title
Minutes from the City Council meeting on May 18, 1998
body
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - MAY 18, 1998
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, May 18, 1998, 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 10 council members. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Crockett and Councilman Fletcher were both unable to attend.
The minutes for May 4, 1998, were approved as delivered, by Councilman Davis seconded by Councilman Roddy. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy.
The following ordinance was on the third and final reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE AND ABANDON AN UNIMPROVED PORTION OF COMMERCE DRIVE.
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Pratt for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3046.
Councilman Bowers offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Jim & Mary Bradley)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Young to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy 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 voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Tate for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3047.
Councilman Roddy offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Robin Nix)
Councilman Bowers moved, seconded by Councilman Young to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Bowers offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Sonny Sartin)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers 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 voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Young for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3048.
Councilman Kelton offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 2470, SECTION 5, BY ADDING REQUIREMENTS FOR PLATS THAT ARE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Pratt to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. No further action was taken regarding this ordinance.
Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Young approving the appointment of Joanie Gardner Hannah to the Nature Center, replacing her father Mr. Gene Gardner. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers for the adoption of a resolution granting the following easements to Southwestern Bell:
•Five (5) foot easement for underground facilities, located at the Valley View Fire Station, 5416 Maple Valley Road.
•Ten (10) foot easement for underground facilities, located in Lot “1” of Keich’s First Addition, adjacent to the eastern right of way of Union Pacific Railroad.
•Twenty (20) foot easement for an equipment station located in Lot “1” of Keich’s First Addition, parallel with the East right-of-way line of Union Pacific Railroad.
A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1998:29.
Under new business, Councilman Kelton offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Windchimes)
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Tate to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy 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 voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Tate for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3049.
Mayor Brodell called for the reading of a resolution adding the position of Director of Public Safety to the existing Wage and Salary Management Plan, classifying the position as an Exempt-Salary Grade 9 position. Mayor Brodell explained he wished to appoint Police Chief Floyd Johnson to the new position, stating Mr. Johnson had a proven work record and a close working relationship with the three departments (Police, Fire and 911). Mayor Brodell stressed this was not an attempt to conserve money, nor was it a reflection on the applicants for the position of Fire Chief. Mayor Brodell explained if the resolution is adopted tonight, then at the next council meeting the Human Resources Director, Michael Beeman will have all the proper ordinances and documentation needed to put the position into effect. The resolution was read. Mr. Sam Morgan, a part-time professor at Arkansas State University spoke in opposition to the proposal, stating it was adding a new level of administration and a new level of expense. Mr. Morgan explained he disapproved of the matter being rushed through with no public comment so soon after removing the Police Department from Civil Service. He referred to the process as “cronyism”, and “good- ole- boy” politics. Mr. Morgan inquired about the pay scale for the new level of administration. Mayor Brodell responded that Chief Johnson would receive a pay raise of $4,800 and Assistant Police Chief Bud Marshall and Assistant Fire Chief Rusty Bradly would receive an increase of $2,400 each. Mayor Brodell stated it is not his intent to add another layer of administration, nor to combine the three departments. Mr. Morgan responded whether it is the intent or not, rushing it through without public comment smacks of cronyism and a good-ole-boy system. Mayor Brodell stated if he (Mr. Morgan) was in the Mayor’s position and knew the whole story behind this move, then he (Mr. Morgan) would agree this needed to be done. Mayor Brodell stated he (Mr. Morgan) could call it a good ole boy system if he wanted to, but he called it prudent management in trying to serve the people of Jonesboro. Mayor Brodell stated everyone he spoke with was in agreement with this decision, and no one, including Mr. Morgan, had called and discussed their complaints. Mr. Morgan stated no one knew about it until yesterday. Councilman Young questioned Mr. Morgan if this was the only issue that smacks of cronyism or the good ole boy system. Mr. Morgan responded he was not sure and referred to the Police Department being removed from Civil Service. Mayor Brodell opened the floor to Captain Rohnny McDaniel allowing him to respond to the Police Department being removed from Civil Service. Officer McDaniel stated the first step in doing away with Civil Service was to make every member of the Police Department & Fire Department aware of what was happening, because they were the most affected by it. Captain McDaniel stated he had not been made aware of any change even though he is a staff member of the Police Department and it is his Chief being appointed to the position. He stated he was not opposed to the position being created, but that the people most affected by the change were not made aware that this was going to take place. Officer McDaniel urged Council to table the idea, until everything could be worked out between departments with regard to procedures, and to give the public and everyone involved an opportunity to figure out a way to make it work. Mayor Brodell responded by saying the change has been thought through very carefully and requested Council to adopt it so we can move forward and takes care of the business at hand. Councilman Young made the motion, “so moved”, seconded by Councilman Kelton. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Province who voted nay. Councilman Rorex originally voted nay, but later changed his vote to aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1998:30.
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Kelton for the adoption of a resolution requesting City Water & Light provide service to 1212 S. Church (Patio at swimming pool). A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Davis, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1998:31.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.