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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on November 1, 2004.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Monday, November 1, 2004
4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Farmer, Street, Province, Dover, Moore. Councilman Roddy was unable to attend.
MINUTES - Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to approve the minutes for September 30, 2004. All voted aye. Copies were made available to all in attendance.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
R-3 Zoning Changes - The ordinance had been given to City Attorney, Phillip Crego who was consulting with Mr. Jeff Hawkins.
Turtle Creek Development Agreement - Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to recommend to the full council a resolution accepting the Turtle Creek Development Agreement. The agreement had previously been reviewed and accepted by the Finance Committee. All voted aye.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan - Mr. Scott was asked to have a resolution prepared for the next city council meeting in order for action to be taken on it.
Fair Park and Race Street Signalization & Funding - Mr. Scott stated he had all the justification from Peters and Associates and estimated the cost at $80,000.00. Mr. Martin explained they needed to get a construction plans from Peters and Associates and the funding would be included in the 2005 budget.
Traffic Control Device Agreements: Hwy 63B & Hasbrook; Hwy 49 & Hwy 351 (East); to split phasing at the intersection of Highland & Nettleton - Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to recommend a resolution for all three Traffic Control Device Agreements to the full council. All voted aye.
PLANNING
ADA Compliance Status - Ms. Hackney reported the City had been granted a six month extension but it would be necessary to transfer funds in order to do both sides of the downtown sidewalk as recommended by Attorney Ralph Ohm. Councilman Moore raised questions pertaining to more extensive work other than the sidewalks and questioned the process if the work is not completed in six months. Ms. Hackney responded saying they would ask the federal judge for further extensions if necessary. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to recommend an ordinance to the full council for the transfer of funds. All voted aye.
City Planner - Ms. Hackney reported one of the candidates dropped out and they would begin interviews this week for the City Planner position. City Attorney Crego reported he had not heard anything regarding the appeal for Glenn Batten.
Traffic Study - Councilman Farmer announced there were Federal Funds earmarked for drainage and traffic planning, but if anything is done in addition to the Traffic or Drainage Studies it will have to be readvertized and rebid according to federal guidelines.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Frierson Sidewalks - It was explained that a letter from local residents asking the sidewalk be placed on the west side had not been provided to committee members at their last meeting. The Engineering Department provided cost estimates showing the cost to be $55,517.00 if placed on the East side with a completion time of 60 days; and $141,911.00 if placed on the West side with a completion time of 100 days. Mr. Jay Scholten addressed committee members stating pedestrian traffic had been limited due to the construction. He expressed concern that the traffic flow would not allow for a cross walk on the west side. Mr. Scholten presented a petition from South School including residents living along Frierson Street on the East side asking that the sidewalk be built on the west side. He raised issues of safety stating the children would cross the street fewer times if built on the west side, and property values would decrease for residents if built on the east side. Mr. Scholten also stated utility poles would have to be moved if sidewalks are placed on the east side. Mr. Rodgers also addressed committee members stating children would be safer if the sidewalks were placed on the west side. Discussion followed regarding where and why the children were walking in the area and what the best solution would be, as well as the alignment of Gee Street & Frierson Streets, and problems with drainage at the end of College Street. Mr. Frierson stated most of the cost would be to correct the problems with the drain that runs under the road and is dangerous to pedestrians. Mr. Hooton explained some of the cost would be for hand rails where there is an open ditch which is an ADA requirement. Mr. Martin was asked to check the utility poles on the East side making sure they will not have to be moved, and to look at the hole where College Street dead-ins. A third option was discussed to extend the sidewalk down the west side of college then cross to the east side. Mr. Martin and Mr. Hooton were asked to make a recommendation on this option. Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to table any earlier action until further review by the staff. All voted aye.
MATA Projects - W. Nettleton & Matthews - Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover recommending Change Order #3 for sidewalks and other ADA requirements for the Kindergarten Center at Flint with the funds, in the amount of $27,490.00 coming from MATA. All voted aye.
Ferrell & Wilkins Sidewalks - Councilman Province was asked to speak with Dr. Beasley to see if they would bring the sidewalk down to Matthews on the west side on the school property. Mr. Martin stated bids were being prepared by the Purchasing Agent, Steve Kent.
Street Department: Street and Drainage Policies - Mr. Hooton provided a list of most common practices followed by the Street Department and asked committee members to review the list in order to approve them at the next committee meeting.
DRAINAGE
Drainage Study/Drainage Ordinances & Manual - It was announced there was a meeting scheduled with Carter-Burgess and Fisher & Arnold in order to complete the Pilot Phase, and Phase II had been reworked regarding the FEMA mapping. It was explained work was being planned for the Drainage Ordinance as it pertains to the Clean Water Act in order to provide for water quality and water quantity so the ordinances would coincide with one another. It was recommended that a Drainage Ordinance Review Committee be appointed for the purpose of providing public input.
Projects in Progress - Mahon Property: Ready to be bid; Sunnybrook Property: Working on Surveys; Worley Property: Waiting on easements from Associated Engineering. Mr. Martin was asked to check on the status. Gookin Property: Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Street to table agenda item 10 from the agenda at the request of Mr. Gookin who wanted to retain the easement. All voted aye.
SANITATION & LANDFILL
Commercial Market Comparison - Mr. Leonard provided information regarding charges and commercial sanitation fees on other Class IV Landfills. He reported the City of Jonesboro is breaking even on its sanitation services after the 44% increase. Mr. Leonard was asked to provide a report on the revenues and expenditures for commercial sanitation by the next committee meeting. When asked if ADEQ has approved Jonesboro’s Closure Plan, he stated they had not.
BUILDING, PROPERTY & PARKING
Main & Monroe Parking Lot Improvements - Councilman Province stated he had not gotten any feed back on the parking. It was reported that City Water and Light has some ornamental street lights in reserve, for replacements if needed, so there is a need to purchase additional ornamental lights for the downtown area. Councilman Province provided a five lease agreement with “Cope Without Dope Group of Narcotics Anonymous (CWODNA) which rents a portion of the Huntington Building. It was determined that it needed to include an escape clause so either party could get out of the lease. City Attorney Crego stated the lease allows CWODNA to make any changes they want and recommended those be approved by the City prior to the changes being made. He also recommended a shorter lease than five years. Attorney Crego was asked to revise the lease by the next committee meeting, so it is fair to both parties allowing for an escape clause, and improvements to be made subject to approval.
Parking Attendant Job Description & Downtown Association - Councilman Moore requested a job description for the position of Parking Attendant from Ms. Suzanne Hackney, Human Resource Director. He explained the route has not been run in three months and asked for clarification of the position and its duties. Councilman Moore also recommended that Mr. Martin and Mr. Hooton design a plan for the downtown area stating Jonesboro needed to take a leadership role in the area. Councilman Province stated downtown residents should have a say in its design, and they have been communicating with them. Councilman Farmer explained there was $20,000 allotted for the Downtown Planning District and questioned if Jonesboro would not be better served by using those funds for an assistant City Planner responsible for downtown planning. He stated the City needs to have a role in solving the problems, but anything done without input from the downtown residents would be met with resistance.
Huntington Building Rental - It was explained the fellowship hall of the Huntington Building is open for rental on the weekends, but the Council was considering a policy of not renting out the Council Chambers and Haworth room for security reasons. Everyone agreed this should be considered by the Nominating and Rules Committee for recommendation to the full council at the first of the year.
2005 Capital Improvement Projects: A preliminary list of 2005 Capital Improvement Projects was provided. It included the following:
Streets & sidewalks - Fox Meadow, Lawson Road and school sidewalks;
Other potential streets - Race, Wilkins, etc. per study;
Street Dept. - city shop;
Drainage - regional detention ponds & ditch improvements per study;
Landfill - close existing landfill and open new class 4 landfill;
Buildings, Parking Lots and Property - Forum, other city property;
Parks - Turtle Creek greenway;
Others - animal shelter, parks, additional fire station, city hall space, airport, etc.
Matthews Extended
Traffic Signalization
Yarbrough / Lawson Road
Yarbrough Property: Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to authorized the Public Works staff to enlist the services of the engineering firm selected under our current RFP’s to begin the engineer design work on Lawson Road and the redesign of Valley View Drive; They were instructed to rank the top three and bring back to the Public Works Committee at their next meeting. It was determined that a special meeting could be called if necessary. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to adjourn. All voted aye.