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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on September 6, 2005.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Tuesday, September 6, 2005
4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ashley, Street, Province, Dover and Farmer. Councilman Moore was unable to attend.
MINUTES
Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to approve the minutes for the August 2, 2005, regular meeting and the August 16, 2005, special meeting. All voted aye. Copies were made available to all in attendance.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
There were no ordinances or resolutions for consideration.
GENERAL PROPERTY/BUILDINGS/PARKING
508 w. Monroe: Mr. Teddy Hooton provided estimates for paving the vacant lot at 508 W. Monroe. He estimates that it will cost $45,684.00 to pave the parking lot, which will include 20 parking spaces. The decision was made to hold the estimate until the status of the justice complex could be updated. PENDING
Justice Complex: Mr. Wadley reported that he could not receive an update of the justice building at this time. He explained the engineer hired to evaluate the property was having illness in his immediate family. PENDING
PLANNING
David Harris’ resignation: It was explained that Mr. Harris has turned in his resignation to the Mayor, but has agreed to fill the position until the end of the month. Ms. Hackney has begun to advertise for the position. Chairman Street recommended advertising for the position of Assistant Planner, as well as seeking RFQ’s for updating Jonesboro’s Land Use Plan as well as updating zoning ordinances. Questions were raised concerning whether the salary was competitive for the positions. It was stated that the salary would need to be competitive and the department would need to be staffed due to the amount of work in the department. Councilman Province motioned, seconded by Councilman Ashley, to refer to the Finance Committee for consideration regarding updating the land use plan and zoning ordinance, as well as advertising for the position of Assistant Planner. All voted aye. PENDING
Traffic Study: Mr. Claude Martin has not been able to review the traffic copy drafts, but will be able to before the next meeting. It was explained the study will need to be reviewed and then approved by the Public Works Committee before being sent to MPO for consideration. PENDING
RFQ for remainder of Jonesboro traffic study: Chairman Street explained the traffic study would need to also include north Jonesboro street access (Stadium Blvd., Patrick Street, Church Street, and Culberhouse, as well as parking and traffic flow in downtown Jonesboro). Funds for the additional study could be taken from the AHTD $1,000,000.00 grant. Mr. Wadley questioned whether the study should be added to before knowing the status of the current traffic study. It was decided to hold this off until the current traffic study could be reviewed. PENDING
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Downtown Crosswalks: Mr. Hooton explained that he has not heard from the people he contacted. He further explained if the maintenance was advertised as a project, the funds would come out of capital improvements, instead of out of the city’s budget. Mr. Hooton was asked to provide the estimates at the next committee meeting. PENDING
Standard Operating Procedures: It was explained the Storm Water Committee is still reviewing the procedures before making their recommendation. Their recommendation would then be followed by a legal review by the City Attorney. PENDING
Lawson Road: Mr. Wadley explained they’re in the process of acquiring additional easements. PENDING
Sidewalk Compliance with ADA: Mr. Jeremy Bevill reported they should be done with the downtown area by the September 12, 2005, deadline, but questions were raised about being able to meet the overall deadline in 2007. Mr. Ralph Ohm stated the court only asked for curb cuts and ramps. It was explained that if they do just curb cuts and add ramps where needed, then meeting the 2007 deadline might not be a problem. PENDING
Frierson Street sidewalk: Pedestrian counts were made available for James Street and the east and west sides of Frierson, as well as budgets for making sidewalks for each street. Mr. Hooton explained that, according to the pedestrian counts, James Street is more frequently used than Frierson. Councilman Dover questioned if any of the proposals was safer for the kids. It was further explained on the west side of Frierson, there are some drainage problems. Mr. Johnnie Rogers of Frierson Street stated the neighborhood wants to have the sidewalks put in on Frierson Street to make the area safer for the people who walk down the street. Mr. Hooton was asked to provide the committee with updated pedestrian counts and provide the committee with a recommendation for the next meeting. He was also asked to get a recommendation from the Permanent Traffic Control Review Committee before the next meeting. It was also asked to get the opinion of the nearby schools to help make a decision. PENDING
Pinehill Drive Cul-de-sac: The residents on Pinehill have requested a cul-de-sac be made at the end of their street so the buses can turn around. The homeowners have agreed to donate the right of ways to make the cul-de-sac. There are about five houses on Pinehill Drive. City Attorney Phillip Crego explained the city has accepted the responsibility since the city has been maintaining the street since being annexed into the city. Councilman Dover questioned whether if making the cul-de-sac for this road makes the city responsible for putting cul-de-sacs in other dead end roads in the city. Mr. Bevill added that there are about 100 streets in the same situation as Pinehill Drive. Mr. Bevill was asked to gather further information, including a legal recommendation from Mr. Crego, for the next meeting. PENDING
