CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 20, 2000

 

The January 20, 2000 meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Beau Satori.

It was held in the courtroom of the Western District Courthouse.

 

PRESENT: Mayor Satori, and Alderpersons Jeffrey, Schrader, Stoppel, Freeland and Sumpter.  Alderwoman Taylor was absent.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Susan Lourne, Bob McVey, Diane Murphy, Kirby Murray, Earl Hyatt, David White, Jeff Pratt, Don Matt, Kim Dickens, Tom Laub, and Clerk Lee.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  Ms. Dickens led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

Mayor Satori asked to have a discussion of the Police Building added as item 1 under Unfinished Business.  The motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as amended.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the Special Council Meeting of December 20th, 1999.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

 

The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the City Council Meeting of January 6th, 2000.  The amendments were noted.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

 

STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS:

An abstract of the State of the City Address is included at the end of the minutes.

 

COMMISSION, COMMITTEE AND AUTHORITY REPORTS AND VACANCIES:

There were no recommendations.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS:

There were no comments.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

Ms. Dickens said she has not heard from the Attorney General’s Office about the Smith Foundation collecting CAPC tax.

 

She said that she and Kirby Murray had gone to Little Rock to receive a grant in the amount of  $103,000 to be used for the repair of Lake Leatherwood dam.  The City will have to hold a special election to decide how to raise the rest of the money needed.  The money needed to do the project is in excess of $400,000.  If the money is not raised, and the dam is not repaired it will be dismantled by the state.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

The Police Building:

Mayor Satori said he was proud of the work the staff did on the proposal for the new police building.  He did not, however sign the document implementing the sale.  He said he had some reservations and felt it needed to be discussed again.

He mentioned several possibilities that could occur.  He said the Transit Building could house the Police Department.  It was mentioned that the State owns 80% and the City 20% of the Transit building and that changing the use of the building might not be allowed by the State.

Mayor Satori then mentioned buying the Builder’s Supply Building and putting the Visitor’s Center and the Transit Department there.  There were several comments about that idea.  The price is very high.  That curve is a difficult place to try to enter Highway 62, especially in the summer months.  Also, any time a building has to be retro-fitted, it is always more costly than is planned.  There was quite a lot of discussion of this.  There was also mention of buying the old clinic building, or using the basement of the hospital building for the Police Department.

 

Alderman Freeland  said that empty buildings are a blight on the City and if we bought an existing building, it would fill a dual purpose.  It could be retro-fitted to fit the needs of the Police Department and get an empty building off of the market.

 

Alderman Schrader asked if the presentation the Mayor was giving was in writing.  He said if it was in writing along with the costs it would be much more helpful for the Council to think it through.

 

Alderman Jeffrey said that the Council had voted, a resolution had been signed and he did not understand why we were starting over.  He said retro-fitting building never accomplishes what is needed, and he feels it would be a waste of money.  He said that many larger areas have their Police Department on the outer edges of town because it is easier to get in and out .  Also, a lot of calls are answered when the officers are in their cars.  Those cars don’t just sit at the Police Department.  He said we have voted and started in a direction.  He said the City made a deal and the City should stick to it.

 

Alderman Stoppel said we made a deal and we should stick with it.

 

Alderman Schrader said that this City never has a long range plan.  He suggested the City stick with the plan they have, even if there are some reservations.  It is too late to begin again.

 

Mayor Satori said the consensus seems to be to proceed with the project as it stands.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding Ordinance No. 1829, amending Title 11,(Building Department) of the Municipal Code, (First Reading):

The motion was made and seconded to place Ordinance No. 1829 on its first reading in its entirety.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

Ms. Dickens read the ordinance in its entirety.

The motion was made and seconded to approve on the first reading.

 

Ms. Dickens explained the reasons behind re-writing Title 11:

1.  To update the codes and the language.

2.      To increase the fee structure.

3.      To insure the City is being compensated for all inspections done by the Building Inspector.

4.      To remove unnecessary language.

5.      To add definitions.

6.       To clarify the role of the Building Inspector.

 

Alderman Schrader said wherever we can the City should make it easier for homeowners to do work on their homes.  He felt that the code should specify what work homeowners can do without permission.

The vote to approve was 5/0/0.

 

Discussion of the Parade schedule for  2000:

The parades that are scheduled are:

1.  St. Patrick’s Day                          Friday, March 17th

2.  Mustang Car Show                                  Saturday, April 29th

3.  May Parade                                              Saturday, May 6th

4.  Street Rod Car Show                              Saturday, June 10th

5.  Truck and Motorcycle Show                   Saturday, July 15th

6.  Convertible Car Show                             Saturday, August 5th

7.  VW Weekend                                           Saturday, August 26th

8.  Antique Car Show                                   Saturday, September 9th

9.  Corvette Show                                         Friday, October 6th

10. Police Car Collectors Show                  Saturday, October 7th

11. Christmas Parade                                  Friday, December 1st

 

The motion was made and seconded to approve these parades.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

There were none.

 

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

Mayor Satori reminded everyone that there would be a complete eclipse of the moon and there would not be another that could be seen all over the U.S. for several years.  He encouraged everyone to enjoy it!

 

The motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

                                                                          APPROVED:

 

 

                                                                        ______________________

                                                                        Beau Zar Satori, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

____________________________

Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk-Treasurer