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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-17 MinutesMayor Lioneld Jordan City Attorney Kit Williams • J p pj T 1 City Clerk Sondra Smith ARKANSAS City of Fayetteville Arkansas City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 1 of 15 Aldermen Ward 1 Position I —Adella Gray Ward 1 Position 2— Brenda Boudreaux Ward 2 Position I —Mark Kinion Ward 2 Position 2—Matthew Petty Ward 3 Position I —Justin Tennant Ward 3 Position 2 — Robert Ferrell Ward 4 Position I — Rhonda Adams Ward 4 Position 2 — Sarah E. Lewis A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on January 17, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mayor Jordan called the meeting to order. PRESENT: Alderman Gray, Boudreaux, Kinion, Petty, Tennant, Ferrell, Adams, Lewis, Mayor Jordan, City Attorney Kit Williams, City Clerk Sondra Smith, Staff, Press, and Audience. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor's Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions: None City Council Meetine Presentations, Reports and Discussion Items: 2012 Martin Luther King Brotherhood Award Presentation City Attorney Kit Williams presented the 2012 Martin Luther King Brotherhood Award to Lana Broyles. Mayor Jordan stated that she was so deserving of this award. City of Distinction Award Nathan Rutledge and Bob Wright with Crews and Associates presented the City of Fayetteville with the City of Distinction Award for quality of life. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDn TY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 2 of 15 Mayor Jordan thanked them for the award. State of the City Address Mayor Jordan gave the State of the City Address. A copy is attached. Aeenda Additions: Ricky Sparks & Dawn Sparks Settlement Agreement: A resolution approving a settlement agreement with Ricky Sparks and Dawn Sparks, concerning condemnation litigation filed as part of the Cato Springs Road Improvement Project, in the total amount of $11,850.00. Chris Brown, City Engineer gave a brief description of the resolution. He stated this is very time sensitive. This is a recommendation to settle the case. Alderman Ferrell moved to add the resolution to the agenda. Alderman Gray seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 8-0. City Attorney Kit Williams thanked the Engineering Department for their work. He also explained the resolution. Alderman Boudreaux moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Ferrell seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 8-0. Resolution 09-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Consent: Approval of the January 3, 2012 City Council meeting minutes. Approved T -Hangar Lease Agreements: A resolution to approve T -Hangar lease agreements throughout 2012 at the current rental rate or as adjusted upward by the Airport Board for all T -Hangars rented at the Fayetteville Executive Airport. Resolution 10-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. South Delta Aviation, Inc.: A resolution to approve a two year lease for the airport hangar at 4248 South School Avenue to South Delta Aviation, hie. for a rent of $3,000.00 per month to begin on June 1, 2012. Resolution II -12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 3 of 15 Arkansas Department of Aeronautics Grant: A resolution authorizing application for and acceptance of an Arkansas Department of Aeronautics 80/20 Grant in the amount of $224,000.00 for improvements to the former AATC hangar building at Drake Field. Resolution 12-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. McClelland Consulting Engineers Task Order No. 7: A resolution approving Task Order No. 7 to the contract with McClelland Consulting Engineers in the amount of $27,150.00 to design the rehabilitation of the former AATC hangar building at Drake Field, and approving a budget adjustment. Resolution 13-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Transportation Division Truck Equipment Purchase: A resolution approving a budget adjustment in the amount of $6,000.00 to fund the purchase of an extendo-bed, topper and ladder rack for pickup truck unit 2147. Resolution 14-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #11-65 Central Salt Company: A resolution awarding Bid #11-65 and authorizing the purchase of crushed rock salt from Central Salt Company in the amount of $79.85 per ton, as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 15-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #12-01 Time Striping, Inc.: A resolution awarding bid #12-01 and authorizing the purchase from Time Striping, Inc. of thermal striping, in variable amounts, for the Transportation Division as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 16-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #12-02 Asphalt Striping Service, LLC: A resolution awarding Bid #12-02 and authorizing the purchase from Asphalt Striping Service, LLC of reflectorized paint markings, in variable amounts, for the Transportation Division as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 17-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #12-03 Fochtman Enterprises, Inc. and Sweetser Construction, Inc.: A resolution awarding Bid #12-03 and authorizing the purchase of curb and gutter construction from Fochtman Enterprises, Inc. as a primary supplier and Sweetser Construction, Inc. as secondary supplier, in variable amounts, and authorizing the use of other bidders based on price and availability, as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 18-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfrrY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 4 of 15 Bid #12-04 Les Rogers, Inc.: A resolution awarding Bid #12-04 and authorizing the purchase of hillside gravel from Les Rogers, Inc. for variable unit prices, and authorizing the use of other bidders based on price and availability, as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 19-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #12-05 Beaver Lake Concrete, Inc. and Tune Concrete Company: A resolution awarding Bid #12-05 and authorizing the purchase of concrete from Beaver Lake Concrete, Inc as a primary supplier and Tune Concrete Company as secondary supplier, in variable amounts, and authorizing the use of other bidders based on price and availability, as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 20-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #12-06 Hillside Haulers: A resolution awarding Bid #12-06 and authorizing the purchase of truck hauling services from Hillside Haulers for variable unit prices, and authorizing the use of other bidders based on price and availability, as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 21-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #12-07 Aggregate Materials: A resolution awarding Bid #12-07 and authorizing the purchase of aggregate materials for varying unit prices from various vendors, as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 22-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #12-09 Tomlinson Asphalt Co. and Sweetser Construction, Inc.: A resolution awarding Bid #12-09 and authorizing the purchase of curb and gutter construction from Tomlinson Asphalt Co., Inc. as a primary supplier and Sweetser Construction, Inc. as a secondary supplier, in variable amounts, for use in Ozark Regional Transit New Freedom Projects, as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 23-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Bid #12-10 Drainage Pipe: A resolution awarding Bid #12-10 and authorizing the purchase of drainage pipe for varying unit prices from various vendors for use in Ozark Regional Transit New Freedom Projects and other City projects, as needed through the end of calendar year 2012. Resolution 24-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Alderman Lewis moved to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. Unfinished Business: 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 5 of 15 Bellefont Gardens Tree Preservation Area Modification: A resolution to approve a modification of the tree preservation area in the Bellefont Gardens development to shift about one-half acre of tree preservation area from Lot 1 to Lot 4. This resolution was tabled at the December 6, 2011 City Council meeting to the December 20, 2011 City Council meeting. This resolution was tabled at the December 20, 2011 City Council meeting to the January 17, 2012 City Council meeting. Jeremy Pate, Director of Current Planning stated the applicant requested that this be tabled indefinitely. Alderman Petty moved to table the resolution indefinitely. Alderman Tennant seconded the motion. Alderman Ferrell asked for clarification on what indefinite meant. City Attorney Kit Williams: The rule is, if it is tabled indefinitely on December 31, it is then deemed denied. It will be alive until then. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0. Alderman Adams was absent during the vote. This resolution was tabled indefinitely Kum & Go Appeal: A resolution to grant the appeal of Kum & Go, L.C. and to amend and approve its large scale development to match the plat submitted with its appeal letter. This appeal was tabled at the December 20, 2011 City Council meeting to the January 3, 2012 City Council meeting. This appeal was tabled at the January 3, 2012 City Council meeting to the January 17, 2012 City Council meeting. Jeremy Pate gave a brief description of the resolution. Chris Brown gave a traffic study report on the proposed location and spoke on the potential impacts of the driveway. Our recommendation remains a right in and right out. A median could be installed to separate the two left turns. The median proposal would have to be submitted to the Highway Department for approval. Alderman Lewis: Who submits the proposal to the Highway Department? Chris Brown: That would be the developer. Don Marr, Chief of Staff stated our advocacy will be stronger than the letter in terms of our dialogue with the Highway Department because of the importance of this issue. Alderman Petty: What secondary affects would you anticipate from the installation of the median? 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDffTY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 6 of 15 Chris Brown explained the possible affects a median would have. Alderman Ferrell: So the applicant is okay with waiting to see what the State Highway Department does with this compromise? Chris Brown: Right, that is a typical process. Any work on the State Highway, they get approval to do it, but then they have the extra step of getting the permitting through the Highway Department. Alderman Lewis: What if the project does not go through? City Attorney Kit Williams proposed a resolution with a median option. This resolution would grant the appeal in relation to Site Plan F but with the amendment for this median concept. It would have to be built at the developers cost. If the Highway Department does not allow them to build the median they would have the right to come back to the City Council. Jeremy Pate: Alderman Lewis, in response to your question, if the project does not happen it's likely that we would have never permitted the construction, so if Kum and Go decides that this is not the project for them then that construction would not have occurred either. Alderman Ferrell pointed out that there were other concerns between I-540 and Hill along MLK that had encumbered access to both sides of the road. He stated that when you go west out towards Ramey Junior High, wouldn't you suspect that there is a very high traffic count there also? Chris Brown: The number of driveways? Alderman Ferrell: Yes. Chris Brown: It's pretty similar from Razorback Road all the way out to I-540 Alderman Lewis: Did we establish the access management ordinance in 2001? City Attorney Kit Williams: It was 2007. Alderman Lewis: So it is fairly new then. City Attorney Kit Williams: It is, but we have had the provision for large scale development for 37 years and they can be denied if they create or compound a dangerous traffic condition. Jeremy Pate explained what the access management ordinance did in 2008. He stated it is all in one location so the developer, applicant, or staff can go to one place and find all those standards. Alderman Gray: What kind of access do we have at the Kum and Go on Township and College? 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfFFY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 7 of 15 Jeremy Pate explained the access at that location. Alderman Gray: So is a left tum allowed on College? Jeremy Pate: Yes there is. Alderman Gray: So help me understand how the MLK store differs. Jeremy Pate explained the differences in the accessibility. Alderman Gray: How does the traffic count compare? Jeremy Pate: I would think that Township would be higher than what Hill is today. Erin Rushing with CEI Engineering asked are there any issues with this resolution if we say we are good with it? City Attorney Kit Williams: You are talking about the one with the median. Erin Rushing: Exactly. Mayor Jordan: It's hard to say, the Council will probably have to hear some public comment and decide from there. Erin Rushing: On the location at Township and College the separation is 230 feet from the full access drive up to Township. There is also a driveway 30 feet south of that one too. Mayor Jordan: The point is you're okay with the resolution. Erin Rushing: We are okay with the resolution and we would like to see how far we can get. Rob White with Kum & Go stated our traffic engineer does not feel that we need a median for safety concerns. We have 272 feet from Hill. He asked if staff recommended the median. Jeremy Pate: If the Council wishes to allow an access that is what our recommendation would be to permit a median if a left turn movement is allowed in this location. Rob White: Our buildings are LEED Certified and we do have a sustainability manager on staff. Alderman Tennant: What was the percentage of cars you would lose a day if you didn't get the access? Rob White: It was half of MLK if we do not get a left turn. Alderman Tennant: Does having a median keep that loss from happening? 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDn7Y (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 8 of 15 Rob White: Yes because we would still be able to make a left in. A discussion followed on how to bring the resolution to the table. Alderman Kinion moved to approve the resolution with the median concept. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion. Hunter Means representing the owner of Chambers Bank stated we believe that the applicants are the best use for the property. We are trying to understand the left turn access and providing the median is what we would ask. Steve Clark, Chamber of Commerce President spoke on the median and stated it is a traffic calming impact. He spoke in favor of the resolution and stated we support the applicant and we urge you as the Council to accept that. Aubrey Shepherd, a citizen expressed his concerns and pointed out safety issues that would occur should this resolution be passed. Jeff Beatin, property owner north of the proposed property expressed his concerns with how this might affect the left tum onto his property. Jeremy Pate: That is something we would need to look at as part of their development of construction plans. Jeff Beatin: When you were talking about the appeal to it was that a factor that you considered at all? Jeremy Pate described the details of the appeal that was submitted. Jeff Beatin: It looked like you looked at the island and decided that it was a good compromise. Jeremy Pate: I think it is certainly safer than not doing anything. Jeff Beatin expressed his concerns with putting in a median. Mayor Jordan: So you are not in favor of the median? Jeff Beatin: It looks like a solid red line and if you look at the traffic it's all about taking the left at Kum & Go. I'm all for Kum & Go. Mayor Jordan: First it has to be designed by the engineers. We have no idea on the size of it right now. Jeff Beatin: I just want to make it clear that there is somebody concerned about turning the other way and no one has even mentioned it. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDrM (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 9 of 15 Alderman Lewis: In the design process how is that addressed in designing a median? Is that the State that considers that? Jeremy Pate stated it is and they have already mentioned other concerns. He went on to list the concerns. Alderman Lewis: So it would be the Highway Department that would design it? Jeremy Pate: No they would not design it. The engineers for this development would design a proposal. Alderman Lewis: And they would have to approve it. Jeremy Pate: Correct. City Attorney Kit Williams: We would have some input on the design also. Chris Brown: Typically we would review a development plan before it goes to the Highway Department for a permit and that is what I would expect in this case. City Attorney Kit Williams: Do medians sometimes have breaks in them so that they can make a left turn or does it always require a stacking distance so this would not work? Chris Brown: That is something we would just have to look at and see how it would work. He went on to explain the various options available. Alderman Petty: I support the median concept as long as these concerns can be worked out. I won't support a full turn access but I will even personally sponsor a condemnation of the median on Royal Oaks and give you full turn access there if that is an option. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. Resolution 25-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. New Business: Asphalt Materials: An ordinance waiving the requirements of formal competitive bidding during calendar year 2012 for the purchase of asphalt materials for use by the Transportation Division. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Terry Gulley, Transportation Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 10 of 15 Alderman Ferrell asked for clarification on the ordinance. Terry Gulley explained that it is just so we don't get locked into a one year contract and if the price goes down we have the ability to recoup some of that. City Attorney Kit Williams further explained the bidding process. Alderman Ferrell moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-0. Alderman Petty was absent during the vote. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Alderman Lewis moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Alderman Adams seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 5476 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk Amend Chapter 10 and 150: An ordinance to enact into the Code of Fayetteville §10.18 Authority and to amend §150.03 Authority in the Unified Development Code. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. City Attorney Kit Williams gave a brief description of the ordinance. Alderman Ferrell: If this had been enacted when we had the Rogers Group Rock Quarry would this have made any difference and prevailed as far as a courts ruling? City Attorney Kit Williams stated it is very hard to tell but this certainly would have given another option to argue. I did this to try and strengthen the code as best as I can. Alderman Lewis: I am really supportive of it and I love the idea. Alderman Ferrell: I certainly do not want the City to become vulnerable to liability when it does not have to, but being a small government man I cannot support this. Alderman Gray moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDlfTY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 11 of 15 Alderman Gray moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and Final reading. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 7-1. Alderman Ferrell voting no. Ordinance 5477 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk Washington County Jail Services Interlocal Agreement: A resolution to approve the Third Amended Interlocal Agreement for Jail with Washington County to increase the booking fee from $55.00 to $60.00 per prisoner. Police Chief Greg Tabor gave a brief description of the resolution. Alderman Petty asked why the contract was agreed to at the cost of $45 per day if the cost is so much higher. Police Chief Greg Tabor: I am not sure that their cost was that high back when it started in 2005. Alderman Petty: We were told that back then the cost was above $60 per day so we have just been raising it periodically to meet that. Police Chief Greg Tabor: I think that is correct. The Sherriff has given a lot of good examples of how we worked together with different things. I think all those things have contributed to that increase in cost. Alderman Petty: I do think this is a good deal but I wondered if you could explain again how you have looked into doing some of the booking ourselves. Police Chief Greg Tabor: That is not possible for us to book people. Basically we would have to have a jail. City Attorney Kit Williams: We have power under the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure to be able to cite out most misdemeanors without booking them in, is that correct? Police Chief Greg Tabor: That is correct. He explained the booking requirements. Alderman Ferrell: I don't think that 5% is a bad jump for doing this and I will support it. It is my understanding that Fayetteville is the only City in the County that pays so that would be something for everyone to visit with your Justice of the Peace about. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDIT7Y (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 12 of 15 Alderman Adams: Speaking to that I think the Sherriff gave a good explanation at Agenda Session about why we are paying and they are not. It might be worth it to hear that again. Sherriff Tim Helder: We have always been the jail for the small towns. None of the small towns have had their own facility to hold prisoners. I think it is keeping with tradition and we have always provided that service for them. Fayetteville always had a jail and determined to close their jail and enter into this contract. Alderman Ferrell: I understand tradition and can appreciate it but we are talking dollars and cents here. Don Marr explained the differences in cost from 2005 to 2011. He stated this is an excellent budget decision to have this contract in place. Alderman Boudreaux moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Lewis seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously. Resolution 26-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk. Amend Telecommunications Board: An ordinance amending Article IX Telecommunications Board of the Code of Fayetteville, by redefining the procedures and duties of the Telecommunications Board. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Lindsley Smith, Communications and Marketing Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. Alderman Adams stated the striking out was very helpful. I appreciate that. Marvin Hilton, resident of 689 Winball Lane spoke on the importance of telecommunications. He expressed his concerns with portions of the proposed ordinance. A discussion followed on whether the video can be web streamed live or not. Blake Pennington, Chair of the Telecommunications Board spoke on the process in creating the proposed ordinance. Don Marr: The committee Blake Pennington was referring to was a subcommittee of the Telecommunications Board. Mayor Jordan confirmed the review process of the ordinance and a discussion followed. Alderman Ferrell: Thank you for your service. I think you were well focused on what the charges were because in the past that wasn't the case. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-5323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfrTY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 13 of 15 Alderman Petty: I appreciate what your intentions were and what you came up with. The clause 33.210 (B) (6) is struck out. What was the rational in eliminating that? Do you still a process for identifying novel solutions that the City may find useful or if that was something the board still wanted to do. Blake Pennington: We really wanted to get away from that. We felt that we have enough of a responsibility just facilitating what goes on at the Television Center. Alderman Lewis: I think it is really important to define roles. The recommended funding, was that a role that was there before? Blake Pennington: It was in the ordinance but it was not a duty that we ever fulfilled since I have been on the board. Alderman Lewis: So really the action would have been giving recommendations regarding contracts. Would that activity continue? Blake Pennington: Yes, we would still review the contracts that came under the telecommunications role. Jim Bemis, former member of the Telecommunication Board expressed his concerns with the proposed ordinance. He voiced his concern about losing control at the local level and the control would go to the state level. Alderman Kinion: Jim, I think all of us support your intent but to me you are saying it needs to be broad and we need to protect all telecommunications. It doesn't look like it restricts anything to me but I could be wrong. Help me understand the disconnect there. Jim Bemis: I am just saying look at the ordinance and see what it means. Alderman Kinion: I support everything you are saying. I don't see that striking out a restrictive definition does not actually promote a broader opportunity for this committee by the way it is currently written. Jim Bemis: What you have is an ordinance that restricts most of the board's duties to television and that is what you are left with. Aubrey Shepherd, Telecommunications Board member stated I was the only board member who did not vote to send this forward. He expressed his concerns with the ordinance. Steven Smith, Telecommunications Board member: City staff did not write these changes, our committee did and the board did. We also worked with the City Attorney. This does not reduce transparency. It has nothing to do with which meetings are covered or the Freedom of Information Act. It has to do with the duties of the board. The board has been dysfunctional for a couple of years and has not done its duties. He spoke in favor of the ordinance. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfTTY (479) 521-1316 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 14 of 15 Alderman Petty: Part of the IT assessment was to establish a governance process. I was wondering where we were at at that point and what role we see the Communications Department and the Telecommunications Board playing in that. Don Marr: We have our first organizational meeting with Plant Moran on February 2"d and we have yet to select which one of you we would like to have participate in that. Our staff did not write this revision. We are recommending what the committee forwarded because we do not feel it restricts their ability to give advice. We felt the ordinance took away the confusion from board members that they have a management right. Staff does not believe that they have a management right. We believe they have an advisory right. There is never an intention to limit the public participation, input, or accessibility. Alderman Tennant: I have sat on that board and in my opinion City staff always went above and beyond in reacting to the questions and assertions and even sometimes defending itself in doing things that were asked of it. I am confident in what is happening now. I think Fritz Gisler does a tremendous job. I think definition is really good and the more structure we can get on that board the better it will become. I don't think the board's importance is diminished by this. Alderman Lewis: There seems to be a perception or fear of limiting access. In reading the language in the proposed ordinance it is completely the opposite. It creates freedom of looking at different issues. These committees are appointed by the Council to help inform the Council. Alderman Tennant: I appreciate those people who watch what's going on and bring things forward. Alderman Adams: A lot of time citizens ask what the role of the committee is. I appreciate the effort that has been put in to clarify what this committee does. Alderman Ferrell: I appreciate when we have citizens that volunteer, especially when they try to take ownership of something but sometimes that can be carried too far. If you do not establish up front and receive recognition from all committee members that they are an advisory capacity only, not policy makers, then this problem will resurge. Alderman Boudreaux moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Alderman Gray seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Alderman Boudreaux moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Alderman Ferrell seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDITTY (479) 521-1316 Ordinance 5478 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk Announcements: City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2012 Page 15 of 15 l a�& rborl/ Lisa Branson, Deputy City Clerk 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfTTY (479) 521-1316 Page I of 20 State of the City January 17, 2012 Mayor Lioneld Jordan Ladies and gentlemen of the City Council and my fellow citizens of Fayetteville, One of my favorite authors, Ralph Waldo Emerson, wrote, 'This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it." We have known what to do with it. We have worked together to take care of public business, to wisely manage our resources, to provide essential services, to assure a vibrant community, and to build a brighter future for all of the People of Fayetteville. I am pleased to report tonight that the State of our City is sound. Three years ago this week, when I reported on the State of the City, I knew then that we were facing tough economic times and reduced revenues. I did not know that in less than a week we would have a record ice storm, with millions of dollars in damage and cleanup costs. Together, we weathered that storm and revealed the heart of a caring community that helped and looked out for each other. Page 2 of 20 As a result of that experience, we also developed and adopted the City's first practical Emergency Management and Operations Plan to be better prepared for any future events, and we have implemented an automated City alert system for timely warnings to our residents. Although we were spared the devastation of the tornados that directly affected neighboring communities, unexpected weather events last year presented significant challenges for our operations and service to our citizens. In February, we experienced a record 22 -inch snowfall and record minus 18 degrees temperatures. Our crews worked 24/7 to make transportation safe and to repair broken water mains, and we provided generators and emergency shelters for those at risk. In April, we had record rainfall and flooding. This resulted in an additional 178 service requests and several major projects that included replacing culverts and drainage structure. The City Council acted quickly to transfer funds from various projects to address the long-term drainage needs of the city. These months of infrastructure repairs were not anticipated in the 2011 budget, but we weathered these unexpected tribulations practically, logically, and financially with flying colors—and for that I thank the fine work of our excellent City of Fayetteville staff. To them we owe much of our city's civic successes. In May, Joplin was hit by a catastrophic tornado. Our residents generously responded with donations of food, clothing, and water. Our fire fighters and police officers volunteered to participate in the rescue and recovery operations. In July and August came the heat wave, and we saw not one, but 12, high-temperature records broken, each over 100 Page 3 of 20 degrees. We provided cooling stations in various parts of the city for public health safety and repaired the many water and sewer pipes damaged by shifting soils. Our response again was timely, and it included additional infrastructure improvements that also were not anticipated in our 2011 budget. But, we know that the true test of a community does not occur when all is going well. Our true character is revealed by the values we display and the leadership we provide when we are faced with unexpected challenges. Together, we met that test and passed with honors. Sound Financial Management I understand the need for fiscal responsibility in these economic times, and we have had to make some tough choices. We forecasted the 2011 General Fund operating expense budget in 2011 to be $33.8 million—down from $35.8 million in 2009. Because of local, state and national declines in the economy, the City was forced to address declining sales tax revenues and increases in unavoidable expense categories such as LOPFI retirement, and insurance cost, fuel, and other items. We provided leadership during this time, and we cut over $2 million dollars in City operating expenses. Exercising due diligence and using common sense during the past three years, we have avoided wholesale layoffs and maintained public services, without raising taxes. We have reduced the number of contracts with out-of-state consultants. We have initiated a Lean Government program that helps us serve as good stewards of taxpayer dollars by increasing efficiency and reducing the future need for additional personnel. Page 4 of 20 The number of budgeted employee positions in 2011 was reduced by more than 20 compared with 2008, and we actually filled 32 fewer positions than were budgeted. I am mindful of the additional burden these cost-cutting measures placed on our employees to provide the services our citizens expect and deserve. Accordingly, I will soon bring to the Council a salary plan to reward and retain our dedicated city employees who have shouldered the major burden of our balanced budget for three years without a raise. Addressing that issue is my primary goal for this year, because they have earned it and because it is the right thing to do. I am pleased to report that, while we had budgeted for the use of Reserve Funds this year, we met a balanced General Fund budget for 2011 and did not require the use of any reserve funds! This makes two years in a row in which the City of Fayetteville, through sound fiscal responsibility, has not had to draw upon our reserve funds to operate our city. Consequently, at the end of the 2011 budget year, the City's General Fund Reserves will be at or above the amount they were when I took office three years ago. And, in these tough economic times of recession in our nation, that gives us all much of which to be proud. As a result of the outstanding work by our finance and budget staff, the City was again awarded a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2011 Budget and a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Governmental Financial Officers Association. These budgetary successes have been the result of an excellent working relationship between my Administration and the City Council. We have not been burdened by the divisive Page 5 of 20 party politics that lead to gridlock or by anyone seeking personal, political or financial advantage. We have embraced civility and fostered cooperation, because we all share the commitment to good government for our community and to excellent services for our citizens. On October 10th, the People of Fayetteville expressed their confidence by overwhelmingly approving renewal of the existing one -cent sales tax used for continuing City operations and capital improvements. Essential Services No government function is more important than assuring the public safety of our citizens, and I commend the courage and commitment of our dedicated police officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians. Fire Chief David Dayringer led the efforts to establish our city's first comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Under his leadership, we have had enhanced firefighter training for all personnel and improved communication and morale through the collaborative labor management process he has implemented. Completion of the Canterbury water tank significantly improved water pressure and fire protection to over 2,000 homes and businesses and preserved the City's fire insurance rating. In addition, the City has achieved an improved insurance rating for building safety. Through savings and grants, the City of Fayetteville invested in a $7.1 million Simulcast Radio System to replace the outdated and failing radio system used by our public works, police, and fire personnel to help in keeping the people and structures of Fayetteville safe. For the first time, it provides us with the widest and most comprehensive citywide coverage to better coordinate emergencies and assist the public in every part of our city. Page 6 of 20 The radio project will better protect the lives and property of the residents by expanding coverage to new areas of development, improving existing coverage areas, resulting in quicker response times, improving the safety of our first responders, and linking the city directly with the State Emergency Management System. Our agreement with the Washington County Regional Ambulance Authority has been renewed for five more years at no additional cost. The Fayetteville Police Department has met 95% of the applicable standards for certification by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and anticipates full certification this year. This will help assure that our police force is a Best -in -Class operation and strengthens agency accountability. The City Council revised and adopted the Master Street Plan. Traffic safety has improved with completion of the Mount Comfort Road project. Progress continues on the planned improvements to Crossover Road, Huntsville Road, Garland Avenue, and Cato Springs Road that will enhance transportation options and safety. Sadly, despite our attention to worker safety, we were reminded this year how fragile life can be when our friend and fellow city employee, Jackie Luper, was killed on the job when hit by a motorist. Economic Development and Good Jobs In my first State of the City address three years ago, I promised, "We will have, within 90 days, an economic and community development strategy that considers support for existing small businesses as well as nurturing new opportunities, and together we will work to make it a reality. A slow national economy is no excuse for inaction but an opportunity for us to move quickly and prepare now for our shared future." That year we instituted the Fayetteville Forward process in which every resident had an opportunity to Page 7 of 20 contribute ideas for both goals and strategies for future community and economic development, and those ideas have driven our policies. Action groups and the Fayetteville Forward Economic Accountability Council have continued to meet and make the vision a reality. It has paid off for our community. In the last three years, Fayetteville led the way for Arkansas at No. 15 in Forbes' annual list of the top 100 metropolitan areas in the nation for businesses and careers. Forbes also ranked Fayetteville as No. 2 among Best Cities for Recession Recovery and No. 4 among Best Places for Business and Careers in the nation. Business Week included us among the Best Small Cities for Startups, and CNN Money ranked Fayetteville No. 13 on its list of Best Places to launch a Small Business Startup. Builder magazine ranked us No. 9 for Healthiest Housing Markets, and Area Development Magazine listed us in the Top 100 Leading Locations for 2011. The Milken Institute Review lists the Fayetteville metropolitan area as the 23rd best performing in the nation on job creation. We have also been honored with the Innovative Community Development Program Award from the Arkansas Community Development Society and the Southern Growth Policies Board 2010 Innovator Award for leading Fayetteville Forward. In 2009, I said, "My first and immediate goal will be to do everything possible to secure and support the establishment of a Satellite Campus of the University of Arkansas Medical School and a Regional Trauma Center in Fayetteville." The UAMS Northwest campus is now a reality and an overwhelming success. In November, Washington Regional Medical Center submitted a request for designation as a Level 2 Trauma Center to provide the highest level of emergency care for patients in Northwest Arkansas, and state approval is expected by this summer. In 2010, I pledged that my top priority for that year was to secure funding for establishing a Green Jobs Training Page 8 of 20 Center of Excellence in Fayetteville to put people back to work in the jobs of tomorrow that pay a living wage. An active partnership among the City administration, the City Council, the University of Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Community College, the Northwest Arkansas Labor Council, and the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, working with Governor Beebe and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, made that a reality. We successfully secured state and federal funding, and our partnership with Northwest Arkansas Community College resulted in a Green Jobs Training Center of Excellence that proved successful and, now that the initial grant funding has ended, will be expanded with mobile training and education throughout the region. Working with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Development Team and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, we have supported the development of good - paying manufacturing jobs for our residents. Hard economic times left Superior Industries forced to significantly reduce jobs, yet through Superior's determination and hard work, they have not only been able to regain the jobs lost, but also regain additional jobs for Fayetteville. Arkansas Power Electronics International now has more than 31 research and production employees at its new facility at the Arkansas Technology Research Park. Delta Group Electronics opened in Fayetteville a new manufacturing facility with a projected 125 high -paying jobs at its 36,000 -square foot facility over the next 2 years. Pinnacle Foods is scheduled to expand its operations in Fayetteville, and Tyson Foods is close to finishing a $7 million line expansion in Fayetteville that will add 60 jobs. Fayetteville has not only retained all of our existing manufacturing jobs, we added significant new manufacturing jobs to our local economy. And, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission awarded 1.5 million dollars to Fayetteville companies to assist us in retaining, expanding, and generating new jobs in Fayetteville. Page 9 of 20 We have continued the successful Find it in Fayetteville campaign to support local businesses; we have created a How to do Business in Fayetteville handbook for new and existing businesses; the Creative Economy Group and the Convention and Visitors Bureau made First Thursdays and Last Night successful arts events; new festivals such as the Block Party, Bicycle Fayetteville Days, and the Art-tini Art Festival highlighted the year; Bikes Blues and Barbeque was another smashing success, bringing residents and visitors from all over the country to our community—spending money and raising funds for non -profits; and we began Fayetteville's Business Registry and Licensing Program. During 2011, over 900 new jobs were added to the local economy. The private investment of $7 million remodeling of 200 rooms and downtown meeting space at the former Cosmopolitan Hotel should increase the number of conference and convention visitors to our city. Economic prophecy is an uncertain art, but I predict even better times ahead for Fayetteville's successful economy and increased opportunities for all of our residents. Building Community Fewer places in the world will you find a stronger community than in Fayetteville. I love this city, and I know you do too. That has become our city's rally call. But, it isn't a well -kept secret. Fayetteville is consistently on top national lists for our community. Forbes named Fayetteville number 7 in the nation as a Top College Sports Town, Kiplinger also ranked Fayetteville 7th in the nation in a ranking of Best Places to Live, Work and Play; Relocate America this year listed us in the Top 100 Places to Live in the United States; CNN Money named Fayetteville as 15th in the nation as a Best Place to Retire; and Retirement Lifestyles Magazine named Fayetteville as one of 11 Southern Retirement Hotspots. Arkansas Business awarded Fayetteville Honorable Mention in the Quality of Life Category, the People of Fayetteville again made us an Arkansas Volunteer Community Page 10 of 20 of the Year, and Keep Arkansas Beautiful had to come up with a whole new award for environmental and beautification excellence due to Fayetteville winning the Shine Award three years in a row. America in Bloom awarded Fayetteville the Environmental Awareness Award and the Four Blooms Award, and that organization will be holding its 2012 annual meeting in our city to share our story with communities throughout the nation. The nationally -recognized Fayetteville Public Library was also named the Best Library in Northwest Arkansas by reader polls in both Citiscapes Metro Monthly magazine and the Arkansas Democrat -Gazette. In April, USAToday ranked our library among the "10 Great Places to Take a Library Tour," which included the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, and others in Boston, Seattle, Denver, and Chicago. There are now more than 64,000 registered users, and circulation has surpassed 1.1 million items this year. To meet the tremendous growth of teen use of library resources, the new Otwell Teen Library was dedicated and opened in June. We are fortunate to have this fine facility in our community, a knowledge resource open to every resident without charge. Fayetteville Public Schools are the best in the state and were named in the Top 10 in the United States in technology by the National School Boards Association. Fayetteville High School has been named to Newsweek's Best US High School List. Ramay Jr. High School was designated one of 10 Breakthrough Schools in the nation by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Twenty-three students were named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, more than any other school in Arkansas, and the Connotations literary magazine won national awards from Columbia Scholastic Press and the National Council of Teachers of English. The debate team and the choir won state awards, and the band performed at Carnegie Hall in New York. State championships were won in football, basketball, golf, cheerleading, and track. Students Page 11 of 20 planted community gardens, Green Teams improved the environment, and the Student Council raised awareness and funds for the homeless. Progress continued on construction of the new high school campus, and both Butterfield Trail and Happy Hollow are L.E.E.D. certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. The University of Arkansas, an essential part of our community, continues to grow with a record 23,199 students and to be ranked nationally for quality of academic programs, receiving the Highest Classification awarded to colleges across the US by the Carnegie Foundation for The Advancement of Teaching. In addition, it is one of the best educational bargains in the nation, a fact recognized this month when it was again named one of the "100 Best Values in Public Colleges" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. The relationship between Town and Gown has never been stronger, as we work to share the benefits of cooperation on projects ranging from expansion of the Walton Arts Center to expansion of the trails system to the exciting developments at the Arkansas Research and Technology Park. We developed and launched the Community Link—an innovative, online resource for community -wide engagement, collaboration, innovation and volunteer management that will increase the ability for everyone in Fayetteville to get further connected with the community and its diverse opportunities for civic engagement. The Community Link is a national model of an effective interactive resource for a whole community and all of its residents. This Community Link has been a further success in connecting our city and building community by providing the link to information about what is going on in Fayetteville and how you can help and get involved. In fact, I expect that the counter on the Community Link will register 200,000 visits before February. Our traditional sense of community is enhanced by the continued growth of the Fayetteville Farmers Market, now Page 12 of 20 operating four days a week and in three locations. It was ranked Number 5 nationally this year in the Large Market category in America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest, hosted by American Farmland Trust. Our trail system expanded in 2011 with completion of Frisco Trail and Oak Ridge Trail and a garden at the Mud Creek Trail Head. Work is continuing on the Clear Creek Trail, Lake Fayetteville Trail, the Town Branch Trail, and the Meadow Valley Trail, a 2.3 mile extension west from Scull Creek Trail, through the UA Farm and past I-540 to connect with the new bike lanes on Mount Comfort Road. Also, the addition of sidewalks and sidewalk improvements continue to be a top priority of my administration, and that commitment will continue in 2012. The Fayetteville Trails Coordinator is also the chairman of the Northwest Arkansas Active Transportation Committee, providing instrumental leadership in coordinating the design, funding, and now implementing the 36 -mile Razorback Regional Greenway. Expanded mass transit will be a part of our future transportation system. We have continued our partnership with Razorback Transit with free transportation for city residents, and ridership has increased on the Ozark Regional Transit routes, resulting in the 2011 Award of Achievement from the Federal Transit Administration for the Highest Percentage Growth in Transit Passenger Ridership in Arkansas. With the addition of 1.25 miles of bicycle lanes on Mt. Comfort Road, for a total of 8.84 miles of bike lanes, we enhanced our position as the second Arkansas city to be named a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Six miles are planned for this year. We have also honored our roots. In 2011, we completed a history project of scanning the historic pictures owned by the City so that they, along with the Government Channel History Minutes, can be placed on AccessFayetteville.org in a new Fayetteville History section of the City website. The Fayetteville Government Channel was awarded three statewide Page 13 of 20 honors for historic digital excellence by the Arkansas Old Statehouse Museum in Little Rock. The Planning Department also donated hundreds of local photographs to "Project Fayetteville," the digital history project at the Fayetteville Public Library. A Fayetteville Hall of History was created on the third floor of City Hall, and I invite you to view the exhibit after tonight's meeting. During the coming year, I will support the efforts of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission to acquire the historic 1911 Post Office in the center of the Downtown Square and explore the possibility of a Fayetteville Museum and studio spaces for local artists. There are several ways Fayetteville is further getting socially connected and partnerships are flourishing. The City worked with COX Communications to implement free wi-fi on the Historic Downtown Square, which has benefitted Farmers' Market events, technical demonstrations, and overall community connections. The town Square has long been an essential public forum and gathering place, and it is now linked to the world. Over 9,000 people attended the six Gulley Park Summer Concerts last year, and the Dive -In Movie Series sponsored by the Fayetteville Firefighters Association and organized by our Parks and Recreation Department was a great success with over 1,600 people attending the four movies at Wilson Park Pool. Community is also built on a communal sense of caring about the community, its environment, and all who live in it. Last year the Fayetteville Animal Shelter placement record was again broken by adoption of 2,183 pets in new homes, and the Community Service Division's work with Ranger's Pantry and the contributions from the public allowed for the distribution of 6.6 tons of pet food last year, allowing people the financial ability to keep their beloved pets in their home. The Housing Page 14 of 20 Rehabilitation program completed 18 projects, and FEST of ALL brought hundreds of people to the Historic Downtown Square to recognize and celebrate inclusion and was organized by multiple partners in an inclusive manner to highlight the diverse art and culture of our region. The City has provided financial support for the Senior Center, Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentoring program, the Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club, LifeSource International Day Camp, Lifestyles, Fayetteville Free Clinic, Peace at Home Family Shelter, Seven Hills Homeless Shelter, the Illinois River Watershed Project, Arts Live Theater, the Walton Arts Center, and other organizations that contribute to building our community with an inclusive and lasting impact. To answer the decades -long call for a municipal parking deck in Fayetteville's Entertainment District, we addressed the needs head-on, made several changes requested by patrons, and, after the initiation of the funding source for the deck from revenues gained from existing parking in city -owned lots, we have moved forward on that commitment to build the municipal parking deck to meet the future needs for convenient access to all businesses in the Dickson Street area. And, the success of the residential parking program in the entertainment district has alleviated many of the problems voiced by residents who required better access to their homes. We now have three dog parks in Fayetteville, most recently the IAMS Dog Park at Bryce Davis Community Park; we have pedicabs, swings sets renovated to gain ADA compliance, enhanced sidewalk and outdoor mobile vendor opportunities, and we even have back -in parking. The Block Avenue improvements support local businesses and provide residents with a safer, more pedestrian -friendly and aesthetically -pleasing link between Dickson Street and the Downtown Square. The Block Party in May and the Holiday Bizarre in December brought thousands of people to share in the alluring festivities. Page 15 of 20 2011 saw great participation in our recreation programs, such as 1,466 participants in spring youth soccer, 410 participants in spring youth softball, over 250 softball teams in our spring, summer, and fall leagues, Wilson Pool had 21,500 visitors in the summer, 521 people enrolled in the 2011 swimming lesson program, and eight summer BeActive Camps had 450 youth participants. In its third year, the Adult Coed Kickball program grew to 48 teams, and the Yvonne Richardson Community Center had almost 22,000 visits in 2011, an unbelievable 130% increase from 2010. Fayetteville was also one of the first cities in the United States to join the Let's Move national program with the Let's Move Trail Tour that I lead quarterly to help reduce childhood obesity while educating children and their families about Fayetteville parks and trails. Fayetteville continues to help lessen the impact of hunger and malnutrition in our community with local foods initiatives such as Feed Fayetteville, With a Can We Can, Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition, M & N Augustine Foundation Easter Feed, St. Pauls Episcopal Church and United Methodist Church weekly free meals, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, and so many community organizations do much to assure the quality of lives. Environmental Sustainability No other city in Arkansas has demonstrated a commitment to environmental sustainability equal to ours. We were placed No. 6 in the nation in the 2009 Natural Resources Defense Council Smarter Cities Project, formerly part of National Geographic's Green Guide. Our leadership serves as an example to educate and encourage our neighbors to adopt policies that treat ecosystems as assets that generate benefits to our communities. After extensive public participation and comment, City Plan 2030 was adopted unanimously by the Fayetteville City Page 16 of 20 Council in July 2011 and serves as Fayetteville's comprehensive land use plan. Our vision is that Fayetteville will be a resource -efficient community, in which residents can live, work, learn, and grow. It will guide our policies to achieve sustainability, to provide economic growth, to preserve and protect our natural and cultural resources, and to enhance the quality of life for all residents. The completion of the state's first L.E.E.D. Platinum certified apartment complex in 2011 and the proposal for two additional infill L.E.E.D. apartment projects, suggests that private developers are taking it seriously. Our new Streamside Protection Ordinance, adopted by the City Council in March, will protect the integrity of the City's waterways and ultimately the region's drinking water. It is the first ordinance of its kind in the state of Arkansas. In partnership with the Watershed Conservation Resource Center, we developed an urban stream restoration project at Niokaska Creek in Sweetbriar Park, using a natural channel design approach that included the development of wetlands. Additionally, we are producing a new Drainage Criteria Manual to include Low Impact Development criteria and best management practices that will also improve water quality. We have made major strides in our recycling efforts this year. We secured a commercial market for recycling #3 thru #7 plastic and offered drop off collection for those items until curbside collection is feasible in the future. We began an apartment recycling program at two large apartment complexes. We have expanded our commercial cardboard recycling program by 11% and the commercial curbside recycling program by 26%. In addition, we provide a commercial paper recycling program at every public school and two private schools in the city. Design has been completed for the new Recycling Drop Off and Education Facility on Broyles Road using low impact design features, and the facility will be open later this year. This year, City Councilwoman Rhonda Adams and I will be proposing that it be named the Marion Orton Recycling and Education Center Page 17 of 20 in honor of former Mayor Marion Orton, who led the way for the first public recycling center in the city in 1971. This year, we implemented the new Community Revolving Loan Fund to install $220,000 in energy saving retrofits for buildings of three non-profit organizations: the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, and Mt. Sequoyah Conference Center. The loans will be repaid with energy savings and reinvested in buildings owned by other non-profit organizations. We have completed the Solar Biosolids Dryer project, which has eliminated biosolids hauling to the landfill, and we began selling dried Class A biosolids for improving soil quality, increasing crop yields, and reducing the application of commercial fertilizers. We held the annual Tree Give -Away on October 15th at the Fayetteville Town Center, providing 1,100 trees and 160 shrubs to citizens to plant on their property to help re- establish our City's urban forest. The City planted trees in 12 residential developments in 2011, planting 312 trees in street rights-of-way as part of the Tree Preservation and Protection ordinance. These trees over time will reduce storm water peak flows and air pollution, increase oxygen supply and property values, provide wildlife habitat and beautify neighborhoods. The Arbor Day Foundation awarded the City its 16th consecutive Tree City USA Award for Fayetteville's continuing efforts to preserve trees and promote the benefits of trees. The Native Grass Program began in 2009. Park Staff has continued to work with the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association and the Environmental Study Center in a joint project to restore a native grass prairie at Lake Fayetteville along the historic Butterfield Trail. Invasive species are being removed and good stands of Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, and Indian grass have been established. Wildflowers will be seeded this year. In addition to the area at Lake Fayetteville, Park Staff installed of Indian Grass, Little Bluestem, and Switch Grass on the hillside at Mt. Sequoyah Gardens. Involving neighborhood residents, the staff has continued to Page 18 of 20 work with volunteers to establish native plants and trees at Clabber Creek Trail and the Wilson Park Volunteer Native Riparian Planting Demonstration Project. By protecting, preserving, and assuring the wise use and development of our environmental resources, we are creating a healthy community to be enjoyed by all and a legacy for our children. We are doing our part to achieve a more sustainable future in which our actions and community fit with the natural systems that sustain life. Open Government Nothing makes me more proud than the informed engagement and active participation of Fayetteville residents who care about our community and demand a voice in how it is governed. That is our strength. I have a deep faith in the collective wisdom of our diverse community, and I trust them to get it right and make the right decisions when they have all the information. That is why I have made open government a keystone of my administration and have devoted significant resources to facilitate both public access to information and informed public participation. I thank the public for their advice on how the city's website could be improved. We listened to your recommendations, and the city's website is now a far more functional, informational, and interactive website than ever before. We have received the Juggle Award two years in a row as a Top Local Government Website in the nation, and the city was honored as a Digital City of the Year. We continue to make improvements to AccessFayetteville.org. and appreciate your recommendations about how we can best serve your online needs and requests for services. Five times a year, I hold Town Hall Meetings in which department heads and I go out into the community and have open mic opportunities to update the public on public projects Page 19 of 20 and to hear from the people about their ideas and address their questions. The Fayetteville Government Channel provides full coverage of these Town Hall meetings and schedules them on the Fayetteville Government Channel, in the same professional manner that all City Council and City Board, Commission, and Committee meetings are scheduled on cable and provided as an on -demand 24/7 service on the city's website. Improvements to online subscription services, additional uses of social media to connect with and to the community, the addition of YouTube service, informational message boards in certain pubic areas in city buildings, additional online resources for immediate 24-7 public document access, and a greater ease at finding information on AccessFayetteville. We implemented a new contract for the Education Channel as 24- 7 run by the Fayetteville School District. The revised contract for management of the Public Access Channel now provides for free training and more convenient classes that have expanded opportunities for citizens to make their own television programs or to express their opinions in the 5 -minute "Short Takes." These are a few of the things your city government is doing to increase openness, inclusion, and accessibility for all residents of our city. A Bright Future The State of our City is Sound, and I believe we have an even brighter future. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. It is not empty optimism that gives me strong hope for our continued success in the coming year. We can, if we will, make this time a genuine period of progress for our community, because I know that we share a common sense of purpose to serve all the people, to carefully Page 20 of 20 manage our resources, to make a better life a reality for everyone in this city. I thank the City Council for its sound judgment and always keeping the people first. I thank our City Clerk, Sondra Smith, and her staff for all of their work keeping the public informed and the records in excellent order. I thank the City Attorney, Kit Williams, and his staff for a fine job and solid legal advice. And, most of all, I thank the people of Fayetteville for making Fayetteville the best city in the nation. I look forward to another year working together to honor the responsibility that the people of Fayetteville have placed in our hands. Let us serve them well and without fail.