CBC_01 07 2016
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
January 07, 2016, at Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Avenue. Chairman Ed Peek called the meeting
to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ed Peek Janet Wilson
Steve Homeyer Carrie Young
Chris Hancock Becka Webb
Chris Morgan
Jordan Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT: Wally Loveless
Bob Winchester
One Open Positions
ALSO PRESENT: Beth Carpenter, City Attorney’s Office
D. Tracy Spillman, Plans Development Administrator, Department
of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock
Dana Carney, Zoning and Subdivision Manager, Department of
Planning and Development, City of Little Rock
Robbie Hudson, Parks and Recreation, Urban Forester
APPROVAL OF THE MAY MINUTES:
Motion: Commissioner Young made a motion to approve the Dec 03, 2015 Minutes.
Second: Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Expense Report:
In the absence of Commissioner Loveless there was no update.
It was briefly discussed when Commissioner Thomas will assume the role of Treasurer.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: UPDATES:
Community Projects
City Hall South Yard:
Commissioner Homeyer presented the proposed landscape plan to Commissioner Thomas.
The commissioners discussed the scope of the City Hall project as well as the possible T.R.E.E
Fund project adjacent to the Regions property at Markham and Bowman of the and how to proceed
with the Parks Department.
Public Relations
Website:
Commissioner Hancock stated:
That there are over three hundred and twenty (320) “Likes” on the CBC Facebook page and briefly
discussed the CBC related photos that have been posted in the last month.
Commissioner Hancock also opened the discussion concerning the CBC webpage and if it is still
necessary since the commission now has a Facebook page. He noted that the webpage is becoming
antiquated, there may be some security issues, and that the service host (Aristotle) is increasing
their rates. He then asked the commissioners to reevaluate the goal of the website and consider if
this could be met using other services.
Chairman Peek inquired of City Attorney Carpenter if there was a legal reason for maintaining a
website for public notifications, meeting dates, or posting of the minutes. Attorney Carpenter
stated that there is not a legal reason for maintaining a website for the commission.
Commissioner Homeyer stated that the Webpage was started due to the City previously not
allowing the Commission to have a Facebook page.
The commissioners further discussed the various pros and cons of maintaining or eliminating the
website and decided to discuss this further at the next meeting.
Introduction of new CBC Commissioner
Chairman Peek introduced new Commissioner Janet Wilson. In response each commissioner and
staff member briefly described there involvement with the CBC and welcomed Commissioner
Wilson.
KLRB:
Commissioner Thomas stated:
That the annual KLRB retreat will be later in the day (Jan 07) between 4pm-6pm.
Commissioner Young inquired if the KLRB City Wide Pickup date and announcement could be
posted to the CBC Facebook page.
Adopt-A-Street:
Chairman Peek stated:
That that there had been a cleanup last month and it had been successful.
Eye of the Beholder:
Commissioner Young stated:
There is nothing new to report.
Commissioner Homeyer noted the stickers that are placed on the yard signs directing attention to
the CBC website will be obsolete if the website is eliminated. He then suggested that these be
replaced with “Like us on Facebook” stickers.
Landscape Awards:
Commissioner Homeyer stated:
That the Landscape Award metal yard signs are being produced and an invoice has been given to
the city.
Commissioner Wilson inquired about the criteria for the Awards. The other commissioners
discussed this briefly described the process for the new commissioner.
T.R.E.E Fund:
Commissioner Homeyer stated:
There have been no new donations to the T.R.E.E Fund.
City Staff Member Dana Carney inquired if the proposed Bowman T.R.E.E. fund project would
be discussed since Urban Forester Robbie Hudson was present at the meeting and could answer
any questions.
Commissioner Thomas briefly described the project and the trees that could be placed in the city
right-of-way.
Urban Forester Hudson was able to answer general questions, concerning species, watering and
planting.
There was further discussion concerning a proposed billboard in this area. Staff Member Carney
noted that care shall be taken in selecting a species of tree and the placement of these trees does
not impede visibility to this billboard.
City Beautiful Exhibit:
Commissioner Hancock stated:
There are no updates
Other Cities Committee:
Commissioner Morgan gave a report on the City Beautiful Commission of Rochester, MN. It was
noted that the commission is similar to Little Rock’s CBC in function. It was also noted that the
Rochester CBC produces a quarterly newsletter.
Garden Show:
Chairman Peek stated that this item will be scratched from the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chairman Peek opened a discussion concerning the CBC annual retreat. It was discussed that the
past facilitator Ms. Julie Robbins with Mangan Holcomb Partners will be contacted about the
possibility of hosting this meeting again. It was decided that the dates will be voted on at the next
meeting after Ms. Robbins is contacted.
ANOUNCEMENTS:
The next meeting will be, February 04, at 11:30 am.
The next Adopt-A-Street pickup will be decided at next months meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Young seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:13 pm.
LITTLE ROCK CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT - 723 WEST MARKHAM - LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201
PHONE: 501 371-4864 FAX: 501 371-6863 E-MAIL: DSPILLMAN@LITTLEROCK.ORG
WEBSITE: WWW.LRCITYBEAUTIFULCOMMISSION.ORG