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Home My WebLink About2008-04-07 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes April 7, 2008 Opening: The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Chairman Wade Colwell at 5:32 p.m. on April 7, 2008 at the Botanical Gardens located at 4703 North Crossover Road, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Present: Park and Recreation Advisory Board members Davidson, Biendara, Waite, Hatfield, and Bitler, and Colwell were present; P. Jones and Mauritson were absent. Park Staff Edmonston, Wright, Thomas, C. Jones, Jumper, Trails Coordinator Mihalevich and the audience were in attendance. 1. Approval of March 3, 2008 PRAB Meeting Minutes PRAB Motion: The approval of the minutes was tabled until the May PRAB meeting. The minutes need to be amended to include Hatfield's comments on the Park Center Development. Biendara motioned to table, and Hatfield seconded it. Motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote. 2. Botanical Gardens Monthly Report: Walt Eilers, Board of Directors Eilers discussed the monthly report. Colwell commented that he would like to see every effort made to encourage foot traffic, because the trail is a big part of the Botanical Garden. Eilers said that they had met with Mihalevich and Kevin Bennoch and laid out an alternate trail route. Colwell said that he knows the original agreement ended at the pine trees. He would like to see all the rubble, etc. out of sight. Eilers replied that a lot of the left over construction material is recycled, and used elsewhere in the Botanical Garden. Also, no chemicals are used in the garden. If soap and water won't solve the problem, the plant will be pulled. Bitler asked Eilers when he anticipated the rerouting of the soft trail. Eilers replied that it would be probably at the end of May. Bitler wanted to know if the plan that PRAB saw for the trail was different than the actual trail. Mihalevich said there has been basic modification. They are trying to recreate the Butterfield Stage Trail using the nature trail. It will open up the area. 3. Request from Washington County Juvenile Detention Center Outdoor Adventure Club: Jeff Courtway, Instructor The request is to waive the fees for the Outdoor Adventure Club from the Juvenile Detention Center to boat and fish at Lake Fayetteville and Lake Sequoyah at no charge. This would require an amendment by the City Council to the Code of Ordinance Chapter 97.070, subsection B to allow reduced rates for a non profit and/or government sponsored rehabilitation programs. See attached letter from Jeff Courtway and Article V, Chapter 97.070 — Recreational Activities at Lakes Fayetteville, Sequoyah and Wilson. Staff Recommendation: Approval of Request Courtway is a teacher with the Fayetteville School System, and works with the Juvenile Detention Center. He gave out a pamphlet describing the Washington County Outdoor Adventure Club. He then talked about his request to waive the fees for the kids. He wants to let kids that are at risk participate in a well rounded outdoor program. He has kayaks and canoes that were donated to the program. He would like the fees waived for these kids at Lake Fayetteville and Lake Sequoyah. A staff member would always be with them. Colwell said that he liked the idea. He wanted to know how much the Parks and Recreation Department would be giving up by letting non profit organizations not pay fees. Edmonston replied that she didn't know, because no other group has requested a waiver. Davidson asked how often the group would use Lake Fayetteville. Courtway replied that, if approved, probably once a week, after school. Hatfield asked how many kids would be assigned to a staff member. Courtway said it would vary, but it would be around five kids per instructor. Bitler asked if there would be any big groups. Courtway said they had a paddling crew that may schedule at Lake Fayetteville. A member of the audience that was with Courtway added that the kids pick up trash as a community service every place they go. 2 Colwell added that the parents are encouraged to come and stay at the outings, but most don't. He also said that after an outing, Staff could find out from the boat dock employees how many students are participating in each outing at the lake. Edmonston said that Staff would have to take it to the City Council to approve. Biendara asked if we could amend the wording in the resolution to change it to non profit. Bitler said a lot of sports clubs are non profit, but the members are not in a situation that they couldn't pay. Other groups may misuse this. He wanted to know if an internal procedure be developed for non profit or governmental. Edmonston said that an internal procedure would be developed. Wright said that some non profits do pay now. Edmonston said that it could be limited to government sponsored groups. Bitler asked if there was something we could do to let Conaway's group go on. Edmonston said that it had to go before the City Council. She has already talked to the City Attorney. Hatfield asked if the group would come at a specified day and time with staff members. Courtway said he would set up a day and time. Colwell said that it could be limited to non profit and governmental, and could be a case by case discretion. Davidson said that anyone with a 501C could request to be waived. Hatfield asked if there was any way to say yes or no to groups. Edmonston replied that there would be a procedure in place, and PRAB could deny a group. Bitler said that he wants to see the language of the resolution. Wright said that all sports clubs pay $7415 per head. Davidson said the language says "reduced rates". Colwell said his recommendation is to waive the fees completely. Edmonston said that the City Council would decide the specific language. She asked what PRAB wanted. Hatfield asked if the boat operators had made any comments. Edmonston said she has not asked them. Courtway said he would give a set schedule for lake visits for the group to PRAB. Waite said it would be good if there was wording that trash would be picked up every time the group visits. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to allow non profit or governmental groups free use of the lakes, with no fee charged to them. Waite seconded it. Motion passed 5-1-0, with Bider casting the dissenting vote. Bider commented that he thought the group was great, but he's afraid the resolution will be misused. 