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Minutes for the City Council meeting on October 4, 1999
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 4, 1999
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, October 4, 1999, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Hubert Brodell, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney, Phillip Crego and 11 council members. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Perrin was unable to attend. Councilman Young was not present during roll call but arrived just before Item 4-A was addressed.
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett for approval of the minutes from September 20, 1999, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy.
Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to pull Item 3-A, a request by Mr. Doug Thomas to address Council regarding Ordinance No. 3160, the vacating of Main Street. Mr. Thomas had sent a letter requesting the item to be removed from the agenda. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett to limit debate to ten minutes per person for public comment regarding Agenda Items 3-B through 3-D. Councilman Moore originally made the motion to limit the debate to five minutes per person, but later amended his motion to ten minutes. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy.
Prior to Dr. Isaac Richmond addressing Council, Mayor Brodell requested Council to refrain from asking any questions and making any comments due to a pending lawsuit.
Dr. Isaac Richmond, Director of Commission on Religion and Racism (CORR) located in Memphis, Tennessee addressed Council saying he was going to make a brief statement regarding findings of an investigation done by CORR. Dr. Richmond reported on the following to Council: (A) Dr. Richmond stated he had a video of several police officers beating an African-American male unconscious while his hands were handcuffed behind him, then lifting him up by the neck, choking him, and throwing him into the police car; (B) Dr. Richmond stated he had on video an arrest being made by officers in ski masks; (C) Dr. Richmond stated an African-American male had been beaten and taken to jail by police officers who had been drinking prior to the arrest; (D) Reported that Tyrone Gamble had been stopped on several occasions by Jonesboro Police for traffic violations, and as a result was arrested, and his wife stripped searched for no apparent reason. He further reported that police are going to Mr. Gamble’s business (Gamble’s Detail Shop) located at 816 Johnson and searching vehicles, which is bad for his business. He reported that Mr. Gamble has been told by witnesses that the police are going to “get him”; and they (the police) are setting up surveillance cameras watching his detail shop. Dr. Richmond stated a police officer had illegally obtained telephone records of Mr. Gamble by claiming to be a Drug Task Force Officer. He stated Mr. Gamble was called by police and told his place of business was being burglarized, but a report was never filed. In closing, Dr. Richmond stated it appeared that harassment had taken place and these findings were supported by eye-witness testimony.
Next to address Council was Sandra Hebron, State Director for CORR located in Memphis, Tennessee. She addressed the following concerns: (A) Apparent curfews in certain neighborhoods where there are no laws regulating such curfews; (B) No African-American representation on the City Council; (C) No African-American employees at City Hall; (D) Recommendation to change to ward voting. Ms. Hebron stated they did not come to Jonesboro to cause problems, because the problems were already here, and they just wanted to express these concerns to the Council. Ms. Hebron provided Mayor Brodell a video and numerous copies of documentation to support the findings of Dr. Isaac Richmond.
Next to address Council was Pinky McFarlin, President of the Jackson County NAACP. Mr. McFarlin stated he had joined the Jonesboro investigation three weeks ago, and he would be turning his findings over to the Department of Justice. He also informed Council he had eight law students who would be doing a study on race relations in Jonesboro community. Mr. McFarlin stated it disturbed him not to see an African-American picture on the wall in the lobby.
Last to address Council, were a group of local ministers wishing to provide rebuttal to comments already by previous speakers. The first speaker was Reverend Ray Scales who stated he had lived here most of his life and along with others had been treated professionally, fairly, and justly. Reverend Scales explained they had a meeting with Mayor Brodell to discuss the alleged misconduct of the Jonesboro Police and further stated he appreciated the “open door policy” that has always been provided to them. Next to address Council was Reverend Charles Coleman, who is also an instructor at Arkansas State University. Rev. Coleman expressed his concern of the African-American community and Mayor Brodell not being informed of the CORR investigations prior to it taking place. Third to address Council was Reverend Glenn Conley who requested Dr. Isaac Richmond to meet with the local ministers before he goes any further with his investigations. Next was Reverend Gus Chandler who did not agree that the African-American community has always been kept informed and treated equally and fairly. He stated there have been too many times that African-American’s have been denied jobs with the Police, Fire and other city departments. However, Rev. Chandler did agree that protocol calls for city officials to be informed regarding these matters. Last to address Council was Reverend Herman Lewellen, who stated poor representation of the African-American community is not a new issue. He stated the City of Jonesboro and Craighead County have been approached time and again for equal representation in all facets of city government. He stated it has been intentionally ignored. However, Reverend Lewellen stated he stands with his brethren of this community and does not need outside representation. He suggested City Officials set long range goals to solve these issues, because the time has come for equal representation in local government.
The following ordinance was on second reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Eddie Foster)
Councilman Tate moved to suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. The motion failed for lack of a second. Attorney for Mr. Foster was C. M. Mooney, Sr. who requested the ordinance not be read a third time, but rather held for consideration at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Councilman Kelton questioned if the project would be connected to city sewer. Mr. Eddie Foster responded saying at the present time there was no city sewer available at the site. Councilman McCall stated he had spoken with the Health Department and they had told Mr. Foster he would not be allowed to hook up to the septic system, but rather have city sewer hooked up or a sewer treatment plant installed. Mr. Foster stated he was told something different by the Health Department. Attorney Mooney stated they would bring a statement from the Health Department to the next meeting. Councilman Tate stated the issue of sanitary sewer or septic system has no relevance to the zoning matter.
Councilman Kelton offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (James Mead, d.b.a. Kart World)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Rorex to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to further suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3166.
Councilman Copeland offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Pete Tarp, d.b.a. Pete’s Town)
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Tate to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Rorex moved, seconded by Councilman Copeland to further suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Copeland for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3167.
Council reviewed a resolution placing traffic signs at the following locations:
SPEED SIGNS:
25 M. P. H. on Scotchwood Drive
25 M. P. H. on Oakridge Drive
25 M. P. H. on Vista Drive
25 M. P. H. on Oak View Drive
20 M. P. H. on Oakcrest Drive
45 M. P. H. on Ingles Road
YIELD SIGN:
On Thomas Green at Scotchwood
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Rorex to amend the 20 M.P.H. speed sign at Oakcrest Drive to 25 M.P.H. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of the resolution as amended. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned resolution number 1999:40.
Council reviewed the following millage resolutions:
•FIRE - Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for adoption of a resolution establishing a rate of taxation of .5 mill on the dollar for Fire Pension. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:41.
•POLICE - Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for adoption of a resolution establishing a rate of taxation of .5 mill on the dollar for Police Pension. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:42.
•CITY - Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Tate for adoption of a resolution establishing a rate of taxation of 2.1 mills on the dollar for personal property tax. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:43.
•LIBRARY - Councilman Crockett moved, seconded by Councilman Rorex for adoption of a resolution establishing a rate of taxation of 2 mills on the dollar for a public library tax. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:44.
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution certifying Colson Caster Corporation to participate in the Advantage Arkansas Program. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:45.
Councilman Crockett moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution approving revision three to the 1997/1998 CDBG program. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:46.
Councilman Roddy moved, seconded by Councilman Copeland for the adoption of a resolution approving the Action Plan dated October 4, 1999 of the 2000 CDBG program. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:47.
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Young for the adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing for October 18, 1999 at 6:20 p.m. for the purpose of vacating an unimproved portion of Ransom Lane of McDaniels 4th Addition as requested by Mr. John Ward. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:48.
Under new business, Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution accepting federal-aid monies for the signalization of Highway 1 and Harrisburg Road. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:49.
Councilman Copeland moved, seconded by Councilman Rorex for the adoption of a resolution requesting City Water and Light to provide free utility service at the new COPPS substation at the 2200 block of Thorn Street near the Nettleton Baptist Church. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members present voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:50.
Councilman Rega offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE MONEY ($350,000) FROM UNALLOCATED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO PARKER MILES PARK AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Rega to further suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Tate for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3168.
Councilman Kelton offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO CLARIFYING PLANNING COMMISSION DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett to further suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett for the emergency clause. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3169.
Councilman Province reported that the Building Committee recommended the following two proposals: (A) The city owned property on Union Street ( formerly Central Chevrolet) to be leased to United Way and the Downtown Improvement District; and the city owned property on Main Street ( formerly Eagles Department Store) to be leased to the Chamber of Commerce for the Winter Wonderland. (B) To sell a strip of land, located on East Washington for $13,000 dollars which includes the closing cost and appraisal fee. Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to accept both recommendations of the Building Committee. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.