STATE PARKS, RECREATION, and TRAVEL COMMISSION Degray Lake Resort State Park, 2027 State Park Entrance Road, Bismarck, AR 71929 August 16 -17, 2018
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STATE PARKS, RECREATION, AND TRAVEL COMMISSION DeGray Lake Resort State Park, 2027 State Park Entrance Road, Bismarck, AR 71929 August 16 -17, 2018 Commissioners present Jim Shamburger, chair – Aug 16, 17 Ron Gossage – Aug 16, 17 Kalene Griffith, vice chair – Aug 16 Shash Goyal – Aug 16 Austin Albers – Aug 16, 17 Eric Jackson – Aug 16, 17 Bill Barnes – Aug 16, 17 Bob Knight – Aug 16, 17 Jeff Baskin – Aug 16, 17 Montine McNulty – Aug 16, 17 Danny Ford – Aug 16, 17 Mike Wilson – Aug 16, 17 John Gill – Aug 16 Commissioners absent Weston Lewey Ness Sechrest Cindy Smith Randy Wolfinbarger Department Staff present Kane Webb, Executive Director Mike Farringer, Region 4 Supervisor Cynthia Dunlap, Administration Director Marcel Hanzlik, Region 3 Supervisor Jim Dailey, Tourism Director Kayla Hardage, Welcome Center Administrator Grady Spann, State Parks Director Joe Jacobs, Marketing and Revenue Manager Angela Allen, Administrative Analyst Kirk Jordan, Tourism Photographer Becky Bariola, Region 5 Supervisor Shea Lewis, State Parks Deputy Director Joy Barlogie, Tourism Development Manager Harrison Maddox, Digital Content Specialist Susan Brewczynski, Tourism Director Assistant Kristine Puckett, Tourism Deputy Director LaJeana Carroll, State Parks Executive Assistant Kris Richardson, ADPT Executive Assistant Casey Crocker, Multimedia Specialist Randy Roberson, Planning & Development Manager Leah DiPietro, Communications Manager Pete Salmon, Exhibits Coordinator Kelly Farrell, Program Services Manager Tom Stolarz, Region 1 Supervisor Mike Wilson, Operations Manager CJRW Lauren Euseppi Jennifer Morgan Darin Gray Dalaney Thomas Chris Ho SPRTC Minutes Aug 16-17, 2018 Pg 2 Miles Media Susie Kardas Bobby Taylor Guests David Armstrong, DeGray Lake Resort Paul Butler, Superintendent Moro Bay Linda Hodges, DeGray Lake Resort Steve Huddleston, DeGray Lake Resort Blake McAfee, DeGray Lake Resort Walt Reding, Superintendent, DeGray Lake Resort Kevin Sexton, Hot Springs Village Michael Sindelar, DeGray Lake Resort Patricia Sindelar, Henderson State University, AR Small Business Tech Dev Ctr Call to Order Jim Shamburger called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Kris Richardson called roll. Approval of Agenda Jim Shamburger requested approval of the agenda. John Gill moved to approve the agenda. Austin Albers seconded, and the motion carried. John Gill requested the minutes reflect that the State Parks Recreation and Travel Commission (SPRTC) meeting began on the eve of the memorial service of Ron Robinson with a moment of silence in recognition and appreciation of “Ron Robinson, a lion in the field of public relations, whose love of Arkansas is reflected in his legacy of cutting edge communication, which this commission and the Arkansas travel industry enjoy today.” A moment of silence ensued. Presentation of the Minutes from the Previous Meetings Jim Shamburger requested approval of the minutes from the previous meeting. Austin Albers motioned to approve the minutes from the July 19 meeting. Kalene Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. Welcome Jim Shamburger recognized guests. SPRTC Minutes Aug 16-17, 2018 Pg 3 FINANCIAL REPORT – July 31, 2018 Cynthia Dunlap presented the year-to-date financial report for the period ended July 31, 2018. The expenditures were - Parks Division, $7,581,364 - including Construction and Grants; Tourism Division, $411,605; Keep Arkansas Beautiful, $16,630; Administration Division, $333,904; War Memorial, $154,476. YTD expenditures for the Department totaled $8,497,979 an increase of 11.8% over the same period FY18. The year-to-date revenues included - Operating Revenue for Parks Division of $3,357,863 a decrease of (5.97)% over the same period FY18; War Memorial Operating Revenue of $164,248 an increase of 218.43% over the same period FY18; 1/8% Tax Revenues of $2,832,775 an increase of 4.01% over the same period FY18; 2% Gross Tax collections of $1,566,387 a decrease of (4.5)% over the same period FY18; and Grocery store wine income revenue of $6,299. ** **Note: Grocery store wine income is a new revenue source that represents Parks and Tourism’s portion of revenue generated from retail off-premises permits for the sale of wine at grocery stores - established by Act 508 of 2017. Shash Goyal moved to approve the Financial Report as presented. Austin Albers seconded, and the motion carried. ADPT Staff Appreciation Dinner Jim Shamburger requested a motion for SPRTC to host the ADPT Staff Appreciation Dinner on August 17 at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Bill Barnes moved to approve the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission host the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Staff Appreciation dinner on August 17. Mike Wilson seconded, and the motion carried. TOURISM DIVISION Director’s Report Jim Dailey noted the success of the new Arkansas.com website and things are progressing nicely. Dailey thanked Montine McNulty for representing the commission on the Arkansas Wine Council. SPRTC Minutes Aug 16-17, 2018 Pg 4 Jim Dailey announced the