CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

FEBRUARY 4TH , 2002                                                      

 

Mayor Satori called the February 4th, 2002 meeting to order at 7 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Jury Room of the Western District Courthouse.

 

PRESENT:

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

 

ALSO PRESENT: Glenn and Carol Strange, David Stoppel, Mary Jean Sell, Bill King, Gayle Money, L. J. Smole, Kirby Murray, Kim Dickens, Bill Ames, and Clerk Lee.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Mayor Satori led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

 It was suggested to go into executive session for the electing of the council person. 

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

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the first Special Council Meeting held January 10th at 4 p.m.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

 

The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the second Special Council Meeting held January 10th, at 5 p.m.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

 

The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the January 22nd, 2002, regularly scheduled City Council Meeting.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

 

COMMISSION, COMMITTEE, AND AUTHORITY REPORTS AND VACANCIES:

None.

 

ADMINISTRATVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

None.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding City Council Vacancy:

The motion was made and seconded to go into Executive Session.  Alderman Simon said he didn’t feel uncomfortable about nominating a candidate during the regular proceedings.

The vote on executive session was 3/2/0, with Aldermen Dozier and Simon voting no.

The motion was made and seconded to approve Gayle Money for the vacant Council seat.

 

Alderman Sumpter said he would like to see younger people get involved in City Government.

Alderman Simon said the next generation needs to get involved.  Gayle was born and raised here and she had worked for him as a teenager.

Alderman Harrison said she would love to see some young fire and enthusiasm and a positive attitude on the council.

Alderman Dozier said he was disappointed that he received no community input.

Alderman DeVito said he had talked to only one candidate, who had run for the office and had received significant votes.

 

Glenn Strange went to the microphone and withdrew his name.

 

The vote to approve Gayle Money was 5/0/0.  Alderman Money joined the Council at the table, although she could not vote until she is sworn in.

 

Discussion regarding Planer Hill:

Kirby Murray, Public Works Director, gave the council a short history of what was planned and had been done.

He said in order to follow the time line for the grant money, he would like the Council to give him permission to go out for bids the next morning.  The bids would need to be in so that the project can begin by April 1st, 2002, and the bid package would include 180 days for construction to be completed.

 

Mayor Satori said that he and Mr. Murray had checked it out and the power lines can be buried along the east side of Planer Hill instead of under the sidewalk.

Alderman DeVito asked if the easements are all in place, and Mr. Murray assured him that they are.

The motion was made and seconded to allow Mr. Murray to go ahead. The vote was 4/1/0, with Alderman Dozier voting no.

The motion was made and seconded for the condition of the bid to be to begin work on April 1st, 2002, and have 180 days to conclude the work.  The vote was 4/1/0, with Alderman Dozier voting no.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding the Green Route stops:

The motion was made and seconded to approve the stops recommended by the Transit Director.  As was mentioned in the Public Hearing they had been checked out by the Police Department and the Transit Director.  The vote was 4/1/0, with Alderman Simon voting no.

 

Discussion regarding lease on parking lot on Center Street:

The proposal is to lease King Gladden’s parking lot at Center and Mountain St.

It is a 10 year lease, with a half and half division of revenue.

Alderman DeVito made the motion and Alderman Harrison second to approve.

Alderman Simon said he did not feel comfortable without a copy of the lease in front of him.

Alderman Simon made the motion to postpone and Alderman Dozier seconded.

The vote was 2/3/0, with Harrison, Sumpter and DeVito voting no.

 

After more discussion, Ms. Dickens said the lease is very straight-forward.  It’s a 10 year lease, we provide the lock box, and there is a 90-day bail out.

Alderman DeVito called the question.

The vote was 3/2/0, with Aldermen Dozier and Simon voting no.  The Mayor voted yes, so the vote was 4/2/0.

 

Discussion regarding Resolution  No.487, the resolution authorizing adoption of the Valic re-instatement:

The motion was made and seconded to read Resolution No. 487.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

Ms. Dickens read the resolution.

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

 

Discussion regarding Resolution No. 488, a resolution to utilize federal-aid enhancement monies:

The motion was made and seconded to read Resolution No. 488.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.

Ms. Dickens read the resolution.

The motion was made and seconded to approve.  The vote was 3/2/0, with Aldermen Dozier and Sumpter voting no.

Mayor Satori voted yes, which made the vote 4/2/0.

 

CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:

Alderman Simon welcomed Gayle Money to the Council.

 

Alderman DeVito thanked the Council for giving money to the Carnegie Library.  It was a vote for free access to knowledge.

He also mentioned that he was very disappointed in the CAPC.  Many events were left out the State’s published Calendar of Events for the City of Eureka Springs.

Alderman Harrison said the Preservation Society gave the Library $1000.

 

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

Mayor Satori thanked Gayle Money for her interest.

He thanked David Stoppel for his time on the council.

 

He reminded the audience that the Fire Department will begin First Responder training, February 12th, 2002 through March 28, 2002.  The fee for the class is $100.

He confirmed that we have Emmy Lou Harris for April 1st at the Auditorium.

 

The motion was made and seconded to have the next Council meeting on February 19th, 2002.  February 18th, 2002 is President’s Day.  The vote was 5/0/0.

 

The motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  All were in favor, 5/0/0.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

 

This is the signature sheet for the February 4th, 2002 City Council Minutes.

 

 

APPROVED:

 

 

                                                                        ____________________________

Mayor Beau Z. Satori          

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________

Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk-Treasurer