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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on February 1, 2005.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Monday, February 1, 2005
4:00 p.m.
Members Present: Farmer, Ashley, Street, Province, Dover, and Moore.
MINUTES - Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to approve the minutes for January 4, 2005. All voted aye. Copies were made available to all in attendance.
COMMITTEE CHAIR & SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR SELECTIONS
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to appoint Councilman John Street, Chair of the Public Works Committee. All voted aye.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to appoint he following Subcommittee Chairs:
• Drainage - Alec Farmer
• Streets & Sidewalks - Jimmy Ashley
• Landfill - Darrel Dover
• Planning - John Street
• Gen. Property/Bldgs & Parking - Cecil Province
• Sanitation - Chris Moore
All voted aye.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
Ordinance to repeal the MATA Planning & Implementation Committees: Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to recommend the full council at the Feb. 15th city council meeting an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 2461 which created the permanent MATA Planning & Implementation Committees. All voted aye. It was explained the committees were no longer functioning and MATA funds had been depleted.
Resolution - Notification of Jonesboro’s Class IV Landfill Closing (On or Before 12/31/05: Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to recommend to the full council at the Feb. 15th city council meeting a resolution providing notification to the Craighead County Solid Waste Disposal Authority and Board that on or about Oct.1, 2005 the City of Jonesboro will begin directing all Class IV material currently accepted at the City’s landfill site to the Authority’s Class I Landfill in accordance with state law. All voted aye.
Ordinance - Waive Bidding - Limestone Road Ditch 26 Bridge Project :
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend to the full council an Ordinance waiving bids for Scott Clark Construction to do work on Limestone Road (Ditch 26) Bridge Project. All voted aye.
Resolution - Lawson Road Contract: Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to recommend to the full council a Resolution authorizing the execution of a contract with Fisher & Arnold for engineering services for the design of Lawson Road per approval by City Attorney Crego. All voted aye.
GENERAL PROPERTY & BUILDINGS & PARKING
Lease of Family Life Center: Mr. Wadley provided a copy of a proposed lease agreement for the Family Life Center of the Huntington Building. He stated they were not asking for any action to be taken at the present time, but would be bringing a resolution for consideration. It was requested that a recommendation be provided by the Mayor’s Office.
Lease of CWODNA: Mr. Wadley provided written communications regarding a proposed lease agreement with a group known as “Coping Without Dope Narcotics Anonymous” for a portion of the old part of the Huntington Building. It was requested that a recommendation be provided by the Mayor’s Office.
Kenney Manufacturing Company : A letter was provided from Kenney Manufacturing Company stating they were exercising their right to terminate a lease agreement effective March 31, 2005, and to exercise the option under the Lease to purchase the property. Mr. Wadley stated everything was spelled out in the lease and no action was required by the Public Works Committee. Questions were asked regarding who would notify the tax assessors office so they could be included on the tax roles. Mr. Wadley and Mr. Flowers were designated as being responsible for notification.
Bud Marshall Property - Friendly Hope Road: Discussion was held regarding the sell of approximately ½ acre of property located at Friendly Hope Road which was a portion of what the City purchased from Bud Marshall. Mr. Wadley stated the property had been appraised for $13,000.00 and Dr. Mackey had expressed an interest in purchasing the property. It was explained the purchase from Bud Marshall was a force buy for $50,000.00, and the reason the appraised value is so much lower was because the parcel is being cut in half with the center section removed, and no sewer connection. When questioned, City Attorney Crego explained bids are not required when selling property, only an appraisal is mandatory. Concerns were expressed for selling the property without affording all interested parties an opportunity to bid, and for the possibility of taking bids but having no interest shown. The decision was made to have the Mayor’s Office check with other near by property owners to see if they would be interested in purchasing the property, and to make a recommendation on taking bids.
Downtown Parking & Loading Recommendations: Councilman Province provided information regarding previous recommendations by the 2003 Parking Committee which were delayed due to matters over loft apartments. He explained the Downtown Business District was built for commercial use, and therefore parking for loft apartments must be secondary. It was recommended designating the parking lots on Union (adjacent to Abilities Unlimited), the lot adjacent to Union Planters Bank, and at Church and Cate as free parking with specific time limits He explained by providing this free parking it would make ample space for the downtown merchants, while leaving parking open for customers closer to store entrances. It was further stated the additional lighting would provide added security, and the landscaping (shrubbery and water fountain) could be donated by corporate sponsors. Councilman Province recommended signage be placed on the parking lots, with funds to come from the Street fund. Councilman Farmer explained some relief could possibly come in the planning process from federal grant monies designated for traffic planning and drainage. Councilman Moore agreed with the idea of opening certain downtown lots, doing away with leased parking, and not issuing parking stickers on Main Street, but warned enforcement would be necessary. Councilman Province explained the 2003 Parking Committee wanted to impose fines ranging from $5.00 to $10.00 higher than the original amounts, but determined a gradual transition would be best. Councilman Province also stated there was a request by Mr. Joe Clay Young to move a parking space (not create a new one) for the purpose of providing an adequate entrance on Union Street. Councilman Province stated he explained to Mr. Young there could be no infringement on ADA requirements. It was determined no action by the committee was needed, but rather it was an Administrative decision.
PLANNING
Councilman Street introduced City Planner David Harris who reported on the MPO meeting, stating discussion was held on moving a traffic signal at Hwy 1 and Lawson Road. Councilman Street stated the traffic study calculations were not ready yet, but completion would be within the next 30 to 45 days. Councilman Street requested that Mr. Harris and Mayor Formon and recommend a list of individuals willing to serve on the Long Range Land Use Planning Committee.
Streets & Sidewalks : Councilman Farmer announced that Mr. Jeremy Bevel was the newly appointed ADA Coordinator. Mr. Martin stated they had contracted with Cooper Construction for the repair/replace of sidewalks in the downtown area with a deadline of March 12, 2005.
MATA:
Mr. Claude Martin reported they were almost through with the Matthews Project, and progress was being made on W. Nettleton.
Marshall Estates : Mayor Formon stated he, Claude Martin, and Teddy Hooton, had looked at the project at Marshall Estates and the solution recommended by Captain Baggett would not be a proper fix, because it did not go back far enough. He and Mr. Martin agreed it should go back 100 plus feet in order to see to the top of the crest of the hill. It was explained there was an original engineered plan for the project at Marshall Estates, but it had been altered, and to alter it again there would involve additional costs. It was suggested the original plan be followed with what changes are already in place so to provide a savings in engineering costs. A caution light was recommended as a temporary fix.
Fox Meadow: Mr. Martin stated Carlos Woods was working on the detention on the west side of Caraway hoping for a cost savings with the pipe. Councilman Dover questioned if they would have it finished before August, and Mr. Martin stated they would not since they had to extend the work a thousand feet on Caraway.
Ferrell Street: It was determined the school had agreed to come to their property line on the west side and the City would extend the sidewalk from Wimbledon to Matthews for a cost of $32,341.00 to come from Capital Improvements for road construction. Councilman Moore recommended taking the first proposal offered by Mr. Martin to go to the east side to the first intersection over the hill and then switch to the west side. Councilman Moore stated he had rather go with this first proposal instead of building a retainer wall. Councilman Dover recommended having it all on one side. Mr. Martin was asked to get a revised estimate for the next committee meeting.
DRAINAGE
Hotspots: It was reported that recommendations were being formed on various “hot spots” such as Valley & Owens off Culberhouse, Kitchen & Nettleton, Highland & Parkview, Quail Ridge, and Washington & Puryear. Mr. Martin and Teddy Hooton were asked to check on the progress of these projects and report back to the committee.
Catherine Drive: Mr. Martin provided cost comparisons for putting in an open ditch, compared to pipe installation, explaining with pipe installation there could be no guarantee the flooding problem would be eliminated. He estimated the cost for putting in a ditch, including sod, at $8,366.00 for 5,066 square feet. The estimate for installation of pipe, if right-of-way is granted, was $17,352.00. It was explained the situation at Catherine Drive involves one property owner who is being affected, yet water must drain through an adjacent owner’s property, who refuses to give right-of-way unless certain demands are met pertaining to pipe installation, however the City of Jonesboro cannot assure the drainage problem would be fixed by the installation of a pipe. Mr. Worley responded saying if they moved the dirt out of his back yard it would have natural drainage down to the ditch on the Belt-Burrow property. Discussion was held regarding the process for condemnation for the easement, and Attorney Crego explained they must have the property appraised. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to have an appraisal done of the specked-out right-of-way to construct a ditch adequate enough to relieve the water flow of the area. All voted aye.
Union Pacific RR: Mr. Tyner provided a letter from Mr. Gregory A. Kreifels, Traffic Manager for Union Pacific Railroad stating they would waive flagging charges associated with the Right of Entry Agreement and they would have no problem furnishing flagmen when necessary up to two or three days at a time. Mr. Tyner explained flagmen are required if you get within 25 feet of the track, and explained Mr. Kreifels wanted flagmen present when the City started cutting trees near Wendy’s Restaurant. Mr. Martin stated they would need more than two or three days and suggested a time frame of two or three weeks (21 days). Councilman Moore stated he would be in favor of passing the measure tonight, subject to the 21 day provision being added. Mr. Tyner left the meeting to call Mr. Kreifels in order to find out if the 21 day provision would be acceptable.
Drainage Study Status: It was reported the drainage study had some short term recommendations as well as data which they were comparing to data from the Corp of Engineers, making sure it is compatible. It was reported progress was being made with the Corp Flood Map provisions, but the official map provisions would not be completed until 2007.
Storm Water Phase II Review Committee: It was reported not all the individuals to serve on this committee have been contacted yet, but Mayor Formon was working on it, and they would have it available at the next committee meeting.
SANITATION
Apartment Pick-Up Fee: Mayor Formon reported the Sanitation Director, Royce Leonard would provide a plan at the next committee meeting.
Landfill Fees: It was explained that landfill fees have not increased in 15 years and Mayor Formon, Brian Wadley, and Royce Leonard were looking at a plan to adjust the fees to make Jonesboro more in line with the rest of the region.
Buy-Back Auction Company:
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to adjourn. All voted aye.