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Minutes for the City Council meeting on May 19, 1986
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A Public Hearing was held for Wayne and Virginia Baker and Bill and Juanita Ebbert regarding the abandonment of a portion of Belmont Avenue at 7:00 p.m. Attorney Charles Frierson, representing Mr. and Mrs. Baker stated the portion of Belmont Avenue his clients requested being closed had been closed on July 10, 1967, but had not been properly filed by the City Clerk on that date. Mr. Ebbert addressed the portion of the street being closed at his request and the Mayor stated with the City Attorney concurring that the adjourning property owners must agree to the abandonment of the street.
City Council Minutes - May 19, 1986
The City Council met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor City Clerk, City Attorney and all Aldermen.
The minutes of the regular session held on May 5, 1986, and the Called Meeting held on May 8, 1986, were approved as mailed on motion by Mr. Stricklin, seconded by Mr. Park. All voted aye.
Mr. Shelton offered the following ordinance: (Annexation-Calvary Chapel Church, S. of Bypass, and E. of Hwy 1)
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING CERTAIN LANDS ANNEXED TO THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, ASSIGNING SAID ANNEXED TERRITORY TO WARD 5; ZONING SAID ANNEXED TERRITORY AGRICULTURAL (AG), DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mr. Shelton moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye. The ordinance was read for the second time. Attorney Mike Gott requested the rules be suspended and the ordinance be placed on third reading. After discussion, Mr. Park and Mr. Bridger stated the third reading should be delayed until the department heads had an opportunity to formulate their opinions regarding said annexation and prepare the proper forms concerning the matter.
The following ordinance was on third reading: (Annexation-Walden & Timms W. Washington, zoning Tract 1 (C-3) and Tract 2 (R-3)
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING CERTAIN LANDS ANNEXED TO THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, ASSIGNING SAID ANNEXED TERRITORY TO WARD 1; ZONING SAID ANNEXED TERRITORY, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Attorney Ship Mooney stated the MAPC had stipulated an additional 60 ft. right-of-way and presented the document regarding same to the City Clerk for filing with the Circuit Court Clerk, Mr. Stricklin moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to adopt the ordinance. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 1981.
Mr. Culpepper offered the following resolution:
RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING THE FORUM COMMISSION’S AGREEMENT WITH THE FOUNDATION OF ARTS FOR NORTHEAST ARKANSAS, INC. WHEREBY THE FOUNDATION OF ARTS FOR NORTHEAST ARKANSAS, INC. SHALL ASSIST IN THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE FORUM
Sam Hummelstein, Chairman of the Board of the Forum explained the proposed agreement with the Forum Commission, Friends of the Forum, and the Jonesboro Fine Arts Council. He explained that the umbrella group was formed to coordinate cultural and entertainment activities. The major purpose of the foundation is to coordinate funding efforts in the community and will provide fiscal management, encourage new cultural activities and work closely with Arkansas State University. Mayor Stallings endorsed the proposal and stated the organization will save money and duplication of services. Reduced funding for the arts on the state and federal level prompted formulation of the group. Mr. Hannah praised Forum Director, Rusty Garner and added his application should be considered for the directorship. Mr. Park moved, seconded by Mr. Culpepper to adopt the resolution. All voted aye. The resolution was given the number 1986:08.
Mr. Sanderson moved, seconded by Mr. Nix to approve the $55,152.57 Mosquito Control Budget, but not approving the expenditure of $7,500.00 for building expansion at this time. All voted aye.
Scott Lewis, Executive Assistant to ASU President Eugene Smith, told Aldermen of the Universities incubator program for economic development. Mayor Stallings endorsed the program which will provide research, computer, faculty and management services to new firms. Mr. Hannah moved, seconded by Mr. Bridger to authorize the transfer of three acres of city-owned property in the Industrial Park to the State of Arkansas to develop an Incubator model for economic development. All voted aye.
Grover Evans reported on the Advisory Committee for the Disabled announcing its goals and objectives. He asked the Council to review them by the next meeting. Dr. Strauser stated that the document should be rewritten and reviewed before the Council takes any action on it.
The Mayor announced a Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on May 22, 1986, to receive input on proposed community development programs for the year. A Public Hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on May 28, 1986, to finalize and report on which project the city will submit to A. I. D. C. Jim McKinnon addressed the matter.
Mr. Shelton reported on property located at 210 E. Word and asked that condemnation proceedings or clean-up of said property be commenced. The Mayor referred the matter to the Building Inspector, Joe Tomlinson for review.
Mr. Hannah offered the following resolution to the 1986 Budget; that a maximum of $27,660.00 be appropriated from unappropriated monies in the 1986 Budget, with the line item to be designated by the Finance Committee, and further that Mayor Stallings be authorized to enter into a negotiated settlement in a lawsuit pending against the city in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Mr. Hannah then moved, seconded by Dr. Strauser for its adoption. All voted aye. The resolution was given the number 1986:09.
Discussion was held concerning providing proper documents to the City Clerk by the Attorneys to be mailed with the agenda. Mr. Nix moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton for the attorneys to submit proper papers and a mailable size plat to the City Clerk previous to the second reading on annexation, rezoning, and street abandonment matters. Mr. Nix noted that he was not being critical of the attorneys but having all proper documents in the hands of city officials would enable the council to be more informed on each proposal. All voted aye. In addition, Mr. Bridger moved, seconded by Mr. Nix for such items not be placed on the agenda until developers have provided the Building Inspector with copies of property plats in order for municipal department heads to have an opportunity to comment on the proposals. All voted aye.
Mr. Nix asked the Finance Committee to research hiring an additional person in the person in the Inspector’s office.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned.