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Minutes for the City Council meeting on October 20, 1997
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 20, 1997
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, October 20, 1997, at 6:40 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Brodell, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney, Phillip Crego and 10 council members. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
The minutes of October 6, 1997, were approved as delivered, by Councilman Young seconded by Councilman Roddy. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Kelton for the adoption of a resolution authorizing a “Memorandum of Intent” between the city of Jonesboro and an unknown industry for the issuance of Industrial Development Revenue Bonds. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given the number 1997:72.
Mayor Brodell opened discussion regarding a petition to stop attempts to open dedicated property located between Southwest Drive and Highland Drive. City Attorney, Phillip Crego stated the petition was not in proper form to close a street, because state law, requires all abutting property owners sign the petition. Mr. Greg Arnold speaking for the opposition, explained the property had not been used as a dedicated right of way, and requested Council to consider the safety of using the property as a street. He explained high school students would be driving in the area, and urged Council to go to the site themselves. Mr. Arnold explained they were not there to formally close the street but to request Council to consider the safety factor before opening the property as a street right of way. Mr. Wayne Baker and Mr. Harold Crawll spoke in favor of opening the street and expressed willingness to pay for the improvements. They stated it was unsafe to leave the area the way it is. Mr. Jerry Donahue spoke in favor of opening the street, on behalf of his mother. Mr. Donahue explained the street provided access to four rental properties owned by his mother. Councilman Tate recommended plans be submitted to Council outlining improvements to the street.
Councilman Kelton offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Deloris White)
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Mrs. Nancy Kirkley of 200 W. Cherry, spoke in opposition to the rezoning. Mrs. Kirkley stated to rezone the area to commercial would decrease property value and expressed concern over parking. Mr. Brian Wadley, of the Planning Department reported that on the north, south and east of the property in question, it was zoned Commercial Two. Councilman Bowers offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Floyd Wineland)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Young for the adoption of a resolution requesting City Water & Light to provide electrical service to a new band shell at Craighead Forrest. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given number 1997:73.
Under new business, Council interviewed two of the five candidates seeking appointment to fill the unexpired term of Alderman, Ward 5, Position 2. The five candidates were: Michael H. Graddy, Mark Keller, Danny Huber, Dr. Gregory F. Ricca, and Herb Davis. The two interviewed were: Danny Huber and Herb Davis. Both candidates stated their accomplishments and why they wish to be considered. Councilman Crockett moved, seconded by Councilman Rega to nominate Danny Huber. Councilman Roddy moved, seconded by Councilman Rorex to nominate Herb Davis. A roll call vote was taken resulting in a six to four vote in favor of Herb Davis. Those members voting for Herb Davis were: Kelton, Rorex, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Those members voting for Danny Huber were: Tate, Crockett, Rega, and Pratt. Mr. Herb Davis was sworn in as Alderman after the council meeting by City Clerk, Donna Jackson.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Rega to appropriate no more than $14,000.00 for the condemnation of Violet Williams’ property. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Pratt presented Council with an Attorney General opinion which states a city’s advertising and promotion commission has the ultimate authority to determine the uses of the advertising and promotion tax, without approval by the city council, provided that the chosen use of the tax is one that is authorized by the provisions of A.C.A. 26-75-606, which set forth the permissible uses of the advertising and promotion tax.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned.