CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 10, 1996

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS REPORT:

Mr. Young said that we received a sales and use check. It was the October check and put us down 1.47% for the year. This is the least we have received in the last five years.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

No Reports.

COMMISSION, COMMITTEE AND AUTHORITY REPORTS:

1. Auditorium Commission: Position 5 is vacant.

4. Historic District Commission: Position #3, Frank Green, is up and Mr. Green has agreed to serve again. Also Position #5, Beverly Wilkinson’s position is up, and she will be willing to serve again, if the Council so desires. Alderman Jeffrey made the motion to accept the reappointment of both Mr. Green, and Ms. Wilkinson. Alderwoman Watson seconded. All approved, 4/0/0, by roll call.

6. Parking Authority: Position 2 is vacant.

8. Planning Commission: George Christman, who was recently elected to the City’ Council, has resigned from the Planning Commission, Position 6.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor O’Harris thanked the Councfl for their service to the community, and mentioned Mr. Rubley and Mr. Riker because they were both absent. She also thanked all of the people who have served on commissions this year. She said the Tourism Advisory Committee is on recess for now, and she thanked them for their hard work on the solution to taking the buses off the loop. It was not an easy job and she congratulated them for compromising so that the job could be done. She said that each person who volunteers his time to help work out the City’s problems is owed a debt of gratitude from every citizen in the City.

Alderwoman Watson made the motion to adjourn. Alderwoman Seratt seconded. All were in favor, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 1996

There was a discussion about the new trolley that will be bought in 1997. Mr. Fargo said that the Transit Department is working with the state on an 80/20 ratio, but it could be 90/10. $46,000 is a possibility in the 80/20 ratio. The City might not have to come up with that much, depending on how many cities come up for consideration in 1997. Also, Mr. Fargo said that the Transit Department got a grant from The Department of Transportation in the amount of $64,760 for the operating budget. It is a grant the department has never had before.

Mr. Bill Freeland asked about driver’s wages. He said that Mr. Fargo was making an assumption that expense and revenue didn’t exist for the trams. Mayor O’Harris said that is not what we are doing. Mr. Fargo said that there is no way to track how much the Tour Guides business will bring in, since it has never been done before. Mr. Fargo said that he has been in contact with each of the franchise holders and at this point there really isn’t enough information to get a good feel for it. He said that they are sending out a lot of literature and they are hoping for a good response. He said that the Transit System reports to the Council each month, and that is the best way he knows of to let the City know what is happening.

Alderman Jeffrey asked if the propane was taken care of. Mr. Fargo said that the pad was poured and a chain link fence was built around it and the tank was bought and is full. Everything is paid for. He said that the Public Works Department had really helped with getting it set up.

Alderwoman Dickens made the motion to approve the 1997 Transit Department Budget. Alderwoman Watson seconded. The vote was in favor by roll call, 4/0/0.

Mayor O’Harris read the Boil Order Releases for the First St. Area.

2. State Roll Back of Property Taxes:

Mayor O’Harris said that she had met with Mayors, Superintendents of the Schools, the County Judge and the County Clerk, along with a State Official to discuss the millage roll-back.

The Eureka Springs School District millage had been 31.8 The roll-back would have gone to ‘28.4 had it not been for the passage of Amendment 1. Under Amendment, 1, there is a 25 rnil requirement plus 4.7 mils debt service, which brodght it to 29.7 as a minimum, that they can go back to. The personal property mils is 29.7 also. Mr. Meggenberg did not approve of an item that was a capital improvements that was listed under maintenance, but that is a problem for the School Board to handle.

The City needs to pass a new Ordinance #1744 before the end of the year. Under the new ordinance, the Personal Property tax would be .0049 or 4.9 mils. Both of these taxes had been at 5.0 mils before the roll back. The Real Property tax would be .0044 or 4.4 mils. These roll backs should result in a 10% increase to the average taxpayer, plus somewhat more because of the school tax passing.

Alderwoman Seratt made the motion to place Ordinance #1744 on its first reading in its entirety. Alderwoman Dickens seconded. The vote to read was 4/0/0.

Don Young read the ordinance in its entirety.

Alderwoman Watson made the motion to approve. Alderwoman Dickens seconded. The vote, by roll call, was 4/0/0.

It was asked why we have to have a new ordinance. We have never had a roll back before. The ordinance needs to be in place by January 1. 1997

Alderwoman Watson made the motion to suspend the rules and place Ordinance #1744 on its second reading by title only. Alderman Dickens seconded. The roll call vote was, 4/0/0.

CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 1996

Mr. Young read the ordinance by title only.

Alderwoman Seratt made the motion to approve the second reading.

Alderwoman Watson seconded. All were in favor, by roll call, 4/0/0.

Alderwoman Seratt made the motion to further suspend the rules and place Ordinance #1744 on its third and final reading by title only. Alderwoman Dickens seconded. The roll call vote was 4/0/0, approved. Mr. Young read the ordinance by title only.

Aiderwoman Seratt made the motion to approve. Akierwoman Dickens seconded. By roll call, the third reading passed, 4/0/0.

Alderwoman Seratt made the motion to read the emergency clause.

Alderwoman Watson seconded. All were in favor, 4/0/0.

Mr. Young read the Emergency Clause.

Alderwoman Seratt. made the motion to approve. Alderwoman Watson

seconded. All were in favor, by roll call, 4/0/0.

Alderwoman Seratt made the motion to adjourn. Alderwoman Watson seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.