City Council

MINUTES HYBRID MEETING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MAUMELLE OCTOBER 19, 2020 6:00 PM CITY HALL Mayor Norris called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with six Council Members present. Council Members Saunders and Mosley attended virtually. Council Member Williams gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. SPECIAL GUEST AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Norris read a Proclamation for Chamber of Commerce Week and presented it to the President of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce Ollie Morgan. Mr. Morgan thanked the City for the Proclamation on behalf of the Chamber. MINUTES – OCTOBER 5, 2020 Council Member Gardner motioned to amend the minutes to reflect that an employee cannot use catastrophic leave after an employee has been on disability for 180 days. Council Member Scott seconded the motion and the motion passed as amended. FINANCIAL STATEMENT REVIEW Liz Mathis, Director of Finance gave a report on the City’s current financials. Ms. Mathis announced the establishment of the Special Relief Funds for Covid needs. Council Member Scott asked if we are having to borrow from Capital Reserve to pay for Operating Expense. Ms. Mathis stated no. Council Member Vaprezsan motioned to approve the financial statement as submitted. Council Member Williams seconded the motion and the motion passed. PROCEDURAL MOTION Council Member Williams motioned to have all ordinances and resolutions read by title only. Council Member Tierney seconded the motion, and the motion passed. ORDINANCE 1003 AMENDING A COMPENSATION SCHEDULE With no objections, Mayor Norris called for the third reading of Ordinance 1003, amending the compensation schedule for the elected position of Mayor. The City Clerk gave the reading. Council Member Mosley stated he spoke with Mr. Jeff VanPatten and confirm the numbers are accurate. Council Member Scott motioned to approve ordinance 1003. Council Member Gardner seconded the motion and the motion passed. 1 ORDINANCE 1004 AMENDING A COMPENSATION SCHEDULE With no objections, Mayor Norris called for the third reading of Ordinance 1004, amending the compensation schedule for the elected position of City Clerk/Treasurer. The City Clerk gave the reading. Council Member Williams motioned to approve ordinance 1004. Council Member Vaprezsan seconded the motion and the motion passed. ORDINANCE 1005 AMENDING A COMPENSATION SCHEDULE With no objections, Mayor Norris called for the third reading of Ordinance 1005, amending the compensation schedule for the elected position of City Attorney. The City Clerk gave the reading. Council Member Holt expressed he would prefer to delay the vote for salary increases due to the current state caused by the pandemic. Council Member Vaprezsan motioned to approve ordinance 1005. Council Member Tierney seconded the motion and the motion passed. ORDINANCE 1006 AMENDING A COMPENSATION SCHEDULE With no objections, Mayor Norris called for the third reading of Ordinance 1006, amending the compensation schedule for the elected position of City Council Member. The City Clerk gave the reading. Council Member Vaprezsan motioned to approve ordinance 1006. Council Member Williams seconded the motion and the motion passed. ORDINANCE 1016 REGARDING CATASTROPHIC LEAVE With no objections, Mayor Norris called for the first reading of ordinance 1016 adopting provisions for uniformed personnel catastrophic leave. The City Clerk gave the reading. The Mayor stated the ordinance has been amended to include the changes requested by the Council. ORDINANCE 1015 CLARIFYING ACTIONS CONSIDERED A NUISANCE With no objections Mayor Norris called for the first reading of ordinance 1015 amending the Maumelle city code clarifying actions to be considered a nuisance. The City Clerk gave the reading. Mayor Norris stated the ordinance has been amended and back on first reading. Clerk Timmons read a public comment submitted by email from Mr. James Higgins. Mr. Higgins wanted to know how the ordinance will restrict commercial business from making noise as the ordinance only addresses residential areas. Billy Profitt, 13 Crestview Court stated he did not think the issue needed to be discussed at this time due to the Pandemic. Council Member Mosley asked the City Attorney how the ordinance would apply to a commercial business. Attorney Krebs referred to section 38-42-f6. Council Member Mosley motioned to amend section f6 to require a business to limit the noise to what is only required for them to do business. Council Member Holt seconded the motion. The vote was split 4-4. Council Members Vaprezsan, Scott, Williams and Gardner voted no. Mayor Norris cast the deciding vote and the motion passed. 2 Due to the changes the ordinance will have to go back to first reading. The Mayor requested the first reading so the ordinance will be on second reading at the next meeting. ORDINANCE 1017 AMENDING A MASTER STREET PLAN With no objection Mayor Norris called for the second reading of ordinance 1017 amending the Master Street Plan to amend the classification of a section of Maumelle Valley Drive. The City Clerk gave the reading. Council Member Holt stated he did not think a Council Member from the other side of town should make a zoning decision about an area they do not live in since the decision would not affect them. Council Member Scott asked where the speed study was done. Mike Hogan, Director of Public Works said between Cherokee and Navajo. RESOLUTION 2020-27 AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET With no objection Mayor Norris called for the reading of the resolution amending the 2020 General Fund budget to transfer funds from Capital to Operating Expense. The City Clerk gave the reading. Council Member Vaprezsan made a motion to approve Resolution 2020-27. Council Member Williams seconded the motion and the motion passed. DEPUTY CITY CLERK SALARY Clerk Timmons announced she wanted to add one dollar to the hourly salary of the Deputy City Clerk. Clerk Timmons stated a budget resolution was not needed since she currently has the money in budget. Clerk Timmons also stated minimum wage will be eleven dollars per hour and she is hoping the additional money will help attract and retain employees. Council Member Mosley asked how much is the current wage. Clerk Timmons stated eleven dollars and sixty six cent. The Council agreed with the amount of money to be added to the hourly wage. No further action was needed. MAYOR’S COMMENTS The Mayor stated he hopes to have a crime and speed study available at the next council meeting. Mayor Norris reminded everyone that early voting has started. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS Several Members of the Council thanked the Mayor and Parks and Recreation for putting signs on the walk paths regarding motorized vehicles. Council Member Holt stated he had intended to address comments that were made about him on social media that were not correct but decided not to. Council Mosley stated he has noticed a difference in the lobby since adding the sign in IPad. Council Member Saunders stated he is unable to wear a mask for hours and may not be able to attend the budget meetings. Council Member Mosley recommended a zoom meeting. Attorney Krebs said a face shield could be used as an alternative to a face mask. 3 ADJOURNMENT Council Member Vaprezsan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Council Member Tierney seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Mayor Norris adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m. ______________________ MAYOR CALEB NORRIS _____________________________________ TINA TIMMONS CITY CLERK/TREASURER APPROVED October 19, 2020 4