Loading...
CBC 11-09-1994 (2)The City Beautiful Commission The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 9, 1993 in the City Board Conference Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Merle Seamon, Chairman. Members Present: Merle Seamon Liz Williams Josephine Graham Joe Robbins Also Present: Steve Cato Jim Goodhart Jo Rancifer Lin Blair Truman Tolefree, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Karen Reilly, Parks and Recreation Becky Switzer, Executive Secretary, Parks and Recreation Mark Webre, Project & Design Manager, Parks and Recreation Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, Neighborhoods & Planning I. Roll Call - Five members present. Merle Seamon welcomed the newest commissioner to the City Beautiful Commission, Lin Blair. II. Adopt -A -Park - A lengthy discussion was held regarding this issue of liability. The Parks Department is concerned if the Commission could be held liable in case of an accident. 500 West Markham, Room 108 Little Rock, AR 72201 371-4770 Minutes Nov. 9, 1993 Meeting Page 2 Jim Goodhart passed out information regarding the liability issue along with a copy of a case. He has been in contact with the City Attorney's office. Jim feels like the City Beautiful Commission is covered since it is an off branch of the Parks Department. A copy of a joint resolution was passed out to the Commissioners. There are to be some changes made to this resolution. The resolution states that the Parks and Recreation Department will be responsible for the Adopt -A -Park Program with the City Beautiful Commission endorsing the program. Jim Goodhart asked that the Commission act on this resolution. Karen Reilly showed the Commission the Adopt -A - Park sign. She stated that she has visited with groups that have adopted a park and if the Commission agrees with the resolution, then the Parks Department could get the signs out to the adopted sites. By agreement the Commission will attempt to add seventy-five programs, by December 1994. The City Beautiful Commission would be responsible for getting promotion for the program and giving awards to the groups. Jim Goodhart stated that he will be working with someone to get public service announcements out regarding the Adopt -A -Park Program. He asked that Joyce Raynor work with the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to get businesses to promote t-shirts for the volunteers. Steve Cato made a motion to accept the Adopt - A -Park Program as described to the Commission at today's meeting(with some changes). Liz Williams seconded that motion. All voted in favor of the program. Jim Goodhart asked that all of the Commissioners sign the back page of the resolution and he asked the Parks and Recreation Department to contact the City Manager's Office and inform them of the resolution. Jim Goodhart and Joyce Raynor will be responsible for the Commission's part in this program. Minutes Nov. 9, 1993 Meeting Page 3 III. Election of Officers - The new officers for the City Beautiful Commission in the year 1994 are as follows: Steve Cato Chairman Jim Goodhart Vice -Chairman Joe Robbins Treasurer Jo Rancifer made the motion to accept the list of officers that was presented to the Commission at this meeting. Liz Williams seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion. IV. Winterfest - The Commission has been asked by Hank Burch of the Arkansas Riverboat Company to pay for the trophies to be given at the Boat Parade. The Boat Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4th, around 5:30 p.m.. Hank Burch said he would donate the money from tickets sold to ride the "Spirit" during the Boat Parade back to the Commission. Liz Williams made the motion that the City Beautiful Commission help pay for the trophies to be given at the Boat Parade. Steve Cato seconded the motion. All commissioners voted in favor of the motion. Liz asked what part the Commission would have during the Boat Parade and Merle Seamon stated the Commissioners were to help sell the tickets for the riverboat ride. Liz also stated that she feels that the Commission needs to start the Lighting Contest as soon as possible. Merle Seamon is trying to make contact with the Osborne's attorney to see if they are going to help sponsor this event again this year. He feels very sure that they will. Minutes Nov. 9, 1993 Meeting Page 4 Josephine Graham asked if there were going to be lights at Riverfront Park. Karen Reilly said the lights were in the process of being put up. Karen would like to know if the lights need to been turned on at a ceremony on December 1st when the NINA is scheduled to dock or during the Boat Parade on December 4th. The lighting of the park will be held on December 1st along with a press conference for the NINA. At the press conference the Boat Parade will be announced along with the Light Up Little Rock Contest. All agreed that this would work best. Merle Seamon asked what the charge should be to ride the riverboat. Jo Rancifer made a motion to charge $7.00 for the riverboat tickets. Liz Williams seconded the motion. All voted in favor of this motion. Karen Reilly stated that a group known as the American Federation of Musicians have approached the City to arrange talent for activities. They could help locate a group to play during the Boat Parade if the Commission would like to host Christmas Caroles. Karen will find out what group is available that day and get back to the Commission. Jo Rancifer asked if there is a committee that is handling Winterfest and if so she would"like to serve on that committee. Also on that committee will be Steve Cato, Merle Seamon and Jim Goodhart. V. KATV - PSA - Judy Brown and Cindy Watkins from KATV informed the Commission on some of the ways that the Commission could get information out to the public on projects that they are working on. VI. Business from Previous Retreat Agenda - Jim Goodhart passed out information regarding other cities that have light displays. During the month of December he will be visiting two other cities and he will check on how they handle their Christmas events. Minutes Nov. 19, 1993 Meeting Page 5 He would like for other Commissioners to do the same if they visit other cities. Jim would like to see the Commission do something in a park such as a drive thru lighting display. Liz Williams is concerned about the Commission being associated with the Osbornes since the lighting issue at their home is so controversial. She believes the Commission should get projects on its own and get any needed money without the help of the Osbornes. Jim Goodhart suggested that the Commission start planning for next years Winterfest in January. Liz Williams made a motion that the Commission start in January 1994 planning next years Christmas events. Jim Goodhart seconded that motion. All voted in favor of the motion. Liz Williams asked if the Commission should think about hiring a Public Relations person. Jim Goodhart feels that we should go through the City's Public Relation Office and if that does not work then look into hiring someone. Merle Seamon stated that he would check with someone he knows that has a Public Relations Agency. Regarding the Awards Presentation, Karen Reilly stated that the Commission may need to take a look at where the award winners would be able to get better recognizance. Liz Williams would like to have the awards given at a City Board meeting. Karen explained that only a few seconds is allowed at a Board Meeting. This was tabled until the next meeting. Bob Brown will present information regarding the City Beautiful Commissions By -Laws at the January meeting. Minutes Nov. 19, 1993 Page 6 There will not be a meeting held in December, at that time the awards will be presented to the Light Up Little Rock winners. VII. Adjourned - The meeting was voted in favor to adjourn at 12:00 p.m..