Hot Springs Village CPFWC Meeting – 12-02-24

Common Property, Forest, and Wildlife Committee Seeks New Members

The Common Property, Forest, and Wildlife Committee (CPFWC) actively seeks new members to join the team. This is a valuable opportunity for individuals passionate about environmental stewardship and community engagement to contribute to the ongoing efforts in managing and preserving our common properties, forests, and wildlife.

The committee, which convened on Monday, December 2, at 1:30 p.m. at the Coronado Community Center, interviewed a prospective member.

Committee members attending were Anne Shears, Secretary and Acting Chair, and James Galarza. Interim Temporary Committee Members Tom Impellizeri and Scott McCord also attended. Dr. John Bowers was absent.

Board Members Attending: Archie Frye, Committee Liaison; Bruce Caverly

Staff Attending: Matt Broom, Associate Director of Public Services; David Harper, Superintendent of Common Property, Forestry and Lakes

Chair Report

Ms. Shears announced that a POA meet-and-greet event is scheduled for December 11, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Coronado Community Center (150 Ponderosa Lane), and it would be beneficial for committee members to attend.

Additionally, the Committee Appreciation Luncheon is slated for December 19. Ms. Shears remarked, “This is a truly commendable event. If you have never attended, I strongly encourage your participation.”

Staff Report

Mr. Harper reported that his team continues with timber thinning operations and tornado cleanup efforts. He mentioned that “logging is progressing well.” Mr. Harper currently has two crews dedicated to the thinning process for standing timber.

Dredging on Lake Coronado started on Tuesday, December 3.

Board Liaison Report

Board Director Archie Frye said the Board had discussed reducing the committee membership from nine to seven.

“The 2025 HSVPOA Budget looks good,” stated Frye.

Caverly said it is one of the best budgets we’ve ever had regarding accuracy. The POA has had four Controllers in the last three years. Caverly stated, “This budget – we know where we are and where we are going.”

Urban Deer Hunt Update and Feeding the Deer

McCord said about 100 deer from the Urban Deer Hunt have been donated to Hunters Feeding the Hungry, and 200 deer have been harvested. The numbers are not precise because they are not real-time data, but based on the numbers, the deer hunt is going well.

Arkansas Game and Fish will present historical deer survey data to the Board. “Our deer population is somewhere slightly north of 1,000, based on the most recent survey. This is dramatically reduced from what it was in past years. So, it becomes a maintenance program.”

“The breeding rate for the Hot Springs Village deer is one of the highest in the state. They look at breeding rates in different geographies. In other words, we have a healthy herd.”

Even a healthy deer can contract chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD is a fatal, progressive, neurological disease that affects hoofed animals like deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. CWD is the reason for the strict deer-feeding rule in the Village. Tom Impellizzeri said that it would be great to have Cory Gray, research Division Chief at Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, come in and explain why it is important not to feed the deer except for hunters during the hunting season.

Common Property Permits

The committee approved one class one and one class two permit.

Board Member Archie Frye said that clarification needs to be made on grandfathering in something approved previously that violates the rules. Sometimes, leaders have wrongly approved items in the past.

Prospective Committee Member

Upon invitation, the committee applicant shared her background and expressed why she would like to be considered for the CPFW Committee. The three-year resident said she enjoyed being in the woods and wanted to be helpful. She understands the need to manage deer, geese, and our forest. The applicant has a psychology masters and is a member of HSV Audubon.

Shears said that committee members need to be comfortable with wildlife management. In the past, a member resigned from the committee because she was uncomfortable with this aspect of the work. Shears, who handles most of the administration tasks, is due to retire from the committee and felt that this applicant would be a great fit for this role.

The committee had an executive session to vote on the prospective member’s acceptance to the committee. If this applicant is accepted, this matter will most likely be approved by the Board of Directors at the next regular board meeting on December 18, 2024.

Interested in Joining the CPFW Team?

Due to recent resignations, the committee comprises five members: Anne Shears, James Galarza, Dr. John Bowers, Scott McCord, and Tom Impellizzeri. Scott and Tom are temporary interim members. Scott McCord withdrew his resignation and returned to help rebuild the committee. The committee reached out to previous committee member Tom Impellizzeri, who agreed to return temporarily to fill in. Shears said she appreciates having Scott and Tom return.

Three members are still needed, and some terms will be finished in April, so there is an ongoing need for more committee members.

Public Services Associate Director Matt Broom said they may create some one-year committee terms, as they feel that more people could make a one-year commitment than a three-year term.

Shears invites prospective members to attend the HSVPOA Meet and Greet to visit with committee members.

If you are interested in joining the Public Services Committee, applications are available here and can be submitted via email to jwhite@hsvpoa.org or in person at the HSVPOA Administration Building, 895 DeSoto Boulevard, attention Julie White, Assistant to the General Manager.

By Cheryl Dowden