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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-16 - Agendas - Final (2) CITY OF Taypp p��r� le 4 v 1 MINUTES ARKANSAS TOWN AND GOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 16, 2015 3:00 p.m. Arkansas Research and Technology Park, AT&T Conference Room Genesis Technology Incubator, 700 Research Center Boulevard 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, Daniel McFarland, Randy Massanelli, 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, Vice Chair Danny Pugh, Steve Clark, Kevin Murray as Proxy for David Dayringer, Yolanda Fields, Keith Shreve as Proxy for Terry Gulley, Melissa Harwood-Rom, Mike Johnson, Casey Jones, Phil Jones, Mark Kinion, Don Marr, Daniel McFarland, Randy Massanelli, Tim Nyander, Andrew Garner as Proxy for Jeremy Pate, Matthew Ramsey, Gary Smith, Matt Trantham 3. Absent: Randy Massanelli, Matt Trantham, and Tommy Deweese 4. Approval of Agenda and Minutes: The Agenda, upon motion by Mike Johnson and second by Danny Pugh, and Minutes, upon motion by Mike Johnson and second by Danny Pugh, were approved by acclamation. 5. Chair Ryan Miller introduces Kathy Deck for a presentation on economic impact, particularly as it relates to the impact of the University of Arkansas on Fayetteville. Kathy Deck stated that her presentation is on the findings of a recent study on the economic impact of the University of Arkansas on Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas region. A study was conducted in 2009, and this 2014 study is an update of that 2009 study. Deck reviewed the overall value of activities due to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, annual operating expenditures, one-time construction projects, student spending in Northwest Arkansas, visitor spending in Northwest Arkansas, UA Research and Technology Park impacts, Alumni wage effects, and other community impacts. Deck noted that when considering all of these factors, there is a 1.2 billion dollar economic impact on the state of Arkansas. In 2014, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville directly employed 1,352 faculty and 3,108 staff, and the employees paid $11.1 million in state income taxes, $7.4 million in state sales taxes, and $2.7 million in county and city sales taxes. Students, faculty, and staff represent 31.3 percent of Fayetteville residents. The payroll at the University was $319.9 million, and an additional $50.8 million were in direct expenditures made by the University in our state. In 2014, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville was responsible for $235.5 million in one-time construction- related economic activity, and there were $98.3 million of private student housing build from 2009 to 2014. Mailing Address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville,AR 72701 Deck stated that in 2014 students spent $307.4 million in Northwest Arkansas, this included $7.9 million in state sales taxes and $4.8 million in county and city sales taxes. As for University visitors, estimated visitor spending for athletics was $30.4 million in 2014; visitors to faculty, staff, and students spent another%5.1 million, and visits to the admissions office generated $360,531. As for the Arkansas Research and Technology Park and Research Impacts, Deck stated that there have been 761 invention disclosures and 215 patents since 1981, the tenant base of the Arkansas Research and Technology Park supports 385.1 jobs, economic activity of$54.8 million was generated by the ARTP in 2014, and construction impacts added another $1.3 million. Don Marr asked about trends and if tax is paid on campus for food service, and Deck responded that with incremental growth these are incremental impacts and food on campus is taxed like food off campus. Phil Jones asked how this compares to other institutions such as SEC schools, and Deck responded that we do very well in comparison to other schools that have done economic development impact studies. 6. Old Business: a. Review of action steps discussed in January meeting regarding Tobacco use around the University campus perimeter and effects on University neighbors. Melissa Harwood-Rom stated that there isn't a desire just to move people, and the University is dealing in its options right now, and they can't do a kiosk for smokers as that presents certain additional problems, but they will continue to try for the approach for users of tobacco to be gracious. She reported that a few tickets have been issued. Don Marr asked if other universities have grounds- people patrol and clean those areas off campus. Superintendent Paul Hewitt, invited to attend each committee meeting as a representative of the Fayetteville School District, stated that he reviewed Leverett Elementary and it is a minimum problem right now. Harwood-Rom stated that they will continue to keep their eyes and ears open at the University as to any problems. Mike Johnson stated that a heightened program might be looked at, and Marr stated that the City tends to see heightened times, such as at Walmart shareholder meetings and the start of the school year. After the committee discussion and determination that they have done as much as they can regarding this item for this committee, Chair Miller stated that the item would be taken off the agenda, as no apparent need for further discussion at this time is deemed to be required. b. Streets and Sidewalks (State Route 112 and Stadium Drive connection design). Mike Johnson reported on State Route 112 about phase one, that there is a construction contract and they are 4-6 weeks out before finishing up on phase one, with phase two being a little problematic as it relates to federal funding issues and difficulty getting the big-letting date. Johnson reported that phase three is high on the priorities list. Marr stated that there isn't optimism regarding the news on highway funding. Johnson remarked that everyone is working well with utility relocation. As to Stadium Drive, Johnson reported on two phases, which would be the summer of 2015 and the summer of 2016, noting that this project has the potential to do a lot for the City, University, community, and High School; as well as the Harmon Avenue piece the University and City are working on related to a vehicle and pedestrian traffic perspective. Marr reported that sight lines are a big factor, lack of a turning lane, and incidents of nonuse of the intersection. Danny Pugh inquired to Hewitt as to whether the Cardinal parking 2 floods over to the High School area after 5:00 p.m. Hewitt