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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on June 7, 2004.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Monday, June 7, 2004
4:30 P.M.
Members Present: Farmer, Street, Province, Roddy and Dover. Councilman Moore was unable to attend.
Others Present: Mayor Brodell, Aubrey Scott, Royce Leonard, Jim McKinnon, Suzanne Hackney, Claude Martin, Ron Shipley, Carter Burgess, Donna Jackson, City Clerk, Keith Inman, Jonesboro Sun.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the adoption of the May 3, 2004 committee minutes. Copies were made available to all in attendance. All voted aye.
ADA
Ms. Hackney reported the drawings were complete on Joe Mac Campbell and South Side Parks, and bids would be let for concrete work in the near future. She explained Attorney Ralph Ohm would be asking for an extension of the ADA lawsuit findings, based on money spent by Jonesboro for ADA improvements.
DRAINAGE STUDY
Mr. Burt Weathersbee with Carter and Burgess provided a status report regarding the Master Drainage Study. He explained funding was divided in to three phases, with phase one including a pilot study by which a computer model would be created showing flow and water surface elevations. Based on this information Mr. Weathersbee explained they would be able to offer recommendations, conceptual design, cost estimates, and prioritize the work that needed to be done. He anticipated Phase I would be complete within the next 2 months. He explained a public hearing was conducted for informational purposes and to gain feed back from residents. Sixty individuals participated in the hearing and as a result a map was created showing the various drainage hot spots. It was explained that Phase III would be for a drainage manual and ordinance preparation costing approximately $27,000. Due to the federally mandated storm water regulations it was recommended that Phase III be funded and presented to the full council for consideration on July 21st, 2004. Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Province to approve the expenditure. All voted aye.
Drainage Projects Under $10,000
Mr. Claude Martin, City Engineer provided the following recommendations of prioritized drainage projects costing under $10,000 and asked for the committee’s approval:
• Melton Circle at a cost of $8,389.00 for materials only (400 feet of pipe & flowable fill)
• Nettleton at Kitchen at a cost of $9,450.00 to bore under the street.
• James Street at a cost of $2,700 to divert water. Recommended a change order.
• Western Street at a cost of $3,500 to divert water.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Province to accept Mr. Martin’s recommendation for these drainage projects. All voted aye.
Matthews Project
Mr. Martin reported the original plan for the Matthews Project grossly under estimated the amount of asphalt needed. He stated they would need an additional 3200 more tons at a cost of $30.90 a ton, for a total cost of $98,880. Mr. Martin explained it was not a change order, but they needed to be able to appropriate the funds from MATA. Mr. Aubrey Scott reported the money was available in the MATA account. Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Province to accept the staff’s recommendation for the Matthews Project for additional overlay. All voted aye.
W. Nettleton at the YMCA location
Mr. Martin reported the plans for the West Nettleton Project did not include truncated domes which are required by ADA. He explained there were 50 locations needing these provisions and the contractor had agreed to add the truncated domes at a cost of $20,000, with the money to come from the MATA fund.
Railroad Spur at Commerce Drive
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Street to accept the low bid meeting specifications for Bid Number 2004:43; Railroad Spur repairs at Commerce Drive crossing. The low bidder was CW&W Contractors for $82,000.00. All voted aye.
GENERAL PROPERTY BUILDING & PARKING
Ferrell Street Sidewalk
Mr. Jim McKinnon was asked to research the matter to see if grant money could be used to provide sidewalks at Ferrell Street and provide recommendations at the next committee meeting.
Development Agreement - Mall at Turtle Creek
Mayor Brodell had requested a Development Agreement be provided to members of the committee, but neither Mr. Teddy Hooton, nor Mr. Aubrey Scott knew the details of the agreement. Mr. Bernie Auld stated the agreement was for improvements oriented around the Turtle Creek Mall development in the Matthews location, of which the developer would provide engineering services. He explained it was a draft copy and was unaware that it would be coming up at this time. Members of the committee were asked to review the document for the next committee meeting.
Downtown Parking
Councilman Province reported there was nothing new to report on the downtown parking situation, but provided a letter from Carolyn Passmore, Pastor of Kid’s Bible Club regarding a proposal to purchase Lot 18 of W. Woodrow Street from the City of Jonesboro for the purpose of creating a parking lot. The proposal was for $2,500 if the city funds the survey or $2,000 if they provide the survey. Questions followed with regard to having to take bids, and if it was located in a flood area. City Attorney Crego stated the property would have to be appraised. The decision was made to have the City Engineers and City Attorney review the matter, in order to make recommendations to the committee by their next meeting.
Food Pantry - Huntington Building
Councilman Province stated individuals use the rear portion of the Huntington Building for a food pantry and were requesting an additional restroom. It was explained they were here when the City of Jonesboro purchased the building, and no lease had ever been established. Mr. Province recommended a lease be drawn up for the protection of the individuals. The decision was made to have Mayor Brodell to contact the individuals and draw up a lease agreement so the City Attorney could review it prior to bringing it back to the committee for approval.
City Properties
Discussion was held regarding access properties owned by the City of Jonesboro. Councilman Farmer stated there are different opinions, but the City of Jonesboro should determine what its needs are based on the properties that they know they own. Councilman Dover and Councilman Farmer suggested that properties could be sold and used to pay for other necessary capital improvements (City Hall/Renovation, Animal Shelter, and Street Department Building). Councilman Province questioned the progress on the list of city owned property. Mayor Brodell reported they were making progress on it. Councilman Dover asked for an estimated time as to when the property list would be complete, so the committee could determine what to do with the property. Mayor Brodell reported his employees were working on it and he would provide a written report to the committee. Mayor Brodell reported that he, Steve Kent and Larry Flowers would be able to provide a “pretty good list” even though it would not be 100% accurate.
Quail Ridge - Demolition of house
Mayor Brodell was asked to provide a recommendation to the committee by its next meeting with regard to demolition of the home located at Quail Ridge. The recommendation was to be if the city should do the demolition or if they should contract it out.
ENGINEERING & LANDFILL
Councilman Farmer provided a copy of Resolution No. 2004:35, adopted April 5th, 2004 providing for the study of environmental status of the proposed Class IV Landfill Site and of potential alternate sites; as well as the response by Northstar Engineering and Royce Leonard, Sanitation Director, which prompted additional questions. Members of the committee were asked to review the material and come prepared to discuss it at the next committee meeting. It was reported that Mayor Brodell and some of the senior staff would be meeting with ADEQ to discuss some of the issues relating to the Class IV Landfill.
Mr. Frank Sloan was in attendance and reported the Solid Waste Authority is required to do an analysis of the solid waste needs within the county every four years. He explained the capital cost in hauling trash to a different sight is $81,000.00 an acre compared to Shawki’s estimate of $216,000.00 per acre.
STREETS & MATA
Traffic Study
Councilman Street reported another public hearing would be held sometime in July. Mr. Auld explained the hearing would pertain to sectional analysis for the establishment of a full network analysis.
PLANNING & MPO
Mr. Ron Shipley, Interim City Planner reported a public hearing had been conducted with local plumbers regarding changes in the Plumbing Code. Those changes allow for 3 inch plastic pipe to be used in second story construction in accordance with state regulations. He also reported on proposed zoning changes that would be going before the MAPC to allow for loft apartments in certain areas as a conditional use; and clarification to zoning descriptions particularly Residential Three, limiting the number of residential housing units per zoning classification. Mr. Shipley provided a building permit report to committee members. Councilman Street questioned Mayor Brodell on the status of the appeal filed by Mr. Glenn Batten. Mayor Brodell stated Attorney Ralph Ohm was preparing a letter to go to Mr. Batten’s Attorney Paul Ford.
Separation of Departments
Mayor Brodell stated he had spoken to his assistant, Aubrey Scott and recommended closing in the drive-in area. It was suggested that offices be created out of the dead space in the lobby area. Mayor Brodell responded saying it depends on how many new positions were going to be created. Mayor Brodell stated there was a possibility of moving the Planning Department to the Huntington Building, and Code Enforcement to 314 W. Washington, but leaving the Inspection Department in the Huntington Building. Mayor Brodell was asked to have recommendations available at the next committee meeting.
W. Nettleton Ave.
Mayor Brodell reported he had received a letter from Dr. Bill Beasley requesting the West Nettleton Project be completed by the summer months, and they were trying to get that accomplished.
Southern Hills Mall
Questions were asked about seeding the property and what their plans were. City Engineer/Public Works Director Claude Martin stated a letter had been sent requesting their plans, but no response had been provided.
Layman Crest
Mr. Martin reported the Layman Crest site is now being controlled by the bank. He stated he had a meeting with the contractor to complete the subdivision which will aid the drainage situation. Mayor Brodell reported right-of-way has been secured on both sides of Culberhouse for the under ground tile to be replaced, so it would be let for bids next month.
Lawson Road
Mayor Brodell reported he had all the signed original deeds for Lawson Road, but none would be recorded until they had been approved by City Council. Councilman Farmer explained the project had been on going for eight years, and municipalities have eminent domain ability and condemnation powers. He explained this is a critical situation for our schools and needs to be resolved. City Attorney Crego was asked to provide details for condemnation at the next committee meeting if it becomes necessary.
Penny Lane
Mayor Brodell stated they would install an 18 inch pipe at the end of the black top and grade the gravel road so it would drain properly. He explained it was his understanding the work would be completed before the week was out. City Attorney Crego provided a written legal opinion stating Mr. John Moore has two options in order to obtain a certificate of occupancy:
• Option A. Place his driveway on his own property outside the city’s thirty three feet of right of way. In doing so this will require the first one hundred feet from the existing city street to be had surface in accordance to city code. This option will also require completion of pavement of Penny Land to his drive way which should be approximately ten to fifteen feet.
• Option B. Mr. Moore could pave the city’s right of way for on half the length of his lot which is approximately three hundred feet. This would need to be up to city’s standards as far as the base and asphalt, but would only need to be for the width of the current paved potion of Penny Lane. In addition, he would then need a hard surface driveway from that paved portion to his house.
Mr. Ron Shipley in cooperation with the City Attorney was asked to send Mr. Moore a letter regarding his Certificate of Occupancy. Mr. Foster questioned why his tax dollars should pay to have the pipe installed when it was Mr. Moore who created the problem. City Attorney Crego responded saying that question is to be determined. Mr. Foster requested that Mr. Moore be required to pay for the installation of the pipe.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Province to adjourn. All voted aye.