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Minutes for the City Council meeting on January 3, 1994
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PUBLIC HEARING - 7:15 P.M. - A public hearing was held regarding the vacating and abandonment of an unimproved portion of Liberty Street. No opposition was voiced.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JANUARY 3, 1994
The Jonesboro City Council met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Present were the Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney, and all council members with the exception of Councilman Mays who was unable to attend.
The minutes of December 20, 1993, were approved as mailed out by motion of Councilman Vance seconded by Councilman Perrin. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
The following ordinance was on the third reading:
AN ORDINANCE VACATING, CLOSING AND ABANDONING JORDAN STREET AND A PORTION OF HILL DRIVE LOCATED IN CEDAR HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION TO THE CITY OF JONESBORO. (SKIP MOONEY SR. - JORDAN/PRUITT)
Councilman Vance moved, seconded by Councilman Harpole for the adoption of the ordinance. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The ordinance was given the number 2529.
The following ordinance was on the third reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE, PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND OTHER PURPOSES. (MELVIN BROWN)
Councilman Bowers moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of the ordinance. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The ordinance was given the number 2530.
Councilman Bowers offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE AND ABANDON A PORTION OF LIBERTY STREET BETWEEN E. ALLEN AVENUE AND E. GORDON STREET.
Councilman Harpole moved, seconded by Councilman Vance to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The ordinance was read a second time.
Item Five (5) on the agenda - Hardship request was tabled at the request of Doris Hannah.
A report regarding an independent Police Audit was given by Mike King and Kimberly Horton, CPAs representing Baird, Kurtz & Dobson. Mr. Horton stated they were asked to look at specific areas. Those specifics were as follows: View of Procedures and Selection of Samples being Cash Disbursements, Acceptances of Gratuities, Fixed Assets Inventory, Outside Use of City Property/Additional Employment, Confiscated Goods, Payroll, Maintenance of Vehicles, Cash Receipts, Requisition of Ammunition. Each sample was detailed giving the procedure preformed, the results obtained by the sample and finally suggestions for improvement. In conclusion, Mr. King stated with improved and expanded policies and procedures, with mandatory adherence, and with improved communications and accountability, these problems could be solved. Mr. King also gave a time frame for these changes to be made. Opportunity was given to the Council to discuss or ask questions regarding each area of the survey. Under the area of Fixed Assets, discussion followed regarding items assigned to patrol units. A recommended change was to assign items to individuals rather than to patrol cars. Many questions were asked regarding Confiscated Goods. Councilman Hannah raised questions regarding evidence that was missing, but was later found. Ms. Horton explained that the computer entries and evidence bins did not always coincide. Also, in some cases, an officer would confiscate an item that was not evidence, and that item would be returned to the individual the next day. Ms. Horton gave the example of a knife being taken from a youth for safety purposes. She stated even though the knife would be returned to the individual, since there was no case file, only a disposition would be signed by the owner of the knife. Councilman Kelton questioned Ms. Horton as to why she used that particular example. Ms. Horton stated she was not told of any particular situation and it was only a general example. Councilman Mullenix questioned the time frame of the samples and was told that the samples were approximately 15 months old. Mr. King explained that these problems were occurring due to a lack of written procedures and a lack of consistency in following the procedures. Councilwoman Ingram questioned how long had things been done this way, and was told the procedure had been this way for many years. Under the area of Payroll, Councilman Hannah questioned the difference between the 11 samples which didn't agree with the payroll rosters and the 23 samples that were not approved by the immediate supervisor. Ms. Horton explained that the payroll roster is a second form filled out by a Captain in the Police Department and 11 of the 50 samples did not coincide with the payroll roster. Mr. King stated the break-down on reporting hours to the Finance Department was done internally by the Police Department. Mr. King also stated that officers were being given vacation time prior to being earned and recommended establishing a written policy and adhering to it. Mr. King stated to correct this problem it will take diligence on the part of upper level management, sound policy, adherence to the policy and detailed accounting records. Mayor Brodell stated he and Chief Johnson would be coming to the Council in four weeks to give a report on making these adjustments. The Mayor requested the Auditors to stay until the end of the council meeting so the council members could ask questions.
Councilman Evans moved, seconded by Councilman Harpole to adopt a resolution authorizing the application and the expending of funds for an Arkansas Community (Arkansas Glass Container) and economic development program grant. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1994:02.
Councilman Vance moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an administrative contract with the East Arkansas Planning and Development District for an Infrastructure Project. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1994:03.
Councilman Harpole moved, seconded by Councilman Evans to appoint Glenda Frankenburg to the Civil Service Commission with a term expiration date of 4/1/97. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Mullenix and Councilwoman Ingram who passed their votes.
Fire Committee Chairman, Donnie Wise requested the Council to review the recommendations and come prepared to vote on the Fire Department Benefits in two weeks.
Councilman Harpole moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to adopt a resolution condemning property located at 217 S. Fisher. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1994:01.
Under new business Mayor Brodell reported the Pollution Control and Ecology had agreed to authorize the Jonesboro Fire Department to burn two houses a week for fire training purposes. Also, Mayor Brodell stated trees had been cleared at the intersection of Aggie and Airport Roads to improve visibility. The Highway Department had ruled the intersection did not warrant a four-way stop or signal light. Lastly, the Mayor informed the Council of a request for annexation regarding Lawson Road. He asked that the Council come prepared to discuss it at the next council meeting.
Councilman Mullenix reported that Homes Road would soon be opened up for school buses.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.