was not sure and remarked that some could be the school district's workout facility and that related parking. Samantha Fehr, program coordinator for off-campus connections, was in the audience and was recognized by Chair Miller to speak. Fehr stated that they are willing to work with management of the Cardinal if there is a problem. Mark Kinion noted site issues at the intersection of Center and Duncan heading south. c. Scooter Proof of Insurance. As a follow-up from the Committee's discussion of this issue in the January meeting, Gary Smith reported that the Transit Parking and Traffic Committee at the University of Arkansas discussed the issue and concluded that it is a legislative issue and said that the Legislature could remove the exemption for scooters. Marr informed the Committee that the City Council Ordinance Review Committee was awaiting word on this item from this Committee and made the motion that the Committee advise the City Council and Chancellor Gearhart of the following, "Upon review of the scooter proof of insurance issue that the City of Fayetteville Ordinance Review Committee referred to the Town and Gown Advisory Committee, the Town and Gown Advisory Committee advises that this item of scooter insurance should be addressed on a statewide level by the State Legislature." Mike Johnson seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously passed the motion and staff was directed to transmit the Committee's advisory opinion to the City Council and Chancellor. 7. New Business a. UAPD—Homeless concerns and working with the City of Fayetteville. The Committee invited University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) Director Steve Gahagans, UAPD Sergeant Ben Velasco, and City of Fayetteville Sergeant Craig Stout to speak on this issue. Velasco reported that Seven Hills, Salvation Army, Fayetteville Police Department, and UAPD representatives met and discussed homelessness issues and Dignity Village. They met with the City of Fayetteville for possible properties to be used, but they never reached a conclusion as to what could be used, stating that they are looking at where to proceed in moving forward. He stated that one property discussed for the homeless is by Indian Trails next to Chick-fil-A on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. He briefly discussed the main UAPD homeless areas. Stout discussed the smaller pockets throughout Fayetteville. Gahagans stated that it is an active role working with the homeless—while they take down tents, Seven Hills gave out tents, and he noted that there is a need to work together, remarking that it is not going to be an easy problem and it will grow. Gahagans stated that they want to work close with Dr. Fitzpatrick and plan to work with FPD Chief Greg Tabor. Chair Miller requested an explanation of Dignity Village for the Committee. Velasco informed the Committee that it is the idea of a small compound of about 3-4 acres for homeless living. He said there are individuals who say they have the funds to proceed with it, providing one bedroom huts made from recycled materials. He added that the new day center would be right behind them and they would designate a monitor, such as a property manager. Mike Johnson stated that the University won't be clear-cutting that area behind Chick-fil-A, but more of a brush-hogging would be used. 3 Casey Jones inquired why they thought a mutual aid agreement is needed. Gahagans remarked that the federal government is looking for cooperation and for several reasons a mutual aid agreement is the best approach and added that he has been working with the Fayetteville City Attorney on the issue. Danny Pugh asked if there are two different populations, and Stout remarked that the homeless will go somewhere and this issue is about working together. Marr stated that the City of Fayetteville owned property that the University is leasing is the current consideration and inquired if there were other properties being considered. Johnson provided a map of locations that have been considered. Marr noted that one of the challenges in Fayetteville is that others in Northwest Arkansas are not doing as much, and a regional approach is important— partnering with other cities in Northwest Arkansas. Miller asked what avenues exist now for developing those conversations. Casey Jones noted the people who are related to safety and security (ones causing trouble)—those that aren't going to the Salvation Army or to such a facility, and he added that mental illness is a big factor to the analysis of these issues. Kinion remarked that Fayetteville is a compassionate city and there is a certain group of individuals who will live under a bridge no matter what is provided and we need to make sure we provide services for them—this certain population will never be in a Dignity Village. Matthew Ramsey inquired about a recent murder, and Gahagans stated that they try to get the word out as soon as they can. b. Traffic patterns and how the University can help mitigate certain traffic situations related to the High School. Dr. Paul Hewitt began the discussion remarking that the high school is looking at patterns and solutions such as two starts (a period as a first start and a regular starting time to break traffic into time shifts—the same for leaving school). Johnson asked how many will ride a bus or be brought by parents. Hewitt stated that he did not have those numbers, but it is not enough to alleviate the problems the high school is facing. Marr inquired if there is a discussion about or requests for preferred routes, bus route issues, and other related things, noting that "we would like to know as a City if there are ways to best address communication on the issues." Hewitt stated, "Now we have about 450 students signed up for 0 period, and we think more and more will sign up for that." c. Setting of the next meeting agenda. The Committee decided to keep streets and sidewalks as a recurring item in Old Business for each agenda since it was something that is important for regular Committee update; and due to time the Committee voted to take up items 1, 3, 4, and 5 under Safety and Security in New Business at the next meeting (ASG student survey, emergency management, safety on/around campus, and fire cost sharing and expansion). d. The Chair announced that the next meetings of this Committee in 2015 will be held on May 18, July 20, September 21, and November 16. e. A motion to adjourn received a unanimous vote. 8. Adjournment Time: 4:46 p.m. 9. Submitted by: Lindsley Smith, Committee Staff 4