Mike Ellis – At its April meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the need for a long-term plan to assess revenues and planned projects, and some commissioners suggested holding off on any new projects until assembling such a plan. Then reality intruded, as the rental boat fleet at Lake Leatherwood City Park required immediate replacement at a cost of $13,000. At the May 17 meeting, reality called for another immediate expenditure, as Parks Director Justin Huss said the CCC building at Leatherwood needs repainting.
Huss suggested the project would cost about $10,000, and require extensive surface preparation, priming and painting. He said because of condition of the building, further delay would increase the cost because of possible damage to wood. Aside from the financial aspect, Huss noted the historical value of the structure and said its appearance would detract from the new playground.
Commissioners Barry Reed and Jay Fitzsimmons continued to press for an overall plan for spending revenues from a one-eighth cent sales tax that will expire in summer of 2017. They asked Huss to list revenues received and anticipated and to list what projects have been completed. Only then, they suggested, could the commission make an informed decision on spending. “We might spend a little each month and end up with some important stuff undone,” Reed said. “It’s the only way the citizens of this city can hold us accountable.”
Huss agreed with the need for the long-range plan, but said the CCC project would certainly be on that list. Commissioners unanimously authorized funds for the project.
Chair Bill Featherstone gave an update on the community center, and said the fund has more than $60,000 in cash, $40,000 in pledges, and multiple stage matching funds from Cornerstone Bank. Featherstone said the fund has accepted donations as small as two dollars, and encouraged people to visit Igave50.com to contribute. He said the page has a list of donors, and that list helps to influence outside funding sources to gauge the level of support in the community.
Vacation pay language altered
Commissioners had tabled a discussion of vacation pay for interim director Donna Woods last month. Her contract specified she would begin accruing vacation time immediately, although city policy requires a year’s employment before vacation time should accrue. Instead of awarding vacation pay, Fitzsimmons suggested a bonus equal to the vacation pay. Upon further discussion, commissioners added language explicitly stating that the payment would provide final compensation for vacation time owed Woods.
Wait, there’s more
- Ken Trimble spoke about Eureka’s status as a Bee City USA, and showed small signs that will appear in several places with that designation. He said cities participating in the program promote bees and other pollinators by creating habitat and reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides. He referred anyone interested to the Facebook page for Eureka Springs Pollinator Alliance.
- Huss spoke in favor of contracting for a reservation service for the cabins at Lake Leatherwood, and said the park would see increased revenues. Fitzsimmons pointed out that one of the suggested systems would cost $5,000 per year, and wondered if it would pay for itself. Huss and Featherstone suggested forming a committee to research various services and costs.
- New rates were set for one-hour, three-hour, or all-day rentals of the new fleet of canoes, kayaks, jon boats, and paddleboards.
- Commissioner Ferguson Stewart outlined a plan for a community block party in August at the LLCP meadow. He said the police and fire departments and the sheriff’s office would bring vehicles. Stewart said he hoped the event would bring out some people who had not yet seen some of the recent improvements at the park.
- Jim Girkin returned to the commission after a visit to a city council meeting. He wants to donate a portion of his property to the city, and council told him he would need to provide a legal description of the property he wants to donate. He was concerned that he might have to pay for a survey, and Featherstone promised to help arrange the least expensive approach to generating the needed legal description. “We’ll get that done,” he said. “I share your frustration.”
The commission has a workshop scheduled for June 7 at Harmon Park to look at the long-range plans for spending the remaining sales tax. The next regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. on June 21 at City Hall.