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Minutes from the City Council meeting on August 15, 2006
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 15, 2006
The Jonesboro City Council met Tuesday, August 5, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. Members present were: Mayor Doug Formon, City Clerk Donna Jackson, City Attorney Phillip Crego and eleven council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. Councilman Perrin was unable to attend.
Councilman Ashley moved seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the minutes of August 1, 2006, and two special called meetings held July 26, 2006, and August 3, 2006, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Street offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM AG-1 AGRICULTURAL TO R-1 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL FOR 297.33 ACRES LOCATED ON STRAWFLOOR DRIVE, SOUTH OF CASEY SPRINGS ROAD AND EAST OF THE JONESBORO CITY LIMITS (John Sloan)
No further action was taken on this ordinance.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing for September 5, 2006, at 6:20 p.m. for the purpose of vacating and abandoning all utility easements located within the vacated portion of Baker Street south of Hope Avenue and north of Washington Avenue. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:102.
Under new business, Mayor Formon introduced Mr. Paul House the new Chief Building Inspector.
Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and to place an ordinance on the agenda. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Farmer offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT DRAINAGE ORDINANCE
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the second and third readings of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The ordinance was assigned number 3658.
Councilman Farmer announced the regularly scheduled Finance Committee meeting for Thursday, August 17, 2006. He asked that all items for the Finance Committee agenda be submitted to him by 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, August 16, 2006.
Councilwoman Williams moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to place an ordinance on the agenda which had been approved by the Public Services Committee but had missed the agenda deadline. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilwoman Williams offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 3588 THE JONESBORO URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to suspend the second and third readings of the ordinance. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilwoman Williams for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The ordinance was assigned number 3659.
Mr. Joel Gardner gave a report regarding past operations and the financial status of the JETS Program. He stated the month of August was their third month of ridership and in the first 12 days there were 1,064 riders with 1,024 riders for the month of July. He stated they were down 64 riders for the month of July compared to June but explained there was one less operating day in the month of July. Mr. Gardner reported in July they used 3,267 gallons of fuel and currently 9,352 gallons to date. He explained the audio visual systems, the AVL’s, and the signage for the green line were currently being installed. He explained in an effort to increase ridership awareness they were providing shuttle services for the Jonesboro Public Schools and ASU during open house. Mr. Gardner reported the 2007 Goals for the JETS Program was $1,178,894 operating capital with 80% of the money in the fixed route system and 20% of the money in the para-transit system. He further stated the community must provide $521,617 in matching funds with $130,000 coming from the City, and $20,000 (4th quarter) from AHTD in discretionary funds with other funds coming from ridership and advertising. Mr. Gardner stated they were still falling short in the community matching funds and recommended tapping into the funds for advertising, by doing the advertising in house. Councilman Moore questioned the total number of rides for the month of July. Mr. Gardner responded there were 3,623 riders for the month of July which includes the 1,478 that rode free on the 4th of July. He further explained the 1, 478 riders were not counted in the reporting numbers from month to month, but are being counted when reporting to AHTD and FTA explaining it can be used as an in kind service. Mr. Gardner concurred with Councilman Moore that on an average, 12 riders per bus per day or an average of 1.5 riders per day were riding the buses. He stated the reason ridership was so low was because there was still a lot of work to do in marketing, and they have not been operational during a regular school session. He stated if all buses were wrapped and all panels sold the advertising revenue would be $300,800. He explained JETS has paid out $ 33,370.60 to Harpole Phillips Advertising in the last 3 months which translates into $66,000 for 50/50 matching funds or $150,000 in 80/20 matching funds. He explained in the first six months he needed the advertising help, but now it could be done by an additional employee with expertise in sales, and it would not affect the yearly $130,000 being supplied by the City of Jonesboro. Councilman McCall explained the Public Services Committee accepted Mr. Gardner’s recommendation to terminate the contract with Harpole Phillips and to do the advertising in house using the funds saved from the advertising line item. Mayor Formon questioned if the gap in the community matching funds would be filled, by doing the advertising in house, given the need to hire an additional employee. Mr. Gardner confirmed it would, bringing them up to $430,000 with only a $411,617 expense. Councilman Farmer stated it was his understanding there were firm commitments for wrapping three of the buses early on. Mr. Gardner confirmed there was a commitment with A.S.U. and Jennus Burton early on that fell through. Based on Mr. Gardner’s recommendation, Councilwoman Williams moved, seconded by Councilman Farmer to cancel the contract with Harpole Phillips Advertising and to take whatever steps necessary to handle the advertising in house. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
At the request of Councilwoman Williams, Police Chief Yates reported this year was the first time in ten years that violent crime has increased nationwide. He reported there had been four homicides in the north part of Jonesboro and they had done a number of saturation patrols and ongoing operations in the area as well as other parts of Jonesboro. He explained the most effective way to address violent crime is to keep abreast of the drug activities which the Police Department will continue to do with the help of the community.
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place an ordinance on the agenda which had been approved by the Public Safety Committee but had missed the agenda deadline. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Moore offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 3485, CREATING A PERMANENT TRAFFIC CONTROL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street to suspend with the second and third readings. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson for the adoption of the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The ordinance was assigned number 3660.
Councilman McCall reported the Public Safety Committee approved the proposal for Mayor Formon and staff to notify the ISO, of improvements in order to keep a Class 3 rating. He further stated the proposal will be forwarded to the Finance Committee for approval of Phases I and II.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to suspend the rules and place a resolution on the agenda which had been approved by the Public Safety Committee but had missed the agenda deadline. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract agreement with SSR Ellers under professional services for the # 9 Monroe, Chestnut and Huntington Projects for $104,030.00. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:103.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place three resolutions on the agenda that had been approved by the Public Works Committee but had missed the agenda deadline. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract agreement with Miller-Newell under professional services for the Pines Apartments (Preliminary Engineers) for $3,000. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:104.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract agreement with Miller-Newell under professional services for Farm Creek Detention (Preliminary Engineers) for $ 4,000. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:105.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract agreement with Hayward, Kenward, & Bare Associates, Inc. under professional services for Oak, Haltom & Kitchen (Preliminary Engineers) for $ 6,800. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:106.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place a resolution on the agenda that had been approved by the Public Works Committee but had missed the agenda deadline. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson for the adoption of a resolution accepting permanent drainage easements from Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Chan and from Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Reed, subject to getting the signatures and notarization of Mrs. Chan and Mrs. Reed. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned resolution number 2006:107.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place a resolution on the agenda that had been approved by the Public Works Committee but had missed the agenda deadline. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution entering into a contract with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) for a Street Signalization Master Site. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned resolution number 2006:108.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place a resolution on the agenda that had been approved by the Public Works Committee but had missed the agenda deadline. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for the adoption of a resolution approving the Mayor to execute a purchase order to City Water & Light for the relocation of utilities on Stadium Blvd. between East Nettleton Avenue and Forest Home Road. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned resolution number 2006:109.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place a resolution on the agenda that had missed the agenda deadline. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson for the adoption of a resolution appointing the following members to the Land Use Advisory Committee as recommended by Mayor Formon:
William Hall, with an appointed 2 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2008
Carroll Caldwell, with an appointed 2 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2008
Todd Burton, with an appointed 2 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2008
Mark Enis, with an appointed 3 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2009
Pamela Alexander, with an appointed 3 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2009
Eric Ford, with an appointed 3 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2009
Betty Shaw, with an appointed 3 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2009
Dr. Jim Sanders, with an appointed 5 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2011
James Crawford, with an appointed 5 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2011
Alec Farmer, with an appointed 5 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2011
Faye McCall, with an appointed 5 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2011
Joe Tomlinson, with an appointed 5 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2011
Marvin Day, (MAPC) with an appointed 5 year term having an expiration of April 30, 2011
Ex officio members:
Otis T. Spriggs, City Planning Director
Muhammad Amin Ulkarim, MPO Transportation Study Director
Thomas White, Assistant City Planner
John Street, Council Planning Committee Chair
Gayle Vickers, Grants Coordinator
A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned resolution number 2006:110.
Under public comment, Mr. James Hines requested the City Council make an effort to find a replacement for Sudden Link Communications, formerly known as Cox Communications, stating they had raised the price and had cut the services.
With no further business, Councilman Johnson moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley to adjourn the meeting. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.