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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on July 6, 2004.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Monday, July 6, 2004
4:30 P.M.
Members Present: Farmer, Street, Province, Roddy, Moore and Dover.
Others Present: Mayor Brodell, Aubrey Scott, Royce Leonard, Jim McKinnon, Suzanne Hackney, Claude Martin, Ron Shipley, Donna Jackson, City Clerk, Keith Inman, Jonesboro Sun.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION - (Future I-30 to U.S. 49)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to recommend to the full council a resolution proposed by the Chamber of Commerce Streets and Highway Commission for connecting U.S. Highway 67 (Proposed Future I-30) and U. S. Hwy 49 with U.S. Hwy 63 (Future I-555). All voted aye.
MINUTES - JUNE 7, 2004
Councilman Roddy moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the approval of Public Works Committee minutes from June 7, 2004 as provided. Copies were made available to all in attendance. All voted aye.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
1901Fox Meadow
Councilman Moore questioned if structures downstream from 1901 Fox Meadow would need to be enlarged to stop the flooding problem. Mr. Martin stated he did not believe it would need to be enlarged downstream, but explained the culvert was too small. Mr. Martin was asked to provide a recommendation with a cost estimate at the next committee meeting.
Ferrel Street
Mr. Jim McKinnon explained in order to amend the 2004 CDBG plan to do work on the Ferrel Street sidewalks he would have to get a cost estimate, take it to the CDBG Advisory Committee and then get approval from the Jonesboro City Council. It was explained if it is placed on the 2005 CDBG plan it would be the middle of next year before work could begin, and since it was a dangerous intersection immediate action was necessary. It was recommended to have a joint CDBG Advisory Committee and Finance Committee meeting either before or following the regularly scheduled Finance Committee meeting. Mr. Martin had estimated the project to cost $50,000.00 at a previous committee meeting. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to request the CDBG Advisory Committee to amend the 2004 CDBG Budget making the Ferrel Street sidewalks (full length) a priority in 2004. All voted aye.
Kersey Cove behind Valley View School
It was explained the committee had been waiting on Mayor Brodell’s recommendation to widen Kersey Cove from 16 feet to 24 feet (750 linier feet). Superintendent of Valley View School addressed the committee about the urgency of getting the project done prior to school starting. It was explained the 2004 budget contained $250,000 in the Capital Improvement Budget, and Mr. Martin recommended Kersey Cove be widened estimating the project at $15,000 to $20,000 if utility lines did not have to be moved. Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Street to accept the staff recommendation for the improvement of Kersey Cove. All voted aye.
Lawson Road Extension
Mr. Aubrey Scott reported the project was not complete, but copies of the deeds had been sent to committee members. He explained there were conditions on the Yarbrough property, and therefore Mayor Brodell was not ready to give a favorable recommendation yet. The conditions discussed were: Attorney Fees; Letter from the City of Jonesboro stating the property being donated is worth $15,000 an acre; and dirt removal and placement. It was also discussed the importance of safety in creating right angles at Valley View Drive for the protection school age children.
Dedicated Street List
It was explained according to State Law, the governing body is to approve street dedications but this has never been done in Jonesboro. Mr. Martin is in the process of putting together a list of dedicated streets that have met city requirements so the council may pass legislation accepting the streets.
West Nettleton & Matthews
Mr. Martin reported the West Nettleton Project was progressing well; however the Matthews Street contract was being delayed because utilities had not been relocated on Church Street. Mr. Martin was hopeful it would be resolved with in the following week. Mr. Martin was asked to research a stretch of land on West Nettleton between Frierson Street and the YMCA where it appears the street is elevated approximately six inches to assure individual’s yards were not being obstructed. Councilman Moore stated it was his understanding that the automatic gate on the H. L. Parks property would not have to be removed. Mr. Harry Hardwick confirmed this information. Councilman Moore questioned if there would be a refund from the contractor for the sum of $10, 0000.00. Mr. Hardwick stated the contractor traded out with Mr. Parks because the utility company messed up his fence, so the contractor stated if Mr. Parks would leave his gate where it is, he would buy Mr. Parks a new fence and align it with the gate.
Street Superintendent Position
It was reported that the position for Street Superintendent would come open at the end of the month and would be handled by the Public Works Director, Claude Martin.
ADA UPDATE
Ms. Hackney reported they had issued request for proposals on Joe Mac Campbell Park; and a separate request for proposals on other parks for handicap accessibility. She explained they were going to review the downtown sidewalks again in order to get it bid out prior to the September deadline. She explained there were some exceptions pertaining to legal problems, and Attorney Ralph Ohm would be asking for an extension.
DRAINAGE
Sunnybrook Drive
Mr. Martin explained there was a drainage ditch but no drainage easement at Sunnybrook Drive according to city records. Residents stated they had provided easements or were willing to. Mr. Martin also stated there was a utility easement and believed utilities would have to be moved in order to provide better drainage. Mr. Martin was asked to research the easements and come prepared to make recommendations to committee members at their next meeting. Mr. Martin asked if this was setting precedence, and was told a legal opinion needed to be provided by the City Attorney.
Mall Development Agreement
Councilman Farmer stated he had spoken with Mayor Brodell regarding the Mall Development Agreement Plan that was provided at the last Public Works Committee meeting. He explained that Mayor Brodell was in agreement with the plan for the Turtle Creek Mall and the detention pond, consisting of the following three points:
• City will supply the excavator to dig a nine acre regional detention pond to widen and deepen Turtle Creek south of Highland.
• Extend Matthews
• Developer will put in culvert.
It was reported that 528 homes would be moved out of the flood way which would help with flood control. The detention pond would be deeded to the City of Jonesboro, and therefore BE maintained by the City of Jonesboro. Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Street to recommend the resolution accepting the agreement to the full council. All voted aye.
Catherine
It was explained that there was 300 feet of under ground pipe and the original subdivision plan calls for a ditch, but someone installed a 36 inch pipe when a 48 inch pipe should have been used, and in an effort to correct the problem, the City of Jonesboro installed approximately 120 feet of additional pipe. The question that needed to be answered was who is responsible for correcting the problem. It was further explained that the last 100 feet is a buffer zone, and the ditch as it goes across the buffer is not owned by the person having the problem, so the adjacent property owner wants that ditch piped. Mayor Brodell was to review the engineering fees.
PLANNING
Traffic Study
Councilman Street informed committee members there would be a public hearing scheduled sometime toward the end of July.
Land Use Plan
Mr. Scott announced they had contacted former members of the Land Use Plan Committee, and half had agreed to serve, while the other half had not, so Mayor Brodell was working on completing the list. It was explained that the City of Jonesboro at the present time does not have a Planning Consulting Firm or a City Planner, so it was suggested that they utilize the Arkansas Municipal League who keeps a Planner on staff. It was also explained by state law the Planning Commission has input in the Land Use Plan.
SANITATION
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Street to accept staff recommendation to refer a resolution to the full council for the decommissioning of sixteen monitoring wells with Gateway Engineering for $7,300.00. All voted aye.
LANDFILL
Information regarding the landfill and a landfill summary was provided by Councilman Farmer who requested committee members to review the materials and come prepared to provide their conclusions regarding the material at the next committee meeting. Councilman Moore stated of the material provided he did not see a development cost and comparison for the Class IV Landfill at the Craighead County Solid Waste Authority site. Councilman Farmer referred him to a letter dated June 4, 2000 from Mr. Shawki Al-Madhoun, Project Manager from Northstar who declined to accept the task of providing a development cost and comparison for alternate sites. It was explained Mr. Al-Madhoun claimed he did not understand the task that had been given to him, and as a result was suppose to send an updated response, but to date Mr. Al-Madhoun’s response has never been received. Discussion was held regarding possible action, should Mr. Al-Madhoun decide not to respond.
Brentwood Subdivision on Canyon Drive
Mr. Martin stated he would bring a recommendation to the committee by the next meeting regarding an underground storm sewer located in Brentwood Subdivision on Canyon Drive. Residents (Mr. & Mrs. Jones) of the area were present and claimed water had come into their home.
PROPERTY, BUILDINGS AND PARKING
Councilman Province stated there was nothing new to report on the downtown area, and an appraisal of the Winter Wonderland property was being sought. He explained they had not received a lease on the Food Pantry located in the Huntington Building.
Councilman Farmer stated he had learned from attending the Arkansas Municipal League meeting that unless a municipality has an established policy, they do not have to take bids when selling or leasing property, as long as it has an appraised value. He suggested establishing a dollar amount for requirement of the bidding purposes.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to adjourn. All voted aye.