Council considers child safety, streets

The Rector City Council heard a complaint Monday night from a local resident about the possible danger posed to young children at an active intersection in town.

Robbie Edwards told the gathered council members and Mayor Ron Kemp that the intersection of First and Phillips, which is near Edwards' home, remains a dangerous area for the numerous small children who play in the area throughout the day and evening. Edwards was part of a group of residents from the area who approached the council on the matter at the Nov. 3, 2008, meeting. Following the previous discussion, the city placed signs cautioning drivers to be wary of children at play in the area, something which Edwards said has "had no effect" on the speed at which traffic goes through the area.

"I've seen a few times when children have been real close to getting hit," Edwards told the council.

Edwards said that several years ago he witnessed an accident where a young boy was struck by a vehicle and killed on his 12th birthday. He said this is something he doesn't want to ever happen again.

Edwards said that while young children in the area are often playing unsupervised when they should not be doing so, he feels the best solution would be to control the traffic. When asked by Police Chief Glenn Leach if his complaint was with the children or the vehicles traveling through the area, Edwards responded, "Both. You could come closer to controlling the traffic, though."

Edwards requested the placement of a four-way stop at the intersection. He said this would force vehicles to slow down when coming through the area.

"I can't judge speed by looking at it, but some of those cars have to be going 50 to 60 miles an hour."

Edwards said he believes a four-way stop would "cure 90 percent of the problem."

While there is more traffic on other streets, Edwards said the problem at First and Phillips comes from the sheer number of small children, estimated between 20 and 30, which play in the area.

Leach said he goes through that area every day following the original complaints raised in November, but has not witnessed speeding vehicles. Leach said this did not mean it didn't take place, however.

Kemp noted that while some people may favor a four-way stop at the location, there would also likely be those opposed to it. He asked Edwards if he had discussed the matter with his neighbors. Edwards replied affirmatively, stating he and his neighbors want to see a four-way stop placed at the intersection.

The council is looking into a solution, which may or may not include a four-way stop.

"That may be an area with a particularly high concentration of kids on bicycles," said alderman David Freeman. "We need to look into it."

Freeman said he would make a point to ride his own bicycle through the area in order to better gauge the problem and consider a solution.

Kemp said the council and Leach would look into the situation to determine how best to move forward. He invited Edwards and his neighbors to attend next month's meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3.

Economic Development

The city recently received a $250,000 grant to renovate the building on Main Street which houses the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC). Now, a key goal, as expressed by Kemp, is for the city to use its lease option to buy the building.

"We're trying to find a way to purchase that building," Kemp said. "That's something I consider an important step at this point."

Economic development coordinator Jacinda Welch updated the council on recent happenings in her department. Welch noted the strong response in the community for the first year the Black River Technical College's Kids College program was held in Rector.

Welch said she has heard from several children, as well as their parents, about how much they enjoyed the program and are anticipating next year's event. Welch also noted there are Kids College t-shirts for sale at $5 for children's sizes and $7 for adult sizes.

Welch also noted programs underway currently at the NEAITC. Aerobics and karate classes are available, as well as memberships for the center's gym. She also noted the latest Life Skills class has 10 adult students, the members of which are made up of Rector, Piggott and Corning residents.

There has also been interest expressed in the adult education classes, as six individuals have visited the center in order to inquire about the classes. Along with this, Welch said she expects the center's education computers to arrive in August.

Mayor Kemp said he is looking into details and examining the department's budget for next year. While this year has been in a state of flux due to the economy and the need for growth in the department, he said Welch is already at work on future grant applications in order to help offset the cost of future programs.

Kemp also told the council he plans to steer the department toward more job-creating projects. He wants the economic development department to "be more aggressive in trying to attract businesses" to the area. As part of this, he asked the council members to talk with their constituents, as well as share their own ideas, to determine what types of businesses they would feasibly like to see in Rector.

Property Issues

The council discussed the three properties currently under watch by the city in regards to not meeting property requirements. The city advertised for bids to demolish the property at 220 East Seventh Street, but no bids were received. The council approved another attempt to receive bids by advertising.

The property at 115 North Fairview is a different matter. According to city superintendent Todd Watson, the person listed as the owner on the property's deed has sold the property and received full payment. To further complicate the matter, the property has since been sold again, also with full payment received, but with no paperwork showing either sale ever took place. Watson said the listed owners do not want the property. City attorney Kimberly Dale said the necessary paperwork has been filed, so the council moved forward, passing a resolution to condemn the site.

Watson said there has been no work done to the property at 701 McNabb in the past month, despite an agreement made by the owner to do so. Watson said the yard at the location had been mowed, however. The council asked Watson to contact the owner in order to learn more about the situation.

Freeman posed his own questions regarding locales in and around the city.

"With Labor Day coming up, what's the status of the car wash on Highway 49?"

Freeman said he would like to see the car wash cleaned up prior to the city's annual celebration, as it would present a better image of Rector to the many visitors Labor Day draws.

Mayor Kemp asked Dale to write a letter to the car wash's owners requesting the site be made more presentable prior to Labor Day.

Freeman also noted concerns regarding scrap metal near the drainage ditch on the south side of 13th Street. However, that location is not within city limits. However, Dale will add a request to move the metal in the aforementioned letter, as the site and the car wash have the same owners.

Freeman also inquired about the fenced in lot owned by Ferrell Gas. Watson said he had been in contact with the company's Jonesboro office, but that no steps had been taken to clean the area thus far. Watson also said he was told many of the tanks in the lot contain vapors which could pose a threat if damaged. Kemp asked Dale to contact the company by letter, requesting something be done about the location.

Street Work Bids

The city is evaluating its options for street improvements. The council viewed two valid bids for the project. The first bid came from Delta Asphalt in which asphalt was listed at $91.55 per ton. The second bid came from Cummings Chip Sealing. Cummings offered asphalt patching for $155 per ton and chip sealing for $2.58 per square yard.

Watson explained the chip sealing procedure to council. In chip sealing, a layer of tar is placed upon the street, then followed by a layer of chat. Watson said this greatly improves the life of the street.

"It's a good way to maintain a street," Watson said.

However, he said the street's appearance would be different than that of one repaved. The chip sealed streets take on a lighter appearance, but still function and feel much like a normal street. Both he and Leach watched Cummings do a street project in Caraway. Leach said that he was initially put off by the street's appearance, but that by the time they left, he saw the merits of the process.

Kemp said he would like to see the chip sealed street for himself in order to evaluate the process. He and Watson are planning to visit the site as early as later this week to determine whether or not the city may be interested in utilizing chip sealing, due to the cost factors compared to the escalating price of asphalt.

The council approved the low bid for each category.

In other business, the council:

* Heard from Watson that the city's burn pile will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays for brush only. Watson also noted there was 100 tons of mulch at the site which is being offered to the public at no cost.

* Passed Resolution 2009-09, allowing mayor Kemp to apply for an Arkansas Historic Preservation Society grant and subsequent conservation easement.

* Heard from Leach the Rector Police Department issued 36 citations, mailed seven open storage violation letters and collected $6,380 in bonds and fines. He said the city currently has approximately $270,000 in outstanding warrants.

* Approved the minutes from the June meeting.