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Minutes for the City Council meeting on June 21, 2004
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JUNE 21, 2004
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, June 21, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor 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, Furr, McCall and Roddy.
Prior to the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation a moment of silence was observed in memory of Patrolman Scot Ackers who passed away Friday, June 18th, due to terminal cancer. Visitation arrangements were set at Emerson's Funeral Home on the 21st of June with the funeral service on the 22nd. Mayor Brodell announced a fish fry was being sponsored by the Jonesboro Police Department from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Craighead County Fairgrounds to assist the family of Officer Ackers.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the minutes of June 7, 2004, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy.
City Attorney Phillip Crego reported there were no significant changes in the legal report.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO RESIDENTIAL (R-2A), LOCATED ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF BELT STREET AND SCOTT STREET (Shipp Properties)
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, Furr, McCall and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3475.
Councilman Moore offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO COMMERCIAL (C-3) LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF STRAWFLOOR DRIVE, WEST OF PARKER ROAD. (Jim & Shirley Bryant)
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to suspend with the second reading 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, Furr, McCall and Roddy.
Councilman Moore offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE JONESBORO CODE OF ORDINANCES DEFINING AND LIMITING CONDITIONS FOR OPEN BURNING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
No further action was taken regarding this particular ordinance.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution accepting the low bid of $500,000.00 from Relativity Inc. for the purchase, implementation, and training for the CAD/AVL System. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:49.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to pull agenda item number 7, a resolution accepting the bid and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with Arkoma Playground and Supply. The item was pulled at the request of Mr. Jason Wilkie, Parks Director who had been informed by Ms. Susan Clifford with Parks and Tourism, that Requests for proposals were different than taking bids for a project. She explained bids are more detailed and recommended the item be pulled until they had taken appropriate bids. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution requesting free utility service from City Water and Light at 601 S. Bridge, known as the City Cemetery. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:50.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to set an appeal hearing for Anita Arnold for July 6, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. regarding denial for rezoning by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. The request was to rezone property from R-1 to R-3 located approximately ¼ mile North of Johnson Avenue and ¼ mile West of Bridger Road. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption a resolution authorizing Phase III of the Master Drainage Study for the completion of a Drainage Manual and ordinance preparation. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Young, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:51.
Under new business, Councilman Dover questioned Mayor Brodell about a letter council members had received from Barber Concrete regarding the bidding process. Mayor Brodell stated he and Suzanne Hackney had consulted City Attorney, Phillip Crego who had indicated the City does not have to accept the bid from Barber Concrete. Attorney Crego explained based on the information provided to him, the bid awarded to Barber Concrete was for general concrete projects, but the project referenced in Mr. Barber's letter was for concrete work in Joe Mac Campbell Park expected to exceed $40,000.00 and involved curb and gutter work as well as pads around concession stands. Attorney Crego stated given the dollar amount and the work involved he recommended bidding the work as a new project. Councilman Dover responded saying it was his understanding there had been an attempt to negotiate for a lower price with Barber Concrete for the Joe Mac Campbell project. Mayor Brodell responded saying he had tried to renegotiate the bid with Barber Concrete and had he been successful he would have brought it back to the committee for consideration. Councilman Dover questioned if this was not similar to previous audit findings where concrete bids were approved for particular work, but the City paid for unauthorized work without further bidding. Mayor Brodell stated had Barber Concrete chose to lower his price they could have gone back to the committee and asked to waive competitive bidding, but Mr. Barber chose not to, so they went to the City Attorney for legal advice. Councilman Farmer stated they may want to look at the bidding for the annual concrete bids making it more compatible for the type of projects being done. Councilman Dover recommended looking at clarifying the overall bidding process so there are no negotiations for lower prices once a sealed bid has been awarded.
Councilman Farmer announced there would be a Finance Committee meeting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24th and questioned if there had been any response from Attorney Ralph Ohm or Attorney Paul Ford regarding the appeal for Glenn Batten. Mayor Brodell stated they had sent a response to Attorney Ralph Ohm and were waiting to hear back from him, but recommended the appeal be placed on the Finance Committee agenda just in case. Councilman Farmer announced there would be a CDBG public hearing at 5:30 p.m. and a Parks Improvement Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. following the Finance Committee meeting. Councilman Farmer questioned Mr. Ron Shipley of the Planning Department regarding progress on additional residential zoning classifications. Mr. Shipley stated under the new proposal there would be an R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 zoning classifications. The R-2 zoning would allow for two buildings on the property with a limit of four residential units. The R-4 zoning would allow for four buildings on the property with a limit of eight residential units. The R-5 would allow for five buildings on the property with a larger number of residential units. It was explained the new zoning classifications would allow council members to know what type of construction to expect on the property whereas with R-3 zoning they do not have that capability. Mayor Brodell instructed Mr. Shipley to send a copy of the newly proposed zoning classifications by tomorrow to council members.
Under public comment, Mr. Lester Crabtree complained about noise and parking in the downtown area and requested clarification on the noise ordinance that is in effect. City Attorney Crego explained he and Police Chief Grigsby had gone to the area, and that Mr. Crabtree would have to file an affidavit for further action to be taken. It was explained that the Downtown Association would be making recommendations to the Public Works Committee within the next two weeks regarding the various issues associated with the downtown area.
Wanda Turner, Executive Director for Northeast Arkansans for Animals provided a report from the leasing of the Jonesboro Fire Station located on Caraway. The report stated 135 animals had been spayed and neutered.
With no further business, Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore 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, Furr, McCall and Roddy.