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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on January 3, 2006.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
4:30 p.m.
Members present: Darrel Dover, Alec Farmer, Cecil Province, Jimmy Ashley, Chris Moore and John Street.
MINUTES
Mr. Royce Leonard asked for minutes of the December 12, 2005, meeting to be changed to reflect an April 1, 2006, date for the rate increase for commercial services to start instead of the February 1, 2006, date. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to approve the minutes for the December 12, 2005 regular meeting with the date change. All voted aye. Copies were available to all in attendance.
ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN
Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley, to leave the committee as is, with Councilman Street being chairman. All voted aye.
Questions were raised concerning moving to a Committee of the Whole. It was questioned how long the meetings would be. It was explained that a lot of the issues would be taken through the Mayor’s office first and could possibly be taken care of through Mayor Formon. Chairman Street questioned how the public would still be able to voice their opinions. It was suggested the public can voice their concern to the Mayor or at the City Council meetings. Issues should be taken care of administratively first and then if nothing happens, the issues can be taken to the City Council at the regular Council meetings. It was questioned how the MAPC handles public concerns. Chairman Street indicated the MAPC will take public comments, but they are usually the ones to ask for the information.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
PENDING: Ordinance to repeal ordinance #3315 regarding the procurement of services in accordance with the revised statute: Because Mr. Brian Wadley was unable to attend the meeting, it was decided to hold the ordinance until the February meeting so discussion could be held with Mr. Wadley present. Mayor Formon indicated Mr. Wadley had spoke with City Attorney Phillip Crego, but he did not know how the issue turned out.
PENDING: Storm water management/drainage ordinance: It was decided to hold the ordinance for the next meeting so the committee members could have time to review the ordinance.
Resolution authorizing an increase in “Commercial Rates” for the City’s Class IV landfill: Mr. Leonard provided a revised resolution stating a 20% rate increase for commercial fees. He added the resolution that had been submitted for the City Council’s approval was not correct stating the increase would be for tipping fees, not commercial fees as it should have read.
GENERAL PROPERTY/BUILDINGS/PARKING
PENDING: Justice Complex proposal: Mayor Formon informed the committee that the plans they received did not show how many or where the beams are to be put to repair the Complex. The plans did, however, show how to build the beams. He added he’ll be speaking with Tom soon to get more information.
Request for permission to apply for historical status with the Federal Historical Preservation Registry on Forum building: Mayor Formon stated that with his experience repairing a building with historical status can be more costly. He added that previously they had applied for the Forum to have historical status, but because of repairs that had been done to the lobby, it was denied. He recommended not giving permission for the Forum to apply for historical status. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley, to follow the Mayor’s recommended and not give permission to deny permission for application for historical status for the Forum. All voted aye.
PLANNING
PENDING: City Planner vacancy: Mayor Formon informed the committee that they were currently doing a background check on an applicant from Cincinnati. He was their last applicant to be interviewed. Questions were raised as to why Ms. Betty Shaw was not interviewed for the position. Mayor Formon stated that he didn’t think Ms. Shaw met the advertised requirements for the position. It was suggested that if the person from Cincinnati does not work out for the position, that the City re-advertise for the position and allow for people with a Master’s degree or the experience equivalent to apply. Chairman Street added that with Ms. Shaw’s experience, expertise and contacts, she would be an asset to the Planning Department. It was also questioned how the process is going to hire an Assistant Planner. Mayor Formon indicated they offered the position to one person, but they have not responded. It was discussed whether Ms. Shaw would qualify for the Assistant Planner position. Mayor Formon added that Ms. Shaw may fill the requirements for the Assistant Planner position.
PENDING: Traffic study: A list of issues regarding the traffic study was given out to the committee. Mr. Teddy Hooton explained some of the issues need to be corrected (such as the study suggesting traffic lights that have already been put up) in the study and some of the items in the contract had not been met yet. The committee decided to review the list of issues and discuss them at the next meeting. Mr. Claude Martin added that Mr. Ahmin Ulkarim wanted destination studies done to show how far it takes to get from one place to another to help reduce travel time. Discussion was held regarding Mr. Ulkarim’s work on trying to decrease the number of driveways that access roads, such as Caraway Road.
