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Minutes from the City Council meeting on September 4, 1990
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Appeal Hearing
An Appeal Hearing was held at 6:45 p.m. of the MAPC for rezoning property R -1 to R -2 located on W sided of Holmes Rd. by Mona Kay. Attorney Skip Mooney, Sr. stated the MAPC split 2-2 when considering the rezoning request, noting 5 votes are necessary for the commission to recommend rezoning to the Council and only 5 members of the committee were present for the meeting. He added a large number of structures in the subdivision and multi-family and the property under consideration was grandfathered in as R -1 when the area was annexed to the city. He further stated the highest and best use for the lots is multi-family, noting duplex units have been constructed on both the N and S of said property. Mr. Mooney stated the property was virtually worthless without rezoning and would be a financial hardship to Ms. Kay.
Four property owners voiced objection stating that additional duplex and apartment construction in the area will force property value down of single-family dwellings; continued development of multi-family units will compound existing traffic and sewage problems exist in the area.
Vice Mayor Jerry Mays asked the Clerk to read a written statement from the MAPC liason, Brian Wadley concerning the property as follows: Most objections in this area relate to the sewer problems that date back some fifteen or more years. A court order was issues a few months ago to the property owner(s) in this area giving them a specified amount of time to have sewer installed. More than ninety days have passed since that order and there is no working plan as yet. There are still some signatures needed that have not signed for the sewer, easements are lacking and no money has been paid as of today (9-4-90). After talking with CWL, it appears that the extension of sewer onto Holmes Rd. and the remainder of the subdivision is a long way away from becoming a reality. If approval of this rezoning is considered, it should be with the stipulation that no building permits be issued until the sewer problem has been corrected. Construction of more residences (single or Multi-family) in the area before the sewer is extended would only worsen an already deplorable situation.
Public Hearing
A Public Hearing was held at 7:20 p.m. regarding the abandonment of a dead-end alley running N and S between Church and East Streets, between Monroe Ave. and Mercantile Bank. Attorney Mike Mullaly stated he had letters from all the utilities stating they had no objections to the closing, with ArkLa retaining 10 ft. utility easement. Mr. Sanderson contended the alley was previously closed and Council did not need to act.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 4, 1990
The City Council of the City of Jonesboro, AR was called to order by Vice Mayor Jerry Mays in the absence of Mayor Brodell. Present were City Clerk, City Attorney and all Aldermen.
The minutes of August 20, 1990, were approved as corrected on page 1, last paragraph, omission as follows: “Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Mr. Hinson for the adoption of the ordinance with the emergency clause. All voted aye. The ordinance was given number 2292.” Mr. Hinson moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin for the approval of the minutes, as corrected. All voted aye.
Concerning the Appeal of MAPC by Mona Kay, Mr. Hannah offered the Rezoning ordinance for first reading. 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. Evans to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. All voted aye with the exception of Mr. Sanderson who voted nay. Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Dr. Strauser for the rejection of the ordinance. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye.
Vice Mayor Mays asked the Clerk to read proclamation signed by Mayor Brodell and County Judge Roy Bearden concerning the Indian Uprising.
Mr. Stricklin offered the following ordinance for first reading: (Alley abandonment between East and Church and Monroe and Mercantile Bank)
AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE A 12.5 FOOT DEAD END ALLEY NORTH OF MONROE AVENUE
Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Nix to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye. Mr. Nix moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. All voted aye. Mr. Nix moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton for the adoption of the ordinance with the emergency clause. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 2294.
Mr. Stricklin offered the following ordinance for first reading: (Rez / R -1 to C -3, S side of Parker Rd. E of Mead Dr.)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND #954 KNOWN AS THE ZONINGORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CHANCE IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mr Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye. Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. All voted aye. Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton for the adoption of the ordinance with the emergency clause. The ordinance was given the number 2295.
Mr. Bridger offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 2206 & 11.20.11 (1) LOCAL
EXCEPTIONS TO THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, TO EXEMPT MANUFACTURED HOMES CONVERTED INTO COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE, PRE-BUILT (OFF SITE) PORTABLE OFFICE BUILDINGS & ANY TYPE SIX (VI) NONCOMMERCIAL ACCESSORY BUILDINGS FROM THE CITY OF JONESBORO REQUIREMENT TO BE WIRED IN CONDUIT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Bridger to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye. Discussion followed. City Electrical Inspector Julian Miles voiced opposition to the amendment however, Building Inspector Joe Tomlinson stated he was not opposed to the exemption requiring manufactured buildings to have electrical wiring enclosed by metal conduit. Mr. Evans suggested that the ordinance be amended before third reading to include temporary measures for commercial structures.
The following bids were up for review:
90:35 - full size van - Work release/Police Dept.
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to accept the bid from Blackwell/Baldwin with extended warranty with funds coming from Public Service assessment. All voted aye.
90:36 - cab and chassis - 25 cy. packer
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Hinson to accept the low bid #5 meeting specifications from Blackwell/Baldwin. All voted aye.
90:33 - Health Insurance
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Hinson to accept the low bid meeting specifications from Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 12 months at an annual premium of $709,204.08. Mr. Hannah stated the Blue Cross/Blue shield offered employees twice as much life insurance as the existing policy, plus a lower deductible and would provide greater benefit for employees. The new amount effective in October would be:
Single plan - Health - $44.26 or $22.13 per pay period
Family plan - Health - $99.32 or $48.66 per pay period
Single plan - Life - $1.43 per month
Family plan - Life - $1.77 per month
All voted aye.
Mayor Brodell returned to chair the meeting.
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to appoint Jim Damron to MAPC to fill unexpired term of John Sloan, expiration 12/15/92 and Robert Bahn to fill unexpired term of Ben Lamberth, expiration 3/5/93. All voted aye.
Mr. Park moved, seconded by Dr. Strauser to reappoint Doug Gilmore to the Board of Zoning Adjustment with term to expire 7/6/93. All voted aye.
Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Province to reappoint Helen Steger, Expiration 6/2/93, Mary Shaw, expiration 6/2/93, and Isaac M. Stotts, expiration 6/3/93 to the Jonesboro Handicapped Advisory Council. All voted aye.
Mayor Brodell noted the memorandum of the City Attorney and Court Order signed by Judge David Burnett regarding the Floyd Vuncannon property right of way located on Nettleton Ave. and asked the Aldermen to review the material and it would be discussed at the September 17th meeting.
Under New Business by Council:
Mr. Hannah noted the Code Book Updates regarding Used Cars adopted at the last meeting appeared to be duplicates, however, they amended several different sections of the Code and were important and asked Aldermen to include said updates in their Code Books.
Mr. Hannah offered a resolution regarding non-uniformed employee vacation sick leave benefits. Under the proposal an additional 30 days sick leave could be extended under emergency conditions and employees could receive l day sick leave per month and be allowed to accumulate up to 45 days. The policy does not apply if Worker’s Compensation is effectuated, and is for illness unrelated to the job. It becomes actuated after vacation days (annual Leave) and sick days are exhausted. The employee would be reviewed by a committee of 3 including the Mayor, Dept. Head and Alderman chairing the committee overseeing the department. City Attorney Pam Honeycutt made several suggestions in the language in the proposed resolution that would clarify the intent and lessen possible hearings in the future. Mr. Nix asked that a final draft of the resolution by mailed with the next agenda so Aldermen could have an opportunity to review the proposal and no vote taken unless there was an immediate need. The Mayor added subject to the City Attorney legalizing the resolution. Mr. Hannah stated a pressing need existed in the Police Dept. concerning an employee of 15 years in poor health who met the criteria for receiving an additional 30 day sick leave. Dr. Strauser moved, seconded by Mr. Nix to authorize the committee of 3 to determine and grand the additional sick leave in this particular case and to review the proposed resolution and bring a final draft for Council consideration. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye.
Mayor Brodell recognized Alderman Province for being named Principal of Jonesboro High School.
Chairman of Finance, Dr. Strauser offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF REPAIRS TO THE LADDER TRUCK IN THE CITY OF JONESBORO FIRE DEPT. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye. Mr. Shelton moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to further suspend the ruled and place the ordinance on third reading. All voted aye. Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Mays for the adoption with the emergency clause. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 2296.
Dr. Strauser moved, seconded by Mr. Hannah to authorize the Finance Director, Herb Davis to appropriate from the Unappropriated Sales Tax as needed from the General Fund $21,000 (repair parts) $60,000 (fixed assets) in the Fire Dept. Budget totaling $81,000. All voted aye.
Dr. Strauser inquired of the large quantity of dirt located on Nettleton and Caraway Rd. an asked that it be removed. The Mayor stated he had contracted via letter PC & E about removal of said matter. Mr. Hannah suggested the Mayor telephone PC and E.
The Mayor announced Don Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Arkansas Municipal League and Martin Gibson, President had notified the City Clerk that she has been selected on the Arkansas Advisory Council of Large Cities of the First Class and commended her selection.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned.