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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-07 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes January 7, 2008 Opening: The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Chairman Wade Colwell at 5:30 p.m. on January 7, 2008 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, Biendara, Jones, Waite, Mauritson, Hatfield and Bitler were present: Park Staff Edmonston, Coles, Wright, Thomas, Jumper, and Jones and audience were in attendance. 1. Introduction of new PRAB Board Members: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director Bill Waite and Phillip Jones were introduced as our new PRAB members, replacing Bob Davis and Milton Burke. 2. Election of PRAB Officers for 2008: Wade Colwell, Chairman PRAB motion: Hatfield made the motion to have Colwell and Davidson remain in their current positions of Chairperson, and Vice Chairperson respectively. Waite seconded the motion. Motion passed by voice vote 8-0-0. 3. Approval of December 3, 2007 PRAB Meeting Minutes: PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned to accept the minutes as written. Biendara seconded it. Motion passed by voice vote 8-0-0. 4. Botanical Garden Report: Walt Eilers, BGO Board Member Eilers discussed the handout. He said that the membership had increased in December by thirty seven members, which brought the total for 2007 to 781 members. One of the items he discussed from the handout was that they had received a Ball Seed Company grant to construct a production greenhouse. After discussing more of the handout, he asked if there were any questions. Bitler asked when the trail was going to be rerouted. Edmonston said it would be done when the trail was finalized. Bitler asked if the trail rerouting would come before the Parks board for approval. Colwell suggested that the board request that it come to them for approval. Bider asked where the other parking lot would be constructed. He also wanted to know how big it would be. Eilers said it would be located where the gate is located. It would be a twelve space lot, with a handicap parking space. PRAB motion: Bider motioned that the Botanical Gardens bring the final trail plan to PRAB for approval. Colwell seconded it. Motion passed by voice vote 8-0-0. 5. Walnut Crossing Subdivision Park Naming Kim Hesse, Rausch Coleman Land Development This item was tabled at the December 2007 meeting according to our Park Facility Naming Policy to allow sufficient time for public input. The neighborhood recommended naming the park Holland Park after the family that owned the farm until the 1970's. Hesse said she found out that Mary Holland, the person Rausch Coleman Land Development bought the land from, was the last original descendant. Hesse has been trying to find the children, with no success. She wanted to make sure the family doesn't have a problem having a park named after them. Mauritson said he really liked the family history aspect. Edmonston said that Fayetteville Park and Recreation policy says that in order for a park to be named after a person, the person must have historical history with Fayetteville, or have made a significant contribution to Fayetteville. The naming of this park is up to the Park board. If the name Holland Park is wanted, the vote needs to be tonight. If the board wants to consider another name, it must be tabled until the February PRAB meeting. Biendara said she was afraid that the name was going to be overused. Mauritson suggested the name Deer Crossing. Bitler asked if more input from the neighborhood was needed. Hesse said that the only appropriate name was Holland Park if it was going to be tied to a family. Mauritson said he liked the name Holland for the history. Someone asked Hesse what the creek name was that ran through the park. Hesse replied that it was Goose Creek. Jumper then suggested the name Goose Park. Colwell gave an emphatic no to that suggestion, and then asked Hesse to talk to the neighborhood again. Hesse said she would try. She said the playground equipment was arriving tomorrow. PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned that the park naming be tabled until the February PRAB meeting. Bider seconded it. The motion failed 1-0-7 with Bider giving the affirmative vote, commenting that he had to say yes, since he seconded the motion. Mauritson then motioned that the park be named Holland Park. Bider seconded the motion. The motion passed 8-0-0 by voice vote. 6. University of Arkansas Concrete Canoe Races: David Wright, Recreation Superintendent The University of Arkansas Engineering Department has secured the National Concrete Canoe Races in Fayetteville for April 2008. They are seeking permission for use of Lake Fayetteville for the Saturday Races for this event. Staff Recommendation: Approval of the use of Lake Fayetteville for the concrete canoe races in April 2008 Wright turned the presentation over to Andy Moore, a University of Arkansas civil engineering student. Moore asked the board for permission to use a portion of Lake Fayetteville on April 19, 2008 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Among the items he discussed, he said that they would have insurance, and everyone was required to wear a life jacket. He said 400+ people would be coming in for the races, which would have a positive economic impact for Fayetteville. There will be twelve schools entered for the competition. He also discussed the photos in the packet. Mauritson said these races would tie in with the solar races. Wright said that these races would only be in one part of the lake, and would not interfere with the other lake activities. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned that the Staff recommendation be accepted. Mauritson seconded, and the motion passed 8-0-0 by voice vote. 7. Habitat for Humanity project presentation: Aaron Gabriel Habitat for Humanity is purchasing land from the City to develop a low impact development. Aaron Gabriel from Habitat for Humanity gave a power point presentation. They are requesting a parkland dedication ordinance waiver for the development of 8.8 acres south of Huntsville Road in the City of Fayetteville. It is a low impact development. 3+ acres will be dedicated as passive recreation parkland. Bitler asked how many units would be in the development. Gabriel said there would be fifty units. He said the area is being planned for ecological restoration. There will be no gutters, but bioswales, and other ecological friendly assets. P. Jones asked how the dedication is waived. Gabriel said that it is common practice to waive parkland dedication requirements for Habitat for Humanity projects. Davidson asked if Habitat would develop everything. Patsy Brewer said that Habitat would do most of it, but some of it would have to be contracted. Staff Recommendation: To approve granting a waiver for the Park Land Dedication Requirements and accepting design services for the adjacent park land. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to accept the Staff recommendation. Mauritson seconded it. Motion passed by voice vote 8-0-0. 8. 2008 Budget Update: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director Edmonston said this was one of the hardest budgets she's had to do in twenty years. The City Council voted to put into effect a hiring freeze. The swimming pool will be closed on Mondays. Yvonne Richardson Community Center will be closed on Saturdays. There will be no Fourth of July fireworks. The Lights of the Ozarks will be kept. There will be fewer concerts in the Gulley Park Concert Series. Bitler asked if there could be sponsors for the Fourth of July. Edmonston said that since it would be very costly, there probably would be no sponsors. Davidson asked if there would be any reductions in the staff. Edmonston replied that the hiring freeze would hurt us, but the City Council realizes that we have to have part time people for lifeguards and counselors. Bitler asked if there would be changes in the service levels to the parks. Edmonston replied we will have to prioritize services. 9. Regional Park Update: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director Edmonston said that the University of Arkansas called to see what the status of the park was. She said the annexation request was going before the county judge February 11, 2008. The Southpass PDZ request is on February 19, 2008. The UDC amendment request is on January 15, 2008. Mauritson asked if all the water/sewer issues have been resolved. Edmonston said it was being worked on. Biendara asked what the status of the soil testing was from the landfill. Jumper said it was still being tested. 10. PRAB Orientation Date: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director Orientation will be Thursday, January 17, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation breakroom. 11. Other Business: Michael Brown, who will soon be an Eagle Scout, build a red cedar footbridge that will last a long time. Colwell will be leading a hike on January 26, 2008 that will be approximately four miles long. Meet at the boat dock at 9:00 a.m. 12. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas.