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The Arkadelphia City Board of Directors will meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.
On the agenda: hearing a presentation from Lonnie Jackson, director of Small Business and Technology Learning Center at Henderson State University; considering a second reading of an ordinance annexing land to the city; considering a resolution to improve traffic signals at the intersection of 12th and Pine streets; and considering a bond refinancing resolution.
The resolution to improve the traffic signals will, if passed, allow the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to “move forward” with the signalization upgrade to the intersection, which several officials have called the city’s most dangerous.
AHTD has conducted a study that included a 24-hour traffic count and on on-site investigation. The result, according to a memo included in the agenda’s packet, are met as outlined in the manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
The project is eligible for 80 percent federal aid, 10 percent state aid and 10 percent city funding for construction and engineering costs. The city would be responsible for 100 percent of the cost of any additional right-of-way acquiistion or utility adjustments “as required.” The city will also be responsible for providing electrical power and signal maintenance once the project is completed. AHTD estimates the cost of the project will cost about $130,000.
City Manager Jimmy Bolt said Wendesday that the project will encompass a complete rebuilding of the signal at that intersection. Modern, 12-inch signal heads should replace the 8-inch heads that currently stand there, making the light bigger. “It’s going to improve the visibility of the signals,” Bolt said. “It will look more like a modern intersection, like the one (at the intersection of) Walnut and Pine streets.” He said he expects the lights to be mounted on metal poles rather than the simple lines the signals hang on now. Also, American Disabilities Act requirements will be met, meaning curbs will be cut at the crosswalk to make it accessible for wheelchairs. When asked if there will be flashing pedestrian crossing lights installed, he said, “I don’t know, but I would assume there would be.” He said such signals are typically placed at new traffic lights.
Bolt said he does not know if motorists will be able to make a left turn at the intersection, but said the new lights may offer new technology to allow the rule to stand only during school hours.
Last on the agenda is the resolution for issuing bonds. According to a memo, city officials have selected Stephens, Inc., and Friday, Eldridge and Clark to provide financial services and bond counsel “as we proceed with refinancing our 2003 bond and issuing approximately $2.6 million in new bonds for construction.”
The Royal Theatre and a new fire station are the “primary” construction projects, with the remainder of the funds used in the Youth Sports Complex.
The proposed architectural design and construction budgets are $1.25 million for the Royal, and $1.05 million for the fire station. The memo states that $250,000 is intended to be used as a grant match to secure a matching $250,000 grant for a total of $0.5 million. “This is intended to be used for building two girls’ softball fields, and concessions/restrooms,” the memo states. “A small portion of those funds will be utilized for additional pavement, a transformer and other infrastructure needs.”
The bond issuance is a fully funded and approved 2010 budget item.
For the first item of business, Jackson is expected to be at the meeting to give a PowerPoint presentation of Henerson’s SBTDC program.
The board recently passed the first reading of an ordinance annexing a tract of land between Country Club Road and the Youth Sports Complex. Thirty-four acres of the property are owned by Sarah S. Thompson Revocable Trust, and 2.05 acres are owned by W.H. Phillips and Carol B. Phillips, who have built a home north of the gate to the Youth Sports Complex.
Annexing the two tracts of land will connect the city limits to the Youth Sports Complex, therefore allowing that property to be annexed as well. All properties will become a part of Ward 5 if the ordinance passes.
The public is invited to the meeting.
The Arkadelphia City Board of Directors will meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.
On the agenda: hearing a presentation from Lonnie Jackson, director of Small Business and Technology Learning Center at Henderson State University; considering a second reading of an ordinance annexing land to the city; considering a resolution to improve traffic signals at the intersection of 12th and Pine streets; and considering a bond refinancing resolution.
The resolution to improve the traffic signals will, if passed, allow the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to “move forward” with the signalization upgrade to the intersection, which several officials have called the city’s most dangerous.
AHTD has conducted a study that included a 24-hour traffic count and on on-site investigation. The result, according to a memo included in the agenda’s packet, are met as outlined in the manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
The project is eligible for 80 percent federal aid, 10 percent state aid and 10 percent city funding for construction and engineering costs. The city would be responsible for 100 percent of the cost of any additional right-of-way acquiistion or utility adjustments “as required.” The city will also be responsible for providing electrical power and signal maintenance once the project is completed. AHTD estimates the cost of the project will cost about $130,000.
City Manager Jimmy Bolt said Wendesday that the project will encompass a complete rebuilding of the signal at that intersection. Modern, 12-inch signal heads should replace the 8-inch heads that currently stand there, making the light bigger. “It’s going to improve the visibility of the signals,” Bolt said. “It will look more like a modern intersection, like the one (at the intersection of) Walnut and Pine streets.” He said he expects the lights to be mounted on metal poles rather than the simple lines the signals hang on now. Also, American Disabilities Act requirements will be met, meaning curbs will be cut at the crosswalk to make it accessible for wheelchairs. When asked if there will be flashing pedestrian crossing lights installed, he said, “I don’t know, but I would assume there would be.” He said such signals are typically placed at new traffic lights.
Bolt said he does not know if motorists will be able to make a left turn at the intersection, but said the new lights may offer new technology to allow the rule to stand only during school hours.
Last on the agenda is the resolution for issuing bonds. According to a memo, city officials have selected Stephens, Inc., and Friday, Eldridge and Clark to provide financial services and bond counsel “as we proceed with refinancing our 2003 bond and issuing approximately $2.6 million in new bonds for construction.”
The Royal Theatre and a new fire station are the “primary” construction projects, with the remainder of the funds used in the Youth Sports Complex.
The proposed architectural design and construction budgets are $1.25 million for the Royal, and $1.05 million for the fire station. The memo states that $250,000 is intended to be used as a grant match to secure a matching $250,000 grant for a total of $0.5 million. “This is intended to be used for building two girls’ softball fields, and concessions/restrooms,” the memo states. “A small portion of those funds will be utilized for additional pavement, a transformer and other infrastructure needs.”
The bond issuance is a fully funded and approved 2010 budget item.
For the first item of business, Jackson is expected to be at the meeting to give a PowerPoint presentation of Henerson’s SBTDC program.
The board recently passed the first reading of an ordinance annexing a tract of land between Country Club Road and the Youth Sports Complex. Thirty-four acres of the property are owned by Sarah S. Thompson Revocable Trust, and 2.05 acres are owned by W.H. Phillips and Carol B. Phillips, who have built a home north of the gate to the Youth Sports Complex.
Annexing the two tracts of land will connect the city limits to the Youth Sports Complex, therefore allowing that property to be annexed as well. All properties will become a part of Ward 5 if the ordinance passes.
The public is invited to the meeting.
