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Minutes for the City Council meeting on April 5, 2004
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APRIL 5, 2004
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, April 5, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Brodell, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney Phillip Crego and eleven council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy. Councilman Perrin was unable to attend.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Street to approve the minutes of March 15, 2004, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy.
Mr. Larry Flowers, Finance Director provided a financial report for council members stating, revenues were up by $939,000 while expenditures were on schedule, with an increase in sales tax revenue. He explained sales tax accounts for 2/3 of the city’s budget.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO RESIDENTIAL (R-2A MEDIUM DENSITY), LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF PATRICK STREET, SOUTH OF LOST CREEK. (C. R. Miles)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3464.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis for the adoption of a resolution repealing Resolution No. 2004:22 a fund selection contract with Principal Financial. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:30.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis for the adoption of a resolution approving amendment #7 for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:31.
Councilman Hargis moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution accepting the bid and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract with Meadows Construction Company for sidewalks, curb and gutter, and a parking pad at Allen Park. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:32.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the adoption of a resolution accepting the bid and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract with Mr. Bill Gilmer for demolition for the 2004 CDBG Program. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:33.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution to proceed with condemnation action on the apartment buildings at 2009 and 2011 Belt Street belonging to Countrywide Mortgage. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:34.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution providing for the study of environmental status of the proposed Class IV Landfill site and for potential alternate sites and other related matters. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:35.
Under new business, Mayor Brodell reported that Street Superintendent Gene Barnett would be retiring July 31, 2004, and that Vector Mosquito Control had sent written confirmation they would continue servicing Jonesboro with the same level of service for the same price until 2006.
Councilperson Street reported questionnaire forms for the traffic study could be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, and various community centers. He encouraged community input and requested everyone to fill out a form if they had recommendations. Alderman Street also reported the culvert at Culberhouse would tentatively be installed sometime in July or August.
Councilperson Furr announced that Project 365 would be held Saturday, April 17th in the area of Woodrow and Forrest Streets and encouraged participation.
Councilperson McCall reported the Nominating and Rules Committee recommended an ordinance approving Mr. Larry Flowers to serve a four year term as City Treasurer retroactive to January 1, 2003, and the ordinance would be placed on the agenda for April 19th council meeting.
Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to accept the recommendation of the Nominating and Rules Committee to replace Councilman Young with Councilman Roddy on the Finance Committee; and reduce the number of members on the Public Services Committee from six to five. Councilman Young had requested he be replaced on the Finance Committee due to family obligations. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy.
Councilman Moore announced the Public Works Committee recommended the bid of Atlas Asphalt for street overlays and a resolution would be presented at the next council meeting.
Under Public Comment, Mr. John Hazelwood asked where the sample would be taken from on the proposed landfill site. Councilman Farmer responded saying the resolution, previously adopted (2004:35), calls for the sample to be taken from a 12 acre site. Mr. Hazelwood asked if the dirt on the 12 acre site had been disturbed, to which Councilman Moore responded saying dirt had been hauled out of the area. Mr. Hazelwood then questioned how a true sample could be obtained when the dirt has already been placed and sold. Councilman Farmer stated there were other considerations regarding underground movement of contaminants. He explained they want to find out for sure what the site does and does not have on it, in order to know that no problems exist beneath the surface of the site. Councilman Farmer explained they wanted to do all things possible to assure an environmental clean bill of health on the site.
Justin Merritt addressed the Jonesboro City Council stating a lot of decisions are being made too quickly and are backfiring, and that more time needs to be taken in the decision making process.
With no further business, Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for adjournment. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Roddy.