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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on January 10, 2005.
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Council Public Service Committee Meeting Minutes
1/10/05
Huntington Building; Haworth Room
4:30 p.m.
Council Members Present: Cecil Providence, Jimmy Ashley, Ann Williams, Judy Fur, Tim McCall
Others: Jason Wilkie, Keith Inman, Steve Penny, Joe Williams
1. No minutes were approved. Minute approval tabled until February meeting.
2. Election of committee officers
a. Ann Williams was elected committee chair for the Public Services Committee.
b. Cecil Province was elected sub-committee chair for transportation.
c. Tim McCall was elected sub-committee chair for parks and rec.
d. Judy Fur was elected sub-committee chair for airport.
3. The committee voted to ask the nominating and rules committee to move the Forum from Public Services Committee to the Building sub-committee of the Public Works Committee.
4. Contract with Joe Williams, founder of Junior Olympic Volleyball
a. The committee voted to bring a contract with Joe Williams, founder of Junior Olympic Volleyball to the City Council. Mr. Williams will pay the City $6,440 per year for use of Allen Park Community Center to conduct volleyball training for young women. The approval of the contract was pending approval by Phillip Crego.
5. Jason Wilkie and Steve Penny discussed some policy needs of the cemetery with the committee. Discussion centered around the need for vaults in the cemetery. Also discussed was expansion of Oaklawn Cemetery, the need for a “Potters Field”, and the possibility of raising fees to accommodate indigent burials. The committee decided to invite funeral home directors to the meeting on February 14th, to further discuss requiring vaults. The committee asked that Mr. Wilkie research what other cities are doing with their cemeteries. Mr. McCall asked if everyone was in agreement that vaults were needed and all said “yes.” Mr. Wilkie said a policy would need to be established to determine who is permitted burial as an indigent. Mr. Providence asked Mr. Wilkie to look into stockpiling dirt for the expansion of Oaklawn Cemetery. The formal vote on requiring vaults was tabled until the February meeting.
6. The committee discussed the Athletic Association Fees. Jonesboro Baseball Boosters was the only organization that provided a Revenues and Expenses Report for 2004. The other organizations will present a report on February 14th. Mr. McCall noted that the Baseball Boosters take in $196,935 and they expended $194,117. Mr. Wilkie noted that the Jonesboro Baseball Boosters provide a service to the community that the Parks and Recreation Department would have to provide if the boosters did not provide the service. Providing the program would require additional salaried staff and the non-profit athletic organizations save the city the staff expenses.
7. The committee discussed ATV use at Craighead Forest Park and voted to raise the fine to $150.00 for people violating the ATV ordinance.
8. Construction Report
9. Tim McCall moved to adjourn meeting at 6:30 p.m.