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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCBC 01-12-1993The City Re�utifd Commission The Little Rock City Beautiful Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 1993 at City Hall in the 2nd Floor Conference Room. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M., by vice-chairman, Ross McCain. Members Present: Also Present: 1. Roll Call. Steve Cato Liz Williams Eldridge Josephine Graham Ross McCain Jo Rancifer Truman Tolefree Becky Switzer Jim Sick Mark Webre Bob Brown Assistant Director Parks and Recreation Executive Secretary Parks and Recreation Maint. & Development Manager Parks and Recreation Parks Planner II Parks and Recreation Plans Review Specialist Neighborhoods and Planning Five of six members present. 500 West Markham, Room 108 Little Rock, AR 72201 371-4770 Minutes January 12, 1993 Meeting Page 2 Liz Williams Eldridge asked if a new commissioner has been appointed. Truman Tolefree informed the commission that a new member has been appointed and that an approval letter is being mailed to the new commissioner Ross McCain reminded the commissioners that there are still two positions open. If they have anyone they would like to nominate, please turn their name and resume into the City Clerks office. 4 Liz Williams stated that she had turned in the resume of Craig Rains. Truman Tolefree said he would check the City Clerks office and see if they have received the resume. In the last minutes Josephine Graham suggested that we try and get someone from a garden club on the commission. Ross McCain also liked that idea. Also, someone from the media should be recurited to help the commission with publicity. Liz Williams Eldridge suggested that Bob Bray from Channel 11 would be someone to ask about becoming a member of the commission. 2. Approval of Minutes. Jo Ranicfer moved that the minutes of the November meeting be approved as written. Liz Williams Eldridge seconded. All ayes. (Because of the awards ceremony 'in December, there were no minutes for that month.) 3. Reports oe the Committees. Liz Williams Eldridge expressed concern that there are too many committees. Josephine Graham suggested that if a chairman of a cannot be at a meeting, he/she should either send a report or send word there is nothing to report. There were several committees that she was on that never met. Ross McCain stated that there are a few of the committees that may have only met once or not at all. This surfaced last year when the list was being compiled for committees. There were many things that commissioners wanted to explore but not enough commissioners and time to explore every one of them. He suggested that commissioners consider reducing the list and presenting it to Merle Seamon. Minutes January 12, 1992 Meeting Page 3 A. City Beautiful Kids - Steve Cato, Chairman of this committee stated that at this time of year there is not much activity with the City Beautiful Kids. Truman Tolefree mentioned up that JTPA has some concern over age requirements (because of child labor laws) and that the commission look into moving the age requirement to sixteen and up. Steve Cato suggested that some of the commissioners set up a meeting with JTPA to discuss the age requirements. Truman Tolefree stated that he will set up a meeting with Charles Mobley, Director of JTPA. There is a need to replace Rip Rowan as liasion spokesperson regarding donations for the City Beautiful Kids. If anyone has a person they would like to be considered please turn that name into Truman Tolefree or Jim Sick. B. Winterfest - Josephine Graham passed along a check for $25.00 for a Winterfest poster. Liz Willams Eldridge stated that she believed the weather was the reason for the poor attendance at Winterfest. Also, that this is the biggest shopping weekend of the year. The commission needs to reconsider another plan for Winterfest. Liz suggested that a cooperative effort with the Osbourn's and work with them on the Festival of Lights. Jo Rancifer suggest posssibly moving it indoors and get more advertising. All of the commissioners present agreed to re -study Winterfest. At this time, Liz Williams Eldridge suggested that the commission choose five projects to focus on. Ross McCain asked that at that time the members present go down the list of committees and prioritize the top five. The five chosen were, City Beautiful Kids, Winterfest, Awards, Litter Awareness and Long Range Planning. Liz made the motion to take the top five committees, City Beautiful Kids, Winterfest, Awards, Litter Awareness and Long Range Planning and make them - the projects that the City Beautiful Commission will work on for the year 1993. Jo Rancifer seconded the motion. All ayes. Minutes January 12, 1993 Meeting Page 4 Also there was discussion that as a group, the City Beautiful Commission let the Board of Directors know the type of person (media, garden club, ect.) that they would like to see appointed to the commission. At this time Ross McCain suggested they go back to the list of prioritize committees for reports. A The committees were: C. Awards - None D. Litter Awareness Campaign - Ross McCain, chairman, Josephine Graham, Gene Terry and Gayle Owens. It was decided to merge this program with the Keep America Beautiful Program. The first task was to formulate a budget to determine what would he necessary to merge the two programs. Ross will distribute copys of this budget. The next step will be to solicit help from other people in the community. A report will be givin in February on the commission's progress. Peggy Harris, who spoke to the City Beautiful Commission regarding Keep America Beautiful as a representative for the Arkansas branch of the Keep America Beautiful Program, has resigned. Ross McCain will be writing a letter to Gov. Jim Guy Tucker asking him to keep the position of the Keep America Beautiful Program active in Arkansas. Josephine Graham reported that the Union National Bank at Rodney Parham has cleaned the outside of it's building and completely relandscaped. This may be the beginning of the whole neighborhood working toward landscape grooming. Minutes January 12, 1993 Meeting Page 5 E. Long Range Planning - Steve Cato made a report on the Traffic Island Sign at the Cantrell Road exixt that comes into the city. This project started with the Downtown Rotary Club, of which Steve is a member. The Rotary Club has money earmarked for public projects. A friend of Steve's who is a lawyer and also a member of the Rotary Club, will take the traffic island sign plans to Governor Tucker to review and get his personal approval. once this is done, Steve feels they can take the plans to the Highway Department for it's approval. Steve: Cato stated that it was his understanding that the Downtown Rotary Club would pay for the construction of the sign and the Parks and Recreation Department and possibly the Highway Department, would maintain it. Steve Cato asked that the City Beautiful Commission to appoint him to follow up on this matter. Liz Williams Eldridge made the motion that Steve Cato represent the City Beautiful Commission in the handling of the Traffic Island Plans. Jo Rancifer seconded. All commissioners voted in favor. Steve Cato also suggested that the City Beautiful Commission write a letter to Mr. Osbourne thanking him for his contribution for the lighting -contest that was held before Christmas. Ross McCain made the motion that Merle Seamon write a letter to thank Mr. Osbourne for his contribution for the lighting contest. Steve Cato seconded. Motion passed with all ayes. 4. Parks and Recreation - Truman Tolefree spoke on behalf of himself and Bill Bunten, Director of Parks and Recreation, that the commission be commended on the great job that the commission has done over the past year. The Parks and Recreation Department once again wants to give its total commitment and support to the commission. Ross McCain thanked the members of the Parks and Recreation Department and Bob Brown from Neighborhoods and Planning for all of their help and support of the City Beautiful Commission. 5. Adjournment - Ross made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jo Rancifer seconded. All ayes. Meeting adjourned at 11:46 A.M.. F O R E W O R D Our environment in Little Rock is our greatest asset. In one way or another, it is the reason we came here, or we stayed. Our physical surroundings affect us daily, whether it be a breathtaking view of the river or the maddening frustration of driving on streets lined with power poles and gaudy signs. The problem of fighting ugliness and preserving the gifts of nature are not insurmountable, but they are painful. The Commission's job is to educate with patience those who are unaware of the things which make our city a better place to live work and play. This handbook is prepared to assist each commissioner in discharging his/her responsibility to make Little Rock a city beautiful. CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION r ORIGIN AND CHARTER MEMBERS In April, 1947, the City Beautification Forum, consisting of eighteen members, was organized by Mrs. Raymond Gesell. From this group, the Little Rock City Beautiful Commission was created on January 12, 1948 by Ordinance No 7494. CHARTER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mrs. Raymond Gesell, Chairman Mr. W. K. Amo, Secretary Mrs. Ernest Archer Mrs. Richard B. Asel Mrs. Willard Billingsby Mr. Willard Billingsby Mrs. S. C. Harriman Mrs. C. E. Hofner Mrs. Walter Scott Hicks Mrs. Alfred Kahn Col. Clarence Longacre Mr. Neil Park Mrs. Lorene Passe Mrs. -Bert Pickens Mrs. Lloyd Richards Mrs. W. H. Riley. Mrs. R. 0. Rogers Dr. F. E. Rothchild Mrs. D. D. Terry Mrs. Wallace Townsend Mrs. J. W. Walton Mrs. Guy Williams On September 21, 1976, the Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock passed Ordinance No. 13,204 which repealed Article III of Chapter 26 of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances and abolished the City Beautiful Commission as then constituted and created the City Beautiful Commission of Little Rock. New members were appointed by the Board of Directors on October 19, 1976. Mr. William J. Gaskin was elected as the first chairman to serve under the new enabling ordinance. 2 r PAST CHAIRMEN Mrs. Raymond Gesell 1948 thru 1956 Mrs. Gordon Oates 1957 thru 1959 Mr. Wayne Cranford 1960 Mr. Steve Stephens 1961 and 1962 Mrs. Catherine Hidy 1963 Mr. Milas H. Hale 1964 and 1965 Mr. Fred Schmutz 1966 Mr. William Terry 1967 Mr. John P. Gill 1968 and 1969 Mr. Paul Lawhon 1969 and 1970 Mr. Henry Nichols 1971 thru 1974 Mr. Jim Mauney 1975 Mr. James Conner 1976 Mr. Bill Gaskin 1977 and 1983 Mr. Ted Hannah 1978 Mr. Don Arick 1979 Mr. A. J. Almand 1980 Mr. James Vines 1981 and 1982 Mrs. Sharon Priest 1984 thru 1986 Mr. Bob Callans 1987 Mr. James G. vonTungeln 1988 and 1989 HONORARY CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION MEMBERS Mrs. Raymond Gesell 1957 Mr. G. W. Blankenship 1958 Mrs. Gordon Oates 1959 Mrs. Charles Loewer 1960 Mrs. Ann Archer Holmann 1962 Mrs. Catherine D. Hidy 1963 Mrs. Curtis Rogers 1964 Mr. Fred H Schmutz 1967 Mrs. Charlotte Roberts 1976 EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Mr —James Vines 1985 Ms. Elizabeth Jones 1986 3 1989 OFFICERS James-G. vonTungeln - Chairman -Aift Bert Parker - Vice Chairman Jane Rogers - Treasurer 1989 SUPPORTING STAFF Julius Breckling - Director Parks & Recreation - 371-4770 Gayle Owens - Exec. Secretary Parks & Recreation - 371-4770 Bob Brown - Environmental Codes - 371-4864 0 RESOLUTION NO. 6,122 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION TO GRANT WAIVERS AND TO HEAR CERTAIN APPEALS. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 13,617 of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances provides the any person aggrieved by a decision of any administration official of the City in administering the provisions of that ordinance shall have a right of appeal to the City Beautiful Commission as resolved by the City Board of Directors. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. The Board of Directors hereby authorizes the City Beautiful Commission to hear all appeals of decisions of administration officials administering Ordinance No. 13,617. This does not include those appeals of decisions reasons which are to be made to the Little Rock Police Department as provided in Ordinance No. 13,617 as amended by Ordinance No. 13,622. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption. ADOPTED: April 3, 1979 5 ORDINANCE NO. 13,204 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 26 OF THE LITTLE ROCK CODE OF ORDINANCES AND ABOLISHING THE CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION AS NOW CONSTITUTED; CREATING THE CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS; PROVIDING FOR THE TERM FOR SAID COMMISSION MEMBERS; PROVIDING FOR DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF SAID COMMISSION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. The City Beautiful Commission of the City Little Rock as constituted pursuant to Article III of Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby abolished and the said Article III of the Code r-epealed in its entirety and the pro- visions of this ordinance substituted therefor. SECTION 2. Effective immediately there is hereby created a City Beautiful Commission of Little Rock, an official commission of the City, accountable directly to the Board of Directors and under the general supervision of the City Manager. The Commission shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of plans to ensure a high level of visual aesthetic quality. The goal of the City Beautiful Commission shall be to raise the level of community expectations for the quality of its environment. The Commission shall be composed of nine (9) members who shall be qualified electors of the City of Little Rock. Two members of the Commission shall be chosen from any of the following professions: a) Professional Civil Engineer b) Professional Urban Planner c) Registered Architect d) Registered Landscape Architect Members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for staggered three year terms. Officers of the Commission shall elected by full membership of the Commission and shall include a chairman, vice chairman, and treasurer. Terms of officers shall be for one year and officers may succeed °themselves. 6 Meetings of the Commission shall be held monthly. Should any member of the Commission fail to attend threg successive meetings, the term of such members shall automatically terminate and a new member appointed by the Board of Directors for the remainder of the term. A majority of the total membership of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the concurring vote of a majority of all members of the Commission shall represent the action of the Commission. The Commission may at any time appoint any number of citizens to serve on committees as ex officio members. The Commission shall adopt by-laws for the conduct of its meetings. SECTION 3. The Parks and- Recreation Department shall be responsible for relaying budget requests of the City Beautiful Commission to the City Manager and Board of Directors. The Commission shall have the authority to accept any and all donations and the City shall establish and main- tain separate -accounts to receive such funds. SECTION 4. The role of the City Beautiful Commission is to be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of plans to control litter, weeds, abandoned vehicles and appliances, soil erosion and to otherwise ensure a high level of visual appearance of parks and open spaces, streams and other bodies of water, drainage ditches, structures, hill- sides, riverfront, utilities, signs, vehicle parking and sales lots, outdoor storage, trees and other natural vegetation, natural landscaping, streets, and railroads. SECTION 5. The following duties, responsibilities and powers are hereby established: a) To promote public interest in the general improvement of the appearance of the City of Little Rock. b) To prepare and transmit to the City Board of Directors recommended policies implementing the plans prepared by and/or for the Commission. c) To establish, subject to approval of the Board of Directors, regulations of aesthetic quality for public and private lands and improvements. 7 SECTION 6. This ordinance shall not in any manner supersede the authority or duties of any other commission; board or agency duly established by ordinances or resolutions of the Board of Directors and shall not in any manner be interpreted to interfere with such duties that have been established by such ordinances or resolutions of any such commission, board or agency. SECTION 7. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage. ADOPTED: SEPTEMBER 21, 1976 0 CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION BY-LAWS ARTICLE 1. MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1. The City Beautiful Commission shall consist of nine (9) members who shall be qualified electors of the City of Little Rock, appointed by the City of Little Rock Board of Directors upon recommendation of the City Beautiful Commission. SECTION 2. The term of a member of the City Beautiful Commission shall be three (3) years. The terms of one-third of the City Beautiful Commission shall expire every year. SECTION 3. Any member of the City Beautiful Commission who shall absent himself from three (3) consecutive meetings a year shall be deemed to have resigned as a member of the City Beautiful Commission. SECTION 4. Each Commission vacancy shall be filled by a new member chosen in the same manner as members chosen for a full term. SECTION 5. The Director of Parks and Recreation Department or his substitute shall. act as an ex o-fficio member of the City Beautiful Commission and shall represent the Commission to the Little Rock Board of Directors. He shall be the designated representative of the City Manager for such proof of expenditure of funds appropriated by the City of Little Rock. SECTION 6. The City'Beautiful Commission may appoint ex-officio members to the Commission as it desires to further it own aims. ARTICLE II. MEETINGS SECTION 1,, Official meetings of the City Beautiful Commission shall be held on the third Monday of every month at 10:00 a.m. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman and written notice thereof shall be ►nailed to all members at least five (5) days prior to the meeting day. Special meetings may also be called by the Chairman with a 24 hour telephone notice to members and written notice to press. 9 SECTION 2. All meetings of the City Beautiful Commission shall be conducted according to the latest revision of Roberts' Rules of Order, but it shall be necessary in any event for a quorum to be present for the Y� Commission or any committee to act. A quorum shall be defined as a simple majority of the members of the City Beautiful Commission. SECTION 3. All meetings of the City Beautiful Commission shall be held in the Riverfront Park Activity Center unless a different place of meeting is designated in the notice thereof. ARTICLE III. OFFICERS SECTION 1. The officers of the City Beautiful Commission shall consist of a Chairman, Vice -Chairman$ and Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the commission. The Recording Secretary shall be an ex-officia member from the Parks and Recreation Department and appointed by the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. SECTION 2. Terms of officers shall be for one year and officers may succeed themselves. SECTION 3. The duties of the officers shall be as follows: CHAIRMAN. The chairman shall preside over all meetings. The chairman shall appoint all standing and ad hoc committees. The chairman shall have the authority to call special meetings provided the proper notices are given. The chairman shall be responsible for establishing the monthly meeting agenda. VICE-CHAIRMAN. In the event of the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman shall assume the duties of the chairman. TREASURER. The treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all monies received and disbursed by the Commission, which records shall be kept on file in the Parks and Recreation Department office. The treasurer shall make quarterly financial reports at the commission meetings. He shall make a report of the annual audit to the City Beautiful Commission. 