CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2001

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Mayor Beau Z. Satori called the September 17th, 2001, meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Jury Room of the Carroll County Courthouse.

 

PRESENT:

Mayor Satori, and Aldermen DeVito, Dozier, Harrison, Simon and Sumpter.

Alderman Stoppel was on vacation.

 

ALSO PRESENT: There was no sign in sheet, Kim Dickens, Bill Ames, and Sherry Wilson.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

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

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

Ms. Dickens said that under New Business, No. 1 and No. 2 were to be postponed until the October 1st Council Meeting, and that Resolution No. 485 needed to be added.  Mayor Satori said to put Resolution No. 485 as number one under New Business.

The motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as amended.  The vote was 5/0/0.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

The minutes were not prepared, and the clerk was on vacation.

 

COMMISSION, COMMITTEE: AND AUTHORITY REPORTS AND VACANCIES:

No nominations.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS:

None.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S COMMENTS:

There were none.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding Ordinance No. 1882, Loading Zones, (Third Reading):

The motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules and place Ordinance No. 1882 on its third and final reading by title only.  The vote was 5/0/0.

Ms. Dickens read the ordinance by title only.

The motion was made and seconded to approve.  The vote was 5/0/0.

 

Discussion regarding City cell phones:

Alderman Simon said he was satisfied to have this issue settled during the budgeting process.  No other action was taken.

 

Discussion regarding Ordinance No. 1885, Armstrong Street, (First reading):

The motion was made and seconded to place Ordinance no. 1885 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.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Resolution No. 485, Outdoor Recreational Grant:

The motion was made and seconded to read Resolution No. 485, the Outdoor Recreational Grant.  Ms. Dickens explained that this is a formality so that Parks can go ahead and accept a matching grant from the State Parks and Recreation Department for $175,000.

Susan Lourne explained that it is the commission’s plan to spread the matching funds over 3 ½ years.  She said that if the commission’s ¼ th of a cent tax is not voted in again, ( since the sunset clause is almost in effect), they are already looking for alternative funding.  The commission will not put anything out for bids if the money is not available.  (The Council’s main concern was that the City would not be left responsible for a large amount of matching funds).  The vote was 5/0/0.

 

Discussion regarding Ordinance No. 1884, levying a tax on all real and personal property, (First reading):

The motion was made and seconded to place Ordinance No. 1884 on its first reading in its entirety.  The vote was 5/0/0.

Kim read the ordinance in its entirety.

The motion was made and seconded to approve.

 It was decided to strike the emergency clause from the ordinance and the title, since it is being done in a most timely fashion.  This ordinance gives the County Tax Collector the right to collect taxes from the people of Eureka Springs.  It is the same millage as it was in 2000.

The vote was 5/0/0, in favor.

 

Discussion regarding the Civil War Cave:

Mayor Satori said that the Parks Commission has jurisdiction over the Civil War Cave.  He said that the property that leads to the cave is owned by John White.

He suggested the City contact Mr. White to buy the small piece of property if possible.  He said the structure is the oldest in our City and has been sadly neglected, and that now vandals are damaging it.  He said there is a reward offered for information leading to the capture of the vandals and also that funds are being put up for repairs.  The total amount to date is $600.

Alderman Harrison said that perhaps the City could trade a piece of its property for the property leading to the cave.

Alderman DeVito said that both Union and Confederate Soldiers were treated in that cave from the Battle of Pea Ridge.  It has great historic significance and it should be preserved.

Alderman Sumpter said that the City should research and see if the property can be obtained.  The rest of the Council agreed.

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

Alderman DeVito asked if St. Elizabeth Catholic Church was still holding mass.  He said the sign at the bottom of the road that opens onto Spring St. always says “Do not enter”, and the tourists who turn, then back out onto Spring St., and it causes problems.  Ms. Dickens said she would contact Kirby.

 

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

Mayor Satori said that he and Ms. Dickens had recently been to a meeting at the Transit Department attended by Don McMillon from the State Department of Transit.  He complimented L. J. Smole on the job that is being done.  He said that last monthly report that had been sent in to the State was February, but that Diane Murphy had been advancing on getting current with those reports.

The two positions that are open in Transit are Transit Director, and Head Mechanic.  They were advertised in two Sunday editions of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, and in the Times Echo.

Since Ms. Smole has taken over as interim director, Mr. Rubley has been set free of the position to follow his own business interests.

 

The Mayor reported that he and Ms. Dickens had a meeting with three members of J & L Construction and three members of McClelland Engineering to talk about beginning the work at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The starting date is October 1, 2001.  The beginning date for the sewer line replacement and the street repair is November 1, 2001.

Mayor Satori said the grease traps in restaurants will be inspected agressively to

be sure that they are the right size, and they are being well maintained.  The new headworks can handle grease in the proper amount but if the traps are not being maintained, it will overload our brand new head works.  Strict enforcement is necessary.

 

The motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the signature sheet for the minutes of September 17th , 2001.

 

APPROVED:

 

                                                                        ____________________________

Mayor Beau Z. Satori          

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________

Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk-Treasurer