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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on September 12, 2005.
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Public Services Committee
September 12, 2005 at 4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ann Williams, Jimmy Ashley, Judy Furr, Cecil Province, Tim McCall and Mitch Johnson.
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
MINUTES
Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman McCall for the adoption of the Public Service Committee meeting for August 10, 2005, as provided. All voted aye. Copies were provided to all in attendance.
TRANSPORTATION
Bike access for Craighead Forest Park: Mr. Ahmin Ulkarim informed the committee that in the 25 year plan for the city, bikeways and walkways were not included. Mr. Ulkarim stated that when they started asking people what they would like to see in the 20 year plan, the majority of those questioned asked for bikeways and walkways to be included. The main interest was to have the bikeways and walkways accessing Craighead Forest Park on South Culberhouse. Mr. Ulkarim further explained that they presented to the MPO to widen South Culberhouse from Parker Road to Craighead Forest Park to allow for bikeways and walkways. Neither the policy nor the technical committees accepted the proposal. Ms. Gayle Vickers added that the committee chose the widening of Harrisburg Road project over the widening of South Culberhouse because there is only money to do one project. It was also discussed the possibility of re-opening the old Craighead Forest Road to allow bikeway and walkway access to the park. Mr. Jim Stearns of the Ridge Riders Athletic Club stated that the club would be supportive of any bike lanes, as long as the riders are safe and there’s not too much car traffic. He further explained that an estimated 60 people in the Ridge Riders club ride on the weekends. Mr. Stearns supported allow access to Craighead Forest Park since it’s a central point of recreation for the club. Ms. Vickers recommended anyone interested in putting bikeways and walkways into the 25 year plan to e-mail their department so they can take those e-mails to the MPO.
Transit Buses: Mr. Ulkarim explained that bids had been received for the transit buses. The proposal includes the purchase of 3 medium duty buses that will run permanent, fixed routes, plus 2 light duty buses that will run on demand routes. Mr. Ulkarim recommended accepting Missouri Bus Inc.’s proposals for the buses. Questions were raised regarding whether the funding was already there or not. Concern was expressed because the committee has not been given a copy of the award letter stating how much money was available. Mr. Ulkarim further explained the money was available, but a purchase would need to be made before October 1 or else the funding would be lost. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Province to accept the staff recommendation and send it to full council. All voted aye. It was also asked for Ms. Vickers to provide the committee with copies of the award letter. Mayor Formon was also asked to visit the proposed buses.
PARKS
Forestry Ordinance: Mr. Jason Wilkie presented an ordinance to the committee to create the Jonesboro Urban Forestry Council (JUFC) to address urban forestry issues. Mr. Wilkie informed the committee that Phillip Crego, City Attorney, approved the ordinance, as well as Mayor Formon and Mr. Brian Wadley. Council Furr moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to recommend the ordinance to full council. All voted aye. Ms. Pam Alexander did express concerns as to whether she and Ms. Christy Appleton would be involved in reviewing related ordinances and asked to be able to participate in the process. Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to send a recommendation to the Public Works committee that Ms. Alexander and Ms. Appleton have input with the pending RFQ. All voted aye.
Dog jumping contest dock construction and placement: Mr. Rick Crawford from GFN Media explained the event would have 50 or more contestants from around the country, while possibly having at least 1,000 spectators. Mr. Crawford also stated the event would likely be televised on the Outdoor Life Network, Bravo or the Outdoor Channel. Mr. Wilkie further discussed building a dock on Craighead Forest Park Lake for the event to take place on. Ms. Lorie Rebstock informed the committee that she would find a sponsor to build the dock, so there would be no cost to the city. Mr. Wilkie stated the dock could later be used by others to train their dogs on or used as a courtesy dock as well as a dock to fish off. Mr. Wilkie also noted that the park has a leash law, but if there was a designated area around that dock then owners could take their dogs off their leashes. It was asked to hold the item until the next meeting so the plans for reconstructing the lake are finalized before construction of the dock begins.
Joe Mack Campbell Field Development contract: Mr. Wilkie discussed a needed change order with NRS Consulting Engineers for the completion of Joe Mack Campbell Park. It was explained that NRS’s first design for the park came in over the budget, so they were asked to re-design to fit the budget. Due to the re-design, NRS requested an additional fee. Councilman Johnson moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to recommend the resolution to full council. All voted aye.
Facility Rental Policies: Mr. Wilkie informed the committee that there were some changes to the fee schedule for the parks. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to present the resolution to full council. All voted aye.
Future of cemeteries: Mr. Wilkie questioned whether the City of Jonesboro would further provide cemeteries. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to continue to serve the City of Jonesboro with running cemeteries. Questions were also raised as to when more land would be needed for future cemeteries. Mr. Steve Penny explained more land would be needed within the next several years, possibly in the next four years. Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to get appraisals for extra property to build cemeteries on. All voted aye.
Craighead Forest Park playground equipment: Mr. Wilkie explained that he has received bids for new playground equipment for Craighead Forest Park. The new playground will be located in Park Access #3. Mr. Wilkie recommended accepting the bid from Landscape Structures. But, due to the cost of the equipment, a $4,981.27 line item transfer is needed to transfer money from the Playground Donations fund to the State of Arkansas Parks Improvements fund. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Province to allow for the line item transfer. All voted aye. Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to present the resolution to full council. All voted aye.
Jonesboro Baseball Booster contract: Mr. Wilkie has completed a draft of a new contract with the Jonesboro Baseball Booster Club for their use of Joe Mack Campbell Park. JBB asked for a five-year contract instead of a three-year contract. Mr. Wilkie also added some items concerning maintenance issues. Dr. Jim Farris expressed concerns regarding other groups being restricted from using Joe Mack Campbell Park because of the contract. Dr. Farris is a member of the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) and explained that the group has to take their children to other cities so they can play because they are unable to play at Joe Mack Campbell. It was suggested to allow the USSSA group to use the North Recreation Complex and redo those fields to fit the specifications of the USSSA. It was recommended for a representative from USSSA and JBB to meet to try and work out an agreement.
Craighead Forest Park Loop Road re-paving: Mr. Wilkie stated that he wants to put pedestrian pathways on the road when it is re-paved. He has met with Claude Martin from the Engineering department and Mr. Martin recommended making the car lanes 8 feet both ways and leaving 4 feet on both sides for pedestrian walkways, so the road would not need to be widened. They also discussed ADA compliance with the walkways. It was questioned whether 8 feet for car lanes would be wide enough. Mr. Wilkie was asked to have the Engineering department further look into having 8 foot car lanes.
Craighead Forest Park Lake: The item was pulled from the agenda. Mr. Wilkie informed the council that negotiations have started, but he hasn’t heard anything back from the contractor.
Construction Report: Mr. Wilkie had nothing new to report.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilman Province to adjourn. All voted aye.