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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-07-24 MinutesMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS JULY 24, 1973 The Board of Directors of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas met in special session on Tuesday, July 24, 1973 in the Directors Room of the City Administration Building at 7:30 P.M. Present: City Manager Donald L. Grimes; Purchasing, Personnel and Budget Officer Sturman Mackey; Administrative Aide David McWethy; City Attorney David Malone; City Clerk Helen Young; and Directors Purdy, Noland, Utley, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. Directors Absent: Orton. Others Present: Representatives of the news media and members of the audience. Notice of and consent to meeting of the Board of Directors had been distributed to the Board members prior to the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Highway 71B "traffic island" beautification proposal in light of a recent decision by the Highway Department regarding the project. David McWethy reported that the Arkansas State Highway Department has been contacted and has agreed to a change order for plain concrete for the traffic islands rather than exposed aggregate concrete; the Arkansas State Highway Department has also agreed to a committment of $22,926.49 as originally announced; the North Fayetteville Businessmen's Association is unable to make a committment for $5,500 for the cost of the plantings, neither are they able to make a committment for the maintenance of the traffic islands. This means that the total one time cost to the City for this project would be $8,276.51, of which $7,000.00 is currently budgeted for community appearance purposes. In addition, Mr. McWethy reported, the City would be responsible for maintaining the project. Mr. McWethy said that he had consulted the Buildings and Grounds Superintendent who said that the maintenance of the project would require one man full time from the first of April to the last of October each year. This would amount to approxi- mately $5,000 a year for the extra personnel plus equipment needed for the maintenance of the project. City Manager Grimes said, in answer to Mayor Purdy's question, that the extra person employed to maintain the Highway 71B project could be, and he would recommend that he be, employed year round and in the winter months that person could do building maintenance work, and so forth. In answer to Mayor Purdy's question, Director Stanton and Bryce Davis stated that they thought the majority of the businessmen along Highway 71B would be willing to maintain the traffic islands. Director Utley commented that he has faith in the businessmen along Highway 71B but that from the City's stand- point he does not feel the Board is in a position to commit themselves on the assumption that the businessmen will maintain the project. Director Carlson stated that the Board would be committing the people's tax dollars from all over the City and the primary benefit would be to the property owners up and down Highway 71 North. Director Carlson reminded the Board that there will be other widenifig projects and other places which could use some beautification and she expressed hesitance about the overriding expense which could be involved. 261 } Director Utley said that if the City is responsible for the maintenance of one section of the City they should be responsible for other sections also. Director Stanton stated that it has always been the responsibility of the City to maintain parks and parkways. Director Noland said that he felt that the project would be worth the $1,276.00 additional allocation plus $5,000.00 a year for maintenance if it were necessary. David McWethy reported that the plantings would probably not be made this year but that grass seedings would have to be made in order to keep the soil from washing. Mr. McWethy suggested that there is a possibility that some grass mowing maintenance work would need to be done this year if the summer is a long one. Director Carlson asked if the merchants would have a choice of plantings for the islands. City Manager Grimes replied that merchants may choose plantings which meet the project design specifications of the Highway Department if they wish to purchase their own plantings. Dwain Goodwin, Chairman of the Community Appearance Committee, said there will be some variety in the plantings since at least half a dozen varieties have been recommended for use in the traffic islands. City Attorney Malone read a proposed resolution to authorize the appropria- tion of $1,276.51 from the 1973 Revenue Sharing Contingency Balance for the Highway 71B Beautification Project; to amend Resolution No. 59-73 to conform to the provisions of this resolution; and to authorize the City Manager or the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Arkansas State Highway Department guaranteeing the maintenance of the traffic islands along Highway 71 North. Director Noland moved the resolution be adopted. Director Stanton seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Purdy, Noland, Utley, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the resolution adopted. *Resolution No. 63-73 appears on page 161 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. There being no further business, Director Stanton moved the meeting be adjourned. Director Utley seconded the motion which passed unanimously, whereupon Mayor Purdy declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: 262 APPROVED: 6tait6 Mayor Mayor 1