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Minutes for the City Council meeting on October 6, 1986
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 6, 1986
The Jonesboro City Council met at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney, and Aldermen Park, Stricklin, Hinson, Evans, Bridger, Hannah, Strauser, Sanderson, Culpepper, Mays and Nix. Absent was Mr. Shelton.
The minutes of September 15, 1986, and Called Meeting minutes of September 22, 1986, were approved as mailed on motion by Mr. Hannah, seconded by Mr. Stricklin. All voted aye.
Randall Mathis, Assistant Director of Pollution, Control and Ecology addressed the Council regarding a letter to the municipality dated September 8, 1986. He commended the efforts of the City of Jonesboro, the Solid Waste Authority, and various industries in their cooperative efforts to solve the landfill problems. He stated that the Department of Pollution, Control and Ecology has given the City of Jonesboro, County of Craighead, and other municipalities in the county 180 days to develop a solid waste collection and disposal program. By November 8, a plan must be received by PC & E outlining the landscaping, contour, re-vegetation, financial management, collection, transportation, and the location of 2 or 3 monitoring wells of a landfill, as outlined under Section 3 or the code. He reviewed the state department evaluation of the present landfill by stating: (A) In September, 1983 barrels of liquid waste were found at the landfill and thus PC & E banned the disposal of industrial waste. (B) In March, 1984, PC & E reclassified the Jonesboro landfill permit from Class I to Class IV and the city successfully delayed the order by conducting the cleanup and testing. He further stated that PC & E expects the city to begin closing down the landfill as required under the state permit secured by the city more than a decade ago. He stated PC & E has not been picking on Jonesboro, and noted the agency decided in early 1984 to take action against a number of landfills in the state, adding that 6 have been closed, 1 reclassified, and action is pending on others. He reiterated that the landfill should be closed because a private engineer hired by the municipality has decided it is nearing capacity. He stated that EnviroMed Lab., Inc.’s site characterization plan indicated there was no imminent environmental endangerment and that no emergency remedial action was necessary. He added that although the EnviroMed firm study found clay where PC & E believed no clay existed, the clay is too far below the surface to prevent lateral movement of leachate. He added that regulations adopted since the early 1980's would prohibit the landfill site from being permitted today. In response to the question by Mr. Mays regarding clay underlying a larger area, Mr. Mathis stated that in a letter written by him to the city, that he had stated although this study was not for the purpose of reclassification, that in the event there was some information provided that indicated that it could be safely used by that evaluation, that PC & E would entertain an application to reclassify the landfill back to the Class I. However, PC & E has not seen anything at this point to indicate such action. Mr. Hannah asked Mr. Mathis if the latest decision to reclassify the landfill was based on the unsuitability of the landfill, rather than it being at capacity. Mr. Mathis answered that the decision was based in March, 1985 that the landfill was unsuitable to be permitted at that time based on information P C & E had received, and would be reclassified. A study was done by AL Miller projecting that the landfill would be filled sometime around the end of this year, if it continues to operate only as Class IV, at whatever time necessary to fill it up. The basis for closing it totally was because PC & E believed it was full. The basis for reclassifying it was because of the depth of the clay, it was simply unsuitable; and that the liner underneath was not adequate to protect the lateral movement. He added that it would be economically unfeasible to line the bottom or the sides.
Public Works Director, Jeff Gibson stated that our consultants worked up a map in a preliminary study and since then have done more detailed work and believes that the clay is in a larger area than in the triangle on the original map. Therefore, if PC & E would accept the preliminary study based on a few wells, why would they not accept the fact that they have now found that clay extends farther west than the triangle? He noted PC & E miscalculated Al Miller’s engineering figures in which he stated it would take 6 months plus 16 months to reach capacity. Jeff stated the city should be able to operate the landfill beyond the December 1, 1986, deadline, because the volume of trash has subsided since the city banned the disposal of waste from outside the city in the landfill. Mr. Mathis and Mark Witherspoon, Head of PC & E’s Waste Division, agreed to meet with Jeff and city officials at the landfill on Tuesday morning, October 7 to review earlier engineering estimates. Mr. Mathis concluded by saying that we all want the same thins, a good clean environment and being able to handle our solid waste problems in a manner that provides services to the public, and providing the attraction for new industry to come in and commended the city for the work they had done in solving their solid waste problems.
Dr. Robert Flournoy, President of EnviroMed addressed the Council and stated that their site characterization study conducted by his firm indicated that there were no contaminants of groundwater, and therefore there was no evidence of toxic waste in the landfill at present.
Mike Cameron, former Public Works Director, questioned PC & E authority’s acceptance of EnviroMed’s report and their decision to reclassify and close the landfill. He asked the Council to study EnviroMed’s hydro geological report and use what they paid for.
Gerald O’Meara, Head of the Agricultural Machinery Division of FMC, told aldermen that he could not recommend a new industry locate in the city until the city solves its landfill problems. He added that manufacturing plants cannot operate in a city when they do not have a site to dispose of waste. He urged immediate action in the location of a landfill for Jonesboro and Craighead County.
Charles Frierson, Chairman of the Solid Waste Authority stated the county-wide authority is moving slowly and the city and county must look elsewhere for any short term solution to solid waste problems, and questions whether the authority can develop a long term plan within the 180 day limit, stating some definitions must be explained under PC & E regulations. He added that the group has tried to delineate the area of the county where a landfill might be possible and have discovered that 60% is unusable. He stated that the authority had been told in the beginning that once a location was found, that it would take 16-18 months to go through the permitting process. He added that the authority has not had an opportunity to decide upon a landfill, or incinerator, or both as the best method of disposing of solid waste in the county.
Mr. Evans offered the following ordinance: (No Parking on Belt on N. and S. from Drake to Bridge Streets.)
AN ORDINANCE FOR CERTAIN TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mr. Park moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to amend the ordinance to also include the south side from Drake to Bridge and to suspend the rules and place on second reading. All voted aye. The ordinance was read for the second time with the amendment.
The following ordinance was on second reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE A TEN FOOT ALLEY BETWEEN CUBA (BRYAN) AVENUE AND DEWEY STREET CLOSING THE EAST 115 FT. OF SCHLEY STREET FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH DEWEY STREET
Mr. Park moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to suspend the rules and place on third reading. All voted aye. Mr. Park further moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to adopt the ordinance. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 1995.
The following ordinance was on third reading: (Rezoning - D. Conrad, Conrad Dr., Off Caraway Rd., R -3 to I -1).
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR THE CHANGE IN ZONING BOUNDARIES.
Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to adopt the ordinance. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 1996.
The following bids were up for review:
86:26 - Full-size Pickup - Sanitation - landfill - Mr. Nix moved, seconded by Mr. Culpepper to table the bid. All voted aye.
86:28 - Sanitation - Landfill - Packer and Trailers - Because of insufficient time to review the bid, Mr. Park moved, seconded by Mr. Culpepper to table the bid until the next council meeting or called meeting. All voted aye. The Mayor stated that aldermen may want to consider contracting with a private firm to haul waste from the landfill to an approved disposal site. He added that under one proposal, the city can continue to collect the waste, haul it to the landfill, then have a private company haul the waste away.
86:02 - Public Sale - Surplus items - Mr. Park moved, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to accept the low bids. Purchasing Agent, Steve Kent stated that the bid #2 on a 1977 Ford LTD should be placed on a separate public bid within the next 60 days. Upon his recommendation, Mr. Park amended his motion, seconded by Mr. Stricklin to accept the bid on surplus items, and to reject bid #2. All voted aye.
Johnny White addressed the Council regarding the leasing of 9 parking spaces behind the Fine Arts Building at 624 S. Main. Mr. Culpepper stated the Downtown Parking Ordinance would have to be amended before the leasing of the spaces. The Mayor asked the City Attorney to review said ordinance and have a recommendation at the October 20 council meeting. Mr. Sanderson moved, seconded by Mr. Culpepper to table the matter until the City Attorney could present an amendment to the Downtown Parking Ordinance. All voted aye.
Mr. Hinson moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to allow the placement of a mobile home by Reginald Prunty at 401 N. Second. All voted aye.
Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Dr. Strauser to appoint Mr. Henry P. Jones, III to JUHRA Board to fill the unexpired term of Ken Wallis with term to expire October, 1989. All voted aye.
Mr. Hannah offered the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO TO MATCH FEDERAL AID BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND REHABILITATION MONIES FOR THE BRIDGE ON WEST OAKHURST CROSSING, CHRISTIAN CREEK, STRUCTURE # 19080.
Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Dr. Strauser to adopt the resolution. All voted aye. The resolution was given the number 1986:30.
Mr. Park offered a resolution supporting Amendment #64 regarding raising the civil jurisdiction limits to $3,000.00 in Municipal Court and Amendment #67 authorizing Industrial Revenue Bonds to the Arkansas Constitution. Mr. Park then moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to adopt the resolution. All voted aye. The resolution was given the number 1986:31.
Jim McKinnon addressed the Council regarding the cities success in receiving grants for low rent housing and public works projects, including a major project on Morton and Mitchell, off North Kathleen, North of E. Highland. He announced the JURHA will receive a national award for rental rehabilitation in Washington D.C. on October 8. Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Park to authorize Mayor Stallings to accompany Mr. McKinnon to Washington to accept the award. All voted aye.
Dr. Olson addressed the Council regarding the housing of mosquito control equipment. The Mayor stated that a temporary place would be located to store said equipment and he suggested the inclusion of requested expansion in the 1987 budget and to turn the matter over to the Cemetery Committee for review.
Mr. Stricklin noted that the Jonesboro Fire Department is the first department in the country to install and begin using on a permanent basis the micro-computer version of the ARKFIRS reporting system.
Dr. Strauser asked that the traffic at Gee and Matthews be investigated. Jeff Gibson announced that the Highway Department is reviewing the matter.
Mr. Sanderson moved, seconded by Dr. Strauser to have Pat Parsons send a registered letter, return signature requested, stating that if individuals lots are not cleaned up in two weeks, they will be taken to court and the media informed. All voted aye.
Mr. Nix moved, seconded by Mr. Bridger to ban smoking in the Council Chambers during City Council meetings. A voice vote was taken. The motion passed. Mr. Hannah requested a roll call vote be taken. Aldermen Park, Hinson, Evans, Bridger, Sanderson, Mays and Nix voted aye. Aldermen Hannah, Strauser, and Culpepper voted nay. Alderman Stricklin abstained. The motion passed 7-3-1.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned.