STATE PARKS, RECREATION and TRAVEL COMMISSION Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs, AR February 18, 2016
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STATE PARKS, RECREATION AND TRAVEL COMMISSION Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs, AR February 18, 2016 Commissioners Present Jim Dailey, Chair Weston Lewey Shash Goyal, Vice Chair Montine McNulty Bill Barnes Mike Mills Jay Bunyard Jim Shamburger LeRoy Dangeau Cindy Smith John Gill Mike Wilson Kalene Griffith Randy Wolfinbarger Commissioners Absent Danny Ford Bob Knight Ness Sechrest Department Staff Present Kane Webb, Executive Director Kris Richardson, Executive Assistant Grady Spann, Director, Arkansas State Parks Joe David Rice, Tourism Director Ron Maxwell, Assistant Tourism Director Cynthia Dunlap, Central Administration Division Director Jeff King, Chief Park Planner Kelly Farrell, Program Services Manager Joe Jacobs, Marketing and Revenue Manager Monika Rued, Public Information Officer Shea Lewis, Region 5 Supervisor Leah DiPietro, Communications Manager Kristine Puckett, Tourism Development Manager Tiffany Knox, Welcome Center Administrator Miranda White, Research Manager Erik Holbrooks, Administrative Specialist, Tourism Division LaJeana Carroll, Administrative Specialist, Parks Division Zoie Clift, Travel Writer Katherine Stewart, Travel Writer Kirk Jordan, Chief Photographer Kim Suggs, Administrative Analyst Lee Howard, Superintendent, Lake Ouachita State Park SPRTC Minutes February 18, 2016 Page 2 Richard Boyes, Superintendent, Lake Catherine State Park Caleb Howell, Superintendent, Crater of Diamonds State Park Mark Myers, Superintendent, Millwood State Park Cheryl Vincent, Assistant Superintendent, Lake Ouachita Park Aristotle Jennifer Peper Marla Johnson Dina Pruitt Laura Kirk Whitney Ward CJRW Jennifer Morgan Shelby Woods Bill Fitzgerald Darin Gray Brian Kartkiewicz Brian Clark Jaclyn O’Bramovitz Joy Phillips Brandy Childress Governor’s Office Hannah Ray Guests Shane Carter, Clinton National Airport Representative Kelley Linck Bill Ott, Eureka Springs Roll Call Chair Jim Dailey called the meeting to order at 8:30 am on Thursday, February 18, 2016. Kris Richardson called roll. Approval of Agenda Chair Jim Dailey requested approval of the Agenda. Leroy Dangeau moved to approve the Agenda. Mike Wilson seconded and the motion carried. Presentation of Minutes from Previous Meeting Chair Jim Dailey requested approval of the Minutes from the February meeting. SPRTC Minutes February 18, 2016 Page 3 Jim Shamburger moved to approve the Minutes from the February meeting. Weston Lewey seconded and the motion carried. Jim Dailey thanked Oaklawn Racing and Gaming, Hot Springs CVB and Garvan Woodland Gardens for their hospitality and hosting dinner and meeting event for Commission and staff. FINANCIAL REPORT Cynthia Dunlap presented the year-to-date financial report for the period ended January 31, 2016. The expenditures were: Parks Division, $49,468,742 - including construction and grants; Tourism Division, $7,323,585; Keep Arkansas Beautiful, $263,012; Administration Division, $1,937,767; and History Commission, $1,150,539. Expenditures for the Department totaled $60,143,645 an increase of 11.2% over the same period FY15. The year-to-date revenues included - operating revenue for Parks Division of $16,188,536, an increase of 14% over the same period FY15; 1/8% Cent Tax revenues of $18,123,999, an increase of 4.43% over the same period FY15; and 2% Gross Tax collections of $9,817,680, an increase of 9.1% over the same period FY15. Mike Mills moved to approve the Financial Report as presented. Jay Bunyard seconded and the motion carried. Discussion ensued about general revenue; Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (ADPT) will use other sources of revenue not intended for operating expenses. Questions arose about how this compares with other agencies, Kane Webb commented, “I believe all agencies took a 1% cut last year.” State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission (SPRTC) recommended appointing a subcommittee to evaluate general revenue loss. The amount allocated for retirement relocation was discussed, appropriation is $228 thousand. ADPT did not fund the retirement and relocation in the beginning of the fiscal year until ADPT knew the amount 2% tax they would receive. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Queen Wilhelmina - Morning Glory Train Update Kane Webb, Grady Spann, Joe Jacobs, Jon Brown, Shew Lewis and Jim Shamburger visited Queen Wilhelmina State Park’s Morning Glory Train concessionaire. Joe Jacobs from Marketing and Revenue stated the Waggoner family indicated in a previous email they wanted out of the train business. The Waggoner family is not available to meet until early March. The Morning Glory Train is required by contract to be open by Memorial Day. SPRTC Minutes February 18, 2016 Page 4 Group discussion arose about the lease and restoration and responsibility of removal. Concessionaire’s original idea for the building was to make it a convenience store. ADPT feels this is a viable location and idea for the property. SPRTC recommends Arkansas State Parks (ASP) examine the convenience store idea. Millwood Update Superintendent Mark Myers reported the number of floods in 2015/2016 was a rare event, ASP recommends building smarter flood resistant structures and reducing the number of campsites. Millwood serves an underserved population and area of the state. The lake provides fishing, it is an Audubon recognized Important Bird Area and offers the only marina on the lake. Discussion followed about the Corp of Engineers managing lake levels. SPRTC stated ASP has it under control and is monitoring the situation. Park staff is commended for the dedication to maintaining the park. John Gill inquired about the possibility of leasing land on higher ground and more discussion followed. PARKS DIVISION Lake Dardanelle – Russellville Marina Lease Agreement Jeff King requested approval to enter into a Supplemental Lease Agreement to reduce the lease area for Lake Dardanelle State Park by approximately 0.129 acres to accommodate expansion of the Russellville Marina's facilities and operations on Lake Dardanelle. This agreement will allow usage of approximately 0.129 acres of Corp of Engineers property, leased by ASP, to be utilized by Russellville Marina for construction, operation, and maintenance of a new breakwater, transient boat slips, and a boat travel lift. The current lease expires October 28, 2030. Jim Shamburger moved to approve the Supplemental Lease Agreement at Lake Dardanelle State Park to Russellville Marina for the remainder of the 50 year lease expiring on October 29, 2030: to reduce the current lease area for Lake Dardanelle State Park by approximately 0.129 acres, more or less. John Gill seconded and the motion carried. Plantation Agriculture – Structure Removal Jeff King reported the maintenance building (Building No. 43.06/AASIS No.120006406) is a 1,200 square foot cinderblock structure original to the property when brought into the park system but does not have any historical significance. It was used as a maintenance building until it was deemed unsafe in 2010. The building is substandard by park system standards, OSHA and Department of Labor. The structure has outlived its usefulness. Plantation Agriculture Museum plans to replace this structure with a new maintenance building funded by the FY 15 Arkansas SPRTC Minutes February 18, 2016 Page 5 Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC) grant award. A replacement will allow for additional public restrooms for park visitors and a new maintenance facility. Mike Mills moved to approve based on the information presented; the Commission finds the structure obsolete notwithstanding the insured value and approved the removal of maintenance building (Building No. 43.06/AASIS No. 120006406) from Plantation Agriculture Museum State Park inventory. Jim Shamburger seconded and the motion carried. Recreational Trails Program Federal Funding Update Jeff King reported the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program grants (RTP) federally funded programs for the purpose of building and maintaining motorized, non-motorized, and multiple-use trails, local, county, state, and private non-profit agencies are eligible to apply for funds, providing access by the general public is available throughout the life of the project. The TAP and RTP Programs are managed by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) and are reimbursement-type grant programs, providing for an 80 percent federal share and a 20 percent local match, which is required from the eligible sponsor. Following SPRTC approval February 19, 2015, planning staff submitted the eight applications for the FY 15 TAP and RTP Grant cycle on May 1, 2015. On December 21, 2015, the Arkansas State Highway Commission awarded three of the four ASP projects submitted for funding by the RTP. The awarded grant amounts: 1. Delta Heritage Trail - Rohwer to Watson segment - 9.5 miles, $500,000 (total project estimate = $1.65 million). 2. Mount Magazine - Cabin & Lodge Barrier Free Trail - 0.5 miles, $103,962 (total project estimate = $129,952). 3. Cane Creek - Connector Trail & Boardwalk - 0.2 miles, $157,266 (total project estimate = $196,582). TOTAL AWARDED: $761,228.00 Discussion followed about the additional projects at Delta Heritage Trail State Park with ASP moving forward with two projects. Jeff King updated the SPRTC request on January 21, 2016, the percentage of repairs and renovations to new facilities from the ANCRC grant request, 70% of the projects are for existing facilities and 30% of the requests are for new facilities or acquisitions. King noted there will be