Tourism division won a Mercury Award at the Educational Seminar for Tourism Organization (ESTO) Conference held August 10 -15, 2018, in Phoenix, AZ, for its 2017 media campaign. Regional Tourism Meeting Update Joy Barlogie updated the commission on the 2018 annual Regional Tourist Associations meeting. She stated that every region was represented. ADPT Photographers Showcase Casey Crocker and Kirk Jordan presented a sample of their ADPT photography. FY19 Retirement and Relocation Plan Dalaney Thomas and Chris Ho shared the final results of the previous retirement and relocation campaign. Jennifer Morgan shared the 6-second digital video news she learned from a session at ESTO. PARKS DIVISION Parks Director’s Report Grady Spann distributed a parks information packet to the commissioners; the folders included the revised Arkansas State Parks (ASP) organizational chart, introduction to state parks staff, and biographies for the directors and section managers. Spann explained the purpose of the packet was to familiarize the SPRTC with the Parks Division management team. Spann informed the commission the dedication for the Arkansas City trailhead for the Delta Heritage Trail State Park would be on October 18, 2018. Spann reminded the SPRTC that Robert Moore had donated the land for the trailhead and two acres for a residence for park staff and maintenance facility in Arkansas City for Delta Heritage Trail State Park. John Gill moved to name the Arkansas City trailhead at Delta Heritage Trail State Park the “Robert S. Moore Jr. Trailhead.” Eric Jackson seconded and the motion carried. Spann invited the commissioners to the annual Park Superintendent’s Conference to be held at Mount Magazine State Park September 25th through 27th. Spann requested commissioners let his office know if they would be attending. Grady Spann presented the National Association of State Parks Directors (NASPD) Annual Information Exchange Report. This report summarizes how ASP ranks nationally when SPRTC Minutes Aug 16-17, 2018 Pg 5 compared to other state parks systems in various categories for Fiscal Year 2017. ASP lodging does well mostly because ASP operates its own lodging facilities, unlike most park systems. The report does not always measure equally as park systems are operated differently. Discussion ensued. Danny Ford mentioned a recent article in the Jonesboro Sun on the Monk Wade Father Son Golf Tournament sponsored by the Arkansas State Golf Association held at The Ridges at Village Creek Golf Course. Regional Supervisor Marcel Hanzlik noted the tournament brought in over $8,000. The Ridges at Village Creek State Park will host the Arkansas State Golf Association/ Arkansas Women's Golf Association, Women's Four Ball Championship in September. Spann announced Moro Bay Ferry at Moro Bay State Park has been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places by the State Review Board of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, a department of Arkansas Heritage. Spann mentioned a one carat diamond was found and reported in the July 2018 Diamond Statistics Report. Larger diamond finds typically increase visitation to the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Discussion ensued. Spann mentioned the article “Prison’s Maintenance Program Receives State Parks Commendation” (Baxter Bulletin, July 8, 2018). ASP recognized the Regional Maintenance Program at the Department of Corrections, North Central Unit at Calico Rock, with a Parks Director’s commendation for their partnership this past year with over 4,000 man hours spent at Ozark Folk Center State Park and Bull Shoals-White River State Park toward maintenance and beautification. Spann cited the article “With 1-0 win at War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock Rangers Advance in Playoffs” (Kubena, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 12, 2018). The Rangers beat Tulsa Athletics 1-0 in the Heartland Conference semifinals at War Memorial Stadium. This was the Rangers' first playoff victory in the franchise's three-year history in the National Premier Soccer League. The team advanced to the National Premier Soccer League South Region Finals. Spann highlighted the recent article, “Arkansas, Oklahoma are Tall Orders Ripe with Outdoor Adventure of Many Kinds” (Williams, The Item, Huntsville, Texas, July 12, 2018). Blogger Matt Williams emphasized Arkansas scenery and outdoor opportunities. Parks Committee Update SPRTC Minutes Aug 16-17, 2018 Pg 6 Eric Jackson advised that ASP 2018’s revenue was down for the month of July 2018, which had only 4 weekends compared to July 2017 with five weekends. In addition, several facilities are closed for renovations. The Parks Dashboard continues to develop and parks staff has added a report for top revenue types by park. Park staff shared the current list of uniform staff vacancies and new hires. The committee discussed the new website and received a report that the ease of making reservations has increased future reservations for the parks. Emergency services reported nearly 200 incidents. Next month the parks committee will meet at the exhibit shop for a tour of the facility and the new digital press. Mike Wilson recommended all commissioners take the opportunity to attend a parks committee meeting.