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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on February 13, 2006.
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Public Services Committee Minutes
Monday, February 13, 2006
4:30 p.m.
Members present were: Judy Furr, Ann Williams, Cecil Province, Jimmy Ashley, and Tim McCall. Councilman Johnson was unable to attend. Councilman Province left at 5:22 p.m.
MINUTES
Councilman Province motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for the approval of the regular meeting on January 9, 2006. All voted aye. Copies were provided to all in attendance.
PARKS
Downtown skate park: Parks director Jason Wilkie noted he had found 12 possible new locations for the downtown skate park, with one location fulfilling all the requirements he was looking into. He did not disclose the locations because he was unsure who the land owners were. Mr. Wilkie asked the kids and parents in attendance what locations they had in mind for the skate park. Several locations where mentioned, including a piece of land in front of Annie Camp on West Nettleton, a grassy area and parking lot next to the Southwest Church of Christ, and Parker Park. Questions were raised by those in attendance why the City will not be using the downtown skate park anymore. City Attorney Phillip Crego explained the downtown skate park was never officially made a park, rather the City just had permission to use the land as a park. But, since permission has been withdrawn the City must look elsewhere for a location for the downtown skate park. Questions were also raised as to why the City isn’t looking in the same area to put the skate park. Mr. Wilkie explained the City is looking for a location at least a quarter of a mile (about four blocks) from businesses because of complaints from business owners about having a skate park near their business. Mr. Wilkie also noted that they may look into a temporary location to put the skate park until a permanent location is made so the kids will have somewhere to go. Several people in attendance suggested the kids and parents may want to donate labor and time to help build a temporary location. Questions were also raised concerning why no one wanted to use Allen Park Skate Park. Several people in attendance stated they had safety concerns with leaving their children there. In addition, several kids stated the Allen Park skate Park was made for professional skateboarders, as opposed to ones who just like to street skate like them. Mr. Wilkie announced a public hearing on Thursday, February 23, 2006, at 6 p.m. at the Huntington Building to discuss possible new locations for a skate park and to take comments from the public about those locations. Mr. Wilkie noted that he did not wish to discuss the downtown skate park further because he wanted to focus on moving on and finding a new area for the skate park.
Allen Park Skate Park: Mr. Wilkie stated they had some CDBG money still earmarked for the concession area at Allen Park. But, he would like to use the money for security enhancements to the park, like cameras and fencing. It was questioned whether he would be allowed to use the money for purposes other than the concession stand. Mr. Wilkie stated he had spoken with Grants Coordinator Gayle Vickers and she indicated it would not be a problem. Mr. Wilkie further noted he would speak with her again before using the money and if anything needed to be changed, he’d let the committee know. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to allow Mr. Wilkie to use the CDBG Allen Park Skate Park money to improve security at Allen Park. All voted aye.
Jonesboro Softball Association presentation: Mr. Larry Brantley and Mr. Ken Douglas from the Jonesboro Softball Association spoke with the committee about their organization. Mr. Douglas explained they serve a 50 to 60 mile radius of people in their association and also hold games for non-profit organizations. Their fields are located next to the Services Center. They use some of the money they raise to improve the fields and facilities. The land is a lease, paid for by the City. He also noted that their biggest tournament, the Mt. Dew tournament, brings people in from all over the state to not only play in the games, but also bring money into the City since they have to stay in hotels, eat in the City’s restaurants, and typically shop in the City. They are hoping in the future to improve the current facilities as well as find land to build new fields. They also stated that because the land is leased, they have not been able to do more to it. It was questioned what improvements they would like to see to the land. Mr. Douglas mentioned the parking area on the youth side of the park needs improvement. It was suggested to have Street Superintendent Teddy Hooton look at the parking area and come up with a cost to improve the lot. Mr. Douglas also mentioned the need to put fencing around some of the fields. Mr. Wilkie explained the Parks department does have some money set aside for fencing, but not enough for the two fields the Softball Association would like to fence. It was also suggested to check on the cost of fencing for both of the fields. Mr. Douglas indicated they already have a quote on the fencing. It was asked for information regarding the fencing and the parking lot to be brought to the next meeting. It was also suggested for Mr. Douglas to look into asking the Advertising and Promotions committee for funds to help with their advertising since their association brings in revenue to the City.
Craighead County Soccer Association presentation: No one from the Craighead County Soccer Association attended the meeting to make the presentation.
Adoption of Jonesboro baseball contract: Mr. Wilkie discussed the changes in the Jonesboro Baseball Boosters contract. The contract will be for a term of five years. In 2007, JBB has agreed to allow 4 weekend tournaments to be held at Joe Mack Campbell Park for the USSSA. Mr. Wilkie also stated that they were looking into the possibly of the USSSA holding one tournament at Joe Mack Campbell Park this year, but was unsure whether they would be able to get that scheduled. Councilman Ashley motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to forward the contract on to the City Council for the February 21st meeting. All voted aye.
Dispute with Pilgreen Electric over electrical fees at Joe Mack Campbell Park baseball addition: Mr. Wilkie explained that Mr. Pilgreen was the low bidder for the new baseball fields at Joe Mack Campbell. Mr. Pilgreen had been told by City Water and Light that there would be no fee to him for the transformer and wiring if he did the work himself. After he received the notice to proceed, Mr. Pilgreen was told by CWL that there would be a $17,000 charge for the transformer. Mr. Crego explained mistake of fact would not apply, but he did find some ambiguity in some statements concerning the fees as to who would pay for the transformer. Mayor Formon suggested splitting the difference with Mr. Pilgreen and taking the money out of his discretionary fund. It was also suggested the City should pay the full $17,000. Questions were raised as to who paid for the transformers in the past. Discussion was held concerning the transformer and who usually pays for it. Mayor Formon called Mr. Randy Simpkins at CWL to verify who has typically paid for the transformer. Mr. Simpkins indicated the City has paid for the transformers in the past. It was decided a $10, 954.20 appropriation of money would need to be made for the City to pay for the transformer. Mr. Wilkie stated he would take the appropriation to the Finance committee at their next meeting. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman McCall, to recommend to the Finance committee that the City bare the cost of the transformer, being $17,269.69, based on past practice and information from City Water and Light. All voted aye.
Pine Hill Cemetery encroachment on Craighead Forest Park: Mr. Wilkie explained that they were going to put fencing up on the boarder of Pine Hill Cemetery and Craighead Forest Park. But, they found that several individuals had been buried by Pine Hill Cemetery on Craighead Forest Park land. The encroachment is on the northeast corner of Craighead Forest. Mr. Wilkie suggested asking the Cemetery if they would fence the land, but if they couldn’t afford to do so that the City should pay for it. Mr. Crego agreed with Mr. Wilkie’s suggestion. It was also questioned whether the City needed the Cemetery to deed the land to the City. Mr. Crego stated he didn’t think it would be necessary because the land would come back to the City eventually.
Amendment to tree ordinance, removing the “ex-officio” status from the Forestry Commission Representative: Mr. Wilkie explained in the original Tree Ordinance the representative from the Forestry Commission was not a voting member. But, that would end up with eight voting members, leaving a possible tie situation. Mr. Wilkie further explained the Forestry Commission representative has agreed to be a voting member. Mr. Wilkie presented to the committee an ordinance amending the Tree Ordinance to allow the Forestry Commission representative to be a voting member. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to recommend the ordinance to full Council at the February 21st meeting. All voted aye.
Construction report: Mr. Wilkie noted that the dog dock has been finished, but because Wrigley Construction did not line it up with the concrete right the Parks department had to hire Cooper Construction to fix it at the cost of $800. Mr. Wilkie stated they already paid for the repair, but he is going to ask Wrigley Construction for restitution to pay the City back for the repair bill. He also stated they’re still waiting on items from BA Engineering to get started on the greenway.
TRANSIT
Pay structure changes: Transit Coordinator Joel Gardner presented the committee with a proposal to amend the ordinance that created JETS. He discussed the changes to the ordinance he would like to make, which included stating the department is now a department of the City supervised by the Mayor, changes to the pay plan for the Transit staff and stating the department would make a set of policies and procedures prior to the start-up of the transit system. Mr. Gardner explained he wanted to make the changes to the pay plan because with the original pay plan Jonesboro would’ve been the highest payer by a significant amount, which could possibly deplete another City’s transit workers. He stated he did not want to take employees away from other transit systems, so he would rather lower the pay plan and Jonesboro will still be high, but not the highest. Councilman Ashley motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Furr, to recommend the proposal to full Council at the February 21st meeting. All voted aye.
Drug and alcohol policy: Mr. Gardner explained the policy is designed for cities within the state. Other cities have already approved the policy and it will keep them in compliance to allow them to keep receive funding. He further explained adoption of the policy would mean drug testing would be free to the City. He also noted that he will not receive funding to employ safety-sensitive employees until the policy is passed. Councilwoman Furr motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley, to recommend the policy to full Council at their February 21st meeting. All voted aye.
It was asked for Mr. Gardner to give the committee an update on the status of the Transit Department. Mr. Gardner discussed several items, including the buses scheduled to be delivered the first week of April, the shelter will be delivered in mid-March, and fare boxes would be received after the buses are delivered.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman McCall, to adjourn. All voted aye.