The City of Benton Parks Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 13th 2025 to discuss several items. The meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. at Benton Municipal Complex in Council Chambers at 410 River Street, Benton. Read the agenda below, in addition to the minutes and decisions from the previous meeting.
City of Benton Parks Committee Meeting
Council Chambers
Tuesday, May 13th, 2025
5:00PM
Committee Members:
Chair – Judd Hart
Vice-Chair – Steve Lee
Staff Liaison – Stephanie Jones, Director of Parks & Recreation
I. Call to Order
II. Recognition of Attendees
III. Approval of Minutes
IV. River Center Fees
V. Gene Moss Building Rental Fees
VI. Other
VII. Adjourn
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Council Chambers
Immediately Following Street & Drainage Committee Meeting at 5pm
Those in attendance were:
Judd Hart, Chair Evelyn Reed
Junior Rodemeyer, Staff Liaison Jeff Hamm
Tom Farmer, Mayor Trevor Villines
Frank Baptist Jeff Morrow
Steve Brown
The Parks Committee met on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in the Council Chambers and agreed to the following.
Chairman Hart moved to the approval of the February 11, 2025, minutes. Alderman Morrow made a motion to accept the minutes. Alderman Villines seconded the motion. Motion passed. Chairman Hart moved to the next item on the agenda, Great Strides/Trail for Life Grant Application – Chairman Hart advised that this is for the lights around the trail at Sunset Lake.
Rodemeyer stated that this is a $250,000 grant with no match requirement. If awarded, the funding is provided up front and given one year to complete the project. There was a short discussion regarding the roads around Sunset Lake. Alderman Hamm made a motion to move forward with the application. Alderwoman Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed. Chairman Hart moved on to the next item on the agenda, Saline River Greenway Ph. 1 Resolution – Rodemeyer advised that this grant has been approved by City Council but there needed to be specific wording in the resolution. Alderman Hamm made a motion to move forward with the resolution. Alderwoman Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Chairman Hart moved to the next item on the agenda, Parks Project Overview – Rodemeyer referenced the spreadsheet that is attached to the agenda. He advised that we currently have six grants that are out, seven including the Great Strides grant spoke about earlier in the meeting. Rodemeyer referenced the amount awarded in each grant along with the City’s match amount. He stated that the TAP Saline River Greenway, Phase 1 and TAP Saline River Greenway, Phase 2 has 60% of the design completed, the TAP Ralph Bunche Trail Connector has 90% of the design completed, and the TAP Saline River Natural Surface Trails has 60% design completed. With the projected design completion timeline, we plan to go out to bid after the summer months.
Rodemeyer advised that he had a meeting with state officials on the Cherry Demuth Outdoor Recreation Grant that morning. He stated that we need to submit our completed design plan and updated budget for the grant before we can sign the contract which will allow us to start the permit process. There was a short discussion regarding the Corps of Engineers permit process. Rodemeyer advised that the Hurricane Lake playground may be completed within two weeks, depending on weather.
Mayor Farmer asked the Committee members to visit Sunset Lake to see the renovations.
There was a brief discussion about dog parks. Chairman Hart advised that he received a suggestion for more grass in the current dog parks.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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