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Minutes for the City Council meeting on January 16, 2007
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 16, 2007
The Jonesboro City Council met Tuesday, January 16, 2007, 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: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilman Moore moved seconded by Councilman Perrin to approve the minutes of January 2, 2007, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Police Chief Yates presented the Medal of Valor to Officer Chris Walker for his bravery in the arrest of a rape suspect on November 24, 2006, when he was shot at close range but was spared by the protective vest he was wearing. The Medal of Valor was the first such award presented to a Jonesboro Police Officer. Officer Walker received a standing ovation from everyone present, including his father, Mr. Floyd Walker.
Councilman Street offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO COMMERCIAL (C-5), LOCATED EAST OF FIELDER ROAD AND SOUTH OF JOHNSON AVE. (Bruce Taylor)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilman Perrin offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM AGRICULTURAL (AG-1) TO RESIDENTIAL (R-2, L.U.O.), LOCATED ON KATHLEEN STREET BETWEEN MORTON DR. AND PACIFIC RD. (Troy Coleman / Jay Harmon)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to set an appeal hearing for February 6, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. regarding denial by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission for a Conditional Use Permit for street level apartments located at 209, 314, 316, 223 and 226 S. Main Street as requested by Mr. Joe Clay Young. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Craighead County Solid Waste Disposal Authority. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2007:07.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution announcing the City of Jonesboro’s intent to adopt by reference modifications to the Residential and Commercial Zoning Districts and Subdivision Regulations. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2007:08.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the adoption of a resolution to proceed with condemnation action for property located at 510 N. Belt, owned by Mr. Walter K. Jackson. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2007:09.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution amending Resolution No. 2006:101, correcting the amount of the ETC Contract for Flemon Road Drainage Project. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2007:10.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution authorizing an engagement letter for General Legal Counsel with Barrett& Deacon, P. A. on matters related to closing and managing the Class 4 Landfill. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2007:11.
At the request of Mayor Formon, Agenda Item 11, a resolution to convey a portion of Craighead Forest Park to City Water and Light for a future electrical substation was pulled from the agenda. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilman Hargis moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson for the adoption of a resolution allowing for Subrecipients to carry out a stated portion of the City’s Action Plan of the CDBG Program. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye, with the exception of Councilwoman Furr who abstained from voting due to her involvement with NARAN. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2007:12.
Councilman Hargis moved, seconded by Councilman McCall for the adoption of a resolution allowing for sub-recipients to carry out and complete the projects described in the Scope of Services of the CDBG Program. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye, with the exception of Councilwoman Furr who abstained from voting due to her involvement with NARAN. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2007:13.
Under new business, Mayor Formon responded to comments made by Mr. Ted Fortenberry of KAIT news regarding the beautification of intersections along Highway 63. He explained it would be very costly to undertake a project such as this with all the other pressing issues. Councilman Street stated once the traffic study is complete the intersection will most likely be redone and therefore it would be a waste of taxpayer funds.
Mayor Formon stated he visited with Dan Flowers of the Highway Commission, who said there could possibly be funding left over from the $250,000 traffic study to coordinate the traffic lights around the Turtle Creek Mall. He stated they would be bringing an ordinance with this proposal to the next Public Works Committee meeting.
With the recent rains, several areas were cited as drainage problems by council members. It was determined there was no number for individuals to call when they have a drainage emergency. Mayor Formon instructed individuals to call the dispatch center at 935-5553. Mr. Hooton stated dispatch has several street department numbers as well for emergency situations.
Mayor Formon recommended observing the following holidays: Christmas Eve, Martin Luther King Day, Veteran’s Day, and Presidents Day. Ms. Hackney, Human Resource Director explained non-uniform employees work these holidays and the hours are placed in a bank and they receive the money on December 15th for straight time. Mayor Formon stated it was not fair for employees who wish to observe these holidays to have to work. Councilman McCall stated it was an administrative call and asked a recommendation be brought to the Finance Committee.
Councilman Hargis asked that the telephone system be re-evaluated expressing concern over the way calls are being answered. Mayor Formon stated the telephone system is being revamped and explained the calls would be routed to the individual then to a receptionist and lastly to the automated attendant. Councilman Perrin requested more training be provided by Ritter when they do the revamping of the phone lines.
Councilman Perrin requested any questions pertaining to the Salary Administration Plan with Condrey and Associates be emailed to Suzanne Hackney, Human Resource Director by 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilwoman Williams to accept the following City Council Committee assignments for 2007:
Finance: Darrel Dover, John Street, Harold Perrin, Ann Williams, Jim Hargis, and Judy Furr.
Public Works: John Street, Charles Frierson, Cecil Province, Chris Moore, Darrel Dover, Mitch Johnson.
Public Safety: Chris Moore, Tim McCall, Judy Furr, Mitch Johnson, Harold Perrin, (Ward Six Replacement).
Public Services: Ann Williams, Tim McCall, Cecil Province, Jim Hargis, Charles Frierson, (Ward Six Replacement).
A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to suspend the rules and place an ordinance on the agenda that had been previously recommended by the Public Safety Committee. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilwoman Furr offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF POLICE EQUIPMENT FOR POLICE UNITS
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the second and third readings of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. Councilman Johnson 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: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The ordinance was assigned number 06-2007.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore 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: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution entering into a contract with P&J and RWT to construct a new three-way intersection at Aggie Road and Paragould Road in the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, at an estimated cost of $50,000.00. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall. The resolution was assigned number 2007:14.
Discussion was held regarding agenda preparation for City Council Committee meetings. It was determined that it is the Chair’s responsibility for conducting the meeting and implementation of the agenda, but Department Heads should be responsible for organizing and preparing supporting documentation since they are available for the day to day operations. The decision was made to have the Chair of each committee prepare the agendas until different arrangements can be made.
Discussion was held regarding the positions of Public Works Director and City Engineer. Councilman Street stressed the need for hiring a Public Works Director citing numerous pending projects such as the landfill closure, and drainage hot spots. Further discussion was held regarding whether or not the position of Public Works Director should be a certified engineer. Councilman Street stated the position should be more of a managerial position rather than engineering, stating there is a need for consistency and accountability. Councilman Street moved that they proceed with hiring a Public Works Director and leave it to Mayor Formon to decide if the position should be an engineer or not. Councilman McCall agreed it was Mayor Formon’s decision. Councilman Dover explained a job description must be established but not until they know the criteria for the Public Works Director position. Councilman Dover suggested hiring the position of City Engineer first. Debate followed on which should come first the Public Works Director or the City Engineer. Councilman Frierson questioned why both positions could not be pursued at the same time. Mayor Formon stated he felt the position of Public Works Director did not need to be an engineer, but the position of City Engineer needed to be hired quickly. Councilman Perrin agreed the position of City Engineer should come first and pointed out that Mr. Martin had submitted his resignation nearly 45 days ago. Councilman Moore stated both positions needed to be filled quickly, and agreed with Councilman Street that the Public Works position needed to be administrative, but stated he would want to see a job description first. Councilman Frierson stated it is not the job of the city council to write the job description, and several council members concurred. Councilman Moore questioned if Mayor Formon was researching the matter and if he would come forward with a recommendation. Ms. Hackney provided a survey of several cities showing the position of Public Works Director with no engineering degree, but with a strong engineering staff. She explained she was prepared to advertise for the position, but needed direction. It was determined that Ms. Hackney, Mayor Formon, and Councilman Perrin would meet with Condrey and Associates in order to move forward with a recommendation.
Councilman McCall questioned the status of the Abuse of Power Ordinance. Councilman Perrin stated it was pulled to allow time for the City Attorney and Human Resource Director to review it. Councilwoman Furr stated they did want to lose track of the ordinance because it was very valid.
Under public comment, Mr. Louis Stadler of 5300 Pacific Road presented a petition in opposition to the zoning change submitted by Jay Harmon and Troy Coleman. He cited traffic and safety reasons for denying the rezoning request.
With no further business, Councilman Johnson moved, seconded by Councilman Street to adjourn the meeting. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Frierson, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr and McCall.