PENDING: RFQ for remainder of Jonesboro traffic study: Mr. Martin stated the project is currently being advertised and he was unsure when the closing date is.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
PENDING: Replace excavator vs. contract mowing of major ditches: Discussion was held regarding how many ditches had been cleaned in 2003 and how many needed to be cleaned out. It was explained that in 2003 the City paid a lot to have the ditches cleaned because they had not been cleaned in so long. To have the ditches just mowed would cost the City less money. It was suggested for the City to clean out some of the ditches and the City contract out cleaning out similar ditches so the two could be compared to see which is best for the City. Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, for Mayor Formon to look into purchasing an excavator for cleaning out the ditches and recommends it to full Council if he agrees with the deal. All voted aye. Mr. Hooton added the excavator had been taken out of the 2006 budget.
Discussion was then held regarding the City outsourcing mowing the right of ways. Mayor Formon explained they were going to get bids for a one-year contract, but the companies asked for 3-year contracts instead. Mr. Hooton discussed a mower that has a wet blade on it to spray chemicals on to the grass.
PENDING: Plan to close unused alleys: It was explained a plan had not been worked out yet.
PENDING: Downtown crosswalks: Mr. Martin informed the committee they had received bids for the concrete. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley, to accept the bid from Cooper Construction for $64,805. All voted aye. Mr. Martin explained Cooper would do one test crosswalk so everyone could look at it and approve it before replacing the rest of the crosswalks.
Discussion was then held regarding the two gravel lots in the downtown area. It was questioned whether the City owned the lots and what the City intended to do with them. Mayor Formon indicated the lot with the billboard by the overpass was owned by the City. It was questioned why the lot isn’t paved to allow for parking. It was asked for Mayor Formon to bring back more information regarding the parking lot across from Mr. Clay Young’s office and what the possible buy out is. Enforcing parking in the downtown area was also discussed. It was questioned what happened to the parking maids the City used to have. Mayor Formon informed the committee that the one of them, Mr. Ken Saddler, is now working in the City Collector’s office and the other, Ms. Christy Wall, is working in the Finance department. It was also asked when it was decided to move them to different departments and no longer work as meter maids. It was suggested to re-stripe the parking area downtown and have spot checks to enforce the parking to make sure people parked in the lines and not in the street.
PENDING: Standard operating procedures: Mr. Hooton explained he is still working on the procedures.
PENDING: Lawson Road project: It was discussed putting in five lanes on Lawson Road, but splitting the fifth lane and putting a half on each side of the road for bicycle access. It was also suggested to drop the curbs and gutters from the project. It was asked for Mr. Crego to give his legal opinion on the contract at the next meeting.
PENDING: Sidewalk compliance with ADA: Mr. Martin informed the committee that Cameron Construction had started on the construction to build ramps that should be completed by the end of January.
PENDING: RFQ for study of Highway 63 (Future I-555) interchanges: Mr. Martin stated they bid the project out with the rest of the traffic study.
PENDING: Street capital improvement projects: It was asked for Mr. Martin to meet with Mayor Formon to make a list of the improvements to be made.
Discussion was then held regarding Prospect Road. Mayor Formon indicated he’s had several phone calls concerning the road. Chairman Street also noted Airport Road needed to be three lanes due to the level of traffic. Mayor Formon added that children are not using the sidewalk on Wilkins; instead they’re still walking on the other side of the street. He questioned whether there was room for a sidewalk on that side of the street, but it was explained there wasn’t enough room because a rail would also have to be put up.
DRAINAGE
732 and 734 Valley Drive: Mayor Formon indicated he had not heard anything back from the Millers at 732 Valley Drive. The owners at 734 had made an offer, but it was for more than what the legal limit will allow. He added the owners at both residences had not complained about the appraised values of their homes.
Rossland Hills: It was explained that nothing new had come up regarding the pending lawsuit from the property owners in Rossland Hills.
Drainage study: Mr. Martin stated they had received a final copy of the drainage study, but he has not had time to look at it yet.
Drainage capital improvement projects: Discussion was held regarding what would be done with the drainage problem on Kitchen Street. Mr. Martin indicated Mr. Bernie Auld was going to look over the situation again, but he had not heard anything. Mr. Martin stated he’d bring a recommendation back at the next meeting.
It was asked if the City could use multiple companies to do general survey work, so if one company is busy, then the City can use another company to do the work. Mr. Martin explained that they could use more than one company and they have more or less been doing that already. He added they like to use the company that can get the work done the quickest.
SANITATION
Transition of landfill waste to CCSWDA: Mr. Leonard stated Tate had started construction and it had been reported to him that the construction was going smoothly. Mr. Leonard also informed the committee the landfill closed on December 31 at noon.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilman Farmer to adjourn. All voted aye.