CBC 12-04-2004LITTLE ROCK
c17Y BEAUTIFUL
COMMISSION
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, December the 4th, at
11:30 a.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall. Acting Chair
Tim Heiple called the meeting to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Heiple Troy Laha
Ann Ivey Karol Zoeller
Jan Hicks Lynn Mittelstaedt Warren
Cita Cobb
ALSO PRESENT: Bob Brown, Plans Development Administrator, Department of
Planning and Development
Christy Marvel, Landscape Specialist, Department of Planning &
Development
Steve Beck, Assistant Director of Public Works Department
Mike Hood, Design Review Engineer, Public Works Department
Vince Florian, Environmental Compliance Engineer, Public
Works Department
Pete Rausch, Urban Forester, Department of Parks & Recreation
Rosa Abbott, Forester, Department of Parks & Recreation
Bob Callans, local Landscape Architect
Nash Abrams, former CBC Chair
Dottie Funk, former CBC Chair
Guest Speaker(s): Public Works Department regarding the Land Alteration Ordinance
Steve Beck, Mike Hood, and Vince Floriani reported the following:
Some of the recommendations that were given to the planning commission from Public Works
include:
• Defining when construction is eminent.
• Enforcement doesn't currently allow for the issuance of a citation immediately.
• Ability to take the action straight to court; rather than waiting for the planning commission,
this can be as much as 60-90 days before remedial action is taken.
• Ability to order remedial action immediately.
• Currently doesn't allow for both punishment(fine) plus corrective action.
The planning commission requested that the suggested changes/remedies be presented to them in
the first quarter of next year.
Comments from the public:
City Beautiful Commission ♦ 723 West Markham ♦ Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 ♦ (501) 371-4864
Dottie Funk said, "One of the problems seems to be the lack of collaboration between Public
Works and the Planning Department. She also expressed concerns about the underutilization of
the Parks & Recreation Urban Forester. Mike Hood and Bob Brown mentioned that their
departments work together on a regular basis. Lynn Warren recommended the requirement of a
workshop prior to any construction/grading on the site. Bob Callans, noted that there is already
in place a process sheet that one follows when permitting. Bob Brown reminded everyone that
currently there is a five-day turn around on plan reviews set forth by the Board of Directors. Pete
commented that the first thing to go is the trees and citizens often call him. Vince noted that
there have only been 12-13 cases in the past two years. Of this amount, the majority of the
violators were individuals or entities that normally do not conduct business with the City of
Little Rock. Fayetteville, AR has a system set up that requires city staff to be on site to inspect
protective orange fencing prior to any grading work to begin on the site.
Guest Speaker: Nash Abrams,
Nash Abrams showed an email from Scott Carter outlining all the progress of the City Beautiful
Commission. Nash intends to write a letter to each of the City Beautiful Commission members.
Will continue to come to meetings and serve in anyway. Continue forward with the successful work
on the billboards for the adopt -a -street program. Someone will need to stay in touch with Chief
Johnson, with the City of Little Rock Police Department regarding the litter problem in this city.
The landscape awards this year were a huge success. A total of 75 individuals r.s.v.p. for the award
ceremony. Good idea, Tim Heiple, for the signs they too, were a success. Recommend having the
landscape awards next year in June or July. When constructing the initial invitation to nominate a
site for an award, perhaps a separate letter should go to the previous award winners due to the lack
of response from previous recipients. The letter should point out that they
too, are still applicable for the continuing excellence award. Of course, keep the letters to the editor
coming. The Democrat/Gazette will publicise a lot of things for free at times. The contact is Cindy
at 378-3894. Talked with Bryan Day, Parks Director regarding the triangular area nears the
downtown post office. He will work to turn it into a city park area. Perhaps, the adoption of a
landmark to be located at 5 h street & Interstate 30. At one time the post office was considering
deeding the property to a government entity for development. The Quapaw Quarter people were
involved and have worked with the post office in the past regarding the site and its vicinity. Robert
Johnson at one time was a contact for this particular post office. The Paint Your Heart Program by
the Housing & Neighborhood programs, Tony Bozynski, went exceptionally well this year. A total
of 65 homes were boarded up recently thanks to the many volunteers from the city. Tony invites any
and all to vocalize their opinions and ideas for the 2004 program. Nash recommends having an
orientation for persons selected from the CBC. This person will be in charge of getting a newly
appointed CBC member up to date on everything regarding the CBC. Nash would recommend that
each CBC member be required to sit on at least one committee. Nash would like to also suggest that
one of the monthly CBC meetings be held at the Parks & Recreations nursery/greenhouse.
