title
Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on March 6, 2007.
body
Public Works Committee Minutes
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
4:30 p.m.
Members present: Darrel Dover, Charles Frierson, Mitch Johnson, Chris Moore, Cecil Province and John Street. Mayor Formon was also in attendance. Mr. Tony Thomas arrived at 5:03 p.m.
MINUTES
Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Frierson, to approve the minutes for the regular meeting on February 6, 2007, and the special meeting on February 23, 2007, as written. All voted aye. Minutes were made to those in attendance.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Ordinance to abandon a 60’ drainage easement located in Technology Park for the Alberto-Culver project: It was explained an easement needs to be drafted for the Alberto project and it would need to be accepted by the Council. Chief Inspections Officer Paul House stated that was his understanding from City Attorney Phillip Crego. Mr. Bernie Auld stated he would think the City would take care of it. He added a plat has already been drawn up. Street Superintendent Teddy Hooton stated he has not been made aware of anything that needed to be done, but Mr. Tony Thomas might be handling it.
Resolution to place traffic signs at various locations as recommended by the Permanent Traffic Control Review Committee: Councilwoman Furr noted the resolution has not been taken before the Public Safety Committee and asked for it to be withdrawn from the City Council agenda until the Public Safety Committee has approved it.
Resolutions authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to purchase properties located at 504 Parkview St., 502 Parkview St., 500 Parkview St., two vacant lots on W. Highland Dr., 412 Parkview St., 1300 Oakhurst St., 1304 Oakhurst St. and 408 Parkview St.: Mr. Harry Hardwick stated the resolutions are based on the last resolution that was passed by the Council concerning purchasing property. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Frierson, to recommend purchasing the properties to the full Council. All voted aye.
BUILDINGS - MAYOR AND TONY THOMAS
Scale House building: Mayor Formon explained the building will be temporarily used for the Animal Control Department until a permanent location is made for them. He stated he will have a lease termination at the next meeting. PENDING
Public Works Director and Chief Engineer positions: Mayor Formon explained the pay needs to be decided for the positions. He further explained they have spoken with Condrey, who indicated qualified Chief Engineers would be paid $85,000 to $100,000. Mayor Formon stated they have received 4 applications for the Chief Engineer position, five or six applications for the Public Works Director position and two applications for the Assistant Chief Engineer position. He noted the two applications received for the Assistant Chief Engineer position were from individuals located outside of the county. Discussion was held concerning the pay for the positions. Councilman Dover stated money is in the budget for the department’s salaries. He added it would be up to Mayor Formon to decide how he wants to spend that money, as long as he doesn’t go over the total budgeted amount. It was suggested Mayor Formon discuss the salaries with the Finance Committee. PENDING
Long range city facilities plan: Mayor Formon stated he does not have an update concerning the plan. PENDING
PLANNING - OTIS SPRIGGS
Text amendment to the zoning code: City Planner Otis Spriggs noted the first set of amendments will go into effect on the 8th. He explained he will be bringing more amendments to the Council.
Land Use Plan: Mr. Spriggs stated subcommittees are meeting on a regular basis. He noted the ASU Department of Geography will be helping with the plan. PENDING
CITY ENGINEER - KELLY PANNECK
Construction observation and administration contract with SSR Ellers: Interim City Engineer Kelly Panneck presented the committee with a contract. He noted the contract would need to be taken to the Finance Committee since no money was appropriated for it. He added he’s hoping to advertise bids for the project on soon so they can stay on the high school’s schedule. Discussion was held regarding how much SSR Ellers would be paid. Mr. Panneck stated the fee is slightly below 8% of the construction costs, which falls in line with other projects.
Drainage project at Jonesboro High School: Councilman Moore expressed concern with hauling the dirt to Hillcrest. He noted they never received anything from the school board stating exactly what they wanted. He proposed moving forward with the resolution and agreement, but striking the language concerning the dirt. Mr. Panneck added Jonesboro Public Schools has now indicated they want a ramp from the top of the facility and to a driveway at the bottom. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to amend the agreement by omitting the language concerning the dirt and to recommend the amended agreement to the full Council. All voted aye.
Chairman Street questioned whether Mr. Crego has reviewed the contract with SSR Ellers. Mr. Panneck stated Mr. Crego has not seen it, but he will take it to Mr. Crego before the Finance meeting next week. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to recommend the contract to the Finance Committee pending Mr. Crego’s approval. All voted aye.
STREETS/SIDEWALKS
Lawson Road Project: Mr. Hooton stated the plans are in and they are ready to advertise in a couple of weeks. PENDING
Sidewalks: Mr. Panneck explained they are still on schedule to meet with the deadline. PENDING
Loberg Lane: Mr. Panneck recommended not straightening out Loberg Lane. He noted the City has no right of way in that area. He suggested making that area a four-way intersection with Nettleton Avenue. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, accept Mr. Panneck’s recommendation to not straighten out Loberg Lane. All voted aye.
Upgrade a position from Street Helper to Clerical: Mr. Hooton explained he thinks there will be enough money in the budget to upgrade the position without appropriating any more money. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to recommend the resolution to the Finance Committee. All voted aye.
DRAINAGE
Drainage projects Sharp St.: Councilman Moore discussed the Sharp Street project. Mr. Panneck stated he met with Miller Newell and he does not think their design will work. He explained they will need an additional two acres because the design called for using part of the Hummelstein property, which is no longer an option. Discussion was then held regarding whether or not the design for the re-piping should move forward. Mr. Panneck suggested they consider putting in a detention pond in the area where Fire Station #2 is currently located. It was asked for the engineers from Miller Newell to come to the next meeting to discuss the project. PENDING
Ditch cleaning project: Mr. Hooton stated the contactor has two sections left before he will be finished with the current contract. PENDING
Cost analysis of upgrading drainage system at Oak and Cherry vs. purchasing Sutton property at 317 E. Cherry Ave.: Because Mr. Sutton was not present at the meeting, no discussion was held. PENDING
Stormwater ordinance: Mr. Auld explained they will be meeting on Thursday. He added they should have something to present at the next meeting. PENDING
Standard operating procedures: Mr. Hooton stated he has not been able to work on the procedures. PENDING
SANITATION
Resolution to terminate the construction management services contract with FTN, dated June, 2006, by mutual agreement for the March 20th City Council meeting: Sanitation Director Royce Leonard explained the June, 2006, contract with FTN has been fulfilled and the expenses have been paid. He noted terminating the contract was recommended by Attorney Andy Adams. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to place the resolution on the agenda for March 20th. All voted aye.
Landfill closure: Mr. Hooton explained samples were taken from several detention pond locations and were sent to FTN to see if they met the requirements. PENDING
OTHER
Councilman Dover questioned the status of the animal shelter. Police Chief Michael Yates questioned how much money should be spent and where the location will be. He recommended sticking with the location that had already been identified. Councilman Moore suggested discussing the animal shelter at the Public Safety meeting.
Maintenance Director Keith Sanders stated bricks were falling off the old Valley View Fire Station. He added he has put up caution tape and is going to take the bricks down. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to advertise for proposals for the property and to report them back to the committee. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to adjourn. All voted aye.