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Minutes for the City Council meeting on March 15, 2004
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - MARCH 15, 2004
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, March 15, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney Phillip Crego and ten council members. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy. Council members Furr and Farmer were unable to attend. Councilperson Perrin presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Brodell who was unable to attend due to the hospitalization on his son.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to approve the minutes of March 1, 2004, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy.
City Attorney Crego provided a legal report, stating his assistant is now handling District Court cases which free him to handle other city cases. Mr. Crego reported he had been working on ADA issues, a "Burn Ordinance", and a check had been issued to the title company for the Quail Ridge property owned by Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel. In closing, Mr. Crego stated he had met with Attorney Ralph Ohm regarding some personnel matters, and the Council would be receiving a memo in the near future about the matter.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO RESIDENTIAL LIMITED USE OVERLAY (R-3, LUO), LOCATED ON THE EAST OF RICHARDSON ROAD, AT THE EAST END OF KEELY DRIVE. (Don Caldwell Construction)
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: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3463.
Councilman Moore offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO RESIDENTIAL (R-2A MEDIUM DENSITY), LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF PATRICK STREET, SOUTH OF LOST CREEK. (C.R. Miles)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to suspend with the second reading of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy. No further action was taken on this particular ordinance.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution to amend Resolution No. 2004:22 accepting a Fund Selection Service Contract for the City of Jonesboro Non-Uniform Pension Plan. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:26.
Councilman Street asked that Agenda Item 7, a resolution to proceed with condemnation action on the apartment buildings at 2009 and 2011 Belt Street belonging to Countrywide Mortgage, be pulled from the agenda due to lack of notification.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis for the adoption of a resolution accepting the low bid of $71,825.00 from Robinson Electric for a storage addition at Parker Park Community Center and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into the contract. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:27.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the City of Jonesboro to enter a contract with Roy Cooper whereby the City will complete the drainage work in the vicinity of Stadium Blvd. and Old Feed House Road in return for a temporary drainage easement on Nettleton and Franklin Street owned by Mr. Cooper. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:28.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman McCall for the adoption of a resolution directing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute all documentation for the following MATA Right of Way contract: Dr. John T. Gray Memorial School located at 2808 Fox Meadow Lane, Parcel H. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:29.
Under new business, Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to reimburse ½ the cost ($750.00) for all council members who attended the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington, D.C. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, McCall, and Roddy.
Councilman Street reported the drop-in Public Hearing for the traffic study with Associated Engineering would be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2004, at the Huntington Building and encouraged everyone to attend.
Councilman Dover inquired about the progress of leasing copy machines for the city, and asked Mr. Aubrey Scott, the Mayor's Assistant, to get with Mayor Brodell about the matter.
Councilman Hargis provided each council member a written recommendation regarding transition to a hybrid form of City Manager form of government and asked council members to consider his recommendation.
Councilman Perrin reported there would be an important announcement by the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce Thursday at noon at St. Bernard's Auditorium regarding the City of Jonesboro.
Under Public Comment, Mr. Bob Hester, State Director of the American Family Association of Arkansas, representing Mr. Steve Jacobson, spoke in opposition to the private club application by Piero's Downtown Restaurant and the Private Club Law. He stated the sale of alcoholic beverages was not conducive to economic growth for the downtown area because decent people would not come, and to issue a permit would set precedence for other eating establishments. Mr. Hester requested a show of hands by council members who supported and who were opposed to the permit. President Pro Temp Harold Perrin stated council rules require the matter to be referred to a committee. Councilman Young questioned City Attorney Crego regarding the law and the process for obtaining a liquor license. Attorney Crego stated the City Council is not part of the decision making process, that the permit had been denied by the Alcohol Beverage Control Board and an appeal has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2004. Councilman Young stated council chambers was not the place for council to voice their personal opinions on the matter, but recommended they be asked as individuals rather than a public body.
Mr. Peter Pierce, addressed comments made by Mr. Hester saying the sale of alcoholic beverages does enhance economic growth in that taxes pay the salaries of government officials. He stated alcohol sales would entice individuals to the downtown area.
Ms. Rea Traer, a disabled citizen, addressed the Jonesboro City Council in support of public transportation. She stated she had been treated rudely by the cab companies even though she pays $45.00 to $50.00 a month for cab services. She complained of poor response time and stated it hurts the disabled community because of their dependence on public transportation. Ms. Traer requested that city buses be allowed to operate.
Mr. Pat Osmond, with Arkansas Cab contradicted Mr. Traer's statements saying he has assisted Ms. Traer on four different occasions and has never been late. He explained his charges are more than other cab companies because he provides prompt service.
Dr. James Davis addressed the Council in opposition to the private club application by Piero's Downtown Restaurant and the Private Club Law. He stated there were two youth ministries located on Main and Union near the Piero's restaurant and it would be poor judgment to serve alcohol in this area. He requested each councilmember express themselves to the Alcohol Beverage Control Board because the Board takes their opinions into consideration when making the decision.
With no further business, Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilwoman Williams for adjournment. All voted aye.