10 RECORDING SECRETARY. The recording secretary shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the City Beautiful Commission, including committee meetings, and shall have the responsibility for all official papers and records pertaining to the Commission. The recording secretary shall attend to all correspondence as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the Commission. SECTION 4. The Chairman of the City Beautiful Commission shall appoint, at the October meeting each year, a Nominating Committee to select a slate of officers for the following year. The nominating committee shall report to the Commission at the November meeting and elections will be held at that meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. Officers' terms will begin in January of each year. ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES SECTION 1. Ad Hoc Committees shall be appointed as needed by the chairman of the City Beautiful Commission. ARTICLE V. FINANCIAL MATTERS SECTION 1. All monies collected by the Commission and turned over to the City may be spent by the Commission with authorization of the City Manager and the Director of Finance. The Chairman and Treasurer of said Commission shall jointly authorize such expenditures on behalf of the Commission. SECTION 2. All monies collected by the Commission and deposited in an interest bearing checking account may be spent by the Commission. The chairman and treasurer of said Commission shall jointly authorize such expenditures on behalf of the Commission. SECTION 3. The fiscal year of the Commission shall begin on the first of January and end on December thirty-first of --each year. SECTION 4. No part of the income of the Commission shall ever be distributable to the Commission. ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS I SECTION 1. Proposed amendments to the by-laws shall be submitted in writing to each member of the City Beautiful 11 Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to its consideration by the Commission. - 12 SECTION 2. If a proposed amendment shall be approved by two-thirds of the members of the Commission by vote taken at such meeting, the recording secretary shall give written notice of such approval with copy or copies of such proposed amendment to each member of the Commission and the Little Rock Board of Directors. The same shall be immediately a part and included in these by-laws. ADOPTED: November, 1976 Signed by: James Conner Chairman 13 RESOLUTION N0. 6,122 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY BEAUTIFUL 14" COMMISSION TO GRANT WAIVERS AND TO HEAR CERTAIN APPEALS. WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 13,617 of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances provides the any person aggrieved by a decision of any administration official of the City in administering the provisions of that ordinance shall have a right of appeal to the City Beautiful Commission as resolved by the City Board of Directors. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. The Board of Directors hereby authorizes the City Beautiful Commission to hear all appeals of decisions of administration officials administering Ordinance No. 13,617. This does not include those appeals of decisions reasons which are to be made to the Little Rock Police Department as provided in Ordinance No. 13,617 as amended by Ordinance No. 13,622. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption. ADOPTED: April 3, 1979 A ORDINANCE NO. 13,204 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 26 OF THE LITTLE ROCK CODE OF ORDINANCES AND ABOLISHING THE CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION AS NOW CONSTITUTED; CREATING THE CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS; PROVIDING FOR THE TERM FOR SAID COMMISSION MEMBERS; PROVIDING FOR DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF SAID COMMISSION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. The City Beautiful Commission of the City Little Rock as constituted pursuant to Article III of Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby abolished and the said Article III of the Code repealed in its entirety and the pro- visions of this ordinance substituted therefor. SECTION 2. Effective .immediately there is hereby created a City Beautiful Commission of Little Rock, an official commission of the City, accountable directly to the Board of Directors and under the general supervision of the City Manager. The Commission shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of plans to ensure a high level of visual aesthetic quality. The goal of the City Beautiful Commission shall be to raise the level of community expectations for the quality of its environment: The Commission shall be composed of nine (9) members who shall be qualified electors of the City of Little Rock. Two members of the Commission shall be chosen from any of the following professions: a) Professional Civil Engineer b) Professional Urban Planner c) Registered Architect d) Registered Landscape Architect Members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for staggered three year terms. Officers of the Commission shall ---_- elected by full membership of the Commission and shall include a chairman, vice chairman, and treasurer. Terms of officers shall be for one year and officers may succeed "themselves. 