CBC 08-03-1995Minutes
August 3, 1995
Call to Order
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, August
3, 1995, in the City Manager's Conference Room. The meeting was called to order at
8:05 a.m. by Acting Chairperson, Mark Webre.
Roll Call
Members Present:
Jim Goodhart
Frank Riggins
Joyce Raynor
Steve Cato
James LaBorde
Joe Robbins
Also Present:
Director, Linda Joyce
Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, Neighborhoods and Planning
Mark Webre, Project and Design Manager, Parks and Recreation
Billie Holsomback, Public Relations
Shellie Sawrie, Parks and Recreation
Brian Minyard, Landscape Architect
Pat McGetrick, Civil Engineer
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held to hear variance requests and staff recommendations of
the Planning Department.
The first applicant was John Bailey of Rock Creek Square, with Brian Minyard
representing. The owner's request to allow the removal of 5 perimeter trees and
allow the substitution of 18 dwarf crape myrtles to replace the 8 interior trees that
were removed. The concern of the applicant was visibility of the shopping center and
signage, and the intent of the ordinance is to break up the sea of asphalt parking. It
was:
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CATO AND SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IN COMPLYING WITH THE
LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE.
MOTION CARRIED.
The second applicant was Tommy Hilburn of Corky's Barbeque Restaurant, with Pat
McGetrick representing. The request was to allow the vegetation on the adjacent
property to count toward fulfilling perimeter landscaping requirements. Staff
recommended the approval of this application provided written confirmation of a long
term lease agreement is provided. It was:
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GOODHART AND SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IN APPROVING THE
APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE.
MOTION CARRIED.
Review and Approval of Minutes
It was:
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ROBBINS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
GOODHART TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED.
MOTION CARRIED.
Treasurer's Report
Commissioner Robbins reported a balance of $1268.23.
Changes to Bylaws
The proposed changes to the bylaws are as follows:
ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP
Current By -Law
SECTION 3. Any member of the City Beautiful commission who shall absent
himself from three (3) consecutive meetings a year shall be deemed to have resigned
as a member of the City Beautiful Commission.
Proposed Amendment
SECTION 3. Any member of the City Beautiful Commission who shall be
absent, without prior excuse, from two (2) consecutive regularly scheduled meetings
shall be deemed to have resigned as a member of the City Beautiful Commission. A
member's absence shall be excused if the member communicates to the Chairman or
Vice -Chairman prior to the meeting time the reason why the member is unable to
attend the meeting. Any member of the City Beautiful Commission who shall be
absent from a total of four (4) regularly scheduled meetings within a one-year period,
shall be deemed to have resigned as a member of the City Beautiful Commission.
ARTICLE II , MEETINGS
Current By -Law
SECTION 1. Official meetings of the City Beautiful Commission shall be held
on the second Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. Special meetings may be
called by the Chairman and written notice thereof shall be mailed to all members at
least five (5) days prior to the meeting day. Special meetings may also be called by
the Chairman with a 24 hour telephone notice to members and written notice to
press.
Proposed Amendment
SECTION 1. Regularly scheduled meetings of the City Beautiful Commission
shall be held on the first Thursday of every month at 8:00 a.m. Special meetings may
be called by the Chairman and written notice thereof shall be mailed to all members
at least five (5) days prior to the meeting day. Special meetings may also be called
by the Chairman with a 24 hour telephone notice to members and written notice to
press.
It was:
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GOODHART AND SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE
RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE BYLAWS.
MOTION CARRIED. -
AGENDA
Thursday, August 3, 1995
8:00 am
The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting Thursday, August
3, 1995 in the City Board Conference Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall at 8:00 am. A
public hearing will take place at that time.
I. Roll Call
II. Public Hearing (see attached)
III. Approval of Minutes
IV. Treasurer's Report
V. Vote on Recommended Changes to Bylaws
VI. Landscape Award Recommendations
VII. NUSA Conference Update
VIII. Polishing the Rock Update
IX. Logo Discussion
X. Wildflower Sowing/State Highway Department Update
XI. Miscellaneous
XII. Adjournment
Landscape Award Recommendations
Mr. Brown updated the commission on the recommended nominees for the 1995
landscape awards. The award categories, number of awards to present, and
procedure for selecting winners were discussed. A committee of volunteers was
assembled to visit the various sites, take photos, and short list the best candidates to
present to the Commission at the next meeting. Commissioner Riggins was
appointed chairperson of the sub committee.
A message announcing the nominees will
winners, once selected, will be presented
is anticipated.
NUSA Conference
run on.the Public Access Channel. Award
at a Board Meeting. Good media coverage
Mr. Webre presented display booth ideas for the Neighborhoods USA State
Conference to be held August 11-13, 1995, at the Statehouse Convention Center.
Boards depicting CBC programs and award winners were shown as well as a flyer
describing the Light Up Little Rock program. In addition, it was suggested to provide
a profile describing the CBC and its overall vision. Photos of the CBEYT were also
mentioned for display use.
Discussion included funding Commissioners to attend the Conference. Commissioner
Riggins volunteered to attend, and Commissioners Cato, Robbins, and Goodhart also
expressed interest. Commissioners Blair and LaBorde will be attending in another
capacity.
It was:
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CATO AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ROBBINS
TO FUND 3 COMMISSIONERS TO ATTEND THE NUSA CONFERENCE.
MOTION CARRIED.
Commissioners will be notified of the opportunity to attend near the end of the week.
Polishing the Rock
Mr. Webre presented model prototypes .for Polishing the Rock awards as well as rock
samples. Commissioners expressed their preferences, and a new prototype will be
developed for the next meeting. Also, Ms. Holsomback has contacted a promotional
company to help with ideas for this award.
The intent of this award is to recognize citizens who go above and beyond the call of
duty in beautifying the city. This award will not be limited to landscape projects but
must be an extraordinary act showing the spirit of good citizenship.
Discussion included the amount of money to spend per award, and the number of
awards to give (two to twelve). Awards will be given at two levels. A certificate will
be given to those eligible for a plaque. Plaques will be given to the outstanding
citizens of the year.
Logo Design
No design contest entries were submitted by the CBEYT that were eligible for the
award. Ms. Holsomback submitted several design options that were circulated
among the Commission.
Suggestions were made to modify the existing logo, hire a professional to design the
logo, and develop the original logo presented to the Commission by Mr. Webre.
Parks staff will modify the existing logo as well as the one submitted by Mr. Webre.
Wildflower Sowing
Mr. Webre reported to the Commission on the meeting with State Highway
Department representatives, and minutes from that meeting were distributed. A
detailed plan of action that shows thought and intent of continuation that is beneficial
for both the Highway Department and the Commission will be necessary to
implement the project
Discussion included maintenance scheduling and sponsorship from large
corporations of this project. The possibility of presenting the project before the City
Board of Directors for funding was also discussed. Director Joyce noted that a
proposal would need to be completed by November to be taken before the Board.
A plan of action was discussed for developing a proposal. The following is an outline
of this plan:
1. Research other cities' efforts in beautifying their highways.
2. Apply this research to Little Rock with consideration to the Highway
Department's needs, wishes, problems, etc.
4. Explore the benefits of this project for Little Rock and AHTD.
5. Develop a project that will have continuity.
A sub -committee was assembled to research other cities' efforts in this area.
Commissioner Cato was appointed Chair, and Commissioners Goodhart, Riggins, and
Robbins volunteered their assistance.
A representative from the Highway Department will be invited to the next meeting to
answer questions and present -their concerns and ideas.
Miscellaneous
Jim LaBorde was recognized and welcomed as a new commissioner replacing Liz
Williams Frazier.
The position of vice -chairperson is vacant, and selection will be discussed at the next
meeting.
The Light Up Little Rock program will be included on the next agenda.
Commissioner Cato noted the lack of accountability of solicitors distributing flyers on
windshields of cars. The suggested course of action was to write a letter to the City
Attorney's Office asking for a legal opinion on eliminating or minimizing this problem.
The vacant seat on the Commission left by Jo Marva Rancifer was discussed, and
interested parties were mentioned. This will be on the next meeting's agenda.
The Commission was invited to host a display booth at the Community Awareness
Day scheduled for 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday, September 30, 1995 at War
Memorial Park. The next planning session for the Day will be held at 6:00 pm
Monday, August 14 at the University Park Adult Leisure Center. The Commission
decided to host a booth displaying the same materials used at the NUSA Conference.
The Adopt -A -Park newsletter and a flyer or handout that profiles the Commission will
also be distributed. Commissioner Goodhart volunteered to develop the profile of the
CBC and its vision.
Adjournment
MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER RIGGINS AND SECONDED FOR
ADJOURNMENT AT 10:45 AM.
MOTION CARRIED
MEMORANDUM
August 7, 1995
TO: City Beautiful Commissioners
FROM: Shellie Sawrie, Parks Planner I
SUBJECT: Enclosed Minutes
Enclosed are the minutes for the August 3 meeting and an updated member list.
Please review these before the next meeting for timely corrections and/or approval.
Please feel free to call me if you find any corrections or additions that could be made
before the next meeting which will be held September 7, 8:00 a.m. in the City
Manager's Conference Room.
Enclosure
MEMORANDUM
August 7, 1995
TO: Director Linda Joyce
FROM: Shellie Sawrie, Parks Planner I
SUBJECT: CBC Member List
Attached is the updated City Beautiful Commission member list you requested.
Please let me know if I may be of further assistance. My phone number is 371-6888.
cc: Mark Webre, Project and Design Manager
Enclosure