title
Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on November 17, 2004.
body
Public Services Committee
November 17, 2004 at 4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ann Williams, Cecil Province, and Judy Furr.
Others present were: City Clerk Donna Jackson, Parks Director Jason Wilkie, Mayor’s Assistant Aubrey Scott, and Jonesboro Sun Reporter, Keith Inman.
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order:
MINUTES
Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for approval of the September 15, 2004, October 11, 2004, and October 20, 2004 committee minutes as provided. Copies were made available to all in attendance. All voted aye.
ASU ROTC ORIENTEERING AREA
Options were discussed on making the ROTC Orienteering signs more aesthetic to the park area. Captain Durham was asked to research the possibility of plastic coverings that would go over five foot posts made of cypress or cedar and be inscribed with facts about nature. Captain Durham was in agreement with this alternative and stated he would report back to committee members on December 13, 2004.
ATV AREA SCOPE OF WORK
Discussion was held regarding the preliminary scope of work for engineering services on the parking lot at the ATV area based on an $85,000 grant secured from the Arkansas Transportation and Highway Department. Mr. Wilkie reported he had reviewed the qualifications of engineers and recommended three local firms: Associated Engineering, NRS, and Hamman Newell. The decision was made to have Mr. Wilkie submit the proposed scope of work to the three engineering firms and conduct the interviews for the purpose of providing a recommendation to the committee by the December 13th meeting.
Mr. Wilkie informed committee members he had contacted the City Attorney and the State regarding a letter stating the possibility of closing the ATV Park if the rules are not followed. He explained the State had informed him the park could be closed as a last resort if all other attempts had been exhausted, and recommended programs that would help individuals police themselves. City Attorney Crego had reviewed the letter and found no conflicts with current city law. The decision was made to post the letter as a first attempt to resolve the problems.
CAMPGROUND RATES AND REVENUE
Data was provided showing a significant drop in revenues between the years of 2002 and 2004. Mr. Wilkie gave the following possibilities for the decrease: Replacement of park host, deterioration of bathrooms, and fuel rates. The decision was made to accept Mr. Wilkes’s recommendation to draft a resolution adopting all the rules and polices including a change in the stay policy and bathroom facilities and provide it for the committee’s review. He also explained he would include a budget request for a host available during the day at a rate of $20.00 a day.
DEPARTMENT RATES
Mr. Wilkie submitted a resolution to establish fees for the parks and recreation and cemeteries. It was explained the City Attorney had recommended writing a general resolution and attaching a schedule of fees. Discussion followed regarding cemetery fees. It was explained the Jonesboro Code of Ordinances contains a section on “Cemeteries” and in order to change the Jonesboro Code of Ordinances an ordinance would have to be adopted by the City Council. City Clerk Donna Jackson was asked to research the information. Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to recommend the resolution establishing the amount to be charged as a fee for the use of any and all recreational facilities. All voted aye.
SECURITY REPORT
Mr. Wilkie provided a report generated from his meeting with Captain Kelly Baggett to assess security needs of the Parks Department. The conclusion of Mr. Wilkie’s report compared the parks situation to that of Indian Mall. It was discussed that large groups using the park areas could be required to provide their own security as in other larger cities. Mr. Wilkie was asked to consider the gender of the survey conducted regarding
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to adjourn. All voted aye.