6 Meetings of the Commission shall be held monthly. Should any member of the Commission fail to attend three .successive meetings, the term of such members shall automatically terminate and a new member appointed by the Board of Directors for the remainder of the term. A majority of the total membership of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the concurring vote of a majority of all members of the Commission shall represent the action of the Commission. The Commission may at any time appoint any number of citizens to serve on committees as ex officio members. The Commission shall adopt by-laws for the conduct of its meetings. SECTION 3. The Parks and' Recreation Department shall be responsible for relaying budget requests of the City Beautiful Commission to the City Manager and Board of Directors. The Commission shall have the authority to accept any and all donations and the City shall establish and main- tain separate accounts to receive such funds. SECTION 4. The role of the City Beautiful Commission is to be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of plans to control litter, weeds, abandoned vehicles and appliances, soil erosion and to otherwise ensure a high level of visual appearance of parks and open spaces, streams and other bodies of water, drainage ditches, structures, hill- sides, riverfront, utilities, signs, vehicle parking and sales lots, outdoor storage, trees and other natural vegetation, natural landscaping, streets, and railroads. SECTION 5. The following duties, responsibilities and powers are hereby established: a) To promote public interest in the general improvement of the appearance of the City of Little Rock. b) To prepare and transmit to the City Board of Directors recommended policies implementing the plans prepared by and/or for the Commission. c) To establish, subject to approval of the Board of Directors, regulations of aesthetic quality for public and private lands and improvements. 7 SECTION 6. This ordinance shall not in any manner supersede the authority or duties of any other commission; board or agency duly established by ordinances or resolutions of the Board of Directors and shall not in any manner be interpreted to interfere with such duties that have been established by such ordinances or resolutions of any such commission, board or agency. SECTION 7. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage. ADOPTED: SEPTEMBER 21, 1976 8 CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION BY-LAWS ARTICLE 1. MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1. The City Beautiful Commission shall consist of nine (9) members who shall be qualified electors of the City of Little Rock, appointed by the City of Little Rock Board of Directors upon recommendation of the City Beautiful Commission. SECTION 2. The term of a member of the City Beautiful Commission shall be three (3) years. The terms of one-third of the City Beautiful Commission shall expire every year. SECTION 3. Any member of the City Beautiful Commission who shall absent himself from three (3) consec- ative meetings a year shall be deemed to have resigned as a member of the City Beautiful Commission. SECTION 4. Each Commission vacancy shall be filled by a new member chosen in the same manner as members chosen for a full term. SECTION 5. The Director of the Parks and Recreation Department or his substitute shall act as an ex:officio member of the City Beautiful Commission and shall represent the Commission to the Little Rock Board of Directors. He shall be the designated representative of the -City Manager for such proof of expenditure of funds appropriated by the City of Little Rock. SECTION 6. The City Beautiful Commission may appoint ex-officio members to the Commission as it desires to further its own aims. ARTICLE II. MEETINGS SECTION 1. Official meetings of the City Beautiful Commission shall be held on the second Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman and written notice thereof shall be mailed to all members at least five (5) days prior to the meeting day. Special meetings may also be called by the Chairman with a 24 hour telephone notice to members and written notice to press. SECTION 2. All meetings of the City Beautiful Commission shall be conducted according to the latest revision.of Roberts' Rules of order, but it shall be necessary in any event for a quorum to be present for the Commission or any committee to act. A quorum sha11 be defined as a simple majority of the members of the City Beautiful Commission. SECTION 3. All meetings of the City Beautiful Commission shall be held in the City Board Conference Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall unless a different place of meeting is designated in the notice thereof. SECTION 4. The order of business at all regular meetings of the Commission shall be as follows: A. B. C. D. E. F. Roll Call Approval of minutes of the previous meeting Hear appeals made by applications Report of Committees New business Miscellaneous business ARTICLE III OFFICERS SECTION 1. The officers of the City Beautiful Commission shall consist of a Chairman, Vice -Chairman, and Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Commission. The Recording Secretary shall be an ex-officio member from the Parks and Recreation Department and appointed by the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. SECTION 2. Terms of officers shall be for one year and officers may succeed themselves. SECTION 3. The duties of the officers shall be as follows: CHAIRMAN. The Chairman shall preside over all meetings. The Chairman shall appoint all standing and ad hoc committees. The Chairman shall have the authority to call special meetings provided the proper notices are given. The Chairman shall be responsible for establishing the monthly meeting agenda. VICE-CHAIRMAN. In the event Chairman, the Vice -Chairman duties of the Chairman. 2 of the absence of the shall assume the TREASURER. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all monies received and disbursed by the Commission, which records shall be kept on file in the Parks and Recreation Department office. The Treasurer shall make quarterly financial reports at the Commission meetings. He shall make a report of the annual audit to the City Beautiful Commission. RECORDING SECRETARY. The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the City Beautiful Commission, including committee meetings, and shall have the responsibility for all official papers and records pertaining to the Commission. The Recording Secretary shall attend to all correspondence as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the Commission. SECTION 4. The Chairman of the. City Beautiful Commission shall appoint, at the October meeting each year, a Nominating Committee to select a slate of officers for the following year. The nominating committee shall report to the Commission at the November meeting and elections will be held at the meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. Officers' terms will begin in January of each year. ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES SECTION I. Ad Hoc Committees shall be appointed as needed by the Chairman of the City Beautiful Commission. ARTICLE V. FINANCIAL MATTERS SECTION 1. All monies collected by the Commission and turned over to the -City may be spent by the Commission with authorization of the City Manager and the Director of Finance. The Chairman and Treasurer of said Commission shall jointly authorize such expenditures on behalf of the Commission. SECTION 2. All monies collected by the Commission and deposited in an interest bearing checking account may be spent by the Commission. The Chairman and Treasurer of said Commission shall jointly authorize such expenditures on behalf of the Commission. 3 SECTION 3. The fiscal year of the Commission shall begin on the first of January and end on December thirty- first of each year. SECTION 4. No part of the income of the Commission shall ever be distributable to the Commission. ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS SECTION 1. Proposed amendments to the by-laws shall be submitted in writing to each member of the City Beautiful Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to its consideration by the Commission. SECTION 2. If a proposed amendment shall be approved by two-thirds of the members of the Commission by vote taken at such meeting, the Recording Secretary shall give written notice of such approval with copy or copies of such proposed amendment to each member.of the Commission and the Little Rock Board of Directors. The same shall be immediately a part and included in these by-laws. ARTICLE VII. CASES BEFORE THE BOARD SECTION 1. Each application to the City Beautiful Commission, whether an appeal from an order, decision, or determination of the Department of Neighborhoods and Planning, or whether for a special exception or for a variance, shall be made on an official application form. This application form can be obtained from the Plans Review Specialist, Department of Neighborhoods and Planning. SECTION 2. All information called for by the official application form shall be furnished by the applicant in the manner therein prescribed in accordance with the instructions provided the applicant. The instructions for making the application can be obtained from the Plans Review Specialist, Department of Neighborhoods and Planning. SECTION 3. The Commission shall consider only those applications made on the prescribed form properly filled out With all required data attached. SECTION 4. Any communication purporting to be an application shall be regarded as mere notice to seek relief until it is made in the form required by these rules. 4 ARTICLE VIII. DOCKET AND CALENDAR SECTION 1. Each application filed in proper form with the required data shall be numbered serially, docketed, and shall be placed upon the calendar of the City Beautiful Commission by the Recording Secretary thereof. SECTION 2. All cases docketed more than 30 days next preceding a regular meeting day, shall be automatically set for hearing on the succeeding regular meeting day. Cases docketed within 30 or less days of the regular meeting day shall be set for hearing on the second regular meeting day after docketing of the application. SECTION 3. Applications shall be heard in the order in which they appear on the agenda, except that an application nay be advanced for hearing by order of the Commission upon good cause shown. Where all applications cannot be disposed of on the day set, the Commission may adjourn from day-to- day, or until the next regular meeting, as it may order. SECTION 4. The applicant may appear in his or her own behalf or be represented by agent or attorney at said hearing. In the absence of any personal appearance on behalf of applicant, the Commission will proceed to dispose of the matter on the record before it. SECTION 5. At the hearing, the order shall be as follows: A. Application read B. Staff recommendations made C. Applicant's side of the case D. Interested property owners side of the case E. Questions or comments from Commission members F. Motion or motions offered by Commission members G. Vote or votes made 5 ARTICLE IX FINAL DISPOSITION SECTION 1. In the final disposition of any appli- cation, the decision shall affirm, modify, or reverse the refusal of a landscape permit by, or any order or decision of , the Neighborhoods and Planning Department, acting as designated agent of the City Manager. In case of an application for variation or special exception, the decision shall set forth that the application is denied or that it is granted with or without condition, and said decision shall specifically set forth what variations or special exceptions are permitted and what conditions, if any, shall be complied with. Every application shall be disallowed unless a concurring vote of a simple majority of the Commission shall favor the appeal or application. The vote of each member present on each decision shall be recorded with the decision. SECTION 2. Any applicant may, in writing, withdraw his or her application at least five working days prior to the regular meeting day of the Commission for which the application is docketed. SECTION 3. If an application is granted by the Commission, all permits necessary for the prosecution of the work shall be obtained within sixty days from the date of permission by the Commission, unless extension of said time is granted by the Commission; otherwise such permission shall be considered void. ARTICLE X. REHEARINGS SECTION 1. No .rehearing of any decision by the City Beautiful Commission shall be had except on motion by a Member of the Commission to reconsider the vote, made and acted upon within ten days after its decisions and carried by not less than a simple majority of the Commission's members. SECTION 2. No motion for a rehearing shall be entertained except on written request for a rehearing, and then not unless new evidence is submitted which could not reasonably have been presented at the meeting at which the hearing was originally had. SECTION 3. If a rehearing is granted, the case shall be put on the calendar for a rehearing, and the notices 4ssued in accordance with the notice provisions of these rules. SECTION 4. No additional application to the Commission shall be allowed, unless there shall have been a substantial change in the circumstances affecting such property since the prior decision on the same piece of property. ARTICLE XI. PRECEDENTS SECTION 1. No action of the Commission shall set a precedent. Each case shall be decided upon its merits