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Minutes from the Public Services Committee meeting on July 10, 2006.
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Public Services Committee Minutes
Monday, July 10, 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.
MINUTES
Mr. Jason Wilkie asked the minutes be amended to reflect he does not think the City should purchase the land owned by CWL that was previously proposed for a skate park just so the City would have it. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley, for the approval of the minutes for the regular meeting on June 12, 2006. All voted aye. Copies were provided to all in attendance.
TRANSPORTATION
Bids for Audio Visual Equipment: Mr. Joel Gardner stated the AV equipment will be put in the buses to help generate operating capital. He added they will be paid for out of the FTA grant. He explained Audio Express is the low bidder for the equipment. Councilman McCall again asked if the committee could start getting the information ahead of time so they would have time to look over the items and ask questions before the meetings. Mr. Wilkie stated he would work on getting the information to the committee members early. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to recommend the resolution to the City Council and place it on the agenda for the July 18th meeting. All voted aye.
Discussion was held regarding the bus service at Craighead Forest Park during 4th In the Forest. Mr. Gardner stated the buses were paid for by the Parks and Recreation Department. Councilman McCall questioned how the riders will be counted. Mr. Gardner explained the riders will be counted as an in-kind service, but not towards their goal of 5,000 riders a month.
Questions were then raised concerning a recent article in the Jonesboro Sun. The article stated the ridership for the month of June was 2,458 and the passengers paid a total of $1,484.25 for the month. Councilwoman Furr expressed her concern over the number only averaging out to approximately 61 cents per passenger, with an average of $61.84 per day for all the buses. She also questioned the use of the $50 passes that last for 31 days. She added riding the buses at regular price is cheaper than buying the $50 passes. Mr. Gardner stated the passes are a benefit to people who ride the buses multiple times on any given day. He explained one reason the average is low is because the largest group of riders are seniors, students and disabled citizens. Those fares only range from 50 cents to 75 cents. He added the $1 adult fare is their lowest amount of riders. He stated if they have 100 riders he doesn’t think they’ll ever see $100 because there are so many riders below the $1 fare. Mr. Gardner further explained as they start taking a look at their cost per rider, as well as the fuel, and compare it with the advertising income and other revenues then they can start taking a look at how things will balance out. Councilwoman Furr explained she just wanted to verify the figures were correct. Mr. Gardner added the $130,000 the City is providing is not a budgetary number that will be exceeded at this point in time. He stated he hopes in a few years the City will look back and decide to put more money into the transit system. He stated he’s looked at other agencies and they’re receiving $500,000 to $600,000.
Councilman McCall questioned where and when the bus schedules are being distributed. He explained the schedules aren’t in the paper for most people to see. Mr. Gardner stated they are currently re-printing 10,000 copies of the schedule and they should be in this week. They will be taking the schedules to gas stations, community centers, and any other public place they can to distribute the schedules. He noted the schedules are also on Channel 24 and the JETS web site. Mr. Gardner also stated the schedules will be put up in the windows of the bus shelters after they find an advertiser to sponsor putting up the maps.
It was then questioned whether Mr. Gardner thought they could justify buying more buses. Mr. Gardner explained AHTD requires him to have 20% of the buses waiting in the parking lot in case an accident happens. But, he does not have the 20% that is required because all of the buses are on the road. Mr. Gardner stated his dream plan would include buying three news buses next year, three replacement vehicles in 2008 and two replacement vehicles in 2009. Discussion was held regarding servicing Patrick Street.
It was asked for Mr. Gardner to provide some numbers concerning JETS, such as how much money was brought in, what the ridership was, how much was spent, etc. Councilwoman Williams questioned if they had sold many bundles of tickets to different agencies. Mr. Gardner stated they have not sold very many at all, but they will be working with Area Agency on Aging to provide them with tickets.
PARKS
Mr. Wilkie stated 4th In the Forest brought in an estimated 12,000 people. He added the park was so full they had to close the gates.
Outdoor Recreation Grant Application: Mr. Wilkie explained the resolution must be passed before he can apply for the grant. He added the resolution will need to be taken to the Finance Committee at their regular meeting next week for approval into the 2007 budget. He explained the grant is a 50/50 matching grant and the City’s share will total $250,000. He also provided the committee with a list of projects he is hoping to spend the grant money on. Mr. Wilkie provided the committee with a list of Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley, to recommend the resolution to the Finance committee. All voted aye. Discussion was held regarding some of the proposed projects.
It was questioned what the status was of the Pine Hill Cemetery encroachment. Mr. Wilkie stated they have begun fencing and will not ask the cemetery to purchase the land they encroached on because the cemetery cannot afford it. He added he spoke with someone at the cemetery and explained if they wanted the City to purchase the cemetery, then he would advise the City to close the cemetery and not allow anyone else to be buried there. Mr. Wilkie stated he hasn’t heard back from them, so he’s assuming they’re not interested.
Contract with the Arkansas Forestry Commission for 2006-2007 Grant: Mr. Wilkie explained City Attorney Phillip Crego has already okayed the grant agreement. He added the City’s share will total $7,000 and is already in the 2006 budget. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to recommend the resolution to full Council and place it on the agenda for the next Council meeting. All voted aye.
Appropriation for site amenities at Rotary Centennial Park: Mr. Wilkie questioned whether he should just ask for the money for the amenities during mid-year adjustments or if he ask for the money to be appropriated. He explained the Rotary Club is asking for the City to purchase 6 tables and matching trash containers for the park. Mr. Wilkie priced the items and it totaled $11,346. It was recommended for Mr. Wilkie to ask for the money with his mid-year adjustments.
Councilman McCall questioned if any progress had been made on accommodations for Mr. Steve Penny. Mr. Wilkie stated they have talked about it for the next budget year and have an idea of what they’d like to do. He added there was money budgeted this year for the improvements, but he’s not sure they’ll be able to spend it before the year is over. It was asked for Mr. Wilkie to find out how to carry the money over into the 2007 budget year so the money isn’t lost.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to adjourn. All voted aye.