CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1999

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Eureka Springs City Council to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Western District Courthouse.  The roll was called and the following were in attendance:  Alderpersons Jeffrey, Taylor, Stoppel, Sumpter, and Schrader.  Also present were:  Tom Laub, Kim Dickens, LauraJo Smole, Sam Ingels, Bill Earngey and others.

 

The Alderpersons led all assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

 

Ms. Dickens requested that item one under new business be moved to the top of the agenda.  Ald. Taylor moved that approval of the minutes of the November 4, 1999 meeting be postponed until the December 2, 1999 meeting.  Ald. Schrader seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

Kim requested that an item by the Mayor be added to New Business; to make Armstrong one-way from Douglas to Main Street (south-bound).

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to approved the agenda as amended above.  Ald. Schrader seconded.  The motion passed. 5-0-0.

 

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the revised minutes of the October 21, 1999 meeting.  Ald. Taylor seconded.  The Alderpersons requested several changes to the minutes, noted by Ms. Dickens.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to read the Proclamation for World AIDS Day.  Ald. Taylor seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.  Ms. Dickens read the Proclamation.  In addition, it was announced that a vigil will be held at Basin Spring Park on December 1, 1999 at 5:00 p.m.  Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the Proclamation.  Ald. Taylor seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

 

Ald. Schrader moved that Jim Vernon be approved to fill position seven on the Historic District Commission.  Ald. Taylor seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

Ald. Taylor moved that Bill Voiers be approved to fill position six on the Parks and Recreation Commission.  Ald. Schrader seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

Ald. Taylor moved that Karen Brawley be approved to fill position seven on the Parks and Recreation Commission.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

 

There were no department head comments.

 

 

Ms. Dickens requested that the Budget Workshop scheduled for November 22nd be rescheduled due to scheduling difficulties.  After discussion, the workshop was rescheduled for November 29th at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to suspend the ruled and read Ord. 1824 by title only.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  Mr. Laub stated that the Ordinance has been amended and that it should be read in full as Ord. 1824A.  After a discussion of the changes Ald. Stoppel withdrew his motion.

 

Ald. Sumpter moved to read Ord. 1824A in full.  Ald. Taylor seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.  Ms. Dickens read the Ordinance.  Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the Ordinance.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  Ald. Schrader discussed his view of the amended Ordinance and asked if the Elna M. Smith Foundation had a representative present.  Mr. Marvin Peterson stepped up to the microphone and introduced himself to the Council and all present, stating that he was representing the Foundation.

 

Mr. Peterson addressed the concerns of the Alderpersons concerning the legal and religious status of the Foundation and their motivations in requesting to collect this gross receipts tax.  The tax would be collected on sales from the restaurant and gift shop located at the complex commonly known as the Great Passion Play.  Mr. Peterson elaborated on the financial information previously provided to the Aldermen.

 

After calling for final comments, Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey called for a roll call vote on the motion.  The roll was called; the motion passed 5-0-1 (Ald. Schrader voted no and elaborated on his position).

 

Ald. Sumpter moved to suspend the rules and read Ord. 1824A by title only.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  The motion failed 3-2-0 (Ald. Schrader and Taylor voted no).

 

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey opened the six month evaluation discussion of the speed bumps installed on Flint Street.  Ald. Stoppel read a memo from the Speed Bump Committee outlining several options the city may take in traffic control matters.  Mr. Laub stated that he would look in to the issue of raising fines; if that could be accomplished other than by Ordinance.  After further discussion of the options, Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey asked for public input.  Bill Earngey (9 Steele) addressed the Council and the audience, stating that his position on the issue was neutral.  He related the opinions of his neighbors.  He also stated that most of the speeders he observes are local residents.  He suggested that the City look into other speed bump designs.

 

Ald. Sumpter moved that the speed bumps on Flint street be removed and stored, to re reinstalled at other locations at a later date.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  After a discussion of the motion there was a voice vote.  The motion failed. 3-2-1 (Ald. Schrader and Taylor voted no).

 

An evaluation of the issue was scheduled for February 2000.

 

 

Ald. Sumpter moved to suspend the rules and read Ord. 1825 on its second reading by title only.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  The motion passed by roll call vote 5-0-0.  Ms. Dickens read the title.  Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the Ordinance.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to suspend the rules and read Ord. 1825 on its third reading by title only.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The motion passed by roll call vote 5-0-0.  Ms. Dickens read the title.  Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the Ordinance.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

 

Ald. Sumpter moved to suspend the rules and read Ord. 1826 on its second reading by title only.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  The motion passed by roll call vote 5-0-0.  Ms. Dickens read the title.  Ald. Sumpter moved to approve the Ordinance.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

Ald. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and read Ord. 1826 on its third reading by title only.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  The motion passed by roll call vote 5-0-0.  Ms. Dickens read the title.  Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the Ordinance.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

 

Mayor Pro Tem opened the discussion on the Mayor’s request to make Armstrong a one-way street from Douglas to Main Street.  Following a discussion of the topic, Ald. Stoppel moved to postpone the discussion until the December 2nd, 1999 meeting.  Ald. Schrader seconded.  The motion passed 5-0-0.

 

 

The issue of canceling the December 16,1999 meeting was discussed.

 

Ald. Schrader requested that Council discuss repairs to private sewer lines at the December 2, 1999 meeting.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey reported on his and Ald. Schrader’s attendance at the Planning Commission’s workshop about the proposed Tree Protection Ordinance.  They both will be attending the December 9, 1999 meeting of that Commission to continue work on that proposed Ordinance. 

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey also announced that daffodil planters will be meeting on Saturday, November 27th at 11:00 at Basin Spring Park.  Ms. Dickens stated that Kirby Murray and Jason Oury have been coordinating efforts.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey wished Ms. Dickens a Happy Birthday. 

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to adjourn the meeting.  Ald. Taylor seconded.  The motion was approved 5-0-0 and the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

APPROVED:

 

 

 

____________________________

Beau Zar Satori, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

 

 

____________________________

Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk