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..