Jacqueline Wolven showed council at Monday’s meeting a placard with signatures of folks endorsing downhill trails at LLCP and acknowledging the gift from the Walton Foundation. She said she would have it available for other signers for another two weeks.
Brian Watson said the new downhill bike trails at LLCP will bring people to town, and he’s glad it is happening because businesses will benefit.
Ken Riley said his business experience has taught him that keeping the lights on means watching who’s coming in the door. The Waltons have done a lot for Northwest Arkansas, and the new project will bring in income to keep the lights on.
Jack Moyer, chair of the CCF greenhouse committee, read into the record a fact sheet detailing the history of the greenhouse. It ends by stating the Foundation chose Parks as the “most qualified operator to partner with on the project,” and that he intends to present Parks with a proposed contract for operating the greenhouse at its April 17 meeting.
Judy Montgomery said she would not be using the downhill trail system at LLCP, but believes in endorsing projects that will bring a “positive type” of visitors to town. She said the downhill trails project would benefit everyone in the 72632 zip code, and implored council to leave the commissions autonomous.
Mary Howze said she highly called the project “super, awesome and wonderful,” and the biggest economic development project in recent times. “We’re making history,” she commented.
Pat Costner announced the contract between Parks and the Northwest Arkansas Trail Builders states there is a storm water management plan in place, but she was not able to find such a submission from the city in the files of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. She said she felt compelled to file a complaint with ADEQ, which means the city will have to submit an official storm water management plan. She said the issue all along with the downhill trails project has been the lack of process. She maintained the public was never given an opportunity to participate, which to her was inexcusable in a small town like Eureka Springs, so the issue is much bigger than just the trails.
Diane Murphy said she strongly believed the new trails at LLCP would be the biggest economic development project for Eureka Springs in a long time. The town has touted itself as a place for outdoor recreation, and this project fits that image, plus it will bring in steady revenue as the town attempts to fix and update its infrastructure.
Karen Kinsel said she supports change, and Eureka Springs needs to change with the times. She expects the new trails will bring a younger outdoorsy type to the area, and the town should support the effort.
Doug Stowe also supported the new trails at LLCP because it is important to get people “into natural reality” instead of online.
Barbara Kellogg was concerned citizens were not given enough of an opportunity to participate in planning the project, and she had the same concern for a proposed in-town trails project. She urged Parks to have a town hall meeting about in-town trails.
Pat Matsukis first mentioned there are non-functioning street lamps that need fixing, and the town should begin a discussion about plastic bags. Then she maintained if Parks needed a greenhouse, they should have reached out to the community to give others a chance to respond. The process showed a lack of inclusiveness, which can lead to the appearance of backdoor deals. She insisted all commissions respond to council and the mayor because council and the mayor represent the people, and autonomy sets a bad precedent. Also if Parks is doing so well, they might not need the tax anymore.
Mayor Butch Berry read into the record two letters supporting the trails project. Julie Shelton said the project gave her hope for the future of Eureka Springs, and Jean Elderwind said she knows folks whose grandkids are looking forward to visiting because of the vision of Parks.