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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on March 15, 2006.
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Public Services Committee Minutes
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
4:30 p.m.
Members present were: Jimmy Ashley, Judy Furr, Mitch Johnson, Tim McCall, Cecil Province and Ann Williams. Councilman Johnson left at 5:15 p.m.
MINUTES
Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman Province for the approval of the regular meeting on February 13, 2006. All voted aye. Copies were provided to all in attendance.
PARKS
Mowing contract: Mr. Jason Wilkie discussed the options for bidding out the mowing for City-owned properties. He presented three options to the committee. Mr. Wilkie stated two of the bidders were not eligible for the contract because the State Plant Board told him the City can only use companies who have a chemical license to do chemical work, which eliminated two of the bidding companies. Questions were raised as to whether the chemical work should be bid out separately from the mowing since there are several companies in town who specialize in chemical work. Questions were also raised concerning separating bush hogging from mowing work. Mr. Wilkie recommended keeping the mowing as it is for this year and bid the work out next year. He also recommended bidding out the bush hogging, chemical and mowing separately. It was questioned whether Mr. Wilkie would need to purchase all of his budgeted fixed assets this year if there’s the possibility of his workers not having to do all the mowing next year. Mr. Wilkie stated he would look into it and see if there’s anything he can do without buying this year. It was decided to take no action regarding the mowing and to wait until next year to bid the projects out again.
Softball fencing and parking lot: Mr. Wilkie explained to fence two fields at the softball complex, it would cost the City $8, 314.42 with Dacus being the low bidder. He further explained he got an estimate from Street Superintendent Teddy Hooton as to how much it would cost to pave or gravel the parking lot at the softball field. Mr. Hooton estimated $119,414 for paving, $45, 848 for SB-2 gravel and $29, 865 for milled asphalt. Questions were raised concerning the lease on the softball field. Mr. Wilkie indicated the City is 9 years into a 25 year lease for the fields. Discussion was held regarding the parking lot. It was added the state has not been interested in selling the land to the City in the past. It was questioned whether the state would help pay to pave the parking lot since it’s their land and they might get control of it after the lease expires. It was recommended 0to contact the state regarding financial help paving the softball parking lot. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to proceed with fencing the two softball fields. All voted aye.
Resolution for request to light: Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to recommend to full Council a resolution requesting free utilities at City cemeteries, Joe Mack Campbell Park and Craighead Forest Park. All voted aye.
Forestry Commission members and terms: Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to recommend to the Nominating and Rules committee a resolution appointing members of the Jonesboro Urban Forestry Council and setting their terms. All voted aye.
Construction report: Discussion was held concerning the greenway at the Mall at Turtle Creek and the future plans of the greenway.
Mr. Wilkie noted that a Tree City USA plaque would be presented to the City at the next Council meeting.
TRANSIT
Contract with advertising companies: Ms. Janice Patton presented the committee with a resolution approving an advertising contract with Harpole Phillips, LLC for the City transit buses. Ms. Patton added the advisory board approved the contract. The contract is valid through December, 2008. She also stated the buses will arrive the first week of April. Discussion was held concerning what the selection process was and why Harpole Phillips was chosen. Questions were raised regarding how much Harpole Phillips will be paid for their services. It was questioned why the resolution states the company will be providing marketing and advertising services from Harpole Phillips for “zero dollar value,” yet the contract states the company will be paid $23.06 per hour for 20 billable hours a week. Questions were also raised concerning how the bids were made out and how Harpole will be paid. Mr. Joel Gardner explained the contract was not a dollar value bid, rather a bid for who is the best company to represent the City and JETS. He further explained the contract is standard and was made by the company to fit the City’s needs. He stated the contract is for marketing, advertising and public relations. Mr. GardnerHe indicated City Attorney Phillip Crego has not approved the contract yet. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to recommend to full Council the resolution approving the contract with Harpole Phillips, pending Mr. Crego’s approval. All voted aye.
Substance abuse professional: Ms. Patton explained the substance abuse professional will be paid $1,000 per year for use of his name and credentials with the Department of Transportation. Ms. Patton further explained the contract is a standard contract that he uses with all his clients. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to recommend to full Council the contract with the substance abuse professional. All voted aye.
Councilman Johnson stated he would like to start receiving the information prior to the meeting so the committee members would be able to review it before voting.
Mr. Gardner invited the Council members to attend the advisory meetings. The meetings are every Wednesday at 4 p.m. for the next two months.
OTHER
Mr. Mike Ebbert of the Downtown Merchants Association discussed the association’s parking plan. He also explained the association is interested in re-implementing parking tickets in the downtown area. He stated he’s spoken with Police Chief Michael Yates regarding the matter and Chief Yates indicated he could have a couple of police officers help with the parking. Discussion was held regarding where the business owners are parking and where enforcement was needed. Mr. Ebbert noted there is some lease parking by the City the association would like to be stopped. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to request Mayor Formon to immediately come up with a solution for enforcement of the downtown parking area. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to adjourn. All voted aye.