We call this meeting order.

I closest to the gap holes.

Okay, I guess we'll start with the approval of minutes from previous.

Is everybody got a chance to meet them?

Yes, I move that we approve the minutes as as reviewed.

Okay, and is there a second?

A second.

Okay.

And so all those in favor of the minutes from the previous meeting say aye.

Aye.

Okay.

Everybody here said aye.

Okay.

Items of business.

That's conveyance of Rio Fondron Park.

Yes.

So I gave a more in-depth timeline in the agenda packet than what's up here.

But beginning in 2005, and discussions kind of started before then around 2000.

The Fondron family donated approximately 1.3 acres of property.

And they're they donated it with the intent for it to be developed into a public park.

And I will say, and something we've kind of talked about is for whatever reason when they deeded us the land, that caveat was not placed in it.

So there are no stipulations.

However, through the research, it was very clear they did that with the intent the city would develop into a public park.

So then the following year they conveyed an additional 0.2 acres adjacent property.

And so we have about a one and a half acre parcel.

We have no intention whatsoever of developing it anytime soon.

And you know, it's been sitting there since 2005 in the city's possession, and through discussions, the estate of the Fondron family contacted us a couple years ago and said, hey, if you're not going to develop it into a public park, can you give it back to us?

And you know, rightfully so.

They did make that donation, but of the property, but with that, the city does have a policy for the sell of property.

So with city administration, they've been she's it's Maggie that's been doing it, has been talking further with the Fondron family, and we feel that it would be appropriate to request the board to allow us to directly convey the property back to the Fondren family because they did donate it with the intent, and we're simply not going to deliver on that intent any time soon.

And to be honest, the only people who even utilize that park are the employees from Gerber and Nestle to go take their smoke break, which shouldn't be in a park anyway.

So we're asking if the parks commission we can discuss it and make a recommendation to the board of directors, and I kind of gave a map up there.

It is it's in a weird location, but I think the intent was there would be future residential development at the time, and that just hasn't come to fruition, and of course, Fort Smith Park is right down the road, so but what I said we honestly we don't have intent to develop it, so then this is pretty much what we're doing is mowing it.

That's correct, and a lot of weeding.

So Brian and I talk about this, and it's about two hours every time we it takes us two hours to maintain it.

And you know, I think the Fondren estate, they do have plans, future plans for that property.

I don't know exactly, but you know, I'd rather them have an opportunity to make it something that benefits our community than allow it to just sit and us not do anything with it.

Plus we'll leave it.

Yes, and do we own that bench?

So the Gerber Nestle, I don't know who they were at the time, donated funds for those, and again, I think they did that in when was it?

2000, I want to get the date right.

2012, they're passed beyond their useful life.

We thought about can we relocate it, but we're not relocating that without it breaking.

So they have more than expended their useful life, and they are of no value anymore.

So we would simply honestly we wouldn't even remove them.

We would have maybe the Fonda and family they want to do something with it, yes.

Anything in the records indicating what the plans were in 2005.

There it was pretty much a playground and a walking trail around it.

There were public there were public meetings where people gave comments, but that was also in conjunction with the Briar Cliff property that again we have we have, but we have no intention of developing it, but we can't sell it because it's in flood zone.

So tell them why tell us why we don't want to.

We put money and maintenance and it's it's an odd location for it as well, especially when you have Fort Smith Park down the road, and I think if there was interest in truly moving forward with developing it in the park as a park, we would have already been receiving a lot of community feedback on that because it is on our parks map, and you know I'll never advocate for giving up green space and potentially either doing maybe residential or some kind of development.

But we also have to recognize we do have several parks, and this is one that it's just an empty piece of property that we have, and the board has made comments.

You know, do we have surplus property that we can possibly sell off and recoup some money?

And this is a good example of that.

That I am not sure.

I think the maybe you know, I think I think the intent is to convey it back to them, just give it to them because they gave it to us for nothing.

And again, it's kind of one of those weird situations where they did stipulate that it was would be developed into a public park, but that was not in the deed language.

But it wasn't a discussion, yeah.

It is documented in park commission and through letters that that was their intent.

They made it very clear, I will say that.

I think we're money.

Because right now, I mean, we've we've maintained their property for them for however many years now, and you know, so they've been that nice and tank property, and we get our review, yeah, point cool, we get our money, and then money that we're not spending, uh voting here.

So, I mean it's not monetized, but it's a lot of hours, it's ours we get back that we can invest into something that people are actually utilizing, so the location back home.

Yes.

So I I would really be in favor of returning this property to them.

I don't understand the mechanics of all that.

I remember I went out in December and to go find it, and it took me an hour to find out I was driving back and forth.

I believe that.

And when I came back, my question was, are we proud of this part?

Yes.

And I don't I don't think we, you know, I don't know if we really had an answer for it.

But uh I I would want to make sure that if you know if you give it back to them or if you sell it back, that we don't I mean we we probably don't know what was on this property before we took before the city took uh control of it, and I doubt any sort of you know soil studies or anything like that was ever done.

It's pretty industrial area.

Who knows what's underneath it?

I would want to make sure that you know the city can't be held liable for anything at all uh if they decided to go and develop it and you know they didn't soil and studies determined it was contaminated or something, so you would ought to put in uh whatever contract you have that it's waived all any and all liability, like too.

But it uh it ought to go back.

I I always question why this was on our list of bars, it's you know people, I don't I don't think people use it.

We have no intention of ever developing it.

So, I think the old decision is okay.

Board of directors, I just think we are recommendation that we recommend the board to return the property.

Well, thank you.

Didn't work out before we listen to the motion there was any?

Sorry.

That sounds like a good motion.

Yeah, I was gonna say it's going to make that as a motion.

Sure.

Okay.

We're discussion about it.

So I couldn're saying that.

I do something like that.

Presentation you might talk about priorities.

The resources we have to maintain and proposed expenses.

So after this, it's actually under city administration, but what I'm going to do after our conversation and whatever the motion recommendation is, I'll pass that along to city administration and they'll include all of that.

But I think it's the right decision.

Usually I don't like to make a firm recommendation, but in this case, you know, if they have something, a plan to develop it for the community, we're just it's a piece of property that we've maintained and it I mean that's not discrediting or assigning any of you know not recognizing their donation because I think that was great that they wanted to that, the city just could not deliver, and we don't have an intention of delivering on that.

There's two points just about it.

One's assigned a good faith, if you give us something, we don't know what we've said, and then we give it back to you, and the other is being responsible with our resources.

We would say we're not going to develop it.

So we want to be maintaining it.

And they've requested it.

So we have a motion to return the electric park property.

All those in favor of that motion.

Oh, that's opposed.

So what's the what's the story of the verb?

It was purchase, and it's going by harvest time.

And I know whenever we looked at all of our properties, I said we have no intention of developing it, and one of the comments from another department said we have to keep it, and I don't know why, but we did sell off.

Oh goodness, it's been several years ago.

I think it was maybe Jack and Jill Academy.

We sold off part of it, but for whatever reason that parcel that is remaining, it was said we have to keep it.

I'm certainly willing to explore that.

So it's purchased with hazard.

I think it was purchased with hazard mitigation funds.

And for the because I mean that and there were a lot of stuff, harvest time area.

Oh, I remember that.

Yeah, and then there were several houses right around that around that church, and those are the one that those that was a property we sold.

Was the property that was the church made into a parking lot?

And the property that was north of Briar Cliff or whatever, right there is still between Briar Cliff and the interstate.

Yes.

Those are the pieces that we still own, and I mean there's not we can't develop anything on them, and it's not really attractive to anyone other than who might whoever might own the the daycare there for parking, but I mean preschoolers try, so um I I don't I think that's why we still own it because the only thing you could do on it, I think even is to develop a parking lot on it that nobody is interested in it, so it can't be sold for development, that's for sure.

Okay, so what about technical dates?

So this is today, and I know that might look like asphalt millings, but it's just wet wet raw.

Okay, I promise, but that's what it looks like today they're getting the subsurface ready to start doing the post-tension concrete.

But before we got here, you know, last month we had a very sizable hole.

We were about five, six feet deep.

And the reason we had to go there is they kept you know, last time there was a picture of a lot of brick, and they just had to keep digging and digging and digging until we got suitable soil for that.

It's unfortunate that it did cost money, but had we not done it and completed the project correctly the right way at the at this point, we would have been back in the same position in five to seven years.

So we will have a change order going before the board for not only that continued excavation and then backfill with suitable soil on that, but also in this, we discovered a four-inch under drain on the lower courts that's supposed to drain water from the top courts through the uh retaining wall.

It was clogged, it did not serve its purpose, and I think that's why we saw some pooling water on the lower courts, and honestly, it's exactly where this under drain is.

It just wasn't functioning, so they dug it out, they're replacing it.

The change order total amount, and trust me, I was sticker shocked because no one prepared me for that.

It's about $120,000.

But I mean it was a lot of excavation to get to good soil, and we ran into this similar issue at the bathhouse.

We did, but we were fortunate we had a contingency in that project that you you didn't realize it, but we did.

So it is a change order, but we had already had adequate money allocated because based on the engineer's estimate, and it's something unforeseen.

You can't predict it until you're in there, but it had to be done if we want a good quality project that'll last 20 to 30 years down the road, and that I know we've had a lot of rain, but that is not from rain, it's just from lack of drainage and bathroom soil.

So it's it was an adventure, and every project in this part has been an adventure, but I think we finally have it, and we'll have accurate surveys, geotech and everything.

Will you run into the same issue on the other set of?

We are not removing those courts.

We're doing we're repairing the cracking and doing resurfacing only.

So we won't up there, it's it is just 120.

J it's a hundred and twenty grand for all of that excavation, and then going back and backfill it.

It was a lot, and then they ran into multiple layers of tennis court that we did not know existed as well, so I know it's a tough number to swallow, but it had to be done.

So, are they gonna want to do that?

Are they gonna are they gonna want to pay the extra hundred thousand dollars?

The work has been completed, it was a field change, and sometimes you wait until the end, but with six figure change order, I'm not waiting until the end.

We're doing it now, and we did direct them to do this because otherwise we would have delayed the project substantially.

And I mean, it's at the end of the day, it comes down to do you want a project you're gonna be revisiting in five years, or do you want one 20 plus 30 years because it costs a lot less doing the work today than five to seven years redoing it?

So, do we need your recommended?

That'll go before the board for their consideration next week.

Cisterna Park Chunk House.

This is kind of where we are.

They believe that they will be actually be finished the end of this month or start of July, which we weren't anticipating until August, but they've gone in and done that work.

I think I got one phone call or one message that whenever it was raining, they put like a tin roof over it to keep the water out, and someone thought the project was finished.

But it's that was you know, I I understand the way it looked, it did, but they're moving right along, and then some other project updates.

We have the bid opening for the Tillers Park parking lot and Riley Farm Park walking trail improvements tomorrow.

We do have very we have a lot of plan holders for both of those projects, so hopefully, we'll get some good bids in.

Hopefully, the riverfront skate and bike park shade.

I we got that purchase order issued yesterday because we had to set up a project and everything on our end, but that was issued.

We're getting three of those cantilever shades that will be installed.

Have to pick out colors.

I'm not a color person.

Skaters can tell you.

I don't care, and then a board meeting update, and this is the Bass Reeves legacy loop revised scope.

This was originally not under the parks department, but after we got awarded the grant, I kind of got appointed to coordinate this, and we have been working with FHWA since July of last year or June, I don't remember.

And the reason we have to have a revised scope, I'm gonna be very brief in it because I think if you want a more in-depth one, you can go back and watch the board meeting from last night.

The original route was gonna cost over 40 million dollars, and they the original estimate was just shy of 25 million, and the thing with the grant is yes, it's a zero match, but you start it, you finish it.

It does not matter if it's gonna come in millions and millions of dollars over it, and there are like Jeff said, and I should have mentioned I guess I could have mentioned their name, Conway has ran into that issue too.

You accept the grant, you move forward, you have to finish it.

And so rather than put the city in that position, knowing that we're probably gonna be $15.7 million in the hole and scramble to find it out.

We said, okay, do we just recommend to the board to give up that money and kind of risk the ramifications of future federal funding, or do we try to find a solution?

And we found a solution.

It of course is not a loop, but right now it needs to still be called Bass Roofs Legacy Loop until we get a grant agreement, and then you call it whatever you want.

But it essentially goes down Old Greenwood Road.

It's we're calling it it's really a link, and we're kind of spinning it as a spine, and whereas the original batteries legacy loop, it connected 14.2 miles, I think, of continuous trails or 14.4.

This spine that we're doing results in a 30.2 mile continuous connected trail system at the end of the day.

So it is shorter.

The original one was about 8.8 miles, this one's 5.5, and the way we've kind of spun it to help hopefully get that almost 25 million dollars in grant money, is we're almost doubling our continuous and connected trail system with this route.

And something I failed to say last night, but I should have is just because we're going with a revised scope does not mean the original project is not happening, it just means it is not feasible to be funded through this particular grant at this time.

So I've I didn't say that, but I should have.

So we're we're at a point to where the reason it had to go before the board because there are hard deadlines with this, and there is no time for.

I don't like that it's a no, it's this or that, but at the end of the day, it's you do this or you give up 25 million dollars.

So yes.

What part of that app is is the part that you're referring to?

Everything in red is what will be based the new the revised scope.

I don't like having to call it a loop, but hopefully soon we don't have to call it that.

And the blue is the original proposed project.

Or didn't you say that?

The proposed project went to be some backyards.

The original went behind in people's backyards through their backyards, and it crossed wetlands in multiple areas, and there are challenges with it.

I think if the overall idea is good, but we simply don't have time or the funds to proceed with that right now.

So, what we're gonna see.

What changed from the last thing that was put out on it that it was on hold because of the administration?

We got a random email in June or July saying, hey, we're ready for a kickoff meeting.

So until that executive order, we we thought we were still in limbo.

Is that the FHWA?

It they so it's still through the US Department of Transportation, but it's a pass-through, and for this particular program, it does go through FHWA.

What does that stand for?

Federal highway administration.

I didn't know that until a few months ago.

So delay start at May branch phase two.

Please it will start for May branch phase two.

And this, and the reason we've positioned it, structured it this way, is this route will cost about 29 million dollars.

Well, we have to come up with that extra 4 million, and we already have that in our CIP for trails and greenways, which also includes funding for May branch phase two.

So we're taking our $4 million and expanding it to $29 million project.

It you know, I hate that it's not a loop, but at the end of the day, I'd rather us come up with a solution than say thanks but no thanks.

Take your $25 million.

Yeah, where does it end at the wall?

It will end based on this.

This is very much a conceptual route at the target pavilion reworking that and also and crossing Phoenix, the signalized crossing there and connecting to the R dot existing trail over the overpass and Rdot that green section down there.

We've already talked with them and they are committed to it's already in their plan to build that pedestrian trail.

That's part of the highway 40.

So the green green thing is a trail not highway 40.

It is planned.

This I can send you all the map.

I know it's really small.

I should have printed it off, but I did not.

Yeah, my email would be fine because then we don't absolutely, yeah.

Absolutely.

It thank you.

So what I mean, sidewalk on the feet on all greenwood, is that what we do?

Yeah, it we're hoping initially we do, but there's some places you know, we're kind of thinking about can we tie into Art Best's existing trail system and get it off the road and have some shaded areas?

There's a lot of potential there, but right now it's very very conceptual.

You're very close to South Side.

We intend to still complete that spur to South Side and also to Northside.

I know it's not shown, but that is our intent.

Would you mind saying the the numbers one more time?

You said uh this the CIP from Trails and Greenways and what else?

So this is the build grant is almost it's just shy of 25 million dollars, and the total project, and I can send you all the presentation I gave to the board last night that has that breakdown.

Yes, I will certainly give that to you.

But the original loop, whenever you looked at the revised estimates and there were also missing costs in there, it came to over 40 million dollars.

But I think you know that urgent application, it positioned us to where we have 25 million dollars that it's not us saying no, it'll have to be the federal government saying no, and I'd rather them say no than us say no.

What are the next steps?

We are currently working with FHWA to get a final agreement.

We got the second round of comments, second or third round of comments back late April, and we submitted our responses in June, and local FHWA has been very quick to respond, but they're not the final decision makers, so it has to go to headquarters.

So we're waiting on that.

But I do know you know, Chris Hoover, our grants and government relations manager, he's working with Walmart's office and kind of getting them to hey, we need to push this forward and get going.

What would it look like from the time frame?

This I don't have time to hold it, but we anticipate because there are very firm milestone dates we have to hit, but we anticipate construction beginning in late 2029.

Okay, and there are there are things we're intentionally not incorporating into the scope of the grant agreement because federal funds sometimes delay things with the permitting and environmental you have to do.

So it's let's utilize the money and then come back if we want to make improvements, such as I know Director Settle mentioned, maybe a bridge over Rogers Avenue.

Not feasible under this, but we can certainly go back and explore it later.

We're just we're trying to spend money that they have awarded us.

Yes.

That may be one of those fancy ones.

I think we would definitely have to work with Matt Meeker, Director of Public Works on that.

But I think future we can look at it, but what was the response of the board?

I think it was I think the majority were in favor of moving forward with it.

I think the only I guess negative comment was it was focused on the money, and I tried to make it clear this is money that you know the project we have 25 million, we need an extra four.

We already have that allocated in our CIP specifically for trails and greenways, and I tried to make the point, I don't know if it was heard, but I think the majority heard it.

Was it public there were no public comments last night?

No, no.

What would you like us to recommend?

I just I just needed you to know that this happened because now it's under the parks department.

Yeah, okay.

It is, but I think we have a really good project.

I know it's not the original and there's some disappointment there, but kind of like what we said last month, I'd rather us have progress than sit here and wait and wait and wait.

So it's taking four million already allocated and turning in 29.

If the if the uh highway department actually builds a bike trail along highway 45, like they supposedly have, said they would, that will that will complete that section to feed in it.

Yes, it's this connects it for sure.

It's it's cool.

Yes.

It technically it does loop around the entire city eventually.

It does just can't really show that on.

You must connect with Ben Garren?

Yes.

Yes, because Garrin Road is part of that road, that street project, there is a trail on that side, and we are going to work with them.

We have people who will work with them to connect that into there where it terminates a big air.

Did you have any feedback from uh Michael Moose and his group that did the original planning on the legacy?

So to do this revised scope, we did contract with half associates to help with that, and also and Michael actually like prefers this project, he likes it better, and especially when we can utilize the money and we all recognize it's not saying the other one will never happen, it's just it doesn't fit in this program for this grant right now, this particular environment.

You know, I hey I just want us to get 25 million dollars.

And have a solid plan.

Yeah, at least we get 25 million dollars.

That's what I want to happen.

We get 25 million for this instead of go for a dance hall.

He went there, dance halls.

I don't know, a dance hall needs to do.

I mean I hate it's uh you either say no or you do this, but that is what it is.

I appreciate you.

Yeah, this is great.

Who else was in on your pivot?

You know, initially it was parks, engineering, planning, streets, which is now public works, and bringing in half associates to help with the grant, the revised scope.

Because I can't I couldn't do that, I can't.

But there has been a team of people, it is 100% not all of me.

I just am the one that gets to present the information.

I got mine.

Well, I was I was curious why this wasn't under the parts purview from the get-go, and I'm glad that it is now.

This is really it's great that you've taken advantage of the current situation.

Obviously, that doesn't prohibit you from maybe connecting that in the future.

But yeah, why why why the shift and why wasn't it under parts?

I think it was under the former city administrator.

Well, we had a I mean at that point we had a separate mobility function.

The mobility function, Michael himself has been folded into the timing department.

And so we had and so it's we don't have a standalone mobility function.

We did some reorganization with staff all the way around.

Um projects like this, yeah.

Regardless of where it starts with a mobility motivation, it should work through.

I mean, for completion, these are what through.

So I think that function, it really served as a catalyst to get this rolling and get us the 25 million dollars to where, hey, it's to your point, we're transitioning it to a particular department, but it doesn't.

I mean, the mobility Michael means got us to this point, and it's great.

Don't by any means don't diminish the work he's done.

Oh, he's he's gotten us to this.

Now we're taking it and we're bringing it to fruition, hopefully.

And Jeff, is part of the success here from the new position that investigates grants.

Yeah, I mean, it certainly helps identify the problems and obstacles and try to figure a way to figure ways around them, which has been helpful to Sarah in navigating this process to get it where it is now.

Well, I think to the public this is gonna look very logical.

We're using things that are there already, you know.

I count the 25 million dollars, but look how logical this looks to everybody.

It does, and that's why we said spine because like the original loop it can.

Help me out here, go off the spine.

Help me, somebody help me with the words here.

There you go.

Spurs, thank you.

Thank you.

It's group effort.

And they'll probably get more south of the street.

And something I was looking at the transit map, or even this makes sense too.

Is there no transit routes along old Greenwood Road?

So if we're talking about non-motorized transportation, this really highlights that.

So there's a stop at Grant, Rogers, and then Phoenix, but people can walk back along the escaping that we just paid for.

It's I'm like I said, I would not have presented last night if I wasn't comfortable with us being able to complete this project.

That's all I have.

Turn it to Brian.

Well, as always, mowing mowing mowing, but mother nature's not cooperating.

Two hours mowing, four hours painting, another two hours mowing.

So had to do uh some splash pad repairs, had a static lightning, I guess you would say hit the contactors at uh that's what you do uh MLK, so had a little trouble getting that replaced, it was running all the time, but we got it fixed now.

And then of course we had a uh motor short out on us at Tillis, which having got moving parts and water and anything like that, it's gonna happen.

So got it replaced, got it going, and then uh didn't get to do a little equipment training.

Some of our new guys he's been brush hogging along the river bank at Fort Smith Park, getting a nice little better view out there by the soccer fields.

So he's doing really well.

He's he's he was kind of I guess what you call a green person.

He you know hadn't done a lot of equipment operation, but he's doing really well.

So I was impressed.

I just wanted to show you all this.

It's it's nice to be able to see the river again.

That stuff got kind of grown up, so and you can see I think it's the right in the middle on the right there, or the left, excuse me.

Uh created a nice little place, little sandy place where you can go fish off the bank there.

So I was impressed with his work, so I just kind of wanted to point that out to y'all.

So it's pretty basic for us this time of year.

Just trying to fight the weather and keep everything moved.

Okay.

It is difficult.

They forgot to turn it on.

We're not.

We are putting measures in place to make sure it's not all on one person and that it does not happen again.

So these are turn them on every day.

No, just at the onset, like they turned it on for the inspection and then turned it off because we had other repairs and they just forgot to turn it back on.

So it was our oversight and our mistake.

That's all we have.

Comments.

You want me to talk about what I've already?

Sure.

So I'm Keely Simpson, resident of Port Smith.

I did speak to a lot of the commissioners' pre-meeting, but um I wanted to share that um I had a um and I have pictures.

You didn't see them yet, David.

But um we had an event for uh celebrate uh people with disabilities on May 15th, and it was in partnership with Art for the River Valley.

I'm not sure if you're familiar with them, but they provide like a social outlet for people with disabilities, and of course we had uh Gregory Pistoler Center and Abilities Unlimited.

Um the pictures I showed you, you know, show that was well attended, and the whole point of it is we wanted people who are quite isolated living, you know.

I have a sister who's autistic, her social life is very limited, and so we have this wonderful park that was named after a man who advocated for the rights of people for with disabilities, John Bell Jr.

So I wanted them to know about this park and and actually experience.

So we had our event out there after they toured the Fort Smith Museum of History and View's art, and um, it was a wonderful event, but I was concerned about lack of amenities that the playground shouldn't be the only amenity, especially for adults.

Um there was a lot of benches that were not available, so the clients a lot of them had to sit down on the ground, and under your beautiful large pavilion, um, you know, it's mud compacted, and I've already talked to Sarah and Brian about this.

It's mud compacted and uh there's nothing as far as tables like some of your other parks, and it's a wonderful park.

Um I included the pictures of the vandalism.

I did talk to Sarah about that as well.

You know, people are doing donuts, idiots.

And uh the thing I forgot to mention is I don't know if there's anything we can do about this, but one of the clients has seizures that was there, and she talked about how the lights that the police have set up, she could you know could cause her to potentially you know have a seizure, but I think that those were set up to try to catch the vandalism that was happening, but I thought that was important to point out because this is your most inclusive playground.

Also, we had an incident where a client he tried to run away from his waiver worker and is headed towards that road where cars are constantly passing through.

I don't know if there could be anything done about fencing, but it was a huge concern because there's also little kids that go out to that playground, so that could be a concern from parents without proper fencing.

I know there's fencing around the playground.

I'm talking outside of the playground.

Um, so my concern is you know, I hear you talk about all these parks.

You you seem to focus on certain ones, and John Bell Jr.

Park to me is like an outstanding park because of the amount of time and work you took into making sure it was inclusive, and so I just hope that we could do a little bit better of providing amenities uh for people who to enjoy that park, uh the arc for the river valley.

They do plan to repeat this event that we have for the first time this year, and uh John Bell Jr.'s daughter came, and so she didn't come to the park event.

But she, you know, I'm hoping next year maybe there would be better amenities.

And I did tell Sarah, you know, if we if I needed to, certainly would approach uh work for First Presbyterian Church or Mission Committee to help maybe sponsor a few benches if we need to.

But um, I just think you know, with all the scrutiny that we receive from the public about taxpayer this, taxpayer that everything goes to the parks, you know.

I don't want any more negativity out there.

So I did tell the uh directors for these nonprofit organizations.

So I knew Sarah, I know Sarah's an advocate.

Um she was great with us at the wheelchair swing, but I didn't know if you all were aware that that part is great, but there's some basic amenities where it could be improved.

Kind of just to follow-up, something we talked, and after Keely's kind of communication with that under that large pavilion, Brian came up with the solution, you know, we can get asphalt millings for free at Kelly Highway, and they plan to, whenever we have time to put that in there so you're not in mud, and he has some other bleachers that we can put out there, and with Keely's help, you know, maybe we can get some more, but I think it's important what she shared in the pictures that hey, we kind of put a pause on that, but people are using it and it's gaining even more popularity for activities that aren't focused on the playground.

So I think whenever we do the CIP, that's something that we need to consider revisiting.

I know it's people are gonna say, Well, you're developing new, we're not because we're already maintaining it, and I think now that the community they're hosting events, we had a church service out there last weekend.

Uh it was Memorial Day, which Memorial Day weekend.

They are use utilizing that.

It's kind of if you build it, they'll come.

Well, they've started coming, and now how can we make it better and attract more people to host events out there?

With that milled asphalt, would that how would that feel under foot?

I mean, would it be lumpy?

Would it would it eventually pack it?

We're gonna pack it down.

We're gonna use equipment to pack it down.

Oh, it'll feel like uh one of our asphalt trails, it's just you know, we're not gonna put it out there like it'll be more like a cold patch instead of like where you know how the lay asphalt that's hot and it really compacts, but we're gonna roll over it with the skid steer, so it'll be I mean, it'll be it'll be journeyman's level, I guess you could say you know what I mean.

You know, we're not gonna shoot it great or anything, but it it'll be it'll be a lot better than mud.

Yeah, we're gonna dig it out.

I wasn't sure.

Yeah, I was trying to envision how that if it packs itself into the clay and then becomes like a large you know surface of its own, but if you're gonna it's gonna be like a layer and then that's packed down.

Yeah, yeah, we'll take a little bit of the clay out, put a couple inches of asphalt mills and go over with our skids too.

Yeah, okay, yeah.

Solutions can the picnic tables be addressed?

Are there isn't any?

There is not money for that, however, whenever we revisit the CIP and look at it, if that's a project and I'll just tell you right now, I'm probably gonna recommend going forward with it, then we can group that in as part of the addition of picnic tables and everything as part of that, and then if we can utilize our CIP dollars.

Whereas if we just went out and bought them, that's not a capital project.

So they have to come from operating, so that is what's an appropriate cost.

I'd have to look.

We have standardized, we get them from global industrial, they're the cheapest with what we have, and they're I want to say they're under a thousand dollars.

I think so, but we bought we bought like what six or so for that up there, so I don't remember exactly how much they were per table.

No, nowhere near the four grand of the green benches that used to be purchased, but we have it to where it's very cost effective, and we prefer what we've been using.

It's a lot cheaper, but it's good quality.

Yeah, when when is concrete supposed to be poor in there?

That was supposed to be part of the pickleball project, but then priorities and projects became part of the decision, and it was determined that we weren't going to proceed with that.

Is that just pushed back, or was it just deleted?

It was pushed back to maybe 28.

It just to do we got a price, and it was honestly just under 75.

Um, but that was based on the original drawings to do a complete surface, but kind of working with a local contractor, they said, Well, have you thought about this and this?

And we were going to move forward with that, but then discussions of if we were going to have to revise our CIP occurred.

So that is on was put on pause, but I actually have the drawing hanging up in my office.

I think next year we need to advocate for that because we have Keely can send me some more pictures, include that because we do have a history of people using that for actual community gatherings and not just going to a playground.

So how soon could you put that as well now?

Uh it'll depend on mowing.

Like, you know, it starts to dry out.

We're not mowing every two days in one park, uh, probably get to it if that happens, but otherwise it would be a winter project.

Are you able to address any of the other items?

Or I mean it's some of those are hard.

I mean, donuts in the parking lot.

I think the police, the mobile camera unit has it helped with that a lot, and we to avoid them doing it in the parking lot.

We did purchase oh my goodness, parking stops, and honestly, it's a time thing, we just have not had time to put them up.

We have them, they're sitting at the shop, but we we don't have time.

I don't know if signage might help because I did talk to some families when I went out there to investigate because like you you had it on your page or the city did that the park was gonna be closed and I panicked, it's like we're having our event, and so I went out there to see what the vandalism was, and that's when I encountered because the guy I told you, the city worker, but also encountered families, and I and they was like, Oh, yeah, people do it all the time.

I was like, Well, if you report it, but you know, I don't know if sign it's you know if you see someone if that would be.

We have a it's on the restroom in between the doors, the men's and women's doors, and it's a see it report it with a QR code, and we do get a lot of reports, they are utilizing it.

Okay, I think it's more of people don't know it's there if they don't use the restroom.

So we could look at doing one on the entrance to the playground to help with that.

Um, there are other public comments.

I do.

My name is Liz Armstrong, and I have spent probably the last 15 years of my life dedicated to the ranger history in Fort Smith, and I am so upset right now, I'm shaking, I'm not mad anymore like I was.

I went down there and looked at the park today, and we need to have a talk about what it looks like with the reconstruction that's going on.

We weren't told about anything.

I know you don't have to, but we have spent thousands of dollars outside of that monument to get that park where we could have it where something we'd be proud of.

We had the city kept messing with our lights and breaking them when they were mowing.

So we went and put down astro turf, pricey astro turf and nice rocks to be put down.

It looks nice.

But now I've got pictures where whoever's doing that new house, the pump house, has thrown all the rocks, the fake the pavings that go to the pump house that we paid for onto our new astro turf and our new landscaping.

They've got netting around our new trees that we just installed our cost, and the one thing that just we paid over three thousand dollars for a custom door for that old pump house, and it is gone.

Does anyone know where it is?

Yes, it it was returned to us.

We have is it yours or it is it it's on the we we can talk about this outside of this if you talk about it now, please.

Okay, yes, we intend to possibly because it will not go back on that building.

We intend to because there's no way to put it on there.

You couldn't affix it to the door or something, or you know.

I'm just saying, do you think that with we intend to should we have been allowed to have a conversation about this?

We are that, but yes, because we that's poor timing to do now where we'll it's with the weight and the way it looks back and do we understand that, but the door did not get disposed of.

We have it in our possession.

Let me show the this is the how tall is that building gonna be the how do you see it now?

The roof's not gonna be pitched, it's gonna be slow, but the building's not going to be sloped.

The building, this has all been engineered, it's gone through design architecture review, planning review.

The building will not remain cinder block, it's going through the trees.

I'm listening, but that's our landscaping.

I'd just respect it.

Okay, Cindy.

We uh suppose this is our landscape.

You've been here, you were mayor when we started this project.

And for them to allow for this type of trash to be in the park like that.

I think it's it's a part it says a lot about accountability and communications, and I think I mean I know my husband has a hard time getting a hold of anyone down here when he needs a question answered or something, and um it's it's just really heartbreaking that.

When were you gonna call us?

When were you gonna call us?

Notify Joe Armstrong, my husband, and he was aware of this.

He had no idea about what was going on.

Unfortunately, we did have that conversation.

We'll be FOIing every bit of it, because this is this is disrespectful.

This is I mean, would you want that down at your building down at the Hannah building?

Would you want all that crap around there and just tossed and not respected?

You know, there's all kinds of people that go down there and look at it and appreciate it, and it looks like crap.

Why would we just leave those rocks out there on our landscaping?

It's y'all's now.

So yeah, y'all can do whatever you want, but how does that promote other citizens to want to do something like this?

Like you wanting to get involved and buy do more benches and stuff.

I'll be the first to donate to you because I love Fort Smith, but this is not respectful to us or anyone else that's been a part of that project.

We have spent probably almost 400,000 to conclude the monument, the plythe, everything.

And I can't tell you how much money I am out personally for it.

Probably 10,000 easy, just trying to support something here in Port Smith.

Does anyone want to say anything like wow, this shouldn't have happened or anything?

Or is that just it?

Madeline, how are you?

What do you think?

Just copy and just listening to you.

What do you think about the way it looks down there?

Would you be proud of that?

I'm pretty sure that they're gonna put it back together.

But they threw it on our landscaping that we just paid for.

It's just disrespectful.

Can I ask what is the landscaping that was?

Is it something that could be replaced?

I mean, if the city damaged landscaping, you know, it's flowers, potted plants, it's not it's it's the well, I would say this would this is a great time to come and talk about it and bring this stuff to the attention because maybe there's a chance that um you know it hadn't been noticed or maybe some stones were tossed around care freely.

Um but I think I would say, I'm not sure if that picture should be won.

The project's still in progress, but it's still in progress.

But Brian um mentioned something, the original Ipson Stone is who did all of that work, they are the ones actually on site and putting it back.

Well, it's not gonna be you're gonna be more, of course, but well, yes, they they're on site and they're doing that, and you know, they're throwing if the contractor's throwing things where they shouldn't be.

That's something we can easily address with them.

Um as soon as I mean, as soon as you notice it, you could have brought it.

And doing construction and development, we always say uh brain surgery looks like murder before it's done.

It's like a sausage factory.

You like the result, but you don't want to see how it's made.

Yeah, and this is um, you know, maybe the the best course of action would be to wait until the project is complete, and then if the wrap up isn't you know done to the door's missing.

Where is the door actually right this second?

We have it in our possession.

Where is it located?

Where is it?

Should be up at the shop in the yard.

I'd like to see it, please.

When after this is over, just so we know that it's not laid out on the ground or something.

We can email you a picture, but we do have meetings after this meeting.

Okay, I'll wait.

So we're not on the clock.

I'm sure someone at the shop can let me show me down there.

They are out in the field.

Everybody's out of the shop, but not him.

And he's meeting with me about projects for tomorrow.

We'll get you.

Let's make sure we get our board over here.

I will do that.

Sandy, I'm sorry, but I don't trust that they're not gonna move it.

I feel like it's probably out in some side lot or something laid down on the ground.

Amber, will you please go to the shop after the touch and verify?

Exactly.

Yeah.

Yeah, sounds great.

I just wanted to I just wanted to comment and thank you guys.

Like I try to do often.

Uh thank the park staff and uh parks commission for the work that you do.

Thank you for your what might seem like unappreciated efforts in trying to make Fort Smith a better place because we do know that our parks and green spaces and trails are vitally important to uh the livelihood of those of us that live here and visit Fort Smith.

Um, want to let you know that uh Dr.

Sarah uh did a great job uh presenting last night as she always does, and even with uh a board member trying to walk her back, the young lady stood firm and addressed every concern, um so thank you so much.

Amen.

Any other comments from the commission or the staff?

Well, kudos being thrown around.

I'd like to thank uh director good.

Uh he received frequent agenda, not just for this meeting, but for other city commission meetings, and he can look at a city director.

What you'd like one to do, does his homework, uh make sure that he knows where things are.

He doesn't he doesn't wait for the board meeting to open the board back at the other two or thank you, Audrey for all you do.

Appreciate that.

I've been by the pool a bunch, and there's lots of people.

It's crazy how busy it is.

It is absolutely I did not have time, yeah, but I meant to do a comparison, and I just did not have time.

Next month, the new building it looks inviting.

Yeah, yeah.

The other building was sort of like we just kind of go through now.

That's great.

I'm down.

Yeah.

I can follow up on his armstrong just a little bit.

I'm very sorry.

Thank you.

Things have cut developed that upset you, and I appreciate you coming.

Uh I didn't even know y'all had a meeting today.

I'm just gonna say.

And that you come back and tell us if there's something that didn't get put back to what we suspected.

I appreciate it because y'all have done a lot for the city in that park.

I was at uh the Derby race, parked upgrade.

I appreciate it.

Sorry you're upset.

Well, it's like a child.

I mean, no, I'm telling you, it's like a child.

I put so much energy into it, and to see it disrespected like that is heartbreaking.

And that we're not entitled to know anything going on down there.

Not that we're entitled, that's not the right word, but it's that the fact that we put the money into it, and that if they're gonna use a piece of art installation, basically, the door was a custom door that had the shape of uh Germany on it and uh Italy and all that, and then it pinpointed each battle of World War II that Darby and the Rangers were involved in.

So it's very sentimental also.

I'm glad we kept it.

I hope some of them.

I move reader and second.

All right.