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Minutes from the City Council meeting on October 4, 1993
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PUBLIC HEARING - 7:15 P.M. - A public hearing was held regarding the vacating and abandonment of a utility easement in the West Branch Commercial Addition. Councilman Mays asked if the City of Jonesboro will be responsible for any street maintenance in the area. Mr. Clay Kenward stated these were private drives and the City of Jonesboro would not be responsible for the up-keep. No opposition was voiced regarding this matter.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 4, 1993
The Jonesboro City Council met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Present were the Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney, and all council members.
The minutes of September 20, 1993, were approved as mailed by motion of Councilman Evans seconded by Councilman Harpole. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Retired Police Chief Jim Hanley addressed the Council regarding past Police performance and budget. Mr. Hanley reported that Jonesboro, population 25,000 had the lowest crime rate in the nation when he was Police Chief. This was accomplished using half the budget that the Jonesboro Police Department now operates on. He expressed concern over the investigation of Mr. David Eagle who conducted an audit of the Police Department. Mr. Hanley stated the Citizens of Jonesboro are entitled to know what has happened to recovered property, long distance calls, comp-time, over-time, vacation time, sick time, and use of equipment. Mr. Hanley called for a through audit by an independent auditor. Interim Police Chief Jack McCann responded by stating he was unaware of any improprieties by the Police Department and questioned why Mr. Hanley wanted an independent audit. Mr. Hanley stated he felt that the Police Department did not want an audit and that is why they attacked the reputation of Mr. David Eagle. Chief McCann stated that was not true. Councilman Kelton questioned as to whether or not this should be voted on without knowing the cost for an independent audit. Mayor Brodell recommended having the State conduct the audit. However, Councilman Hannah stated time would be a factor and felt hiring an independent auditor would be a better solution. Councilwoman Ingram inquired as to the time of completion of the internal audit conducted by Mr. Eagle. Councilman Hannah stated it was never completed, but was conducted sometime last year. Councilman Evans asked how soon the audit could begin and how much it would cost. Councilman Hannah moved, seconded by Councilman Province to appropriate the funds for an independent auditor to conduct an independent audit. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Councilman Mays offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE AND ABANDON MARTINBROOK DRIVE
Councilman Mays moved, seconded by Councilman Harpole to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Councilman Evans offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE, PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND OTHER PURPOSES. (RALPH WADDELL/MARK KELLER)
No further action was taken on this ordinance.
The following ordinance was on the third reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE, PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND OTHER PURPOSES. (WILSON COX)
Councilman Harpole moved, seconded by Councilman Kelton for the adoption of the ordinance. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The ordinance was given the number 2512.
Councilman Vance offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 954 KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE, PROVIDING FOR CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES AND OTHER PURPOSES. (BOB HUFFORD)
Councilman Evans moved, seconded by Councilman Harpole to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The ordinance was read a second time.
The following ordinance was on the third reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A CURFEW APPLICABLE TO JUVENILES AND REGULATING THEIR PRESENCE ON PUBLIC STREETS AND OTHER PLACES
Councilman Evans recommended a 90 - 120 day trial period due to a shortage of manpower. Councilman Province stated in other cities charges of discrimination have been filed due to curfew laws. Councilman Hannah stated he felt the ordinance should not have a trial period due to notification problems. Councilman Bowers stated the Council had been given 48 days to review the ordinance and felt it was time to either approve it or not. Councilman Bowers moved, seconded by Councilman Harpole to adopt the ordinance. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The ordinance was given the number 2513.
Councilman Kelton offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 14.04 BY ADDING SECTION 14.04.13 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGULATING YARD SALES.
Councilman Mays questioned if consideration had been given to signs being placed on telephone poles. Councilman Kelton stated there is already an ordinance preventing that, but the law is not being enforced. No other action was taken at this time.
Councilman Harpole moved, seconded by Councilman Vance to adopt a resolution establishing a public hearing for October 18, 1993, at 7:15 p.m. regarding the closing of a utility easement located at the West Branch Commercial Addition. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1993:46.
Councilman Vance moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to table the millage resolutions till the next council meeting. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Councilman Mays moved seconded by Councilman Vance to adopt a resolution allowing for the application for Rental and Homeowners Rehabilitation Funds from the Arkansas Development Finance Agency. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1993:47.
Councilman Mays moved seconded by Councilman Vance to adopt a resolution declaring the week of October 3rd through the 9th, "Public Power Week". A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1993:48.
Councilman Vance offered a resolution supporting the application for Federal Aid money for the "Bicycle Lane Project". A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1993:49.
The following traffic resolutions were reviewed as recommended by the Traffic Safety officer and the MATA committees:
- "YIELD" sign on Nix Lake turning right at Paula
Councilman Vance moved, seconded by Councilman Harpole for the adoption of the resolution. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1993:50.
- "STOP" signs at the following locations:
- MICHAEL LN. AT PEBBLE CREEK PL.
- MICHAEL LN. AT PAULA DR.
- TOWER PARK DR. AT PEBBLE CREEK PL.
- BYRNEWOOD DR. AT PEBBLE CREEK PL.
- PINEWOOD CIR. AT HIGHMEADOW DR.
- HIGHMEADOW DR. AT BYREWOOD DR.
- B. P. WAY AT C. W. POST RD.
- INDIAN TRAILS ST. AT FERNWOOD DR.
- FERNWOOD CT. AT FERNWOOD DR.
- RIDGEMONT RD. AT FERNWOOD DR.
- LAKEWOOD DR. AT MEDALLION CIR.
- MEDALLION DR. AT LAKEWOOD DR.
- NIX LAKE TURNING LEFT AT PAULA
- SAGEWOOD AT COBBLESTONE CIRCLE
- MERRY SUE COVE AT CONERSTONE DRIVE
- TERRI DAWN AT CONERSTONE DRIVE
- SANDSTONE DRIVE AT CONERSTONE DRIVE
- WOOD CHASE COVE AT CONERSTONE DRIVE
- JESSICA AT SANDSTONE
Councilman Evans moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of the resolution. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. The resolution was given the number 1993:51.
Under new business Councilwoman Ingram moved, seconded by Councilman Evans to accept the Mayor's recommendation to move Halloween from Sunday, October 31, 1993, to Saturday, October 30, 1993. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Councilman Wise moved, seconded by Councilman Vance to allow the sale of a Fire Reserve Unit from the Fire Department. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Councilwoman Ingram moved, seconded by Councilman Wise to provide 70% Health and Life Insurance for all city employees. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Councilwoman Ingram moved, seconded by Councilman Mullenix to provide 100% Dental Insurance from Delta Dental for all city employees. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye.
Councilman Vance informed the Council of a luncheon being provided by IBM, Friday October 8, 1993, at 11:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn. Councilman Vance stated several advanced applications of IBM will be covered and encouraged everyone to be there.
Steve Finnegan addressed the Council, stating that he was pleased to see the Council, Police Committee, and Police beginning to have improved communications. He thanked Councilman Hannah for the way the Police Committee meetings had been conducted and stated for the first time in a long time he felt something had been accomplished.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.