STATE PARKS COMMITTEE MINUTES Apple Blossom Room, Oaklawn Racing and Gaming, Hot Springs, AR February 14, 2018 Committee Members Present Eric Jackson, Chair Bill Barnes John Gill Committee Members Absent Danny Ford Kalene Griffith Ron Gossage Jim Shamburger Cindy Smith Ness Sechrest Staff Present Kane Webb Kris Richardson Grady Spann Shea Lewis Randy Roberson Mike Wilson Joe Jacobs Jeff King Melinda Miller LaJeana Carroll Angela Allen Caroline Ohler CJRW / Miles Partnership Jennifer Morgan, CJRW Susie Kardias, Miles Partnership Guests Scott Simon, The Nature Conservancy Chair Eric Jackson called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. Eric Jackson welcomed the Parks Committee members and Arkansas State Park (ASP) Staff. Jackson stated Kane Webb issued the challenge for the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission (SPRTC) to be more involved. The first step was to reinstate the original subcommittees, the first meeting of this committee. During the pre-meeting on Monday, the Parks Committee agenda template was developed as a good starting point for structuring the Parks Committee meetings. Jackson stated he wants to structure the committee so that time is well used. 1
Jackson advised the subcommittee requested updates on how ASP is trending comparing year to year or over several years; an example is golf, how are state parks doing and how does it project years in the future. One suggestion is for ASP to develop a simple dashboard to show how the parks are doing. Jackson noted a word of caution the Parks Committee does not need to be involved in the daily operations, the Parks Committee is to act as governances or administrators. Major Positive Developments Scott Simon reported The Nature Conservancy (TNC) had received a request from private landowner Mr. and Mrs. Horn, who had donated their property in a life estate trust to TNC and ASP. The title to be held by ASP valued at $2.28 million and the conservation easement held by TNC valued at $6.62 million, is located near Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The Horns have a life estate and are interested in maintaining the property in the current state, available for the public to use for nature purposes. The Horns believe because of the way the title was recorded it has caused a few trespass issues. The Horns have requested TNC exchange the title to ASP for the conservation easement. In exchange for the trade, the Horns have offered 3 things. 1. Acquire additional 30-acre property 2. Provide endowment 3. Acquire other additional properties if they become available The exchange will not affect how state parks would use the life estate property in the future, but for the Horns, it will allow them more assurance of fewer trespassers who perceive they are on park property. The exchange will change property tax rolls and would list the property as a TNC site. TNC would be responsible for all future property taxes owed on the Horn Life Estate property. Spann stated ASP could provide a Memorandum of Agreement to allow rangers to patrol the area. TNC could post private property signs. The exchange could be perceived as if the state is losing something. The greatest benefit for ASP is the Horns are willing to purchase additional properties to protect the watershed. The Parks Committee will need to make the recommendation during the full commission meeting. John Gill moved to recommend the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission give the executive director of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and the parks director authorization to negotiate with The Nature Conservancy for the title transfer for the remainder of the life estate of the Horn property to The Nature Conservancy. In exchange for the easement for the Horn Life Estate, on condition that the Horn Estate give Arkansas State Parks a 40-acre tract more or less on the northeast corner of the Horn Property to add to the existing Horn Life Estate. The easement will be held by Arkansas State Parks and title held by The Nature 2
Conservancy. The existing residence and buildings would have a use permit agreement for Arkansas State Parks use. The agreement will include that Arkansas State Parks will have the right of first refusal for the title of the Horn Life Estate at no cost. Bill Barnes seconded and the motion carried. Discussion ensued all land will still be available to be used by ASP in any capacity as long as it is in agreement with TNC. High-Level Financial Overview Most recent available month and year to date (YTD) compared to same year ago. Spann reported ASP revenue for the month of January was $1,098,577 which is an increase of $335,823 from the revenue for the month of January 2017. There were a total of 30 parks recording increases and 15 parks recording decreases for the month of January 2018. Year-todate revenues increased $158,546; $16,217,238 recorded for fiscal year 2018 and $16,058,692 recorded for fiscal year 2017. Noteworthy developments; first time ASP has recorded revenue of $30 million in a calendar year. Significant Personnel Developments Shea Lewis reported the following promotions: Mike Wilson promoted to Operations Manager Mike Farringer promoted to Region 4 Supervisor Becky Bariola promoted to Region 5 Supervisor Capital Projects Shea Lewis reported Jeff King and Darin Mitchell are working on a new tracking system utilizing GIS software. This system will be web-based. Significant Repair and Maintenance Items Mike Wilson reported the chiller at Mount Magazine State Park froze up, the cost to replace this system is $272,000. ASP will have to go through Arkansas Division of Building Authority (DBA); ASP is currently renting a chiller for $15,000 a month. Interpretive/Education Programs Spann stated this is a key part of what ASP does which involves hundreds of thousands of visitors. Cindy Smith commented ASP needs to provide education for the public. Interpreters speak the language of Arkansas. 3
Property Developments Randy Roberson reported ASP is working on the process to transfer old museum to the city of Wilson and make sure ASP can purchase new museum by the end of the fiscal year. Exhibits have been delayed to mid-june. ASP does not control the contract for the exhibit firm. Live-Safety Incidents Spann noted this is a critical part of ASP and an important part of what happens to keep visitors safe. Emergency Services Numbers from Jan 1, 2018 to current date. 5 -Mutual Aid calls off park 4- DWI arrests 11- Drug Arrests 4- Lost Hiker Calls 2 -Deaths (Heart Attacks) 3 -CPR responses 5 -Vehicle Accidents 6- Warrants for Arrest 2 -Mutual Aid Fire calls 8 -Theft Calls Marketing Expenditures/Planning Jennifer Morgan with CJRW reported ASP has spent half of marketing budget and they are tracking where they should be with the current fiscal year being half over. ASP will be reallocating some funds where CJRW had some savings on some line items to ensure the ASP website is covered. During the April SPRTC meeting, CJRW will present the Fiscal Year digital advertising, for approval. ASP Website Update Susie Kardias reported the website shell is there and Miles Media team is digging into the development phase. The new site will feature park highlights, trip ideas /blog type with an emphasis on visual content. Call out bars will be utilized to encourage visitors interaction. The park activity icons mirror state park guide and the new site will include a call out to request the State Parks Guide. Social site links and social sharing buttons will be incorporated into the site. Individual park pages will have consistency in their layout and information available. The tentative launch date for the new website is May 2018. Discussion ensued. ASP and CJRW are working on a draft for a state parks profile sheet. This will help educate legislators. Funding has not kept up with inflation. Distinctly different than most agencies in 4
Arkansas, when ASP receives more money it is invested in infrastructure for the state of Arkansas. ASP is similar to Arkansas Economic Development; for every dollar spent thru ASP, $9.35 is generated. Spann stated the only way to make the Delta Heritage Trail State Park roads classified as Highway 600 roads was to send a letter requesting Arkansas Highway Department make an exception to allow the spurs to be included in ASP. Discussion ensued regarding meeting agenda, format and the possibility of alternating meetings so Commissioners could attend both Parks Committee and Advertising Committee meetings. The Parks Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:04 pm on February 14, 2018. 5