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Minutes for the City Council meeting on March 6, 2000.
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PUBLIC HEARING 6:15 P. M. - Tefra Hearings were conducted regarding VHA, Inc. National Capital Borrowing Program on behalf of St. Bernard’s Healthcare, Inc. Ms. Paula Drummond, Special Counsel to the Tefra Trust Agency explained under federal regulations the local governing body must grant approval of the revenue bonds, but does not hold the city responsible. No opposition was voiced.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - March 6, 2000
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, March 6, 2000 at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Hubert Brodell, City Clerk Donna 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 Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett to amend the minutes to read “had Mr. Ebbert received the citations he should have over the years he would have a lot more than he did have” ( not that Mr. Ebbert did receive those citations). Councilman Copeland moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for approval of the minutes 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.
Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to allow a resolution be brought to the front of the agenda instead of under new business. 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 Roddy for the adoption of a resolution approving a plan for financing health care facilities for St. Bernard’s Healthcare, Inc. and authorizing an inter-local agreement with the capital trust agency not exceeding $900,000,000 in health care revenue bonds. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Rega who abstained from voting. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2000:13.
The following ordinance was on the second reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AS FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Cooper and Roberts)
Councilman Kelton requested a continuance on this ordinance for the third and final reading, explaining City Planner, Jeff Hawkins had received a call from someone objecting to the rezoning, but was unable to attend the meeting. Someone from the audience was recognized by Mayor Brodell and stated he had heard mini storage buildings could be built in the area if it were zoned Commercial (C-3). Mr. Hawkins responded saying it would be a conditional use and could or could not be approved based on decision of the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. Councilman Rorex stated the opposition has had several weeks to voice their opinion and should be there if they have any comments. Councilman Rorex moved to suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. The motion failed for lack of a second.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AS FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Jerry Mariott)
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Moore 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 3205.
Councilman Crockett offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM FRANCHISE TO TCA CABLE PARTNERS FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place on second reading. Councilman Rorex objected to granting a six months extension and recommended establishing a committee to research other cable options. Councilman Rorex cited reasons of high rates and poor service by Cox Communications for his opposition. Mayor Brodell stated he had discussed the possibility of city owned cable with Mr. Ron Bowen of City Water and Light, but under their regulations they cannot provide the cable service. He explained extending the contract will have no bearing on any other contract or any other agency coming in. Mayor Brodell explained the United States Congress passed laws that removed a municipality’s ability to control rates or enter into a protective franchise. Councilman Rorex recommended the Council vote no as an expression of dissatisfaction with the service Cox Communication has provided. Mayor Brodell responded saying Jonesboro would lose the franchise tax currently being paid by Cox if an extension is not granted. City Attorney Crego concurred with Mayor Brodell saying that even if the City of Jonesboro opted today to do a city cable franchise it would not be completed in six months. Councilman Rega stated the six month time frame will give Council and the Professional Services Committee the opportunity to review the franchise agreement and to consider other cable options. Councilman Rega requested community involvement in the cable franchise discussions. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Rorex who voted nay. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to further suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Rorex who voted nay. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Young for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Rorex who voted nay. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rega, Province, Copeland, Moore, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3204.
Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett for the adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing for the purpose of vacating a portion of Louis Lane, located between Covey Road and Neely Road for March 20, 2000 at 6:15 p.m. The hearing was requested by Teresa L. Brimhall. 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 number 2000:12.
Under new business Councilman Province moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to accept the Building Committee’s recommendation to purchase the Army - Navy Store located on Main Street for $40,000.00 to come from the Parking Fund. 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.