Eureka Springs Parks commission meeting on April 19 spent time to amend a contract with Slaughter Trail Guides (STG) to act as promoter for sports events in Lake Leatherwood City Park.
Executive Director Scott Miskiel told commissioners that two companies had responded to a Request for Proposal and that STG had won out and Dustin Slaughter, the owner, was present to answer questions. Questions from commissioner Sue Hubbard focused mainly on the contract itself.
The contract stipulates requirements for the promoter to maintain cleanliness of the park after allowed events, requires an emergency medical plan, proof of insurance, and the supplying of personnel for aid stations. It also has a rule for when a preservation plan is adopted by the commission that STG must follow the plan.
Hubbard’s first question involved language that said that the maximum number of events in LLCP could be increased to 10 by allowance of the Executive Director. The contract was changed to requiring authorization of the commission.
Regarding cleanliness and preservation of the park, Hubbard questioned what would happen if vegetation or park was damaged or left unclean. Miskiel said that the Parks department would clean-up if STG failed to do so within 10 days and STG would be billed for the cost. Damage such as the killing of a tree or other vegetation would result in the same with STG being billed for those damages. The questions about how damages would be handled was piggy-backed after she asked Miskiel how long it would take for him to draft a preservation plan for LLCP and other parks. Miskiel said he could have a draft before the first event STG wishes to hold on May 28 and 29.
Miskiel covered the change to fees which originally were at $10 per person. The fee structure in the contract is at 6.5 percent of gross income of the promoter. Slaughter said that the fee is slightly higher than what Arkansas State Forestry takes at 5 percent, but was in line with other places he has promoted events. The ability to add in extra fees was left in the contract as well, if the commission sees fit. Miskiel wasn’t sure on the specifics of what those fees might be.
Changes to the contract also included the requirement that the Emergency Medical Plan that is to be provided to the commission prior to the event also be approved by the fire department. If STG fails to make any of the requirements stipulated in the contract, Parks, and specifically Miskiel holds the right to cancel the event. There was discussion on whether that needed to be explicitly stated in the contract, but Miskiel convinced Hubbard it was not since Parks “Holds the keys” and that it would be his responsibility to make sure all documentation was provided. The final two changes included the need to have porta-potties be provided by the promoter and the attachment of the entirety of Parks’ rules onto the document.
Hubbard also asked STG that they try to provide notice of when certain trails are in use for events. Parks will need to approve each event that STG proposes separately. The contract with changes passed 4-1 with Hubbard saying No and Chair Ruth Hager casting the final Yes.
Engineering and Trails get tabled
Miskiel explained to council that McClelland Consulting Engineers would be the engineering firm to work on Basin Park should the commission approve the contract. The city already has a model contract with the firm with Parks only needing to provide a scope of work and they would evaluate the top of the plaza as well as issues with the bandshell and stone walls of the park.
There was some discussion about the hiring of an architect, but commissioner Kevin Ruehle mentioned that typically an engineering firm will have an architect acting as a consultant. Miskiel said he would speak with McClelland about how an architect would fit into the assessment.
Taking the road less traveled
Trails Manager Sam Dudley presented on proposed trail modifications including to the loop trail around Lake Leatherwood that has had the bridge section closed and changes to Miner’s Rock and the downhill trails that run into it.
Dudley mentioned that there is an access road that leads to below the Lake Leatherwood Dam to the creek. He described the road as having an “easy grade” and that it may be possible to reopen the entire loop around Lake Leatherwood. He explained it would take a bridge to be built and money for any changes to trails in LLCP were reliant on the receiving of grant money. He also mentioned lower trails along the edge of the lake becoming eroded due to the lake backing up.
Talking downhill gravity trail Dudley explained additions that could be made to the Miner’s Rock trail area including flyovers to separate the mixed uses to avoid them intertwining. Most items of trail changes were tabled with the commission wanting Dudley to schedule a time for themselves and the public to go out to see where possible changes could be made.
The one item that did get approved through Dudley’s presentation was the renaming of a section of Twin Knobs to Hidden Falls. The section is separate from the rest of Twin Knobs trail sitting along Bench Loop and Hide Hollow and Dudley said that it was a cause of confusion for those hiking and biking in the area. While intersection numbers are to be added to the map the name change passed unanimously with a 4-0 vote.