Minutes
KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
Mangan Holcomb Partners
2300 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
November 15, 2006
Commissioners Present:
Mary Smith, Chairman Gelene MacDowell, Vice-Chairman
Randy Frazier Thurston Lamb
Bill Scruggs Brenda Williams
Sarah Wruck
Commissioners Absent:
Laurie Black Dixie Carlson
Staff Present:
Robert Phelps and Brenda Halbert of Keep Arkansas Beautiful
Guests Present:
Richard Davies and Gloria Robins, Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
Steve Holcomb, Sharon Vogelpohl and Julie Robbins of Mangan Holcomb Partners
Teresa Caveness, Great Arkansas Cleanup State Coordinator
Call to Order:
Mary Smith called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m., and Thurston Lamb presented the invocation. Brenda Halbert called the roll, and Mary Smith welcomed guests.
Presentation of Minutes:
Ms. Smith stated that a page had been left out of the mailed October 26 minutes, noting a replacement copy had been included in the Commissioners’ meeting packets. She called for corrections or additions; there being none, the following motion was made:
Sarah Wruck made a motion, seconded by Gelene MacDowell,
to approve the October 26, 2006, KAB Commission Minutes as
written. The motion passed.
Financial Report:
The KAB Financial Report for the period ending October 31, 2006, was presented, reflecting 14% of the fiscal year budget expended.
Thurston Lamb made a motion, seconded by Sarah Wruck,
approving the KAB Financial Report for the period ending
October 31, 2006. The motion passed.
KAB Commission Minutes
November 15, 2006 – page 2
Chairman's Remarks:
None.
Executive Director's Report:
Mr. Phelps reported on the following:
· Keep America Beautiful:
1) National Conference in Orlando, December 5-9: Mr. Phelps and Ms. MacDowell will attend:
a) Keep Arkansas Beautiful will be recognized with a 2006 Gold State Affiliate Award;
b) List of other KAB 2006 award winners was distributed;
2) KAB Affiliates in Arkansas update:
a) Keep Van Buren Beautiful: Conducted cleanup after the city parade;
b) Keep Ft. Smith Beautiful With Pride: Mr. Phelps has been contacted by
Mayor Baker’s secretary regarding criteria to maintain KAB certification;
3) 2006 Great American Cleanup™: Shared letter from President Empson celebrating
outstanding results.
· Governor’s Conference on Tourism:
1) March 4-6, 2007 in Hot Springs;
2) KAB will sponsor Roger Brooks, nationally recognized destination development speaker, and expect him to present two sessions the morning of Monday, March 5; we
will invite KAB Affiliate Directors and Boards to attend as our guests.
· Keep Arkansas Beautiful Awards/Conference:
1) Awards:
a) Event will not be held in 2007 in keeping with decision following the 2004 conference and awards, whereby the awards and conference should be held
separately in alternate years;
b) Return to the Awards event in 2008, carefully evaluating and studying other programs for content and presentation alternatives;
2) Conferences – Opportunities for KAB Affiliates to receive training grants to meet the minimum requirements of six hours annually:
a) Keep Arkansas Beautiful Conference for one day in May (tentative);
b) Keep America Beautiful Mid-Year Forum in August to be held in Memphis.
· Entergy grant: KAB Foundation granted $10,000 to purchase safety vests and litter grabbers for GAC; they will be recognized as a sponsor in 2007.
· Recycle Works in Clarksville: Spoke at their forum on Friday, November 2, returning via Mount Magazine to check out the center as a potential site for the 2007 KAB Conference.
· Arkansas Good Roads Transportation Council:
1) Retiring AR State Representative, Johnnie Bolin, became Executive Director June 1;
2) KAB will prepare an article for the fourth quarter of their magazine, “Arkansas Good Roads”.
KAB Commission Minutes
November 15, 2006 – page 3
· Commission items:
1) 2007 travel reimbursement schedule reviewed;
2) January 25 meeting will be held at the Heifer International Headquarters, including a tour of their “green building”;
3) Commission Volunteer Hours report/totals for 2006 should be compiled and returned by the January 25 meeting;
4) TR-1: Complete and sign.
General discussion was held regarding the decision to have only conferences in 2007 and return with the awards luncheon in 2008. Ms. Smith asked if our people will be notified of that decision, and Mr. Phelps said they would.
Mr. Phelps concluded by wishing everyone a reflective Thanksgiving followed by a Razorback victory; also, a blessed Christmas and bright New Year!
Advisory Reports:
Richard Davies reported on the following:
· ADPT budget:
1) Hearing was held with no problems;
2) Two major committees that review budget:
a) Special language;
b) Personnel: 750 positions were reviewed, and ADPT has less than 2 weeks for questions and appeals involving classifications, structure and pay levels; estimated
cost for ADPT alone is one-half million dollars to replace the current CLIP plan, then the legislature will have to determine if it should be done; Governor Beebe will also have an opportunity for input if he so desires;
3) Joint Budget Subcommittee: ADPT has been assigned to that group and will meet on November 29.
General discussion was held regarding the transition period of a new Governor:
· Cabinet meeting today: Both Governor-Elect Mike Beebe and Asa Hutchinson have been invited to attend by Governor Huckabee.
· ADPT has submitted information for the orientation document for the new Governor with Mr. Davies stating he felt there would be a briefing at some point; Mr. Holcomb noted MHP can assist with any transition document for KAB; Ms. MacDowell said she would write a note to the Governor-Elect.
· Commissioners Lamb and Frazier’s terms to expire in January 2007: Mr. Davies said it would be Governor Beebe’s decision to re-appoint, however, they would serve until
re-appointment or replacement; Mr. Phelps said he hoped each could continue as KAB Commissioners.
Mr. Davies concluded by stating, “You are everywhere”, commending KAB’s current media campaign, including billboards, highway signs and two different radio commercials he had heard.
KAB Commission Minutes
November 15, 2006 – page 4
Mangan Holcomb Partners:
No official report presented.
Congressional District Reports:
Congressional District 2:
Randy Frazier expressed appreciation for the many acts of kindness during his mother’s passing, including the KAB Foundation’s placement of a tree at Pinnacle State Park Arboretum. He reported on the following:
· Keep America Beautiful:
1) Great mid-year meeting at Pawley’s Island, SC;
2) Phelps-Frazier model of KAB pre-certification training (baseball analogy) was a big hit, noting that Keep America Beautiful may use in their future training;
3) Keep Arkansas Beautiful is held in high esteem, particularly in regard to the advertising program, and great leadership from Mr. Phelps;
4) Recommended film “Celebrate What’s Right About The World” by photographer/author Dewitt Jones shown at the end of the mid-year meeting.
· Great Arkansas Cleanup: Complimented the good work and success of that campaign.
· Keep Little Rock Beautiful Commission: Continue to be active with that group, expressing appreciation to Mangan Holcomb Partners for their assistance, including holding a strategic planning meeting on September 20.
· Global Warming Summit in Little Rock: August 15 – 18, 2007, with participation and
support from Clinton School of Public Policy, the Heifer Project International and Clinton Foundation; International Leadership Association Conference will be a part of the summit.
Mr. Frazier concluded by stating he hoped to continue for another term as KAB Commissioner.
Thurston Lamb reported that it has been a wonderful experience to serve as a Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commissioner, expressing praise of former Commissioner Linda Westergard and appreciation to Governor Huckabee for the opportunity. He said prior to serving, he had no idea of the tremendous involvement of KAB and the mission of keeping our state clean. He shared ways people are participating in his local community, taking greater pride in their property and recycling. He stated he appreciates the KAB advertising, billboards and radio commercials, and hopes to continue as a KAB Commissioner and do a better job in the future.
Congressional District 4:
Sarah Wruck, Commissioner-At-Large, reported that great strides are being made in Jefferson County, as follows:
KAB Commission Minutes
November 15, 2006 – page 5
· Great Arkansas Cleanup was extremely successful, as reported last month.
· Grants have been received by Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Clean & Beautiful:
1) $4,200 grant will be used as a base to solicit other funds to re-landscape one of the major boulevards in Pine Bluff, Harding Avenue;
2) $10,000 grant from the Catherine Seabrook Foundation to re-landscape East Eighth Avenue, a main thoroughfare in front of the convention center; businesses in that area are contributing funds for ongoing maintenance.
Congressional District 3:
Gelene MacDowell reported on the following:
· Keep Van Buren Beautiful cleaned the parade route of the Veterans’ Day Parade last Saturday (photo shared).
· Great Arkansas Cleanup in Van Buren October 28: Participated in cleaning Highway 59 North.
· Keep Fort Smith Beautiful With Pride: Attended on November 8; also, had some conversations with the chairman about their KAB Affiliate probationary status and will follow up with Mayor Baker’s secretary.
· Driver’s education class: Made a brief presentation and distributed KAB stickers and “litter reporting” number clings to a very receptive audience.
Congressional District 1:
Brenda Williams talked briefly with the Searcy County Judge, however, he was heavily involved with another matter that day and will plan to meet with her and the mayor in January.
Great Arkansas Cleanup 2006:
Ms. Caveness presented a brief update:
· The campaign ends this month with wrap-up reports received daily.
· Attended and worked the Chicot County GAC event: A small group worked hard in bad weather for a very productive cleanup; the new coordinator is energetic and now has a greater understanding of how to improve on the event next year.
She commended Mr. Phelps for his leadership and support for a successful statewide campaign, expressing appreciation to the Commissioners for the opportunity to coordinate another year.
Old Business:
Mary Smith presented the slate of 2007 KAB Commission officers proposed at the October meeting as follows: Gelene MacDowell, Chairman; Randy Frazier, Vice-Chairman.
Ms. Smith asked for nominations from the floor; there being none, the following motion was made:
KAB Commission Minutes
November 15, 2006 – page 6
Thurston Lamb made a motion, seconded by Brenda Williams,
accepting the proposed slate of Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission
Officers for 2007, as follows: Gelene MacDowell, Chairman; Randy
Frazier, Vice-Chairman. The motion passed.
On behalf of all Commissioners, Mr. Lamb expressed thanks to Ms. Smith for serving as the KAB Chairman for the past two years.
Ms. Smith stated that Keep Arkansas Beautiful has done an outstanding job in spreading the mission during the past ten years of existence, noting the success was due to Mr. Phelps,
Ms. Halbert and the brilliant creative work of the ad agency. She stated she had observed, when attending the National KAB Conference, how far Arkansas is ahead of most of the other state affiliates. She noted, however, that we can pat ourselves on the back but must stay humble and focused on our anti-litter message and efforts, because we still haven’t gotten people to stop throwing out trash. She expressed that it has been a privilege to serve as KAB Commission Chairman during the last two years.
Ms. Smith reminded Commissioners of unfinished business, as follows:
· Statement of Financial Interest to be filed with the Secretary of State by January 31.
· Volunteer Hours Annual Report should be filed with the KAB office by January 25 (next regular meeting).
New Business:
Ms. Smith presented the 2007 KAB Commission meeting schedule, asking Commissioners to compare with their personal calendars, so it can be voted on at the January meeting.
Ms. MacDowell thanked Commissioners for electing her as Chairman in 2007, stating she looks forward to the challenge and will strive to do her best.
There being no further business, Mary Smith adjourned the business session at 11:00 a.m. for celebration of the holiday season with a special lunch hosted by Mangan Holcomb Partners.
The next meeting of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission will be Thursday, January 25, 2007, at the headquarters of Heifer International.
_________________________________ __________________________________________
Robert Phelps, Director Mary Smith, Chairman
Keep Arkansas Beautiful Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission