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Minutes for the City Council meeting on January 19, 1998
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES- JANUARY 19, 1998
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, January 19, 1998, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney, Phillip Crego and 11 council members. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Mayor Brodell and Councilman Rega were unable to attend. Vice Mayor Kelton conducted the meeting.
The minutes of January 5, 1998, were approved as delivered, by Councilman Roddy seconded by Councilman Crockett. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
Vice Mayor Kelton welcomed Boy Scout Troop 218 who attended the meeting in an effort to receive a communication merit badge.
Councilman Roddy 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 (Suiter Bittle Reality, Bobby Clark)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Davis 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, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was read a second time.
Councilman Bowers 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 (Sage Meadows, C.M. Mooney, Sr.)
Councilman Bowers moved, seconded by Councilman Pratt 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, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was read a second time.
Councilman Roddy 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 (Sage Meadows, C.M. Mooney, Sr.)
Councilman Young 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, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was read a second time.
Councilman Roddy offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASE ON REPAIRS TO THE 966 CAT LOADER FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Davis to suspend the rules and place on the 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, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, 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, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers for the adoption of the ordinance. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was given number 3025.
Councilman Bowers moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to table the resolution to proceed with condemnation action on property located at 3337 East Nettleton until February 2, 1998. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution requesting City Water & Light to provide utility service to the MATA Office located at 4110 Lindberg, Jonesboro, Arkansas. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given number 1998:02.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing for February 2, 1998, at 6:15 p.m. for the purpose of vacating a drainage easement located in Ridge Run Phase II, as requested by Randy Simpkins. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given number 1998:03.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Fletcher for the adoption of a resolution to discontinue the Travelers Insurance contract (pending approval of the State Insurance Department) and appoint First Commercial Trust Company, First Bank of Arkansas as the administrator/trustee for the Non-Uniform Employee Pension Plan, and for the transfer of funds held by Travelers Insurance Company to First Commercial Trust Company, First Bank of Arkansas. Councilman Young reported the earnings on the Traveler’s contract have been approximately 6%, but with the fees involved have yielded about 3 1/2 to 4 percent. Councilman Young stated both the Finance Committee and Personnel Committee reviewed six proposals and made the recommendation to accept First Commercial Trust Company, First Bank of Arkansas. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given number 1998:04.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution modifying Jonesboro’s Wage and Salary Management Plan and directing the Human Resources Director and Finance Director to implement the amended plan. Vice Mayor Kelton stated both the top scale and bottom scale would be raised by 3 percent, making Jonesboro a bit more competitive in the job market. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given number 1998:05.
Councilman Fletcher moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers for the adoption of a resolution authorizing and appropriating the purchase of property located at 508 W. Monroe (Appropriated $20,000.00 from Parking Fund) and at the southwest corner of Patrick and Hope Streets (Appropriated $8,750.00 from Parks and Recreation). A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given number 1998:06.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to reappoint Mrs. Bessie McBride and Mr. Ken Gibson to the Citizens Planning Committee of the Jonesboro Metropolitan Area Traffic Authority, with an expiration date of March 1, 2003. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
Under new business, Councilman Tate reported the Street Committee met with Street Superintendent, Gene Barnett regarding a leave of absence from March 1, 1998, until after the Primary Election (including any run-off elections) for the purpose of running for the position of County Judge. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers to accept the Street Committee’s recommendation. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Young requested a study be done regarding a four-way STOP sign at Grant & Bernard Streets.
Councilman Fletcher offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 2779 PROVIDING FOR REVIEW OF FEES BY THE CITY COUNCIL (Inspection Fees)
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers to suspend the rules and place on the 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, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Pratt questioned City Attorney, Phillip Crego regarding the amended wording. He asked if Council would approve any and all fees set. Mr. Crego stated that was correct. Councilman Pratt questioned if the fees should be set by ordinance. Mr. Crego stated the fee would be set by resolution. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy 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, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers for the adoption of the ordinance. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Crockett, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was given number 3026.
Councilman Tate again reported to Council that the Street Committee had agreed to grant Mr. Gene Barnett his accumulated thirty days vacation pay, to be paid March 1, 1998. Councilman Young questioned if other city employees receive a prorate vacation pay. Mr. Michael Beeman, Human Resource Director stated the Employee Manuel clearly states there must be a termination of employment before this could be done. Mr. Beeman stated a leave of absence is not a termination of employment, and the Employee Policy Manuel would have to be changed, prior to granting vacation pay. Councilman Tate questioned if Mr. Barnett could not take his thirty days vacation. Mr. Beeman explained that would be a violation of the law in that you cannot campaign and draw a municipal salary at the same time. Mr. Beeman cautioned Council against changing the Employee Policy Manuel since it would set a precedent that would not be beneficial for the City of Jonesboro. Councilman Tate made a motion to grant the vacation pay to Mr. Barnett, but later withdrew his motion.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned.