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Minutes for the City Council meeting on May 19, 2003
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - MAY 19, 2003
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, May 19, 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 Young moved, seconded by Councilman Street to approve the minutes of May 5, 2003, as previously delivered. 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.
City Attorney Crego provided a list of 13 Jonesboro cases being handled by Attorney Ralph Ohm from Hot Springs, Arkansas. Alderman Moore questioned Mr. Crego regarding a letter sent by Attorney Ohm regarding APERMA not covering a claim alleging illegal pollution and seepage at the landfill, and suggested council members were entitled to secure their own private attorney. Alderman Moore questioned should council members hire their own attorney to represent them in the case. City Attorney Crego responded saying Ralph Ohm would represent the council members, but APERMA would not cover any financial liability if the City of Jonesboro is found at fault. Councilman Farmer questioned if an attorney should be considered with expertise in this type of law. City Attorney Crego responded saying Mr. Ohm has handled cases like this before and recommended him to council members. Mr. Crego stated he would explore the matter with Attorney Ohm and make a recommendation to the full Council. Councilman Moore then asked City Attorney Crego for his legal opinion regarding the Latourette property. Mr. Crego stated he did not have it prepared, but would provide it by the next meeting.
Councilman Perrin offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL R-1 TO RESIDENTIAL R2A LIMITED USE OVERLAY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF PARKER ANNEX ROAD, SOUTH OF PARKER ROAD. (Bob Harrison/Jeff Green)
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. No further action was taken.
Councilman Street offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE THE 2002 EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS FIRE CODE INCLUDING THE BUILDING CODE.
No further action was taken.
Councilman Moore offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 11.40.02 AND 11.40.03 OF DEPARTMENT OF CODE ENFORCEMENT OF THE JONESBORO CODE OF ORDINANCES. (Authorizing City/Civil Engineer, Street Construction Inspector and Mechanical Inspector to issue citations).
Councilman Moore 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 Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Street to further suspend the rules and place on 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. 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. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin 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 number 3411.
Councilman Young offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL R-1 AND COMMERCIAL C-3 TO COMMERCIAL C-3 LIMITED USE OVERLAY LOCATED ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF HIGHLAND DRIVE AND WOFFORD STREET. (INHOC, LLC)
Attorney C. M. Mooney, Sr. spoke in opposition to the rezoning stating the ordinance was not proper and asked City Attorney Crego to review the ordinance by the next meeting. No further action was taken.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution requesting City Water and Light to provide free service for downtown improvements, but was later withdrawn until a proper address could be provided.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing for June 2, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of vacating an alley located in Culberhouse Subdivision of Knight’s 2nd Addition as requested by Roger Abernathy. 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 2003:28.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis setting an appeal hearing for June 2, 2003, at 6:05 p.m. regarding the MAPC failure to approve a conditional use permit for The Merritt Group, Joel Taylor, Proprietor. 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, Councilman Farmer recognized the good work of Jonesboro’s Fire Department and other emergency personnel in controlling the fire in down-town Jonesboro over the weekend He announced there would be a Finance and Administration Committee meeting for May 20, 2003, at 5:15 p.m. and reported the Drainage Committee had endorsed Mayor Brodell’s recommendation to name Mr. Claude Martin as Interim Public Works Director, and the hiring of a civil engineer. Mr. Martin would be over the Street, Sanitation, and Engineering Departments. He explained the matter would be reviewed by the Personnel Sub-committee at Tuesday’s committee meeting. Mr. Claude Martin provided a report on drainage and flooding problems that contained 138 calls with 79 of the calls being received today, May 19, 2003. Councilman Farmer explained there is a sense of urgency to correct all the drainage problems, but a need to manage so as not to create a bigger drainage problem for others further down the stream. He asked for everyone’s patience while efforts were being made in addressing all the drainage issues.
Councilman Province announced the Parking Subcommittee had met and recommended asking the Street Department to place parking signs and stripping the down-town business parking area. He reported in the future the subcommittee would be discussing the parking lots and code enforcement.
Councilman Dover questioned if Mayor Brodell had contacted Mr. Dan Flowers of the Highway Department regarding drainage matters. Mayor Brodell responded that Mr. Flowers would provide a response within seven to ten days. Mayor Brodell also stated he had been unable to reach Mr. Joe Barnett about attending the next Infrastructure Committee meeting, but would do so tomorrow. Councilman Dover questioned Mayor Brodell if he had discussed diverting street employees to help with drainage problems. Mayor Brodell responded saying for the next thirty days the Street Department would put every effort in to drainage efforts, except in emergency street situations. Councilman Dover recommended work orders between the Street Department and Engineering creating a paper trail for accountability purposes.
Under public comment several individuals addressed the Jonesboro City Council regarding drainage issues. Those individuals were: Mr. Jerry Sutton of 317 E. Cherry; Mona Montgomery, business owner at 1801 Stadium Blvd., Mr. Ron Worley of 1901 Catherine Drive, Michelle McDaniel of 3411 Quail Ridge Road, and Mitch Johnson of Farm Creek Estates. Ms. Marsha Patton addressed the Council as well regarding her opposition to the rezoning at the northwest corner of Highland Drive and Wofford Street.
With no further business, Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Street to adjourn. 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.