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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-15 - MinutesFFEAC Council Meeting Notes Meeting Facilitator Stephen Smith Meeting Scribe Colleen Pancake Meeting Date February 15, 2013 Meeting Start Time 9:OOam Location Fayetteville City Hall, Room 326 Meeting End Time 10:30am Stephen Smith, Phil Stafford, Sarah Marsh, Sonia Davis -Gutierrez, Caleb Attending Clark, Teresa Maurer, Tom Sawyer, Jamie Rene, Margo Jackson, Colleen Pancake, Mayor Lioneld Jordan, Lindsley Smith, Dede Peters Topics Lead by... Action Groups and Other Reporting Historic Heritage Action Group — Steve Smith a) Historic marker program • Plan to identify historic properties with a small plaque • Possibly use technology for digital markers that direct to a host site with information, photos, video b) Considering feasibility of Fayetteville Museum c) Considering ways to coordinate with other groups d) Next meeting is Feb 21, also the 151" anniversary of Fayetteville burning e) The last Fayetteville history was published in 1928, considering next to be released in 2028 1 Research and Technology Park — Phil Stafford Stephen A group out of Augusta, Georgia has expressed an interest to develop a center for Smith the development of low speed electric vehicles at the University of Arkansas. City Council — Sarah Marsh Sarah reported that she is looking forward to bringing FFEAC initiatives to the City Council. Creative Economy — Caleb Clark a) New officers for CEAG group will be elected soon b) Artist laureate for the state being sought; CEAG will suggest local artists to be considered for honor c) Kiva Zip program coming to Arkansas; event will be in Little Rock March 15 with Bill Clinton involved. Kiva Zip offers support and potential funding to start new creative enterprises d) CEAG is considering proposal for a creative space in the building by Grubs rAcVan rangy FFEAC Council Meeting Notes Inclusion Group — Jamie Rene, Margo Jackson a) Working on attracting new members via advertising b) Came up with poster and pamphlet c) Encouraging attendance at roundtable events at Omni center d) Collaboration agreement was sent e) Compassionate cities to gather stories of compassion at Library on February 23 in morning f) Working with Pryor Center audio kits to collect stories Local Foods — Teresa Mauer a) Local Food Policy brainstorming last fall, what policies can foster local food production in the City? Volunteers from the group are working with the Agricultural law center and Christina Jones from the City to formulate and propose policies that promote local food production and remove barriers. Teresa thanked the Mayor for the support in this process b) 2013 Local Food Guide initiative pamphlet will double in size from 16 to 32 pages. There is a regional effort to produce with a core team of 5 members to update this information; Fayetteville group is taking lead in process. • A proposal has been written to print 10,000 copies of the guide up from 5000 last year. • They have a $12,000 budget expected; half is already raised through sponsorships and they are seeking more sponsorships to cover costs of designing, producing and distributing guide. • The Northwest Arkansas Regional Council provided seed funding to start with further support from some non -profits. Local Foods group will proceed to print regardless of funds received by March 15. It has become a valuable resource for consumers. • The new Local Food Guide to be distributed at Farmers markets in region and at Libraries as well as hosted online in printable form and seeking to make it searchable online with links. The back of guide has resource listing but has limited space. • Working with edible Ozarkansas online. • Contact for information is info@nwalocalfoodguide.org c) Slow Food Group starting competitive process to choose farmer recipients to receive grants designed to foster variety in marketplace by producing something that is not on the market already FFEAC Council Meeting Notes Green Economy Group — Damon Dux a) Working to become a 501-C3 and then to raise funds to achieve established goals b) EEF- Energy Efficient Financing, creating local energy efficient financing by generating interest with local lenders and educating consumers on the 4 options already available to them through banks. c) Looking at the Heal program, through the Clinton initiative, and reviewing their model perhaps to use as a platform to win the support of the lenders, real estate agents, and people d) Developing webpage, $500 already raised of a $1000 budget goal e) Discussion of maintaining FFEAC group as well as establishing a 501-C3 Green Economy non-profit f) Meetings are now the first Thursday of the month 4-6 PM in the Chamber of Commerce building g) Teresa suggested that the Green Economy group connect with F. o R.G.E., Financial Regional Growth in Economy who lend to small farmers and businesses; Charlie Stockton is contact person. Update from Mayor Jordan a) Last month the city received 2 awards: one Technology and Advancement award for the Technology Park and the Green and Sustainability award for the bio -solids that are being reclaimed. b) Also, Fayetteville received the Volunteer community of the year for 30,000 citizens volunteering over 567,000 hours and the Mayor thanked the citizens. c) We broke ground on the flyover, a 10 million dollar project, continuing work on the roundabout d) We are Starting to design downtown parking deck e) A proposal to restore historic bridges on Lafayette St. goes to the council at next meeting. It is 5 or 6 years ahead of schedule; funding has been secured within 3 years of starting the process. f) Met with North West Arkansas alternative transportation group, to discuss and seek ways to provide more funding for mass transit, possibly rail. g) Met with representatives from ORT, Ozark Regional Transportation and University to discuss long term mass transit plans to possibly help provide funding h) Current work on Garland ongoing and will have a sidewalk/ trail and 10 feet of green space. i) Connections are anticipated on Van Asche trail to connect to Sam's Club. Lioneld Jordan FFEAC Council Meeting Notes j) State Funding has been secured to install sidewalks, anticipated to triple during the next 3 years from 12,000 feet per year to 36,000 feet per year, areas surrounding schools being a priority. A walkable and safe City is the goal. k) Bruce Stone has some financing secured for a,"Walk of Fame' starting around the square. 1) Plans are starting for a larger overpass at Wedington and we are considering a roundabout in that area as well. m) Record trail constructions of 4.2 miles is planned for this year. Questions: A question was asked about the 3-7 plastic's not being collected any longer. At this time the City is considering options to proceed. The business that was buying plastic is no longer around and the only options are a group in Tennessee that burns it or it is taken to California and shipped to China. Options are being discussed but the City has no place to sell it and has a warehouse packed full of plastic at this time. Suggestions included the Local Food Group contact local grocery stores to voluntarily eliminate some products sold in those containers. Work is being done on the Xylo bag but is not ready yet. Community Link — Lindsley Smith a) Fayetteville is first in the nation to establish a community link; the calendar is the most used part of the website. b) The City Clerk maintains the government meetings calendar and the Lindsley community link community calendar allows citizens to post on the calendar Smith about local events c) Groups are encouraged to post on the calendar to increase other citizen's awareness FFEAC Video Update — Colleen Pancake a) It was proposed to have the Government channel produce a video that Colleen celebrates the accomplishments of the FFEAC groups and that calls for Pancake support and participation from the community by bringing attention to future eoals. FFEAC Council Meeting Notes Groups wanting to participate, are asked to accomplishments. past c) Potential dates in April for the filming and possible gathering to film will be offered at the March 15 FFEAC meeting by the Creative Economy Group; CEAG will work to facilitate the production process Additional Reminders - All Teresa reminded everyone to go to winter market at the botanical garden on Easter on March 31" The regular Farmer's Market begins in April The Dig in Festival will support farmers; it is an educational event that is happening at the continuing education center area. 5 Sonya reported that New Design school got their 501-C3 and is looking forward to collaborations with other organizations. March 15 is next meeting. Jamie reminded folks to come to Compassionate Cities February 23 at the Library. Steve reminded that February 20 at Library, the League of Women Voters will be hosting a transportation forum. Stephen Smith