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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on October 10, 2005.
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Public Services Committee
October 10, 2005
4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ann Williams, Jimmy Ashley, Judy Furr, Cecil Province and Mitch Johnson. Tim McCall arrived at 4:54 p.m.
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
MINUTES
Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilman Province for the approval of the regular meeting on September 12, 2005 and the special meeting on September 27, 2005. All voted aye. Copies were provided to all in attendance.
PARKS
Forestry Ordinance: Mr. Jason Wilkie provided the committee with an ordinance creating the Jonesboro Urban Forestry Council. Mr. Wilkie added that Mr. Teddy Hooton suggested some changes to be made to the ordinance. Mr. Wilkie also added that City Attorney Phillip Crego had not had the chance to read over the ordinance yet, but would soon. Mr. Wilkie stated the ordinance would allow Jonesboro to apply for Tree City USA status in December. The committee said they already had approved the ordinance and recommended it to full council, so no action was needed.
Dog jumping dock contract: Mr. Wilkie presented a resolution to contract with Earl FM and the Canine Sports League for the construction of a dog jumping dock at Craighead Forest Park. He explained that he had run the resolution by Mayor Formon and Mr. Brian Wadley and they had some suggestions for changes, including allowing the City to review the blueprint drawing of the dock, specifying that Earl FM and the Canine Sports League will provide the blueprint, and noting that after 5 years if the dock is worn down the City has the option to tear it down. It was explained the dock would not interrupt the current construction going on at Craighead Forest Park Lake. It was asked if Earl FM and the Canine Sports League will be responsible for making sure inspections are made. Mr. Wilkie indicated Earl FM and the Canine Sports League will take care of those matters. Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to recommend the resolution to full council pending the approval of Mr. Crego. All voted aye.
Drawing from the Perpetual Care Fund: The committee had suggested in the past to use the money in the Perpetual Care Fund to finance capital improvements for the City’s cemeteries. Mr. Wilkie reported the fund currently has a balance of $948, 859.60 and gains three percent (3%) interest every year. Mr. Wilkie added that he spoke with Mr. David Eagle and Mr. Eagle suggested just spending the interest in the account so the principal isn’t touched. It was discussed what improvements needed to be made to the cemeteries and how much the improvements would cost. Mr. Wilkie reported approximately $41,000 would be needed to finance the needed improvements. It was asked what other improvements Mr. Wilkie and Cemetery Manager Mr. Steve Penny would like to see with the cemeteries. Mr. Penny added that he would like a shop at each cemetery to house his equipment and he would like to hire more people to help him take care of the cemeteries. It was also discussed checking the cemeteries for unmarked graves and doing improvement there as well. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall to recommend to the Finance committee a transfer from the Perpetual Care Fund not to exceed $50,000 for survey work and road improvements for Oaklawn and Nettleton cemeteries respectively. All voted aye. Mr. Wilkie and Councilwoman Williams indicated they would present the transfer to the Finance committee at their October meeting. It was also asked for Mr. Penny to make a wish list of things he would like to have done at the cemeteries and present that at the next Public Services meeting in November.
Temple Israel land: Mr. Wilkie informed the committee that Temple Israel is not interested in selling their land to the City. Temple Israel indicated they had enough money and would not need the money from the sale, so they are not going to sell their land.
Joe Mack Campbell Park baseball fields: Mr. Wilkie presented a resolution to accept bids for the construction of the baseball fields at Joe Mack Campbell Park. He explained that additional electrical stubs would be made for future fields. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to recommend the resolution to full Council pending the approval of Mr. Crego. All voted aye. Mr. Wilkie added that he needed to get signatures on some related contracts before he could present the resolution to Council. He indicated if he did not have the needed signatures in time for the next Council meeting, he would wait until the first November Council meeting to present the resolution.
It was also discussed whether the City should consider hiring a construction coordinator to oversee the construction projects in the City.
Construction report: Mr. Wilkie informed the committee that bollards were installed at Joe Mack Campbell Park to help keep people from driving on the sidewalks. He further explained the lake work at Craighead Forest Park has begun and they are excavating less than what they had initially anticipated.
It was discussed whether fencing in playgrounds at City parks would be beneficial. It was explained the fencing would help keep the kids in the playground area, while keeping out unwanted persons. The fencing would have space between each board to allow people to see inside the playground to make sure nothing unwanted was happening inside the fenced in area. Mr. Wilkie said he would discuss the idea with his staff to see what they think.
It was also discussed whether the situation between the Jonesboro Baseball Booster Club and the USSSA was a matter for the committee to handle. The committee decided the matter was administrative and is to be handled by Mayor Formon and Mr. Wilkie.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to adjourn. All voted aye.