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Minutes for the City Council meeting on July 21, 2003
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PUBLIC HEARING - 6:15 P.M. - A public hearing was held for the purpose of abandoning a portion of a thirty foot (30’) sanitary sewer and drainage easement located off Lacoste Drive in the RidgePointe Country Club. The request was made by Mr. John Lovelace and Mr. Todd Holt. No opposition was voiced.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - July 21, 2003
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, July 21, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Hubert Brodell, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney, Phillip Crego and twelve council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the minutes of July 7, 2003, as previously delivered. City Clerk Donna Jackson explained she had corrected the minutes at the request of Councilman Young. The minutes reflected that Councilman Young and Councilman Copeland had voted on two issues even though the minutes showed them to be absent. The minutes were corrected. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy.
Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the minutes of the Special Called meeting held July 8, 2003. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy.
A legal report was provided by City Attorney, Phillip Crego listing several condemnations and a civil case with Norsworthy vs. City of Jonesboro. He stated he was working on abatement action for criminal activity at an unspecified location.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM INDUSTRIAL I-2, GENERAL INDUSTRIAL TO C-3, COMMERCIAL LOCATED ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF HIGHLAND DRIVE AND NESTLE WAY. (Mabe Spurlock and Jay Harmon)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin 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, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore 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, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3422.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL R-1, SINGLE-FAMILY MEDIUM DENSITY TO C-3, COMMERCIAL LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF RICHARDSON DRIVE AND ACCESS ROAD. (Ronald and Laura White)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street 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, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3423.
Councilman Young offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-2) TO COMMERCIAL (C-5), LOCATED AT 812 GLENDALE STREET. (Larry Gibson)
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Street to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. No further action was taken.
Councilman Perrin offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO COMMERCIAL (C-3 LIMITED USE OVERLAY), LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF SOUTHWEST DRIVE, SOUTH OF STILLWATER DRIVE. (Gary Ezell)
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. No further action was taken.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution placing traffic signs at the following locations:
•STOP signs for the northbound and southbound traffic on Madison Ave at the intersection of Strawn.
•35 MPH on Ponderosa Dr. between Peachtree Ave. and Magnolia Road and on Magnolia Road between Ponderosa Drive and Prescott Lane.
•40 MPH on Peachtree Ave. between Highway 351 and Ponderosa Drive.
•ONE-WAY on Word Street between Allis and Fisher with the traffic flow traveling from east (Allison) to west (Fisher).
A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2003:46.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and accept the Architectural Services Contract of Cahoon Firm PA for work at the Parker Park Community Center storage area addition. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2003:47.
Councilman Copeland moved, seconded by Councilman Moore approving Danny Harlan, Kevan Imboden, and Kevin Orr to the Craighead County Regional Solid Waste Authority with an expiration date of 2006. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to set an appeal hearing for August 4, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. as requested by Mr. John Deluca of Spartan Towers regarding the MAPC failure to approve a Conditional Use Permit to construct a communications tower located at 1421 W. Nettleton Avenue, behind the YMCA. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy.
Under new business by the Council, Councilman Young called for a special called Parks Committee meeting for Thursday or Friday of next week in order to review unfinished business due to not having a quorum at the previous Parks committee meeting. Councilman McCall stated he would be unable to attend and requested the meeting be scheduled for earlier in the week.
Councilman Dover questioned Mayor Brodell on the status of the following matters and requested he or his Assistant Larry Johnson provide a report at the next council meeting: Jail Bill Contract; Miles Park and the situation with the Willet family; GASB Software; Property Deeds to the City Clerk; Handicap curbs (ADA); Suggestions for collection of fines.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and accept the external auditing engagement agreement with Baird, Kutz, and Dodson (BKD) including the addendum. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2003:48.
Councilman Farmer offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS PURCHASING MANUAL FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES (Purchases, Contracts, Written Bids, Appropriation of funds not budgeted shall be reviewed by Finance Committee)
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Street to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to further suspend the rules and place on the third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street 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, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3424.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing for August 4, 2003, at 6:20 p.m. for the purpose of vacating part of Leroy and Donald Streets located in Dudley’s Subdivision as requested by the Nettleton School District. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2003:49.
Councilman Copeland formally announced his resignation for August 1, 2003, saying it was an emotional decision and he appreciated the leadership and spirit of cooperation by the Jonesboro City Council men and women.
Councilman McCall announced the first meeting of the Citizens Clean Sweep Advisory Committee for July 28, 2003, at 4:00 p.m. in the Haworth Room. He commended the people who had volunteered for this committee, saying they had a desire to help make Jonesboro a clean place to live.
Councilman Farmer presented a resolution recognizing Councilman Paul Copeland for his work as Ward 5, Position 2 Alderman to the City of Jonesboro. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of the resolution. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2003:45. Mayor Brodell presented Councilman Copeland with a plaque as the Jonesboro City Council gave a standing ovation in his honor.
Councilman Farmer requested Mr. Larry Johnson, Mayor Brodell’s Administrative Assistant to come to the podium to address council members. Mr. Johnson, from the balcony of the council chambers, responded saying that he had addressed Councilman Farmer earlier, and had no further comments. Councilman Dover questioned how Mr. Johnson could not have any comments when a question has not been asked. Councilman Dover then requested Mayor Brodell to have his Administrative Assistant to come to the podium. Mayor Brodell requested Mr. Johnson to come to the podium. Mr. Johnson responded to Mayor Brodell saying, “No” refusing to come to the podium. Several questions were asked of Mr. Johnson but he refused to answer. Councilman Farmer explained he had sent a letter to Mayor Brodell and other council members regarding statements made in a news article dated July 20, 2003, in the Jonesboro Sun. The article quoted Mayor Brodell as saying the council had hindered him from recruiting new industry for the City of Jonesboro. In the article, Mr. Johnson stated the new rules require council approval on expenditures above $1,000.00. Councilman Farmer explained, in his letter he had requested Mr. Johnson to provide the specific rule change that required such council approval, because he was unaware of any such rule. Councilman Farmer also stated he had questioned Mr. Johnson about this earlier and was told by Mr. Johnson he had been misquoted by the Jonesboro Sun reporter. Councilman Farmer stated inflammatory comments do not help, and they were trying to work for the betterment of Jonesboro citizens. Councilman Farmer explained if the new rules hinder recruitment then they need to discuss it, and work it out as long as it is within the laws of the state and federal government. He explained just as the Mayor has responsibilities that are important to city government, the city council has responsibilities as well. Councilman Farmer stated he wanted it clarified that after speaking with Finance Director, Larry Flowers there is no rule for council approval on expenditures above $1,000.00, and the statement made by Mr. Johnson sounded petty and was inaccurate.
Councilman Hargis stated he had hoped the negotiations with the Willet family would have been addressed in the Legal Report. City Attorney, Crego stated he would provide information to the council in two weeks.
Councilman Moore expressed his disappointment with department heads not willing to come and answer questions of the city council.
Councilman Dover questioned Mayor Brodell about new business by the Mayor. Mayor Brodell stated he would have new business at the next council meeting.
With no further business, Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for adjournment. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Copeland, McCall, and Roddy.