title
Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on August 2, 2004.
body
Public Works Committee Minutes
Monday, August 2, 2004
4:30 P.M.
Members Present: Farmer, Street, Province, Roddy, Moore and Dover.
Others Present: Aubrey Scott, Royce Leonard, Jim McKinnon, Suzanne Hackney, Claude Martin, Ron Shipley, Donna Jackson, City Clerk, Keith Inman, Jonesboro Sun.
MINUTES - Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the minutes as amended for July 6, 2004. The amendment was to change the name “Shawki” to “Shawki Al-Madhoun”. All voted aye.
FEMA GRANT - Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend to the full council a resolution authorizing the Mayor or his designee to execute a FEMA grant application for continued drainage planning after review and approval by the City Attorney and Public Works Director. It was explained the opportunity existed to receive approximately $200,000.00 in grant funds from FEMA but the deadline was August 13, 2004 to get the application in. All voted aye
PERMANENT TRAFFIC AUTHORITY - Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend an ordinance to the full council creating a Permanent Traffic Control Review Committee. All voted aye.
STREETS & MATA PROJECTS - Mr. Martin reported the W. Nettleton Project was progressing well with only one complaint caused by the pavement not being in. The Fox Meadow Project is waiting on the traffic study, and the Lawson Road Project has right-of-way with the exception of Mr. Yarbrough. A letter was provided by Mr. W. J. Marriott who explains a trade off was agreed on between Mr. Larry Johnson, the former Mayor’s Assistant and himself to donate .80 acres of land located off Lawson Road in exchange for city sewer being brought up to his property line. The March 13th, 2003 Infrastructure Committee minutes reflect that Mayor Brodell was requesting approval to purchase the .80 acre for $36,875.00 with Mr. Marriott to do his own sewer improvements. The March 13th minutes also reflect that the committee voted to recommend to the full council the purchase of the property, contingent of Mr. Ken Yarbrough donating additional right-of-way, with the money to come from the Street and Drainage Tax. It was recommended that City Attorney Crego provide information regarding the possibility of imminent domain since negotiations with Mr. Yarbrough have been unsuccessful.
DRAINAGE - It was announced that Mr. Teddy Hooton would be acting as the Interim Street Superintendent and would be organizing a drainage crew. Several committee members were under the impression a drainage crew already existed, and were surprised to find out no one had been working on the ditches. Mr. Claude Martin, Public Works Director asked that a drainage policy be adopted that would provide some guidelines. He was asked to contact Carter Burgess for the purpose of drafting an ordinance with proposed guidelines to address various drainage issues. Mr. Bernie Auld emphasized to committee members that they did not want to lock themselves into work until the drainage study was complete which he reported was due by the end of the month. He explained one deciding factor regarding maintenance would be the ownership of the easement, and recommended doing what could be done till a policy is adopted. The following problem areas were discussed regarding drainage: Sunnybrook; Canyon Drive; Rossland Hills Development and Murray Creek. Several citizens were present and spoke about the problems they were having. Residents of Murray Creek explained they had contacted former Street Superintendent Gene Barnett and Mayor Brodell, but no one had worked on the ditch at Murray Creek in three years. One resident stated her fence was being washed away and she was losing her easement due to erosion. Mr. Hooton was instructed to free up as many employees as possible for the purpose of cleaning out the ditches, and to present a list of recommendations to include cost estimates at the next committee meeting. Discussion was held regarding flooding at Brownstone due to Barry Phillips’ Rossland Hills Development. It was explained that it is in the hands of Mayor Brodell, city staff and City Attorney Phillip Crego and the City Council can only set policy. The house on Quail Ridge was also discussed, and Aubrey Scott, Mayor’s Assistant was asked to have a recommendation by Mayor Brodell by the next committee meeting regarding the demolition of the house.
EXCAVATOR - It was explained that the City of Jonesboro would need a working excavator in order to fulfill the requirement of the Turtle Creek Mall Redevelopment District. It was explained by Mr. Martin that the current city owned excavator has had extensive repairs done and has remained inoperable. Consideration was given to selling some of the five graders owned by the city to help recoup the $230,000 cost for purchasing a new excavator. It was decided a recommendation should be provided to the Finance Committee for consideration.
INVOICES FROM ASSOCIATED ENGINEERING - Two invoices for engineering services at Quail Ridge Subdivision and Lot # 13 Rankin’s Oak Forest (Behind Wal-Mart) were pulled from consideration due to errors. Mr. Bernie Auld asked that they be pulled so further explanation could be provided.
PLANNING
Traffic Study - It was reported a recommendation would be available by the end of August.
Land Use Plan - It was explained that Mayor Brodell was still working on the committee assignments for the Land Use Plan Committee.
City Planner Search - Ms. Hackney stated advertisement for a new City Planner had been extended two weeks for the purpose of being able to advertise in particular circulations. She also explained Attorney Ralph Ohm had contacted Attorney Paul Ford regarding Mr. Batten, but has not received a response.
LANDFILL - Councilman Moore provided calculations derived from figures provided from Mr. Shawki Al-Madhoun, Northstar Engineering, showing the proposed new landfill would cost $2.5 million to develop and would last only about six years, showing it would be $351,000 per year just in development cost alone. Councilman Moore showed it cost the City of Jonesboro $680,000 to dispose of 15,450 tons of residential waste, while it would only cost $401,700 to pay the county to handle the residential waste. He stated the City of Jonesboro paid $278,300 for the privilege of handling the waste ourselves. Councilman Moore suggested by doing away with the $2.5 million new landfill and eliminating the $278,000 operation deficit the City of Jonesboro could save $4.405, 765 in seven years time. Councilman Farmer explained while there was no formal contract approved with Northstar Engineering, Mr. Shawki Al-Madhoun was hired to make the landfill work, but questioned at what cost for the citizens of Jonesboro. It was explained the documentation was not made available until recently, and the decision was made to call a joint meeting with the Craighead County Solid Waste Authority and the Public Works Department. Councilman Dover was asked to make the arrangements and notify City Clerk Donna Jackson for notification purposes.
BUILDING PROPERTY & PARKING
Councilman Province reported the Downtown Association was working on a priority list and as soon as it was available he would bring it to the committee. He also reported the property on Woodrow had appraised for $4,200.00.
MARSHALL ESTATES
It was determined that more background information was needed regarding the retention pond that was suppose to have been built in Marshall Estates, but instead a home was constructed. Councilman Farmer stated he would get with the Mayor’s Assistant, Aubrey Scott.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to adjourn. All voted aye.