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Minutes for the Finance Committee meeting on February 20, 2003.
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Finance & Administration Committee Minutes
Thursday, February 20, 2003
4:30 PM
Members Present: Alec Farmer, Darrel Dover, Jim Hargis, Ann Williams, and Harold Perrin. Others present were: Jim McKinnon, Grants Coordinator; Paul Sims of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department; Gary Delporto of the Federal Highway Administration; Jeff Hawkins, Director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning District; Suzanne Hackney, Human Resources Director; Donna Jackson, City Clerk.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis for the approval of Finance & Administration minutes from a Special Called meeting held January 28, 2003 and from the regular scheduled meeting held January 14, 2003. All members voted aye.
GRANTS
The committee heard comments from various sources regarding the establishment of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Mr. Jim McKinnon introduced Mr. Paul Sims of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department who explained as a result of the 2000 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau designated Jonesboro as an urbanized area. As an urbanized area, or UZA, certain U.S. Department of Transportation requirements become effective. Mr. Sims explained they hoped to have the MPO for the Jonesboro area established by July 1, 2003 with $40,000 being provided by the state for start-up funding. Once established, the MPO could expect approximately $73,000 to be matched with 20% local funding. The following cities have been contacted regarding their participation in the MPO and would be defined as the Jonesboro Area Transportation Study or JATS: Jonesboro, Bay, Brookland, Bono, and Lake City. The requirements for urbanized areas include: Defined study area, Established Bylaws, Agreement of Understanding, Cooperation Agreement, MPO Designation and Policy Board by the Governor. Mr. Gary Delporto, Planning & Research Engineer with the Federal Highway Administ...
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