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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on June 13, 2005.
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Public Services Committee
June 13, 2005 at 4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ann Williams, Mitch Johnson, Judy Furr and Cecil Province. Councilmen Jimmy Ashley and Tim McCall were unable to attend.
Others present were: Mayor Formon, City Clerk Donna Jackson, staff and press.
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
MINUTES
Councilman Johnson moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for approval of the May 9, 2005 committee minutes as provided. Copies were provided to all in attendance. All voted aye.
Greenway Presentation: Mr. Bernie Auld, a consulting engineer from Nashville, Tennessee provided a presentation on a proposed Greenway Project in and around the Turtle Creek Mall. The greenway trail would extend southward to the Allen Park Community Center on Race Street. Mr. Auld stated there would be a Greenway Interpretive Center used to educate the public, which the City of Jonesboro would claim ownership, and responsibility for maintenance. Mr. Auld spoke of “turtle berms” made up of ornamental grasses. It was further stated the City of Jonesboro would be responsible for landscaping. No schedule was set for its completion.
Transportation Ordinance by Dr. Paul Copeland, Director for Economic Development: Dr. Copeland presented a proposed ordinance creating the Jonesboro Economical Transportation System (J.E.T.S.). He explained financing would come from a variety of sources, referring to section three of the ordinance, and section four referring to the grant matches. He explained the 2005 budget ordinance would have to be amended to include personnel employed by J.E.T.S., consisting only of the Transit Coordinator for this fiscal year. Section six of the ordinance refers to the financial management, providing for a referendum should the local operation match exceed $275,000. Dr. Copeland explained should the referendum fail the J.E.T.S. system must continue to operate through private subsidies or cease operations at the end of the calendar year in which the referendum is conducted. Section eight provides for a seven member Community Transportation Advisory Board consisting of alternating three year terms. The last section of the ordinance requires the advisory board to devise a set of operating procedures, including a comprehensive ADA plan, to be presented to the Jonesboro City Council no later than November 1, 2005. Dr. Copeland requested the proposed ordinance be read on three separate readings with no emergency clause. Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson who stated he was seconding the motion for purposes of discussion. Councilman Johnson explained he was not anti-transit, and was very impressed with the work done by Dr. Copeland, but had concerns with the accuracy of the financial projections. Councilwoman Furr also stated she was not anti-transit, but was concerned that a proposal of this magnitude needed representation by the full committee, and questioned if a special meeting of the Public Services Committee should be called since it was necessary for the ordinance to be on the June 21st agenda. Ms. Furr also questioned if the proposal should not be referred to the Finance Committee, since it was committing the city to $275,000.00 annually. Both Councilman Johnson and Councilwoman Furr stated they had unanswered questions regarding this proposal. Councilman Copeland responded saying he wanted to address the questions of committee members since committee meetings are designed for discussion of proposals such as this. Councilman Johnson, referring to section six of the ordinance, responded saying if a referendum is going to be called, why not do it on the front end. Dr. Copeland answered saying section six was included in the ordinance as a request resulting from a city council work session. He further explained the $275,000.00 amount is 50% of the operating cost (50% federal and 50% local match) and does not include fair and advertising revenues. He stated based on rider projections from the 2002 study and similar facilities, they were expecting $153,000 in revenues. Dr. Copeland explained if the sums are not programmed by September 30, 2005 the federal funds of $486,000 would revert back to the federal government and therefore Dr. Copeland asked should the ordinance not be read the first time on June 21st, it be read twice at the July 5th city council meeting. Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to refer the proposed ordinance to the Finance Committee tentatively to be held June 23, 2005. All voted aye. The decision was made to call a special meeting of the Public Services Committee when all members could be present. The meeting was set tentatively set for June 22, 2005.
Baseball Fields - Joe Mack Campbell Park: Councilman Johnson moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to recommend a resolution to the full council approving a contract with Arkansas Parks and Tourism for the construction of the baseball fields at Joe Mack Campbell Park. It was explained the $100,000 for Jonesboro’s matching share would be coming from the baseball and soccer donation accounts that are in the 2005 budget. All voted aye.
Tree Ordinance: Mr. Wilkie explained the purpose of the tree ordinance is to make application for becoming a Tree City, USA which can be used as a recruitment tool for new industry and in grant applications. Committee members were asked to review the document so it may be presented to the Urban Forestry Council on June 27th and referred on to the Jonesboro City Council at the next Public Services meeting to be held July 11, 2005.
Tree Study: Mr. Wilkie stated if any committee member wanted a copy of the tree study he would make them a copy, but intended to do a PowerPoint presentation at the July 11th committee meeting.
Construction Report: Mr. Wilkie provided a review of current parks construction projects. Mr. Wadley questioned the mounds of dirt at Allen Park. Mr. Wilkie responded saying they were constructing a walking track and sidewalks at Allen Park. Discussion was held regarding a billboard sign on the north side of Jonesboro for the Rotary Centennial Park. It was explained the billboard was done by the Rotary Club and geared toward handicapped children. Mr. Wilkie stated this was the first park of its kind in Arkansas, and anticipated people driving 100 miles to bring their children to the park. Lastly, Mr. Wilkie reported draw down of the lake at Craighead Forest Park was scheduled for July 5th.
Event Permit Application - Facilities Agreement: Mr. Wadley reported they were working on an event permit application pertaining to public property that required police assistance. Councilman Province stated he had received complaints regarding motorcyclists’ parking and riding their bikes on the memorial brick on Main Street.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business Councilman Johnson moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to adjourn. All voted aye.