HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-05 - MinutesCITY OF Tay e ARKAANNSAS Parks and Recreation Advisory Board May 5, 2014 at 5:30 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 Watson said that a vote was needed to add an additional item to the agenda. Colwell had some information on the possible Gulley Park land addition. PRAB Motion: There was a motion and a second to accept the addition to the agenda. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote. 2. Roll Call Watson, Priest, Maxwell, Lamb, Colwell, Lawson, and McKnight were present. Proffitt came later. Paul was absent. 3. Approval of April 7, 2014 PRAB Meeting Minutes PRAB Motion: Lamb motioned to accept the minutes as written, and Maxwell seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by voice vote. 4. BGSO Report: Richie Lamb, PRAB Representative and Byron Humphry, Parks Maintenance Superintendent Lamb said the emergency meeting for the trail went well, and it will be good for mountain bikers. Humphry said the proposed lease boundaries for the Botanical Gardens were sent out. The initial feedback was that the Botanical Garden people didn't like it. There were two areas that were changed- the SE corner at the trail was pulled out, and the buffer area on the west side was added. The Botanical Gardens decided they didn't want a wildlife observation area. They did want the full field on the north side. A walk-through was done by Jumper, Humphry, and Ron Cox. Mailing Address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 McKnight said that it looked good. Maxwell asked if the current trail was in yellow. Humphry said yes. Watson wanted to know if a parking lot would be put in the SE corner. Edmonston said that the City will build that parking lot. Watson asked if it would be part of their lease. Edmonston said yes. Humphry said they are still going to do a parking lot. He said it will be a trade off in the future. Lawson asked if a bathroom will be built. Lamb said that the Botanical Garden employees are not happy that the trail users use that bathroom. Watson asked if verbiage would be in the lease agreement about the restrooms along the trail staying open. McKnight said the trail wouldn't go there now. Humphry said the asphalt trail would be there and that would be included in the update of the lease. Edmonston said the verbiage for the trail, parking lot, and non -fee area will be in the lease. Priest asked what the lease term was. Edmonston said right now it's for twenty five years. She added that compromises were made. No one got exactly what they wanted, but everyone is accepting. The lease agreement will be put together. Watson had a question on the northwestern boundary. He asked if the 125 feet in the NW corner left enough space meets the wildlife corridor requirement, since there was a gray area in the footage. Edmonston said they were pleased with it. Everything will be brought to the Parks board the next meeting, or a special meeting. 5. Regional Park Progress Update: Alison Jumper, Parks Planning Superintendent Jumper said the contract is now with the City Council. She said a rezoning has been submitted. She said hopefully the ground breaking will be toward the end of the year. ADEQ is out there now grading. The trail and trailhead access should happen by the end of June. The first phase of grading is clear. Lamb asked about the location for parking. Jumper said as you turn into the park, a parking lot will be available. Priest asked how long it will take to build Phase I. Jumper said Lose and Associates are saying it's a 14-15 month build out. 6. Summer Recreation Programs and Events: Alan Spann, Recreation Superintendent Spann said the renovation of the Wilson Pool building is done. The pool will be open 7 days a week this year and will open June 6. The first dive -in movie will also be June 6. The camps offered are soccer, tennis, drama, and Camp Wilson. In addition, there will be 4 outdoor adventure camps at Lake Fayetteville marina. The first concert at Gulley Park kicks off May 29. The adult programs for the summer are kickball, and adult softball. 7. RX — Be Active Program Partnership: Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director Edmonston handed out the insert that went out in the Fayetteville water bills. It will also be given to families at pediatric clinics. One side of the insert lists "Reasons to BE ACTIVE!". The other side lists several recreational opportunities and events that Fayetteville Parks and Recreation offers Northwest Arkansas. Addition to agenda- Colwell said he gave a program to the City Council about acquiring the Dunn property adjacent to Gulley Park. He said they didn't seem too interested. He said he also talked to Kit Williams, and was told not to be shy. He said Williams suggested asking people to call their alderman. He added that people have shown interest. Maxwell talked about another subject. He said he was told that trails are being used by horses, so it makes it hard for trail users to enjoy the trail. He said the horses make the trails muddy and wet. Humphry said the positive side is that the grass is kept down on the trails. Colwell commented that trails should not have horses on them. He said they are on hand - built trails and can really mess them up, and no one likes being around horse leavings. Humphry said Parks is letting horses on some trails on a trial basis Edmonston added that Lake Wilson and a portion of Lake Sequoyah allows horses. Maxwell commented that the horse group is vocal about wanting access to the trails, but they don't offer to help maintain the trail. Lamb said that if horse riding on the trails becomes a problem, the horse riders can build another trail. Maxwell said that a park he visited in Alabama had separate areas for different activities and that it seemed to work well. Colwell commented that trails are built to shed water. Horses cause damage to the trails. Watson asked if this could be addressed at a future meeting. Edmonston said that PRAB needs to go out and look at it. Edmonston added that the HMR was down, so everyone needs to go out and eat more. 8. Announcements May 5 Swim lesson registration begins May 5 Fall youth soccer registration begins May 7 Last day to enter Urban Forestry landscape competition May 10 Girls Fast Pitch Tournament May 12-16 Bike to Work Week May 19 Kickball registration begins May 29 Gulley Park Concert — National Park Radio 9. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 6:18 pm Minutes taken by Melanie Thomas