Mayor Satori called
the
PRESENT:
Mayor Satori and
Aldermen DeVito, Dozier, Money,
ALSO PRESENT:
Rick Petersen, Bill
King, Mary Jean Sell, Ed Leswig, Kirby Murray, Kim Dickens, Bill Ames and Clerk
Lee.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Satori led in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE
AGENDA:
The Mayor will make a
nomination for the Parks commission.
The motion was made
and seconded to approve the agenda as amended.
All were in favor, 6/0/0.
APPROVAL OF THE
MINUTES:
The motion was made
and seconded to approve the minutes. The
amendment was noted. All were in favor,
6/0/0.
COMMISSION,
COMMITTEE, AND AUTHORITY REPORTS AND VACANCIES:
DEPARTMENT HEAD
COMMENTS:
Mayor Satori said
that Dan Bennett had agreed to serve another term on the Planning
Commission. The motion was made and
seconded to approve. All were in favor,
6/0/0.
The Mayor said that
Bruce Levine was willing to serve another term on the Parks Commission. The motion was made and seconded to
approve. All were in favor, 6/0/0.
The Mayor nominated
Haley Tomlinson to Position 5 on the Parks commission.
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
The City did purchase
three ambulances at 76% of the appraised value.
One is a 2001 Ford, one is a 2000 Ford, and one is a 1999 Chevrolet.
DEPARTMENT HEAD
REPORT:
Kirby Murray,
Director of Public Works, came to announce that the maple tree at Sweet Spring
would have to be removed. It has a huge
hole in it and is hollow inside, and is dangerous. Three tree experts have warned that it is a
danger and must come out. The City has
tort immunity unless gross negligence is proven. Mr. Murray said being told by three experts
and not doing it could be gross negligence.
He said the City
would plant a good sized Maple tree back.
Also he wants to put a dogwood tree in there.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Discussion regarding Ordinance No. 1887, an ordinance amending Chapter 114, Zoning, pertaining to parking lots, (Third Reading):
The motion was made and seconded suspend the rules and place Ordinance No. 1887 on its third reading by title only. All were in favor, by roll call, 6/0/0.
Ms. Dickens read the
ordinance by title only.
Alderman Sumpter made
the motion to approve and Alderman Simon seconded. All were in favor, 6/0/0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion regarding moped liability insurance:
Rick Petersen came to
let the City know that the insurance company he has been dealing with will no
longer underwrite moped insurance. Nor
will other companies he has contacted.
So, by
Discussion regarding amending 2002 Budget, to add a code enforcement officer:
Mayor Satori said he
wanted someone to handle the writing of citations and letters contacting
citizens who were in violation, along with other duties. He said that the Building Inspector is
covered over, he is so busy. He stated
that the City has talked about hiring an enforcement officer for a long time
but that nothing had ever been done.
Alderman Dozier said
that he believed that Mr. Underwood, the building inspector, is trying to do a
good job, even though he is not qualified.
He said it is a contractor’s job to be sure the project is ready for
inspection when the inspector gets there, which can add hours to an inspector’s
day if it is not ready to inspect.
He said he had spoken
to Mr. Underwood at length. He said that
commissioners should not be calling Mr. Underwood with problems. He said that the commissioners should be
calling their chairperson. He said there
are not proper chains of command set up at City Hall, if these people are
calling the building inspector.
Alderman Simon said
he had suggested before that a couple of the police officers be trained. They are out and about, any way and should be
able to check out problems while they are.
He said where would the money come from?
Alderman DeVito said
there needs to be better utilization by the staff at City Hall.
Alderman Dozier said
he would make himself available to help Don Underwood.
Alderman DeVito said
he would sponsor an ordinance that any condemnation of properties should come
before the City Council. Alderman Simon
said he would co-sponsor such an ordinance.
Alderman Sumpter made
the motion that Ms. Dickens, Chief Hyatt, and Mr. Underwood meet and discuss
the feasibility of training police officers for enforcement. Alderman Simon seconded. All were in favor, 6/0/0.
Discussion regarding the City’s nepotism:
daughters of two of
the employees of the Auditorium. The
City Council was being asked to waive the City’s nepotism policy.
Alderman DeVito said
by not following the City’s personnel policy, it was unfair to the other kids
in town who could sell tickets as well as these kids can. That is why we have the policy. He said that if they had special talents that
set them apart for the job he might consider waiving the policy, but that is
not the case. The general consensus was
the same.
The Council did not
waive the nepotism policy.
Discussion regarding an Ordinance to stop feeding the deer within the City:
Alderman DeVito said he believes such an ordinance would
be the first step in handling the deer population. He said that lyme disease is carried by deer
ticks.
He made the motion to have an ordinance drawn up to stop
feeding the deer.
Alderman Simon seconded.
Alderman Dozier said he would like to have someone from
Arkansas Fish and Game come and speak to the Council about the problem before
he supports such an ordinance.
Alderman DeVito said he would table the motion until then.
Alderman Simon seconded. The vote was 6/0/0.
Ms. Dickens said she would call and have someone come and
speak to the Council.
Discussion regarding the bid award to Greer Excavating for $36,600 for a storage building:
Greer Excavating had the second to low bid, but the
building they would build would be a better quality building.
Ms. Dickens gave the specs on the building. It would be built on the police property and
would be a much higher quality. Mr.
Underwood and Chief Stoppel
Discussed this and felt it would be around $42,000.
Alderman DeVito made the motion to postpone for more
information.
Alderman Money seconded.
All were in favor, 6/0/0.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:
None
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
None.
The motion was made and seconded to adjourn. All were in favor, 6/0/0.
The meeting was adjourned at
This is the signature sheet for the
APPROVED:
_____________________________
Mayor Beau Z. Satori
ATTEST:
___________________________
Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk-Treasurer