and upon the circumstances attendant thereto. SECTION 2. Any member of the Commission who shall have a direct or indirect interest in any property or in the decision relating to such property, which shall be the subject matter of , or affected by, a decision of the Commission shall be disqualified from participating in the discussion, decision, or the proceedings of the Commission in connection therewith. ARTICLE XII. FORMS SECTION 1. The forms referred to in these rules of procedure and made a part thereof are: A. Application to the City B. Notice of public hearing Beautiful Commission C. Instructions for making Beautiful Commission__ on application to the City application ARTICLE XIII. OFFICERS AND DUTIES SECTION 1. The Chairman of the City Beautiful Commission may designate members of the Commission to make personal inspections when necessary from time to time, and unless directed by a majority of the Commission, shall appoint such committees as may be found necessary. SECTION 2. The authorized agent of the Neighborhoods and Planning Department shall report at each meeting on all official transactions that have not otherwise come to the attention of the Commission. 7 SECTION 3. The authorized agent of the Neighborhoods and Planning Department, subject to the provisions of the Landscape Ordinance, these rules, and the direction of the Commission and its Chairman, shall conduct all correspon- dence of the Commission pertaining to the Landscape Ordinance; send out all notices required by these rules and the order of the Commission; shall attend all meetings of the Commission and all hearings; shall scrutinize all applications to see that these rules are complied with; shall keep the dockets and minutes of the Board's proceedings; shall compile all required records and shall maintain the necessary files and indices. The authorized agent of the Neighborhoods and Planning Department shall verify that the applicant has notified (using appropriate form) property owners within two hundred feet of the property involved in the application or_other persons required to be notified under the provisions of the Landscape Ordinance, as demanded from time to time. Under the docketing of any application, the authorized agent of the Neighborhoods and Planning Department shall make a personal inspection of the premises, see that all sketches and plans are properly prepared, and be prepared to advise the Commission on the physical conditions of the property affect by such application. The authorized agent of the Neighborhoods and Planning Department shall demand from the applicant such additional information and data as may be required to fully advise the Commission with reference to the application, whether such information and data is called for by the official forms or not. Any failure or refusal on the part of the applicant to furnish such additional information or data, or failure to comply with the instructions for making application, shall be grounds for dismissal of the application by the Commission. ARTICLE XIV. DOCKET AND MINUTE BOOK SECTION 1. The authorized agent of the Neighborhoods and Planning Department shall be provided with a minute book which shall be posted and up-to-date. The minute book shall be a well -bound book, in which shall be recorded the decision relating to each case acted on, together with the vote of each member of the Commission, those absent being so marked, together with all other actions of the Commission. I�RTICLE XV. RESOLUTIONS SECTION 1. Every resolution not otherwise provided for shall require a majority vote of the members present at a legally constituted meeting. 0 ARTICLE XVI. ADVICE SECTION 1. No informal requests for advice, or moot questions, will be considered by the Commission. Any advice, opinion, or information given by any Commission member or the secretary, or any other official or employee of the City of Little Rock, shall not be binding on the commission. Because of the annoyance caused by individuals appealing personally to members of the Commission, it is declared to be the policy of the Commission to deprecate any such personal appeals. INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING APPLICATION FOR LANDSCAPING VARIANCE TO THE LITTLE ROCK CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION 1. The applicant (owner or authorized agent) shall appear at the Office of the Plans Review Specialist, Department of Neighborhoods & Planning, 723 West Markham, Little Rock, Arkansas, and complete the required application form. 2. The applicant shall submit as part of the application, three copies of a recent survey, certified by a registered land surveyor, showing all existing and proposed improvements with all dimensions pertaining thereto. (The proposed improvements may be illustrated on a separate drawing). 3. After properly filing the application, the applicant shall give notice as required by the bylaws of the City Beautiful Commission. The cost of these notices shall be borne by the applicant. (NOTE: This notice is not a _petition of approval or disapproval.) "Before the City Beautiful Commission shall consider a request for landscaping variance of any property, the petitioner for such variance shall first give not less than ten (10) days written notice of the time, place and date of public hearing thereon to all the record owners of property situated within 200 feet thereof. Said notice shall be sent by certified or registered mail to the last known address of such record owner(s) and the petitioner shall execute and file with the Plans Review Specialist, Department of Neighborhoods and Planning, showing compliance herewith attaching as exhibits to said Affidavit official evidence that said notices have been mailed". we 4. The Affidavit required and supporting exhibits (return receipts, and copy of notice) shall be filed with the Plans Review Specialist no later than six (6) calendar days prior to the meeting date. 5. The applicant shall post the sign furnished at the time of filing at the front of the property so that it can be seen from the street, at least ten (10) calendar days before the meeting. If for any reason the sign should be destroyed or torn down, a replacement may be obtained from this office. 6. The applicant or agent shall be present at the meeting in order to answer any questions the Commission members or interested parties may have. PLEASE NOTE: NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE MAY CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO BE WITHHELD AND NOT CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING, AND MAY REQUIRE THE RENOTIFI- CATION OF PROPERTY OWNERS. 