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Minutes from the special called Public Works Committee meeting on October 17, 2006.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Special called meeting
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
4:00 p.m.
Members present: Darrel Dover, Alec Farmer, Chris Moore, Cecil Province and John Street. Councilman Ashley was unable to attend. Mr. Tony Thomas from the Mayor’s Office was also in attendance.
DRAINAGE PRESENTATIONS
Discussion was held regarding the alternatives for the Valley and Owens drainage project. Mr. Teddy Hooton questioned what the reduction is for alternative #1. It was explained the flows would be reduced from 272 cfs to 144 cfs. The NRS representative stated they do not know for sure how many homes would be inundated at the 100-year flood because they don’t have the exact floor elevations of the remaining homes. He also explained in order for Culberhouse to be low enough to allow water to run over it and Culberhouse act as a spillway, then Culberhouse would have to be lowered 3-1/2 to 4 feet. It was explained the price to lower Culberhouse would be approximately $18,000. Mr. Cameron stated no matter what alternative is used there is one home that would have to be purchased. It was explained the ditch almost surrounds the home on 709 Owens and by the time widening is done to the ditches the majority of the yard would be gone. Mr. Cameron stated he could not make a recommendation as to which alternative to go with because he did not have all the information that was asked for at the last meeting. He reiterated the home at 709 Owens should be purchased. Mr. Cameron questioned how much money would be saved by purchasing homes as to putting pipe in. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to move forward with the purchase of 709 Owens and to have NRS come back with the specific request for culvert versus detention cost at the next meeting. All voted aye.
It was decided to pull item #10 (the resolution to amend the contract with NRS for the detention ponds on Valley Drive) from the Council agenda since NRS needed to bring back more information at the next meeting.
NRS questioned what the depth of the discharge should be over Culberhouse. Mr. Cameron explained anything above 6 inches would be a danger and the velocity should be less than 4 feet per second.
Mr. Cameron discussed the Monroe, Chestnut and Huntington drainage project. He explained it is time to proceed with receiving hard appraisals for the 23 parcels that would be affected. He added nothing significant has changed. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to proceed with the appraisals of the 23 parcels and to proceed with the design. All voted aye.
Mr. Cameron then discussed the Centre Grove drainage project. He informed the committee he would like to ask SSR Ellers to look at property other than St. Timothy’s for the detention area. He explained they are currently working with the high school for other land. It was suggested for someone to attend the next board meeting to discuss the plans in case anyone had questions.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
Resolution to approve the contract with Fisher & Arnold for the drainage project at 2400 East Nettleton: Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to approve the resolution and place it on the Council agenda. All voted aye.
Resolution to accept a deed for right-of-way from Mr. & Mrs. Ken Yarbrough for the Lawson Road extension project: Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Farmer, to approve the resolution and place it on the Council agenda. All voted aye.
NEW BUSINESS
Install drainage pipe at Throgmartin Estates: Mr. Hooton recommended having the property owners pay for the pipe and the City install it. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to install the pipe at Throgmartin Estates. All voted aye.
Drainage issue at 317 East Cherry: Mr. Hooton explained Mr. Bernie Auld is reviewing the situation and is going to make a recommendation. He also suggested hiring a house inspector to determine the damage to the home and what caused the damage. Chairman Street questioned if the City has done anything that might have caused damage to the home. Mr. Hooton stated he was not aware of anything that might have caused the damage. Mr. Cameron recommended waiting until Mr. Auld has reviewed the information before proceeding. Mr. Auld stated he should be able to review the information before the committee next meeting. PENDING
Questions were raised concerning Rossland Hills. Mr. Hooton stated he met with the attorneys earlier today. He added they are trying to get things moving so the City can get to work. Mr. Hooton explained APERMA attorney Ralph Ohm is working on the case.
Questions were then raised concerning the FTN contracts. Mr. Royce Leonard explained the revisions to the burrow inspection contract have been done. He added the contract concerning the construction management services was tabled. Mr. Leonard noted they will be meeting with ADEQ on November 9th at 10 a.m. in Little Rock. It was questioned who would be at the meeting. Mr. Leonard stated he thinks Mayor Formon, Mr. Tony Thomas, Mr. Claude Martin, Mr. Teddy Hooton, FTN and himself will be attending the meeting.
Mr. Leonard handed out a progress report for the landfill. He noted they received the air permit today. Councilman Farmer stated the report says no high level alarms were detected. He then questioned whether any high level alarms were ever detected. Mr. Leonard stated they had some alarms when they first started monitoring. It was suggested to look into purchasing the exterior land. It was questioned what would be discussed at the November 9th meeting. Mr. Leonard explained he thought they were going to ask for an extension to the December 31st project. It was added the City will also present an alternative to the landfill project.
OTHER
Reschedule next Public Work Committee meeting due to Election Day: Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to move the next Public Works meeting to November 9th due to Election Day. All voted aye.
Chairman Street stated he received calls regarding a letter sent out by Mayor Formon notifying a property owner that they are in the flood plain. Mr. Claude Martin stated the letters were a way to get additional CRS points to lower insurance rates. He added they had Mr. Alan Young give them a best estimate as to who is in the flood plain by using the maps on his GIS system. Councilman Dover questioned how Mr. Young knew who was in the flood plain. Mr. Martin stated Mr. Young used the 1991 maps. Mr. Cameron stated the City cannot receive CRS points without a manual. He then questioned how many letters went out. Mr. Martin stated 800 letters were sent out. Councilman Farmer expressed concern over not hearing about the letters before they were sent out even though the Public Works Committee is meeting every other week. He then questioned whether the Public Works task force had decided to send out the letters. Mr. Thomas stated as far as he knows there was no discussion concerning the letters. Mr. Cameron stated he also did not know about it. He explained he found out because he received two letters, one at home and the other at his office. He added he has spent money to prove he is not in the flood plain at his home or his office. Councilman Farmer questioned who sent out the letters. Mr. Martin stated the letters were sent from his department. He added Mayor Formon approved the letter and the Mayor’s Office stamped them and sent them out. Councilman Farmer expressed concern over other citizens in Jonesboro who might have received the letter and they may not actually be in the flood plain. Mr. Martin stated he will send out another letter to the people who received the letters stating the original letter was in error. Chairman Street questioned how they can tell who is in the flood plain without knowing any elevations. Councilman Farmer stated he thought the City needed a flood plain management plan to base the City’s action off of. Mr. Auld stated a plan does have to be in place. Councilman Dover suggested putting an ad in the Jonesboro Sun or using KAIT to help notify the recipients of the letter. Councilman Farmer stated something needs to be sent out to the 800 people who received the letter to notify them of the error. Chairman Street stated they can decide what to do at the Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to adjourn. All voted aye.