title
Minutes from the Public Services Committee meeting on October 9, 2006.
body
Public Services Committee Minutes
Monday, October 9, 2006
4:30 p.m.
Members present were: Jimmy Ashley, Judy Furr, Tim McCall, Cecil Province and Ann Williams. Councilman Johnson was unable to attend. Mr. Tony Thomas from the Mayor’s Office was also in attendance.
MINUTES
Councilman Ashley motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, for the approval of the minutes for the regular meeting on August 14, 2006, as written. All voted aye. Copies were provided to all in attendance.
TRANSPORTATION
Resolution for public comment policy for fare and service charges: Mr. Joel Gardner explained they do not want to raise fares or reduce services; rather the public comment policy would be for future growth and development. He added Ms. Janice Patton is working to revise the format of the resolution. He stated it would be okay to hold the resolution until the next meeting. It was questioned whether City Attorney Phillip Crego has reviewed the resolution. Mr. Gardner explained Mr. Crego has seen the resolution and approved it as to form. Chairperson Williams questioned how the JETS fares compare to other areas. Mr. Gardner stated JETS fares are one of the lowest in the state. Chairperson Williams then questioned whether Mr. Gardner had considered changing the price of the monthly ticket to make it more advantageous for bus riders to purchase. It was noted that a person would have to ride the buses twice a day for a month in order to receive any cost benefit from purchasing the monthly fare ticket. Mr. Gardner stated he would consider lowering the 31 day pass to make it a better bargain to use. Councilwoman Furr questioned when Mr. Gardner would consider fare price changes. Mr. Gardner explained he won’t raise fares the first year, but around the six month mark he would research lowering the fares. He also noted they are considering modifying the green line to make it more effective for passengers. It was asked for Mr. Gardner to present to the committee at the next meeting information from other cities showing the price difference between their monthly passes and the regular rate. Questions were raised concerning the ridership at ASU now that classes have started. Mr. Gardner stated they have a 20% increase on campus alone and have been told by students they would like to see more buses during regular school hours. It was decided to hold the resolution until the next meeting. It was asked for Mr. Gardner to e-mail the revised resolution to the committee members.
Resolution to accept bids for uniforms: Mr. Gardner explained Cintas was not the lowest bidder, but they did provide the best uniforms. He added the bus drivers picked the Cintas uniforms out of all the bidders because the uniforms looked the most professional. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to approve the bid and recommend it to full Council. All voted aye.
It was questioned whether Mr. Bill Flannery had been promoted as proposed during the summer. Mr. Gardner explained he offered a supervisory position to Mr. Flannery and Mr. Flannery did accept the position. Mr. Gardner noted Mr. Flannery has not received an increase in pay yet. He also stated Human Resources Director Suzanne Hackney has classified Mr. Flannery’s as a supervisory position. It was questioned why Mr. Flannery has not received his increase in pay. Mr. Thomas stated they are going to increase his pay starting with the next budget year. Discussion was held regarding whether the City should have any involvement as to whether a JETS employee should receive a raise and when. It was suggested the decision should probably be left with the JETS advisory committee. It was asked for Mr. Gardner to talk with Mr. Steve Alexander from AHTD concerning how to handle promotions and pay raises for JETS employees. It was also asked for Mr. Gardner to speak with Mr. Crego about the City’s involvement in promotions and raises with JETS. The committee recommended increasing Mr. Flannery’s salary to what it’s supposed to be.
Ordinance to amend Ordinance #3624: Mr. Gardner explained he would like to eliminate the paragraph in Ordinance #3624 that listed the positions that would be in the JETS Department. He further explained if positions are changed or added, then he would have to amend the ordinance every time. He added that it would be easier to eliminate that paragraph from the ordinance. Mr. Gardner also stated Mr. Crego approved the change, as did the Finance Committee. It was suggested that paragraph was put in the ordinance so it would show there would be enough personnel to run the department. It was asked for Mr. Gardner to contact Mr. Alexander from AHTD to make sure the change can be made. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley, to approve the ordinance and recommend it to full Council. All voted aye.
Discussion on location for JETS and Parks Administration: Mr. Gardner discussed moving JETS to Fire Station #1 after the Fire Department’s administrative offices are moved to the future Fire Station #7. He noted he cannot purchase a building at this time, but he is allowed to rent or lease a location. He explained they could rent the building for $32,400 a year, which would be enough for the Fire Department to hire a new firefighter. Councilman McCall questioned what the status is of the new fire stations. Mr. Thomas stated work is being done and is progressing. It was asked for Mr. Thomas to provide the committee members with an update concerning the new fire stations within a week to 10 days. Mr. Thomas noted they would also look into moving the CDBG and MPO Departments with JETS to Fire Station #1 so the City can stop leasing the building at 519 West Washington.
Councilwoman Furr questioned the status of the Harpole Phillips advertising contract. Mr. Gardner explained the contract will end on December 5th. He further explained he has to wait until December 5th because the minutes from the City Council meeting that approved ending the Harpole Phillips contract were approved on September 5th; the contract will end 30 days from September 5th, which will fall on December 5th.
PARKS
Oaklawn expansion costs and engineering: Mr. Jason Wilkie explained the expansion would make room for approximately 7,400 extra plots. He noted a new shop for Mr. Steve Penny is included in the cost for the expansion. He added Mr. Penny’s new shop would be similar to the one that is located at Joe Mack Campbell Park. It was questioned how much of the money generated from opening and closing graves is put into the Perpetual Care Fund. Mr. Penny stated it was his understanding that half of the money is put into the Perpetual Care Fund while the other half is put into the City’s general account. It was asked for Mr. Wilkie to look into where the money is going. It was suggested all the money generated from opening and closing graves should all be going into the Perpetual Care Fund. Mr. Wilkie questioned if a construction manager is supposed to be hired to oversee the project. Mr. Thomas stated a construction manager wouldn’t need to be hired for smaller projects. He added it would be a good idea to have an outside engineer to oversee the project as opposed to City engineers because of the numerous drainage projects currently being done. Councilman Ashley motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to recommend the project to the Finance Committee and to start advertising for bids. All voted aye.
Cemetery Department: Mr. Wilkie proposed keeping the Cemetery Department under Parks and Recreation to keep the administrative fees down. He added they could separate the Cemeteries budget from Parks and Recreation. Mr. Wilkie added Mayor Formon agreed with the proposed recommendations. It was suggested for Mr. Wilkie to talk with Internal Auditor Misty Micenhamer and Finance Director Don Ray to see if there may be conflicts with separating the two budgets. It was also suggested to talk with other cities to see how they handle their Cemetery departments.
Renewal of facility usage agreement for Craighead County Soccer Association: Councilman Ashley motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to approve the usage agreement and recommend it to Council. All voted aye.
Craighead Forest Park expenditure report: Mr. Wilkie explained $1.3 million has been spent on projects at Craighead Forest Park since 2000. He added 40% of the money was paid by the City and 60% was from donations and grants. Discussion was held regarding adding a dog park to Craighead Forest. Mr. Wilkie stated they have thought about adding a dog park to Access #6, but they need to make more plans before they further consider the project. It was suggested donations could be generated from local companies such as PetCo and VetCare to help with the dog park.
Report from the October 4th Parks and Recreation Planning and Advisory Committee: Mr. Wilkie discussed what happened at the advisory committee meeting, including a proposal to add a theme to Craighead Forest Park. He noted they are also thinking of doing another Parks and Recreation survey.
Construction report: Mr. Wilkie stated they have taken three projects off the construction report this month.
Councilwoman Furr questioned the status of the Army Reserves using Craighead Forest. Mr. Wilkie stated they worked something out with the signage, but he has not seen any of them at Craighead Forest.
Councilman Province questioned what happened with the land given to City Water and Light that they are no longer going to be using. Mr. Thomas stated they are not sure what the acreage will be used for and whether it will come back to the City. It was suggested if City Water and Light will not be using the land, then the City needs to get the land back.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley, to adjourn. All voted aye.