The Conway City Council voted to enter into an agreement with Conway Development Corp. (CDC) that is intended to allow the CDC to better focus on large, ongoing city projects.
With $6.5 million in revenue devoted to addressing a few of many identified street needs, including the extension of Salem Road over the Cadron Ridge to meet the almost-complete Interstate 40 interchange, as well as $14.5 million in Parks Improvement Bond Issue funds, $7 million dedicated to building a new police station, Townsell told the council, the city has "a lot to say grace over."
Townsell said his assistant, Jamie Gates, has decided to take a job offer and will be leaving at the end of the year. Gates currently dedicates much of his time on these large ongoing projects, as well as developing projects such as relocating the Faulkner County Fairgrounds and making arrangements necessary for the planned airport in the Lollie Bottoms area, Townsell said.
As per the contract, Gates will vacate his position in coming weeks and finish out the year as a CDC employee before taking the non-city-related job. Through working as a CDC employee Townsell said, Gates will be able to better focus his efforts on these and other economic development projects without also being tasked with "answering people's phone calls and e-mails that come on a daily basis."
The contract obligates the city to pay CDC $30,000 to fund the position, though money from several other sources will also fund the position.
Townsell said he will seek to fill the position Gates will leave vacant.
The council also approved an ordinance appropriating $4,455 from the city's General Fund to pay for consulting, training and specialty advertising expenses stemming from recently-held Conway Fire Department promotional examinations. This appropriation also includes lodging and travel expenses for an assessor participating in the testing process.
An ordinance reclassifying city Information Technology/Communications Support Department jobs to "the appropriate title and compensation level based on job duties and responsibilities," according to the agenda, also passed. According to Lisa Mabry-Williams, director of the city's Human Resources Department, said the overall change in salaries amounts to about $2,000.
In other business the council approved:
The low bid for the "clean up" of property located at 1470 Wildflower Drive. The lowest bid, $4,300, was submitted by Damascus-based Poor Boy's Handman Service. K & R Services, a Morrilton business, submitted the highest bid of $18,670;
The lowest bid for Tyler Street Improvements from Eve Lane to the Centennial West Subdivision. JCI Construction Co. of Mayflower submitted the low bid of $690,997;
An ordinance appropriating funds for the above-mentioned Tyler Street Improvements;
An ordinance appropriating $174,242 from the city's general fund for improvements to the Guy Murphy Industrial Park entrance. The city will later be reimbursed the full amount by the Arkansas Department of Economic Development;
A request from Diamond Ice Company of Arkansas to provide ice to the Conway Parks & Recreation Dept at a cost of .75 cents per bag;
An ordinance appropriating $9,100 for the Parks & Recreation Dept. for reimbursement from the 2008 Sweetheart Shootout Soccer Tournament and to purchase a three-compartment sink for the First State Soccer Park concession stand;
An ordinance to accept donations from PetSmart Charities the amount of $2,411.08 into the General Fund Donations account and to appropriate this amount into the General Fund, Animal Welfare Unit, Other Expense and Services account;
The lowest bid for the replacement of the Westin Technology Building roof and an ordinance appropriating funds to replace the roof. Fraley Roofing, a North Little Rock business, submitted the low bid of $11,800; and
Entering into an agreement with the Conway Development Corp. for economic development and job creation efforts in the Conway area for the sum of $30,000. The contract will be up for renewal in one year.
(Staff writer Joe Lamb can be reached by e-mail at joe.lamb@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1238. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)
