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Minutes for the City Council meeting on December 5, 2006
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - December 5, 2006
The Jonesboro City Council met Tuesday, December 5, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. Members present were: Mayor Doug Formon, City Clerk Donna Jackson, City Attorney Phillip Crego and eleven council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. Councilman Ashley was unable to attend.
Councilman Perrin moved seconded by Councilman Street to approve the minutes of November 21, 2006, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM INDUSTRIAL (I-1) TO COMMERCIAL (C-3) LOCATED AT 4201 HIGHLAND DRIVE BETWEEN WATT STREET AND THE RAILROAD. (Mr. Steve Edwards)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of the ordinance. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3679.
Councilman Perrin offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO VACATE AND ABANDON A DRAINAGE EASEMENT - LOT 228 OF SAGE MEADOWS PHASE II SUBDIVISION (Bob Troutt)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to suspend with the second and third readings. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover 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, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The ordinance was assigned number 3680.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-2) TO COMMERCIAL (C-2) FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1024 E. WASHINGTON. (Jay Goodman)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street 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, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The ordinance was assigned number 3681.
Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Street to withdraw the following ordinance from the agenda:
ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SOUTHWEST TRANSPORTATION STUDY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO FOR FUTURE LAND USE AND THOROUGHFARE PLANNING AND STUDY OF STREETS, ROADWAYS, AND TRAFFIC REGULATION, TO BE USED AS A GUIDE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF FUTURE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
The ordinance was withdrawn because no public notice had been provided in order to adopt the ordinance by reference. Mr. Otis Spriggs, City Planner stated he would see that proper notification would be provided.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilwoman Williams for the adoption of a resolution approving the Jonesboro Economical Transportation System’s purchasing and procurement policy and procedure manual. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2006:154.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the execution of a lease agreement for the 107 Flint Street known as the Best Building. Prior to reading the resolution the expiration date was changed from December 31, 2006, to January 31, 2007. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2006:155.
Under new business, Mayor Formon stated the final schedule was being prepared for the budget meetings and would be provided tomorrow morning to city council members. Questions were raised regarding the Worley lawsuit for December 14, 2006. Attorney Crego stated there had been no indication any council member would be subpoenaed, but he would have to check and make sure.
Mayor Formon stated applications were being taken for the position of Human Resource Director till December 22, 2006. Councilman Perrin questioned if they were advertising locally or further out. Ms. Hackney stated locally only.
Mayor Formon stated they have closed applications for the position of Public Works Director and requested Councilman Street, Chair of the Public Works Committee to be present for the interview process. Councilman Street agreed. Ms. Hackney recommended starting with telephone interviews because some of the applicants are not local and live far away.
Mayor Formon stated they would be putting a schedule together for a work session to discuss alternatives for the acquisition of the CWL property.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to suspend the rules and place a resolution on the agenda. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson for the adoption of a resolution appointing the following two members to the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission:
Dr. Ken Beadles with an expiration date of April 30, 2009.
Mr. Jerry R. Sexton with an expiration date of March 31, 2008.
A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2006:156.
Councilwoman Furr asked Police Chief Yates to give a report on Officer Chris Walker who was shot at close range, but was fortunately wearing a bullet proof vest. Councilwoman Furr stated because this police officer was wearing the appropriate safety equipment his life was spared and explained until recently the safety equipment had not been made available. Councilwoman Furr stated she was proud to serve with current city council members who saw the need to upgrade the necessary equipment for Jonesboro Police Officers and Fire Fighters. Chief Yates stated Officer Walker is doing well, both mentally and physically, and was exonerated stating his actions were within the parameters of the City and State regulations and procedures.
Councilman Street announced the final Campaign Contributions form was due December 7, 2006, for all council members filing in this year’s election. Councilman Street congratulated Councilman Hargis on his re-election.
Councilman Farmer reminded everyone of the Capital Improvement Public Hearing scheduled for December 14th at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Formon requested that Mr. Tony Thomas, Project Coordinator make sure the public hearing is advertised on the local government channel.
Councilman Farmer stated it was discussed in the Nominating and Rules Committee that the Employee Handbook be revised to include an Employee Abuse of Power Policy. He stated if an employee uses his or her position to selectively enforce city codes or abuses their position in other ways they can greatly affect private citizens and development if they chose to do so. Councilman Farmer explained the Employee Handbook should be make it clear that the Mayor’s Office and the City Council does not tolerate such actions.
Councilman Farmer questioned the status of the jail fee situation. Mayor Formon stated he was unsure of what negotiations are left since the ordinance was passed by the Quorum Court. He added now it is just the City’s option to interpret the laws pertaining to the jail bills. Mayor Formon explained there was also some question about how fees are collected as to whether or not the whole process should be turned over to the county. He suggested scheduling a meeting for him, Chief Yates, City Attorney Phillip Crego and APERMA Attorney Ralph Ohms to discuss what the City’s options are with the jail fees. Mr. Crego stated they are continuing to do research to find out the City’s position. He added Chief Yates is compiling financial information about past costs, as well as fines and fees that have been collected through the courts. He explained when all the information is together, then they’ll have a better idea of the City’s position. Councilman Farmer stated he hopes there is still some room for negotiation. Mr. Crego explained they’re hoping after they have finished with their research the City’s position may be strong enough to further negotiate with the county.
Councilman Farmer stated questions have come up concerning Council members swapping their terms on City boards and commissions. He explained the City Council approves the terms and positions of those who serve on the City boards and commissions, so if someone didn’t like the term they could resign or come back to the Council for reappointment to another term. He added the act of swapping terms or positions is not the choice of the board or commission member’s. Mr. Crego agreed with Councilman Farmer.
With no further business, Councilman Johnson moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to adjourn the meeting. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.