CBC 07-30-1999Transmittal Letter
Date: July 301999 City Beautiful Commission
PROJECT: August 5, 1999 Meeting
TO: City Cimmission Members If enclosures are not as noted, please
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City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770
MEETING NOTICE
The Little Rock City Beautiful Commission will hold a special called
meeting Thursday, July 15, 1999 at 8:15 a.m. in the City Board Room for
the purposed of discussing the proposed annexation ordinance. All members
are urged to attend this meeting.
The City Beautiful Commission held a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, July 15,
1999 at 8:30 a.m. in the Board Room at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by
Chairman Frank Riggins for the purpose of discussing the proposed Phased Annexation
Policy Ordinance.
Members Present: Dottie Funk Frank Riggins
Nash Abrams Randall Stocks
David Roberts Ralph Desmarais
Karol Zoeller Carolyn Lawrence
Also Present: Gayle Owens, Administrative Asst., Parks & Recreation
Richard Wood, Zoning & Subdivision Manager, Planning
Tony Bozynski, Planning Department
Bryan Day, Director, Parks & Recreation
Scott Carter, Arts & Humanities Director
Hugh Earnest, Chairman, Planning Commission
Jack-MLRn, Deltic Timber
Paul Dixon, Deltic Timber
Arkansas Democrat Gazette Reporter
Commissioner Ralph Desmarais opened the meeting by reporting that Director Kelley is unable
to attend this meeting. The revised ordinance is not ready at this time and Director Kelley is not
sure when it will be ready. Ralph further stated that there is a possibility that the final vote of the
board might be delayed so the urgency is not as great as it was.
Chairman Frank Riggins asked the commissioners their pleasure in continuing the meeting and
discussing the ordinance in its current form or waiting until the August 5, meeting. Commissioner
David Roberts requested that the Commission go ahead with the meeting. He said that we have
heard from Director Kelley at the July 1, meeting, but have not heard the views of the developers.
We have guests here that enlighten us on their views and I think we need to hear them.
Frank Riggins asked if there were objections to continuing the discussion. There were none.
Frank asked anyone in attendance that wanted to speak to come forward and make a presentation.
Mr. Jack McRea of Deltic Timber Corp. addressed the Commission. He explained that their
annexation policy is market driven and must be ahead of the market in annexation. He distributed
copies of the Deltic Timber Corporation Land Development Plan. At the end of Mr. McRea's
presentation, Frank opened the floor to questions.
Frank recognized Mr. Hugh Earnest, chairman of the Little Rock Planning Commission. Mr.
Earnest stated that the Planning Commission unanimously asked the Board of Directors by formal
resolution to defer any consideration of this ordinance and allow the Planning Commission to
continue to do its job. The Commission is going to look very carefully at all the complex issues
raised in this particular annexation. After Mr. Earnest's statement several City Beautiful
Commission members asked questions concerning Smart Growth.
City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770
Frank recognized Commission Dottie Funk, vice chair of the City Beautiful Commission. Dottie
read from the Little Rock Code the role, duties, and responsibilities of the City Beautiful
Commission and asked Bryan Day, director of Parks and Recreation, if the commission is really
supposed to be concerned with this issue. Bryan said, " to answer your question, while it may
not be clearly spelled out, and it may not be what the intent is, I do not think there is anything
wrong with speaking on the issue. Bryan reminded the commissioners that even though they
heard a lot about Deltic, it is not about Deltic. "You cannot vote on this issue thinking about
Deltic. You need to think about it as a whole. It is a policy issue as Mr. Earnest has addressed
and that is the issue you need to consider."
Frank Riggins made his own comments regarding the Phased Annexation Policy. He told the
commissioners that their options are (1) vote today, (2) table discussion until the August 5 when
at such time we can consider a more fully developed ordinance and Director Kelley can come
before us and explain the issues. At this point, I am open to the pleasure of the commission.
Ralph Desmarais moved to take this matter up at our next meeting should we have the revised
version of the ordinance at that point. Nash Abrams seconded the motion. (Note: the above is
the final motion after several revisions.) Motion failed on a four - four vote. Members voting
for the motion were Ralph Desmarais, Nash Abrams, Dottie Funk, Karol Zoeller. Members
voting against the motion were David Roberts, Randy Stocks, Frank Riggins and Carolyn
Lawrence.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
A
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, July 1, 1999, in the Sister
Cities Conference Room at City Hall. Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Dottie Funk.
Chairman Frank Riggins presided when he entered the meeting.
Members Present: Dottie Funk Frank Riggins
Nash Abrams Randall Stocks
David Roberts Ralph Desmarais
Karol Zoeller Carolyn Lawrence
Director Johnnie Pugh
Also Present: Gayle Owens, Administrative Asst., Parks & Recreation
Richard Wood, Zoning & Subdivision Manager, Planning
Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, Planning
Scott Carter, Arts & Humanities Director
Dee White, Concert for Common Ground
Director Paul Kelley
Approval of Minutes. Minutes of June 3 meeting approved as mailed.
Treasurer's Report. Randy Stocks reported no activity since last meeting.
Committee Reports.
❑ Land Alteration Task Force — Dottie Funk. Dottie said that the Land Alteration
Task Force is taking the summer off. Next meeting will be August 18. Hope to go to
the Board before the end of the year.
❑ Neighborhoods — Nash Abrams. Nash reported that he contacted some of the
neighborhood associations to encourage them to enter the City Beautiful Pretty and
Clean Contest. We now have 26 entries. Nash said that he had met with Gayle and
Bryan to discussed plans for the presentation in August. Nash said he had written a
letter to the editor asking the citizens of Little Rock to get involved with their
neighborhoods.
New Business.
❑ David Roberts — Reported that Allsopp Park had been designated as a Medallion Park
by the National ASLA as a part of its 100t` year celebration. Allsopp Park is one of
four parks selected in the state. Secretary of State Sharon Priest will present a 9"
brass medallion to Bryan Day, Director of Parks and Recreation at 11:00 AM at
Allsopp Park. Commissioners are invited to attend.
❑ Dee White — Outlined plans for the Concert for Common Ground to be held at the
River Market on October 29, 1999. Ms. White stated that a percentage would be
City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770
designated to the City Beautiful Commission for its education programs. She asked
the Commission for its support and endorsement Ralph Desmarais moved that the
Commission support and endorse the Concert for Common Ground with details to be
worked our later. Dottie Funk seconded the motion. Motion carried. Director
Kelley suggested that perhaps the public access channel could be used for some of the
media coverage.
❑ Billboards -Director Kelley —Discussed the use of $1,000,000 set aside for billboard
removal on scenic corridors. He outlined three options.
1. Enter into negotiations with billboard companies to remove billboards. Probably
would be able to remove only one or two. That would be perceived by the public
as a waste of money.
2. Shrink billboards on federal and state highways and remove them through
amortization on city streets. Both of which have been upheld in the courts, but
would more than likely have to go to court again.
3. The board can just pass an ordinance to shrink all billboards.
Miscellaneous Business.
❑ Landscape Awards — Bob Brown reminded commission members that it is once
again time for landscape awards. Dottie Funk asked Bob to explain the awards for
the new members. Bob explained that the Landscape Awards are for commercial
sites that have been in place at least one year and have not previously received an
award. Bob said that he would go out and make a couple of hundred inspections and
then present the commission with 25 or so sites that he thinks that has gone above and
beyond the ordinance. The commission then picks five or six from the list, plus any
nominations from the commission. Frank asked Bob to compile the list and then we
will look at it at the next meeting.
❑ Public Hearing - Bob said we will probably have a public hearing at the next
meeting.
❑ Annexation Policy — Frank Riggins asked Director Kelley to update the commission
on the Phased Annexation Policy. Director Kelley explained the ordinance and asked
the commission for an endorsement of the ordinance. Dottie Funk asked Director
Kelley about the cost of annexations to the city. Director Kelley explained possible
future expense to the City of Little Rock if annexations are allowed to continue. He
said that we should pause and take time to perform studies and impact analysis to
determine future impact. Dottie Funk moved to hold a special meeting in two weeks
to consider endorsing the Phase Annexation Policy Ordinance. Motion seconded by
Dave Roberts. Motion carried. Dave Roberts requested that Jack McRea from
Deltic Timber be invited to talk about Deltic's side of the issue. Dottie Funk invited
Director Kelley to come back for the special meeting. The meeting will be Thursday,
July 15, 1999 at 8:15 a.m. in the Boardroom.
❑ Parks and Recreation Report - In the absence of Bryan Day, Scott Carter gave the
Parks Report. He mentioned that the department is very proud of Allsopp Park being
selected as a Medallion Park by the ASLA. Scott thanked the Commission members
that attended the tree event at the River Market. Scott said that while in Atlanta he
learned about the Millennium Trails Project. There are three levels of millennium
trails: national, state, and local. The state deadline was supposed to be June 30, but
that is up in the air. The local deadline has not come to pass; we in the parks
department are looking at trying to participate in the Millennium Trails Project. The
Environmental Youth Team is working well this summer. The Arts and Humanities
Promotion Commission has expressed interest in being kept abreast of the Land
Alteration Task Force because we are looking at the beautification of the City and
moving toward things such as endorsing public art and the concept of public art.
Nash Abrams asked if the Parks Department is trying to get some of Department of
Transportation funds. Scott said that the department is looking into these sources.
❑ Ralph Desmarais passed around photographs of tree removal operations taking
place in three parks that are either under reconstruction or construction: Boyle
Park, Two Rivers and First Tee. He questioned the Parks Department allowing
loggers to indiscriminately remove trees for profit. Dottie Funk requested a
specific answer to Ralph's questions. Ralph said there is also a wet land problem.
You can cut trees in wetlands, but you are not supposed to use heavy machinery.
Frank asked if the land in question is a designated delineated wetland by the
Corps of Engineers. Ralph said yes. Scott stated that he knew the Parks
Department is in contact with the Corps on these projects. Frank Riggins ended
discussion at this point.
❑ Carolyn Lawrence asked about barriers that had been put up in Reservoir Park.
Scott said he would find out for her.
❑ Communication Towers — Dottie brought up a consideration that is coming up
before the Planning Commission regarding communication towers and landscaping
around them. Dottie said that currently there is not a requirement for replacement of
anything taken down. Richard Wood explained the background of this ordinance.
The ordinance goes to the Planning Commission in three weeks. Dottie moved that a
letter be sent to the Planning Commission and to the Board endorsing the Wireless
Communication Landscape Ordinance. Motion seconded and carried.
o Land Alteration Task Force. Dottie said that Commission members would be
receiving contact sheets soon. Please make a list of people that you know who are
interested in helping get these new ordinances passed. Bob Brown said that these
ordinances have been sent to the City Attorney's office for review.
❑ Next Meeting — Thursday, July 15, 1999.
❑ Meeting adjourned. 10:30 a.m.
City of Little Rock
Department of City Hall -Room 108 501-371-4770 / Fax 501-371-6832
Parks and Recreation 500 West Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1495
TO: CITY BEAUTIFUL COM I ION
FROM: BRYAN DAY, DIRECTOR -
SUBJECT. TREE CUTTING IN PARKS
DATE: JULY 8, 1999
In the spring of 1999, the Department of Parks and Recreation solicited proposals to
remove timber from Boyle Park, Two Rivers Park and the planned First Tee Golf Course.
These proposals were solicited through established city procedures which included
advertisement in the local paper.
The proposal asked for a bonded company to remove timber from the three parks in
question as part of planned development. In return the provider of these services would
reimburse the city for the sale of the timber removed from these parks.
Staff determined that using a private contractor to remove this timber would not only
expedite the project, but would free up manpower to address other needs within the
department. Additionally, funds could be reinvested into each of the park's projects.
All of the projects involved carefully planned clearing as a result of meetings with
neighborhood associations, the city horticulturist, and forestry experts from across the
state. Whenever staff decides to clear timber within an existing park's facility, they
follow a comprehensive process to ensure that their actions are not only the best thing for
the facility in question, but will result in an improved park facility. For example, the
clearing that has occurred at Boyle Park is a result of over four years of meetings with the
neighborhood association. At all meetings, the majority of the participants thought that
clearing and thinning of timber in Boyle Park would help the City reclaim this resource
and make the park a facility that families and children can once again feel safe when
visiting.
The Two Rivers Park will have minimum clearing within its boundaries to complete a
planned two-mile barrier free pedestrian pathway. This project is also the result of a
comprehensive master plan that involved representatives from the neighborhood and
other community groups. Finally, the First Tee Golf Course clearing is part of a planned
development that will allow the city to build a golf learning center at this facility.
As the timber contractor removes timber from these parks, staff is on -hand to ensure that
the company adheres to parameters established according to the plan. Should the
company exceed these parameters, staff will have the ability to revoke the bond and
correct any areas of deficiency.
While this method of timber removal is relatively new to the department, it is a practice
that has been well thought out. By having a company remove timber for resale, it allows
the department to take those proceeds and reinvest into the project. This method offers a
chance to recycle this timber instead of cutting it and letting it go to waste. The Boyle
Park clearing resulted in approximately $36,000 for reinvestment into the project. Once
these three projects are complete, staff has no immediate plans for future clearing or
timber removal.
If you have questions, please feel free to call.
***DRAFT***
s
1 ORDINANCE NO.
2
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PHASED
4 ANNEXATION POLICY, IDENTIFYING ELEMENTS OF
5 A PHASED ANNEXATION ANALYSIS, REQUIRING A
6 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN; AND FOR OTHER
7 PURPOSES.
8
9 WHEREAS, a widely acknowledged asset of Little Rock is the community's outdoor
10 beauty of trees, hillsides, streams and other natural areas for wildlife and vegetation; and
11 WHEREAS, expansion of Little Rock's boundaries and the consequent construction
12 of man-made residential and commercial structures, and public facilities such as streets,
13 highways, water, waste water, and storm water drainage systems do not always take into
14 account the effects of urban development on natural areas; and
15 WHEREAS, effects of urban growth on mixed income housing patterns, public
16 school enrollment, and financing of off -site public facilities serving growth areas are not
17 always taken into account; and
18 WHEREAS, the City of Little Rock has grown to approximately 120 square miles,
19 has approved over 280 separate annexations and has quadrupled the size ofthe city's territory
20 since 1957; and
21 WHEREAS, citizens of Little Rock must know the costs and benefits ofurban growth
22 and city boundary expansions before they can evaluate the relative merits of annexation
23 decisions, performance of municipal government and from time to time make community
24 decisions about taxes and other means of financing provided to their municipal government.
25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
26 OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
27 SECTION 1. Statement of Policy. It is the policy of the Board of Directors of the
h
A of Directors to evaluate the costs and benefits of annexation shall, as a minimum
2 requirement, include the following:
3 (a) A narrative commentary describing urban development effects
4 on areas of the natural environment of unique character or value
5 and which may include vegetation or wildlife habitats that may
6 be adversely damaged by urban development.
7 (b) A narrative commentary describing the urban development
g effect on enrollment patterns in the public and private schools in
9 Little Rock and Pulaski County.
'10 (c) A narrative commentary describing the urban development
11 effects on housing construction including a forecast of the price
12 classifications of housing to be built in the area considered for
13 annexation.
1�4 (d) A narrative commentary and financial data describing the
15 community facilities or infrastructure which will be required on-
16 site in the area considered for annexation as well as community
17 facilities or infrastructure which reasonably will be required off-
1 g site from the area considered for annexation. All community
J 19 facilities and infrastructure identified in the analyses shall be
20 accompanied by a capital improvement plan and budget which
21 shall identify the type of improvement, size and location of the
22 improvement, a forecast of when the improvement should be
23 constructed, cost of the improvement, and the source of
24 financing, including general taxes, assessments from
25 improvement districts, user fees, or any other revenue source, to
26 be applied for the construction of the improvement.
27 SECTION 4. Compatibility with Other Planning Ordinances or Regulations.
MEETING NOTICE
The City Beautiful Commission will have its regular meeting Thursday, July 1, 1999 at
8:13 a.-m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room.
AGENDA
1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Treasurer's Report
4. Reports of Committees
■ Land Alteration Task Force - Dottie Funk
Neighborhood Liaison - Nash Abrams
5. New Business
6. Miscellaneous Business
Parks and Recreation Report
7. Adjournment
City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770