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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on April 3, 2007.
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Members present: Darrel Dover, Charles Frierson, Mitch Johnson, Cecil Province and John Street. Mayor Formon and Mr. Tony Thomas from the Mayor’s Office were also in attendance. Councilman Moore was unable to attend.
MINUTES
Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to approve the minutes for the regular meeting on March 6, 2007, as written. All voted aye. Minutes were made to those in attendance.
DRAINAGE PRESENTATION
Miller Newell, Sharp St. drainage project: Mr. Bob Chapman from Miller Newell discussed the Sharp Street drainage project. He explained by combining a site between Burke and Krewson with sites behind Save-A-Lot and Fire Station #2 the City will be able to meet the 25-year storm event. He further explained a combination of the three sites would keep water off the streets. Discussion was held concerning demolishing Fire Station #2. Mayor Formon noted approximately 70% of the Police Department works out of Fire Station #2, plus by building a detention pond it would take away parking from the Justice Complex. Police Chief Michael Yates stated he thinks they would be able to find another place for the Police Department employees. Discussion was held regarding moving Fire Station #2 to Optimist Park. Chairman questioned what the time frame is for moving Fire Station #2. Mayor Formon stated they are hoping the money will be allocated this year so they can purchase the land in August. Fire Chief Aaron Keller added it would be the first part of 2008 before they can move the fire station to Optimist Park. Chief Yates also discussed purchasing the DSA building near the Justice Complex to house some of the Police Department employees. City Engineer Kelly Panneck recommended allowing Miller Newell to finish the design of the project up to 90% assuming the City demolishes Fire Station #2 and for the City staff to make a proposal as to how the City will proceed. Mayor Formon noted that taking out that much parking around the Justice Complex may affect the value of the building. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Frierson, to pay Miller Newell for the work they have already completed and put the project on hold until the City can review a long-range plan and give Miller Newell direction in the project. All voted aye. Mr. Bernie Auld noted the drainage project will not help the basin, so all of the improvements will be isolated to that area.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to purchase various properties for the purpose of establishing detention ponds: Chairman Street stated the resolution includes all nine properties and reflects the new policy concerning purchasing property for detention ponds. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to place the resolution on the Council agenda under New Business. All voted aye.
Resolution setting a public hearing for the purpose of abandoning a 60’ unnamed street right-of-way which connects Matt (Carter) Drive and Briar Lane: Mr. Hooton noted the Sanitation and Fire Departments should look at the area to make sure they will still be able to turn their vehicles around since that will become a dead end street.
BUILDINGS - MAYOR AND TONY THOMAS
Scale House building: Mr. Tony Thomas presented a lease termination for the scale house building that will accept the building from Legacy Landfill. He added he has not received any comments from City Attorney Phillip Crego concerning the lease termination, so he’s assuming there are no changes to be made. Mayor Formon explained they will be using the scale house building temporarily as offices for the Animal Control Department. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to place it on the April 17th Council agenda. All voted aye.
Resolution requesting free utilities from CWL for the scale house building: Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to place the resolution on the April 17th Council agenda. All voted aye.
Resolution requesting free utilities from CWL for 2407 Quality Way, an office on the Alberto Culver site: Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Frierson, to place the resolution on the April 17th Council agenda. All voted aye.
Long range city facilities plan: Mayor Formon stated they are waiting so the new Public Works Director can evaluate and provide input concerning the CWL property and the Best Building, as well as the current facilities. PENDING
Fire Department building, Valley View: Mayor Formon explained Mr. Keith Sanders cleaned the area up, so they will be putting advertisements in the paper asking for proposals for the property. Councilman Dover questioned what made the bricks fall off the building. Mr. Hooton stated there wasn’t enough brick ties to keep everything in tact. PENDING
PLANNING - OTIS SPRIGGS
Proposed 90-day moratorium on all off-premise and on-premise signage for the purpose of updating the existing sign ordinance: City Planner Otis Spriggs discussed the moratorium. He explained currently there is no signage code relating to advertisements. He stated the moratorium would be in effect while the MAPC develops signage code. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to place the resolution on the Council agenda under New Business. All voted aye.
Proposed new fee schedule for Planning and Zoning: Mr. Spriggs explained he visited with Conway to discuss their fees. He presented the committee with proposed updated fees that have been approved by the MAPC and asked they be recommended for approval by the full Council. He further explained he would like to adopt the fee schedule by reference as a text amendment to the Code book. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to place the ordinance to adopt the fee schedule by reference on the Council agenda for May 15th. All voted aye.
Revised planned development district: Mr. Spriggs presented the committee with the proposed changes to the PUD code and asked they be adopted by reference to the Code book. He noted the changes have been approved by the MAPC. City Clerk Donna Jackson stated the resolution will need to be changed to an ordinance since it is amending the Code book. Mr. Spriggs also stated Mr. Crego has seen the changes to the code, but has not approved the ordinance as to form. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman Johnson, to place the ordinance on the May 1st Council agenda subject to approval by Mr. Crego. All voted aye.
Land Use Plan: Mr. Spriggs stated the committees are still working on the land use plan. He added they are still working on the industrial section of the map. PENDING
CITY ENGINEER - KELLY PANNECK
FEMA Letter concerning Butler Creek: Mr. Hooton presented the committee with copies of the letter received from FEMA. He added the work to Butler Creek will be done by next Monday and will be in compliance with FEMA.
Lawson Road project: Mr. Panneck stated the bids will open on April 25th. He added they are currently on schedule. Councilman Dover questioned how long the project would take to complete. Mr. Panneck stated they allowed for 240 calendar days to finish the project before penalties. PENDING
Invoice approval for BA Engineering: Mr. Thomas discussed the invoices and asked they be approved so they can issue payment. Mr. Auld explained the invoices are for work he performed for Carter Burgess were never forwarded to the City for payment by Carter Burgess. He further explained Carter Burgess hired him to finish work that was already in progress. He stated he continued to send invoices through but the invoices did not make it to the City. He added the invoices were extensions of the contract the City had with Carter Burgess. Councilman Frierson questioned if any of the work was related to the CTP work with Carter Burgess. Mr. Auld stated the last two invoices would fall under the CTP work. Councilman Frierson then questioned whether the invoices were included in the contract with Carter Burgess for the CTP work. Mr. Thomas explained the invoices were not included in the CTP contract with Carter Burgess; rather, they were additions to the work. Councilman Frierson questioned whether there were signed change orders by the City. Mr. Thomas stated he gave the committee all the information he was able to find concerning the invoices. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Frierson, to have Internal Auditor Misty Micenhamer and Mr. Crego review the invoices and bring their recommendation to the Finance Committee at their regular meeting on April 19th. All voted aye. PENDING
STREETS/SIDEWALKS
Sidewalks: Mr. Panneck explained they are still on schedule and will be able to meet the September, 2007, deadline. PENDING
Three-way stop at Union and Matthews: Mr. Hooton stated the Traffic Control Review Committee approved making the intersection at Union and Matthews a three-way stop. He explained they will start the three-way on Friday and monitor the traffic, as requested by First United Methodist Church due to the daycare being operated by the intersection. PENDING
Resolution to purchase tornado sirens: Mr. Hooton explained three tornado sirens will be replaced. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Frierson, to place the resolution on the Council agenda under New Business. All voted aye.
DRAINAGE
Ditch cleaning project: Mr. Hooton stated they estimated low concerning the cost of the ditch cleaning work. He recommended appropriating an additional $85,000 to clean out Mardis. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to recommend the appropriation to the Finance Committee. All voted aye. PENDING
Stormwater ordinance: Mr. Panneck explained they received the final revisions. He stated he would like to take it to the Stormwater Drainage Board after a Public Works Director is hired. Discussion was held regarding the BMP Manual. Mr. Panneck stated they would address the BMP Manual at the next meeting. Mr. Auld noted the old Stormwater Committee is still in existence. Chairman Street recommended Mr. Panneck contact Mr. Dennis Zolper to meet with the Stormwater Drainage Board. PENDING
Standard operating procedures: Mr. Hooton stated he has some information, but has not had time to put anything together yet. Chairman Street stated the standard operating procedures are important and need to be drafted for City practices. PENDING
SANITATION
Landfill closure: Sanitation Director Royce Leonard explained they sent the clay cap closure plan to ADEQ last week. Mr. Hooton they’re expecting to hear something by the 20th. Councilman Frierson motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to place a resolution on the May 1st Council agenda accepting the low bid for the closure plan. All voted aye. PENDING
Landfill gas mitigation bids: Mr. Leonard explained the bids will go out on April 5th and will be opened on April 25th. PENDING
OTHER
Chairman Street questioned the status of the damaged excavator. Mr. Hooton stated he can either replace it with a used piece of equipment or advertise for a new one. He explained if he bought a new one it could take a few months to get it, but if he purchased a used excavator then he would be able to take it to the Finance Committee at their next meeting. Chairman Street stated that would be something for the administration to decide after the money is received from the insurance company.
Mr. Brian Sneed from the Downtown Jonesboro Association presented the committee with a letter asking the City for $39,000 in funding. He also provided a list of what the money would be used for. Mayor Formon stated the signage expense would need to go through the state since Highway 63 and Johnson Avenue are both taken care of by the state. Mr. Sneed stated he will present a contract later.
Mr. Tom Davis of Century 21 informed the committee he has potential buyers for the property located on Wofford Street that has been looked at for a possible detention pond site. Mr. Thomas noted there has been no appraisal on the property. Mr. Panneck added the plans are not final for that area.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.