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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on August 2, 2005.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Tuesday, August 2, 2005
4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Ashley, Street, Province, Dover, and Farmer. Councilman Province was unable to attend.
MINUTES
Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to approve the minutes for July 5, 2005 to include an amendment on page one under PLANNING changing the word “downtown” to “north” and July 19, 2005 as provided. All voted aye. Copies were made available to all in attendance.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Ordinance- Extension of S. Matthews Ave.: Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend to the full council an ordinance providing for the extension of S. Matthews Avenue to the north property line of Turtle Creek Mall. All voted aye.
Ordinance - Waive Bidding for a Flameless Pot Hole Patching Machine: Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to recommend to the full council an ordinance to waive competitive bidding for a 2001 demonstration model flameless pot hole patching machine. It was explained by Mr. Hooton that the cost would be considerably less by purchasing the demo model, but the warranty would be for 6 months, rather than 1 year. All voted aye.
Ordinance - Accepting bid from Meadows Construction Company for the Fox Meadow Project:
Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend an ordinance accepting the bid of Meadows Construction Company and for the transfer of funds from MATA to Capital Improvements for the Fox Meadow Project. All voted aye.
Resolution -Hanley Drive Project: Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend to the full council a resolution to accept a temporary construction easement from City Water and Light for the Hanley Drive Project. All voted aye.
Resolution - Lease of Best Manufacturing - 107 Flint Street: Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend to the full council a resolution authorizing a lease agreement with Best Manufacturing located at 107 Flint Street, conditional on getting two six month renewals instead of two 60 day renewals. Mayor Formon explained they could not get a lease to purchase agreement, but were able to get a right of first refusal. It was explained additional expenses for phone and computer equipment would come to $28,000, but of that amount $17,975 of the computer equipment would relocate to a new location. City Attorney Crego explained any improvement to the real property, however, would remain under the lease agreement. Other expenditures included $2,000 for fencing, and $3,600 for door repairs. All voted aye.
Resolution - Request for utility service from City Water & Light: Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilman Farmer to recommend to the full council a resolution requesting utility service from City Water & Light for traffic lights at 617 W. Johnson and 727 E. Johnson. All voted aye.
Resolution - Permanent Drainage Easements- Spring Valley Subdivision: Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to recommend to the full council a resolution accepting permanent drainage easements located in Spring Valley Subdivision. All voted aye.
GENERAL PROPERTY/BUILDINGS/PARKING
508 W. Monroe: Mr. Hooton stated the estimates were not available yet for paving the vacant lot at 508 W. Monroe but he would have them by the next committee meeting. PENDING
Justice Complex: Mr. Wadley reported the Structural Engineer began work Tuesday, August 1, 2005 and the report would be available by August 10th. PENDING
NRS Opinion - 611 E. Nettleton: Mr. Craig Light with NRS Consulting Engineers provided five alternatives to the drainage system in the area of 611 E. Nettleton Ave. The five alternatives were: 1) Removing boards from the weir in the St. Bernard’s Village retention pond; 2) Constructing a detention pond at 611 East Nettleton Ave.; 3) Constructing a detention pond west of St. Bernard’s Village (Pond One); 4) Constructing a detention pond west of Rains Street (Pond Two) and 5) Constructing both ponds one and two. The recommendation from NRS was alternative number 5, to construct ponds one and two estimating the cost to be $297,910 to protect against the 25-year rainfall. Mr. Light also stated if the city’s design standard changes to 50-year or 100-year rainfall event the two ponds could be enlarged and additional channel improvements done to mitigate flooding. The decision was made to have the technical people review the recommendations and report back to the committee. PENDING
1118 Creath Ave.: Mr. Wadley explained they had received one bid from Curtis Tate, the only bidder. Councilman Moore questioned if it had been advertised in the paper to which Mr. Wadley stated it had. Councilman Moore stated he was comfortable with selling the property since it was advertised in the paper rather than spending the money for an appraisal. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to sell property located at 1118 Creath Ave. to the only bidder, Curtis Tate for the amount of $6,000.00. All voted aye.
Abatement - 300 Block of Main: It was explained that the property was sold to Mr. Joe Clay Young and no longer presents a safety or health risk, and currently is unoccupied.
PLANNING
Performance Bonds: Chairman Street requested members of the committee review A.C.A. 14-56-417 pertaining to performance bonds. It was discussed that the law seems to be requiring improvements be in place prior to selling any lots, but if a developer chooses to sell lots a performance bond is required. It was explained the law did not mention any “letter of credit” only a performance bond. City Planner David Harris recommended structuring a “letter of credit” more specifically. The question was asked who was responsible for keeping up with the “letters of credit”. It was unclear who was responsible, even though it was explained currently the “letters of credit” were being maintained by Claude Martin and Teddy Hooton. It was stated this is another problem which was created by understaffing and poor administration from the past. Mr. Harris agreed a performance bond was the safer way to go, but recommended a set process be developed; stating going from a “letter of credit” to a performance bond is not a magic bullet. Councilman Street stated he would provide the research he had done on the subject, stating he wanted the work to be complete and correct. PENDING
Traffic Study: Mr. Bernie Auld reported he had provided a draft copy of the traffic study to the Mayor’s Office and once it has been critiqued it should be provided to MPO. He explained once the City and MPO have provided their input, public hearings should be conducted. He further explained the traffic study draft is currently accessible to the public and they may provide input by contacting his office, or city staff. Mr. Wadley explained they had five copies of the draft available. PENDING
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Downtown Crosswalks: The decision was made to carry this item over to the next committee meeting. Mr. Wadley explained they had spoken with the Highway Department and there was a possibility of being able to use a diamond tip grinder to mill off the tops rather than digging them up. PENDING
Standard Operating Procedures: It was explained the Storm Water Committee had reviewed the procedures and had made some recommendations. PENDING
Pinehill Drive: It was explained residents wanted a cul-de-sac installed so school buses could turn around. Mr. Martin explained the right-of-way was obtained during the paving of gravel roads similar to Penny Lane. Mr. Martin stated they would have to obtain further right-of-way and construct the turn around. He was asked to provide cost estimates to members of the committee for next month. PENDING
Lawson Road: Mr. Martin reported they had gotten appraisals from Mr. Bob Gibson and Mr. Brian Wadley was contacting the property owners. Mr. Wadley estimated the appraised value for the additional right-of-way to be $118,000.00 and reported they would be meeting with the Highway Department tomorrow. It was reported the engineering drawings were complete and barring no complications with obtaining right-of-way the project could begin within a month. PENDING
Sidewalk Compliance with ADA: Questions were raised regarding completion of Phase I downtown sidewalks. Mr. Jeremy Bevill stated Associated Engineering was doing the work and the City was not directly involved. City Attorney Crego explained even though we are not doing the work directly, the City is under a federal court order to have Phase I completed by September 15, 2005. Mr. Bevill stated he had been told deadline would be met and the work completed. It was further explained all city sidewalks for the rest of Jonesboro must be completed by 2007. Mr. Teddy Hooton, Street Superintendent recommended Mr. Bevill get the commitment for the completion deadline in writing. Mr. Bevill stated someone should get with the Judge and get a more realistic time for the 2007 deadline, but could not give an estimate of the work left to be done after the completion of Phase I. Mr. Bevill was asked to provide the necessary information and make it available at the next City Council meeting scheduled for August 16, 2005, in order to determine if further action needed to be taken. The urgencty was explained to Mr. Bevill regarding the federal lawsuit and what could happen if the deadline is not met. PENDING
Paving of Alex Drive, Matt Drive and Brier Drive: Several committee members expressed concern for local property owners living in the undeveloped areas, stating ordinances were in place at the time the subdivisions were being developed, and had the ordinances been enforced the improvements would have been completed. Mr. Hooton reported there were roughly five to six streets that were underdeveloped. It was explained these streets needed to be paved, since the decision was made to pave all gravel roads by the previous administration, and other improvements such as curbing and guttering could be addressed at a later date if necessary. City Attorney Crego explained there were several options that could be followed: 1) Bonding; 2) Withhold Permits; 3) Property Owners could sue the developer; and 4) Property owners could form an Improvement District. Attorney Crego further stated should the City decide to develop the streets they must first accept the streets “as is”, or be subject to an illegal exactions lawsuit. It was explained the City must accept streets by ordinance, which has never been done in the past. He also stated the property owners could sue the city. Several citizens spoke regarding this matter. Mr. Barry Rudd of Matt Drive stated they could not sue the developer due to the statutes of limitations. Mr. Todd Bolser of Lamb Lane also questioned the committee about the options available. Attorney Crego was asked to get with Attorney Ralph Ohm and have a recommendation available by the next Public Works meeting. PENDING
CTP Project and EPA Phase II Pipe Inventory RFQ’s: It was explained the preliminary drainage study had been provided to Public Works Director, Claude Martin, and recommendations for RFQ’s would be provided once the drainage study was in place. It was explained this pertained to the $200,000 grant money to which the city would match $195,000 for a Flood Way and Flood Plane Study of the entire city with the exception of the pilot study area. It was stated some things needed to be updated as a result of the CTP Project while we were ahead of schedule regarding 5 ditches in the pilot study area, and 4 ditches in the Industrial Park area. Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to recommend that Mayor Formon negotiate with Carter Burgess for the CTP Project. It was explained the contract and a resolution needed to be placed on the City Council agenda for August 16, 2005. All voted aye. PENDING
Rossland Hills Drainage Issues: City Attorney Crego stated they had conducted a meeting and were going to explore their options, but to date nothing had been done. Mr. Crego recommended the City decide what it wants to do and proceed. PENDING
Payment of “Hot Spot” detention pond review: Mr. Martin stated payments had been approved.
St. Bernard’s Village Detention Pond Review: Mr. Martin stated it was a moot point.
SANITATION
No report was provided. Mr. Wadley responding to a question by Councilman Farmer stated the County had selected a bond under writer and a report should be available in 60 days. PENDING
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilman Farmer to adjourn. All voted aye.