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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on December 13, 2004.
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Public Services Committee
December 13, 2004 at 4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ann Williams, Cecil Province, and Tim McCall.
Others present were: City Clerk Donna Jackson, Parks Director Jason Wilkie,
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order:
MINUTES
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Province for approval of the November 17, 2004 committee minutes as provided. Copies were made available to all in attendance. All voted aye.
SKATE PARK
It was explained a recommendation had been made by the Citizens Advisory Committee to rebuild the skate park at the Earl Bell Center. However, Councilman McCall stated there was not a lot of support to relocate the skate park downtown. Mr. Wilkie provided some background information and stated they have an opportunity to correct some of the problems that existed with the previous downtown skate park area. He explained they were waiting on the court’s determination regarding restitution by Mr. Chris Baugh, and no location had been decided. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Province to not place the skate park at Earl Bell and table the matter until restitution had been determined and research completed for new locations. All voted aye.
The following individuals were in attendance of the meeting voicing opposition to the placement of the skate park at the Earl Bell Center. Those individuals were: Mary Kay Jones, Roberta Sloan, Angie Dickson, Flo Jones, Philip Jones, and Charlotte Jones.
ENGINEERS: RECOMMENDATION NRS
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Province to accept the staff recommendation for NRS Engineers for work at the ATV Park in Craighead Forest. All voted aye.
CAMPGROUND RULES
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Province to accept the staff recommendation and to place a resolution on the December 20th agenda regarding the adoption of campground rules. All voted aye.
ATV LETTERS: It was explained a letter explaining the rules of conduct for the ATV park for Craighead Forest Park had been delivered. Mr. Wilkie informed committee members that the Honda dealership agreed to include the letter with every new sale, and letters had been sent to Jonesboro Tractor and to Hog Land ATV in Paragould. It was recommended to put up signs for the purpose of graffiti prevention.
SECURITY REPORT: Mr. Wilkie provided a break down of a survey regarding the safety of park areas by gender, race, and age. Based on the information, Mr. Wilkie recommended including security personnel in the 2005 budget for the purpose of patrolling the park area.
RENTAL OF FACILITIES: Mr. Wilkie explained religious groups were interested in renting park facilities on a regular basis, and there was a problem with the facility being monopolized by individual groups. He stated they needed the flexibility of being able to prioritize the rental if an athletic tournament wanted to rent the facility. Mr. Wilkie was asked to check with the City Attorney regarding a policy.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to adjourn. All voted aye.