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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on October 4, 2005.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ashley, Street, Province, Moore and Farmer. Councilman Dover was unable to attend.
MINUTES
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to approve the minutes for the September 6, 2005, regular meeting. All voted aye. Copies were available to all in attendance.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Resolution accepting various permanent drainage easements on W. Matthews, Caribbean Place, and Valley Ridge Trail: Mr. Claude Martin and Mr. Teddy Hooton were available in case the committee had questions regarding the resolution. The resolution was on the agenda for the October 4, 2005 City Council meeting.
GENERAL PROPERTY/BUILDINGS/PARKING
Justice Complex: Mr. Brian Wadley provided the committee with a preliminary report from the consulting engineer. He indicated he did not know when the final report would be finished. The final report will include all of the loads, as well as recommendations. Mr. Wadley also informed the committee that the consulting engineer reported that if the City would do additional bracing, that would improve the current stress level. It was questioned why attic storage and old ceiling and insulation were not included in the preliminary report. Mr. Teddy Hooton indicated the engineer might not have had time to put the numbers in the report. Mr. Wadley also indicated the consulting engineer would be attending a future meeting to explain his findings. It was also questioned how nature would affect the building, such as earthquakes, wind, ice and snow. It was asked for Mr. Claude Martin to contact the engineer and ask about any eminent danger the building may be in. It was also explained that the old roof was supposed to be taken down, but due to money concerns, it was left. PENDING
PLANNING
David Harris’ resignation: Mr. Harris has agreed to fill the City Planner’s position on a week by week basis until a replacement can be hired. The Mayor has had several applications filed, including four or five with planning experience. The applications are currently being reviewed. Ms. Suzanne Hackney will be advertising for the position of Assistant City Planner, so an assistant can be hired shortly after the City Planner’s position is filled. PENDING
Traffic Study: Mr. Martin indicated they have looked at part of the study, but have not been able to review the whole study. It was asked for Mr. Martin and Mr. Hooton to review the study as soon as possible so it may be forwarded on to MPO and the Public Works Committee. Mr. Hooton indicated he does not have any questions right now concerning the study. PENDING
RFQ for remainder of Jonesboro traffic study: Chairman Street asked whether the RFQ process could be started since the current traffic study is being reviewed. It was asked if any changes need to be made to the items marked for study. It was discussed whether parking downtown and traffic flow downtown need to be reviewed. It was asked when the parking downtown would be enforced again. Mr. Wadley indicated that the police station is currently doing some of the enforcing. PENDING
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Traffic Signal coordinator: Mr. Hooton informed the committee that Mr. Tom Lloyd will be retiring on January 5. Mr. Hooton asked to hire a replacement for Mr. Lloyd by November, so the replacement would have time to get used to the job before Mr. Lloyd’s retirement. The replacement would be an additional $4,755 in salary. Mr. Hooton explained he’d like to advertise for the position so he could get the best possible person for the position. Because there would be two people in the position, Mr. Hooton further explained he’d need to transfer money into his salary account from his maintenance account to pay for the extra person via an interdepartmental transfer or whatever the committee recommended. It was explained that a transfer that is approved by the committee is all that is needed. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley to allow an interdepartmental transfer of the money and to advertise for the position of Traffic Signal Coordinator. All voted aye. PENDING
Downtown Crosswalks: Mr. Hooton explained he’d spoken with a Baton Rouge, La., company that would grind the peaks off the sidewalks for $1.75 a square foot. The company is expected to be in Jonesboro soon. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley to secure bids to pour concrete stamp crosswalks. All voted aye. PENDING
Standard Operating Procedures: Mr. Hooton agreed to get Phillip the procedures and prepare an ordinance. One of the guidelines concerns the street cuts. Right now, the department provides the street plates and patching the asphalt, but not charging for the asphalt. Mr. Hooton explained that some contractors are keeping the plates for several months, including one contractor working for the gas company that has about fifty percent of the plates. He further explained he’d like to set some time limits for the plates and only give each contractor 20-25% of the plates. PENDING
Lawson Road: Mr. Wadley informed the committee that they’re still in the process of obtaining right-of-way. He also indicated that following the original plan, five lanes will be made. Questions were raised concerning making the road three lanes, instead of five, but still acquiring the right of ways. It was discussed that making three lanes would be more beneficial, save money and allow room for growth in the future. PENDING
Sidewalk Compliance with ADA: Mr. Jeremy Bevill informed the committee they finished downtown court area last month and are currently in the process of getting an inventory of the rest of the City’s sidewalks. He also indicated that the City is currently in compliance. It was explained Mr. Ralph Ohm said the City was only libel for the curb cuts. Mr. Bevill also presented a proposed sidewalk project for Monroe Ave. Questions were raised whether Monroe needed to be done since it’s not needed to be in compliance with the lawsuit. PENDING
ADA Fund: Mr. Bevill indicated that the ADA Fund is currently at less than $6,000. He asked if the committee wanted to put more money in the fund or just continue with the curb cuts. It was agreed to transfer $150,000 into the account to get the contractor through to the end of the year. Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore to transfer $150,000 from the City’s drainage fund to the ADA fund for curb cuts through the end of the year. All voted aye.
Lawson Road (cont.): Before moving on, it was asked whether a motion needed to be made concerning the decision to only do three roads on Lawson Road. Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to investigate the feasibility of changing the Lawson Road project from five lanes to three lanes, while still maintaining the right of way for five lanes. All voted aye.
Frierson Street sidewalk: Mr. Martin informed the committee of updated numbers of the foot and vehicle traffic on Frierson Street and James Street. Discussion followed concerning where the traffic was and whether sidewalks were needed due to low number of foot traffic. It was further discussed that vehicle traffic was needed to be taken into consideration when deciding on the sidewalks. It was also discussed whether Stop signs where needed to help slow traffic.
Councilman Province motioned putting the sidewalk on the west side of Frierson, but the motion failed for lack of a second. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Farmer, to put the sidewalks on the east side of Frierson and the west side of James. The vote resulted in five ayes and one nay. Councilman Province voted nay. Mr. Johnnie Rogers addressed the committee saying the west side of Frierson is safer than the east side of Frierson. It was discussed which side of Frierson is safer. Mr. Hooton then asked how the committee wanted him to proceed with the project. Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to proceed with advertising the project with a startup date after January 1, 2006. All voted aye. It was also asked for Mr. Hooton to review the intersections for the possible need of stop signs at Frierson and College streets and refer to the Safety committee. PENDING
Pinehill Drive Cul-de-sac: A letter from Valley View Public School district regarding what improvements the school is requesting was presented to the committee. It was questioned what kind of implications would arise doing the improvements for Pinehill. It was discussed that once the City improves one road, improvements would have to be done for other roads, which would cost more money. It was decided to take no action regarding the Pinehill Drive cul-de-sac.
Guidelines and ordinance for city involvement in unfinished subdivision improvements: A resolution was presented establishing criteria for unfinished subdivision improvements. After review, it was asked whether a catch all phrase could be put into the guidelines as well. It was also discussed to include a public safety issue in the guidelines. It was agreed for the committee members to review the guidelines and speak with City Attorney Phillip Crego regarding any changes that might need to be made so the committee can review the guidelines again at the November meeting. PENDING
Performance bond ordinance for final approval of subdivisions: It was asked for Mr. Hooton to have the item in ordinance form for the November committee meeting. PENDING
Study of HWY 63 interchanges, Woodsprings Road, Southwest Drive, Harrisburg Road, Caraway Road and Stadium Blvd.: It was discussed whether this study needed to be tied in with the traffic study, but was decided to keep the Highway 63 interchanges study should be kept separate. Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore to prepare an RFQ to study the interchanges for the Woodsprings Road, Southwest Drive, Harrisburg Road, Caraway Road and Stadium Blvd exits on Highway 63, with the addition of the Willow Road exit. All voted aye. PENDING
DRAINAGE
732 & 734 Valley Drive: Mr. Martin recommended also take the property on Owens and the channel improvement. He said at the very minimum, get the property at 732 & 734 Valley Drive. It was explained that two independent engineers in addition to the City Engineer reviewed the site and recommended the same thing. The financial cost is approximately $412,000 for the cost of land and construction. It was also explained that possibly 19 homes would be helped by the improvements. Questions were raised regarding whether the property owners had been contacted. It was discussed that one property owner was in favor of the action, while the other property owner has not been contacted yet. Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to purchase the properties for purpose of area retention. All voted aye. It was asked for Mr. Hooton to prepare a resolution for full council and alert the current landowners of the City’s plans. PENDING
CTP Project: Mr. Brian Wadley informed the committee that the first phase of the project is finished. PENDING
EPA/ADEQ Phase II pipe inventory: The committee was informed applicants are currently being reviewed. Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore to make the RFQ selection by committee. All voted aye. Mr. Wadley added that one of the things they’re hoping to include is some of the items that will help with Phase II, for example items to help identify dischargers. PENDING
Consulting hydrolic/hydrological engineer: Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to advertise for the consulting engineer and run the RFQ’s through the committee for review. All voted aye. PENDING
Rossland Hills drainage issues: Mr. Hooton explained he has not sent out the letters yet, but hopes to get them out to the owners sometime this week. Mr. Crego informed the committee that not long after the last committee meeting he left messages for the attorney representing the homeowners stating the intentions of the City and he has not heard anything in response. PENDING
Drainage Study: It was asked for a potential detention pond attachment and acknowledgement and further review of the recommendations to be attached. Mr. Martin and Mr. Hooton said that it has been done.
Ridgecrest Drive drainage issue: Mr. Martin explained that, after reviewing the site, he does not believe anything can be done by the City to help the area. It was recommended, however, to do some soil stabilization to stop future erosion.
Councilman Moore informed the committee that he had talked with Scott Emerson concerning the ADS drainage. Mr. Emerson indicated he did not want to pay the money for the drainage pipe because former mayor Hubert Brodell made an agreement they would not be charged. But, upon review of Mr. Brodell’s correspondence, there was nothing saying Mr. Brodell had made an agreement with Mr. Emerson, as well as no official motion had been made by City Council. Mr. Crego indicated he agreed with Councilman Moore that Mr. Brodell had not made an agreement. Councilman Moore indicated he would contact Mr. Emerson and inform him no action will be taken.
SANITATION
Post closure plan for landfill: Mr. Royce Leonard informed the committee that he has received approval for closure, but with conditions. Mr. Leonard indicated the conditions would likely be met soon He further explained he has an October 19 meeting with FTN, as well as ADEQ at different times that day. Mr. Wadley explained the final report with recommendations and the engineer’s estimate is expected to be done by October 12. PENDING
OTHER
Mr. Wadley discussed the county landfill. He stated the monies for the bond issue should be received by the trustee early October, which will open construction bids by October 7 and someone should be chosen by the end of the month.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Farmer to adjourn. All voted aye.