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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-07 - MinutesCITY OF a e evl IqY ARKANS Parks and Recreation Advisory Board April 7, 2014 at 5:32 p.m. City Administration Building, Room 111 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 MINUTES Members: Phillip Watson—Chair, John M. Paul- Vice -Chair, Wade Colwell, Richie Lamb, Terry Lawson, Chuck Maxwell, Phillip McKnight, David Priest, David Proffitt City Staff: Connie Edmonston, Director; Byron Humphry, Maintenance Superintendent; Alison Jumper, Parks Planning Superintendent; Alan Spann, Recreation Superintendent; Melanie Thomas, Senior Secretary 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Phillip Watson at 5:32 pm. 2. Roll Call Watson, Priest, Maxwell, Lamb, and Colwell were present. Proffitt arrived later. Paul, Lawson, and McKnight were absent. 3. Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Awards: Connie Edmonston. Parks and Recreation Director ARPA Individual of the Year: Diane Gaynor — Community Garden Leader ARPA Group of the Year: Fayetteville Chain Gang — Disc Golf Club ARPA Natural Resource: Lake Fayetteville Prairie Restoration Project Watson read each award recipient's qualifications, and presented the awards. 4. Approval of March 10, 2014 PRAB Meeting Minutes PRAB Motion: Lamb motioned to approve the minutes as written, and Watson seconded it. Motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote. 5. BGSO Report: Richie Lamb, PRAB Representative and Byron Humphry, Parks Maintenance Superintendent Humphry said the board met March 18 and went over catering, possible updates, the executive evaluation, Greening of the Garden, and the fund raising campaign. He added that, per a request from the last PRAB meeting, bids were taken to evaluate the boundary of the wetland area. He said that based on the cost of the evaluation, as well as the cost, and no new information, a decision was made to not do the evaluation. He said a proposal was put together and sent to administration, but he hasn't heard anything back yet. Mailing Address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 6. Park Land Dedication: Alison Jumper, Park Planning Superintendent Development Name: Engineer: Owner: Location: Park Quadrant Units: Total Acres: Land Dedication Requirement: Money in Lieu Requirement Existing Parks: Developer's Request: Staff Recommendation: Estimated Annual Maintenance: The Cottages of Fayetteville CEI Engineering Associates, Inc. Capstone Collegiate Communities, LLC Southeast corner of Wedington Drive and 540 SW 150 multi -family 22.62 acres 2.10 acres $84,000 Bryce Davis Park, Friendship Park, Hotz Park, Lewis Soccer Complex, Village at Shiloh Land, Hamestring Creek Trail, Shiloh Trail Money -in -lieu Money -in -lieu N/A Justification: The existing parks and connection trails in the area will meet the recreational needs of this development. Additionally, this student housing development is providing approx. 3.14 acres of private greenspace for its residents. Jumper said this project was tabled at the last meeting. She added that Nathan Streett and Steve Giles were present to answer questions. She passed out an updated photo of the project. Maxwell wanted to know if the green spaces would be open and maintained. Streett said yes, it would be maintained by the developer. The green spaces would probably be used for passive recreation and would have a barbeque pit. It may have sand volleyball or other sports. Watson said the previous drawing presented at last month's meeting wasn't really clear, but this drawing shows more detail. He said he had concerns at the last meeting. He added that he thought there was too much discussion on the student housing. He said PRAB only needed to make sure the law was followed. Colwell asked how many units would be there. Streett said there would be 702 beds. Edmonston added that students also have recreational opportunities at the U of A. Colwell said that Lincolnwood showed a connection on the City master plan. He said that there wouldn't be a connection with this project. Paula Marinoni, a guest, said that they will work with the neighbors and the City to get it off the Master Street plan. She said they were told they had to have that connection. Colwell asked if the property to the south belonged to the U of A. Marinoni said yes, and added that it was hillside. Colwell wanted to know what other developments were being considered for the property. Marinoni said that there first needs to be a population base and businesses. She said they have control over the property and can say no to things. She says this project is the best she's seen come forward and she's excited about it. She added that it will be a good thing for Fayetteville. Colwell asked if a connection to Porter had been considered for students. Marinoni said they were open to anything. The message they are getting is having no connection in anyway, shape, or form. Edmonston said PRAB needs to focus on parks needs. Watson said it was great to look ahead. Colwell said he thought the money should be taken. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to accept $84,000 money -in -lieu, and Maxwell seconded it. Motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote. 7. Park Land Dedication: Alison Jumper, Park Planning Superintendent Development Name: East Mission Boulevard Development Engineer: Ecological Design Group, Inc. Owner: East Mission Boulevard, LLC Location: South of Mission Blvd, East of Greenview Drive, West of Cambridge Road Park Quadrant SE Units: 59 single family and 6 multi -family Total Acres: 13.4 acres Land Dedication Requirement: Money in Lieu Requirement Existing Parks: Developer's Request: Staff Recommendation: Estimated Annual Maintenance: Justification: 1.44 acres $57,640 Gulley Park, Craft Park, Ridgeway View Money -in -lieu Money -in -lieu N/A The existing parks in the area will meet the recreational needs of this development. Additionally, this development is providing approx. 1.47 acres of private greenspace for its residents. Jumper described the project, and said that Brahm Driver was here to answer questions. Watson asked if the project handout showed a two mile radius. Jumper said it was one mile. Colwell asked what type of housing the project had. Driver said it was 59 single family and 6 multi -family. Colwell wanted to know if there would be commercial development. Driver said the developer is open to it, but this project is residential. Maxwell asked if the development utilized the complete space. Driver said yes. Lamb wanted to know if this project had already been through PRAB. Jumper said it had, but since the project had been changed, it had to come through PRAB again. Watson asked about the water retention area. Driver said there would be a boardwalk so people could observe nature. He said it was about an acre in size. There will also be shared use greenspace and a walking path. Edmonston added that Root and McNair schools are close by and provide recreational opportunities. PRAB Motion: Colwell motioned to accept $57,640 money -in -lieu, and Lamb seconded it. Motion passed 6-0-0 by voice vote. 8. Regional Park Progress Update: Alison Jumper, Parks Planning Superintendent Jumper said the latest master plan will go to Council. Phase I, which is the great lawn, soccer and baseball fields, and parking, are still on track to begin this year. Priest asked about the fields. Jumper said there would be 8 soccer fields, and 3 baseball fields. Colwell asked if this was the first phase. Edmonston said yes. Colwell wanted to know if this would replace the fields at Lewis. Jumper said yes. Edmonston added that the Lewis lease will be expiring. Priest asked if the 4'" baseball field could possibly be built. Edmonston said that Parks may be able to afford it. She said once final cost numbers are received, the campaigning will begin. Watson asked if the fields at Walker would be used. Edmonston said yes, and added that the ribbon cutting for the new concession stand will be next Monday. Aubrey Shepherd, a guest, said that there were no adult sized fields at Walker, and for years there were pick-up games there. He said maybe now a field will be available. He then wanted to know the status of the Cummings house. Edmonston said the bank owns the house. Lamb asked about the rest of the land. He said access to the park is needed. Jumper said it's still being worked on. She said the best location is still being determined, but the landfill is a challenge. Maxwell asked how long the process for the landfill was. Jumper said the first phase would hopefully end in July. The second phase should be done by the end of the year. Lamb wanted to know if the access had to be permanent and on park property. Jumper said no, but it has to have public access. Colwell asked if the parking would be by the smokehouse. Jumper said they don't know yet. Maxwell asked if access from Farmington had been looked at. Jumper said yes. Edmonston commended Jumper for all her hard work on the Regional Park. 9. PRAB Meeting Policies: Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director a. If there is not a quorum present at the start time of the PRAB's regular or special meeting, the meeting will be adjourned and no business can be discussed. PRAB's quorum size is five members. This is why our Parks Secretary sends emails and calls PRAB members about attending because we do not want PRAB members who can attend plus others who are on the agenda or the public to come to a meeting that would be immediately be adjourned. b. If an item is to be added to the PRAB Agenda at the meeting, a request must be made at the beginning of the meeting to add the item and PRAB members must vote to approve whether to allow the item to be added. This gives transparency to our citizens who may be interested in the added item and allow them the opportunity to attend and participate in our meetings. 10. Announcements April 12 Clear Creek Trail Opening at 1 pm April 14 Youth Softball begins April 19 Youth Spring Soccer ends April 19 YRCC Easter Egg Hunt April 21 Adult softball summer registration begins April 24 YRCC Community Meeting New Business Colwell said the Dunn family offered the City a proposal for their property adjacent to Gulley Park. This property has 2 houses and a shop on 9.7 acres of land. It has water and sewer lines on the property. The total acreage is just under 11 acres, and the asking price is 1.3 million, which is around $20,000 an acre. Edmonston said this has been discussed for years. She said she believes in looking toward the future. Priest wanted to know what the financial option is. He said at the last meeting it was discussed that a group would buy it and the City would buy it from them. Colwell said that was an idea he had. He said maybe a bond issue could be done. Priest said maybe the City reserves could be used. Edmonston said the reserves have been dipped into Colwell said he has written a letter to the editor several times but has never sent it. He said that may be a way to pull the public in. He added that email could be used. He asked Edmonston if she had talked to Lioneld or Don. Edmonston said no, because the reserve has been dipped into this year. Colwell was wondering how much support would be available for this proposal. Lamb said probably everyone that goes to Gulley Park would support it. He then asked what the process would be to proceed. Edmonston said to talk to anybody and everybody, including the aldermen. Shepherd said that on Easter Sunday from 1 to 5 pm, there will be a community event at the World Peace Wetland Prairie. It will be an Earth Day family celebration with events and music. Still on the Hill and Emily Cate will be playing. Edmonston added that the Clear Creek trail opening is Sunday at 1 pm. Everyone is supposed to meet at the Penney's parking lot. 11. Attachments 1. ARPA Individual Volunteer Award — Diane Gaynor 2. ARPA Group Volunteer Award - Fayetteville Chain Gang — Disc Golf Club 3. ARPA Natural Resource Award — Lake Fayetteville Prairie Restoration Project 4. March 10, 2014 PRAB Meeting Minutes 5. The Cottages of Fayetteville Development Item 6. East Mission Boulevard Development Item 7. HMR Report 12. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm