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Minutes for the Nominating and Rules Committee meeting on December 19, 2006.
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Nominating & Rules Committee Minutes
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
6:15 p.m.
Members present were: Tim McCall, Chris Moore, Cecil Province and Ann Williams. Also present were Mayor Formon and Mr. Tony Thomas from the Mayor’s Office.
MAYOR’S OFFICE
Resolution to reappoint Dr. Ken Beadles to the Urban Renewal and Housing Authority: Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, to recommend the resolution to the full Council. All voted aye. Mr. Tony Thomas noted the resolution would be put on the January 2, 2007, Council agenda.
OTHER
Resolution declaring a vacancy on the City Council and establishing a procedure for filling the vacancy: Councilman Farmer explained he found a previously used ordinance and re-worded it. Councilman McCall stated he would like to receive more information from the people wanting to fill the position. Councilman Moore suggested running an ad in the newspaper stating they would take applications for 30 days then having the Nominating and Rules Committee review the applications and make a recommendation to the full Council. Councilman McCall questioned whether the Nominating and Rules Committee should decide who fills the position or if the whole Council should decide. Councilman Moore suggested if the number of applicants is more than 5, then the Nominating and Rules Committee should review the applications and present 5 applicants to the Council. He added if the number of applicants is less than 5, then the applications could be taken straight to the Council. Discussion was held regarding the resignation e-mail sent by Councilman Ashley to City Clerk Donna Jackson. Councilman Moore stated he would like to verify the e-mail was sent by Councilman Ashley before a replacement is named. Councilman Province recommended getting signature verification from Councilman Ashley. Councilman Farmer suggested getting City Attorney Phillip Crego’s opinion. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, that on January 2nd the Council declare the seat abandoned and place the resolution on the agenda with it offering 30 days for people to turn in applications. All voted aye. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to amend the resolution to reflect if the number of applicants is more than 5 than the Nominating and Rules Committee will select the top 5 to recommend to full Council; if the number is less than 5 all of the applications will be presented to the Council. All voted aye.
Ordinance adopting the creation of the Stormwater Management Board: Councilman Farmer asked the ordinance be held to one regarding at the Council meeting. Councilman Moore motioned, seconded by Councilman Province, to place the ordinance on the agenda and hold it to one reading. All voted aye.
Councilman Farmer discussed creating a city board for downtown Jonesboro planning. He added he does not know how to address the Humane Society or NAFA. Councilman McCall questioned whether the affected boards have been contacted. Mayor Formon stated they have not talked with them. Councilman Moore questioned whether the boards can be given money in the 2007 budget. Councilman Farmer stated according to the Attorney General they cannot be given money. He added Mr. Crego has reviewed his suggestions and agreed. It was noted the Humane Society, NAFA and Downtown Jonesboro Association donations were first time donations in 2006. Mr. Thomas noted only one request was made from the downtown associations because they have been working together. He added the other organization wrote a letter to the Mayor’s Office in support of the association who made the request.
Councilman Farmer noted two items on the Council agenda, one concerning the Nominating and Rules Committee selection process and the other concerning an abuse of power policy in the employee handbook. Councilman McCall motioned, seconded by Councilman Moore, to approve both ordinances. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.