Minutes
KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
Petit Jean State Park Mather Lodge
1069 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, Arkansas 72110
November 18, 2004
Commissioners Present:
Sarah Wruck, Chairwoman Mary Smith, Vice-Chairwoman
Dixie Carlson Gelene MacDowell
Thurston Lamb Brenda Williams
Commissioners Absent:
Laurie Black Randy Frazier
Phyllis Jones
Staff Present:
Robert Phelps, Jack Singleton and Brenda Halbert of Keep Arkansas Beautiful
Guests Present:
Steve Holcomb and Julie Robbins of Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper
Ralph Carlson of Marion, Arkansas
Call to Order:
Sarah Wruck called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed guests. Brenda Halbert called the roll.
Presentation of Minutes:
Ms. Wruck asked for approval of the October 28, 2004 minutes.
Thurston Lamb made a motion, seconded by Brenda Williams
to approve the KAB Commission Minutes of October 28, 2004.
The motion passed.
Chairwoman's Report:
Ms. Wruck expressed appreciation to the Commissioners and KAB staff for their hard work and friendship during her tenure, noting this is the last meeting of the year. She also expressed appreciation for the cards and calls during her husband's recent illness and wished everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Executive Director's Report:
Mr. Phelps reported, as follows:
KAB Commission Minutes
November 18, 2004 - page 2
· Biennium Budget FYE 2006-2007: ADPT budget hearing rescheduled due to questions regarding general fund requests. KAB's budget was unscathed at the meeting, however, the request for grants increase was denied.
· Awards and Conference events:
1) No date selected, however, it is hoped that the Awards Luncheon can be held in April with the KAB Conference in the fall, possibly September;
2) Venue: Checking into the possibility of holding the Awards Luncheon in the Great Hall of the Governor's Mansion or the Doubletree Hotel in Little Rock with the Conference to be held at a state park or 4-H Center, more cost effective to encourage better attendance;
3) Awards will focus more on the recipients and their programs rather than other special guests; the conference will be less formal and more informational.
· 2005 Commission Meeting Schedule presented: This will be voted on in January.
· 2004 KArB Annual Report distributed (same report was shared with Keep America Beautiful State Leaders).
Mr. Phelps concluded by expressing appreciation to Commissioners and staff for their hard work and dedication in 2004, presenting each with a glass leaf ornament made from 100% post-consumer, recycled bottle glass.
Financial Report:
Mr. Phelps presented the Financial Report for the period ending October 31, 2004, reflecting 19% of the annual budget expended. He stated that next month's figures will reflect an increase in professional fees with the final payment to T. J. Elkins Marketing, and advertising will increase somewhat with preparation for the Awards event.
Dixie Carlson made a motion, seconded by Gelene MacDowell,
approving the KAB Financial Report, as presented, for the period
ending October 31, 2004. The motion passed.
Program Services:
Jack Singleton reported on the following:
· Community Development:
1) Stressed the importance of the chief product of Keep Arkansas Beautiful in bringing together business, government and the private sector in a community, inasmuch as KAB does not have the staff or time to make multiple visits with programs to each town;
2) Community visits: Carlisle visit reflected community development as a result of the Progressive Club; Newport visit is in future plans after inventory is completed, according to former Arkansas State Representative Martha Shoffner; Mayor Johnson of Maumelle is very enthusiastic about being part of the Keep America Beautiful program with Sharon Vogelpohl instrumental in Little Rock City Beautiful's push to involve all communities in Pulaski County;
KAB Commission Minutes
November 18, 2004 - page 3
3) Community Awareness: Workshop Preparation Inventory must be completed before a community is ready to consider affiliation with KAB. Points to consider include: Gather
the facts on litter prevention, waste reduction/recycling and beautification/community improvement; and gather the people;
4) Training: KAB training workshop will be scheduled for Pulaski County communities some time in January or February.
· GAC 2004 pending events: East Lab, Fourche Creek cleanup, scheduled December 4; South End Little Rock and Mabelvale Middle School just completed their events.
· Law Enforcement:
1) Arkansas Forestry Commission: December 2 meeting with presentation of GLOCK to law enforcement officer of the year;
2) Arkansas Sheriff's Association and Association of Police Chiefs: After several contacts by Mr. Singleton, no involvement in the KArB Law Enforcement program to date; encouraged Commissioners to contact their local law enforcement and get them involved.
· Presented butterfly program to 15 children at Garvan Woodland Gardens.
· Received 10-year pin as part of the Pulaski County Master Gardener program.
Ms. Wruck asked what Commissioners can do to support the Community Action Network.
Mr. Singleton challenged Commissioners to gather the appropriate people at the local level and use the Workshop Preparation Inventory to assist with community development, much more effective than giving a speech.
Advisory Reports:
No reports were given.
Great Arkansas Cleanup 2004:
Mr. Phelps stated that statistics have not changed measurably since October 28 with a few events still scheduled, and Ms. Caveness will present a final report in January. He reminded everyone of the second Razorback Tailgate Recycling event in Little Rock on Friday, November 26.
KAB Statewide Conference & Awards 2005:
See Executive Director's Report.
Congressional District Reports:
Ms. Wruck opened the floor for Congressional District reports as follows:
Congressional District 1:
Dixie Carlson stated that no political signs were left in her area after the election, so she and other volunteers did not have to pick up any. She expressed appreciation to Mr. Singleton for the workshop inventory as an excellent Community Action Network (CAN) starting place.
KAB Commission Minutes
November 18, 2004 - page 4
Congressional District 2:
Thurston Lamb reported:
· Expressed appreciation to:
1) Ms. Wruck for her leadership in moving the Commission forward in 2004;
2) Director Phelps for his effective guidance in promoting the KArB mission and getting out the message;
3) Jack Singleton for his involvement in Pulaski County efforts, particularly South End; also, in the schools, stating that our efforts have been worthwhile if we make an impression on just one child;
4) Also, to Governor Huckabee for his strong leadership.
· Three Pulaski County cleanup events scheduled for January: Oakgrove, Shorter College and Rixey Community.
Mr. Lamb concluded his report by stating he hoped to be more involved in Pulaski County efforts in the coming year, bringing together and involving more people to make a difference.
Ms. Wruck stated the role of the Commission has changed and evolved over the years with Commissioners becoming more defined as KAB ambassadors in community leadership, but we are still learning.
Congressional District 3:
Gelene MacDowell reported that she will represent KAB at the Russellville Recycling Works facility grand opening under the leadership of Jim Kelley, Recycling Facility Coordinator.
Congressional District 4:
Ms. Smith expressed appreciation for the workshop inventory, stating this will be very helpful in getting a network started in her area.
Commissioner-At-Large:
Ms. Wruck reported:
· Nelson Wallace passed away recently: He was a dear friend and dedicated Pine Bluff Clean & Beautiful staff member, coming to PBCB from the Green Thumb program.
· Keep Arkansas Beautiful website: She and Randy Frazier were involved in reviewing the current website; after minor changes are made, she would like this printed information made available to Commissioners as an excellent resource when traveling the state.
Guests Remarks:
None.
KAB Commission Minutes
November 18, 2004 - page 5
Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper:
Julie Robbins presented the MHRC report as follows:
· The Keepsake: Negative should be delivered today and will include:
1) GAC results as well as GAmC spring campaign;
2) Ecophone program.
· Spring advertising campaign: Focused on law enforcement with State Police, Highway Police, Highway Department plus support of First Lady Janet Huckabee, and how to deliver the most effective message to impact the public.
· News clips, miscellaneous: Shared newspaper clips including the Yell County Adopt-A-Highway program, Benton County efforts, East Lab students involvement, Hurlon Ray in Saline County, Texarkana's Adopt-A-Street program and Razorback Tailgate Recycling.
· GAC 2005 news clips shared.
· Radio spot:
1) September/October will focus on community development;
2) November/December will focus on litter prevention with somewhat of a sports theme; might continue through the basketball season.
· Awards: Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission awarded two Bronze Quill Awards by the Arkansas Chapter of IABC, ceremony held at the Acxiom Building in Little Rock, for the following:
1) Public Service Announcements, Television 2004, for the "Cigarette Fairy";
2) Public Service 2004 for the 2003 Great Arkansas Cleanup.
Sarah Wruck stated these awards would not have been possible without the fine work of Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper. Steve Holcomb concluded by expressing appreciation on behalf of MHRC for the Commission's support in creating good advertising and public relations as part of the KAB team.
Robert Phelps added to his report as follows:
· Spring litter enforcement campaign:
1) Litter Task Force Action Team met at MHRC to finalize advertising strategy;
2) Independent meeting held with Col. Dozier and Chief Burks to get their experiences before the creative meeting with MHRC;
3) All agencies will work together, each playing a different role;
4) December 14: AHTD press conference unveiling the new litter reporting number with KAB offering PR support with two items bearing the new telephone number: a) license plate holder; and b) a pressure sensitive sticker for a vehicle's rear view mirror or windshield;
5) AHTD will place 4' x 5' signs with the new number on interstates and smaller signs on state highways.
Mr. Phelps concluded that each Commissioner will be sent a packet, stating it will be an excellent opportunity to hand deliver the items to local law enforcement officers to get them involved in the spring litter law enforcement campaign as well as the KAB GLOCK Awards Program.
KAB Commission Minutes
November 18, 2004 - page 6
Old Business:
Ms. Wruck presented the 2005 KAB Commission officer nominations from the October 28 meeting as follows: Mary Smith, Chairwoman, and Gelene MacDowell, Vice-Chairwoman.
Ms. Wruck asked for nominations from the floor.
Dixie Carlson made a motion that nominations cease and that
the 2005 KArB Commission Officers be elected by acclamation.
Brenda Williams seconded, and the motion passed.
New Business:
Mr. Phelps stated that the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation met on November 10. Linda Westergard has funded a new directorship and will continue her involvement with our mission on the Foundation side by serving in that position until an appropriate replacement can be found and she is no longer able to serve from a geographic standpoint. She and her husband plan to relocate to Georgia or North Carolina and will use their daughter's home as a permanent address in the interim. She has already contacted the mayor and school superintendent in that North Carolina community with material to encourage litter prevention, recycling and beautification/community improvement.
Miscellaneous:
Mr. Phelps said he felt encouraged by progress of the Community Action Network, stating it had evolved considerably from the original Affiliate concept of signing up 100 plus members with limited involvement, very little accountability and weak organization. He stated that the new guidelines and Workshop Preparation Inventory will promote development of strong, sustainable Affiliates who really want to build an organization and be involved.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. with the next meeting scheduled for January 27, 2005 at Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism.
______
Robert Phelps, Director Sarah Wruck, Chairwoman
KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION