CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS
Mayor Kathy Harrison called the
PRESENT: Aldermen Penny Carroll,
Karen Lindblad, Gayle Money,
Earl “Bud” Umland, Bill Ott, David Wilson. City Administrative
Assistant Kim Dickens, Public Works director Kirby Murray, Chief of Emergency
Services Director David Stoppel, former Alderman Bryan Sumpter, Parks and
Recreation Commission Chairman Bruce Levine, Planning Commission Chairman
Robert “Butch” Berry, City Advertising and Promotion Commission (CAPC)
Executive Director Barbara King Dozier, Lovely County Citizen reporter Bill
King and City Clerk-Treasurer Mary Jean Sell.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Harrison led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Ms. Money suggested adding
the open commission positions of Parks
Commission #3, expiring 5/31/03, and
CAPC #1, expiring 6/30/05, to the list of appointments. Ott moved to approve
the agenda as amended. Money seconded. All voted aye, 6/0/0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There were no minutes to be approved.
COMMISSION VACANCIES:
Mayor Harrison nominated the
following persons to the following commissions:
Historic District
Commission #3, expires 11/30/05--Frank
Green Jr.
#5, expires 11/30/05-- Constance
Schrader
Planning Commission #4, expires 7/1/03--Eric Scheunemann
#6, expires 1/1/06--Pat Matsukis
#7, expires 1/1/06
#2, expires 1/1/05
Cemetery Commission #2, expires 2/15/06--Benny Clark
#1, expires 12/31/05
Parks Commission #6, expires 11/22/04--Barb
Dreshner
#3, expires 5/31/03—Draxie Rogers
CAPC #1, expires 6/30/05
Nominees are to be voted on during
the Jan. 27 regular meeting.
DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS:
Public Works Director Kirby Murray
announced sewer rehabilitation work would begin on Benton St. within the week
as part of the $1.6 million project to repair and replace lines to eliminate
inflow and infiltration into the city’s sewer system.
He also announced Jimmie Jones had
purchased the property at the top of
Planer Hill, known as the Sandy Bass property, and he was willing to
sell it to the city for use as perimeter parking. He said Jones had also bought
a small tract between the Bass property and The Bistro restaurant, totaling
approximately two (2) acres, all of which was being offered to the city. He
offered to talk further with Mr. Jones about the city purchasing the property.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Chairman Bruce Levine welcomed the mayor and aldermen to their offices and
thanked them for their service to the community. He encouraged participation in
the special election Jan. 7 to approve a one-quarter of one per cent (1%) sales
tax for five years to support the city’s Parks Commission.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S
REPORT:
Ms. Dickens said there would be a
pre-construction conference at the end of January with contractors for the test
drilling on Lake Leatherwood Dam.
She pointed out the next scheduled
date for a council meeting, Jan. 20, was a legal holiday and the City Hall
would be closed. She suggested rescheduling the meeting or canceling. No action
was taken at this point in the meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: There was none to
consider.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. 2003 City Council Rules, Procedures and CAPC
Appointments:
Ms.
Money moved to set council meetings on the second (2nd) and fourth
(4th) Mondays of each month at 5 p.m. Mr. Ott seconded. All voted
aye 6/0/0
Ms. Money moved to follow Robert’s
Rules of Order to conduct meetings. Ms. Lindblad seconded. All voted aye 6/0/0
Ms. Lindblad moved that all council meetings be
video tape recorded and broadcast over the local cable information channel (5
or 31). Ms. Money seconded. All voted aye 6/0/0
Mr. Ott moved to continue the
practice of waiting at least two weeks between nominations for appointments to
commissions and committees and voting on such. Ms. Lindblad seconded. Five
voted in favor, Ms. Money was opposed. Motion passed 5/1/0
Ms. Lindblad moved to allow one
council member to add items to a meeting agenda. Ms. Money seconded. Mr. Ott
and Ms. Lindblad voted in favor, others voted against. Motion failed 2/4/0
Ms. Money moved to allow two council
members to add an item to a meeting agenda. Mr. Umland seconded. Four voted in
favor, Ms. Lindblad opposed, Mr. Ott abstained. Motion passed 4/1/1
Mr. Ott nominated Ms. Money for one
of the council positions on the CAPC. Mr. Umland seconded. Five voted in favor, Ms. Lindblad opposed.
Motion passed 5/1/0
Ms. Lindblad nominated Ms. Carroll
for the second council member position on the CAPC. Mr. Wilson seconded. Ms.
Lindblad, Ms. Carroll and Mr. Wilson voted in favor. Mr. Ott, Mr. Umland and
Ms. Money opposed. To break the tie, Mayor Harrison voted in favor. Motion
passed 4/3/0
2. Consideration of staggered 4-year council terms.
It was noted by Mr. Ott that Arkansas House Bill
(HB) 1379 revising existing state law regarding council terms will be discussed
by the Arkansas Legislature as it meets this year. The proposal, as Act 543, is
being supported by the Arkansas Municipal League.
Former
Alderman Bryan Sumpter spoke in favor of having staggered four year terms for
council members. He noted such an issue would have to be approved by the voters
of the city before such term changes could be made.
Ms. Dickens said she would keep an
eye on the bill as it is worked on by the legislature and keep the council
updated.
3.
Discussion regarding the removal of Article 41 from the Rules and Regulations
of the Eureka Springs Fire Department/EMS.
Chief David Stoppel explained
Article 41 now requires volunteers working in the department to pay an $8
annual membership fee. The fees are collected and used to buy equipment for the
department. He reported the department membership had voted to support the
removal of the article.
Ms. Money moved to remove the
article from the Rules and Regulations. Ms. Lindblad seconded. All voted aye.
Motion passed 6/0/0
4. Discussion regarding Ordinance 1902, an ordinance adopting the
International Building Code.
Ms. Dickens reported the ordinance had not been
completed by the attorneys and was not available for consideration at this
time.
5. Discussion of next council meeting.
Ms. Lindblad
moved to hold the next meeting Monday, Jan. 27, at 5 p.m. Ms. Money seconded.
All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:
There
was a brief discussion by Ms. Lindblad and Ms. Money regarding the raising of
city council salaries.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor Harrison encouraged council
members to give consideration for commission appointments, to contact the
nominees and to be ready to vote at the next council meeting. She encouraged
members to review the proposed 2003 budget prior to the Jan. 8 workshop.
She announced a workshop for
planning commissioners would be sponsored by the Municipal League Feb. 26 at a
cost of $75 per person.
She announced a workshop for code
enforcement personnel March 14 and said she would like for members of the
council, planning commission and building inspector to attend.
She announced a workshop dealing with board of
zoning adjustment and variance matters for April 25.
She reminded council members of a
request from the CAPC for $10,000 to be guaranteed from the 2003 budget so a
portion of the bills for a portion of the City Auditorium renovation project
could be paid. Mr. Ott moved to give the CAPC the $10,000. Ms. Money seconded.
All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
Mr. Ott announced that Mayor
Harrison, Aldermen Money, Lindblad, himself and City Attorney Tim Weaver had
attended the Municipal League’s orientation meeting in Little Rock for newly
elected city officials.
Mr. Ott moved to adjourn at 8:17 p.m.
Ms. Money seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
This
is the signature page for the January 6, 2003, City Council minutes.
APPROVED:
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Mayor Kathy Harrison
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Mary
Jean Sell, City Clerk-Treasurer