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Minutes for the City Council meeting on May 3, 2005
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - MAY 3, 2005
The Jonesboro City Council met Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Formon, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney Phillip Crego and twelve council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the minutes of April 19, 2005, as provided. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley.
Finance Director Larry Flowers provided an overview of the City’s budget, explaining the new financial software would allow for earlier reporting. Currently financial reports are a month behind, current figures. He stated the MATA fund ended in March and the fund balance for Operations and Maintenance held steady.
The following ordinance was on the third reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM COMMERCIAL (C-4), NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT TO (C-30, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF HIGHLAND DRIVE EAST OF PARKSIDE DRIVE. (A & B Investments, Kevin Alpe)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin 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, McCall, and Ashley.
The ordinance was assigned number 3537.
Councilman Street offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2005 ANNUAL BUDGET TO DELETE THE POSITION OF MECHANIC II AND ADDING THE POSITION OF MAINTENANCE SHOP CREW LEADER; APPROPRIATING $3,289.86 FOR THE NEW POSITION; AND LIFTING THE HIRING FREEZE FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, CITY CLERK, AND SANITATION DEPARTMENTS.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street 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, McCall, and Ashley. 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, McCall, and Ashley. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3538.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing for the purpose of vacating and closing a portion of Hacienda Street for May 17, 2005, at 6:15 p.m. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley. The resolution was assigned resolution number 2005:52.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to convey property located on the west side of Highway 63, south of Washington Avenue to the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department for highway purposes. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley. The resolution was assigned resolution number 2005:53.
The resolution to contract with Sidney Moncrief to rent Allen, Parker Park and Earl Bell Community Centers for a basketball camp was pulled from the agenda.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution requesting free utilities from City Water & Light at the entrance of Craighead Forest Park. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley. The resolution was assigned resolution number 2005:54.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Province for the adoption of a resolution to amend the City of Jonesboro Employee Handbook, specifically creating the Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley. The resolution was assigned resolution number 2005:55.
Under new business, Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to accept the recommendation of the Public Works Committee and suspend the rules to add an ordinance and a resolution to the agenda for consideration by the full Council. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley.
Councilman Dover offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZE REPAIRS TO THE CITY OF JONESBORO'S CASE DOZER.
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, McCall, and Ashley. 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, McCall, and Ashley. Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson for the adoption of the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3539. (B)
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to accept the following second half of annual Street Department bids:
2005:25 - Tire Recapping - Looney’s Tire Service - recommended based on 2004 usage
2005:32 - Removal of Permanent Pavement Markings - Low Bidder being Arkansas Striping
2005:36 - Thermoplastic Paving Markings - Low Bidder being Arkansas Striping
2005:37 - Reflectorized Paint Paving Markings - Low Bidder being Arkansas
Striping
2005:38 - Hot Tapes - Low Bidder being Zumar Industries
2005:39 - Street Paint - Low Bidder being Allstates Coatings Co.
A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2005:56.
Councilman McCall questioned what could be done about maintenance of State right-of-ways located within the city limits. Mr. Ron Shipley, Code Enforcement Director stated warnings could be issued, and then cite them to court, however City Attorney Crego explained while the City can request the State to maintain the right-of-ways, they cannot be cited to court. Attorney Crego explained the same rule applies to rail road right-of-ways.
Councilman Hargis requested the Nominating and Rules Committee to consider amending the rules regarding “public comment” to not limit discussion to five minutes when a presentation of information is well organized, informative and being well received. Councilman Perrin explained the “Rules and Procedures” provides for the City Council to reserve the right to suspend the rules for extra time, if necessary.
Councilman Farmer informed council members that the Public Works Committee had received the first preliminary draft of the Southwest Traffic Study for Jonesboro. He explained the draft provides recommendations for immediate improvements as well as 5 year and 15 year future improvements. Councilman Street stressed it was not a final plan and public hearings would be conducted.
With no further business, Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley for adjournment. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall, and Ashley.