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Minutes for the City Council meeting on February 15, 1999
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PUBLIC HEARING - 6:20 P.M. - A public hearing was held for the purpose of vacating the northern 9 feet of the Nettleton Avenue right of way where it adjoins Lot 45 of the Country Club Heights Extended Addition. Mr. Arlis Johnson had requested the abandonment. Councilman Young questioned if the utility companies were in agreement with the abandonment. It was explained that City Water & Light had requested a utility easement be granted allowing Mr. Johnson to construct his fence. Mr. Johnson stated he was in agreement with the utility easement being granted.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 15, 1999
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, February 15, 1999, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Hubert Brodell, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney, Phillip Crego and 12 council members. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Moore, Copeland, Province, and Rega.
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to approve the minutes from February 1, 1999, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Moore, Copeland, Province, and Rega.
Councilman Perrin offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE NORTHERN 9 FEET OF THE NETTLETON AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY WHERE IT ADJOINS LOT 45 OF THE COUNTRY CLUB HEIGHTS EXTENDED ADDITION. (Arlis Johnson)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Moore, Copeland, Province, and Rega. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Rega to further suspend the rules and place on third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Moore, Copeland, Province, and Rega. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Moore, Copeland, Province, and Rega. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3109.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 7.32 OF THE JONESBORO CODE OF ORDINANCES ENTITLED, “BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARMS”
Councilman Crockett moved, seconded by Councilman Young for the adoption of the ordinance. Councilman Moore expressed concern over the wording in Section 2 (e) where it states the Jonesboro Police and Fire Departments will not respond until the alarm system has been properly reset. Councilman Moore explained not responding to an alarm, even though it was previously a false alarm, was risky. Councilman Tate stated that is done, only after a response to an alarm has been provided, and the persons responsible for resetting the alarm refuse to do so. Councilman Moore stated he preferred a fine be issued for each false alarm, rather than not respond at all. Mr. Chris Connally, Director of 911, explained that 99% of the calls made are by alarm companies. He explained often the alarm company will contact the respondent, but the respondent refuses to acknowledge the alarm. Councilman Moore gave the example of a citizen (not using a monitoring company) going on vacation and not being able to respond to a false alarm, but later having a real emergency. Councilman Tate responded by saying an individual going on vacation should provide the code to someone else so the alarm could be reset. He further stated an individual who is on vacation and comes back only to discover he is being charged for numerous false alarm calls would be more upset than if the City had not responded at all. City Clerk, Donna Jackson explained the wording in Section 2(e) was not being amended, and the original ordinance (1811) contained the identical wording found in Section 2(e). Councilman Young suggested that in the future, when there is no emergency, any amendments regarding ordinances or appropriation of funds, should be addressed to the appropriate committee prior to it being taken to the full Council. Mayor Brodell stated there was no significant change to this particular ordinance so, he did not feel it warranted being taken to a committee. Councilman Kelton explained that the Police Department has a coding system which determines how it will respond to an emergency situation. The Fire Department however, must respond to all calls in the same manner; with lights and sirens. Councilman Kelton referred to an alarm east of town that goes off almost every day, and explained it was hoped that the ordinance would prevent the fire trucks from having to run “hot” to these false alarms. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye, with the exception of Councilman Moore who voted nay. Those voting aye were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Copeland, Province, and Rega. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3110.
Under new business, Councilman Kelton announced a Land Development Code Committee meeting at City Hall for Tuesday, February 16, 1999, at 4:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, February 17, 1999, at 5:00 p.m. a Planning & Inspection Committee meeting in the City Attorney’s Office to discuss the revision of condemnation procedures.
Councilman Young stated in a committee meeting they were made aware of some un-named industrial property (40 acres) which is for sale at $ 5,200 per acre. The un-named property adjoins another industrial site that is owned by the City of Jonesboro. Councilman Young stated due to negotiations it would not be proper to give details regarding the property. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Rega to allocate $210,000.00 from unallocated sales tax authorizing the Mayor to purchase the property. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Moore, Copeland, Province, and Rega.
At the request of Councilman Rorex, City Clerk, Donna Jackson informed Council of a need to preserve historical records in the archives of Arkansas State University Library. Clerk Jackson explained she wanted various committees, the City Attorney, and Mayor Brodell to review the project, and would bring it before Council for final approval.
Councilman Rega informed Council that the Insurance, Personnel & Professional Services Committee had voted to accept a bid from ACCUMED for non-dot drug testing. Councilman Rega explained four bids were taken, with ACCUMED providing 24 hour service, on site testing, and no initial start-up fee. Council was told the law firm who represents Jonesboro in insurance cases endorses ACCUMED as a reputable company. Councilman Rega reported the cost for 5-Panel Drug (urine) screening would be $20.00 and $25.00 for Alcohol Breath Testing with Confirmation. Mr. Michael Beeman, Director of Human Resources, reported there would be an Administration Fee of $3.00 per employee, per year. Mr. Beeman estimated 60 employees would be tested per year, resulting in a $180.00 Administration Fee. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to accept the bid of ACCUMED. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Moore, Copeland, Province, and Rega.
Councilman Roddy reported the Sanitation Committee had reviewed bids for four (4) sanitation trucks and asked Mayor Brodell to comment. Mayor Brodell stated none of the bids met total bid specifications, and River City Hydraulics # 4 had the least exceptions to the specifications. He reported that he, Larry Johnson, and Royce Leonard had spent most of the day in Memphis negotiating the delivery date of the trucks, and got a committed delivery date of no later than July 1, 1999. Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to accept the bid of River City Hydraulics # 4 for $127,018 per unit. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, McCall, Young, Crockett, Rorex, Roddy, Perrin, Moore, Copeland, Province, and Rega.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.