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Minutes for the Public Works Committee meeting on November 1, 2005.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ashley, Dover, Farmer, Moore, Province and Street.
MINUTES
Councilman Ashley moved, seconded by Councilman Farmer to approve the minutes for the October 4, 2005, regular meeting. All voted aye. Copies were available to all in attendance.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Resolution for LFG Remediation Plan from FTN contract: Mr. Royce Leonard reported he met with ADEQ on October 19th and the City was asked to develop a landfill gas remediation plan. FTN has agreed to provide their services for the plan for $3400. The report has to be submitted to ADEQ by December 5. Questions were raised concerning when information was going to be received regarding the landfill. It was indicated at the next meeting more proposals will be presented to the committee regarding the landfill. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Farmer, to place the resolution on the agenda for the City Council. All voted aye.
Resolution granting an easement on the east side of Hwy 63 to Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. for relocation of a transmission line: Mr. Brian Wadley indicated the resolution is needed so Arkansas Electric can relocate a power line. Mr. Wadley added that it’s just an easement and the City will still own the land. Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to place the resolution on the agenda for the City Council meeting on November 15, 2005. All voted aye.
GENERAL PROPERTY/BUILDINGS/PARKING
Justice Complex: Mr. Wadley noted a final report was expected on October 28, but the consulting engineer still had some issues he needed to address before giving a final report. A final report is now expected on November 4.
Cobb St. house repairs for the Women’s Crisis Center: Mayor Formon discussed the problems the Women’s Crisis Center is currently having with the electrical system in the house. He added that some of the Center’s computers have been ruined because of the electrical problems. Mr. Keith Sanders, Mr. Ron Shipley and an electrician have looked over the problems. The estimate for repairing the electrical system is $3500, but Mayor Formon noted that other repairs were needed and the total cost of the repairs is approximately $4700. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to spend $4664 for the repairs at the Women’s Crisis Center. All voted aye. Discussion took place regarding whether the property could be given to the Women’s Crisis Center so the City can stop maintaining the property. City Attorney Phillip Crego indicated that the City cannot give away the property, but can loan the Center the property or allow them to use it with a long term lease. He added that the past process has been to get an appraisal and sell it to the interested party for a percentage of the appraisal. It was also discussed that guidelines need to be made so the City would have a way to handle property in similar situations as this.
PLANNING
David Harris’ resignation: Chairman Street informed the committee that Mr. Harris’ last day was October 31. Interviews are still being conducted to find a replacement. The last interview is scheduled for Friday, November 4.
Traffic Study: Mr. Wadley gave out copies of the traffic study to the committee members. Chairman Street asked the committee members to look over the study for discussion at the next meeting. The committee needs to approve the study before it can be taken to the MPO. Councilman Farmer suggested they add recommendations in addition to the study, but would need to talk about it at a different time since there is so much information.
RFQ for remainder of Jonesboro traffic study: Mr. Wadley questioned whether the City had enough money to proceed with the RFQ for the rest of the traffic study. It was discussed that there should be approximately $750,000 left for the rest of study.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Plan to close unused alleys: Several citizens have complained about unused alleys near their homes, saying they pose as a security risk. Mr. Harris proposed closing the unused alleys by some sort of plan to close the alleys a block at a time. It was asked for Mr. Teddy Hooton to research the unused alleys and bring a recommendation to the committee at the December meeting. Discussion also took place regarding whether or not the City could make a citizen mow a right of way. It was indicated that even though the city has an ordinance regarding the upkeep of lawns, Attorney Crego added that if a citizen took it to court, the City would likely lose because the City cannot legally make a citizen mow a right of way.
Request to replace John Deere 790 excavator: Mr. Hooton reported the excavator needs approximately $25,000 in parts to fix it, but he’s not sure it’s worth the cost of the repair. He added that a new one would cost about $165,000. He indicated he has extra money in his budget because the dump trucks were leased as opposed to bought this year, plus he’s expecting money in his account due to the sales at the auction. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to allow Mr. Hooton to get bids for a new excavator. All voted aye.
Request for City to extend Mr. Ed Easley’s driveway: Mr. Easley has asked for his existing driveway to be widened and install a pipe. The driveway is located in the street right of way, but Mr. Hooton indicated that the City is not responsible for new work to an existing driveway. It was added that the existing driveway is in good condition; Mr. Easley just wants the City to add to it. It was decided that no action would be taken to extend Mr. Easley’s driveway.
Request by Mr. Bob Wood for City to install a box culvert on his commercial development on Southwest Drive: Mr. Wood did not have the box culvert on his original plan because of issues with the utilities. He now would like the City to install the culvert in his driveway for him. It was decided that no action would be taken to install a culvert for Mr. Wood.
Downtown Crosswalks: Mr. Hooton stated bids for concrete replacement would be in next week and he should have the bids and prices at the December meeting for the committee.
Standard Operating Procedures: Mr. Hooton indicated the committee is still working on the procedures, but will be able to bring half of them to the December meeting for consideration by the committee.
Lawson Road: A new appraisal has been received on the Leech property. There was some question about whether the stakes were placed in the right spots. There are three more to receive.
Sidewalk Compliance with ADA: Mr. Bevill informed the committee that bids will be opening soon for the curb cut and ramp project.
Frierson Street sidewalk: Councilman Farmer discussed the recommendations some people in the neighborhood had for the sidewalks and proposed a new location for the sidewalk on Frierson Street. The other sidewalk on the west side of James Street would be placed in the same spot as previously decided. Councilman Farmer motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to place the sidewalk on the east side of Frierson from Nettleton to College, with a crosswalk north of College Street across Frierson with some Stop signs at the intersection, and then put the sidewalk on the west side up to Neville to the existing sidewalk.
Guidelines and ordinance for city involvement in unfinished subdivision improvements: Attorney Crego noted that he had not received any comments from the committee members concerning the guidelines that he had presented to them at the October meeting. It was asked for City Clerk Donna Jackson to e-mail the guidelines to the committee members and to give feedback to Attorney Crego and Mr. Hooton. Attorney Crego added that some of the guidelines were fact specific and needed to know what the committee wanted.
Performance bond ordinance for final approval of subdivisions: Copies of a contract were given out to the committee members. Attorney Crego asked for the committee members to review the contract. The ordinance is on the agenda for the first Council meeting in December.
Councilman Farmer questioned the traffic light on King Street by the Turtle Creek Mall. Mr. Hooton indicated the contractor was supposed to turn it on last week, but he was not able to there until recently. But, the contractor is expected to turn it on soon. There is also expected to be some re-striping at the intersection to try and line it up more with King Street.
DRAINAGE
732 & 734 Valley Drive: Mayor Formon informed the committee he spoke with the homeowners at 734 Valley and should be able to bring back a recommendation soon to the committee on acquiring the property. He added an appointment with the homeowner’s at 732 Valley has been scheduled.
EPA/ADEQ Phase II pipe inventory: Mr. Wadley indicated the RFQ’s are in. He questioned how the committee wanted to go about meeting with them. The committee decided to meet on Tuesday, November 8, at 8:30 a.m. in the Mayor’s conference room to see the presentations, as well as discuss the other proposals that Councilman Farmer had wanted to discuss with the committee.
Consulting hydraulic/hydrological engineer: It was reported that the advertisement closes tomorrow. It was decided to also discuss the possible engineers at the November 8th meeting as well. It was asked for all the material to be given to the committee members before the meeting for review.
Rossland Hills drainage issues: Mr. Hooton informed the committee that he had sent letters out to the homeowners on October 28. In the letters, he asked them to move their fences before the City started the work or else the City will not be responsible for any damage. He’s hoping to start working on the area the week of Thanksgiving.
Drainage Study: Councilman Farmer discussed the potential detention areas in the City. It was added that some property would have to be acquired, while others would be located on government land with just a construction cost for the City. Councilman Farmer added that the hydrological consultant would review the areas and present recommendations.
307 Cherry St. drainage contract: Mr. Wadley presented a resolution to extend the contract with Carter & Burgess, Inc. for engineering services related to drainage analysis for Cherry Street. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to place the resolution on the Council agenda for November 1.
Farm Creek drainage recommendation: Mr. Claude Martin reported that there was a recommendation for two detention ponds at Farm Creek, one to the west and one to the north. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to proceed and development a resolution for the next meeting.
The Pines apartments drainage recommendations: Mr. Martin indicated there were two recommendations, to build a detention pond or to add piping. He recommended the detention pond north of Belt Street. Councilman Ashley motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, to make a resolution based on the recommendation made by Carter & Burgess to place a detention pond north of Belt Street.
OTHER
Portion of Nestle Road name change to Rogers Chapel Road: A resolution was presented to the committee to change the name of the portion of road known as CR 905 north off Hwy 18, east to CR 928 (Three Knotch Road) at Chamberlain Crossing to “Rogers Chapel Road.” It was asked to hold the resolution until the December committee meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Farmer to adjourn. All voted aye.