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