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Minutes for the City Council meeting on February 4, 1991
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - FEBRUARY 4, 1991
The Jonesboro City Council met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney and all Aldermen.
The minutes of January 21, 1991, were approved as mailed on motion by Mr. Hinson, seconded by Mr. Stricklin. All voted aye.
Mr. Hannah offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING CERTAIN LANDS ANNEXED TO THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY COURT OF CRAIGHEAD COUNTY, ARKANSAS; ASSIGNING SAID ANNEXED TERRITORY TO WARD 6; DECLARING THE ZONING FOR THE ANNEXED TRACT; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY: AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Hannah to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye. Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. All voted aye. Mr. Stricklin moved seconded by Mr. Shelton for the adoption of the ordinance with the emergency clause. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 2320.
Mr. Shelton offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE MAKING UNIFORM, AND PLACING RESTRICTIONS ON THE NAMING AND NUMBERING OF STREETS
Mr. Shelton moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye. Mayor Brodell stated the main reason for the ordinance was because of 911. Emergency personnel do not need a duplication of streets with emergency vehicles needing to locate an address rapidly. Mr. Brian Wadley, MAPC liaison stated the streets sunning concurrent would remain in effect and that this is the adopted standard use by both CWL and SW Bell. The streets will be placed on computer and the postal service recommends passage.
The following ordinance was on third reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND #954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mr. Nix moved, seconded by Mr. Bridger for the adoption of the ordinance with the stipulation of the MAPC regarding a bill of assurance on the right of way. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 2321.
Mr. Stricklin offered a resolution approving a report of the Board of Improvement and appointing assessors; and for other purposes for Jonesboro Sewer Improvement District #2. Charles Frierson was the attorney representing the matter stated that state law mandates the appointment of three (3) commissioners and the total cost will be returned to the Council with assessment for their approval. Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton for the adoption of the resolution. All voted aye. The resolution was given the number 1991:06.
Mr. Shelton offered a resolution establishing a Street Improvement District #3 for Casey Springs Road. Attorney Jim Lyons stated the resolution would allow the formation of the district and for permission to circulate petitions to seek signatures of 50% of the residents and cost of the paving would be $11.00 per linear foot with the city preparing the roadbed. The proposal would pave 4,680 feet at an estimated cost of $52,000.00 The Mayor stated the city would provide the base work, pull road ditches, cross drains and prepare the road for paving. The county would not assist with this. Several people in the audience requested being included in the improvement district and for the boundaries to be extended to include an area along Springs N to Strawfloor Rd. (Formerly W Matthews Ext.). Mr. Shelton moved, seconded by Mr. Province for the adoption of the resolution. Mr. Nix moved, seconded by Mr. Mays to amend the resolution to delete the specified footage and leave open allowing others to be included in the improvement district. All voted aye on the amendment. Mr. Shelton moved, seconded by Mr. Province for the adoption of the resolution as amended. All voted aye. The resolution was given the number 1991:07.
The following bids were up for review:
91:05 - pressure paks; aluminum cylinders - Fire Dept.
Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to accept the low bid meeting specifications. All voted aye.
91:06 - road grater - Street Dept.
Mr. Hinson moved, seconded by Mr. Hannah to accept the low bid meeting specifications. Mid-Co asked their bid be reconsidered. Chairman of the Street Committee, Mr. Mays stated the bid did not meet specs in four (4) areas. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye.
Mr. Mays stated Council had approved a resolution at the last meeting granting the city sponsorship of the City and Soil Conservation Bank Stabilization program. Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton for the agreement between the City of Jonesboro and the Soil Conservation Service for streambank stabilization on N. Culberhouse at intersection of Duncan Rd. All voted aye.
Under new business, the Mayor read a letter from the President of the International Institute of Municipal Clerk’s announcing that City Clerk, Ouida Puryear has earned the Certified Municipal Clerk.
Chairman of Sanitation, Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to make the present part-time clean-up position in the Sanitation Department full-time with funding through the Sanitation Dept. budget. All voted aye.
Mr. Bridger distributed copies of a proposed ordinance concerning maintenance of sidewalks that will first be reviewed by the Street Committee. He asked Council to review and provide comments.
Chairman of the Parking Commission, Mr. Sanderson stated architects indicated the property at 232 S. Main could not be salvaged and recommended redesigning the lot and area to include a parking lot and a crossover for pedestrians. Mr. Sanderson moved, seconded by Mr. Bridger to approve the purchase of Tatum Drug Store for parking and building a crossover at a cost of $4.00 a sq. ft. for 25 x 90 sq. ft. at a total cost of $10,000.00. Mr. Hannah inquired if the recommendation was from the Parking Authority of personally from Mr. Sanderson, who replied it was his personal recommendation after speaking with architects. Mr. Sanderson added that the attorney representing the matter would need to know the following day of the Council’s decision as there were two (2) other buyers for the property. He also recommended that the Council place the parking lot on the corner of Church and Cate up for sale as said lot has never been utilized in more than two (2) decades. Discussion followed. Mr. Bridger requested that the Council wait two (2) weeks before purchasing said property and give the Council and an attorney an opportunity to review the matter. Mr. Hannah concurred and stated it does not make sense to sell a City-owned lot parking lot, then acquire a lot and demolish the structure on the lot to make way for more parking. He added that if the building is not repairable it is condemnable and the city has ordinances on the books allowing for condemnation of unsafe and unsightly commercial buildings. Mr. Hannah further added that he doesn’t see the serious objection for downtown parking for particular businesses the municipality has two (2) standards that favor down town parking and that the Council has never considered purchasing parking for Shoney’s or Indian Mall and it doesn’t make sense to him when you don’t do it for everyone else. Mr. Sanderson offered to purchase the building in the name of the city, with the city to refund his money. Mr. Nix questioned the legality of an Alderman purchasing property and selling it back to the city. There was a roll call vote and all voted nay with the exception of Mr. Sanderson and Mr. Hinson who voted aye. Mr. Sanderson tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Parking Committee.
Mr. Sanderson then recommended purchasing the property located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Huntington and Union to provide additional downtown parking. Following discussion, the Mayor recommended bringing the matter back to Council in two (2) weeks for consideration.
Mayor Brodell read a resolution of the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce regarding the government of Craighead County has never passed legislation acknowledging the MAPC’s extra-territorial jurisdiction and/or requiring conformance with MAPC regulation within the extra-territorial area surrounding the City of Jonesboro and encouraging cooperative action by the Jonesboro City Council and Craighead County Quorum Court to enact appropriate legislation to implement the intent of said resolution.
Ben Cooper addressed Council regarding Cablevision’s excessive rates and noted rates offered by the Municipal cable service and a private cable company in Paragould are better. Mr. Stricklin stated the Cable Complaint Committee were reviewing his complaint consisting of Mr. Wise, himself and Larry Gibson, Chairman. Mayor Brodell stated federal lawmakers stripped all regulation of cable television from municipalities several years ago, then added a bill is currently pending before Congress that would restore some municipal authority over cable operations, including rates.
Mr. Larry Fugate of the Jonesboro Sun asked the Mayor to notify the newspaper of all meetings of council committees. Mr. Brodell stated his secretary notifies reporters when she is made aware of the meetings and he was not aware of any cases where his office failed to comply with the provisions of the FOI.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.