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Minutes for the City Council meeting on August 15, 1988
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - AUGUST 15, 1988
The Jonesboro City Council met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Present were Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney, and all Aldermen.
The minutes of August l, 1988, were approved as mailed on motion by Mr. Stricklin, seconded by Mr. Park. All voted aye.
The Mayor recognized special guests in the audience, Don Zimmerman, President of the Arkansas Municipal League and Norman Francis, a member of the City Council of Trumann.
Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Park to set the first meeting in September on September 6, 1988, due to a legal holiday falling on September 5th. All voted aye.
Mr. Park moved, seconded by Mr. Nix to set a Public Hearing on September 6 at 7:p.m. regarding the abandonment of a portion of Alpine. All voted aye.
Mr. Evans offered the following ordinance for first reading: (Rez/C-2 to C-3, N. side Phillips Dr)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CHANGE IN ZONING BOUNDARIES
Mr. Stricklin offered the following ordinance for first reading: (Rez/C-4 to C-3, lot l of Kitterman’s replat on Stone St.)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CHANGE IN ZONING BOUNDARIES
Mr. Hannah offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO CONDEMN HOUSES LOCATED AT a) 104 W. FOREST b)1601 FOREST HOME RD. c) 308 CENTER STREET (shed behind) d) HOPE STREET, e) 407 WEST HUNTINGTON f) 526 W. WOODROW; TO IMPOSE A LIEN UPON SAID PROPERTY AND TO REMOVE SUCH STRUCTURE FROM SAID PROPERTY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Jeff Gibson, Public Works Director stated that the owner of 526 W Woodrow has made substantial improvements to the residence, but wanted the structure left on the ordinance acknowledging the owner had 30 days to be in compliance.
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Sanderson to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. All voted aye. Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to adopt the ordinance with the emergency clause. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 2136.
Mr. Bridger offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT A MECHANICAL CODE FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS
Mr. Shelton offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 1-B, 1-C, 3-A, 4-A, AND 5A OF ORDINANCE #1173 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
The following ordinance was on second reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 5-8 AND 5-9, AS AMENDED, THE SAME DEALING WITH ADOPTION OF THE BUILDING CODE FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS
The following ordinance was on second reading which was tabled June l, 1987:
AN ORDINANCE FOKR CERTAIN TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES: TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF: AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mr. Hinson moved, seconded by Mr. Nix to amend the ordinance to allow only seven parking spaces on the West side of Church St. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye.
The following bids were up for review:
88-24 - Health Insurance
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to accept the health insurance bid from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye.
Mr. Nix moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to accept the life insurance form Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye.
88-25 - Public Officials Liability
Discussion was held regarding the bid. Don Zimmerman of the Municipal League addressed the council regarding benefits of the Municipal League program. Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Park to allow the Insurance Committee permission to review the benefits of both plans with the Mayor’s approval and make recommendation to the Council. A roll call vote was taken and all votes aye.
The following opinion was rendered by City Attorney, Jim Burton regarding obscene bumper stickers and T-shirts:
The U.S. Supreme Court holds that T-Shirts and bumper stickers constitute speech and can legislated only when they present a clear danger and advocate immediate civil violence. Mr. Nix stated he did not disagree with the City Attorney’s legal research, but has received more telephone calls and letters in support of his stand against them than on any other issue in recent years. He added he plans to offer a resolution or proposed ordinance regarding same. Mr. Evans stated he does not believe an ordinance will meet the constitutional test when the high court can’t agree on what constitutes obscenity. Mr. Shelton suggested letters be sent to retailers urging them not to sell this type of material. Mr. Park suggested a referendum on the question. Mayor Brodell suggested Aldermen may want to consider an ordinance that would limit the maximum size of the print on T-shirts and bumper stickers. Mr. Stricklin stated the proposal in not enforceable.
The Mayor stated a letter had been received from Larry Fugate, Associate Editor of the Jonesboro Sun reminding the Council to notify the media of all committee meetings to remain in compliance with the FOI Act.
The requiring of bonding of demolition companies for condemned structures was discussed by the council. Don Zimmerman offered to conduct a survey regarding cities who require said bonding, and notify Jonesboro city officials of results.
The Mayor announced an open meeting at the new flight service station at 5:30 p.m. on August 16, 1988.
Mr. Bridger moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to place a backhoe for sale with sealed bids with a minimum bid of $15,000. That Riggs agreed to pay the city for it. Jeff Gibson stated that he wanted the money received from the sale placed in the 1989 budget for the purchase of a replacement machine. All voted aye.
Don Zimmerman complemented the City of Jonesboro on the Municipal Code recodification. He suggested looking into speed limits and stop signs without Council voting and considering individual ordinances for traffic controls by designating authority to the Police Chief with final approval by the Council. Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to proceed with the drafting of an ordinance in compliance with State Laws to delegate said authority. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye.
Mr. Province moved, seconded by Dr. Strauser to place a moratorium on the placement of mobile homes on single lots with the exception being mobile home parks, effective September 1, 1988. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned.