title
Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on March 1, 2005.
body
Public Works Committee
Jonesboro City Council
March 1, 2005
The Public Works Committee of the Jonesboro City Council met Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. Present were: Chris Moore, John Street, Darrel Dover, Cecil Province, and Jimmy Ashley
Councilman Ashley moved to approve the minutes of the February 1, 2005 as prepared with a second by Councilman Dover. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Province, Ashley, Moore and Dover.
John Easley, from Associated Engineering, informed the committee about what is proposed with the change order #2 on the downtown sidewalk improvement program with the Knish Corporation. Mr. Easley explained that this was additional work and materials that were not included in the original contract. This $59,000 will final out the original contract and change orders with Knish. There is still approximately $118,000 left that can be used for additional improvements. Knish has declined to accept a third change order and the additional improvements will have to be bid out. The Finance Committee reviewed and approved the resolution at its February 17, 2005 meeting.
Councilman Moore moved to approve the resolution authorizing change order #2 with Councilman Dover making the second. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Dover, Province, Moore and Ashley.
The committee reviewed but took no action on a resolution to lease a portion of the Huntington Building to CWODNA. Changes requested to be made in the resolution were a termination clause whereby either party could terminate the lease at any time with 30 day notice, extending the term to a 3 year term, and adding a section regarding prior approval by the city before altering or remodeling the building.
A resolution to extend the lease with St. Bernard’s for a portion of the Huntington Building until June 2006 was approved on a motion by Councilman Moore, second by Councilman Dover and a voice vote resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Ashley, Moore, Dover, and Province.
Councilman Street explained a resolution amending the Jonesboro Pay Plan to separate the Department of Inspection & Code Enforcement from the Planning Department. The 2005 budget was adopted with separate budgets but the pay plan was not amended to reflect the change. Councilman Ashley moved to approve the resolution with Councilman Moore making the second. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Province, Moore, Dover and Ashley.
Brian Wadley informed the committee that letters were sent to the adjacent property owners regarding the possible sale of what remains of Lot 1 of McDaniel Subdivision Phase IV on Friendly Hope Road. The property owner on the south side phoned and said he was interested but made no offer. The property owner on the north side made no contact. An offer of $10,000 to purchase the ½ acre lot was received from the property owner on the east side. Councilman Moore requested that the property be advertised for sale in the newspaper to see if additional offers would be forthcoming. No action taken.
Brian Wadley submitted a list of new appointments and reappointments to the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission as recommended by Mayor Formon. Those appointments are:
New Appointments:
John Sawyer, Sr. to replace Jim Damron whose term expired, 12-31-04, new expiration date 03-31-08
Lonnie Roberts, Jr. to replace Mitch Johnson’s unexpired term, expiration date 04-30-06
Reappointments:
Kathy Moore, new expiration date, 03-31-08
George Krennerich, new expiration date, 03-31-08
Councilman Street noted that these appointments were badly needed to bring the MAPC up to full staff.
Councilman Moore moved to accept the appointments and place them on the City Council agenda for consideration tonight. Councilman Province seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Ashley, Province, Moore and Dover.
Councilman Street noted that City Planner, David Harris is working with the Mayor to appoint a committee to revisit and update the comprehensive land use plan.
Brian Wadley distributed a proposal by the AHTD to purchase land from the City for right of way along Hwy. 63 to be used for the construction of the Washington Avenue interchange. Two parcels are in question. One parcel is a .25 acre tract of land on the north side of Hwy. 63 for which they have offered $1,700. The other parcel is on the south side of Hwy. 63 and is approximately 1.44 acres. They have offered $34,550 for the needed right of way which leaves a small tract of land without access and is considered a non-economic remnant for which they will pay an additional $8,650 for a total of $43,200. The question was raised as to whether the City should accept payment for the right of way or just donate the
land realizing the benefit received from the project.
No action was taken on the proposal. The matter is to be discussed with the Mayor and brought back.
Teddy Hooton informed the committee that he is trying to get an estimate for a flat concrete ramp to replace the raised ramps currently in place on either side of the downtown crosswalks. This would eliminate the bumps on either side of the bricks but would still protect the brick.
Teddy Hooton and Claude Martin discussed some changes in the maintenance responsibilities of the Street Department regarding ditch maintenance and driveway tile placement/replacement. Section 9.36 of the Jonesboro code prohibits placement/replacement of driveway tile without first having approval of the street committee. It has been the policy of the City for a long time that the street department would provide the labor and equipment to install a pipe if the property owner furnished the pipe which conflicts with the ordinance. Mr. Hooton presented a list of 9 possible changes to the maintenance responsibilities. City Attorney, Phillip Crego, stated that the current ordinance would have to be amended or repealed to enforce these changes. Councilman Moore moved to have Teddy Hooton get with the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance to reflect these changes. Councilman Dover made the second. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Ashley, Province, Moore and Dover.
Mr. Hooton informed the committee that letters were to be mailed to the property owners in Rossland Hills Subdivision next week instructing them to remove their fences from the City’s drainage easement so that a drainage problem can be corrected.
Teddy Hooton, Claude Martin and Brian Wadley provided an update to the committee on the status of the Lawson Road Extension. After the contract was let with Fisher & Arnold (F & A)to prepare the specifications for developing the street which by resolution is to be a 5 lane street with curb and gutter within a 100’ right of way that is approximately 3,000 feet long. After F & A began their work they discovered that the layout of the right of way with several curves in it would only allow a 25 mph speed limit and reduce the capacity of vehicles. Two alternates were prepared by F & A to increase the capacity on the street and raise the speed limit to the recommended speed for this type of street. The Mayor, Claude Martin and Brian Wadley spoke to Ken Yarbrough about realignment and he was generally in favor of it and stated he would cooperate. A presentation was then made to the Christian Valley church regarding their donation of additional right of way. After a couple of week’s discussion among the church members we were informed that they would not donate any additional right of way. A conference call was made to Phil McConnell of the AHTD to discuss the road status noting that the AHTD is considering a plan to widen and improve Lawson Road to 5 lanes from Southwest Drive to Hwy 1.
The City passed a resolution in 2004 to utilize federal aid monies to facilitate the project. This represents a million dollars worth of construction each year for several years for the existing Lawson Road to be improved in phases that would connect to the new road the city is going to build. The AHTD recommended the 5 lane road be constructed with the super elevated curves that would maximize the capacity of the road and allow for the future connection to the east. Any improvements that we make contrary are subject to being removed at a later time which would be a waste of our money now. It was noted that the estimated cost of improving the new Lawson Road extension is $1,200,000 and the best route possible if they way we should build the street. A third alternate was prepared by F & A today that achieves the desired capacity but requires some additional right of way in different areas. It would also connect closer to Mt. Carmel Road than what the original plan called for. This will allow for a better alignment and better roadway design. Councilman Moore made a motion to proceed with obtaining the necessary legal descriptions and appraisals for condemnation of the street right of way as contained in the third alternate prepared by F & A. Councilman Ashley seconded by motion. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Dover, Province, Moore and Ashley.
Claude Martin presented a drawing prepared by George Stem showing the possible construction of a round about at the intersection of Riveria and Ridgepointe. Mr. Martin estimated the cost of constructing the round about at approximately $9,500. The question was raised as to who should be responsible for the installation. Mr. Martin stated that the road as constructed was compliance with city codes. To become air born at this intersection you have to violate two laws, one for speeding and the other for running a stop sign. Councilman Moore made a motion directing the City Engineer to send the round about design to the Ridgepointe Property Owners’ Association stating that the minimum safety standards had been met and see if they wanted to build the round about. Councilman Ashley seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Province, Moore, Dover and Ashley.
Teddy Hooton discussed the status of 5 streets that are not completed, some in subdivisions that are built out. Phillip Crego was asked that actions could be taken to get the streets finished. Options presented were to proceed with whatever legal action available to achieve completion or another was to finish the streets and then pursue recovery of the cost of completion. Mr. Crego noted that the city has not accepted the streets into the maintenance system and will not until they are finished. A letter was sent two years ago advising the developers of their responsibility but no responses. It was determined that a letter of noncompliance should be sent to the developers, financial institutions involved and the current lot owners.
Claude Martin presented an estimate for constructing sidewalks on Ferrell Street behind Annie Camp School. To build and complete a sidewalk on the west side of Ferrell would cost approximately $53,484. To construct the sidewalk on the east side would cost approximately $38,071. The sidewalks that now exist are on the east side now. Councilman Moore made a motion to proceed with installation of the sidewalks on the east side of Ferrell Street. The second was made by Councilman Dover. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Ashley, Province, Moore and Dover.
Jeremy Bevill informed the committee that the deadline for compliance on the ADA improvements was not going to be met because the contractor had declined to accept the 3rd change order. The project will not have to be rebid. A request for an extension of time will be sent with the next report to the judge.
Brian Wadley updated the committee on the Storm Water Committee. The committee was appointed in February and their first meeting will be March 15. At that meeting they will get organized, select a chairman, discuss scope of work and establish a meeting schedule.
Teddy Hooton informed the committee that the Limestone Bridge on Ditch 26 has been replaced and as soon as the asphalt plant is running they will finish the project.
Teddy Hooton informed the committee about 3411 Quail Ridge Road. The house is completely gone and just about all of the foundation is gone. Truck break downs and flats received in the landfill slowed progress some but it is almost done. City crews are ready to roll in and build a temporary holding pond until bids are received and a permanent pond is built.
Councilman Street stated he was notified that the master drainage study is approximately 85% to 90% complete and should be reconciled with the Corps of Engineers figures.
Royce Leonard updated the committee on his efforts to clarify whether apartments should be classified commercial and charged for garbage pick up. Mr. Leonard raised the question if this would allow commercial haulers to bid on picking up the apartments. Phillip Crego was asked to review the ordinance that eliminated the sanitation charges to see if apartments were included.
Mr. Leonard also presented an ordinance that would increase tipping fees at the landfill from $16.00 to $26.00 per ton with a minimum charge of $8.00. There has been no increase in tipping fees since 1998. This is the same price that is charged at the CCSWDA landfill that the City and commercial haulers will be using in the future. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to recommend approval of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Province, Moore, Dover and Ashley.
Mr. Leonard also noted that the existing landfill continues to operate out of compliance.
Ron Worley, owner of 1901 Catharine Drive, spoke to the committee regarding the drainage problems at his home. Mr. Worley presented a copy of the minutes of a September 2004 committee meeting where the committee voted to have the city correct the situation and pay for labor and materials. Councilman Street stated that the plans were not final at that time and when final plans were completed they were refused. Mr. Worley stated that the revised plan by Bernie Auld was not acceptable and was rejected by him and the adjacent owners. Mr. Worley’s current proposal calls for the following:
1. Worley’s neighbor would grant drainage easements in the front and rear as necessary and agree to less piping in the area behind his house.
2. Enlarge the inlets on the east side of the street
3. Install a headwall on the west side of the street to which the owners there have stated to Mr. Worley that they have no problem with it
4. Construct a new drop inlet box in Worley’s yard where the large hole is now
5. Install an additional 24” or 36” pipe from the obscured box inlet in Worley’s yard to the new inlet box
6. Install underground pipe (size unknown at this time) from new inlet box to a point 60’ beyond the original property line behind Worley’s neighbor
7. Build a swale overland from street going east to carry excess water
8. Grading Worley’s back yard to remove excess fill so water will flow south, southwest
9. Sod in the front yard where disturbed
Mr. Worley stated that with the reductions in pipe length, elimination of the box culvert under the street the estimated cost of the project is around $10,000 to $11,000 dollars which is much less than the original estimate of $17,000. A guarantee of no future drainage problems cannot be given.
Councilman Moore stated that he recalled an estimate of $8,300 dollars just to construct an open ditch across the Worley property in addition to whatever would have to be paid for condemnation of an easement. The committee requested the City Engineer to review Worley’s projected costs to see if he was in agreement and to obtain an appraisal for the needed easements. Mr. Martin stated that the easements and appraisals were in process but were not available as yet.
Claude Martin presented the committee with a request for payment from Meadows Construction for $14,250 for engineering work that occurred four years ago on the Hwy 141 project as a change order. Wood & Assoc. apparently performed the work and was paid by Meadows but Meadows did not bill until now. Mr. Martin stated that the 141 project is not finished yet but he did not recall this particular item. The committee asked Mr. Martin to research the files to see what records there are regarding this change order.
Brian Wadley informed the committee of an offer from the Public Service Commission to address the council regarding a rate increase from Center Point Energy Arkla. The committee requested Mr. Wadley to set it up.
Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Mr. Dover for adjournment. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were Province, Moore, Dover and Ashley.