Mar 10, 2005

City council approved a resolution Tuesday evening granting Mayor Leon Harris the authority to execute an agreement with Gaskin Hill Norcross, Inc. an architectural firm in Springfield. The decision to engage Gaskin Hill Norcross, Inc. had been discussed and agreed upon during the previ-ous city council meeting which was held Tuesday, Feb. 22. At that time, council members had agreed the firm was best qualified to de-velop and pro-vide a proposed plan for reconfig-uring the former Rawlings plant building. The preliminary cost for architectural services on the project was estimated to be $20,000. According to Janice Lorrain, administra-tive assistant, the city must have a proposed plan for the facility be-fore applications for grant monies may be submitted. A viable plan will also enhance op-portunities to solicit funding for the facility as an edu-cational center. Facility improvements will also augment possible tenet interests in the building. Other firms considered for the project were JPS Associates, Inc., and Sapp Design Associates, both of Springfield. Mayor Leon Harris discussed with city council the temporary shelter recently donated to the City of Ava from True Construction, Inc. The shelter, 110 ft. long by 60 ft. wide, had been dismantled on Tuesday by city employees, and according to Harris, would be stored temporarily. Harris recom-mended the shelter be used as an additional facility for winter weather ice control equipment and sand storage area. At present, the city's winter ice control storage area can only accommodate materi-als for one storm, the addition of this shelter will allow the city to be better pre-pared for a series of win-ter storms. The temporary shelter utilized by True Construction had been located at NW 3rd Street and Indus-trial Park Road, on the north side of the Copeland plant facility. True had used the big white structure to protect workers from winter weather, and now upon completion of the project, True was giving the structure to the City of Ava as a gift. Gary True, co-owner of the construction company, stated his family had wanted to give some-thing back to the community of Ava, everyone has been so friendly and nice. Administrative Director Peggy Porter updated council members on an education center meeting re-cently held in Ava with Terry Campbell, district director, office of United States Senator James M. Talent. Porter stated, the group had re-viewed ideas and possible grant strategies available for making im-provements to the vacant Rawlings plant facility. Porter said she was encouraged by the options pre-sented by Campbell and his as-sessment of opportunities open to the city. The exchange of ideas was bene-ficial to everyone, Porter com-mented, including the fact, Campbell appeared to be impressed with the city's stance on the project. Porter said Campbell complimented city officials by noting "the city was moving in a positive direction - it was the right decision to pur-chase the building." In a brief discussion about the land recently donated to the city by the Clinkingbeard family, three bid estimates were provided to city administrators and council members detailing proposed playground equipment for the park area to be established on NE 3rd Street, between the high school and Washington Avenue. The proposed recreational equipment costs were given to the board of aldermen as information for review. No decisions were made. Administrative Assistant Janice Lorrain informed council the water system evaluation project was completed and a copy was on file at city hall. The overview report, said Lorrain, had several recom-menda-tions the city may want to consider in future projects. Lorrain also provided an update on the status of the Geographic Infor-mation Systems (GIS) project which was initially discussed in conjunction with county offices. Lorrain had received a proposal from WTH Engineering of Indianapolis, Ind., the company that had provided a demonstration on the "Think Map" GIS software to council members in January. Lorrain said she was disappointed in the proposed offerings and cost factors delineated by the company, consequently she had contacted SCOCOG to see what they would charge to complete the plan. Mayor Leon Harris presented the Glade Top Girl Scout Service Unit with a proclamation officially declaring the month of March "Girl Scout Birthday Month." The proc-lama-tion recognized the organization for "93 years of Girl Scouting commitment and dedica-tion." In recognition of the special event, Girl Scouts from several local troops volunteered to assist the City of Ava in cleaning up the city park. The group also performed a flag ceremony for city administrators and council members. Girl scouts partici-pating in the salute to the flag were Veronica, Christina, Laci, Allyson, Cheyenne and Cheyenne. Leaders present were Theresa Davidson, Helen Morris, and Giny Lyon. Accounts payable were pre-sented before council and approved for payment. The next meeting of the Board of Aldermen is Tuesday, Mar. 22, 6:30 p.m. The meetings are held in council chambers at Ava City Hall.