HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-04 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting Minutes February 4, 2008
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by
Vice Chairman Jay Davidson at 5:30 p.m. on February 4, 2008 in Room 326 at the City
Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Present:
Park and Recreation Advisory Board members Davidson, Biendara, Jones, Waite,
Mauritson, Hatfield, and Bider were present; Colwell was absent. Park Staff Edmonston,
Coles, Wright, Thomas, Jones, Mihalevich and the audience were in attendance.
1. Approval of January 71", 2008 PRAB Meeting Minutes:
Biendara asked the minutes to be amended. Under the Walnut Crossing Subdivision
Park Naming, it should say that Staff recommended the name Kessler Crossing
instead of Holland. Biendara said during the discussion that she was afraid the name
Kessler would be overused.
PRAB Motion:
Mauritson motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Jones seconded it.
Minutes approved 7-0-0 by voice vote.
2. Botanical Garden Annual Report: Walt Eilers, BGO Board
Member
Filers gave the BGO monthly report.
Bitler asked about the lease agreement between the school district and the
Botanical Garden. He wanted to know how the land will be incorporated into the
lease.
Filers said they are working on that now.
Edmonston said she would send the PRAB members a copy of the resolution with
the hand drawn map. She said that the school district leases approximately two
hundred acres, and BGO leases approximately one hundred acres. The lease will
be coming to PRAB soon.
Eilers said that Paige Mulhollan, the BGO Executive Director, is updating the
existing lease and contract. It will then be given to the City Attorney to review. It
then will be given to PRAB and the City Council.
Biendara asked how large the greenhouse was.
Eilers said twenty eight by thirty feet.
Eilers added that the board adopted a balanced budget. The board committed to
give or get $90,000. The current lease is based on 5,000 paid visitors. BGO is
anticipating 30,000 paid visitors in 2008. The membership is projected to be
15,000 members.
Davidson asked if the balanced budget was based on 5,000 visitors.
Eilers said that it was based on the anticipated income from the projected 30,000
visitors expected in 2008. He said the operating expenses are not made on
visitors, but on contributions, memberships, etc.
3. Trails Update: Matt Mihalevich, Trails Coordinator
Mihalevich discussed the trail at the Botanical Garden. He said the natural and
paved trails would share approximately 600' to 700' of trail.
Bider said he was concerned about the shared trails. He thought they would be
kept separate.
Mihalevich said that most of the trail areas are separate. He may be able to keep
them separate, but they would be close together.
Edmonston said that in the shared area, there may be a boardwalk, because the
ground may be mushy.
Hatfield commented that a southern loop would be a good option.
Bitler said that the trail should be on the perimeter; otherwise it may disturb the
wildlife.
Biendara said she was also concerned about the wildlife.
Bider asked if the City had access to a naturalist.
Edmonston said Kevin Bennoch was used. He walked the trail and made changes
to our plans.
Bider asked why the trail shifted to the west.
Coles said that it was a good route to get visuals of the lake, and to avoid hills.
Bider said he would like public input.
Edmonston said that a trail was moved so it wouldn't be so close to the BGO
activities.
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Eilers said that action made the area more secure.
Mihalevich said that a parking lot was being built, and BGO was going to
landscape it.
Bitler asked if it would have a bioswale.
Mihalevich said yes.
Davidson asked when the parking lot would be completed.
Mihalevich said probably in the next month or two.
Bitler asked if there was grant money for the parking lot.
Mihalevich said not really.
Mihalevich then had a slide show of several trails, with before pictures and how
they look now or will look in the future.
4. PRAB term limits: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director
Throughout the years, PRAB has discussed the short term limit of 2 years for the
board.
Park Staff Recommendation: PRAB to have 3 year terms instead of 2 year.
Mauritson said three years is a good number. He wanted to know how the term
limit change would be enacted.
Edmonston said the City Attorney would have to review it and the City Council
would have to approve it.
Davidson asked if anyone saw it as a deterrent.
Mauritson said the new term limit makes sense.
Waite said it was a good idea also. He said there is a lot of new information to
assimilate when a person is a new board member.
PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned to approve the three year terms. Biendara
seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote.
5. Sidewalk and Trails Committee Representative from PRAB: Connie
Edmonston
This committee meets on the second Wednesday of odd numbered months at 5:30
p.m. in Room 326 of the City Administration Building.
Bitler said he was currently on this board. He would like someone else to take the
spot. The board meets every two months, and sometimes his work schedule
doesn't allow him to make the meeting. He said it is a great board to be a member
of.
Waite said he loves trails, and is interested in being on the board, but since he is a
new PRAB board member, he's afraid he doesn't know enough yet.
Mauritson commented that he has served on this board before and liked it.
Biendara said she was interested in serving on the board.
Since both Biendara and Waite expressed interest, a coin was flipped. Biendara
called heads, and heads it was. Biendara will serve on the committee.
PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned to approve Biendara to serve on the
committee. Hatfield seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote.
6. BGSO Representative from PRAB: Connie Edmonston
The lease with BGSO states there is to be a representative from PRAB, PRAB
Staff (Gloria McIntosh) and a City Selected position (Walt Filers). This board
meets the 3`d Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.
Mauritson said that it was a great idea to have Eilers come to the PRAB meetings
to make a monthly report.
Eilers said that there definitely would be a monthly report.
Bitler said it would be a good way to get information.
Davidson asked if PRAB needed to make a recommendation to the City Council.
Edmonston said that if PRAB wants a monthly report, that requirement will be
added put in the lease.
Biendara asked if PRAB needed to ask for volunteers for the February 19`h and
March 18`h meeting.
Biller said he would like to volunteer Colwell for the February meeting, since he
was the volunteer for the December meeting, and it got canceled.
Davidson said that would be good, although Colwell is absent from this meeting.
Hatfield volunteered to be the representative for the March meeting.
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PRAB Motion: No vote was taken, because the BGO lease is up for renewal. The
requirement for a PRAB member to be present at the BGO meetings may be removed
and a monthly report be given to PRAB. Colwell will attend the February meeting
and Hatfield will attend the March meeting.
7. Park Land Dedication
Alison Jumper, Park Planner
Project History:
This project was presented to PRAB on 04/03/06 with 215 single family units and
50 multi -family units proposed. PRAB made a recommendation of accepting
money in lieu of land.
The current project proposes 169 single family units and 153 multi -family units.
Development Name:
The Villas at Stonebridge
Engineer:
Appian Centre for Design
Owner:
Nock/Broyles Land Development
Location:
South of Hwy. 16 East, east of Goff Farm
Estimated Annual Maintenance:
Road
Park District:
SE
Units:
169 single family units, 153 multi -family
units
Total Acres:
Approximately 53 acres
Land Dedication Requirement:
6.7 acres
Money in Lieu Requirement
$266,280
* Final fees to be determined at Planning Commission approval*
Existing Parks:
None within a one half mile radius
Developer's Request:
Staff Recommendation:
Money in lieu, trail easement from the west
along the abandoned rail corridor.
Estimated Annual Maintenance:
Justification:
The developer is providing over 7 acres in
P.O.A. owned and maintained greenspace
for the residents. Approximately 6 acres of
park land is anticipated to be dedicated with
the development of Falling Waters at
Stonebridge, located to the east. This future
park land is located within a half mile of the
Villas at Stonebridge.
Bitler asked if this was in the SE quadrant.
Edmonston said that the developer has changed many items since presenting this
request to PRAB in 2006.
Mauritson asked if a representative was present.
Jones said no.
Bitler asked what Staff liked about this request.
Edmonston said the greenspace was always welcome.
Mauritson asked where the retention pond was located.
Mihalevich said it was located right at the rail. He said they were expanding the
ponds at the golf course.
Mauritson said he would like to interact with the developer. He would like to
table this request.
PRAB Motion: Hatfield motioned to table until the March meeting. Mauritson
seconded it. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote.
8. Park Land Dedication
Development Name:
Engineer:
Owner:
Location:
Park District:
Units:
Total Acres:
Land Dedication Requirement:
Money in Lieu Requirement
Alison Jumper, Park Planner
Park Center
H2 Engineering
Zion Properties, LLC
South of Lake Fayetteville on Zion Road
NE
15 multi -family units
Approximately 8 acres
0.26 acres
$10,200
*Final fees to be determined at Planning Commission approval*
Existing Parks:
Developer's Request:
Staff Recommendation:
Estimated Annual Maintenance:
Justification:
Lake Fayetteville, Veteran's Memorial Park
Money in Lieu
Money in Lieu
No additional maintenance is anticipated.
The development is adjacent to existing park
property and trails.
The developer is requesting to exchange the land serving as the existing drive into
Veteran's Memorial Park for land to the east, through the development aligning,
with Vantage Drive to create a safer crossing for pedestrians and trail users. The
land exchange would have to be approved by Water and Sewer, City Council, and
the Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. Any City property bought, sold
or traded must be approved by City Council. Lake Fayetteville property is held by
the Water and Sewer Division and is also in a boundary designated by the
Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Grant Program as a requirement of utilizing grant
funds for improvements made on the property.
Additionally, the developer will be directing storm water runoff from the
development into the lake. Staff has been working with the developers and the
Engineering division to accommodate the drainage. The developer has agreed to
install erosion control measures as determined by Engineering and Park staff and
will enter into a maintenance agreement for the swale carrying the runoff.
Two representatives were there -Steve Miller and Jeremy Thompson.
Davidson asked if there was any concern about diminishing the park entrance.
Miller said that the street was safer to the south because it was a natural valley.
He thought maybe a sign could be put south to point to the park. A gate or
something similar could be put on the north property line.
Edmonston replied that approval would have to be obtained from AR Parks and
Tourism and Water/Sewer for moving the boundaries.
Thompson said he had not heard from David Jurgens. He said as far as the
parking, it was recommended for parallel parking, but that is an issue that has to
be resolved. The applicants asked for a parking lot at the entrance to the park.
Planning wanted a public street access into the park.
Mauritson agreed that a connection with Vantage would be good for the
developer. His concerns are that drivers can't see around the trees. He would like
a prominent entrance. His other concern was that there would be problems with
cars trying to park. It wouldn't be safe until a stoplight was installed. He doesn't
want natural parkland traded for a street.
Wright said his concern was that when cars pulled into the park, their headlights
would go right into the volleyball court. Also, the volleyball players bring their
kids. Bringing cars into the entrance isn't safe for the kids.
Edmonston said that if this change happens, parents have to know that they can't
allow their children to play in this area anymore.
Waite added that funneling unnecessary traffic into the park would not be a good
situation.
Hatfield asked whose approval would be needed to have an access road.
Jeremy Pate from Planning said that Planning and the City Council would have to
approve.
Mauritson commented that the development was in front of the park.
Bitler asked if we could table this request.
Edmonston said that might be good.
Bitler said that he wouldn't mind approving the money in lieu, but the design
issues are a problem. The drainage is also an issue.
Jones said the Engineering staff looked at the drainage. It would be allowed to
drain naturally.
Thompson added that curb and gutters will be installed only where needed.
Drainage will be caught in drainage boxes that will have a filtering system. If the
filtering system was in the street, the City would take care of it. If possible, the
drainage will be allowed to go through a natural ravine. If erosion improvements
are necessary, they would be done.
Mauritson asked about the antiflow increase.
Thompson replied it was ten cubic feet.
Miller said that the developer was also part owner of the development. They
would take care of maintaining the filtering units.
Bitler said maybe PRAB could accept the money in lieu and handle the other
issues as they come up.
Mauritson said he was not comfortable voting on it.
Edmonston asked Pate if accepting the money in lieu would help.
Mauritson asked if it would help the developer out by accepting the money in
lieu.
Biller asked if they would only be approving the money in lieu, but not the other
issues, such as drainage.
Miller said maybe they could build a retention pond. The water in the NE corner
drains more naturally. He asked that the board either approve or disapprove the
request. If it was disapproved, they would go back to looking at the design. They
need to proceed with the development.
Biendara said she would like to table the money in lieu.
Davidson said multiple decisions need to be made.
Pate said to vote with what info you have right now.
Miller said he wanted us to accept the money in lieu or deny it. They will back off
from the park if necessary.
Davidson said the way he saw it, there are three issues to be considered. The first
is the drainage issue. The second is the money in lieu, and third is the planned
use.
PRAB Motion: Bitler motioned to table the request for a month. Biendara
seconded it. Motion pass 7-0-0 by voice vote.
9. Regional Park Update: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation Director
Edmonston said February 19, 2008 the Regional Park is going to the City
Council for PDZ.
Bitler asked how long would that take.
Edmonston said everything should be voted on in one motion.
10. Other Business:
Davidson said that a special meeting needed to be set up for Lake Fayetteville
Veterans Park to make some decisions.
Edmonston said she would email possible dates.
11. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
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