10 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE LITTLE ROCK CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION ON AN APPLICATION FOR LANDSCAPE VARIANCE TO ALL OWNERS OF LAND lying within 200 feet of the boundary of property at: ADDRESS: GENERAL LOCATION: OWNED BY: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT an application for landscape variance(s) on the above property has been filed with the Plans Review Specialist, Department of Neighborhood Revitalization and Planning, 723 West Markham, requesting variance(s) from: (1) The provisions of Section of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances to permit: (2) The provisions of Section of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances to permit: (3) The provisions of Section of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances to permit: A public hearing on said application will be held by the Little Rock City Beautiful Commission on , 19 , at a.m. All parties in interest may appear and be heard at said time and place or may notify the City Beautiful Commission of their views on this matter by letter-. All persons interested in this request are invited to call or visit the Plans Review Specialist, 723 West Markham, 371-4864, to review the applicantion and discuss same with the staff. I, hereby certify that I have notified all the property owners of record within 200 feet of the above property, that subject property is being considered for landscaping variance(s), and that a public hearing will be held by the Little Rock City Beautiful Commission at the time and place described above. Applicant (owner or authorized agent): SIGNATURE DATE Application is Resolution No. Addition, Zoned hereby made to the City Beautiful Commission pursuant 6,122, relative to property located at: Request a Landscape Variance be granted to allow Applicant: Address: Phone No.: Property Owner: Address: Phone No.: to District. A variance may be granted by the City of Little Rock upon written application accompanied by the appropriate plans and specifications from the property owner, or his authorized agent. In granting a variance, the �. City Beautiful Commission shall impose such requirements and conditions, as the Commission may deem necessary for the protection of adjacent properties and the public interest. There are - are not restrictions of record effecting this proposal. FILING DATE APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION DOCKET FOR: AT a.m. APPLICATION WAS --- GRANTED T DENIED, '-� $100.00 Fee Paid CASE NO. CBC: 19 19 ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION 9 F O R E W O R D Our environment in Little Rock is our greatest asset. In one way or another, it is the reason we came here, or we stayed. Our physical surroundings affect us daily, whether it be a breathtaking view of the river or the maddening frustration of driving on streets lined with power poles and gaudy signs. The problem of fighting ugliness and preserving the gifts of nature are not insurmountable, but they are painful. The Commission's job is to educate with patience those who are unaware of the things which make our city a better place to live work and play. This handbook is prepared to assist each commissioner in discharging his/her responsibility to make Little Rock a city beautiful. CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION ORIGIN AND CHARTER MEMBERS In April, 1947, the City Beautification Forum, consisting of eighteen members, was organized by Mrs. Raymond Gesell. From this group, the Little Rock City Beautiful Commission was created on January 12, 1948 by Ordinance No 7494. CHARTER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mrs. Raymond Gesell, Chairman Mr. W. K. Amo, Secretary Mrs. Ernest Archer Mrs. Richard B. Asel Mrs. Willard Billingsby Mr. Willard Billingsby Mrs. S. C. Harriman Mrs. C. E. Hofner Mrs. Walter Scott Hicks Mrs. Alfred Kahn Col. Clarence Longacre Mr. Neil Park Mrs. Lorene Passe Mrs. -Bert Pickens Mrs. Lloyd Richards Mrs. W. H. Riley Mrs. R. 0. Rogers Dr. F. E. Rothchild Mrs. D. D. Terry Mrs. Wallace Townsend Mrs. J. W. Walton Mrs. Guy Williams On September 21, 1976, the Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock passed Ordinance No. 13,204 which repealed Article III of Chapter 26 of the Little Rock Code of Ordinances and abolished the City Beautiful Commission as then constituted and created the City Beautiful Commission of Little Rock. New members were appointed by the Board of Directors on October 19, 1976. Mr. William J. Gaskin was elected as the first chairman to serve under the new enabling ordinance. 6 PAST CHAIRMEN Mrs. Raymond Gesell 1948 thru 1956 Mrs. Gordon Oates 1957 thru 1959 Mr. Wayne Cranford 1960 Mr. Steve Stephens 1961 and 1962 Mrs. Catherine Hidy 1963 Mr. Milas H. Hale 1964 and 1965 Mr. Fred Schmutz 1966 Mr. William Terry 1967 Mr. John P. Gill 1968 and 1969 Mr. Paul Lawhon 1969 and 1970 Mr. Henry Nichols 1971 thru 1974 Mr. Jim Mauney 1975 Mr. James Conner 1976 Mr. Bill Gaskin 1977 and 1983 Mr. Ted Hannah 1978 Mr. Don Arick 1979 Mr. A. J. Almand 1980 Mr. James Vines 1981 and 1982 Mrs. Sharon Priest 1984 thru 1986 Mr. Bob Callans 1987 Mr. James G. vonTungeln 1988 and 1989 HONORARY CITY BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION MEMBERS Mrs. Raymond Gesell 1957 Mr. G. W. Blankenship 1958 Mrs. Gordon Oates 1959 Mrs. Charles Loewer 1960 Mrs. Ann Archer Holmann 1962 Mrs. Catherine D. Hidy 1963 Mrs. Curtis Rogers 1964 Mr. Fred H Schmutz 1967 Mrs. Charlotte Roberts 1976 EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Mr. -James Vines 1985 Ms. Elizabeth Jones 1986 3 The City Pedutiful Commission MEETING NOTICE The City Beautiful Commission will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, January 12, 1993 in the City.Board Conference Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall at 10:00 A.M. AGENDA 1. Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of the January meeting. 3. Reports of Committees A. City Beautiful Kids B. Winterfest �_ C. Adopt a Block Program ''D. City Beautiful Commission Convention E. Litter Awareness Campaign ,tF. Neighborhood Ambassador Program 3 G. Awards H. Education -XI. Development of Environmental Ordinances J. Tree Planting K. Fund Raising L. Traffic Island M. Capitol Avenue `\N. Public Awareness �(0. Bylaws and Procedures S P. Long Range Planning 4. Parks and Recreation Activities - Bill Bunten 5. Miscellaneous 6. Adjournment 500 West Markham, Room 108 Little Rock, AR 72201 371-4770