CBC 06-05-2008LITTLE ROCK
NJ I
CITY BEAUTIFUL
COMMISSION
The City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting Thursday, June 5th, 2008, at
11:30 a.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall. Chair Lynn
Warren called the meeting to order.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Lynn Warren
Steve Homeyer
Jennie Cole
Kay Tatum
Jessica Watts
vacancy
Walter Jennings
Debra Redding
Bill Wiedower
ALSO PRESENT: Christy Marvel, Plans Development Administrator, Department of
Planning & Development, City of Little Rock
Beth Blevins Carpenter, Deputy City Attorney, City of Little Rock
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Minutes for the month of May 2008 will be available next month for approval. Data was lost
due to virus on laptop and will be submitted at the next meeting.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Per Debra Redding, Treasurer:
Little Rock City Beautiful Commission
Treasurer's Report
06-05-2008
Beginning Balance as of April 23rd, 2008
Credits
Debits
$2,603.44
Interest on Account .24
Total credits $ 0.24
Check # 1148 Oxford Graphics $688.01
Total debits $688.01
Ending Bank Balance as of May 21st, 2008
$3,389.61
$3,389.85
$2,603.44
Chair Warren noted that current status of monies and that after meeting with the Planning and
`� Development Department the city requests that the CBC notify of any/all city responsible
expenses prior to the incurrence. Chair Warren noted the CBC should go ahead and pay the
Garden Show Annual Fee for 2009 to save the fifty dollars ($50.00) then ask the City for
reimbursement for the booth fee ($200.00) in January 2009.
Vice -chair Homeyer noted that the CBC logo shirts are thirty dollars ($30.00) a piece.
Commissioner Weidower is the only Commissioner without a shirt presently; upon filling the
other vacancy another shirt can be purchased at that time. Oxford will bill the CBC and the shirt
can be purchased out of the CBC checking account; rather than the CBC city funds.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: UPDATES:
Landscape Awards{fennie]-Vice-chair Homeyer noted that the date on the signage needs to be
changed and will check on options and prices. Chair Warren noted that she'd visit with
Commissioner Watts regarding her thoughts and ideas about posters versus plaque for the
awards. Commissioner Cole sent an email to the Board of Directors and the Mayor about the
landscape award nominations; with little to no response. Chair Warren gave the landscape
nomination award forms to the Mayor's office so they could be distributed at the next Board
meeting to the Board of Directors and staff. Chair Warren will contact Scott Carter about the
landscape award press release; one now to alert everyone that nominations are open and one later
to announce the winners. Chair Warren noted that a date for the landscape awards needs to be
solidified in the month of October. It would be greatly appreciated if all CBC members can
have 3 nominations and digital photos of each for the 2008 landscape award nomination list.
Chair Warren noted that Vice -Mayor Hurst normally donates 3, long-stemmed, de -thorned roses
for the ceremony. Chair Warren also noted, that should the CBC decide to cater the event, it
would be likely to get all the food donated. Chair Warren usually prints up a flyer listing the
names of the awardees for the ceremony.
Eve of the Beholder (Debra) - Commissioner Redding noted that she's had four (4) additional
nominations for the month of June. Chair Warren noted that she had 3 to 4 that she's planning to
send very soon. Chair Warren brought some Eye of the Beholder cards to leave at homes for the
commissioners. Chair Warren will also send forms to Debra that ask the awardees to recycle
their yard signs to include in the packet with the EOB Certificate.
Future Pro'ects
City Hall Rear Entry Garden — Chair Warren will get the name of plants recommended
by the City Horticulturist, Phoebe Stephens to Vice -chair Homeyer so he will get the plants to
furnish the garden.
I-630 Trees -no report.
PR-Website-Chair Warren noted the website was going fine and that the library exhibit will
need to be worked on soon.
KLRB- Commissioner Jennings noted that the KLRB is still in need of monies. The Mayor has
assigned four (4) sites that are a priority (State and City spaces). Currently, the hold up is
finding someone to do the design work. Also, noted was the success of the dumpster dive in the
River Market Area. It was noted a lot of information was gathered from the dive and it's created
a lot of interest in the community. Coming up July the 26tn is a litter index survey. The KLRB
would appreciate the CBC helping out and free training can be given prior to the index
compilation.
Ado t-A-Street Coordinator -Commissioner Wiedower noted that Mr. Tim Heiple has a few of
the orange vests and will give those to him. Commissioner Watts and Commissioner Wiedower
have divided the equipment for the pickup in the event that one of them will be unable to attend.
OLD BUSINESS:
L.indscape Ordinance- Sent drafted changes to the Planning and Development Department on
March 10"', 2008.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chair Warren noted that she'd like to be notified and kept up to date on any Interstate buffer
removals similar to the Shackleford Crossing Mall. Upcoming is a request to remove an
interstate buffer. This area in particular is a designated scenic corridor by the Arkansas Highway
Department. Chair Warren noted the precedent this would set if clearing of this area is to
continue. Commissioner Jennings noted that this is very serious and that the Cities overall
quality of life will suffer should this trend continue. Commissioner Jennings inquired on
whether or not developers were also required to provide environmental impacts of the areas they
are requesting to remove. City staff stated it currently is not required.
Motion: Commissioner Jennings made a motion to oppose the clearing of all Interstates
landscape buffers.
Second: Commissioner Wiedower seconded the motion.
Motion failed, no vote
Commissioner Wiedower inquired the reasoning for the clearing of this Interstate buffer. Chair
Warren noted she suspected it was for visibility of the automobiles for sale. Commissioner
Tatum noted she felt like there should be two (2) separate votes on this subject. First, noting the
CBC is against removal or reduction of this particular sites buffer and secondly, the CBC will
draft a letter to the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment stating their opposition.
Motion: Vice -chair Homeyer made a motion to oppose removing, reducing, or altering the
buffer zone along the I-430 scenic corridor(s).
Second: Commissioner Tatum seconded the motion.
Discussion: Chair Warren noted that this would set a precedent for any future development
along that highway corridor. The CBC feels any such approvals in variances of the landscape
buffer zone would significantly change the quality of life for the city with increased noise levels
and decreased visual appearance of a major transportation entrance route into our city. The
landscape buffer zone was established by the city to maintain the beautiful and scenic qualities of
the area and it needs to be preserved and protected.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: Commissioner Jennings made a motion to draft a letter from the CBC regarding the
standing of the CBC regarding the issue of the any disturbance of the Interstate buffer and send it
to the following: The Planning Commission, the Board of Adjustment, the Mayor, the Board of
Directors, Mr. Dana Carney, Ms. Christy Marvel, and Mr. Tony Bozynski.
Second: Commissioner Tatum seconded the motion and it passes unanimously.
Chair Lynn Warren agreed to compose the letter and will bring a copy to the next CBC meeting
for review.
City staff noted that currently there are two (2) variance requests for next month.
Motion: Vice -Chair Homeyer made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Commissioner Wiedower seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Adjournment: 12:30 p.m.