CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

May 7, 2001

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Mayor Beau Z. Satori called the May 7^th, 2001, City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the courtroom in the Carroll County Courthouse.

PRESENT:

Mayor Satori, David Stoppel, Bryan Sumpter, Kathy Harrison, and Jack Dozier.

Kelly Simon was late. James DeVito was absent.

ALSO PRESENT: The Giangni Family of Elite Fleet, Mary Jean Sell, Rick Armelini, John Eric Peterson, Bill King, Lisa Liggett, Sherry Wilson, Kim Dickens, Rhonda Taunton, and Clerk Lee.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

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

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

Item 2 of New Business was removed, which was a discussion about serving wine in the Auditorium on May 16,2001. The motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as amended. All were in favor, 6/0/0.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

Special Meeting—April 16, 2001:

The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of April 16^th, 2001. There were no amendments. The minutes were approved by voice vote, 4/0/0.

Alderman Simon came in.

Regularly Scheduled City Council Meeting, --April 16^th, 2001:

The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting for April 16^th, 2001. The amendments were noted. The voice vote was 4/0/1, with Alderman Stoppel abstaining.

COMMISSION, COMMITTEE: AND AUTHORITY REPORTS AND VACANCIES:

Mayor Satori nominated Pamela Moore Crocket for Position 4 on the Hospital Commission, which expires June 1, 2001. Ms. Crocket has been involved in medicine since 1967. She has lived here two years.

It was brought to the Mayor’s attention that Karen Brawley’s position on the Parks Commission was expiring. The motion was made and seconded to approve Ms. Brawley for another term. The voice vote was 5/0/0.

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS:

There were none.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

Ms. Dickens said that Sally Thackery would like to set up a small tent next to the Auditorium for Blues Festival. The tent would be up May 31^st through June 2^nd, 2001. Ms. Thackery pays daily fees for each space she uses. The tent would be used to sell music, T-shirts and hats.

The motion was made and seconded to allow Ms. Thackery to set up a tent under the conditions mentioned. All were in favor, 5/0/0.

At this time Ms. Dickens asked the Mayor to read the Historic Preservation Proclamation, proclaiming May 13-May 19, 2001 to be Historic Preservation Week. Frank Green, Chairman of the Historic District Commission, thanked the citizens who have come here and breathed new life into the City’s Historic Homes.

Mayor Satori announced that the Regional Director for the National Trust for Historic Preservation will be here Friday, May 11^th, 2001, to present the City’s Certificate of Acknowledgement as one of the dozen distinctive destinations of the Country.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding taxi/limousine issues:

The packet given to each alderman included a copy of the Hot Springs, Arkansas Transportation Code. Hot Springs has gone to great lengths to work out a guide for the purpose of governing all transportation of passengers for hire by motor vehicle and by certain other means originating and terminating within the commercial zone of their city.

Alderman Simon said he thought a committee should be formed to work out transportation issues and come back with a proposal. There was a long discussion about whether two committees should be formed; 1) One to work on our Transit Department Issues; 2) One to work on the other forms of transportation, such as taxis, tram tours, limousines and guided tourist tours.

The discussion formed around these two issues and whether they should be studied together.

Item number five under new business was the creation of a Transit Advisory Board. Alderman Sumpter said the idea was to form a group to study the City Transit System. He didn’t see that the two issues were that related.

Aldermen Stoppel and Dozier said it is an integrated issue, and it should all be under the same group so that we can all work together.

Mayor Satori brought up the fact that the City has no definition for a limousine.

City Attorney Sherry Wilson said that the State is very clear about the criteria for a taxi, based on size and function. A limousine will not fit that criteria in our code.

After more discussion, Alderwoman Harrison made the motion to set up a subcommittee of two or three councilmen, and find out who will be on the Transit Advisory Board and have a workshop and decide how we are going to do this.

The motion was made and seconded to amend the motion and make it the Transit Advisory Committee.

The vote on the amendment was 5/0/0.

The vote on the original motion was 5/0/0.

It was decided that Aldermen Dozier, Harrison, and Sumpter, Lisa Liggett, Rick Armelini and two other citizens would form the Transit Advisory Board.

Ms. Giagni from Elite Fleet said that her business covers services that nobody is doing. They do not want to duplicate services.

Discussion of City cell phones (Dozier, Sumpter):

The Council discussed the input from Lisa Liggett, Bob McVey, Kirby Murray, and Earl Hyatt about why their cell phones are needed.

The motion was made and seconded to cut to 5 cell phones for the City, one for the City Administrative Assistant, one for the Public Works Director, and three that are open that can be checked out when needed.

A long discussion ensued.

Alderman Dozier said that plans are costly to cancel. He was most concerned about the Mayor’s phone bill.

Mayor Satori said he was paying his share of his phone bill.

Alderman Sumpter said he did not think cell phones were a necessity—a convenience- but not a necessity.

Alderman Stoppel said he saw this as an attempt to micro manage the departments. He said that radios are not always effective, whereas cell phones can reach long distances.

Alderman Harrison said she agreed with Alderman Sumpter. She stated that the Library and the Boys and Girls Club can’t get funds, but the City pays a lot for cell phones. There was more discussion.

The vote on the motion was 1/4/0, with Alderman Sumpter voting yes, and the rest voting no.

Discussion regarding Planning Commission motion, Benton Street:

Ms. Dickens said the Planning Commission voted not to change Benton Street, and recommended that the City Council vote the same because just about all of the people on Benton are against it.

The motion was made and seconded to agree with the Planning Commission’s decision, and make no changes to Benton Street.

The voice vote was unanimous, 5/0/0.

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding approval of a Moped Franchise:

Alderman Sumpter made the motion to approve and Alderman Simon seconded.

Mr. Peterson had filled out a form stating his intentions. He followed up with a hand out stating what he would and would not do to rent the machines. He then told the Council that his machines are Sundori Honda machines, 180 pounds, with 49cc engines. He said they will be traded in for new machines each year so they will always be in top condition. The customer will have to sign a contract and watch a video to be sure they know how to ride the machine, and there will be a video to prove the condition of the machine when they get on it. They will be given helmets to wear. The location is Sandi Bass’ parking lot on Planer Hill.

The vote was 4/0/1, with Alderman Harrison abstaining.

Discussion regarding Ordinance No. 1872, CAPC tax on attractions:

The motion was made and seconded to place Ordinance No. 1872 on its first reading in its entirety. The vote was 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.

Discussion regarding the creation of a Transit Advisory Board DeVito/Sumpter):

The Council set a date for the first meeting of the Transit Advisory Committee. It will be held Monday, May 14^th, 2001, at 7 p.m. It will be held in the courthouse so it can be televised.

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

Alderman Harrison asked that the moratorium on Conditional Use Permits be put on the agenda for May 21^st,2001. It can be done as long as there is a specific goal. The goal is to set in place means of stronger enforcement.

Alderman Stoppel said he is in favor of reversing Armstrong to go up. When the sidewalk is built the bank will be cut away and the visibility will be greater. The State Highway Department has our plans and we are waiting for them.

Alderman Dozier said he was sorry not to see more people at the dedication at the Passion Play. He and Kelly Simon were the only ones there.

He also said he took it upon himself to talk to SWEPCO to get an estimated cost of burying the electric lines. It would cost in the neighborhood of $80,000. The cost does not include digging in solid rock, if they hit rock, while they dug the four foot hole. It doesn’t include the conversion costs that each household would have to pay, which is about $500, and some parking on the street would be lost to use for pedestals and transformers. It does not include the other lines such as telephone and cable.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

None.

The motion was made and seconded to adjourn. All were in favor, 5/0/0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

This is the signature sheet for the May 7^th, 2001 City Council Minutes.

APPROVED:

Mayor Beau Z. Satori

ATTEST:

Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk-Treasurer