CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MONDAY Sept. 24, 2007
Mayor Dani Wilson called the regular meeting of the Eureka Springs City Council to order at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, 2007, in the jury room on the second floor of the Western District Carroll County Courthouse.
PRESENT: Mayor Dani D. Wilson, Aldermen Patrick Brammer, Charlotte Buchanan, Rae Hahn, Kathy Harrison, Eric Scheunemann, Joyce Zeller, City Attorney Tim Weaver, Building Official Marion Chrysler, Planning Commissioner Ken Pownall and City Clerk-Treasurer Mary Jean Sell.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
TO THE FLAG:
Mayor Wilson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF THE
AGENDA:
Mr. Brammer moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Scheunemann seconded.
Ms. Hahn asked to add a discussion
of the taxi franchise ordinance.
Ms. Buchanan asked to add a
discussion of citations being written for unkempt property.
On the motion to approve the agenda
as amended, all voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Sept. 10, 2007
Mr. Brammer moved to approve the
minutes of the regular City Council meeting of Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Mr.
Scheunemann seconded.
Ms. Hahn said she wanted information
that she had provided maps for the Council included in the discussion of
annexation in New Business Item 3 discussion of annexation on Page 3.
On the motion to approve the minutes
as amended, all voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
Building – Ms. Chrysler presented a financial report on the permits issued to date. She said no citations have been issued for unkempt yards, but she has written letters to property owners asking for clean-ups. She said everyone has been cooperative about the issue, to date.
Ms. Chrysler gave a detailed report on safety issues at the Community Building in Harmon Park, now leased by Eureka Kids. She said one set of stairs to the side deck needs to be removed, the wood in the front deck is rotted, the stone retaining wall under the deck is collapsing, the downstairs doors are not securable, and there is an infestation of wasps in that building and the Parks office building.
After discussion, Mr. Scheunemann moved to authorize the Mayor to have the repairs that need to be done, including the demolition of the stairway to the side deck, repair of the retaining wall, securing of the downstairs doors, done as quickly as possible. Mr. Brammer seconded. After additional discussion, Mr. Scheunemann withdrew his motion and Mr. Brammer withdrew his second.
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Ms. Harrison moved to authorize the Mayor to get three proposals for the demolition of the stairway to the side deck, securing of the downstairs doors with new locks, and to have Public Works appraise the repairs needed for the retaining wall. Mr. Brammer seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
Alvin Byrd made comments regarding civil cases Ms. Buchanan was involved with before she left Washington State to move to Eureka Springs.
COMMISSION,
COMMITTEE, AUTHORITY REPORTS AND VACANCIES:
Cemetery - Position 5, expiring 2/15/08
Parks – Position 2, expiring 5/1/08
Black Bass Dam Committee – Mayor Wilson read aloud a memo from Parks Director Bruce Levine regarding changes in the proposed project for Black Bass Dam area, including blocking access to the top of the dam. A state engineer has looked at the dam and made report to Mr. Levine.
During discussion Ms. Hahn asked about locating the property boundaries, for a site plan of the area, approvals for moving dirt and fill and a copy of the engineer’s report.
Chris Fischer said he is concerned about many of the same issues, particularly that there is no comprehensive plan or site plan for the development of the Black Bass dam area.
Mr. Scheunemann moved to send the proposed project to the Planning Commission for review. Mr. Brammer seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
Podcast Equipment Committee – Ms. Buchanan said she will be meeting with Mila Powell, instructor of the EAST Lab at Eureka Springs High School regarding the broadcasting capabilities of the students.
Bridge Artwork Committee – Mr. Scheunemann said no one has contacted him about the bridge design.
Sidewalk Committee – No report
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion of Ordinance 2061 adopting policy and procedures
manual for city
employees (3rd reading)
Mr. Brammer moved to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 2061 on its third reading by title only. Ms. Zeller seconded. By roll call, all voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
Mayor Wilson read the title of Ordinance 2061 aloud.
Mr. Brammer moved to approve Ordinance 2061 on its third reading by title only. Ms. Zeller seconded.
After some discussion, Mr. Brammer moved to postpone the vote on the third reading until the next regular Council meeting, Monday Oct. 8. Mr. Scheunemann seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
2.
Discussion of Highway 62 West
Mr. Scheunemann read aloud a letter from S.A.York (Added by Mr. Scheunemann…concerning safety issues and the need for a new bridge) on Highway 62 West.
(Added by Mr. Scheunemann … “Mr. Scheunemann agreed with
the safety changes needed to
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make Highway 62 West safe and the consensus to preserve
the scenic entrance for tourist purposes.”
3. Discussion of request for election from
referendum petition on Ordinance 2051 regarding taxis/limousines.
Mr. Weaver said he has not been able to talk with Carroll County Election Commission Chairman Levi Phillips about a possible election date.
Ms. Hahn moved for Mr. Weaver to get hold of Mr. Phillips to see when an election can be held. Mr. Brammer seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
4. Discussion of Ordinance
2058 to correct typographical error in Ordinance 1308 (2nd reading)
Mr. Brammer moved to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 2058 on its second reading by title only. Mr. Scheunemann seconded. By roll call, all voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
Mayor Wilson read the title of Ordinance 2058 aloud.
Mr. Brammer moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2058 by title only. Mr. Scheunemann seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
5. Discussion of annexation
Ms. Hahn moved to open discussion. Ms. Harrison seconded.
Ms. Hahn, Ms. Harrison and Mr. Pownall volunteered to be a committee to research the location of existing sewer lines and to determine potential areas for annexation.
6. Discussion of impact fees
After brief discussion, Mr. Pownall, Mr. Brammer and Ms. Harrison volunteered to be a
committee to research impact fees.
NEW BUSINESS: None
AGENDA SETTING:
Mr. Scheunemann said he wants a discussion of state code 14-42-109 regarding removal of elective or appointed officers. Ms. Harrison seconded.
Ms. Hahn said she wants a discussion regarding chain or franchise stores and how to preserve the character of Eureka Springs.
Ms. Harrison said she wants a discussion regarding opposition to the Municipal League of Arkansas’ support of proposed state legislation to have four-lane highways serving small towns.
Ms. Buchanan wants to discuss Chapter 5.04 of the Municipal Code regarding maintenance of real property and the community building in Harmon Park.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Brammer moved to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Mr. Scheunemann seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0
This is the signature page for the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of Sept. 24, 2007.
___________________________________ _____________________________
Mary Jean Sell, City Clerk-Treasurer Mayor Dani D. Wilson
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