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Minutes from the special called City Council meeting on February 13, 2006
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SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 13, 2006
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, 13, 2006, at 12:00 noon for a special called meeting. Members present were: Mayor Doug Formon, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney Crego and eleven council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. Councilwoman Williams was unable to attend.
Mayor Formon stated the purpose of the meeting was for approval of a contract with Mr. Jim Maddox Architects, Inc for architectural services related to the immediate repair of the Justice Complex; and approval of a contract with Environmental Enterprise Group, Inc. to perform an asbestos/indoor air quality survey of the fire department facilities located at 316 W. Washington.
Mr. Maddox provided a presentation of what was needed to comply with the recommendations of Dr. Tom Parsons of A.S.U. who did a structural analysis of the Justice Complex. Giving a history of the Justice Complex from its origination as a grocery store (Safeway), Mr. Maddox read a paragraph from a letter sent to Mayor Brodell on October 23, 1995, whereby the consulting engineer at the time, Mr. Fred Hegi, recommended immediate evacuation of the building. He explained this letter was sent after the roof collapsed, and an additional $100,000 was spent for repairs. Mr. Maddox stated the recommendation of Dr. Parsons calls for the installation of seven columns in order to reduce the stress on the roof, but explained it will not solve the seismic requirements for a public safety type facility. He explained for Police facilities and Fire facilities the seismic requirements are 50% percent greater, and given this fact the Justice Complex cannot be corrected according to code. When asked if it would be better to remove the building and build a new facility it was explained the building once it has been secured with the columns could be used to house something other than a public safety facility. When asked did the structure meet the previous code at the time of a $1.6 million renovation, Mr. Maddox responded saying the seismic requirements were being enforced at that time, and since those requirements are not currently met today, he can only assume the structure did not satisfy the seismic requirements at the time of the 1994 renovation. Councilman Moore stated no city structure meets seismic code, to which it was explained once a structure is renovated it must follow the code. Councilman Farmer questioned if this current renovation would require the seismic size to be corrected. Mr. Maddox explained the estimated cost for the columns is $31,000 of which $12,000 is cosmetic and would make the building safe except under extreme conditions such as a greater than normal tremor, ice storm, or snow. He explained the $31,000 fix would bring the building into a safe condition, except in extreme cases, and would not correct the seismic requirements. Councilwoman Furr pointed out that the estimated cost is assuming the core samples are acceptable, and the work can be done during the day. Mr. Maddox estimated an additional fifteen to twenty thousand dollars if the core samples were not acceptable and the work could not be done during the day. Discussion was held regarding the upper room in the Justice Complex, and it was explained the area was created solely for the purpose of accessing the mechanical units, not as storage. Councilman Moore explained that according to Mr. Parsons there was a combined static (dead) load of the old and new roof which exceeded the length of the truss, and therefore could not withstand the additional snow, wind or ice loads. He further explained by shortening the expected span it would bring the structure into a safe compliance. Councilman Farmer questioned if the problems could have been avoided, if the old roof been removed at the time the improvements were made, Mr. Maddox responded saying it could have had the possibility of preventing it, but explained at that time, he did not know what actually caused the failure. It was explained that Mr. Gavin was brought in several years ago to look at the building, and had given verbal reports to several council members, saying the building was safe; however the previous administration was to get a written report from Mr. Gavin, but none was provided. Discussion was held whether the $31,000 should be spent on a building that cannot be brought into compliance due to the seismic code. Police Chief Yates recommended stabilizing the building since there is no place for the police department to go, and explained if a new station were to be built it would take a year before it was completed. It was explained as long as the amount is under $50,000 the money is in the budget to do the project. Councilman Farmer stated that the Justice Building was not the long term solution for Jonesboro’s emergency management needs, and recommended looking at the overall need and not piece mill the project as it was done in the past. Councilman Province responded saying the City Council would need to look at their present and future financial obligations before obligating the City to anything else. The resolution was read. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for the adoption of a resolution contracting with Jim Maddox Architects, Inc. for architectural services related to the immediate repair of the Justice Complex. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Councilman Perrin questioned the verbiage in the contract which states that Mr. Maddox would be paid 9 1/2 percent of the construction cost and stated the contract and resolution should use the same verbage. Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to amend the resolution deleting the amount of $2,850.00, and replacing it with the following, “91/2 % of construction cost. The resolution was re-read to include the amendment. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to adopt as amended. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:14.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Farmer for the adoption of a resolution to contract with Environmental Enterprise Group, Inc. to perform an asbestos/indoor air quality survey of the Fire Department facilities located at 316 W. Washington Avenue. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:15.
With no further business, Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to adjourn the meeting. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.