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Minutes for the City Council meeting on September 15, 1997
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PUBLIC HEARING - 5:20 P.M. - A public hearing was held as requested by Mr. James LaFarlette, regarding the abandonment of a twenty foot utility easement located in Stadium Place Subdivision. No opposition was voiced.
PUBLIC HEARING - 5:30 P.M. - As required, a public hearing was held by Grants Director, Jim McKinnon regarding a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. The matching grant would be split 90/10 with the Federal Government matching 90 percent of the cost. The total cost was $70,410.00 and of that amount the City of Jonesboro would pay 10 percent or $7,815.00. Prior to the obligation of any funds received under the Block Grants Program and the issuance of a Grant Adjustment Notice , a unit of local government must establish or designate an advisory board that includes representatives of groups with a recognized interest in criminal justice and crime or substance abuse prevention and treatment. It must include representatives from at least the following: Local law enforcement agency, Local prosecutor’s office, local court system, Local nonprofit group (e.g., educational, religious, or community) active in crime prevention or drug use prevention or treatment. Mr. McKinnon named members of the Advisory Board. Those members were: Judge Pam Honeycutt, City Attorney, Phillip Crego, Toby Emerson, Brenda Tyler, Rev. Mike Marlin, Terry Trotter, Sergeant Roy Coleman and Captain Tim Eads.
The grant will be used for hiring one officer and for the purchase of video equipment. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
APPEAL HEARING - 6:00 P.M. - An appeal hearing was held as requested by Melissa Mereidith regarding a recommendation by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission to grant rezoning to Gehl Henderson, from Residential (R-1) to Agricultural (AG-1) for nine (9) acres located on the south side of Jonathan Street east of Warren Street. Ms. Mereidith referred to an article written in the Jonesboro Sun that urged environmental protection of our water supply from animal waste and other pollutants. Ms. Mereidith explained the waste from this particular area washes into Lost Creek, and warned against rezoning the property. Others to speak against the rezoning were: John Warner, Joe Rolfe, Sam Thompson, Jeff Johnson, and Ruth Phillips. Reasons stated by the opposition were the devaluation of property values, pollution, and drainage problems. Mr. Chris Phelps, son-in-law to the Hendersons, spoke in favor of the Agricultural zoning, stating three buildings would be built on the property; the house which is 30' by 70', the barn would be 30' by 85', and a utility building measuring 25' by 40'. Mr. Phelps reported there would be twelve miniature horses kept on the property. Marguerite Henderson stated she and her husband had purchased the land for their daughter and son-in-law, and feared one barn would not be adequate space for storing hay, gardening tools and horses. Mrs. Henderson also stated they were willing to build a buffer stripe and presented a letter from Mr. Jerry L. Farris, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental Biology stating there was no environmental risk by granting the Agricultural zoning. In closing, Mrs. Henderson read from the Jonesboro Municipal Code regarding regulations for keeping horses on two or more acres.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 15, 1997
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, September 15, 1997, at 6:30 p.m. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Brodell, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney, Phillip Crego and 10 council members. Those members were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilmen Crockett and Councilman Kelly were unable to attend.
The minutes of September 2, 1997, were approved as delivered by Councilman Roddy, seconded by Councilman Rorex. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy for the adoption of a resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Intent between the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas and an industrial concern pertaining to the issuance of industrial development revenue bonds. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given number 1997:62.
Councilman Tate offered the following ordinance for the first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE AND ABANDON AN UNIMPROVED PORTION OF A TWENTY FOOT UTILITY EASEMENT ON THE SOUTH PORTION OF LOT 8 IN STADIUM PLACE SUBDIVISION
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Kelton moved, seconded by Councilman Tate to suspend the rules and place on the third and final reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Tate for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was given the number 3005.
Councilman Tate 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 (Gehl Henderson)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Fletcher to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was read a second time.
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 (Humane Society / Jim Lyons)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was read a second time. Discussion continued with Mr. Gary Meadows requesting a “Bill of Assurance” from the Humane Society to guarantee proper upkeep of the property. Mr. John Huff, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Humane Society agreed to present a plan to the opposition, and try to reach some kind of compromise.
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 (Jim Lackey / Hammon Newell)
Councilman Tate moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to suspend the rules and place on the second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The ordinance was read a second time.
Councilman Rega moved, seconded by Councilman Bowers for the adoption of a resolution placing traffic signals at the following locations:
REMOVE A “STOP” SIGN:
On Neely Road and replace it with a STOP SIGN on Neely Lane.
PLACE A “STOP” SIGN:
At Intersection of Tulip Lane at Sweetheart Lane
PLACE “15 MPH” SIGNS:
At Sweetheart Lane
At Tulip Lane
A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The resolution was given the number 1997:63.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Kelton to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee to pay the Solid Waste Authority $18,583.50 for work done regarding a gas tank system, with the cost to be divided between the Street Department and Sanitation Budget. A voice vote was taken resulting in all council members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Kelton, Rorex, Province, Tate, Rega, Pratt, Young, Fletcher, Bowers, and Roddy. The motion carried.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned.