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City of Lincoln Urban Development Department Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable Meeting Agenda and Summary May 2008

Chairperson Tracy Corr called the meeting to order at 5:37 P.M., Thursday, May 8, 2008, in the Mayor's Conference Room, County/City Building, Lincoln, Nebraska. Twenty-six attended:

Tracy Corr, 40th & A St. Neigh. Assoc.	Jeff Schwebke, Arnold Heights Neigh. Assoc.
Lynn Fisher, College View Neigh. Assoc.	Rick Noyes, Downtown Neigh. Assoc.
Cherie Krueger, East Campus Com. Org.	Curt Donaldson, Hartley Neigh. Assoc.
Doug Kerns, Havelock Neigh. Assoc.	Dianna Wright, Highlands Neigh. Assoc.
Mike Dennis, S 48th St Neigh. Assoc.	Gary Irvin, South Salt Creek Com. Org.
Malinda Burk, University Place Com. Org.	Bill Vocasek, West A Neigh. Assoc.
Mike Fitzgerald, Witherbee Neigh. Assoc.	Randy Smith, Woods Park Neigh. Assoc.
Russell Miller, Lincoln Neigh Alliance	Rick Hoppe, Mayor's Office
Lin Quenzer, Mayor's Office	Wynn Hjermstad, Urban Development Dept.
Nancy Engel, Urban Development Dept.	Kendra Waltke, Lincoln Journal Star
Barb Baier, Lincoln School Board	Steve Henrichsen, Planning Dept.
Lynn Johnson, Parks & Rec. Dept.	J. J. Yost, Parks & Rec. Dept.
Steve Schwab, Parks & Rec. Dept.	Mayor Beutler

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Ms. Corr opened the meeting and asked the participants to introduce themselves. A sign-in sheet was provided for check-in. She announced that the proposed change to the Weed Ordinance is an agenda item for the City Council Meeting this coming Monday at 5:30 P.M.

MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Beutler asked the Roundtable about the process relating to the budget that involved the public survey, town hall meetings, and focus groups. This process has been very informative from his perspective. The Public Policy Center at UN-L is correlating the different responses to the demographics, etc. which will result in substantial information. Livable neighborhoods came out high on the list, so people are cognizant of that as a legitimate City goal. His office will provide further information as it develops. The Lincoln Community Foundation funded most of the cost of this process. The City spent very little money on this.

The Mayor fielded comments from the Roundtable.

PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS -- PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Steve Henrichsen provided a handout regarding the May 14, 2008, meeting of the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Commission. The agenda includes the Capital Improvement Program and seven amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. He encouraged the Roundtable to be aware of these amendments. PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT -- PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Lynn Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation Department, spoke about amending the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is the guide to how we build the city, setting the standards we use as we move forward. One of those standards states we should acquire two acres of neighborhood parkland per 1,000 residents. When the Comprehensive Plan was completed in 2000, that amount of land was consistent with the number of residents of Lincoln divided by the acres of parkland. Recently, Parks and Recreation Department checked that number and it has slipped to about 1.75 acres of neighborhood parkland per 1,000 residents. This question involves the philosophy of building a community and setting the standard as we continue to grow.

Parks and Recreation Department recommends a change from two acres per 1,000 residents to one acre per 1,000 residents. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has reviewed this recommendation. This change would not affect established neighborhoods. It would affect new neighborhoods on the edge of Lincoln -- providing a four to six-acre neighborhood park.

In the future, impact fees will fund neighborhood parks. The city collects $330.00 on every new home in impact fees for parks. About 80% of those funds goes to acquire new neighborhood parkland and to build the improvements. The other 20% goes to build new trails. In the future, impact fees will fund most of those improvements. Today, Lincoln has 123 park areas; 63 are neighborhood parks. A neighborhood park is an area that has playgrounds, picnic shelters, and is without parking lots. Neighborhood residents walk to a neighborhood park from approximately one-half mile. The average neighborhood park size is about 6.77 acres. The median size is 4.66 acres.

The new, proposed standard would say the average neighborhood park size is adequate as we continue to grow. The Planning Department figures a square mile will generate 1,920 residences that have approximately 2.4 occupants resulting in approximately 4,608 residents. This proposal does not change the regional park or the community park concepts.

There are two reasons for looking at this proposed change:

• ongoing maintenance cost (about $1,000 per acre for maintenance); and
• the change in acquisition costs for neighborhood parkland. In 2000, the assumption was a cost of approximately $30,000 per acre. Today, that cost is now $60,000 per acre. Therefore, we have two options:
  • adjust the standard, saying the current impact fees are enough to buy one acre of parkland per 1,000 residents; or
  • increase the impact fees.

Mr. Johnson fielded questions and comments from the Roundtable.

STREET TREES VOUCHER PROGRAM -- STEVE SCHWAB
Steve Schwab, City Arborist, presented information about the city's street tree program and provided a handout. This program is newly implemented just this spring and applies only to owner-occupied property. This approach arose from budget constraints because tax dollars are not as available as in the past when the city would replace and fill street trees under the Master Street Tree Program. At the peak, this program had a budget of $50,000. This year that budget is $10,000 -- primarily funded by KENO funds -- and this year, the one and only time, funded with Municipal Infrastructure Refinance Funds (MIRF).

With this program, taxpayers share the cost for street trees that they plant in front of their property on the city right of way. Other communities have used this idea, creating greater ownership when people invest money and time. Also, the program offers a greater selection of tree species. A best management practice states one species should not comprise more than 10% of the tree population. In Lincoln currently, ash trees far exceed this guideline.

The process involves initial contact with the Forestry Division requesting an inspection to decide whether adequate space exists for a street tree. If enough space is available, the Forestry Division issues a no-fee, written Street Tree Permit and a tree voucher. The permit states the varieties available for that address. The owner may redeem the voucher at any of the twelve participating nurseries. The voucher is good for up to one year. This year, the value of the voucher is $50. This amount provides the greatest good, making vouchers available to the most people. Currently, the Forestry Division has issued 114 vouchers. Approximately, $8,500 is available for additional vouchers.

Additional funds may be available through the Nebraska Forest Service "Shade for Streets" program. Matching the $8,500.00 will provide $17,000.00 for the Street Tree Voucher Program. The Forestry Division will apply for these funds this month.

The website for the Forestry Division has a video on proper tree planting.

The Forestry Division requests the assistance of the neighborhood associations to promote the Street Tree Voucher Program and get the word out.

Mr. Schwab fielded questions and comments from the Roundtable.

SET JUNE AGENDA
The next meeting of the Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable is scheduled for June 12, 2008, 5:30 p.m., in the Mayor's Conference Room, County/City Building, 555 South 10th Street, 2nd floor. The June agenda will include a presentation on graffiti by the City Attorney's office.

ADJOURN
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Submitted by: David G. Ensign
Urban Development Department

Urban Development Community Development Division Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable