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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-19 MinutesCITY OF FAYETTEVILLE TOWN AND GOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 19, 2012, MEETING The meeting of the City of Fayetteville Town and Gown Advisory Committee was called to order by Chair Tommy Deweese at 3:03 p.m. on November 19, 2012, at the Genesis Technology Incubator of the Arkansas Research and Technology Park in the AT&T Conference Room at 700 Research Center Boulevard in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Members present were Don Marr, Jeremy Pate, Yolanda Fields, David Dayringer, Sharon Waters, Terry Gulley, Danny Pugh, Richard Hudson, Melissa Harwood -Rom, Gary Smith, Bev Lewis, Mike Johnson, Tori Pohlner, Mark Kinion, Barry Herzog, Diane Warren, Tommy Deweese, Ryan Miller, Steve Clark, and Will Hanson. Absent member was Greg Tabor. Chair Deweese introduced Will Hansen as a new member to the Town and Gown Advisory Committee. Hansen fills the position of a University of Arkansas student living off -campus in the City, which was vacated by Joseph Kieklak. The Chair called for the roll, and all members were present except Greg Tabor and Sharon Waters. David Jurgens was present as proxy for Waters. Chair Deweese called for approval of the minutes, which passed unanimously. Chair Deweese stated that the Advertising and Promotion Commission has asked this committee to review the University's proposal to the A & P Commission for an award of one million dollars for use toward the funding for a concert hall and opened the floor to discussion of an addition of an item to the agenda. Steve Clark made a motion to add to the agenda the issue under consideration by the A & P Commission for awarding Hotel, Motel and Restaurant tax funds to the University. The motion was seconded by Mike Johnson. Diane Warren inquired whether the Committee should have a set format of how it will discuss issues the Committee takes up as a priority item and encouraged a set format. Chair Deweese sought clarification that the motion on the floor is the question of whether to take up the issue, which was affirmed by Steve. Clark. Without discussion or comment, the Chair called for the vote with the Committee voting in approval, with one opposing vote by Diane Warren. The motion carried, and the item was placed at the top of the agenda. Steve Clark stated that the focus with this issue on funds for a single purpose is getting "down in the weeds", and the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce has determined that the University of Arkansas is an asset to Fayetteville's economic development. Clark stated that five dollars a minute is spent by a UA student, contributing to our community; and the A & P Commission twice a year makes awards to entities to stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and shop in our stores, and the UA offers around 40 events every week. Clark contended, if the A & P is to give money to an entity, there is no better entity to give it to than the University of Arkansas. Clark then made a motion that the Advertising and Promotion Commission should be open to an award of $125,000 every six months to stimulate the economy of Fayetteville. Ryan Miller questioned whether the motion was not the offering of a million dollars to the University, but for funding every 6 months. Steve Clark stated "yes" for support of the A & P funding the University $125,000 every 6 months since the University contributes to Fayetteville's economy and a million dollars in a lump sum would take away from what the A & P could give to other entities in our community. Diane Warren stated that a new performance hall on the University of Arkansas campus is a marvelous idea and it supports the arts; however, the committee needs to think of the big picture "rather than the weeds,". Warren stated that she did not have the necessary budget and funding information necessary to decide the question of whether the A & P should provide funds and how much, thus, the motion seems to impose a Committee decision without adequate information. Barry Hertzog requested that Marilyn Heifner, Director of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, speak. Heifner stated that state law gives criteria for how an A & P Commission can spend money, the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion budget is 2.1 million dollars a year, twice a year entities come to the A & P Commission and ask for funding to support their proposal, and the A & P Commission is supportive of start-ups to get them started so they can raise money themselves. Ryan Miller inquired to Heifner whether any UA entities have requested A & P funding, and Heifner responded in the affirmative, citing awards to some University of Arkansas athletic programs. Clark commented that the University of Arkansas should be recognized as a continuous contributor of attracting people to our city. Steve Clark stated that UA events bring people to Fayetteville, and if the UA asks the A & P Commission for $125,000 then they should get it. Tori Polhner stated that the purpose is to raise money for a concert hall. She questioned how a vote by this Committee to shift the focus to funding for events will change the construction of the facility to bring people in to Fayetteville. Chancellor David Gearhart responded that the University of Arkansas has not done its fundraising for this project, and if the A & P did what is recommended in the motion before the committee then the University would need to do additional fundraising for the concert hall. Tori Polhner remarked that it is already hard for students to pay tuition and fees and current students may not support increased fees for something that will not be completed until after they are gone. Chancellor Gearhart stated that almost all of their events are open to the public, but current conditions require them to occasionally turn people away for lack of space to accommodate them all. Ryan Miller asked when the A & P Commission would vote on this issue, and Heifner responded that she believed they will vote on it in their December meeting. Justin Tennant, an Advertising and Promotion Commissioner, stated that he requested that this issue be brought before the Town and Gown Advisory Committee and he welcomes any of their recommendations or thoughts about the funding issue. Mark Kinion commented that he believed the Committee prepared for a question of whether to fund a concert hall on campus, but the motion is not made to that point. Don Marr quoted the purpose section of the Ordinance establishing this committee and stated that the A & P Commission is not a part of the City of Fayetteville governmental entity, and, therefore, providing advice to the Commission seemed to be outside the Committee's scope. Marr added that Mayor Lioneld Jordan is supportive of the University of Arkansas and the concert hall; however, this motion is divergent from the origin of this committee, which started over development issues. Marr cautioned the Committee not to create a charge that it was not given. David Jurgens questioned this Committee imposing its opinion on the A & P Commission, but instead stated that the issue should be whether we think we should be supporting the University of Arkansas with funds, and then they can decide how much and for what. Steve Clark argued that a benchmark is needed and also needed is the funding to be on a continuous basis. Chancellor Gearhart remarked that in no way did he or the University anticipate their funding request would be a controversial issue. Gearhart provided supporting economic data to support the request to the A & P Commission for funding a concert hall. Diane Warren reiterated that she supports the University of Arkansas, but she does not feel prepared to decide this particular funding question. Ryan Miller moved to amend the motion by striking the dollar amount, and failing a second, Clark remarked on the importance of funding the UA, which he described as a 365 days a year event for the city. Mark Kinion read the wording of the ordinance that established this Committee, 33.360, Will Watson stated that the 125,000 every six months is a great idea, but it is a different thing than the committee prepped for in anticipation of a motion to add this item to the agenda. Watson requested an amendment to the motion, calling for the addition of the statement that $125,000 every six months satisfies the million dollar request over four years, but it does not terminate the University's ability to seek additional funds. Clark voiced opposition to the amendment. David Dayringer reminded the Committee that it does not have the authority to appropriate the A & P Commission funding. The Chair called for the vote on the amendment, and the Committee voted nine for and six against. The motion was determined passed. The Committee voted for the motion as amended. The motion was determined passed with a vote of ten for and three against. Chair Deweese called for the next item on the agenda—operational control of a portion of Dickson Street, which was discussed by Mike Johnson as a proposal to temporarily control traffic during the section for the times of Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the Academic semesters. No ownership change is requested, but, for safety purposes, the University of Arkansas has requested that the City of Fayetteville permit the University of Arkansas to limit vehicular traffic on that section of road. The move is intended to assist pedestrians by removing the many vehicles currently pushing pedestrian traffic; a problem that will only continue with increasing student populations. The proposal would not be in effect on weekends or outside of academic sessions. A permanently staffed booth is proposed, with no control outside the designated closed street times, but allowing for certain vehicles like transit and emergency vehicles. The City of Fayetteville Street Committee has requested the Town and Gown Advisory Committee review and make a recommendation for review by the Street Committee. Don Marr stated that the Mayor's Administration supports the request under the conditions that when the project moves east toward Duncan that Duncan remain a fully - functioning street and assure that, even though there would be no ownership change, the state does not make a change in maintenance status that results in restrictions on the City. Mark Kinion asked for clarification with regard to bike traffic. Johnson, assured the Committee that bike traffic is supported for this area and in this project. Ryan Miller made a motion to support the request of the University of Arkansas to allow it to restrict vehicular traffic during the times and under the proposal as submitted to the City of Fayetteville. Tori Polhner seconded the motion. David Jurgens proposed an amendment to add the items requested by Mayor Jordan to not change the maintenance status of Dickson street in the temporarily controlled area and when moved it stays on the west side of Duncan. The amendment passed. The motion was presented to the Committee as amended, seconded, and it passed unanimously. Jeremy Pate moved that, for purposes of time, the Master Plan presentations on the day's agenda be moved to the next meeting's agenda. Mike Johnson seconded the motion, adding that it is important to keep the UA and City presentations together at the same meeting, and move on to the next item on the agenda—brainstorming future topics for the Committee. Chair Deweese stated that he would move the Master Plan presentations to the agenda for the December meeting and facilitated a brainstorming session for the remaining 10 minutes of the meeting. Chair Deweese called for ideas of issues to come before the committee in future meetings Ryan Miller offered the following topics for future Committee discussion: • the new City legislation that permits in certain circumstances more than three unrelated people living in a house together and enforcement, • noise ordinances and specifically noise that deals with bass and enforcement clarification, • rent house landlord upkeep • Wedington Corridor Master Plan • Trail system expansion, specifically student areas • Run-down areas and houses near the University campus Diane Warren proposed promotion of the arts throughout the area and discussion of ways to promote the arts. Warren also proposed discussion of cooperation and encouragement for the University, City, and School District furthering goals for a better -educated workforce. Steve Clark proposed the issues of the use of the power of eminent domain and notice before the use of the power of eminent domain. 0 Don Marr proposed future discussion by the Committee of the following items from the City of Fayetteville: • an additional fire company and a fire station for replacement of station two at the University • the process for designating one-way streets, parking on sides of streets, or any changes in the current street structure to avoid actions made with entities doing two different things • University overlay district and review by this Committee about such an overlay district with a specific focus on transition between University space and land to traditional neighborhoods that surround the University • code education for off -campus students and neighborhoods to be more accepting of off - campus students • a list of some potential development criteria around pedestrian accessibility and sidewalks when the University and City properties meet • a promotion of what automotive traffic is allowed and not allowed on streets at times of athletic events, such as the permissibility of bicycles on Razorback Road on game days.. Mike Johnson recommended including the Highway Department with the discussion of bicycles on Razorback Road. Johnson then inquired whether the City of Fayetteville has the ability to create and maintain a list of owners of rental properties. Jeremy Pate stated that the County maintains several of those records, and the Secretary of State's website will list an officer. Yolanda Fields said that Code Enforcement will go to the property owner, and the door hanger on the residence and letter to property owner are different the letter goes to the property owner. Don Marr stated that during that discussion, the City Attorney will join that discussion. Danny Pugh recommended addressing landlord -tenant issues, particularly as they arise for students at the University. Barry Herzog requested addition of the item of a crosswalk at the High School for review by the Committee. Mike Johnson recommended an extensive transit discussion, including transit funding. Jeremy Pate recommended removing vehicles from roadways and the University policy of freshmen ability to drive, and Johnson clarified the item to be vehicle policy at the University. Chair Deweese stated that the brainstorming of ideas for possible topics for future agendas would be an item also on the next meeting's agenda. The Committee agreed to continue the brainstorming and prioritization of topics for future agendas at the next meeting, which will be considered under Old Business. Master Plan presentations were placed into the December agenda under New Business. Discussion of the dates of future Town and Gown Advisory Meetings was recommended for the agenda by Don Marr, and without objection Chair Deweese stated he would put that item on the agenda for new business. Mike Johnson moved for adjournment, which was called as adjourned by Chair Deweese. Minutes of the meeting of November 19 recorded by Lindsley Smith, staff for the Town and Gown Advisory Committee.