Motion: Jan Hicks made a motion to reinstate Sharon Vogelpohl.
Second: Lynn Warren seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Motion: Troy Laha made a motion to approve the 2004 fiscal CBC meeting dates as submitted.
Second: Karol Zoeller seconded and it passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion: Troy Laha moved that the minutes from November 6th, be approved as submitted
minus one minor change.
Second: One minor change was noted by Jan Hicks, Lynn Warren seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Ann Ivey reported the following:
Little Rock City Beautiful Commission
Treasurer's Report
12-04-03
Beginning Balance as of November 6th, 2003
$2 441
Credits Interest on Account .12
Total $2.444.28
Debits Karol Zoeller
$ 45.79
(L.A. Reception)
Ann Ivey
$ 23.20
(L.A. Reception)
Dottie Funk
$ 15.00
(Arbor Day costume)
Custom Trophies
$479.82
(Landscape Plaques)
Ann Ivey
$ 12.78
(Frame & Binder)
Total
$ 576.59
Ending Balance as of December 4, 2003
S1,867.69
The beginning and ending balance includes the donation for the City Beautiful Celebration
donated by the LR Convention Bureau.)
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Networking Committee —no report.
To raise awareness of the City Beautiful Commission, its role in the
community and government during 2003.
2. Adopt -A -Street Committee —no report. To secure at least five (5) new participants
for the Adopt A -Street program in each key segment by June 30, 2003. Karol Zoeller
Co -chair -no report. Jan Hicks
Landscape Awards -no report. To receive at least 100 nominations from the
community for the 2003 landscape awards. Troy Laha
Co -chair -no report. Tim Heiple
3. Eye of the Beholder Award -no report. To present at least 100 Eye of the Beholder
Awards in 2003. Ann Ivey
4. Polish the Rock Award-6 more sign holders are needed to erect the landscape award
winners yard signage. Seek opportunity to recognize outstanding contributions with
the Polish the Rock Award in 2003. Tim Heiple
5. Grants & Fundraising -Lynn & Jan are working on the paperwork for the grant. To
prepare and submit one grant application for a new initiative in 2003 and to support
existing initiatives by lending assistance in securing sponsorships and for in -kind
donations. Lynn Warren
6. Strategic Planning & Publicity Committee —no report. Will serve all committees
in publicizing their activities within the community during 2003. Sharon Tallach
Vogelpohl
Staff Responsibilities -order Cita Cobb CBC nametag, gather notebook and contents
for Cita Cobb, newly appointed CBC member.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
This years retreat is the be held at Jan Hicks home at 29 Vista Drive. It is on Sunday,
January the 251h from 1:00-3:00 and it is potluck.
The next scheduled pick up at Bowman Curve is for January the loth.
ADJOURNMENT: 1:00
LITTLE ROCK
CITY BEAUTIFUL
C0MMissTON
MEETING NOTICE
The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday,
December 4th, in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall. This will
be a brown bag meeting.
AGENDA
Call to Order: Tim Heiple, Acting -chair
Roll Call:
Welcome to Cita Cobb: Newly appointed CBC member
Guest Speaker: Nash Abrams, outgoing chair for the CBC
Guest Speaker: Mike Hood, Update on proposed land alteration ordinance changes
Approval of the Minutes: November 6th, 2003
Treasurer's Report: Ann Ivey
Committee Reports:
■ Networking -open
■ Adopt -A -Street project -Karol Zoeller
Co -chair -Jan Hicks
Guest Speaker -David Hathcock-Dept. Public Works, City of Little Rock
• Strategic Planning & Publicity — Sharon Tallach Vogelpohl
■ Landscape Awards -Troy Laha
Co -chair -Tim Heiple
• Eye of the Beholder -Ann Ivey
• Polish the Rock Award — Tim Heiple
• Grants/Fundraising-Lynn Mittelstaedt Warren
Old Business:
Adoption of the CBC calendar for the 2004 year
New Business:
Cita's requested participation in a committee
Adjournment:
City Beautiful Commission ♦ 723 West Markham ♦ Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 ♦ (501) 371-4864