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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on December 16, 2005.
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Public Services Committee Minutes
Friday, December 16, 2005 at 1:30 p.m.
Members present were: Ann Williams, Cecil Province and Tim McCall. Councilwoman Judy Furr arrived at 1:56 p.m. Councilmen Jimmy Ashley and Mitch Johnson were unable to attend.
MINUTES
Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, for the approval of the regular meeting on October 10, 2005. All voted aye. Copies were provided to all in attendance.
It was questioned whether Mayor Formon has had any contact with the Jonesboro Baseball Boosters or USSSA. Mr. Brian Wadley reported to the committee that Mayor Formon has met with both the JBB and USSSA. He also met with Mr. Jason Wilkie to come up with ideas.
PARKS
Matt Silas contract: Matt Silas informed the committee that he had performed work for the City that he had not been paid for and he asked for the committee’s help for payment. He explained Mr. Paul Copeland asked him to draw up plans to renovate the old fire station on the corner of Caraway and Washington Ave. to house the new transportation center. Mr. Silas drew up the plans and met with Mr. Copeland several times to talk about the project. Mr. Copeland told Mr. Silas there was no need for RFP’s because Mr. Silas was already under contract with the City to do work. But, because of events occurring with Mr. Copeland’s resignation not long after, Mr. Silas was not paid for his work. Mr. Silas stated he was unable to contact Mr. Copeland to get the status of the project and talk about payment for his services. Mr. Wadley noted that on the City Council agenda for Tuesday, August 17, 2005, a resolution was on the agenda to contract with Mr. Silas for the transportation center. But, Councilman Harold Perrin had indicated to a committee member that the contract was pulled from the agenda at the request of Mr. Copeland. Mr. Silas is asking to be paid $3,000 for the work he performed. He also explained he performed the work in good faith. It was questioned whether the City could still use the plans Mr. Copeland had Mr. Silas draw up since the City now plans to use that space as the transportation center. Mr. Wadley explained they could not use the plans because Mr. Copeland had wanted the building to be extended towards the railroad tracks, but it would be preferred for the extension to go west along Washington Ave. due to Caraway Road being closed off at the railroad tracks. Discussion was held concerning how the closing of Caraway Road at the railroad tracks would affect the use of that building. Mr. Wadley further added they could have Mr. Silas draw up plans for the new building and absorb the cost of the old plans in a new contract. It was explained the overpass will start near the intersection of Matthews Ave. and Washington Ave., with Caraway Road stopping at the railroad tracks.
Amendment of contract with Associated Engineering: Mr. Wilkie explained additional work was asked of Associated Engineering related to the contract to survey Oaklawn and Nettleton Cemeteries. The original contract started in March, 2005, and in June, 2006, it was discovered that several plots had conflicts regarding wrong deeds or spaces being sold out of sections that shouldn’t have been sold. Because of the findings, Mr. Wilkie contacted the company about addition work. Mr. Wilkie added that in the original contract it states that changes must be approved by either the Mayor or the City Council. Mr. Wilkie overlooked that line and asked Associated Engineering to do the additional work. He stated 90% of the additional work has been done, but he needs the City Council to approve a resolution to amend the contract with Associated Engineering. The extra work will cost $3,000. It was asked for Mr. Wilkie to have Mayor Formon and City Attorney Phillip Crego approve it and bring it back to the committee in the first part of 2006 to pass on to the Council.
Appointment of Ted Fortenberry to Parks Citizen Advisory Committee: Mr. Wilkie informed the committee that Mayor Formon recommended appointing Mr. Ted Fortenberry to the Parks Citizen Advisory Committee. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to appointment Mr. Ted Fortenberry to the Parks Citizen Advisory committee. All voted aye. It was questioned if the appointment could be on the agenda for the City Council meeting on Monday, December 19, 2005, but because of the public hearings and meeting before the Council meeting, it was decided to put it on the agenda for the January 3, 2006, City Council meeting.
Storage for cemeteries: Mr. Wilkie discussed the Finance committee setting aside $50,000 in the Capital Improvements budget to put a new a building on Oaklawn Cemetery for storage and for Mr. Steve Penny’s office. Mr. Wilkie presented figures for the new building that totaled $86, 800. He stated that depending on where the building is made, extra sewer, water and electricity may have to be put in. It was decided to wait on asking for more money until Mr. Wilkie can provide hard figures as to what the cost will be to build the building. It was suggested that Mr. Wilkie hire an engineer when they’re ready to start the project to let the City know where the best place would be the put the building.
Discussion was held regarding using the Perpetual Care Fund for projects. It was questioned whether the committee should use the principal money in the account to fund cemetery work. Several committee members showed concern over using the principal stating they wanted to see the principal grow so one day the fund could maintain all of the cemeteries.
Naming of the dog dock: Mr. Wilkie stated Mr. Rick Crawford from the Canine Sports League has two sponsors in line to build the dog dock. But, Mr. Crawford does not want to name the dock until an agreement can be reached between the two sponsors. Mr. Wilkie questioned how he should go about naming the dock to comply with the recently passed resolution that stated guidelines for naming public facilities. He was unsure whether a resolution would need to be made. It was suggested for Mr. Wilkie to ask Mr. Crego what should be done.
Security plan: Mr. Wilkie stated he had in his proposed 2006 budget, money for professional services to provide security to the city parks. Mayor Formon suggested Mr. Wilkie talk with the police chief about the matter. Police Chief Michael Yates suggested using off duty police officers. The Finance committee tabled the proposal for a future date. Mr. Wilkie asked what he should do now. It was suggested for Mr. Wilkie to research what other cities are doing to provide security to their parks. Councilwoman Judy Furr also discussed using a Citizens Police Academy to provide services around the city parks.
Construction report: Mr. Wilkie reported some of the construction has been delayed because of weather. The Allen Park project will be closed out in 2006. He also reported the lake is starting to build back up. The playground equipment is up in Access 3 in Craighead Forest. Mr. Wilkie added the equipment looks really nice. The baseball additions are under construction at Joe Mack Campbell Park. Initial plans for the greenway at the Mall at Turtle Creek have been reviewed. It had been suggested to increase the greenway to 12 feet to accommodate the people who will be using it.
Woodrow Park sale/donation: Mr. Wilkie informed the committee that he’d been approached by someone from the church located at Woodrow and Main concerning the park on Woodrow Ave. The church would like Woodrow Park to either be donated or sold to the church because they take their kids to the park and do not want the City to close it. Mr. Wilkie stated the playground equipment in the park is old and needs to be replaced. But, Mr. Wilkie had not recommended the equipment be replaced because there are other parks in the area that had just been improved. He further stated they are no interested in maintaining the park or keeping it in inventory. It was suggested for Mr. Wilkie to contact Mr. Crego and discuss making a contract with the church to donate the property with the stipulation that they replace the playground equipment within 90 days.
OTHER
Discussion was held regarding having developers set aside space to put community parks in developed areas. It was also discussed developed areas that have community pools and parks, with the surrounding homes paying yearly fees to keep the community areas maintained.
Councilwoman Furr informed the committee that she recently heard the City owns 17.46 acres of land near Nettleton Cemetery. It was suggested someone should try to find the deed so the City could possibly use that space or sell it to interested parties. It was stated that at one time, ASU had shown interest in purchasing that piece of land.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to adjourn. All voted aye.