May 8, 2001
Members Present: Don Batson, Paul Bixby, Brad Bruns, Donna Daniels, Ralph Davis, Craig Edmonston, Gloria Fry, Reggie Houser, Jay Huneycutt, Lora Lennertz, Lorraine Lorne, David Martinson, Gary Smith, Miles Sonstegaard and Ramon Washington. Also present were Johnathan Williams from the Morning News, Curtis McCain from the Traveler, Tracie Dungan from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Elaine Quinn, acting secretary.
Craig Edmonston opened the meeting at 1:30. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Old Business
1. Board of Trustees' Decisions: On April 26th, the Board of Trustees approved an increase in the Transit fee from $8 to $20. The fee will be a per credit hour amount. The recommended fines were approved (meter violations are $10 and “no parking permit” fee is $30). The Board put a 5% per permit cap on permit fee increases. Don Pederson will speak to the Board on June 8 and present more information on costs over the next few years.
2. Athletic Task Force: The committee will meet next week to finalize the recommendation that will be presented to the Administration and to Athletics. There were nine issues of concern.
New Business
1. Inoperable Meters: Gary Smith said that employees spend approximately an hour a day working on jammed meters. Meters are being jammed on purpose so they can park without paying the meter for an extended period of time. Gloria Fry suggested giving a warning ticket. Reggie Houser made a motion that parking at an inoperable meter be enforced at the maximum time on that meter. There was no second. Brad Bruns made a motion to say that it is illegal to park at an inoperable meter and the enforcement be a first time warning citation and the second time a citation be written with Gary’s discretion on special situations. The motion was seconded. The vote was 6 for, 6 against and 1 abstention. Motion dies.
2. Lot 55 Change from Resident Reserved to On Campus: Brad Bruns moved to change the Resident Reserved spaces in lot 55 to On Campus spaces. The motion passed with one abstention.
3. Prohibiting Grad Assistants from Purchasing a Facllty/Staff Permit: Currently, graduate assistants take more than 5 hours in the fall and spring semester, therefore limiting them to student parking decals. In the summer, some don’t take any classes or they fall under the 6 hours and are then able to purchase a Faculty/Staff permit. In August they renew the F/S permit. In the fall it usually takes several months to discover those who shouldn’t be using the Faculty/Staff permit. Paul Bixby moved that graduate assistants not be eligible for Faculty/Staff parking permits. The motion passed.
4. Walton College Staff Space: Lance Sexton sent a request to Gary Smith to get a space in lot 52Q for the Employee of the Quarter from the Walton College Staff Council. Paul Bixby made a motion to sell Walton College a 24-hour space and the department will be responsible for managing it. Enforcement will be based on normal procedure. The motion was seconded and passed.
5. Rules and Regulations: It was suggested that any new additions or changes be highlighted in the Rules and Regulations.
6. Elections: Craig Edmonston was nominated for Chair again for next year. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Gary Smith explained the Parking Permit Purchase Survey that was on the web site. We’ve had 436 responses. The favored option was to purchase permits on line.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:05. We will meet again in a few weeks for the Athletic Task Force recommendations.