Hot Springs, Arkansas - Hwy 70 East -  Bypass

The third regular meeting of the Scenic Gateway Steering Committee was held on Tuesday, June 4, 2002, at Ted Mullenix’s Music Mountain Jamboree, Hwy. 70E. Committee members or representatives in attendance were (in alphab. order): Anita Barrett, Vickie Bernie, Cliff Caughman/David Chittum, Lynn Cole, Wyley Elliott, Tom Lucek, Peggy Maruthur, Carl McChesney, Ted Mullenix, Kent Myers, Jerry Raetz, Bob Wheeler, Gerald Wheeler. Not present: Laurence Adkins, Steve Arrison*, Mike Bush, David Campbell, Jay Chesshir, Randy Cox, David French, Carl Hughes, Steve Teague*, Ken Wheatley, Larry Williams & Evan Yother. Members were asked to note on their Steering Committee sheets that Steve Arrison and Steve Teague were *Advisory Members.

Members and guests introduced themselves by name and association.

Minutes of the May 20, 2002, Meeting were approved without further corrections/additions.

Kent Myers reported on the status of the Motion made by Ron Treaster, City Board Member, at the June 3, 2002, City of Hot Springs Board of Directors Meeting: re protecting the property owners in the Scenic Gateway from actions/statutes of Act 1197 that may affect said property owners against their will. Discussion among Board Directors and David White, City Attorney, re whether the City Board of Directors has the right to enact formation of a district – or, whether this action requires initiation by property owners submitting a request to the Board of Directors asking for the formation of a district, and the Board being required to form such district -

resulted in the Board tabling Director Treaster’s Motion. Mr. White will research Act 1197 and the Board’s action options, requirements and limitations in this matter and report to the Board. At that time, the Motion will be addressed as to a vote or withdrawal.

Lynn Cole asked for discussion re the S/G Steering Committee’s goals or Goal Statement. Carl McChesney stated he felt the property owners should work together with the government agencies (i.e., City, County and State Highway Department) so we (i.e., the Scenic Gateway property owners) can ‘profit together’…move ahead together. With no further creative inspiration or input forthcoming from members, Lynn tabled additional discussion on this issue to the end of the meeting.

Discussion re the upcoming 70E-bordering Scenic Gateway property owners’ meeting followed. Anita Barrett suggested establishing a format/Agenda for the discussion group which would include time limits for people speaking and keeping the discussions to appropriate issues. Also, we should develop a letter to the property owners who will be invited to this meeting, stating issues that will be discussed. Kent Myers reminded the members of the new borders established for the Scenic Gateway; and, that we invite those property owners along the S/G. Lynn asked Carl McChesney to share the idea by Sara McChesney of sending a form along with the meeting invitation letter that would ask property owners to indicate their first, second and third issue they would like on the Agenda and whether they want to speak on any of their issues. Also, this form would let them know they would not be able to speak at the meeting until all submitted issues (which would be consolidated) have been addressed…i.e., if time remains, others could speak.

Carl also spoke about asking the property owners to sign a petition stating our concerns and feelings re Act 1197, forming a district, tax increases, etc. and submit this petition to the H.S. Board of Directors. This petition could be presented at the upcoming p/o meeting.

A motion was made by Kent Myers to appoint the S/G Steering Committee Property Owners Action Committee as the body to handle all details re the upcoming 70E p/o meeting. Ted Mullenix seconded the Motion. Motion carried.

Ted Mullenix made a Motion that we accept a letter he prepared (and presented to our Steering Committee) to send to those 70E-bordering property owners to be invited to the upcoming meeting. Ted also stated we should ask for discussion issues and address the findings. Cliff Caughman seconded the Motion. Kent Myers reminded the Property Owners Action Committee about the list being established by the City of Hot Springs and Garland County re actual property owners bordering 70E in the Scenic Gateway re the ones who should be sent meeting invitations. Cliff objected and felt all p/o in area should be invited. Several members reminded Cliff that we voted on this issue at the last meeting and agreed only those bordering 70E in the Scenic Gateway would be invited. Carl McChesney asked that Ted’s letter be softened and less negative. Some discussion ensued re the letter structure and contents. Kent suggested the Action Committee handle the letter in committee. The Motion passed with discussion issues included.

Anita made a Motion re the S/G Steering Committee Property Owners Action Committee being limited to Steering Committee members/property owners and only those property owners at the May meeting and today’s meeting. Carl seconded Motion. Discussion included Lynn Cole reading the list of current members on this Action Comm.; and, Kent Myers requested his name be removed from this Action Committee. Lynn read the names of those non-Steering Committee member property owners who were guests at the 6.4.02 meeting, plus those at the 5.20.02 meeting. Lynn, again, reminded everyone that our vote would address including only those property owners bordering 70E as being eligible for the S/G Steering Committee Property Owners Action Committee. Also, that only a current member of the S/G Steering Committee could chair an Action Committee. The Motion carried with discussion items noted.

Lynn referred to the updated Progress Schedule and brought up potential speakers and the timing of same. Bob Wheeler made a Motion that we have no speakers at the next S/G Steering Committee meeting as we’ll be addressing and discussing the 70E Property Owners’ Meeting and handling appropriate actions/suggestions. Vickie Berni seconded the Motion. Motion passed.

Bob Wheeler made a Motion the next S/G Steering Committee meeting be held asap following the property owners’ meeting (i.e., while everything is fresh in peoples’ minds). Wyley Elliott seconded the Motion. Discussion: Cliff Caughman mentioned S/G property owners are both City and County and have different concerns re codes and laws. Lynn suggested the Action Committee deal with this issue. Cliff then suggested a ‘district’ could be the result. Anita questioned why we were concerned re what the meeting content will be now? The Motion passed.

Ted suggested the Property Owners Action Committee meet that day following our Steering Committee. The property owners agreed. (Note: they met at MMJ following our adjournment.)

Discussion as to when this S/G 70E property owners’ meeting would be held resulted in a decision to do so before the end of June, if possible.

The Steering Committee scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday, July 9^th at Cutter Morning Star (if available) from 11: - 1: and everyone would bring their own lunch and beverages. NOTE: Because of a conflict discovered after the 6.4.02 meeting, we reset the date to the 11^th of July; and, we will meet at KOA Kampground…bring own lunch/beverages. Also,

During discussion re Steering Committee members, Ted inquired if all members have an equal vote. Lynn responded, they do – including Advisory members. Lynn issued an invitation for S/G property owner guests at the meeting to sign up for the Property Owner Action Committee.

Lynn opened discussion re expanding our Steering Committee. Before any discussion ensued, Tom Lucek suggested Peggy Maruthur be added to our Steering Committee. Wyley Elliott made a Motion and Cliff Caughman seconded. There was no discussion and a vocal vote was conducted. Peggy was added to the Committee.

Kent commented on AR Highway Dept. meetings scheduled for the upcoming couple months and scheduling a representative to speak to our Steering Committee. We decided to address this at our July meeting. Also, we decided to invite Steve Teague to our July meeting. (Note: As I have no record re the person assigned to invite Steve, please let me know who will be calling.)

Carl commented on the funds and assistance available to us and the S/G re upgrading landscaping, murals, walls, fountains or water features, etc. that should be options for our Steering Committee to address / follow up. Kent stated we do not want to wait and have it be too late for actions re corrections, additions, etc. to the AR Hwy Dept. plans now in place. The members were in agreement with these points.

Back to our Goals: Anita read a mission statement she’d written. Others added comments/verbiage but we did not reach a decision. Lynn asked all members to work on their version of a Mission/Goal Statement and call her within the next couple days so a rough could be included in the Minutes. (Note: No one called; so, I’m now asking every one to please bring your ideas to the July meeting for group discussion.)

Cliff Caughman asked when we were going to find people with money to buy land in the S/G…when were we going to start on this? Bob Wheeler stated the property owners need to agree to proceed …what/how/when…before we can move to that stage. Ted commended there were many issues unresolved; and, we were too fragmented…that we need to get answers to these (issues) before promoting and selling in the area. Vickie Berni suggested we need to pull together first and make certain we are all going in the same direction. Lynn stated that the whole process is, and has been, about getting to that point…that, we are still in the birthing stages and need to work through our issues…hopefully, the upcoming Property Owners Meeting will result in our Steering Committee being able to move forward and leave behind issues that currently stand in the way of reaching our vision and goals.

Bob Wheeler made a Motion to Adjourn. Carl McChesney seconded. We adjourned early (approx. 12: 30 p.m.) because of a funeral many members were attending.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lynn D. Cole, Coordinator/ Facilitator 767.6225