title
Minutes for the City Council meeting on August 17, 1998
body
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - AUGUST 17, 1998
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, August 17, 1998, 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 12 council members. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
The minutes for August 3, 1998, were approved as delivered, by Councilman Roddy seconded by Councilman Davis. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
Mayor Brodell reported on committee meetings of Police and Finance. He informed Council of a request made by the Jonesboro School System for three police officers and one or two officers for Valley View School. Mayor Brodell stated 75% of an entry level grade (for each officer) would be paid by the school system for nine months including the officers’ weapons, hand-held radio, and uniforms. Mayor Brodell explained five existing officers would be placed at the schools and 5 new officers would be hired to replace them. He stated the committee voted to appropriate $30,000.00. Councilman Bowers so moved, seconded by Councilman Davis. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
The following ordinance was on third reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Charles Layne)
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3073.
Councilman Province offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (James Halbrook)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Davis to further suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Kelton for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3074.
Councilman Rorex offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Floyd Vuncannon)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Young offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Roddy Thrasher)
Councilman Bowers moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Rorex offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 8.40 AND 8.44 OF THE JONESBORO CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ALLOW PARKING IN THE 600 BLOCK OF POPLAR (NORTH SIDE ONLY); AND TO PROHIBIT PARKING WITHIN 100 FEET OF THE FLINT STREET INTERSECTION (BOTH SIDES)
Councilman Bowers moved, seconded by Councilman Rorex to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Rorex to further suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3075.
Mayor Brodell stated a rezoning ordinance was provided to him which was not on the agenda due to the publication fee not being paid prior to the 10:00 a.m. deadline. Mr. Brian Wadley stated there had been opposition to the rezoning request at the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. Mayor Brodell explained Council would have to vote to hear the rezoning request. Attorney C. M. Mooney, Sr. explained that his client Mr. Jim Etters, the developer of the property was out of town and the publication fee was paid late, but the ordinance had been filed on time. Attorney Mooney requested Council to hear the matter and explained it was for an apartment complex off of Stadium Blvd. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett to hear the matter. Councilman Bowers questioned if this would set a precedence regarding future agenda items. Councilman Pratt reminded Council that recently publication debt had been written off the budget. Councilman Tate stated even though the publication fee was paid late, it had been paid. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Tate offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Jim Etters/ C. M. Mooney)
The ordinance was read one time.
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Davis for the adoption of a resolution expressing the willingness of the City of Jonesboro to utilize federal-aid funds for a signalization project at Highland Drive and Commerce Drive. Mayor Brodell stated it would be a year or two before federal funds would be available for this project. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1998:50.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin approving a hardship request for placement of a mobile home at 904 N. Church Street, as requested by Mr. Larry Dale Jones. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Young to approve the reappointments of Mr. Charles Frierson, Mr. Dan Mulhollen, Mr. Herbert Davis, and Mr. Paul Bookout to the Craighead County Solid Waste Disposal Authority with an expiration date of August 2001. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
The following bids were reviewed by Council:
•98:28 - Turn Out Gear Coats - Fire Department
Councilman Davis moved, seconded by Councilman Tate to accept the low bid, meeting bid specifications of Casco Industries for $21,204.51. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
•98:29 - Public Officials Liability - All Departments
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Davis to accept the low bid, meeting bid specifications of Gallagher for $24,467.04 (an increase of $1,661.92 from last year). A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
Under new business, Councilman Pratt reminded persons having problems with mosquito abatement to contact Vector Mosquito Control.
Councilman Young inquired about an over grown lot at the corner of Autumn and Belleview. Mayor Brodell stated the request had been turned over to Code Enforcement Officer, Doug Little who was working on the problem.
Councilman Young handed out a summary of the bond interest and repayment through the end of June. He reported the interest earnings received off of the bond funds are $125,000.00 more than originally expected. Councilman Young, who is Chairman of the Finance Committee, reported the bonds will be paid off about six months earlier than projected.
In closing, Councilman Young provided Council with a summary of the proposed tax amendment, abolishing property taxes. He reported state wide loss projections for schools will be approximately $445 Million, and for Libraries $27 Million. Councilman Young recommended an analysis be done to see how this will affect Jonesboro’s police, fire, roads, and the approval and collection of taxes (Sales & Use).
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to appropriate $30,000.00 from unappropriated general fund for the purpose of hiring additional police officers to be placed at public schools. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Perrin inquired about another over grown lot at the corner of Nettleton and Caraway. (Hardee’s Restaurant). Mayor Brodell stated that also had been reported and was being taken care of.
Councilman Tate inquired about the status of the property located on Madison, owned by Mr. Bill Ebbert. The property had been condemned some time ago, and City Attorney, Phillip Crego reported to Council on June 16, 1997, that a law suit had been filed (for $25,000.00) and a response received, but was waiting to place the matter on the docket. In response to Councilman Tate, City Attorney Crego stated the city was still in litigation over the $25,000.00 but it was his understanding that Planning and Inspection had decided not to tear structure down. Mr. Brian Wadley stated if Council wants the structure to come down, he will see that it comes down, but he was not willing to demolish the structure without an official order from Council. Councilman Tate stated it was his understanding that an official order was issued by Council after Mr. Ebbert violated his last six month extension. City Attorney, Crego stated the $25,000.00 surety bond posted by Mr. Ebbert for the six month extension, and the condemnation of the property were two different issues. He stated while the $25,000.00 surety bond is still in litigation, the condemnation is an order by Council to demolish the structure. City Attorney Crego explained the condemnation was in effect with the expiration of the six month extension. Councilman Perrin requested City Attorney Crego to prepare a report stating his opinion regarding the tearing down of the property for the next council meeting. Mr. Crego stated he would prepare a report, but emphasized the tearing down of the property is not dependant on the court case involving the $25,000.00 surety bond.
Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to change the next council meeting date to September 8, 1998, because of Labor Day. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Rega, Pratt, Young, Perrin, Bowers, and Roddy.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned.