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Minutes for the special called City Council meeting on February 23, 2007
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 23, 2007
The Jonesboro City Council met Friday, February 23, 2007, at 12:00 p.m. for a special called meeting. Members present were: Mayor Doug Formon, City Clerk Donna Jackson, City Attorney Phillip Crego and nine council members. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, McCall and McCall. Councilman Johnson left at 12:43 p.m.
Councilman Moore informed the Council he, Mayor Formon and Attorney Andy Adams met with the new ADEQ director concerning the City’s landfill closure plan. He stated the meeting went very well with the director and the director is eager to help the City close the landfill. They are expecting to submit a clay cap closure plan within a few weeks. He noted the City will have to proceed with the gas system. He added Mr. Adams did go ahead and file a formal appeal with the commission, but he thinks they will be able to work with the director.
Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Perrin, to add an ordinance to the agenda. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, McCall and McCall.
Councilman Dover offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZE HEARTLAND PAYMENT SYSTEMS TO PERFORM PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE COLLECTIONS OF ALL PAYMENTS MADE TO THE CITY OF JONESBORO BY CREDIT CARDS.
Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Frierson, to suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilman McCall questioned how they can be sure Heartland has the best services since it was not bid out. City Attorney Phillip Crego discussed the work Finance Director Don Ray has done concerning the credit card systems. He stated it is his understanding Mr. Ray has received some verbal quotes from different companies. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, McCall and McCall. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, for adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, McCall and McCall. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, for adoption of the emergency clause. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, McCall and McCall. The ordinance was assigned number 27-2007.
Mr. Gene Vance made a presentation concerning construction management. Councilman Perrin referenced the proposal for the fire stations and questioned whether B.B. Vance should have had the City sign a contract before they performed the work and drew up the proposals. It was explained they submitted a contract back in October, but proceeded with the work even though they didn’t have a contract. Discussion was held regarding the construction manager/general contractor form of construction management. Councilman Frierson stated the proposed contract does not have provisions concerning construction management as it has been discussed by Mr. Vance. Discussion was held regarding the type of contract that was used. Mr. Vance stated everyone they have visited with indicated the construction manager/general contractor form is what the City wanted to proceed with. It was indicated they could use the AIA 121 form if the City wished. Councilman Frierson then expressed concern for the way the project would be bid out, noting the contract did not go into detail regarding how the bids would be handled. It was stated they can amend the contract to add specifics for the bidding process. Councilman Frierson stated he thinks the City should get into the practice of advertising and taking bids for projects. He also pointed out in the contract it referred to a maximum price not to exceed TBD. He stated there was no set price in that provision and recommended putting a price in there. Councilman Frierson then questioned how many fire stations the contract would cover. Mr. Vance stated the number would depend on what the City wants, that there is no set number of fire stations. Councilman Frierson suggested stating in the contract which fire stations would be covered by the contract to avoid any future confusion. Councilman Frierson stated he agreed with the construction manager/general contractor form and suggested Mr. Crego and Mayor Formon should look into it in case it needed to be changed in any way. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to have a resolution authorizing the administration to proceed with negotiations of the final version of the construction management contract and authorize the administration to sign off on it. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall and McCall.
Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to recess so a special Public Works meeting can be held. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall and McCall.
After the meeting reconvened, Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Frierson, for the adoption of a resolution amending Resolution 2006:62, establishing standards for acquisition of real property. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye, with the exception of Councilman Street who voted nay and Councilman Dover who abstained. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, McCall and McCall. Mayor Formon voted aye to pass the measure. The resolution was assigned number 2007:34.
Mr. Harry Hardwick presented the Council with an agreement between the City and the Jonesboro School District related to the drainage work to be done at Jonesboro High School. Mr. Crego stated he had some concerns with a provision in the agreement, but did not know if the agreement would be discussed at the Council meeting or at the next Public Works meeting. Mr. Hardwick stated the agreement has been amended due to Mr. Crego’s concerns, but Mr. Crego has not seen the revised agreement. Councilman Perrin questioned whether the City is paying for the new band pavilion. Councilman Moore explained in exchange for the work done the City will give the school an amount of money for a new band pavilion. He further explained he did not feel like he could go along with the provision concerning giving the school 1/3 of the dirt for Hillcrest Elementary School. Councilman Perrin noted the agreement is signed already by the Mayor and dated February 20th and today is February 23rd. Mayor Formon stated the agreement had been brought to him the day before for him to sign. Councilman Moore suggested bringing up the agreement at the next Public Works meeting. Mr. Hardwick noted the deal is on a schedule at this time and if it not worked out then it will probably be set aside by the school because they need to use the area for band practice.
Mr. Hardwick discussed what information he would be submitting to the Council with the property acquisitions. He stated he would include a sheet from the appraisal with the comps, a letter from the Mayor with the receipts attached to it, a copy of the offer and acceptance and a plat of the property showing where the property is located. Several Council members agreed that information would be sufficient.
Councilman McCall questioned the status of the check for the turning lane at the new landfill. He explained it was indicated to him the landfill has not received the money yet. Parks Director Jason Wilkie stated they mistakenly received the check, but sent it to the landfill after he figured out what the check was for. Councilman McCall suggested someone contact the landfill to make sure they have received the check.
With no further business, Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman McCall, to adjourn the meeting. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Moore, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall and McCall.