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Minutes for the City Council meeting on August 1, 2006
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - August 1, 2006
The Jonesboro City Council met Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. Members present were: Mayor Doug Formon, City Clerk Donna Jackson, City Attorney Phillip Crego and twelve council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Moore moved seconded by Councilman Perrin to approve the minutes of July 18, 2006, and the Special Called meeting held July 21, 2006, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution to approve the City of Jonesboro to participate in the 2007 Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism’s Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. Councilman Perrin questioned the timeline for the grant. Mr. Wilkie explained they would know in January if they received the award and how much it would be. It was explained if the grant is awarded, then the money would be appropriated in the 2007 budget from Capital Improvements. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:97.
Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of a resolution to proceed with condemnation action on the following properties: 517 Borgman - Calvin Pettye, 515 Borgman - Ethelener Johnson, 513 Borgman - Calvin Pettye. Mayor Formon questioned Mr. Mike Daffron, a Code Enforcement Officer if they were developing condemnation criteria. Mr. Daffron confirmed they were working on it. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:98.
Under new business, Mayor Formon announced it was National Night Out and encouraged everyone to leave their lights on till 10:00 p.m. Mayor Formon announced Mr. Brian Wadley was still out, and was not sure when he would be able to return. He explained Ms. Hackney had sent an email to everyone regarding Mr. Wadley’s condition.
Councilman Farmer announced due to professional and personal responsibilities over the next couple of years he would be unable to ask for citizens consideration for his re-election this fall. Mr. Farmer thanked the citizens of Jonesboro for allowing him to serve as their alderman, stating he hoped he had justified their trust over the last 3½ years. Councilman Farmer stated he wanted to make the announcement now so anyone interested in serving would know of his intentions prior to the filing deadline of August 9, 2006, and encouraged the progress made by the Jonesboro City Council. He stated it was an honor and privilege not only to serve the citizens of Jonesboro but to also serve with other members of the Jonesboro City Council who have gone above and beyond the normal duties of their office. Councilman Farmer stated in 2002, when several members of the current Jonesboro City Council were elected, there was a common goal of restoring an open, honest, fiscally responsible, and publicly accountable government for the citizens of Jonesboro. He explained when they took office in 2003 they were faced with numerous problems, naming issues of below market employee salaries & benefits, to worn out police cars, fire trucks, and other city equipment. He further stated there were, and still are, major drainage problems. Other issues were landfill violations, little or no long range planning, federal lawsuits relating to ADA noncompliance, and a police building with a failing roof. Councilman Farmer explained many of the issues have been addressed or are being addressed, all while maintaining a balanced budget. He stated he was proudest of the City Council and being part of the way the Convention Center proposal was handled, stating the seventeen million dollar ($17,000,000) building would have been the single largest expenditure in Jonesboro’s history. Councilman Farmer stated they did the right thing for its citizens by asking the questions that needed to be asked. Councilman Farmer further stated while he and the Jonesboro City Council have worked extremely hard to do the things that needed to be done, they are legally limited on the actions they can take as the legislative branch of city government as opposed to the legal and administrative side. He explained too often in the past 3½ years, over two separate mayoral terms, the City Council has had to step up in the breach to handle citizen complaints, and city projects. He stated it is obvious, in order to get the projects completed and respond to citizen complaints the mayor must take the lead and set the example as the administrative executive side of government. Councilman Farmer stated the Jonesboro City Council has been praised and blamed for doing things that are above and beyond what a city council should be called on to do. In closing, Councilman Farmer reported in the next five months he would continue working on capital improvement projects such as the animal shelter, fire station, and street and drainage improvements. He stated after his term ends in December, he plans to stay involved as time permits, and looks forward to the day when his family and business responsibilities will allow him to once again serve the community.
Councilman Hargis stated they would have a proposal for an animal shelter at the next Public Safety meeting for August 15, 2006.
Councilman Moore reported on the work session and the Public Works Committee meeting which began today at 2:00 p.m. regarding drainage issues. He explained the committee considered five projects with three of the projects moving forward, and Mayor Formon had been authorized to proceed with negotiations of the three contracts. He further stated in two weeks there would be five more drainage issues being addressed by engineers offering solutions.
Councilwoman Williams moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules placing a resolution for JETS on the agenda for consideration by the full city council. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilwoman Williams moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for the adoption of a resolution accepting bid number 2006:43 - Audio Visual Equipment Units from Audio Express as recommended by JETS staff. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:99.
Councilwoman Furr reported on the turn out for National Night Out saying the children were enjoying the sprinklers given the hot weather. She explained there would be hot balloon rides available and encouraged everyone’s participation.
Councilman Johnson stated he appreciated the dedication of the Public Works Committee and the hours they have spent on trying to resolve the numerous drainage problems. He explained he is not a member of the Public Works Committee, but as a citizen has been plagued with drainage problems in the past and appreciates their efforts.
Councilman Street, Chair of the Public Works Committee announced they would have another work session August 15, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at city council chambers for the purpose of reviewing engineers regarding more drainage issues. He invited all council members interested in drainage to attend the meeting.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to place a resolution on the agenda for consideration by the full council. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution accepting Bid No. 2006:49 - Cab and Chassis with Dump Body the low bidder being Tri-State Truck Center, Inc. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. The resolution was assigned number 2006:100.
Under Public Comment, Roger Watkins provided a clipping from the Jonesboro Sun dated September 18th, 2005, regarding the Mall at Turtle Creek. He stated he was glad to see the Jonesboro City Council getting “on the same page” and “being part of the solution”.
With no further business, Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to adjourn the meeting. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Perrin, Street, Johnson, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley.