheryl Whillock
February 5, 2007/ 5
