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Minutes for the Infrastructure Committee meeting on July 7, 2003.
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Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Monday, July 7, 2003
5:15 PM
Members Present: Dover, Farmer, Moore, Street
Members Absent: Copeland
Others present were: Mayor’s Assistant Larry Johnson, Street Superintendent Gene Barnett, City Engineer Assistant Teddy Hooton, Police Assistant Chief Rusty Bradley, Fire Assistant Chief Butch Herring, Attorney Warren Dupwe representing A-State Asphalt, City Attorney Phillip Crego, Ms. Nancy Chrisman and City Clerk Donna Jackson, and Keith Inman, Jonesboro Sun.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend a resolution to the full council authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an agreement with William T. Gavin, P.E. for the purpose of conducting a cursory, one-day inspection of the Justice Complex. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend a resolution to the full council to change street names to Nestle´ Road and Nestle´ Way within the city limits of Jonesboro. Councilman Farmer stated the Jonesboro Industrial Development Corporation had verbally passed a resolution endorsing the change. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to recommend a resolution to the full council utilizing Federal-Aid for the signalization at Highway 63 Frontage Road and Highway 18 (Alexander Drive). Questions were raised about the City’s matching share. The Mayor’s Assistant, Larry Johnson stated the resolution was prepared by the Highway Traffic Safety Department and should be adopted as is without any amendments. Councilman Moore questioned the wording “All Phases” and was told by Street Superintendent, Gene Barnett that City Water and Light would have to provide the utilities. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to recommend a resolution to the full council to enter into a contract with the low bidder (Township Builders) for the West Nettleton Avenue MATA Project. Councilman Moore stated he had questions for Mr. Aubrey Scott, MATA Director regarding previous problems with Township Builders. Mr. Scott was not in attendance at the meeting. Mr. Barnett stated in the past Township Builders were slow getting the work done. Mr. Teddy Hooton, Engineer stated the contract should provide for a time limit with $500.00 per day penalty. City Attorney Crego was asked if he had reviewed the contract, and stated he had not. It was determined that the work needed to begin July 17, 2003 on the 2.5 million dollar contract. Mr. Crego was asked to review the contract. After reviewing the contract Mr. Crego responded saying the contract refers to several attachments in Article IV, but no attachments had been provided. Councilman Moore expressed concern for the $500.00 per day penalty and a bond issue. The decision was made to make the recommendation for consideration to the council hoping to have complete details provided by the time the council meeting began. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend an ordinance appropriating $12,373.43 matching funds for the signalization of U.S. Highway 18 and Rains Street to come from the Street and Drainage fund. Mr. Larry Johnson stated the deadline was short and asked the ordinance be read three times. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye.
Councilman Farmer announced a public hearing for the Master Drainage Plan for July 28, 2003 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Huntington Fellowship Hall.
Councilman Farmer reported the invoice for the special ordered pipe at the Quail Ridge Project was $8, 620.18 and would be paid for out of the previously approved drainage fund. The committee had previously approved paying the contractor (at cost) for the pipe. The pipe had been special ordered, but later it was determined that it would cause further damage to residents down stream. Mayor Brodell and Engineering had stated in an earlier Infrastructure Committee meeting the pipe could be utilized elsewhere in the city.
Based on the recommendation of the Engineering Department and City Attorney Crego, Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to recommend to the full council a revised ordinance for the purpose of defining the design and quality control of asphalt mixture for use in non-state projects. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye.
The Mayor’s Assistant, Larry Johnson stated a request for rental of the Huntington Building had been pulled from consideration. Councilman Farmer recommended a policy regarding rental of city property needed to be considered by the committee at a later date.
Based on recommendations by Capt. Kelly Baggett of the Jonesboro Police Department, Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Street recommending a traffic resolution in the locations of Word Street between Allis and Fisher and the intersection of Madison and Strawn. The resolution was to be placed on the July 21st council agenda. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye.
Ms. Nancy Chrisman, Director for the Downtown Jonesboro Association addressed the committee on the following items:
1) Pedestrian walkways - Re-set white strips to create a smooth surface. Green crosswalk signs. The Engineering Department was asked to research the matter of the color of the crosswalk signs.
2) Re-stripe parking spaces on Main Street - Gene Barnett stated he would complete the work in the next thirty days.
3) Restrict weight limit on Main Street - The Public Works/City Engineer was asked to get with the City Attorney and bring back a recommendation to the committee.
4) Discuss possibility of creating one-way traffic going north on Church Street - Construction of access ramp to bridge from Church to Main Street. Ms. Chrisman requested the committee consider this matter for a later date.
5) Discuss possibility of constructing parking garage downtown. It was recommended that the matter be provided to the Transportation Committee for consideration.
Councilman Moore reported on two other street matters, the first being failure of concrete ditches at Twin Oaks and S. of Woodsprings. The Engineering Department was asked to bring back a recommendation in thirty days.
The second street matter was plastic pipe failure in various locations. The Engineering Department was asked to prioritize the list.
The last matter for consideration was a proposal from Attorney Roger McNeal with the Womack Law Firm representing Dr. M. Mackey. Due to a public hearing scheduled for 6:15 p.m., Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to recess, until after the council meeting. The committee meeting reconvened and it was explained a lawsuit had been filed by Dr. Mackey regarding the abandonment of Ransom Lane. Attorney McNeal had a proposal to present to the committee, but based on the opinion of City Attorney Crego it was determined to be the responsibility of the Administrative Head to negotiate with Dr. Mackey and present the recommendation to the full council. City Attorney Crego stated he would arrange a meeting with Mayor Brodell and other parties so the matter could be considered at the next council meeting.
Regarding drainage ditches on Union Street at the First Baptist Church, Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to split the charges between the MATA fund and Street/Drainage budget. Everything in the right-of-way of Matthews Avenue to be paid for out of MATA funds, with the remainder to be provided for out of Streets/Drainage fund. It was determined a change order was necessary from the Matthews Project with Meadows Construction and the money to be appropriated from Streets and Drainage. Mr. Hooton was instructed to provide a cost analysis of MATA and the Street and Drainage funds for the next Infrastructure meeting. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye.
With no further business Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to adjourn.