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06 FEB 16.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:42 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on February 16, 2006 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Smith delivered the invocation and Mayor Swaim led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT seven (7), ABSENT (3). Aldermen Lewis, Sansing, and Rinker were absent. Alderman Smith offered an update regarding Alderman Lewis’ health, asking for prayers in his recovery. Mayor Swaim noted Alderman Ray’s early attendance at City Council following surgery, adding that Alderman Rinker is caring for her mother who has just been released from the hospital. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Deputy Clerk Kary Jezwinski, Human Resource Director Charlie Brown, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Police Chief Robert Baker, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Wastewater Department Manager Thea Hughes, Planning Commission Chairman Mark Stroud, Mr. Larry Dupree, Mr. Tommy Dupree, Mrs. Addie Gibson, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mr. Larry Smith, interested citizens and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 2, 2006 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 19 January 2005 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for January 2006. Said report reflects the Total Value of Reported Stolen Property $151,806. Total Value of Recovered Stolen Property $67,592 and Total Report Sales $901.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORTS/PUBLIC WORKS SANITATION DEPARTMENT GARBAGE TRASH Tons taken to Landfill 653 Cubic Yards Collected 3,025 Tipping fees for January $11,626.50 Cubic Yards Mulched 1,513 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:42 P.M. RECYCLING Curbside pick-ups 3,518 Drive-thru Customers 496 Tires Collected 1,504 Estimated Revenue for Cardboard Paper, Plastic, Aluminum $ 2,317.40 CITY MECHANIC DEPARTMENTAL VEHICLE REPAIRS Animal Control 79.15 Garbage 2,261.98 Engineering 1.62 Trash 1,267.54 Fire Department 1,286.88 Recycling 2,354.50 Parks & Recreation 561.52 Street 3,578.64 Police Department 2,622.47 Beautification 149.41 Water Department 302.50 TOTALS $14,566.21 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Animal Control Report for January 2006. Said report reflects: ADOPTION/FINES: $924.50 CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 0.00 TOTAL: $924.50 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/STREET DEPARTMENT ROAD AND DRAINAGE BEAUTIFICATION Asphalt Shims 1 Bags/Litter 49 Storm Drain Inlets cleaned 3 Islands mowed 0 Storm Drain Culverts cleaned 2 Yards mowed 1 Open ditches cleaned 0 R-0-W mowed 0 mi Potholes repaired 24 Community Service Hours Utility cuts repaired 12 82 hrs Shoulder repair 250 ft Seasonal People 0 R-O-W cleaned/street sweeper 280 mi Culvert Cleaned 158 ft SIGN & SIGNAL Drain Inlet Boxes repaired 4 Signs Fabricated 53 Curb & Gutter replaced 0 Signs Installed 24 Sidewalk repaired 30 ft Hot tape installed 1 Asphalt Milling locations 2 Sign Post Installed 16 Base Failure Repair 3 Signal Maint. 8 hrs Miles of R-O-W mowed 0 mi ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: 2 PLANNING COMMISSION: FINAL PLAT CloverRidge Subdivision PH III CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:42 P.M. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to accept the Final Plat of the CloverRidge Subdivision PH III as recommended by the Planning Commission. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1270 (#3-06) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS TO EXECUTE ALL APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED ON BEHALF OF THE JACKSONVILLE WASTEWATER UTILITY’S EFFORTS TO OBTAIN INTERIM FINANCING FOR THE EXTENSIVE COLLECTION SYSTEM REHABILITATION; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Swaim noted that there are areas in the north and northeast part of the City, which requires rehabilitation, explaining that the Wastewater Department is proposing to make a short-term loan to pay for those improvements. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott that Ordinance 1270 be placed on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read Ordinance 1270. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Howard that Ordinance 1270 be APPROVED on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1270 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1270. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to further suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1270 on THIRD and FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1270. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Howard that Ordinance 1270 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE APPROVED, ADOPTED AND NUMBER 1270 THIS 16 DAY OF FEBRUARY 2006. b. UPDATE of engineering study regarding Hwy. 67/167 and 440 (Northbelt) by Dupree Brothers 3 Mr. Larry Dupree introduced himself and the engineering firm of Carter & Burgess, Inc. He presented a complete report to Mayor Swaim and excerpts from that report to the City Council regarding the findings of a traffic 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:42 P.M. study. He introduced Mrs. Judy Beale to read a letter from Dupree Brothers Limited Partnership to the City Council (a copy is on file in the office of the City Clerk). The letter presented their request regarding the development of additional alternative design concepts acceptable to the Highway Department for an improved Redmond Road Interchange to be constructed between the I-440 intersection with Highway 67/167 and the access ramps at South Redmond Road exit. The letter stated that the Redmond Road Interchange Justification Analysis (RRIJ) was prepared as an initial step toward finding solutions to: (a) existing traffic problems on 67/167, (b) better traffic flow in and from the City park at times of peak event traffic patterns, (c) prepare for future traffic that will result from a phased in commercial development of Legacy Centers, (d) allow better traffic flow on proposed service roads on the east side that could serve as connectors between Hwy 161 South and Hwy 67/167, (e) adding an additional route for traffic going to the LRAFB front gate via Redmond Road interchange merging into Municipal Drive. The letter went on to say that the Redmond Road Interchange Study was presented to the Arkansas Highway Department and Mayor Swaim received a follow up letter, which noted certain technical requirements in the proposed design concept. It further read that Dupree Brothers asked Mr. Arbuckle of the Carter & Burgess Firm to speak to the City Council regarding his firm’s position on the current status of the study. The letter then stressed the critical nature of timing regarding the following steps needed by the City of Jacksonville, AHTD, Metroplan and Federal Highway Administration. In conclusion, the letter offered formal authorization to the City of Jacksonville to use the contents of the preliminary report to work with the various agencies. Mr. James Arbuckle of Carter & Burgess stated that the study’s goal was to follow federal requirements necessary to approve a new break in access (interchange) and to document the 8 points required by FHWA, ranging from identifying the study area, looking at environmental issues to looking at the traffic and operations as well as identifying funding. He stated that the study identified the scope of work that would continue if the Highway Department endorsed the concept of the interchange. He stated that the elements of the project are to relocated the Redmond Road interchange to the vicinity of the inspection station, a connection to the east that would ultimately connect to Hwy 161, as well as a frontage road system that would work itself back to Hwy 161, and extending Municipal Drive to tie into the future planned development. He noted that another consideration that was proposed to the Highway Department was that Oneida Street be an interchange when the Freeway extends onto the west. He stated that currently the Highway Department has plans to expand 67/167 from 440 up to Redmond Road to three lanes each way. He stated that in consideration of that and the City’s Street Master Plan, the project was planned to “dovetail” into existing plans. He then related that traffic was taken into consideration, mentioning the bottlenecks that occur at 440 coming off and merging with 67 going to the 5 north. He stated that under the study even with three lanes the level of service is a rating “F”. He then stated that one item discussed with the CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:42 P.M. Highway Department was the addition of an auxiliary lane for the ramp before the proposed interchange, which would bring the level of service to a “D” rating. He stated that the Highway Department issued a letter regarding their concern for spacing of the relocated Redmond Road Interchange relative to I-440 and 67 Interchange and the regional significance of an interchange of this fashion. He noted that the Highway Department has stated that in an urban condition, spacing should not be less than 1 mile, adding that what had been presented actually showed the spacing between 440 and the interchange as 1.3 miles and the second spacing to Main Street was 1.2 miles. He stated that the distance between the noses of the on ramps is .5 miles while the criteria is 2,000 feet. He noted that the issue relative to regional significance was introduced pointing out Dupree Park, the potential of another access point to the Air Force Base, a future development for shopping as well as mobility on the south side of Jacksonville and access to the east. He stated that the Highway Department’s response was that it would need to be studied in more depth. He stated that the Highway Department’s most significant concern is the placement of a closer interchange, adding that they are confident that it could be proven through an operational analysis. He stated that the recommendation from the Highway Department is that if the concept is to be pursued further they should obtain the blessing of the City of Jacksonville and schedule a meeting with FHWA. He stated that the big hurdle would be funding, explaining that part of the operational analysis is identifying funding sources. He stated that the project is not a part of the Transportation Improvement Plan that was set up as part of the long range planning activity through Metroplan and will not be until a funding source is identified. He mentioned sources for funding. He stated that the merit of the project comes from the City of Jacksonville’s push to move the project forward. In response to a question from Alderman Smith, Mr. Arbuckle concurred that part of the concept was to have a service road from Hwy 67 to Hwy 161. Mr. Larry Dupree noted that property owners have expressed their willingness regarding rights-of-way necessary for the roadway. In response to a question from Alderman Stroud, Mr. Arbuckle explained the concept of moving the Redmond Road Interchange and making it into a full diamond interchange. Alderman Stroud stated that he is not aware of how that would help eastbound traffic. Mr. Dupree related that traffic between Hwy 161 and up to Trickey Lane would experience problems if there were traffic congestion on either end, adding that the new configuration would provide an opening in that circumstance. He spoke about better access for the Valentine area and 6 south Redmond Road as well as a connector to the west from the interchange which would help the almost 20,000 cars merging from Main Street and Redmond Road. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:42 P.M. In response to a question posed by Mayor Swaim, Mr. Arbuckle stated that the costs would range from 19 million to 36 million, adding that the variation in cost is based on a determination on the lengths of bridges and the cross section necessary to complete the project. Mayor Swaim noted that the Highway Department has stated that the Highway would have to be raised, explaining that the Bayou Meto Bridge will have to be raised. City Engineer Whisker noted that the bridge would go from a 90’ span to a 900’ span. Mr. Arbuckle stated that he was aware of those considerations, adding that it would be incorporated into their plan. He noted the urgency of the plan regarding proposed funding that is already proposed to be spent on revamping the Redmond Road Intersection. In response to a question posed by Alderman Ray, Mayor Swaim stated and Mr. Arbuckle concurred that the first step would require further funding for the planning stage. Mr. Arbuckle then surmised that the operational analysis study would cost approximately $150,000.00. He then added that he believes the next critical step would be meeting with the Highway Department and FHWA. He noted that FHWA had reacted lukewarm to the proposal, but pointed out that FHWA had not been a party to the entire discussions and may not have an appreciation for the project’s goal. In response to a comment from Alderman Smith, Mr. Arbuckle concurred that the presentation to the City Council is just to inform and make everyone aware of where the project is. It was then noted that certain pools of funding that would be designated for the James Street Overpass widening and the one-way access roads would be the same funding source for the proposed project. Mayor Swaim informed the City Council that in a meeting with Congressman Snyder, the Highway Commissioner, and officials in January; he had requested a separate insert for the James Street Bridge, which was not met entirely with positive reaction. He noted that the project would cost approximately 12.4 million dollars. Mayor Swaim updated the City Council on various projects and possible 7 funding. He noted that the City had previously received $98,000 in LUSA funds, but had borrowed LUSA funds from two other cities for the last project that has since been paid back. He stated that the next project involving LUSA funds is the signalization of Harris Road and West Main Street. In response to a question from Alderman Fletcher, Mayor Swaim related that another concern by the Highway Department is that Missouri is not building their part of 67/167 to freeway standards. He explained that CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:42 P.M. when 67/167 goes into Missouri the road is no longer an interstate, adding that was part of the discussion of having 67/167 designated as a freeway. Estimated cost for the northbound side of the Northbelt project is 14 million and 13 million for the southbound side. Other projects including the raising of the Bayou Meto Bridge were discussed. Mayor Swaim thanked the Dupree Brothers for their presentation, adding that he and City Engineer Whisker are in contact with the Highway Department on a regular basis and will continue to work with them for Jacksonville projects. APPOINTMENT(S): ANNOUNCEMENT(S): ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:42 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 8