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Minutes for the City Council meeting on March 15, 1999
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - MARCH 15, 1999
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, March 15, 1999, 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 8 council members. Those members were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy. The following council members were unable to attend: Tate, Young, Province, and Copeland.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the minutes from March 1, 1999, as delivered. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy.
Mr. John Troutt, Jr., member of the board of the Jonesboro Central Planning Association addressed Council regarding a study to help revitalize the older, centralized areas of Jonesboro. Mr. Troutt stated even though the central part of the city has several “top-notch” facilities, there is also deterioration, so the purpose for organizing the Jonesboro Central Planning Association was to find answers in providing an economically sound “central core” of Jonesboro. He stated the association had met with several different consultants and recommends the HyettPalma, Inc., who only contracts through the National League of Cities. Mr. Troutt explained to contract a five year redevelopment plan with HyettPalma, Inc. would take six months to a year, at a cost of $55,250.00. Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Moore authorizing Mayor Brodell to contract with the National League of Cities (HyettPalma, Inc.) for $55,250.00, to be appropriated from unappropriated sales tax. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy.
The following ordinance was on second reading:
ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR CONDEMNATION AND REPAIR, REHABILITATION, SECURING, OR RAZING AND REMOVAL OF HOUSES, BUILDINGS; AND/OR STRUCTURES CONSTITUTING A NUISANCE WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS
After reading the ordinance a second time, City Attorney, Phillip Crego stated he had been given a note requesting an emergency clause be included. Mr. Crego explained a motion would have to be made to amend the ordinance to include an emergency clause. Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to amend the ordinance to include an emergency clause. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy. Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Rega to suspend the rules and place on third reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy. Mr. Bill Ebbert who was recognized by Mayor Brodell, stated Arkansas State Representative, Jerry Allison had agreed to get an Attorney General’s opinion on the ordinance by next week. Mr. Ebbert requested the ordinance be held until the legal opinion had been received. Mayor Brodell responded by saying the ordinance could be adopted, and if it is determined to be incorrect, the ordinance could be amended at a later date. Councilman Kelton questioned City Attorney Crego about the legal process in preparing the ordinance. City Attorney Crego stated the original ordinance came from the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, where it had been tested in court on more than one occasion. Mr. Crego further stated the Planning and Inspection Committee had compared the existing ordinance with the Hot Spring ordinance, line by line, making simple modifications. Mr. Crego fully recommended the revised condemnation ordinance, stating he had no problems with the it. Based on City Attorney Crego’s recommendation, Councilman Kelton encouraged Council to adopt the ordinance. Again, Mayor Brodell called for a voice vote regarding the third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy. The ordinance was read a third time without an emergency clause. Councilman Rega questioned if Section 18 should not be the emergency clause. A gentleman from the audience expressed concern over Section 7 (A) where it states a renovation permit must be obtained within thirty days from the date of condemnation by the City Council. He wanted the ordinance to read ninety days instead of thirty days. Councilman Moore explained the thirty days was to buy the permit, not to complete the construction. Councilman Rega explained after the thirty days expires, one could request Council for a six month extension. Also, the gentleman wanted the public to vote on the proposed ordinance instead of the City Council. Both Brian Wadley, of the Inspections Department and Doug Little, Code Enforcement Officer, responded speaking in favor of leaving the proposed ordinance at thirty days rather than ninety days. Councilman Kelton explained on the advice of City Attorney Crego he would move for the adoption of the ordinance and then move for the adoption of the emergency clause separately. Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy. Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of the emergency clause. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy. The ordinance was assigned number 3115.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution accepting a portion of Highway 351 in to Jonesboro’s street system. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:09.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to set an appeal hearing for April 5, 1999, at 6:00 p.m. as requested by Mike Ibsen and Jay Harmon. The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission denied rezoning from Residential (R-1) to Residential (R-3) located on the west side of Airport Road, adjacent to the Moose Lodge. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Kelton who abstained from voting. Those members voting aye were: McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy.
Councilman Crockett moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of a resolution expressing Council support for the proposed Electric Consumer Choice Act of 1999, Senate Bill 585, and opposition to Senate Bill 661. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 1999:10.
Councilman Roddy moved, seconded by Councilman Crockett to accept the low bid meeting bid specifications of Precision Grading and Excavation for $259,996.84 for the Washington Ditch Drainage Project. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, McCall, Crockett, Rorex, Rega, Moore, Perrin, and Roddy.
Under new business, Councilman Perrin showed plans for the new Central Fire Station. Councilman Perrin requested the information be mailed to each council member, and stated the architect should be able to provide the copies.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.