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CBC 12-14-1999LITTLE ROCK -ii CITY BEAUTIFUL C MMISSIQN The City Beautiful Commission held a special meeting Thursday, December 14, 1999, in the Sister Cities Conference Room at City Hall. Meeting was called to order by Chair Frank Riggins. Members Present: Dottie Funk Nash Abrams Barry Jefferson Tim Heiple Frank Riggins Randy Stocks Karol Zoeller Also Present: Gayle Owens, Administrative Asst. I, Parks & Recreation Richard Wood, Zoning & Sub Division Mgr., Planning Dept. Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, Planning Department Bryan Day, Director Parks & Recreation Frank Riggins opened the meeting with these comments. There is only one issue on the agenda that we need to address. We needed to meet to try to come to a consensus regarding the Commission's stand on the Land Alteration Task Force proposed ordinance. At the last meeting we were split, therefore, we had no official position. Some believe that she should present the ordinance as written to the board. Others on the Commission felt that it would be better to break the ordinance into its various components and let the board vote on it separately and try to get what we could and be ready to compromise. After discussion, Frank summed up by saying, "The ordinance can go to the board as a single ordinance, however, the board can look at each piece of the proposal of the ordinance and amend it or revise it however they see fit. I've heard that we should take what is in the ordinance now as it stands and go to the board with that expecting that there will be some discussion, expecting that there possibly could be some compromise at that level. That the Land Alteration Task Force should have a position on their bottom line. Tim Heiple moved that the City Beautiful Commission recommend to the Land Alteration Task Force that they proceed with the ordinance as it now stands to present it to the Planning Commission, ultimately to the Board of Directors and write it in such a way that the ordinance can be modified at the Board level. Motion seconded and carried unanimously. (Next page has specific recommendations for Task Force.) Meeting Adjourned. City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770 Page 2 1. Buffers go back to 5% percentage and keeping the minimums. 2. Take out reference to increased landscaping for more parking spaces than minimum ordinance requirement. Keep ratio of 1 tree to 12 parking spaces. 3. Tree Trust — A special project account to provide trees in case of hardships or to plant street medians. 4. Upgrade of downtown parking lots. Dottie said the amortization would be 50% in five years and 100% in eight years of the tree requirement. Landscape strips are not a part of it and half of the trees can be in the street right-of-way. Veep this iten) as is. 5. Expedited process. 6. Keep enforcement as recommendation. Experiencing Nature Environmental Festival Late March or early April 2001 Sponsored by City Beautiful Commission Suggested co-sponsors Arts & Humanities Promotion Commission, Parks & Recreation Department, Keep Pulaski County Beautiful, Nature Conservancy Possible participating groups Groups concerned with promoting and appreciating nature and the environment including: garden clubs, Audubon Society, Trees for Tomorrow, Sierra Club, Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Game & Fish Commission, Parks & Tourism, IMAX & Aerospace Education Center, Zoo, Children's Museum of Arkansas, Museum of Discovery, McArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Secretary of State's Office, Old State House, Territorial Restoration, Landmark Historic Trust (formerly Quapaw Quarter Association), Cooperative Extension Service, television stations, National Weather Service, Central Arkansas Library System, Arkansas Arts Center, etc. Location: Riverfront Park, River Market, MacArthur Park What would go on during the day: Education about nature and the environment through: ♦ Information booths ♦ Hands-on opportunities ♦ Performances of music and drama ♦ Walks - nature, public art, fountains ♦ Lectures ♦ Fishing derby (catch and release) ♦ Camping ♦ Outdoor recreation activities ♦ Cooking demonstrations What would go on in the evening: ♦ Concert at amphitheatre ♦ Presentation of "Pretty and Clean Neighborhood Awards" ♦ Presentation of "Landscape Awards" Other possibilities: Golf tournament at Rebsamen, fun run Additionally, museums and the Zoo would be encouraged to have science or nature exhibits for cross promotion. Admission: Free to public Some events might have fees Costs would be covered through sponsorships City Beautiful Commission involvement This project would be led by a steering committee. 2-3 members of City Beautiful would be asked to serve 1 on the committee. As the festival developed, there will certainly be opportunities for all members of the Commission to become involved. The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, December 2, 1999, in the Sister Cities Conference Room at City Hall. Meeting was called to order by Chair Frank Riggins. Members Present: Dottie Funk Nash Abrams Ralph Desmarais Karol Zoeller Barry Jefferson Tim Heiple Frank Riggins Also Present: Gayle Owens, Administrative Asst. I, Parks & Recreation Scott Carter, Arts & Humanities Director Richard Wood, Zoning & Sub Division Mgr., Planning Department Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, Planning Department Approval of Minutes. Minutes of November 3, 1999, meeting approved as mailed. Treasurer's Report. No Report Committee Reports. ❑ Land Alteration Task Force — Dottie Funk. Reported that a second meeting with developers had been held the previous evening. Dottie asked about the chances to get a millage passed to buy open space for parks, to pay for an arborist, and to reinforce the proposed in -lieu account. The general feeling was that passing a millage would be extremely difficult. Frank Riggins suggested that the proposed ordinance could be taken in incremental steps over a five or ten year period. The alternative is to compromise on some of the things being asked for. He said that it seems like the sticking point is the buffers and possibly trade-offs could be worked out. Frank asked what are those things that we could ask for that would not require a substantial increase in the funding for enforcement. Bob Brown said he thought that the sprinkler system is a big issue because it cuts down on enforcement. The interior landscaping from 6% to 8% is not a real problem. He said he thought the major sticking point was the buffers. Frank said that everything is a matter of negotiation and compromise and maybe its time to look at what can we get now. Ralph Desmarais said that it is good to have people raise a ruckus on the opposite side from the developers. Frank said that there should be trade-offs. Tim Heiple suggested that possibly there could be tax incentives granted if the landscape ordinance is followed. Frank said he thought that Dottie needs some direction from the Commission. The task force has done a great job on writing the ordinances, but now need some direction. City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770 Nash said he thought this had gone on long enough and it is time to send it to the board and see what we can get out of it. Frank said he thought the board should vote on the ordinances separately and not as a package. He thought we could get some of it passed. Ralph said he agreed. Barry thought that we should take it to the neighborhood associations before it goes to the board. Dottie said we are still planning to go to the Planning Commission in February. Frank suggested that Dottie have a private meeting with Dickson FIake to determine what he could support. Nash agreed that this is a good approach. Tim asked if we need to adopt a resolution to take back to the task force. The resolution should reflect the direction we've come to a realization that we may have to compromise on some parts of the proposal in order to get some of it done. What are the points that we're willing to compromise on. It seems to me from what I've heard that the sticking points are the buffers and the downtown upgrade or the parking lot upip-ade or the arborist maybe. Those are the Issues that they were most vocal about. I think maybe, we're giving Dottie some direction for the task force to consider saving those issues for another time, or at least separate those issues so that when they go before the board, they are voted on separately. I think we are also suggesting to her that a group from the task force meet with the representatives of the Development community to try to work out some of the sticking point before it ever gets to the public hearing. In the meantime, I think it would be important for her to continue to meet with whatever groups that she can to educate them on what is trying to be done. Neighborhoods groups or civic organizations, that kind of thing. Ralph said he thought that what you would get out of that would be practically nothing. He thinks Dottie asked for a show of hands as to how many would like to see compromise. Three raised their hands. How many would not like to see compromise? Three raised their hands. Ralph took an opposite view of the way to proceed. The decision was then to leave it Dottie to take the suggestions to the task force. Neighborhoods — Nash Abrams. Met with Scott Carter and Bryan Day a couple of weeks ago. Nash announced that the Pretty and Clean Program would not be held for the last six months of 1999, but would be held in 2000. We hope to be able to secure the funds for 2000. We will put the program on for the first six months. Nash said that Bryan thought he could raise the money for the first six months program. ❑ Report of Nominating Committee — Frank Riggins. Frank Riggins reported that the following people were nominated to serve as the Year 2000 Officers. Chair, Dottie Funk; Vice Chair, - Nash Abrams, and Treasurer, Randy Stocks. New Business ❑ Election of Officers. Motion was made and seconded to accept the report of the nominating committee and to elect the slate by acclimation. Motion carried. The officers for 2000 are Dottie Funk, Chair; Nash Abrams, Vice Chair; and Randy Stocks, Treasurer. ❑ Retreat — Commission members decided to hold a retreat 1:OOp.m.on Sunday, January 23. 2000, at the home of Karol Zoeller (500 E. 9th Street). Karol said she would cook the main dish and every one else could bring the salad, bread, dessert, and wine. Main dish will be chilli. Old Business ❑ Landscape Awards. Notices have been sent out. Awards program is Tuesday, December 7, in the Rotunda. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. MEETING NOTICE The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, 1999 in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor at City Hall. AGENDA Call to Order - Frank Riggins, Chairman Roll Call Approval of the Minutes - November 4, 1999, Minutes. Treasurer's Report - Randy Stocks Committee Reports • Land Alteration Task Force - Dottie Funk + Neighborhood Association Liaison Committee - Nash Abrams ■ Nominating Committee — Frank Riggins New Business ■ Election of Officers for year 2000. Retreat Old Business — Landscape Awards Miscellaneous Business • Parks & Recreation Report — Scott Carter Adjournment City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770