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Minutes for the City Council meeting on June 17, 1996
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PUBLIC HEARING - 6:00 P.M. - A public hearing was held for the purpose of discussing an Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 1365, setting standards and qualifications for Ambulance Services within the City of Jonesboro. Councilman Gene Vance reported on a Joint Committee held by the 911 and Transportation Committees. Some concerns discussed were: 1) Required number of ambulances. 2) Should Emergency and Non-Emergency Vehicles meet the same standards. 3) Should all Ambulances be required to have rescue equipment, 4) Standards for Ambulances based on the age of the vehicle or based on the mileage. Councilman Rega, Chairman of the 911 Committee, covered portions of the proposed Ordinance, stating the areas of concern were with Section 2-A, requiring four paramedic level ambulances between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; Section 2-N, requiring extrication equipment; and Section 2-O, requiring emergency vehicles which are less than six (6) years old.
Mr. Mark Keller, of Keller’s Medical Services, explained when he began his business, the only requirement to be placed on the 911 dispatch list was the staff must be trained paramedics. Mr. Keller contended even though this requirement was met, Keller’s Medical Services was not being dispatched by 911 operators. Mr. Keller expressed some frustration with the fact that each time he meets a requirement, then the requirements are increased. Mr. Keller agreed there should be requirements, but requested Keller Medical Services be grand fathered-in and given a period of time to meet those requirements. Councilman Kelton explained there was no intent to target any one ambulance service, but rather concern for the future interests of Jonesboro Citizens.
Councilman Young questioned the origin of the ordinance, and was told it was written by Mooney Law Firm at the request of Councilman Vance. Councilman Young reported on ambulance regulations for Little Rock and North Little Rock, stating they were very complete and comprehensive. Councilman Young recommended Council consider standards set by the Arkansas Emergency Physicians Foundation. Dr. David Schmidt, of Arkansas Emergency Transport of Little Rock commented on the four emergency vehicle requirements, stating this number of emergency vehicles would be greater than Little Rock and North Little Rock combined and therefore would not hold up in court. Councilman Vance countered by explaining Little Rock and North Little Rock grants exclusive franchises, but by Jonesboro setting high standards, it opens up free enterprise and assures the best for its citizens.
Councilman Harpole stated we are trying to obtain free enterprise, but maintain regulation, and this may not be possible. The decision was made to have another Joint Committee meeting to discuss these matters further.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JUNE 17, 1996
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, June 17, 1996, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Hubert Brodell, Mayor, Donna K. Jackson, City Clerk, Phillip Crego, City Attorney, and all 12 council members. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole.
The minutes of June 3, 1996, were approved as delivered by Councilman Perrin and seconded by Councilman Harpole. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole.
There were no ordinances on this agenda, so the next order of business was an Appeal Hearing request. Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to set an Appeal Hearing regarding stipulations made by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission for replat of property located on Main, Campus and Church Streets. The Appeal Hearing was set for July 1, 1996, at 6:10 p.m. in Municipal Court. The request was made by Robert Rees and his attorney, C.M. Mooney, Sr. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Vance for the adoption of a resolution setting a Public Hearing to vacate an easement located in the Brownstone Addition. The Public Hearing was set for July 1, 1996, at 6:00 p.m. in Municipal Court. The request was made by Vance A. Brown. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole. The resolution was given the number 1996:24.
Councilman Vance moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution setting a Public Hearing for closing a drainage easement, located on Peabody Drive east of Stadium. The hearing was set for July 1, 1996, at 5:45 p.m. in Municipal Court. The request was made by Phillips Investments, Inc. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole. The resolution was given the number 1996:25.
Councilman Vance moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution setting a Public Hearing to close a twenty (20) foot utility easement between Lot 2R and Lot 4R and close a twenty (20) foot utility easement on the south line of Lot 5 between Lot 5 and Lot 2R. Both easements are located in the Thomas Addition, Caprice at Malibu. The hearing was set for July 1, 1996, at 5:35 p.m. in Municipal Court. The request was made by Phillips Investments, Inc. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole. The resolution was given the number 1996:26.
Councilman Vance moved, seconded by Councilman Wise for the adoption of a resolution requesting City Water & Light to install a dry fire hydrant at the Arkansas Fire Academy Northeast Training Center. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole. The resolution was given the number 1996:27.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Harpole for the adoption of a resolution honoring Miss Sabara Heard the 1996 Miss Jonesboro. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole. The resolution was given the number 1996:28.
Councilman Vance moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Corps of Engineers to enter onto the easements previously obtained by the City of Jonesboro in the Whiteman Creek Drainage Project. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole. The resolution was given the number 1996:29
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Under new business, Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to accept the Finance Committee’s recommendation to appropriate $6,975.00 from Unappropriated Sales Tax to Fixed Assets in the Animal Control budget for the purchase of a 1992 Dodge 2 ton D150. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to accept the Finance Committee’s recommendation to appropriate $3,285.00 from Unappropriated Sales Tax to Fixed Assets in the Police Department budget for the purchase of radio equipment. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Tate to accept the Finance Committee’s recommendation for a line item transfer of $5,000.00 from Salary (Line Item 201) to Part-Time Salaries (Line Item 210) in the Parks and Recreation Budget. The purpose for the line item transfer was to allow the E. Boone Watson Center to be open from 10:00 a.m. till 8:30 p.m., providing summer programs for interested citizens. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members were: Vance, Wise, Evans, Province, Hannah, Young, Rega, Tate, Kelton, Roddy, Perrin and Harpole.
Mr. Mike Foster, Director of the MATA Department reported the first MATA street improvement would begin August 19, 1996.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned.