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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on June 14, 2004.
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Public Services Committee
June 14, 2004 at 4:30 p.m.
Members present: Cecil Province, Ann Williams, and Dave Young. Members absent: Tim McCall and Judy Furr.
Others present were: Aubrey Scott, Mayor’s Assistant, Jason Wilkie, Parks Director; Donna Jackson, City Clerk and Keith Inman, Jonesboro Sun; Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Province for the approval of the May 10th, 2004 committee minutes as provided. Copies were made available to all in attendance. All voted aye.
TENNIS COURT MANAGEMENT - ALLEN PARK
Mr. Wilkie, Parks Director introduced Mr. Tommy Rankin and Ms. Linda Womack of the Northeast Arkansas Tennis Association who were present for the purpose of proposing a contract with the City of Jonesboro for the management of the tennis courts at Allen Park. The following three alternatives for the management of the Tennis Courts at Allen Park were: 1) Contract with the Northeast Arkansas Tennis Association. 2) Hire a full-time professional tennis instructor and two part-time instructors. 3) Contract with a Tennis Court Management Company. Ms. Womack stated they would operate similar to the contract between North Little Rock and the Arkansas State Tennis Association in the management of the facilities by providing programming, pay for maintenance of courts (inside), and pay for expendable assets associated with running the program. She explained their contract was based on the States contract in that they have a tennis professional who would work as an independent contractor with a percentage of their income is paid with the privilege of using the court. She also stated they would hire a manager for programming and promotion of events who would be paid a small salary plus their cut of profits on events. It was explained any profit generated by the Northeast Arkansas Tennis Association would go into an escrow account and used for capital improvements. Jason Wilkie recommended contracting with the Northeast Arkansas Tennis Association, but explained there was a legal question with regard to the tennis professional being able to generate revenue from the facility. Mr. Wilkie explained he has referred this matter to City Attorney, Phillip Crego. Councilman Young questioned what was being proposed for minority and under privileged children. Mr. Wilkie explained the Northeast Arkansas Tennis Association has a low cost program designed to introduce tennis to young children. Ms. Womack responded saying their organization is based on the premise of involving the family, and using tennis as a tool to improve communications between family members. She also explained they sell a low cost family membership, as well as offer minority scholarships. Councilman Province questioned if there were an adequate number of local individuals to operate the facility continuously. Ms. Womack stated it was her belief they did. Councilman Province questioned if there would be any free and open courts. Ms Womack responded saying they would support whatever the Parks Department decided regarding that matter, but she believed there needed to be that opportunity available. Councilman Province stressed the importance of lighting and maintenance of the courts. Ms. Womack stated if this project went forward she felt they would have a minor financial obligation to it, and they were set up with 501C status, and if needed they could do fundraisers. Councilman Young questioned what the grant documents specify. Mr. Wilkie responded saying he thought they specified the facility had to be open to the public, could establish hours of operation and a fee, but must be accessible by persons with disabilities with no discrimination, and overseen by the City of Jonesboro. He stated full control could not be given to the Northeast Arkansas Tennis Association. Councilman Province recommended the committee members be provided more detail and the legal questions answered then brought back for consideration by the Public Services Committee. Mr. Wilkie explained he and members of the association would draw up the contract based on the North Little Rock contract with the Arkansas Tennis Association, take it to the City Attorney for approval, and then bring it back to the committee for discussion.
SPILLWAY BRIDGE AT CRAIGHEAD FOREST PARK
Mr. Wilkie explained they had tried to bill out the bridge several times and the approval of the bridge got bogged down by the Soil and Water Commission for almost two months last fall and by the end of the year steel prices had risen and the bid was no longer valid. He explained they bid the project out again and the footings on the bridge were not included in the bid specifications, so it was bid out a third time. He explained they opened the third bids on May 12th and the low bid came in at $38,840.00 which was $15,000.00 over budget, so Mayor Brodell spent sometime negotiating with NEAT Press Works, to lower the price, but was not successful in getting the cost lowered with the exception of labor and installation. Mr. Wilkie informed committee members that because this was a hazardous situation a proposed resolution using the Mayor’s Emergency Fund to pay for the purchase and installation of a lake spillway bridge at Craighead Forest Park would be provided to the Finance Committee for approval.
ROTARY CENTENNIAL PARK - BID FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Province moved to approve the bid for Landscape Structures playground equipment from Arkoma Playground and Supply pending approval from the Rotary Park Steering Committee and recommend a resolution to the full council. Mr. Wilkie explained they had received two bids, one from Gametime and the other from Landscape Structures. He also stated the funding would be as follows: $200,000.00 would come from the state; $200,000 from the city and the balance of almost $40,000.00 would come from the Rotary Clubs. All voted aye.
BATHROOMS VS. PORTA JOHNS AT CRAIGHEAD FOREST PARK
Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman Young to accept the recommendation of Parks Director Jason Wilkie to provide two port-a-johns at five access points within Craighead Forest Park for a trial period of three months beginning in July. Mr. Wilkie provided a handout that explained the cost would be $625.00 per month for a total of $1,875.00 for the three month period. All vote aye.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman Young to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye.