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Minutes for the City Council meeting on July 15, 2002
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - July 15, 2002
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, July 1, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Hubert Brodell, City Attorney, Phillip Crego, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, and eleven council members. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, Rorex, Crockett, Rega, Province, Moore Young, Perrin, Copeland, and Roddy. Councilman McCall was unable to attend.
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to approve the minutes of July 1, 2002, as previously delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, Rorex, Crockett, Rega, Province, Moore, Young, Perrin, Copeland, and Roddy.
Councilman Kelton offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE A CERTAIN TECHNICAL CODE ENTITLED, “PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE” CODIFYING CHAPTER 13.09 OF THE JONESBORO MUNICIPAL CODE
Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Rega 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, Rorex, Crockett, Rega, Province, Moore, Young, Perrin, Copeland, and Roddy. Mayor Brodell opened the floor for discussion. Mr. John L. Petty of the Northeast Arkansas Landlord’s Association spoke saying some of the wording in the code was archaic, and wanted assurances that the Landlord’s Association would be allowed to address portions of the code. Mayor Brodell requested he put in writing any comments, and concerns so to provide the information to Councilman Kelton or City Planner Glenn Batten. Councilman Kelton requested individuals provide contact numbers so they may be notified of the public hearing to be set at a later date. Mr. Bob Rees expressed concern for the ordinance saying it took property owners rights away, and questioned how city government could control enforcement of the ordinance. He questioned the legalities of the code with regard to property rights, should it be challenged in a court of law. Mr. Rees closed by saying he was opposed to the City of Jonesboro having the power to take away the rights of property owners. Mr. Roger Watkins raised several questions, the first being the location of a thermostat. He stated the Code was too precise as to where the thermostat must be located. Secondly, Mr. Watkins questioned the Code with regard to the control of rodents and insects in rental property. He explained when he rents an apartment it will be clean, but if a new tenant comes in and infests the apartment with roaches, the tenant should be held accountable, not the property owner. Mr. Watkins requested he be allowed to meet with the committee regarding his concerns. Again, Mayor Brodell requested he put his concerns in writing and submit them to Councilman Kelton or Mr. Batten so they may review them prior to the meeting. The last person to address Council regarding this issue was Mr. Keith Carle who asked if the new Code would apply to the Craighead County Jail. He stated they do not have separate facilities for the bathroom, nor meet the required footage for sleeping areas. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Young to table the ordinance indefinitely until all complaints and concerns can be addressed. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, Rorex, Crockett, Rega, Province, Moore, Young, Perrin, Copeland, and Roddy.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Young for the adoption of a resolution placing the following traffic signs in the following locations:
ONE-WAY
On Race Street eastbound between Court Street and Dudley Street effective from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. school days only.
NO PARKING
On the south side of Race Street between Court Street and Dudley Street.
40 M.P.H.
On Caraway Road from Stadium Blvd. to the city limits at Lawson Road in both directions.
On Richardson Road between Ingle Road and Frog Pond Road.
A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were:
Kelton, Tate, Rorex, Crockett, Rega, Province, Moore, Young, Perrin, Copeland, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2002:30.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute MATA contracts and Right of Way agreements for the following:
•Paul Cossey, 710 West Nettleton, Parcel 28.
•Herbert and Sharon Stallings, 712 West Nettleton Avenue, Parcel 28A.
•Judy C. Lamp, 1432 Flint Street, Parcel 14A.
•R. Scott and Vanessa Roper, 1500 West Nettleton, Parcel 70.
•Michael and Connie Summers, 1116 West Nettleton, Parcel 65
A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, Rorex, Crockett, Rega, Province, Moore, Young, Perrin, Copeland, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2002:31.
Councilman Roddy moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution approving revision number 5 to the Community Development Block Grant Program and budget. Councilman Moore questioned the last paragraph on page one of the Revision Sheet, asking if this would affect the demolition of substandard housing. It was stated that it was just a cleanup of the budget. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Kelton, Tate, Rorex, Crockett, Rega, Province, Moore, Young, Perrin, Copeland, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2002:32.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.