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Minutes for the City Council meeting on January 4, 1993
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JANUARY 4, 1993
Prior to the Jonesboro City Council meeting the following newly elected City Council Members were sworn in: Mr. Wise, Mr. Evans, Ms. Ingram, Mr. Province, Mr. Mullenix, Mr. Bowers, Mr. Perrin, Mr. Kelton, Mr. Vance, Mr. Harpole, Mr. Mays, and Mr. Hannah.
The Jonesboro City Council met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Present were the Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney and all newly sworn in council members.
The minutes of December 21, 1992, were approved as amended, with changes made regarding the medals given by Mr. Evans to the leaving Alderman, by motion of Mr. Hannah, seconded by Mr. Vance. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
The following ordinance was on the second reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES (TOMMY DAVIS)
Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Wise to suspend the rules and place on the third and final reading. All voted aye. Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Mays for the adoption of the ordinance with the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in all council members voting aye. The ordinance was given the number 2447.
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 (A. J. BALTZ)
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Province for the adoption of the ordinance with the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken, resulting in all council members voting aye. The ordinance was given the number 2448.
Mr. Wise offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES (KENT ARNOLD/LYONS)
Discussion followed with Mr. Harpole expressing his feelings regarding a built-in emergency clause on all rezonings. Mr. Harpole stated if a true emergency exists then the council should consider it, but not as standard procedure. Mr. Kelton commented no notice was posted on this property. Councilwoman Ingram also stated she had been receiving calls regarding the non-posting of signs on rezoned areas. Brain Wadley explained signs had been posted, but they are not very big and had been removed earlier. Mayor Brodell commented that sometimes the signs can be blown over or taken. Mr. Vance pointed out that the public should be aware any way because rezonings are published in the local paper. However, Mr. Vance continued he was not in favor of adopting any rezonings in one council meeting, in order to give the public a better chance of being heard. Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Vance to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. After the second reading Mr. Wise requested signs be put back up in order to inform the public.
Mr. Mays offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES (MICHAEL FISHER)
Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Mr. Evans offered a resolution expressing the willingness of Jonesboro to utilize Federal Aid monies for the replacement of Race Street Bridge. Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Mr. Kelton for the adoption of the resolution. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1993:01.
Mr. Vance moved, seconded by Mr. Mullenix to permit an order for police automobiles through state bids. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Under new business Mayor Brodell informed the council of a project with the Highway Department regarding Floyd Street Bridge over Lost Creek. He stated money had been set aside (twenty percent or approximately $72,000.00) in the budget for this project and if there were no objections the City plans to proceed with this endeavor.
Mr. Mullenix offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1993 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, TO AMEND PAY RAISES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.
Discussion followed with Councilman Harpole questioning the contradiction between a five percent raise and the 1068.00 across the board raise. The Mayor explained the Finance committee recommended taking five percent ($330,000.00) and dividing this amount between the city employees. Mr. Hannah stated it was the total amount of money divided by the total amount of employees minus the Mayor, Council, and City Attorney salaries. Mr. Harpole stated in no way was this a poor reflection on the employees who had received a recommended raise, but rather concern for the employees who did not have the same opportunity. Mr. Harpole continued by saying each employee should be evaluated by the same performance level. This would establish guidelines for the new Personnel Director, and be non-discriminative toward all city employees.
Mr. Harpole moved, seconded by Mr. Kelton to amend the ordinance by deleting the phrase from Section One which reads: "That all pay raises above five percent be cancelled. A roll call vote was taken resulting in a six to six tie with Councilpersons Wise, Ingram, Mullenix, Bowers, Kelton and Harpole voting aye. Councilpersons Evans, Province, Perrin, Vance, Mays and Hannah voting nay. Mayor Brodell stated he had a problem with delaying these raises and keeping city employees in suspense till this is settled. However, Mayor Brodell broke the tie by voting aye, in favor of the motion, with the understanding that each department head would evaluate all employees based on the same set of standards. Mr. Mays questioned that part of the ordinance which states all city employees and all elected public officials, except the Mayor and City Council be given a pay raise of $1068.00. Mr. Mays questioned why give the raise only to City Attorney, Pam Honeycutt and City Clerk, Donna Jackson, but no other elected officials. It was explained that the Mayor would receive one dollar more than the highest paid employee. City Attorney responded by stating she would fore go her raise to see the ordinance adopted. Ms. Honeycutt stated to give the raises will tie the hands of the new Personnel Director until the following year. Mr. Hannah disagreed by saying it takes a while to get settled on a new job. The City Clerk, Donna Jackson explained because of the confusion between her increase in pay and the hours she would be required to work she asked the Council to either leave everything the way it was or make the job full-time. Councilwoman Ingram moved, seconded by Councilman Kelton to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A roll call vote was taken resulting in a seven to five vote in favor of the motion. However, a two thirds vote was needed to adopt the motion. Those voting aye were Wise, Ingram, Mullenix, Bowers, Kelton, Vance, and Harpole. Those voting against the motion were: Evans, Province, Perrin, Mays and Hannah. Mr. Vance explained he was opposed to the ordinance but wanted to bring it to a vote and get it out of the way.
Mr. Bowers introduced an ordinance which he plans to offer at the next council meeting regarding lifting the hiring freeze placed on the Police and Fire Departments.
Mr. Harpole offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1993 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS TO ESTABLISH THE POSITION OF PERSONNEL DIRECTOR SEPARATED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE BUDGET.
The decision was made to hold on the first reading till the next meeting.
Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Mr. Wise to nominate Mr. Hannah as Vice Mayor for 1993. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all the council members voting aye, with the exception of Mr. Hannah who abstained.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned.