CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS

CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING                          MONDAY                  NOVEMBER 8, 2004

 

            Mayor Kathy Harrison called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 6:12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, in the jury room of the Western District Carroll County Courthouse.

 

PRESENT: Mayor Kathy Harrison, Aldermen Robert “Butch” Berry, Aaron Falotico, Karen Lindblad, Gayle Money, Bill Ott and Earl “Bud” Umland, City Attorney Tim Weaver, City Advertising and Promotion Commission (CAPC) Marketing Director Lynn Berry, Special Events Coordinator Pearl Brick and City Clerk Mary Jean Sell.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG:

            Mayor Harrison led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

            Ms. Money moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Falotico seconded.

            Ms. Money asked to add discussion of an ordinance dealing with downtown trolley stops to the end of New Business.

            Mayor Harrison said she wanted to add Ordinance 1977, the adoption of the mid-year budget, to the agenda. She said attorney Matt Bishop has requested New Business Item #4, appeal concerning denial of a CUP at 46 Hillside, be deferred to the Dec. 13 meeting.

            Mr. Ott said Public Works Director Robert Forrest has asked to postpone Old Business Item #2, discussion of Ordinance 1971, regarding Corley St., and New Business Item #6, regarding the retaining wall board of appeals. He then moved to defer both items to the Nov. 22 meeting. Mr. Umland seconded.

            Ms. Money asked to add the minutes of Oct. 4 for consideration for approval.

            Ms. Money moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Lindblad seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: September 27, October 4, October 12 and October 25, 2004

            Ms. Sell said she did not have the minutes of Sept. 27 prepared.

            Ms. Money moved to approve the minutes of Oct. 4 as presented. Mr. Falotico seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

            Ms. Money moved to approve the minutes of Oct. 12 as presented. Mr. Falotico seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

            Ms. Money moved to approve the minutes of Oct. 25 as presented. Mr. Falotico seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

            Ms. Money moved to go into executive session to discuss a personnel issue at 6:23 p.m. Mr. Falotico seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

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            Council returned to open session at 7:20 p.m.

            Mr. Ott moved to confirm the Mayor’s decision to terminate Finance Director Ileene Kelly. Mr. Falotico seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

 

COMMISSION, COMMITTEE, AUTHORITY REPORTS AND VACANCIES:

            City Advertising and Promotion Commission – Position 4 – Expires 6/30/08 – vote – Robert Murphy, Jack Moyer.

            Mr. Falotico moved to accept the nomination of Mr. Murphy. Ms. Money seconded.

            Mr. Ott read aloud a memo from Mr. Moyer withdrawing his name from consideration.

            On the motion to accept Mr. Murphy, all voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

            Deer Committee – Berry, Ott and Lindblad

            Mr. Ott said the city has a challenge to come to a consensus of how to handle the over population of deer. He suggested using an ordinance from Crystal Falls, Mich., as a model for preparing an ordinance for Eureka Springs. The ordinance prohibits the feeding of deer.

            Ms. Money said she was against any ordinance of that type. She said enforcement would be a huge problem and it would turn neighbor against neighbor.

            Ms. Lindblad suggested an education program for the citizens about fencing and types of plants deer would not eat.

            Ms. Money said she is opposed to being told what to plant in her yard.

            Mr. Berry said that until four years ago it was legal to hunt deer inside the city limits and he believed that held the deer population down. He thought an organized hunt might be the best way to solve the problem.

            (City residents voted down an organized bow and arrow deer hunt in the general election of November 2000.)

            Mr. Ott said he would prepare an ordinance for consideration for the Nov. 22 meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

            1. Adoption of Resolution #505 – The Johanson Group Job Evaluation and Salary Program.

            Mr. Berry presented a revised resolution for consideration, which simply accepted the Johanson Study without endorsing recommendations within the study. He moved to read the resolution, Ms. Money seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0 Mr. Berry read the resolution aloud.

           

            2. Discussion of recommendations from the Main Street Merchants.

            Mayor Harrison said she and Mr. Umland had met with the merchants and discussed the parking problems and other issues connected with the Sunday Market.

            Mr. Umland said he was working on the parking problem and hoped to have a workable solution at the Nov. 22 meeting.

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NEW BUSINESS:

            1. Discussion of  Ordinance #1920 – Amended- Special events and workshop recommendations

            Mr. Ott suggested phrases reading “office of the mayor” should also include “or city clerk.” He also noted the ordinance will have to have a new number if such phrases are changed.

            Ms. Money suggested that for consistency, if the mayor can issue permits then only the mayor could deny them.

            Mr. Ott moved to place Ordinance #1978 on its first reading. Ms. Money seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

            Mayor Harrison read the ordinance aloud.

            Mr. Ott moved to approve Ordinance #1978 on its first reading. Ms. Money seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

 

            2. Discussion of Ordinance #1973 – to include Historic District Commission recommendations in the Municipal Code. (1st reading)

            Mr. Ott moved to place Ordinance 1973 on its first reading, Mr. Berry seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

            Mayor Harrison read the ordinance aloud.

            Mr. Ott moved to approve Ordinance #1973 on its first reading. Ms. Lindblad seconded.

            Mr. Ott moved to change the effective date of the ordinance, as contained in the body of the ordinance, to the date of passage. Ms. Money seconded.

            Ms. Money moved to table the ordinance and to send it back to the HDC for clarification of slab surfaces, addition of aggregate “concrete,” consideration of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and effective date of the ordinance. Mr. Ott seconded. Five voted aye, Ms. Lindblad voted nay. Motion passed 5/1/0

 

            3. Discussion of Ordinance to replace existing “Green Zone” Ordinance #1628.

            Mr. Ott moved to defer to the Dec. 13 regular meeting. Mr. Falotico seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

           

            4. Discussion of Ordinance #1972 – Noise Ordinance

            Ms. Money moved to place Ordinance 1972 on its first reading. Mr. Umland seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

            Ms. Sell read the ordinance aloud.

            Mr. Umland moved to approve Ordinance 1972 on its first reading. Ms. Money seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

            Ms. Money moved to amend the ordinance to include the words “city clerk” in phrases referring to the “mayor” or “office of the mayor.” Mr. Umland seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

 

            The Council took a recess at 8:50 p.m. and resumed at 9 p.m.

 

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            5. Discussion of repealing Ordinance #1897, an ordinance establishing the duties and salary of the City Clerk-Treasurer.

            Mr. Umland moved to place Ordinance 1976 on its first reading. Ms. Lindblad seconded.

            Ms. Money said the new ordinance should specifically say it is amending Ordinance 1897. Mr. Umland moved to amend the ordinance to include that wording. Ms. Money seconded. Five voted aye, Mr. Berry voted nay. Motion passed 5/1/0

            Mr. Berry moved to table the ordinance so it could be rewritten in a proper form and to give it to the new council after the first of the year. Mr. Ott seconded.

            After some discussion, Mr. Berry moved to table the ordinance to the next meeting. After additional discussion, Mr. Ott seconded.

            Ms. Money wanted to know where the proposed salary of $28,000 came from. Mayor Harrison said the last full-time clerk was making $24,000. That was two years ago. She said the increase is reasonable.

            Mayor Harrison said she would ask the Johansons for information regarding salary ranges for city clerk-treasurers in other communities.

            On the motion to defer, the vote split 3 to 3 with Ms. Lindblad, Mr. Umland and Mr. Falotico in favor; Mr. Berry, Mr. Ott and Ms. Money opposed. Mayor Harrison voted to not defer the ordinance. Motion was defeated 3/4/0

            Mayor Harrison read the ordinance aloud.

Mr. Falotico moved to have the position begin Jan. 1, 2005. Ms. Lindblad seconded. The vote split 3 to 3 with Ms. Lindblad, Mr. Umland and Mr. Falotico in favor; Mr. Berry, Mr. Ott and Ms. Money opposed. Mayor Harrison voted aye.  Motion passed 4/3/0

Mr. Umland moved to approve Ordinance 1976 on its first reading. Ms. Lindblad seconded. The vote split 3 to 3 with Ms. Lindblad, Mr. Umland and Mr. Falotico in favor; Mr. Berry, Mr. Ott and Ms. Money opposed. Mayor Harrison voted aye.  Motion passed 4/3/0

 

            6. Discussion of Ordinance #1948 – Recommendations from the CAPC Commission for amending the ordinance.

            Mr. Ott moved to defer the discussion, then rescinded his motion.

CAPC Marketing Director Lynn Berry said the commission wants all references to business licenses removed from the ordinance. They do not want the A&P permits tied to business licenses in any way.

Mr. Ott moved to have an ordinance drafted amending Ordinance 1948. Motion died for lack of a second.

Ms. Money wanted Ms. Berry and Mr. Weaver to get together to work out amendments to the ordinance. Ms. Money moved to defer further discussion until Nov. 22. Mr. Ott seconded.

After more discussion, Mr. Umland called for the question to stop discussion. Mr. Ott seconded. By roll call, five voted aye, Ms. Lindblad opposed. Motion passed 5/1/0

On the motion to defer discussion, five voted aye, Ms. Lindblad opposed. Motion passed 5/1/0

 

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7. Discussion of Ordinance 1979 regarding downtown trolley stops.

Ms. Money moved to table the discussion and to put the ordinance on the Nov, 22 agenda at the beginning of New Business. Mr. Falotico seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

 

8. Discussion regarding amendments to 2004 city budget.

Mr. Berry moved to have the amendments read aloud. Mr. Ott and Mr. Umland seconded. Four voted aye, Ms. Money and Mr. Falotico voted against. Motion passed 4/2/0

            Ms. Money and Mr. Falotico wanted to see specific figures related to the changes.

            Ms. Money moved to defer the discussion. Mr. Berry seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

            Mayor Harrison said she has started 2005 budget discussions with department heads and would be having meetings with them starting at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16.

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS

            Mr. Falotico said he has talked with Mr. Weaver about how the owner of the Copa Cabana Club can gain reimbursement for alleged damages but he has not followed through in talking with Ms. Braswell. He also asked citizens to not wait until the day of the council meeting to call him with questions and concerns, but to please call further ahead of time.

            Mr. Ott announced the coming Eureka Theater Company production of “The Gifts of the Magi.”

            Mr. Berry thanked Mr. Murphy and Mr. Moyer for volunteering to take on CAPC duties.

Ms. Lindblad congratulated Rick Rojek (her opponent in the recent city election) on his election to the council. She said she hoped his experience “could be as rich as mine has been.” She handed out some research information on tax collections in other communities with large tourist business.

           

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

            Mayor Harrison congratulated Transit Director Lamont Richie on his election to the Arkansas Transit Association state board of directors.

            She thanked council members-elect for attending the meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT

            Mr. Ott moved to adjourn at 10:13 p.m. Mr. Umland seconded. All voted aye. Motion passed 6/0/0

           

            This is the signature page for the City Council minutes of Nov. 8, 2004.

 

                                                                        __________________________________

                                                                                    Mayor Kathy Harrison

_________________________________

            City Clerk Mary Jean Sell

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