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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on April 5, 2004.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Monday, April 5, 2004
4:30 P.M.
Members Present: Farmer, Street, Moore, Province, Roddy and Dover. Others Present: Mayor Brodell, Aubrey Scott, Donna Jackson, City Clerk, Keith Inman, Jonesboro Sun.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of the March 1, 2004 committee minutes. Copies were provided to all in attendance. All voted aye.
LANDFILL RESOLUTION
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the recommendation to the full council a resolution providing for the study of environmental status of the proposed Class IV Landfill site and for potential alternate sites and other related matters. All voted aye.
STREET OVERLAYS
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore authorizing Public Works Director/City Engineer, Claude Martin to prioritize a list of street overlays and approving the work for the prioritized list up to the budgeted amount. All voted aye.
ASPHALT BID
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to accept the recommendation of Mr. Claude Martin for the only complete bid of Atlas Asphalt which was the low bid meeting bid specifications. All voted aye.
UNFINISHED SIDEWALKS - ADA COMPLIANCE- GAS STATION @ HUNTINGTON & FLINT
It was explained there are six businesses that have sidewalks that are a major part of their driveways, having a slope of 7%, making them noncompliant with ADA regulations. One of the six being a gas station located at Huntington and Flint Streets. Originally driveways were not included in state funding for ADA, but Mr. Martin stated he believed that was not longer the case. Mr. Martin was asked to provide the committee by the next committee meeting, a detailed list of each sidewalk/driveway combination, along with cost estimates for making them ADA compliant.
FUND RAISER - PAINTED MASCOT TRACKS FOR MACARTHUR PARK SCHOOL
Ms. Mallory Johnston and Silvia Holt addressed committee members regarding the placement of “Cyclone” tracks on Macarthur Park and Wilkins Street for the purpose of raising funds for the cheerleaders at Macarthur Park School. Mayor Brodell was asked to contact City Attorney Crego about researching the ordinances regarding the painting of public streets and any new legislation that may be needed. He was asked to bring a recommendation back to committee members at the next Public Works meeting. Several expressed concern over setting precedence for this type of activity.
ADEQ - CHARGES FOR GREEN WASTE
Councilman Moore questioned Mr. Royce Leonard regarding a report on the ADEQ website in which Jonesboro was penalized 21 points for the following violations: 12 points for over height of the landfill; 3 points for being outside the foot print; and 3 points for leachate; and 3 points for leachate leaving the property. Mr. Leonard reported corrections had already been made, and in his opinion the leachate is not leaving the landfill but going into a retention pond. Mr. Leonard explained the 12 points for over height requirement was carried over from December with 3 points added. He explained they were waiting for approval for the footprint by ADEQ. Councilman Moore questioned Mr. Leonard as to the possibility of Jonesboro being fined for the violations, to which Mr. Leonard stated it would be up to ADEQ. Councilman Moore stated he had spoken with a woman by the name of Casey at ADEQ who informed him that Jonesboro was weighing “green waste” and paying $2.50 per ton unnecessarily. After checking the record at the Solid Waste Authority Councilman Moore stated we are paying a considerable amount for green waste, and asked Mr. Leonard to have the Solid Waste Authority to stop weighing it. Mr. Royce reported that the survey of the landfill had been completed by Mr. Terry Bare.
DOWNTOWN PARKING LOTS
Discussion was held about the progress of the downtown parking situation. Councilman Province stated there was nothing new to report due to the extensive work being done by City Engineer Claude Martin. Councilman Moore suggested they provide a set of rules to cover the usage of city owned parking lots. Councilman Province responded saying we need to address the parking lot a Church and Cate Street first. Councilman Farmer explained there were issues regarding loading zones in the downtown area, and both he and Councilman Province had recommended the Downtown Jonesboro Association make recommendations to the Public Works Committee, due to the problems being specific to that part of town.
FORUM REPAIRS
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend to the full council an ordinance declaring an emergency, and waiving competitive bidding to hire Tom’s Tuck Pointing for $19,000 to repair aging mortar in the building prior to painting. Mr. Aubrey Scott reported they had hired a structural engineer who had provided them with a written report concerning Forum repairs, and explained it needed to be done as quickly as possible. All voted aye.
ADA COMPLIANCE AND COST ESTIMATES
Ms. Suzanne Hackney reported even though she could not provide an exact dollar amount for ADA projects, she predicted the cost would be over $200,000.00. She stated the projects would be “substantially” completed by the September deadline, and at that time she would provide a list to Attorney Ralph Ohm who would give an explanation to the ADA Board.
DRAINAGE PROJECTS & MAINTAINENCE
Councilman Dover questioned the progress on the smaller jobs from the list of last year’s prioritized drainage projects. Mr. Martin responded saying they have the list, but were waiting till the Master Drainage Plan was further along. Mr. Martin reported they have a maintenance schedule and are clearing ditches they worked on several years ago, as well as checking the culverts. He stated they would begin spraying the ditches as soon as the equipment was ready.
STATUS REPORT ON ROY COOPER PROJECT AND QUAIL RIDGE PROJECT
It was reported Quail Ridge Property had closed, and Bernie Auld had the survey drawings. Mr. Martin stated the pipe had been laid across the street, but were waiting on Roy Cooper, and as yet the ditch had not been cleaned out.
FERREL STREET BEHIND ANNIE CAMP
On October 6th, 2003 a petition was provided in the council meeting asking for assistance in constructing a sidewalk on Ferrel Street so children would have a safe place going to and from Annie Camp School. Councilman Province stated it was a very dangerous area, contributing some of the problem to a hill, making it difficult to see the children. Mayor Brodell stated he was working with the county to get the bridge widened so a sidewalk could be built. Mr. Mike Ebbert requested immediate installation of a sidewalk from the existing sidewalk adjacent to Annie Camp School on the east side, until completion of the rest of the project. He expressed his concern for the safety of the children. City Engineer Claude Martin was asked to research the area and provide a recommendation back to the committee at their next meeting.
MARSHALL ESTATES LANDSCAPING
Attorney Price Marshall addressed the committee regarding an erosion problem at the entry of Marshall Estates Subdivision. He provided pictures and a history of the widening of Matthews Street and the installation of sidewalks. He explained the cut backs for the sidewalks had left the trees at risk of dying and were causing erosion problems. He stated it was a communications problem with Gary Meadows Construction and they needed authorization by the committee for a change order to put back the landscaping instead of the sod. Mayor Brodell recommended the change order be done. Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the change order. All voted aye.
WALNUT STREET BAPTIST CHURCH - STREET DEDICATION
Discussion was held regarding the dedication of a portion street from the overpass on Woodsprings Road contingent on specific stipulations. The question was asked if it met city specifications, but Mr. Martin was not sure. He was asked to research it and provide the information at the next council meeting.
CITY PLANNER
Mr. Ron Shipley reported 142 permits were issued in March and the work load was heavy due to the new mall. Mayor Brodell stated that Glenn Batten’s reports which are provided to City Council members were being handled by Aubrey Scott, Amin MPO Director, and Brian Wadley. He stated they would catch up on all the permits by Friday of this week. Mayor Brodell stated he would provide committee members a written status report on the suspension of City Planner, Glenn Batten by the following day, April 6, 2004.
RETIREMENT OF GENE BARNETT
Mayor Brodell read an email from Street Superintendent, Gene Barnett establishing the date of July 31st 2004 for his retirement, providing that all the necessary paper work was completed before that date.
VDCI - MOSQUITO CONTRACT
Mayor Brodell read from a letter stating Vector Disease Control, Inc. intended to provide the City of Jonesboro with mosquito control services during the remaining three years of their existing agreement for the present cost of $400,000.00 per year.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to adjourn. All voted aye.