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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on March 12, 2007.
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Public Services Committee Minutes
Monday, March 12, 2007
5:00 p.m.
Members present were: Charles Frierson, Jim Hargis, Tim McCall, Cecil Province and Ann Williams. Councilwoman McCall arrived at 5:06 p.m. Mayor Formon and Mr. Tony Thomas from the Mayor’s Office were unable to attend the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Hargis, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on February 12, 2007, as written. All voted aye. Minutes were made available to all those in attendance.
TRANSPORTATION
JETS building lease: JETS Director Joel Gardner explained they would like to enter into a 45-month lease for the Meadows Construction building on the corner of Gee Street and Johnson. He discussed the available facilities at the building. Councilman Hargis questioned whether additional staff would be needed to maintain the property. Mr. Gardner stated they can use their own staff to take care of the property. He added they will also be able to lease part of the space to other City of Jonesboro departments. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to approve the lease agreement. All voted aye. Councilman Frierson questioned whether the property has been appraised. Mr. Gardner stated yes, the property has been appraised. He also stated the lease would be an 80/20 match, with no added cost to the City.
Chairwoman Williams questioned the status of the shelters being installed. Mr. Gardner stated they have finished 21 of the 27 shelters.
Mr. Gardner discussed the new buses they hope to purchase. He explained no motion would be needed because the buses were pre-approved with the 2007 budget. He noted the three buses would cost the city $12,403 per bus.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Contract with NRS Engineering for design and construction inspection of Allen Park lighting: Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Hargis, to recommend the contract to the full Council. All voted aye.
Contract with NRS Engineering for design and construction inspection of Turtle Creek Greenway: Parks Director Jason Wilkie discussed the current plans for the greenway. He noted there is already money in the 2007 budget for the greenway. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman Hargis, to recommend the contract to full Council. All voted aye.
Greenway update: Mr. Wilkie discussed his recent trip to Washington D.C. He stated it was indicated to him that federal money for the greenway would be hard to get since federal funding is tight this year. He discussed other alternatives, such as working with Ms. Ruth Hawkins for transportation grants.
Sponsor agreement with Frito Lay for new baseball field: Mr. Wilkie explained revisions have been made to the agreement at the suggestion of City Attorney Phillip Crego. He further explained Frito-Lay is okay with the agreement as written. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to recommend the agreement to the full Council. All voted aye.
Landmark park legislation: Mr. Wilkie discussed legislation that is currently in the works to bring more funding towards designated parks throughout the state, including Craighead Forest. He explained the money would be used towards capital improvements at Craighead Forest. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to ask the Mayor’s Office to send a letter in support of the legislation. All voted aye.
Fire suppression system for softball concession stands: Mr. Wilkie recommended splitting the cost of the systems with the softball association, so the City would pay for one system while the softball association paid for the other. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to purchase a fire suppression system for one of the softball concession stands. All voted aye.
Bathhouse at Craighead Forest Park: Mr. Wilkie explained the bathhouse will cost approximately $260,000. He discussed the features and the location of the bathhouse. He stated the bathhouse would be paid for with an outdoor recreation grant that is a 50/50 match. He further explained the City’s cost of $130,000 has already been budgeted for in 2007. He stated he is hoping to bring a contract to the committee at the meeting in April.
Construction report: Mr. Wilkie stated they officially completed the Rotary Centennial Park, which will be open the first week in April.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Hargis, to adjourn. All voted aye.