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Minutes for the City Council meeting on August 16, 2004
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - AUGUST 16, 2004
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, August 16, 2004, 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 twelve council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Young, Perrin, Street, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy.
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Province to approve the minutes of August 2, 2004, as provided. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Young, Perrin, Street, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy.
LEGAL REPORT - City Attorney Crego provided a written report on cases being handled by his office. He explained that Attorney Ohm had no additional information. Discussion was held regarding an abatement case by which Mr. Crego explained a consent order had been reached with the property owner to bring the property in to compliance. He stated the property will remain vacant until it is brought up to code, and the property owner has agreed to enter in to a tenant screening process prior to renting the property. Councilman Moore questioned if this was the first offense and could nuisance abatement be used when there is only on violation. Attorney Crego explained one criminal violation can be used, but there is a different proceeding for the various code violations. It was explained this particular case had 27 violations.
Councilman Perrin offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM COMMERCIAL (C-4) TO COMMERCIAL (C-3) LOCATED AT 3401, 3407, AND 3415 E. HIGHLAND DRIVE. (Kevin Alpe, dba A & B Investments)
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Moore to suspend the rules and place on second reading. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members voting aye were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Young, Perrin, Street, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy. No further action was taken.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilwoman Williams for the adoption of a resolution approving the City of Jonesboro to participate under the 2005 Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism’s Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. Questions were raised regarding the appropriation of the matching funds. It was explained that the 2005 budget has not been determined as yet, and council members were concerned that with the adoption of the resolution it would obligate the City of Jonesboro. Mr. Wilkie explained the reason they asked for the $200,000 figure was because of the unexpended sum of $200,000 in the 2004 budget due to the Rotary Club meeting the matching funds. He explained they were hoping to carry that amount over to 2005. Councilman Farmer asked if the Council was just agreeing to apply for the grant, and explained the 2005 budget process has not even begun. Mr. Wilkie stated in the application process they must show the money has been budgeted for the next year. Councilman Farmer asked for clarification stating by adopting the resolution the Council was simply applying for the grant, not accepting the grant. He stated the Finance Committee has established a process for Capital Improvements, but have not gone through that process yet. Mr. Wilkie responded saying it does not mean that the $200,000 is automatically put in the budget, just that this is the process that has always been followed. Councilman Dover questioned when the City of Jonesboro would know if it had been awarded the grant. Mr. Wilkie stated they would know by the end of the year and receive the money in March of 2005. Mr. McKinnon, Grant Coordinator explained with the adoption of the resolution it allows for the application process to begin, and to show the City of Jonesboro could provide the matching funds if the grant is awarded. Councilman Hargis questioned where the funds come from in the general ledger accounts. Mr. Wilkie stated they come from Baseball and Soccer Booster Clubs which raised approximately $330,000 of private funds, similar to the Rotary Club. Questions were raised regarding the cost of the concession stand. Mr. Wilkie stated he was conservative with his estimate for the 1800 square foot concession stand and figured the cost at $100.00 to $125.00 per square foot. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Young, Perrin, Street, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:65.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Moore for the adoption of a resolution expressing the willingness of the City of Jonesboro to utilize federal-aid money for the installation of signalization at Highway 18 and Nestle Road. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Young, Perrin, Street, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:66.
Councilman Young moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis for the adoption of a resolution setting a public hearing for September 7, 2004, at 6:15 p.m. for the issuance of taxable industrial revenue bonds to finance the expansion and improvement of an industrial facility for Frito-Lay, Inc. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Young, Perrin, Street, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy. The resolution was assigned number 2004:67.
Councilman Street announced there would be an MPO Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room.
Councilman Farmer announced a Finance Committee meeting for Thursday, at 4:00 p.m. in the Huntington Building and the Public Works Committee for Tuesday, September 7th at 4:30 p.m. Councilman Farmer also asked for suggestions and recommendations regarding the 2005 City Council procedures be forwarded to City Clerk Donna Jackson for consideration by the Nominating and Rules Committee.
At the request of Councilman Moore, Councilwoman Furr explained she had been looking for grant possibilities for the Police Department when she discovered under the Department of Justice website an extraordinary number of grants being issued to the State of Arkansas. She explained Pine Bluff and Fayetteville had received 1.5 million dollars and Fort Smith had received 1.3 million dollars. Councilwoman Furr questioned if there should be a designated grant writer in each department or if we needed to look at a consortium between Craighead County, Arkansas State University, and the Department of Public Safety. She questioned if the City of Jonesboro needs to be looking at a different way of handling the grants because she explained we did not receive the grants because we did not ask for them. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee for recommendation.
Councilwoman Williams asked for the Nominating and Rules Committee to discuss the possibility of changing the procedure in elections for City Council positions, from totally at large, to six of the positions being elected by ward. She explained she felt it was time to implement this policy and had received input from constituents who supported the fairness of ward voting.
A presentation was made to Attorney Phillip Crego by Councilwoman Williams, Chair of the Legal Subcommittee on behalf of the full Jonesboro City Council, recognizing Mr. Crego for being selected as the Second Vice President of the City Attorney’s Association of the Arkansas Municipal League. Attorney Crego received a standing ovation from all members of the Jonesboro City Council.
With no further business, Councilman Moore moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for adjournment. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Moore, Williams, Young, Perrin, Street, Dover, Furr, McCall and Roddy.