CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

February 27,1996

Mayor Barbara A. OHarris called the regularly scheduled meeting to order on Tuesday, February 27, 1996, at 9:14 a.m.

PRESENT:

Mayor O’Harris, Aldermen Jeffrey, Seratt, Watson, and Earngey. Aldermen

Riker and Rubley were absent and Alderman Seratt had another meeting to

get back to.

ALSO PRESENT:

Don Matt, Kirby Murray, Mike Ellis, John Parkhurst, Lewis Epley, King

Gladden, Bill Douglas, Jay Miner, Jim Walden, Don Young, and Clerk Lee.

Mr. Walden led us in the pledge of allegiance.

Mayor OHarris announced that the meeting would be Jim Walden’s last Council meeting. She said that after four and a half years of his careful management, the City has over $1 million in reserves. She wished him well in everything he chose to do. She said that the City of Eureka Springs will miss him.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Mayor OHarris went over the changes to the agenda:

1 Old Business, Number 4, Ordinance #1690

2 New Business, Resolution #432, Hospital Lease.

3 Transit Dept. Issues, Recommendation for Assistant Director.

Alderman Earngey made the recommendation to re-order our agenda as described by Mayor O’Harris. Alderman Watson seconded. All were in favor, 4/0/0.

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CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

February 27,1996

1. Ordinance #1690, Vacating alleys in Block Four and a part of Glenn Avenue, All Located in Freeman’s Addition, Third Reading:

Alderman Earngey made the motion to place Ordinance #1690 in its third reading by title only. Alderman Watson seconded. All were in favor, 4/0/0.

Mr. Walden read the ordinance by title only.

Alderman Earngey made the motion to approve. Alderman Watson seconded. All were in favor, 4/0/0.

2. Resolution #432, Hospital Lease, First Amendment to Assignment and Lease Agreement:

Alderman Earngey made the motion to read Resolution #432. Alderman Watson seconded. All were in favor, 4/0/0.

Mr. Walden read the resolution in its entirety.

Alderman Seratt made the motion to approve. Alderman Watson seconded. There was a short discussion for clarification, stating that what the City is giving up is any reversionary interest we may or may not have in the future. The land belongs to Washington Regional. They are paying the mortgage for the land. This amendment will only be usable if Washington Regional executes a construction mortgage. The Clinic building will house a clinic, a dental office, a medical rental, and a pharmacy, along with the phase one part of the hospital, which is a laboratory and an x-ray facility. Since the building Will be condoed to each doctor, dentist and pharmacist, they would be uncomfortable not having clear title to their respective properties. Also, lending institutions don’t lend on properties without clear title.

The vote on the resolution was 4/0/0.

3. Transit Department Issues, Alderman Watson:

Alderman Watson said that the City Transit Department leases their space from the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Miner is working on the lease. The lease will be ready to sign by March 1.

Alderman Watson said that the Council needs to vote on the $15,000 that the Transit Department needs in subsidies to start service. The City agreed to subsidize the Transit Department when they okayed the budget agreement that was sent to the State. This is a formality but the Council has to vote on it because it is an unbudgeted item, and it will require an amendment to the budget in July.

Alderman Jeffrey made the motion to furnish the Transit Department with $15,000 in start up funds, effective March 1, 1996. Alderman Seratt seconded. Mr. Jeffrey said for clarification that we will be subsidizing the trolley and the money will not be payed back later.

The roll was called and the vote was in favor, 4/0/0.

Alderman Watson then recommended that the Council approve Larry Woods for the position that Lisa Liggett is vacating, which is Assistant Director of the Transit Department. She said that the job has been advertised and the applications have been scored. He is highly qualified She also recommended that, since Mrs. Liggetts salary is $16,527 annually, Mr. Woods salary be set at $16,000 annually. Mrs. Liggett was hired September 21, 1993 and her starting salary was $15,590. Mr. Walden made it clear that this person must pass the mandatory drug and alcohol testing in order to be hired.

Alderman Jeffrey made the motion that Larry Woods be hired as the Assistant Director of Transit at a salary of $16,000 per year, effective March 1st contingent upon his passing the drug and alcohol test in Harrison. Alderman Watson seconded. All were in favor, 4/0/0.

Bill Douglass was present from the Tourism Advisory Committee. He made an informal recommendation to the Council that the City acquire four Tramstar Trams to be utilized in its proposed new program for removal of large vehicles from the City's Historic District. This committee meets weekly, on Wednesday, and they are moving toward a comprehensive

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CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

February 27,1996

proposal to the City for the removal of large vehicles from the historic loop, mainly large motorcoaches. They are also working on large delivery vehicles. Two of the trams will need to be acquired in 1996 and two in 1997. The trams will be utilized both for the transit system, and also for franchisees to off load motorcoaches and tranfer tourists around the Historic District. The committee’s proposal is not complete as yet but the committee is working very hard. They will draw up an ordinance to cover their proposal. Alderman Jeffrey said also, that the first two trams will be predominately for the use of the Transit Department, and the second two will be used mainly for designated franchisees to transport tourists through the Historic District. Mr. Douglass said that this is an amazing effort in community compromise.

Alderman Watson said that Chance Motor Coach will be bringing a Tramstar Tram the week of March 11th through the 15th. March 13th is a Wednesday and the Tourism Advisory Committee will meet at 3 p.m. so it would be nice if the Council could be there and all could ride at that time.

The Council set a work session on the Transit Department issues for 6:30p.m. on March 7, 1996. They also set a work session on the Wastewater Treatment Plant after the Agenda-Setting meeting on March 5th and the Agenda-Setting meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.

Alderman Seratt made the motion to approve the January 23rd council meeting minutes. Alderman Watson seconded. There were a couple of amendments suggested and then the minutes were approved as amended, 4/0/0.

Alderman Seratt made the motion to approve the minutes of February 13, 1996. Alderman Watson seconded. In discussion, it was decided on page two that ‘on” should be deleted in Mr. Epleys discussion; on page three, #3, after “using it for some City purpose to add “or selling it to recover our money’; arid on page 5 under Administrative Assistants report, it should read “Mr. Walden announced that the December Sales and Use Tax check, (collected in November), from the State was a little over $16,000 greater than December of 1994”. The Council approved the minutes as amended, 4/0/0.

Alderman Earngey made the motion to adjourn. Alderman Watson seconded.

All were in favor, 4/0/0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 a.m.