4. Naming of the newest trail at Lake Sequoyah On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, the Sidewalk and Trails Task Force unanimously supported the naming of the newest trail at Lake Sequoyah as "Rookery Trail". PRAB Motion: According to the Facility Naming Policy, the recommendation is tabled until the next PRAB meeting in order to allow for public input. Mihalevich said that this portion of the trail needs a name. The Sidewalks and Trails Task Force liked the name "Rookery Trail". Davidson asked which section of the trail it was. Mihalevich said that it was from the southeastern part from the kiosk. PRAB motion: Bider motioned to accept the name "Rookery Trail" and to table it. Biendara seconded it. Motion passed by voice vote 6-0-0. 5. 2007 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Annual Report: Connie Edmonston According to Article II, Chapter 33.018 (B) in the Fayetteville Code of Ordinances, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is to prepare an annual report to City Council. This report was handed out to PRAB at their last meeting. The Annual Report is included in the attachments. Davidson said he was impressed with the annual report. He said that he should carry it around, so when someone asks him a question, he will have the answer. 11 Bitler said he liked all the new items on the report. Biendara said she liked the way all the motions were listed. PRAB Staff Recommendation: To approve the 2007 Annual Report PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to approve the annual report as is. Biendara seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote. 6. Dog Obedience Class: David Wright, Recreation Superintendent See Attachment Wright talked about the class, and said that the Level I class had filled up. The instructor came to Parks and Recreation to request starting a class, because she had done a similar program elsewhere. The class starts Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Biendara asked what the instructor's name was. Wright said her name is Karen Valle. Colwell said that he has attended a similar class. The class helps you think like a dog. Davidson asked if the program was through Fayetteville Parks and Recreation. Wright replied yes, it is. Biendara said it would be nice if dog owners had a point of organization in this area. Edmonston replied that the dog park is still on the list of things to do. 7. Red Oak Park Streambank Improvement Project Update: Carole Jones, Park Planner C. Jones gave a recap of the history of Red Oak Park Streambank Improvement Project. Between November 2006 and December 2007, Dave Evans, with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, designed a plan for improvement. It was presented to the Corps of Engineers. The plan was presented to City Council, and was denied. The revised plan was again presented to City Council. The Council wanted the Ward 4 residents to have input on the design. Several Ward 4 meetings were held, and on March 18, 2008, the City Council approved the design. The project will be started in the dry season, possibly in July. 8. Park Land Dedication Fund Requests: Rotary Club Pavilion: Alison Jumper, Park Planner Staff is requesting approval of $35,000 from the NW Park Land Dedication Fund to assist in funding the pavilion at Gary Hampton Softball Complex in the event the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism General Improvement grant funds are not awarded for the project. The Rotary Club is funding $15,000 for the 24 foot pavilion to serve the Hampton Complex, neighborhood, Holcomb School, as well as the trailhead for Clabber Creek Trail. This project is scheduled to be completed by the FayRo Classic Girls Softball Tournament on June 14th, 2008. Davidson asked how much confidence Parks and Recreation had that they would receive the grant. Edmonston replied that it is not known whether the grant would be given to Parks and Recreation. Wright said that many people would use the pavilion. Bitter asked how many years were left on the lease. Edmonston said that the lease lasted ten years, and there was nine years to go. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to approve the pavilion. Waite seconded it. The motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote. East Mud Creek Trail Bridge: Matt Mihalevich, Trails Coordinator Staff is requesting approval of $35,720 from the NE Park Land Dedication Fund to assist in funding replacement of the Mud Creek Trail bridge. (See attached bridge picture.) Grant funding in the amount of $33,600 was awarded by the Arkansas Highway Recreational Trails Grant Program. Matt Mihalevich had requested $100,000 for this grant. Cost of this project is $69,320. This bridge has been a safety, as well as an ADA concern for a number of years. Cost breakdown is as follows: Bridge - 80 foot long $44,320.00 Installation - $25,000.00 Total $69,320 Grant funds -($33,600) Remaining Funds needed $35,720 Mihalevich said the Mud Trail Bridge needs to be replaced. Available trail funds are going to be used on the Skull Creek Trail, so the grant was needed. Bitter asked that if there were any funds are left, could they be used for the Mud Trail Bridge. Mihalevich said that they would probably be short of funds for the Skull Creek Trail. Davidson wanted to know who built the Mud Trail Bridge. Mihalevich said that Lindsey built it. PRAB Motion: Bider motioned to approve the East Mud Creek Trail Bridge. Davidson seconded it. Motion was approved 6-0-0 by voice vote. 9. Regional Park Update: Connie Edmonston, Park & Recreation Director Edmonston said at this time there was nothing to report. 10. Other Business: On February 20th, 2008 at the annual Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association meeting, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation was awarded the 2008 Program of the Year for the Outdoor Adventure Camp. See attached picture. Colwell commented that on the front page of Monday's NWA Times, there was an article about the Parks and Recreation summer camps. Wright said that there would be eight counselors with five kids apiece. The different types of camps are at various locations. At this time, there are still openings. Edmonston gave a handout to everyone with three possible locations for the Hoover sculpture. She wanted PRAB's blessing on the choices before it went to the Arts Council. Colwell asked Edmonston to talk about the tree giveaway. Edmonston said that there were 1,100 trees and shrubs, and they were given away within an hour. This giveaway was in conjunction with the Farmer's Market and the Square renovation. Mihalevich said that on April 16, 2008, the Sidewalks and Trails Task Force will have a trash pickup from Poplar to Gordon Long. 11. Adjournment Adjournment was at 6:53 p.m. Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas.