CBC 01-24-2000January 24, 2000
Mayor'and Board Of Directors
City of Little Rock
500 West Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
Subject: City Beautiful Commission Endorsement
At its January 6 meeting, the members of the members City Beautiful Commission
unanimously approved and endorsed the recommended changes to the tree, excavation
and landscape ordinances by the Land Alteration and Landscape Review Task Force.
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Dottie Funk, Chair
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Randyvt s, Treas.
Frank Riggins
K, of Zgeller
Nash Abrams, Vice Chair
Tim Heiple
Ralph Desmarais
'Barry tefferson
City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, January 6, 2000 in the Sister
Cities Conference Room at City Hall. Meeting was called to order by Chair Dottie Funk.
Members Present: Dottie Funk Nash Abrams
Ralph Desmarais Karol Zoeller
Tim Heiple Randy Stocks
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
Director Johnnie Pugh, City Board of Directors
Approval of Minutes. Minutes of December 2, 1999, meeting approved as mailed.
Minutes for Special Meeting on December 14, 1999, not available.
Treasurer's Report. Randy Stocks reported that we currently have an operating balance of
$422.90 in the checking account.
Committee Reports.
Land Alteration Task Force — Dottie Funk. The Task Force has completed work on the
ordinances. Bob Brown distributed copies of the proposed ordinances. Dottie told the
Commission that the ordinances would be presented to Planning Commission on January
20. We are #6 on the agenda. Dottie requested that City Beautiful Commission members
attend the January 20 Planning Commission meeting.
Neighborhoods — Nash Abrams. Nash said he hoped to get the PAC Program going by
the end of February. Still does not know where money is going to come from for the
program.
New Business
❑ Retreat — Dottie reminded Commissioners of the retreat to be held at 1:00 p.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 chili. Commissioners volunteered to bring
salad, desserts, bread, and snacks.
Old Business
City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770
❑ Scott Carter reported that the fountain is now out of Parks's hands. It has been turned over to
Mt. Holly Cemetery.
Miscellaneous Business
1. Dottie Funk thanked Scott Carter for helping get the Land Alteration Task Force Ordinances on the
Web Site.
2. Tim Heiple moved that the Commission approve the changes made in the ordinances proposed by the
Land Alteration and Landscape Review Task Force and recommend overall ordinance to the Planning
Commission and Board of Directors. Motion seconded by Nash Abrams. Motion passed
unanimously.
3. Parks and Recreation Report — Scott Carter reported that he had attended a planning meeting for the
2003 Bicentennial Celebration of the Louisiana Purchase which included some plans for Capitol
Avenue.
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,
January 6, 2000 in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor at City Hall.
AGENDA
Call to Order — Dottie Funk, Chair
Roll Call
Approval of the Minutes — December 2, 1999, Meeting
Treasurer's Report - Randy Stocks
Committee Reports
• Land Alteration Task Force - Dottie Funk
• Neighborhood Association Liaison Committee - Nash Abrams
Old Business — Retreat
New Business — None
Miscellaneous Business
• Parks & Recreation Report — Scott Carter
Adjournment
Reminder: RETREAT, SUNDAY, 1:00 P.M., JANUARY 23, 2000 AT
KAROL ZOELLER'S HOUSE, 500 EAST 9TH STREET.
City Beautiful Commission + 500 West Markham, Room 108 + Little Rock, AR 72201 + (501) 371-4770
LITTLE R x
CITY BEAUTIFUL
CQMMIssION
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 Flake 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 upgrade 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.