Minutes
KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
January 26, 2006
Commissioners Present:
Mary Smith, Chairman
Dixie Carlson
Sarah Wruck
Laurie Black
Brenda Williams
Commissioners Absent:
Randy Frazier
Gelene MacDowell
Thurston Lamb
Staff Present:
Robert Phelps, Brenda Halbert and Jack Singleton of Keep Arkansas Beautiful
Guests Present:
Richard Davies and Gloria Robins of Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
Sharon Vogelpohl, Julie Robbins and Mary Burnett of Mangan Holcomb Partners
Sherry Johnson of Lake Village, Arkansas
Call to Order:
Mary Smith called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. followed by a brief invocation. Ms. Smith
welcomed guests, and Brenda Halbert called the roll.
Presentation of Minutes:
Ms. Smith called for additions or corrections to the November 17, 2005 KAB Commission
Minutes.
Dixie Carlson made a motion, seconded by Sarah Wruck, approving the
November 17, 2005 KAB Commission Minutes, as mailed. The motion
passed.
Financial Report:
The KAB Financial Report for the period ending December 31, 2005, was presented, reflecting
32% of the total budget expended halfway through the fiscal year.
Sarah Wruck made a motion, seconded by Dixie Carlson, accepting the KAB
Financial Report for the period ending December 31, 2005, as mailed and
presented. The motion passed.
KAB Commission Meeting
January 26, 2006 – page 2
Chairman's Remarks:
Ms. Smith stated the Commission needs to approve a per diem rate of $70 or $75 for 2006. With
little discussion, action was taken:
Dixie Carlson made a motion, seconded by Laurie Black, to keep the
per diem at $70 for Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commissioners on
meeting day. The motion passed.
Ms. Smith concluded her report by encouraging attendance and participation at the Governor’s
Conference on Tourism.
Executive Director's Report:
Mr. Phelps reported on the following:
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An Overview of Keep Arkansas Beautiful 2005 (year-end review)
Keep America Beautiful’s 52nd National Conference
Litter Hotline Report – 12/14/04 thru 12/15/05 statistics:
1) Calls increased considerably with billboard postings of the litter hotline in June;
2) One-half of the litter violations involved tobacco products; thus, KAB will proceed in
the spring with Phase 2 of the Anti-Litter Campaign focusing on cigarette litter.
 NCSA: KAB Foundation and ABA’s partnership reflected a year-to-date cost benefit of
$15.28 for every $1 spent.
 KAB Awards program:
1) Sponsors: Returning are Nucor Corporation, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas,
Weyerhaeuser, Arkansas Realtors, Cricket Communications and Delta Plastics of the
South;
2) Entry deadline of February 10;
3) Rural Arkansas, publication of Electric Cooperatives, ad reached 400,000;
4) AR Municipal League: KAB booth during January meeting promoting current
programs, focusing on the awards competition, anti-litter campaign and Great American
Cleanup;
5) Judging will take place late February with finalists notified in March.
 Arkansas Flower & Garden Show: KAB will provide “report littering”display, clings
and “car-bage” litter bags for Little Rock City Beautiful to distribute at their table.
 Grants: Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission has submitted a grant
request for one-half the cost of a booth at the annual Hot Springs Garden & Home Show;
this will be reviewed and determined later by the KAB Grants Committee.
 32nd Annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism:
1) KAB attempted to acquire Roger Brooks as a speaker, but his calendar is full; we do
have a booth opportunity;
2) Commissioners must notify the KAB office soon, so registration and lodging
reservations can be made.
KAB Commission Meeting
January 26, 2006 – page 3
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KAB’s response to disaster relief efforts:
1) Hurricane Katrina – bags were offered by KAB but not utilized; state’s overall efforts
administered by Governor Huckabee’s office and ADPT Executive Director Richard
Davies regarding personal donations, parks lodging, food, etc. were enormous;
2) Hurricanes in Conway County – trash bags delivered with thank you letter received
from Judge Jimmy Hart.
Tourism promotional book: Mr. Phelps turned over the presentation and
recommendation to Richard Davies:
Mr. Davies presented the opportunity for the KAB Commission to participate in printing of a new
table-top, tourism book to replace “Arkansas The Natural State” that was published
approximately 14 years ago. There would be hard bound and soft bound copies available at
different monetary participation levels with AR Game & Fish Commission, AR Department of
Economic Development, Arkansas Heritage Department and ADPT Tourism Division already
committed. Mr. Davies recommended KAB’s participation at the $15,000 level; in return they
would receive approximately 200 hard back copies and 800 soft back copies. After lengthy
discussion and several motions that did not pass due to lack of a second, the following motion
was made:
Brenda Williams made a motion, seconded by Sarah Wruck, authorizing
Mr. Phelps to work with Joe David Rice, Tourism Director, expressing
the Commission’s desire to participate at an affordable level within the
Keep Arkansas Beautiful budget. The motion passed.
Mr. Phelps continued his report:
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AR State Parks Division:
1) Cigarette Litter Study: Keep Arkansas Beautiful will partner with AR State Parks for
Keep America Beautiful to sponsor a litter study at Petit Jean State Park; the only other
location will be Yellowstone National Park;
2) Mt. Magazine Lodge: Grand opening scheduled for May 18; KAB will participate in
some way with control of generated waste and providing litter bags; more details later.
Great American Cleanup 2006: Events will be scheduled for March, April and May with
statewide event coordinated by Ms. Halbert of the KAB office; general information and
participation forms were distributed by e-mail and postal service in January.
Great Arkansas Cleanup 2005(report deferred to Ms. Caveness):
1) Final report: 18,944 volunteers and 50 counties participating in 183 events;
2) GAC 3-Year Comparison Summary: Volunteers were down from 2004, due in part to
so much time and effort given to the Hurricane Katrina effort; however, number of events
were up as well as number of illegal dumps closed;
3) Recycle Study Results: First year study revealed GAC recycling up from 1/4 to 1/3,
based on limited participation of counties through regional solid waste management
districts; the districts had assisted in providing clear bags and gloves with plan support
from KAB. Last year’s figures were estimated from the AHTD Adopt-A-Highway
program.
KAB Commission Meeting
January 26, 2006 – page 4
Program Services Report:
Jack Singleton reported on the following:
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The Day The Trash Came Out To Play: Shared children’s book with Commissioners.
Weyerhaeuser Foundation grants: Judged entries and will participate in awards
ceremony to recognize educators of environmental programs and projects.
KAB National Conference in Orlando:
1) Excellent presentations by Jacque Cousteau’s grandson and focus on water pollutants
and quality (Mr. Singleton also pointed out the toxic effects of cigarette litter in water.);
2) New KAB Affiliates: 42 nationwide in 2005, seven of those pre-certification groups
are located in Arkansas.
KAB Pre-certification status:
1) Keep Van Buren Beautiful:
a) Rusty Meyers, Team Leader, working with John Pope and Brett Peters;
b) Pre-certification training on November 22 by Cecile Carson of KAB’s Keep Texas
Beautiful.
2) Keep Benton County Beautiful:
a) Jim Farinelli heading that team effort; completed mission statement and bylaws;
struggling with logo;
b) Litter index of 2,000 miles of roadway in Benton County will be conducted
March 11;
c) Representation and school program development in two schools in Benton County;
d) Solid waste management district support.
3) Keep Little Rock Beautiful:
a) Carol Zoeller is team leader;
b) Randy Frazier assisted with bylaws and mission statement;
c) Litter index planned, hopefully in February.
4) Keep North Little Rock Beautiful:
a) Beth White team leader;
b) Logo developed;
c) 60 blue street signs installed utilizing the 1-866-811-1222 litter reporting number.
5) Keep Jacksonville Beautiful and Keep Sherwood Beautiful: Communities in distress;
Mr. Singleton will meet with these groups in March for re-commitment and a plan.
6) Keep Newport Beautiful:
a) Stephanie Martin, team leader;
b) Pre-certification training in September;
c) Awaiting January report from Ms. Martin and Julie Allen with Newport Chamber
of Commerce.
7) New Communities with pre-certification interest:
a) Envision (City of) Harrison: Under the leadership of Kay Steffen with Main
Street; they look toward March or April as a formation start time;
b) Keep Russellville/Pope County Beautiful: Effort led by Jim Kelley, Recycles
Facility Coordinator of Russellville.
KAB Commission Meeting
January 26, 2006 – page 5
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Litter Free Zone program for schools with beta testing begun: Pre-requisite includes a
questionnaire, teacher intervention and resources from KAB, i.e., litter pickup tools,
gloves and badges; implementation involves picking up litter, bagging and analyzing;
followup includes solutions such as “what do we do about this” and changing attitudes
about litter with students, faculty and family:
1) Meetings held with faculty of Oakbrooke Elementary, and they are ready to begin
the process;
2) Two Bentonville Elementary Schools have an interest with R. E. Baker Elementary
already involved in projects supporting the KAB mission;
3) Other potential schools include Central High School in Little Rock, as we have
worked with their EAST Lab in other efforts; and, Mountain Home High School who we
supported in implementation of a paper recycling program last year.
Advisory Reports:
Richard Davies of ADPT reported on the following:
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Arkansas Legislature:
1) New session begins in 2007 with cycle of preparation beginning in two months;
2) Special sessions may take place in 2006 – anticipate one, maybe two.
Arkansas Governor:
1) New Governor will take office in 2007;
2) Governor’s Conference on Tourism, March 5-7 in Jonesboro, will honor Governor
Huckabee.
State Parks update:
1) Mt. Magazine Lodge grand opening set for May 18; they will be open before then and
reservations can be made now;
2) Village Creek State Park: Future plans include a lodge and golf course.
New Ford Escape Hybrid purchased by KAB is impressive and very much improved
from first models manufactured years ago.
Mangan Holcomb Partners:
Mary Burnett stated the 866* litter hotline campaign, KAB partnering with AHTD, had been
more successful than anticipated; 5,000 plus calls had been received as of December, 2005, one
year after implementation. She expressed hope to build on that success during the second phase
of the Anti-Litter campaign in the spring, focusing on “Cigarette Butts Are Litter Too”, as
follows:
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TV and radio: Cigarette fairy spots will be customized to fit the new theme; these will be
provided for NCSA programming as well as paid cable.
Billboards: New print will be posted on the eight AHTD boards already provided and the
16 boards donated by the Arkansas Outdoor Advertising Association
Posters and counter displays will convert to new creative content at AHTD travel centers,
public libraries and state park welcome centers.
News print will include new information for drop-in ads.
KAB Commission Meeting
January 26, 2006 – page 6
Ms. Robbins described the expanded media campaign as a grass roots, “get in your face” type of
effort, including the following:
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Live Cigarette Fairy:
1) Media tours with potential bookings on TV morning shows around the state in
national TV markets;
2) “Guerrilla marketing” at special events in the LR River Market and at local
community festivals around the state.
News release campaign will include feature stories that tie the theme to other KAB
programs, i.e., spring cleanup.
Yard sign campaign where folks and KAB can identify potential areas for additional
news and advertising coverage.
Mailing: Resources for KAB and statewide communities.
Creative/collateral to include news/press releases and special releases.
Ms. Robbins concluded that the spring campaign introducing “Cigarette Butts Are Litter Too”
will be presented at the March 23 Commission meeting with a preview at the April 19 KAB
Awards Luncheon. It will be introduced to the general public on May 1. Ms. Burnett stated
$100,00 is budgeted for the entire campaign, noting that line item breakdown was presented at the
November Commission meeting.
Mr. Phelps stated he will introduce the campaign to the AR State Highway & Transportation
Department as a part of his presentation for their continued sponsorship and partnership of the
Great Arkansas Cleanup in 2006.
Congressional District Reports:
Congressional District 3:
Mr. Phelps shared a written report from Gelene MacDowell, highlighting the following:
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News print articles shared:
1) Micki Bare’s article in the Times Record about people who pick up trash;
2) November 20 Times Record front page feature by Scott Smith “Tossing Your Trash
Can Cost You Cash”;
3) January article in AR Democrat-Gazette about litter signs on I-540.
Local citizens complaints of trash on Highway 45 near Fort Smith and I-540 near Bella
Vista; responded with recommendations.
Educational support: Contacted Phyllis Abraham in Bentonville regarding her programs,
encouraging her to enter the KAB Awards; also, visited with Sherry Christopher at Fort
Smith’s Darby Jr. High regarding the Litter Free School Zone program.
Keep Fort Smith Beautiful With Pride update: Board met in January for the first time
since October; nothing accomplished.
Solid Waste Task Force has not met in three months; phone conversation with
Mr. Baridi (Nkokheli) indicated he does not plan on filling the educational
coordinator position vacated by Phyllis Bone.
KAB Commission Meeting
January 26, 2006 – page 7
Congressional District 4:
Laurie Black reported on the following:
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KAB representation at garden club meetings, AGFC and Simmons Bank.
Great American Cleanup: Encouraged by renewed interest in having an event in March;
has been contacted by an individual who has established preliminary ideas/plan.
KAB Law Enforcement Officer Award: Will present plaque to Pat Fitts.
Requested KAB’s support of her attendance at the AR Federation of Garden Clubs 75th
Anniversary.
Dixie Carlson made a motion, seconded by Sarah Wruck, approving
Laurie Black’s representation of Keep Arkansas Beautiful at the
Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs 75th Anniversary. The motion
passed.
Congressional District 1:
Dixie Carlson reported that she continues to address local litter problems, particularly around the
county courthouse, as well as distribute KAB materials promoting the litter hotline and a “please
don’t litter” attitude.
Brenda Williams stated the Van Buren County Judge has requested a meeting and indicated he is
interested in supporting a spring cleanup event.
Commissioner-At-Large:
Sarah Wruck reported on the following:
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Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Clean & Beautiful:
1) Serving again as a member of the Facilities Board in the capacity of Chairman;
2) Keep America Beautiful Affiliation: Accreditation is unstable at this time because of
failure to comply with the KAB reporting system.
Great American Cleanup: This was more of a city-wide, ward by ward, cleanup in 2005
under the direction of Ms. Camp and support from the mayor; hopefully, the 2006
campaign can involve more of the county.
The recycling center is temporarily closed to tire recycling but very busy with other
recyclables.
Ms. Wruck concluded, stating she hopes her most recent involvement with PB/JC Clean &
Beautiful will result in better reporting and affiliation with Keep America Beautiful, so they will
not lose their accreditation.
Old Business:
None.
KAB Commission Meeting
January 26, 2006 – page 8
New Business:
Ms. Halbert stated she had compiled and submitted Keep Arkansas Beautiful’s volunteer hours
for inclusion in ADPT’s 2005 Volunteer Study. Not only does the report include KAB special
events and programs, it also involves Commissioners’ volunteerism. She reviewed what could be
included, encouraging everyone to keep better records in 2006.
Miscellaneous
Mr. Phelps announced his acceptance of Mr. Singleton’s resignation/retirement as part of the
Keep Arkansas Beautiful staff and liaison to the Commission, commending him highly for the
invaluable work he had done in promoting a stronger KAB Community Action Network,
envisioning and starting many educational programs throughout the state, and stellar leadership in
Keep America Beautiful Affiliate pre-certification efforts statewide. He will continue to work
full time for a short period, then 1 to 2 days thru part of April, focusing on the KAB precertification efforts and educational programs he has begun.
Ms. Smith stated he had been a great “boost to our programs”. Mr. Phelps asked that
Commissioners be available during the transition period to take up some of the slack, if
necessary, attending community events and activities with Ms. Wruck stating, “we can’t fill
Jack’s shoes”.
Mr. Singleton concluded by expressing appreciation to Mr. Phelps for his leadership and
encouragement for the past 3 1/2 years as well as the tremendous efforts of the Keep Arkansas
Beautiful Commission in their support of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful mission. He stated he will
continue volunteering with a “vision that the Natural State might one day be less littered, less
wasteful and an even more beautiful place in which to live”!
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:00 Noon.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission will be on
Thursday, March 23 at AR Department of Parks & Tourism.
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Robert Phelps, Director
Keep Arkansas Beautiful
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Mary Smith, Chairman
Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission