CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 4, 2001

 

CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Beau Z. Satori called the regular meeting of the Eureka Springs City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on The meeting was held in the Carroll County Courthouse.  The roll was called; Alderpersons James DeVito, Jack Dozier, Kathy Harrison, Kelly Simon, David Stoppel and Brian Sumpter were present.  A quorum was established.  Also in attendance were City Administrative Assistant Kim Dickens, Deputy City Clerk LauraJo Smole, members of the press and several citizens.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

 

Mayor Satori led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the agenda.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

 

The minutes of the December 7th and December 21st, 2000 meetings were not available for approval.

 

 

COMMISSION, COMMITTEE: AND AUTHORITY REPORTS AND VACANCIES:

 

Ald. Simon moved to postpone the approval of nominations to the Planning Commission until the next Council meeting.  Ald. DeVito seconded.  After a discussion of the issue, the motion was disapproved by voice vote, 1-5-0 (Alderman Simon voted yes.

Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the nomination of Bill Rubley to Position 2 of the Planning Commission.  Ald. DeVito seconded.  After discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote, 5-1-0 (Alderman Sumpter voted no).

Ald. Stoppel moved to approve the nomination of Penny Carroll to Position 3 of the Parks and Recreation Commission.  Ald. Simon seconded.  After discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

Ald. Harrison moved to approve the nomination of Pat Matsukis to Position 7 of the Planning Commission.  The motion died for lack of a second.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS:

 

None.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

 

Ms. Dickens request the Council schedule a budget workshop prior to the next Council meeting.  After discussion, a workshop was set for 1 p.m., Monday, January 8th at City Hall.

 

She informed the Council that six bid packages have been received to date for the construction of the new police facility.  Bids will be opened at 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 9th.

 

LauraJo Smole (City Secretary) and Libby Freeland (Auditorium Director) Have applied for a grant through the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for repairs and restoration to portions of the exterior of the Auditorium building.  Butch Berry, Larry Williams and Bruce Wright assisted them.

 

The Hospital Commission has requested that the Council retain an attorney to draft legislation for a millage to be levied in the Western District of Carroll County for the hospital.  This would be for the current session of the State legislature.  Currently, the Commission has a ninety-day contract with St. John’s Hospital to assess the community’s need for services.  The Council discussed the status of the hospital.

 

Alderman DeVito moved to direct Ms. Dickens to engage legal services to develop a bill for the proposed millage.  Alderman Dozier seconded.  After discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

Ordinance No. 1856, (Third reading):

Ald. Stoppel moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinance 1856 by title only.  Ald. Simon seconded.  By role call vote, the motion was approved 6-0-0.

 

Ms. Dickens read the title.

 

Ald. Sumpter moved to approve Ordinance 1856.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

2001 Rules, Procedures, and Appointments

Ald. Stoppel moved to conduct meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.  Ald. DeVito seconded.  The motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

City Council Meeting Schedule

Ald. Stoppel moved to schedule regular meetings of the City Council at7 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at City Hall.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.

During discussion, the council discussed the possibility of scheduling on another weekday and how that would affect the setting of the agenda and public notification.

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to amend the motion by changing Thursday to Monday.  Ald. Harrison seconded.  The amendment was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

The amended motion (to schedule regular meetings of the City Council at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month at City Hall) was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

Ald. Stoppel moved to reschedule the January 15th, 2001 meeting to January 22.  Ald. Harrison seconded.  The motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

Procedure to Place Items on the Agenda

Ald. Stoppel moved to maintain the procedures as used by the previous council.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The procedures are: 1) Two alderpersons may request an item to be placed on the agenda through Ms. Dickens and 2) Items may be discussed during the City Council Comments portion of the agenda and placed on a future agenda at that time.  Following discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

Taping of Meetings

Ald. Stoppel moved to continue the previous Council’s policy.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The previous policy was to make audiotapes of workshops and both audio and video tapes of regular and special council meetings.  Following discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

 

Policy on confirming appointments to Commissions, Committees, and Authorities.

Alderman Stoppel moved to continue the previous Council’s policy.  Ald. Sumpter seconded.  The previous policy was to wait two weeks from the Mayor’s nomination of a Commissioner before voting on approval.  During discussion of the reappointment of sitting Commissioners, it was pointed out that the rules might be suspended by majority vote to reappoint a Commissioner whose position has expired.  Following further discussion, the motion was approved by voice vote, 6-0-0.

City Advertising and Promotion Commission Appointments

Ald. Dozier moved to appoint Ald. DeVito to the Commission.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  The motion was approved by voice vote, 5-0-1 (Ald. DeVito abstained).

 

Ald. Harrison moved to appoint Ald. Simon to the Commission.  Ald. Stoppel seconded.  The motion was approved by voice vote, 5-0-1 (Ald. Simon abstained).

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

 

Ald. Simon and Sumpter requested that the City Attorney investigate and draw up an ordinance that will permit nominations to City Commissions to originate within the Council as well as by the Mayor.

 

Alderman Stoppel stated that he was glad to be on the Council for a second term.

 

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

 

Mayor Satori welcomed the new Alderpersons to the Council.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Alderman Stoppel moved to adjourn.  Ald. DeVito seconded.  Without dissent, the meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m.

 

 

This is the signature sheet for the January 4th, 2001 City Council Minutes.

 

                                                                        APPROVED:

 

 

Mayor Beau Z. Satori          

 

ATTEST:

 

 

Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk-Treasurer