Paving of Alex Drive, Matt Drive and Briar Drive: Mr. Crego informed the committee that it was recommended from Mr. Ohm to set some guidelines. He further explained that he had met with the Engineering Department regarding guidelines to be set for when the city will step in and finish improvements that a developer left unfinished. Criteria that was set is: 1) the developer is bankrupt or is no longer in business; 2) 10 or older development; and 3) the number of vacant lots still available. It was explained that improvements are developer driven, so if there are not a lot vacant lots left to be sold, a developer would not want to finish the improvements. Mr. Ohm also recommended to add a fourth guideline to make sure the property is not private or a gated community. He added that enforcing the guidelines is also needed to make sure that everyone is treated fairly. It was suggested to send the developers warning letters to finish the improvements or future permits would be held. It was asked for the Engineering department to put together an ordinance with guidelines for approval by the City Council. PENDING
Study of HWY 63 interchanges, Woodsprings Road, Southwest Drive, Harrisburg Road, Caraway Road and Stadium Blvd.: Chairman Street explained this is just a point of interest for the committee to think about to present to the highway department for another study. PENDING
DRAINAGE
732 & 734 Valley Drive: NRS Consulting Engineers presented their recommendation for fixing the drainage problem on Valley and Owens. They provided 5 alternatives, but their final recommendation is to construct a 3.46 acre-foot detention pond at Valley Drive and improve the drainage channel at Owens to fully utilize the Culberhouse box culvert. If in the future they City’s design standard changes, a second detention pond could be constructed at the Owens Avenue site. It was asked for the Engineering department to come up with their recommendation and present it to the committee at the next meeting. PENDING
CTP Project: Mayor Formon stated the negotiations are going well and they are back on schedule. They’re expecting the surveying to be completed during the first or second week in October. PENDING
Consulting hydrolic/hydrological engineer: It was discussed whether a full-time hydrological engineer is better than consulting with one when needed. Discussions are still continuing. PENDING
Rossland Hills drainage issues: Mr. Crego recommended notifying the affected land owners of the City’s intentions. It was also suggested to send another letter to the developer’s attorney before notifying the land owners, but to not wait long for a response. PENDING
Drainage Study: Councilman Farmer asked to reference in the study other recommendations that would strategically place smaller detentions ponds throughout the city, instead of placing one large pond. They did agree to add that statement to the study. PENDING
Ridgecrest Drive drainage issue: The residents on Ridgecrest are having drainage problems due to a ditch washing the water out into the backs of their lots. Commercial businesses are on the other side of the ditch, but they are not affected since their side of the ditch is taller. Mr. Martin stated he has seen the area and said that if they build up the lots there would be no room for the water to drain. Mr. Martin also noted that if the lots were built up, then that might affect the drainage in the yards. It was asked for the Engineering department to look at the affected area and see if there’s anything that can be done. PENDING
SANITATION
Proposal for recycling and yard waste: Mr. Royce Leonard explained that he will have to look at the ordinance, but he doesn’t believe it states the frequency that the city has to pick up recycling and yard waste. He’s wanting to alternate weeks so that one week they pick up recycling and the next week they pick up yard waste to help cut fuel costs. It was suggested that he get together with Mr. Crego and make his decision before the next meeting. PENDING
Mr. Leonard also stated that he received a letter from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) regarding the Class 4 Landfill. The letter states they have approved the City for closure of the facility with certain conditions. They are requesting: 1) the City submit and have approved by the SWMD a Construction Quality Assurance Plan; 2) the City submit and have approved a Stormwater Management Plan; and 3) the City prepare and submit a revised Post-Closure Care Plan for approval.
Mayor Formon also added that the city has obtained additional dumpster and 95-gallon residential containers to be used by the shelters for Hurricane Katrina victims. He said approximately 284 people are expected to be bused into the City from Fort Chaffee. There are currently four shelter sites. Mayor Formon further explained that the City is keeping up with the garbage tons for possible reimbursement from FEMA.
OTHER
Public Works long range plan: Chairman Street explained this is just something for the committee to be thinking about.
Mr. Wadley also explained that Mr. Martin will be e-mailing the committee the main points of the report on traffic signals in the area. The Solid Waste Authority will be advertising for vehicles on September and bidding should begin by the 1st of October.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to adjourn. All voted aye.