Parks Director Justin Huss told commissioners last Wednesday that alderman Kristi Kendrick presented council at its Sept. 12 meeting with a plan for rescinding Ordinance 1628 which put all unopened streets and alleys under the jurisdiction of Parks. She had questioned parts of the Land Bank ordinance, and wanted to rewrite Ordinance 2203 to allow the city to recoup attorney’s fees and fair compensation for land it vacates.
Huss said he saw differences between the best interest of Parks and Kendrick’s proposal, but admitted there were some good ideas in it.
Commissioner Fergie Stewart said he had watched Kendrick’s presentation, and her plan as he understood it would put the entire procedure in the mayor’s office, and that bringing in money to city coffers was an important motivation.
Chair Bill Featherstone replied, “I contend we don’t have too much green space; we have too little. Will I fight for green space? Darn right! If it’s about money, that’s as short-sighted as it gets.”
Commissioner Steven Foster said he had spoken with Kendrick, and she was chagrined the city has been giving away land for nothing. She was interested in the city getting fair compensation. Foster said although green space is defined in an ordinance, opinion is divided on its best use.
Featherstone acknowledged he was OK with the city getting fair market value for property it vacates.
Foster mentioned Kendrick’s plan also calls for the applicant to provide a current survey before a vacation request can be considered. This component of the process has heretofore been missing. He suggested commissioners take the time to read her presentation because this would be an opportunity for Parks to improve the process.
Featherstone noted they had spent two-thirds of their meeting wading through a vacation request, so an improvement was definitely in order. “The process is too burdensome,” he said.
Foster encouraged commissioners to attend council’s workshop on the subject, time and date to be determined.
Featherstone stated his opinion would be never to grant a vacation, but then again, “there is real stuff that happens” like Dicks’s situation and the one recently settled for Jim Girkin, so the city needs a process.
Director’s report
Huss confabulated about the past month for Parks:
- Working on the online reservation system and bringing Wi-Fi to Lake Leatherwood City Park
- Soccer season is underway; more than 300 people expected at the Fall Jamboree during the first weekend in October
- Working with ESPD on new surveillance system for several parks
- Preparing for lodging at LLCP to be available during winter
- Hired Tom Beckendorf as full-time gardener
- Playground project at LLCP in final design stages; work to begin by mid-October
- Campground improvements underway at LLCP
- Second and third camper cabins to be in place during October; excellent response so far with first one; plan to market the Bike Camp at International Mountain Biking summit in Springdale in November
- Income for the year already exceeded budget projection
- National Interscholastic Cycling Association series of races scheduled for October; 120 students signed up so far.
In summary, Huss reported, “By the time that spring rolls around, Leatherwood will have a crisper, more inviting appearance that will show up on the bottom line. These advancements will help us fund other areas in our system as Leatherwood becomes more self-sustaining. We are on the move and I could not be more excited about our future.”
Final comments
- Foster reported the Springs Committee supports Mayor Butch Berry’s one percent tax proposal because clean water is vital and the town needs an infrastructure to support delivery of clean water.
- Foster also reported the Bee City USA contingent received a good response to their booth at the county fair in Berryville.
- In Public Comments, Samantha Jones announced the Good Shepherd Humane Society is holding a raffle for their flea and tick fund. Tickets are $2, and one lucky ticket holder will win a “very good bike.” She said the GSHS website explains how to buy tickets.
- The commission officially approved the $50 per month telephone allowance for Huss.
- Foster noted the Parks website is sorely overdue for updates in information and functionality. He said he would be happy to do some work on it to which Featherstone quickly replied, “Hired!”
- Huss announced there would be a community meeting to discuss the local feral hog situation at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, in the former cafeteria at the new Community Center. The local Extension Office will have staff attending, and landowners and any interested persons are welcome.
Next workshop will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. at Harmon Park. This will be one week later than the usual workshop date. Next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m.