Minutes
KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
March 28, 2012
Commissioners Present:
Thurston Lamb, Chairman Laurie Black
Randy Frazier Georgette Garner
Dianne Hammond John Pope
Betty Shaw
Commissioners Absent:
Debbie Hoofman
JeNelle Lipton
Staff Present:
Robert Phelps, Brenda Halbert and Sarah Wruck
Guests Present:
Morris Pate, Mayor of Eureka Springs
Mike Maloney, Eureka Springs Advertising & Promotion Commission
Meeting Opening:
Call to Order/Invocation/Roll Call/Welcome:
Thurston Lamb called the meeting to order, requesting Dianne Hammond to serve as timekeeper. He expressed appreciation to Georgette Garner for hosting our meeting.
Chairman Lamb welcomed everyone and presented the invocation. Ms. Halbert called the roll.
Introduction of Guests:
Georgette Garner introduced Mayor Morris Pate and Mike Maloney, Director of the Advertising & Promotion Commission. She expressed appreciation for gift bags, compliments of Mike Bishop and the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Garner expressed thanks to Elise Roenigk, owner of the Crescent Hotel, and Jack Moyer, manager, for their hospitality. She commended the Eureka Springs Downtown Volunteers, as well as support from community and business leaders, for taking the KAB mission seriously. After 45 volunteers conducted an all-day Great American Cleanup event on Tuesday, a reception was held in their honor, as well as KAB Commissioners and staff, at The Eureka Thyme.
Mr. Phelps presented Keep Arkansas Beautiful logo pins to Mayor Pate and Mike Maloney who presented remarks.
KAB Commission Minutes
March 28, 2012 – page 2
Action Items:
Chairman Lamb called for approval of the agenda, noting we have a new timed format.
John Pope made a motion, seconded by Dianne Hammond, to approve
the March 28, 2012, KAB Commission Meeting Agenda, as printed.
The motion passed.
John Pope recommended that a procedure be established whereby a Commission vote would not be required to extend the allotted time for any section of a meeting agenda.
Betty Shaw made a motion, seconded by Georgette Garner, that a
Commission vote is not required to change the time limits on any
KAB Commission meeting agenda. The motion passed.
Chairman Lamb called for corrections or additions to the January 26, 2012, KAB Commission minutes. Ms. Garner requested that we delete item 5 of her “America in Bloom” report on
page 5.
Dianne Hammond made a motion, seconded by John Pope, to approve
the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission minutes of January 26, 2012,
as revised. The motion passed.
The KAB Financial Report for the period ending February 29, 2012, was reviewed, followed by a motion:
Dianne Hammond made a motion, seconded by Laurie Black to accept
the KAB Financial Report for the period ending February 29, 2012,
as printed. The motion passed.
Special Reports:
Host Presentation:
The meeting recessed to the parking lot for a tour of the new mobile classroom and film presentation, “The Looking Glass”, focusing on the recycling program of Carroll County Solid Waste Authority and Keeping Carroll County Beautiful by Phil Jackson, Director of CCSWA.
ADPT:
In Richard Davies’s absence, Robert Phelps presented Randy Frazier with his Henry Awards’ finalist certificate in the Tourism Special Achievement category. This announcement was made at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in West Memphis early in the month.
Program Reports:
Executive Director:
Robert Phelps’s report had been previously distributed electronically. He opened the floor to questions.
KAB Commission Minutes
March 28, 2012 – page 3
Mr. Pope asked about Fayetteville’s status in the Keep America Beautiful affiliate process.
Mr. Phelps responded that Cecile Carson will be traveling to Fayetteville with our staff on
April 16 to conduct the pre-certification process from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Details will follow.
Volunteer Services Coordinator:
Ms. Wruck reported on progress of the 2012 Great American Cleanup, stating that
40 registration forms have been received with supplies being shipped to coordinators. Additionally, our warehouse is still receiving supplies from national sponsors, the latest being bottled water from Nestle'. She referred to her printed report for other items, including winners and conclusion of the GAmC Youth Poster contest.
Mr. Pope commented that he felt things were easier when the Keep Arkansas Beautiful local office was more involved than the national office with KAB state affiliates, and the reporting process was much easier.
Marketing Report – Mangan Holcomb Partners:
In the absence of a representative from Mangan Holcomb Partners, Mr. Phelps opened the floor to questions or comments regarding Julie Robbins’s printed report. There being none, the following motion was made:
Laurie Black made a motion, seconded by Dianne Hammond, to accept
the Mangan Holcomb Partners printed report dated March 28, 2012.
The motion passed.
KAB Affiliates Reports:
Keep Van Buren Beautiful:
John Pope reported on the following:
· E-Waste event set April 21 in Van Buren/Crawford County:
1) Fourth year to conduct such an event;
2) Shared front page news coverage of Press Argus-Courier;
3) USA truck will assist in picking up items from elderly and disabled.
· Shredding event set for May 12, partnering with library.
· “AR Take Back”: New permanent location at the Van Buren Police Department.
Mr. Pope concluded by relaying an incident where one generation influenced another, resulting in a dozen cardboard recycling bins being placed in the local hospital to assist with their recycling.
Business Items:
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Phelps reviewed two proposed changes to Article III, Section C, of the KAB Bylaws presented at the January 26 Commission meeting, as follows:
KAB Commission Minutes
March 28, 2012 – page 4
· The Chairman and Vice-Chairman will serve two-year terms instead of one with an election held bi-annually instead of annually.
· The nomination and election procedure will be changed so that nominees are presented at the November meeting, instead of the October meeting, with the election to take place in November, as stated. (The main purpose of the proposed change was to eliminate the need for an October meeting.)
The nomination and election procedure was discussed at length, resulting in the following motion:
John Pope made a motion, seconded by Betty Shaw, to accept the KAB Bylaws changes proposed to Article III, Section C. 4., Election Procedure/Terms, as follows:
b. The nominating committee will select appropriate candidates for Chairman and
Vice-Chairman, secure commitments to serve if elected, and present nominees at
the November Commission meeting.
After lengthy discussion with some adversity to presenting nominees, accepting nominations from the floor and holding the election in the same month, November, Mr. Pope withdrew his motion, and Ms. Shaw withdrew her second.
Mr. Phelps again read articles and sections of the Bylaws that have been targeted with proposed changes.
Another motion was proposed, as follows:
Dianne Hammond made a motion that the KAB Bylaws be amended
to reflect that the Nominating Committee be appointed in July, nominees
presented at the September meeting along with other nominations from
the floor and for the election of officers to be held at the November meeting.
After brief discussion, the following action was taken:
Laurie Black seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
The pros and cons were discussed regarding amending the KAB Bylaws to reflect a two-year term for officers with a bi-annual election instead of the current one-year term with an annual election. A motion was made, as follows:
Georgette Garner made a motion, seconded by John Pope, that the
term of office for Chairman and Vice-Chairman remain at one year,
thus no amendment to the KAB Commission Bylaws is needed.
Lengthy discussion followed:
Betty Shaw called for the question, and a unanimous vote followed.
Chairman Lamb called for a vote to the original motion made by Ms. Garner and seconded by Mr. Pope.
A unanimous vote followed.
KAB Commission Minutes
March 28, 2012 – page 5
New Business:
Mr. Phelps reviewed a proposed change to the KAB Bylaws and rationale regarding attendance. This proposal was drafted at the request of Commissioners at the February retreat that
Mr. Phelps draw up some kind of mechanism to address the issue of attendance and tardiness.
This change would necessitate amending Article III, Section B.2. Duties and Attendance, as follows:
2. Attendance: A Commissioner must be physically present for no less than
eighty-five percent (85%) of any regularly scheduled Commission meeting
to qualify for official attendance at the meeting. Any Commissioner, who
fails to meet this requirement, shall not be considered as present during the
meeting nor qualify for the meeting stipend and attendance travel related
expense reimbursement.
Mr. Pope complimented the Director for his attempt in addressing the tardiness issue, as requested, however, he would not be in favor of the language proposed. He stated the excused and unexcused procedure would have to be established. He recommended that attendance records be posted annually in an official record.
Chairman Lamb called for a vote on the proposed amendment, but no motion was offered.
Mr. Frazier said he did not think the percentage reference would be acceptable bylaws language.
After further discussion, Ms. Garner recommended the issue be handled individually, not requiring amending the bylaws.
KAB Information Reports:
John Pope distributed material regarding Keep America Beautiful’s program, “Graffiti Hurts”, and shared personal experiences with this issue, as follows:
· The main difference between art and graffiti: Graffiti is done without permission of the owner.
· In 1992, he and his wife were involved in the largest wall mural in the world in Long Beach, CA: It took two months to do and required a 15-foot wide scaffold. Long Beach spends $3 million a year eradicating graffiti.
· Reviewed ways to prevent graffiti.
· Prominence in gang-infested areas: The City of Santa Ana turned the issue from a negative one to a positive one by inviting Hispanics to paint the history of their culture.
· KAB offers $2,500 grants to assist in eradicating graffiti.
· Infrared cameras are sometimes used for apprehending offenders with punishment set at cleaning the designated site for one year.
· Referred to www.kab.org for extensive information regarding prevention, eradication and removal.
KAB Commission Minutes
March 28, 2012 – page 6
Commissioner Activity Sharing:
Congressional District 3:
Georgette Garner submitted a printed report, reviewing the following:
· Commended Jackie Wolven and the Eureka Springs Downtown Network for their outstanding Great American Cleanup event on March 27.
· “Take Back Prescription Drugs” Summit set for April 26 in Little Rock: Over 400 have signed up; registration closes April 19.
· Expressed appreciation for reappointment to the KAB Commission by Governor Beebe with her new term expiring in 2018.
She stated she looks forward to our May meeting in Harrison, a KAB Shine Award community, at the invitation of Jack Moyer, owner of the Hotel Seville.
John Pope submitted a report electronically, reflecting on the following:
· City of Fort Smith:
1) Continues with his quest to get them back in the KAB Affiliate program;
2) Attended a planning meeting for their first GAmC event, resulting in an April 21 event, the same as Van Buren; a Mayor’s press conference to announce the event will be held at the end of the connecting cities’ river bridge on April 14.
Congressional District 1:
Betty Shaw is working with the Craighead County Judge and all communities to encourage cleanup activities this spring; however, there is nothing planned in Jonesboro so far. In regard to graffiti, there seems to be a very talented person in her area with citizens interested in finding the “artist” and putting him/her thru art school.
Laurie Black reported on the following:
· AR Federation of Garden Clubs: 2012 State Convention is today and tomorrow in North Little Rock followed by the SC Regional meeting, representing AR, TX, NM and OK, March 30-31: She will speak and distribute KAB Commission materials.
· Chicot County Courthouse: Provided “report littering” static clings for county citizens.
· Recycling in Lake Village:
1) Followed up on call to the KAB office by a Lake Village citizen inquiring about plastic recycling;
2) The area now recycles newspaper in addition to aluminum cans.
Congressional District 4:
Dianne Hammond reported that the recycling drop-off areas in El Dorado were unsightly and needed better accessibility, noting that situation has improved tremendously. She plans to propose that the El Dorado City Council organize a Keep El Dorado Beautiful Commission to affiliate with Keep Arkansas Beautiful.
KAB Commission Minutes
March 28, 2012 – page 7
Congressional District 2:
Randy Frazier reported that he will be one of the speakers during “Green Week” at UCA.
Thurston Lamb expressed appreciation to the director and staff for a very informative KAB Commissioner Retreat at DeGray Lodge in February. He submitted a printed report, highlighting activities, as follows:
· Spoke at a February 18 youth conference in West Memphis, distributing KAB material to about 250 attendees; distributed additional material at a conference March 3.
· He is working with the Oak Grove community for a GAmC event in April.
· Keep North Little Rock Beautiful:
1) Attended regular meeting last night;
2) February 16 KAB certification event at NLR City Hall was well attended.
Discussion Continuation:
Randy Frazier opened a discussion regarding status of the KAB Foundation and fund raising potential. He proposed an idea of selling native wildflower seeds to banks, businesses and other community organizations to raise $500 for each sale. This and other fund raising tactics were discussed. Robert Phelps said he supports the recruitment of an advisory board with each member contributing a major gift of $50,000 over a three-year period. He stated this kind of commitment is imperative for the organization’s sustainability and opportunity to reactivate such programs as the “Litter Free Zone” educational initiative.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, a motion was made, as follows:
John Pope made a motion, seconded by Dianne Hammond, to adjourn
the meeting around 12:15 p.m. The motion passed.
The next regular meeting of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission will be May 23, 2012, in Harrison.
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Robert Phelps, Director Thurston Lamb, Chairman
Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission