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Minutes for the special called City Council meeting on December 31, 1990.
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CALLED MEETING - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - DECEMBER 31, 1990
A called meeting of the Jonesboro City Council was held at 5:30 p.m. on December 31, 1990. Present were Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney and Aldermen Park, Stricklin, Evans, Shelton, Province, Mays, Sanderson, Strauser, Hinson and Nix. Absent were Aldermen Hannah and Bridger.
Mayor Brodell called upon Mr. Mays, Chairman of the committee to review the duties and compensation of the Office of City Attorney for a report. Mr. Mays stated the committee had met twice to discuss the matter and recommended amending the ordinance of record regarding the duties of City Attorney, as part of it is in conflict with state law. The amendment outlined the duties as follows:
a) Represent the City of Jonesboro, AR in all matters pertaining to the Municipal Court including the appeals of municipal ordinances to higher courts that are not in conflict with state law.
b) Confer with the Mayor and City Council on matters affecting the city when requested. Requests shall b in writing if time permits.
c) Draft on review all ordinances and resolutions, contracts, lease agreements, etc. required by the City of Jonesboro, (Recommend ordinances not be placed on three (3) readings in one (1) meeting unless the City Attorney has approved said ordinance. The Clerk will forward ordinances and resolutions to the office of the City Attorney on Thursday when the agenda packets are mailed for review. Regarding resolutions from the floor, should the City Attorney deem said resolution to be in conflict with the law, she can so advise and Council can reconsider the corrected resolution at the next meeting.
d) City Attorney shall attend all regular and called City Council meetings.
Mr. Mays further noted that under Section & 2.32.02, Section 2 (b) was deleted from the amendment relieving the City Attorney from civil court responsibilities and allowing the Council to hire outside counsel for representation on civil matters.
Mr. Honeycutt stated the proposed amendment was workable and recommended passage.
Mr. Mays offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2.32, CITY ATTORNEY -SECTION 2.23.02 - DUTIES, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS
Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Dr. Strauser to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. All voted aye. Mr. Mays moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. All voted aye with the exception of Mr. Sanderson who voted nay objecting the wording of sub-section &d requiring the City Attorney to attend “all” council meetings. Ms. Honeycutt stated if she was absent due to illness or unexpected or unusual circumstances or extended lawsuit, that she should be excused. Mayor Brodell stated the position regarding attendance was in line with the requirements of council members. Dr. Strauser moved, seconded by Mr. Hinson for the adoption of the ordinance with the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken and all voted aye with the exception of Mr. Sanderson who voted nay. The ordinance was given the number 2313.
Regarding the City Attorney budget, Chairman Strauser called upon Mr. Mays for a recommendation who stated the following: To increase line item 209 - expense - to $1700. to cover 3 months’ rent @ $500.00 a month for a period of 30-60 days until suitable office space located on the corner of Church and Creath, formerly the Building Inspector’s Office, deemed acceptable to the Mayor can be provided for her. The expense item is for temporary office space plus $200 for removal and transfer of the City Attorney sign. If any funds are remaining in the line item, it cannot be designated for anything else if office space is ready for occupancy. Ms. Honeycutt requested being notified thirty (30) days in advance of the office’s availability in order for her to cancel her current lease.
If the City Attorney takes an additional partner and said individual is performing city business, it will not affect it. The City Attorney cannot rent the building to an associate not performing city work as a deputy and receive compensation. Ms. Honeycutt stated she had no plans to bring anyone in the office who is not a deputy. Dr. Strauser stated provisions for remuneration should be made.
Mr. Evans asked if the committee looked into hiring of additional personnel, i.e. full-time secretary for future growth. The Mayor stated no provisions were made and the needs would be addressed as they arose.
Dr. Strauser stated the city had a fiduciary responsibility to the 50,000 taxpayers of the city and he felt Mr. Mays and his committee had tried to fulfill that responsibility in addressing issue.
Dr Strauser offered the following ordinance for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 1991 BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO TO INCLUDE THE BUDGET FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
Ms. Honeycutt asked the Council to hold good on provisions to provide a computer and printer when she will be housed in city office space. Dr. Strauser recommended providing a PC computer, dot matrix printer and a software package of her choice and increasing the budget line item to $3000. Mr. Shelton moved, seconded by Mr. Strauser to amend the City Attorney budget to allow for a $3000 computer and dot matrix printer and software package as recommended at a total of $203,014.00 and the total budget at $10,553,457.00. All voted aye. Dr. Strauser moved, seconded by Mr. Shelton to suspend the rules and place on second reading. All voted aye. Mr. Shelton moved, seconded by Mr. Evans to suspend the rules and place on third reading. All voted aye. Dr. Strauser moved, seconded by Mr. Hinson for the adoption of the ordinance as amended with the emergency clause. All voted aye. The ordinance was given the number 2314.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned.