HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-26 - MinutesCITY OF
Tay e ARKAANNSAS
TOWN AND GOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
January 26, 2015
3:00 p.m.
Arkansas Research and Technology Park, AT&T Conference Room
Genesis Technology Incubator, 700 Research Center Boulevard
MINUTES
Members: Chair Ryan Miller, Vice Chair Danny Pugh, Steve Clark, David Dayringer, Tommy
Deweese, Yolanda Fields, Terry Gulley, Melissa Harwood -Rom, Mike Johnson, Casey Jones,
Phil Jones, Mark Kinion, Don Marr, Randy Massanelli, Daniel McFarland, Tim Nyander, Jeremy
Pate, Matthew Ramsey, Gary Smith, Matt Trantham
City Staff: Lindsley Smith
1. Call to Order: The Committee was called to order by Chair Ryan Miller at 3:04 p.m.
2. In Attendance: Chair Ryan Miller, David Dayringer, Tommy Deweese, Yolanda Fields,
Terry Gulley, Mike Johnson, Brian Thomas as proxy for Casey Jones, Phil Jones, Mark
Kinion, Don Marr, Daniel McFarland, Tim Nyander, Jeremy Pate, Matthew Ramsey, Gary
Smith. Matt Trantham
3. Absent: Steve Clark, Vice Chair Danny Pugh, Melissa Harwood -Rom, and Randy
Massanelli
4. Approval of Agenda and Minutes: The Agenda, upon motion by Mark Kinion and
second by Mike Johnson, and Minutes, upon motion by Mark Kinion and second by Don
Marr, were approved by acclamation.
5. Chair Ryan Miller introduces new Committee member Matthew Ramsey: Ramsey
was selected by the Fayetteville City Council to fill the Ward Two Resident vacancy.
Ramsey introduced himself to the Committee.
6. Tim Nyander announced as new City of Fayetteville Utilities Director: Nyander was
appointed by Mayor Lioneld Jordan to fill the position on the Committee that was
previously held by David Jurgens. Nyander, who is the new City of Fayetteville Utilities
Director after a national search, has served over the past recent months as a proxy
member of this Committee.
7. Old Business:
a. Review of action steps discussed in last meeting regarding Tobacco use around
the University campus perimeter and effects on University neighbors. Yolanda
Fields provided a short update that that she was in contact with the University of
Arkansas. Upon motion by Mike Johnson, the Committee voted to suspend
discussion on this item until the March meeting so that members unable to attend
this meeting could be present to provide important information on the subject.
Mailing Address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701
8. New Business
a. State Route 112 status update. Tim Nyander, Don Marr, and Mike Johnson
provided information on this topic. Johnson anticipates the project being finished
in a couple of months, being just about done with the east half and are working
on the west half, anticipating being finished by April. Don Marr stated that City
staff met with the Highway Department last week and there is an issue related to
the funding of the highway trust fund such that we could see delays in projects
with the new act. The City anticipates a funding schedule. This project is
considered new, as opposed to existing, so it is not in the priority funding list at
this time. Johnson reviewed the three phases and the State Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP).
b. Scooter Proof of Insurance issue. Don Marr introduced City Attorney Kit
Williams, who serves as staff for the City of Fayetteville Ordinance Review
Committee. The Ordinance Review Committee sent this item to the Town and
Gown Advisory Committee for its review and opinion about this item, and
Williams provided information and background on the issue. Deputy Police Chief
Mike Reynolds and Police Captain Jamie Fields provided information regarding
scooters from the Fayetteville Police Department. Marr discussed emails from
Alderman Tennant and Kit Williams's legal memorandum on the issue. Marr
informed the Committee that the framing of the discussion should be around
what Alderman Tennant asked the Committee to do.
Williams reviewed the Ordinance Review Committee's meeting and the
scooter ordinance proposed by Alderman Alan Long. Long's proposal deals with
property damage. Williams noted that accidents also involved physical injury.
The Committee discussed a possible decal program at the City, but the City does
not have such a program set up, as well as the idea of the University of Arkansas
possibly requiring proof of insurance when students apply for a parking decal for
a scooter. Williams remarked that there could be a medical pay provision as
well. Williams noted that a vast majority of the accidents involved injury, and only
about 25% of the scooters have insurance. Marr stated that it is an issue that is
becoming more prevalent in other University cities as well.
Deputy Chief Reynolds provided information about state law and the
insurance requirement for motor vehicles, but there is an exemption for motor
scooters of 50cc or less. UAPD had 30 accidents involving scooters. It was also
reported that 212 scooters have been stolen in Fayetteville. The Arkansas Police
Association is currently working on legislation to require scooters to be registered
with the state. As of this meeting, such legislation had not been filed. Gary
Smith stated that 1093 scooters were registered on campus last year. Mike
Johnson inquired whether the City of University has checked with other states,
including checking as to eye gear and helmets. Brian Thomas stated that he has
not seen such requests for scooters. Marr inquired about a recommendation to
ORT (Ozark Regional Transit) to ask Legislators to remove the exemption for
motor vehicles with 50ccs or to send to the University of Arkansas for the
University to consider a registration requirement for parking decals or other
recommendation. Mike Reynolds remarked that the main cities this affects and
are looking at this issue are Fayetteville, Jonesboro, and Conway. Tommy
Deweese provided insurance quote amounts -75 for one, 100 for another—and
stated that this issue should be handled on a statewide basis, with Legislators in
Little Rock passing a statewide law. Deweese added that it could be a nightmare
to administer and enforce if it was only for one or a few cities doing something.
Matthew Ramsey recommended that Randy Massanelli work with other lobbyists
and craft legislation. Mike Johnson remarked that it is best to address this issue
at the state level, noting that people other than just students have scooters. Marr
inquired what the University currently required. Gary Smith stated that students
purchase their permits online, fill out a form with a description and state whether
they are a student or not. Marr inquired whether it was an issue worth the
Council addressing or left alone, inquiring whether the University of Arkansas
was willing to look at insurance at the University if the City did non -registered
scooters. Gary Smith stated that it would be something that would first be
reviewed by the University's Transit Parking Committee, then the Vice Chancellor
for Finance and Administration, and the Chancellor's Executive Committee. Mike
Johnson recommended that the Associated Student Government review the
issue, and Daniel McFarland provided the process of ASG review.
Marr made a motion to recommend that University representatives on the
Town and Gown Advisory Committee take the issue to the Transit Parking
Committee for discussion at their next meeting and for the Associated Student
Government to have the opportunity to weigh in and the City and University work
together to work up Legislation. Mike Johnson seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
c. Stadium Drive connection design. Mike Johnson provided an update, stating that
the University continues to work on it and accommodate something by this
summer on a type of phased approach.
d. Traffic patterns and how the University can help mitigate certain traffic situations
related to the High School. Don Marr moved to defer this item until a High
School representative or Superintendent Paul Hewitt could be present to address
this item. The Committee agreed to defer this item to the next meeting of the
Committee.
e. ASG highlights of student survey. Daniel McFarland provided an update on this
item to the Committee. McFarland stated that the poll is planned to go out the
second week in February, and a second poll will go out at the end of the
semester that will focus on residency and overall experience at the University of
Arkansas. Mike Johnson noted that there is a related University of Arkansas
survey on the update of the Transportation Master Plan. Matthew Ramsey
requested a copy of the ASG survey that is going out in February. McFarland
stated that he will get a copy to Committee staff Lindsley Smith to get out to the
member of this Committee to see the survey.
f. Review of City Ordinance on Occupancy Notification. Jeremy Pate provided a
review of the new Ordinance, and the Committee discussed it as a good
Ordinance that can eliminate the "I didn't know" factor.
g. Issues for 2015 committee discussion and member survey review. The Town
and Gown Advisory Committee reviewed the results of the Committee's rankings
of topics provided by Committee members in the November meeting. Surveys
were provided to each member and were reviewed briefly by Chair Miller who
then opened the floor for discussion. Mike Johnson stated that Kathy Deck
would come and do a report on economic impact. Marr agreed that it would be
good for the Committee to have an economic discussion with Kathy Deck talking
about the impact related to property tax for cost share issues. Ryan Miller asked
who would be point at the University of Arkansas on emergency management
issues. Johnson stated that Matt Mills would be it for the University. Marr stated
that it would be good to discuss emergency management, having representatives
from the City Police Department, UAPD, and City Fire Department providing a
presentation. Johnson remarked that the University of Arkansas recently finished
GEO coding and the Committee could hear about that, and number four on the
list (fire cost sharing and expansion of station(s) close to campus/student
centers) is related. Marr said GEO coding would be good to know, particularly as
the City is about to embark on its transportation study. Matt Trantham stated that
the UA Athletic Department would welcome a discussion on athletic affects
related to communication and event management—are we prepared enough for
emergency management.
Chair Miller provided a summary of general topics the Committee's discussion
related to this survey analysis discussion of topics, noting that there are similar
issues such as issues 1, 4, and 6 on the survey results; events scheduling,
bidding, and hosting events. Matt Trantham recommended the Committee look
at elements that impact our patrons and the community (fan experiences). Mike
Johnson stated that there are perhaps standing topics on each agenda, such as
safety & security and streets & sidewalks. Matthew Ramsey recommended a
category related to people. McFarland recommended students in the community
and the ASG survey. Miller informed the Committee that he will reach out to try
to get Kathy Deck for the next meeting to speak about economic development,
noting that if Deck is not available then David Dayringer could speak on safety, or
the Committee could address athletic issues.
h. Chair Miller asked for any announcements. Ramsey asked about an update on
the historic bridges on Lafayette and Maple Streets timeline. Pate and Marr
provided a review, noting the City is working with the federal and state
governments on their processes and the construction begins this year—likely
having one contractor when considering the bidding process. Marr discussed the
need to purchase right-of-way and other factors in that project. Ramsey inquired
about rezoning of Cleveland and Razorback and traffic patterns being affected—
Pate stated that nothing has been submitted to the City, Marr noted the
importance of representatives from the Ward positions on the Town and Gown
Advisory Committee bringing forth such community topics to this Committee.
i. Don Marr made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Terry Gully and unanimously
agreed upon by the Committee.
j. The next meetings of this Committee will be held on March 16, May 18, July 20,
September 21, and November 16.
9. Adjournment Time: 4:48 p.m.
10.Submitted by: Lindsley Smith, Committee Staff
The January meeting of the Town and Gown Advisory Committee
was covered by the City of Fayetteville Government Channel
and is viewable in the City's online archive at:
http://accessfaVetteville.granicus.com/MediaPlaVer.php?view id=2&clip id=3649
