City Council

Minutes Regular Scheduled Russellville City Council Meeting City Council Chambers March 15, 2012 The City Council met in a Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting held at City Hall, 203 South Commerce, at 6 pm. Officials in attendance: Mayor Bill Eaton, City Attorney Trey Smith, City Clerk Kathy Collins, Alderman Garland Steuber, Alderman Martin Irwin, Alderman Paul Northcut, Alderman Ron Knost, Alderman Burke Larkin, Alderman Mark Tripp and Alderman Randy Horton and Alderman Kevin Freeman . Guests present were as follows: Price McMillan, Margie Steuber, Jerry McKaughan, Craig Noble, Brian Holstein, Connie Holstein, Tracey Cline-Pew, Chief Cochran, Chief McMillen, Dina Newman, Jennifer Grizzle, Linda Sanders, James Bartlett, Johnny Storey, Bill Clark, Betsy McGuire, Ed Donahou and Robert McCready. Welcome and Call to Order: Mayor Bill Eaton Invocation was given by Alderman Chaplain Paul Northcut. Minutes: Alderman Martin Irwin made the motion to approve the Minutes for Council Meeting February 16th and the Special Called Meeting Minutes February 29th. Alderman Larkin seconded the motion. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. Mayor’s Report: 1. Lift Station at the Animal Shelter. Mayor Eaton told the Council about the urgency to replace the Lift Station at the Animal Shelter. He will call a meeting to address this matter when all entities involved have the necessary time to review it. Financial Report: Finance Director Jerry McKaughan for Month Ending February 29, 2012 General Fund Balance $ 1,532,621.98 Street Fund Balance $ 14,520,902.08 Economic Development Funds 1 & 2 Balance $ 6,341,125.55 Convention Center $ 2,385,906.43 Capital Assets Fund Balance $ 1,424,000.42 Special Funds Balance $ 866,155.21 Emergency Reserve Certificate of Deposit – General $ 1,000,000.00 1 Emergency Reserve – Street $ 3,000,000.00 Cemetery Association Trust – Market Value $ 177,678.96 Special Funds Balances: Month Ended February 29, 2012 12 District Court Costs Fund $ 96,576.81 13 No Vehicle Insurance Fund $ 17,467.43 14 Parks & Recreation Special Fund $ 85,988.17 15 Police Training Fund $ 15,710.50 16 Police Pension Fund $ 75,208.39 17 Court Automation Fund $ 220,931.43 18 Administration of Justice Fund $ 34.50 19 Criminal Justice Ordinance Fund $ 238,247.72 20 Fire Contingency Fund $ 61,588.72 21 Fire Insurance Premiums Fund $ 49,581.22 22 Fire Pension Fund $ 4,820.32 TOTAL $ 866,155.21 Department Head Report: Brian Holstein Director Community Development Finance Committee Report: Alderman Tripp, Knost, Horton, Irwin Finance Committee: Tripp, Knost, Horton, Irwin Finance Committee: (Meeting March 15th). Alderman Tripp made the motion to approve Item # 1 (requesting funds for AVAFED) also Items 1 and 2A through D with a second by Alderman Knost. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. 1. Consideration of a Request for Approval of Disbursement of Funds for Economic Development in the amount of $100,000.00-- Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development. Finance Committee: (Recommended for approval March 6th) 1. Consideration of the Implementation of Career Development Plan for Certified Uniformed Employees of the Russellville Police Department. 2. Appropriations: (A) Department: District Court Cost Fund Line Item #: 12-101-5161 Health Insurance $ 3,480.00 (New health insurance reimbursement) 2  (B) Department: Police $ 617.55 Line Item #: 01-111-5111 $480.99 Line Item #: 01-111-5154 91.10 Line Item #: 01-111-5181 36.80 Line Item #: 01-111-5171 8.66 (Employee 8220 received his senior certificate on Feb.3, which earns him an additional $600 annually. Amounts are prorated for the remainder of 2012 from 3/18/12). (C) Department: Police $16,049.11 Line Item #: 01-111-5111 $7,108.15 Line Item #: 01-111-5154 $5,967.83 Line Item #: 01-111-5181 $2,356.94 Line Item #: 01-111-5171 $ 616.19 (Implementation of Career Development Plan for Certified uniform employees) Line Item Transfer: (Recommended for approval March 6th) (D) Department: Police From: 01-111-5123 Seat Belt/DWI Overtime $25,000.00 To: 01-111-5111 Salaries $25,000.00 (Implementation of Career Development Plan for Certified uniform employees) Personnel Committee: Steuber, Freeman, Larkin, Northcut 1. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the Personnel Policy Handbook. Alderman Irwin made the motion to suspend the rules and read the Ordinance by title only for the first reading. Alderman Horton seconded the motion. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. City Attorney Trey Smith read the Ordinance as instructed. This item will be heard again at the April meeting. Unfinished (Old) Business: 1. Consideration of a Resolution Dilapidated Structure Located at 411 East “B” St. — City Attorney Trey Smith. This house has been renovated. 3  2. Consideration of a Resolution Dilapidated Structure Located at 421 South Glenwood Ave. — City Attorney Trey Smith. (Building Permit Issued 03/09/12; 3nd time presented). A building permit was issued for this property March 9th. It is under renovation. Alderman Irwin made the motion to postpone definitely to next month’s meeting with a second by Alderman Steuber. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. 3. Consideration of a Resolution for Removal or Razing of Dilapidated Structure Located at 21 Elliott Place-City Attorney Trey Smith. (2nd time presented). Property owner Bruce Carothers told the Council this property was pending sale. He discovered the property was zoned R-4 (mobile home) and he wished to have it rezoned to C-2. This would require going before the Planning Commission and could not be done this month. He asked the Council to give him the necessary time to rezone and close the sale. If the property is not sold then he would have the structure razed. Alderman Martin Irwin made the motion to postpone definitely until April meeting. Alderman Horton seconded the motion. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. 4. Consideration of an Ordinance Adopting the International Property Maintenance Code 2012—Code Enforcement Officer Bill Clark. (2nd reading). Alderman Irwin made the motion to suspend the rules and read the Ordinance by title only for the first reading with a second by Alderman Horton. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. City Attorney Trey Smith read the Ordinance as instructed. This item will be heard again at the April meeting. 5. Consideration of Reappointments to the HDC and Nomination of James Bartlett to be appointed to the Historic District Commission—Mayor Bill Eaton. Alderman Irwin made the motion to make the reappointments and to appoint Mr. James Bartlett to the Historic District Commission. Alderman Knost seconded the motion. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. Reappointments are as follows: Ann Irwin and Judy Galloway terms to run March 2012 until March 2013. Suzanne Alford-Hodges, Linda Carnahan, Steve Newby terms to run March 2012 to March 2014. Gerald Hook and James Bartlett terms to run March 2012 to March 2015. 4 New Business: 1. Consideration of Resolution # 1276 Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Negotiate for the Addition of the Dwight Mission Boat Launch into the Existing Lease with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Russellville, Arkansas; to keep the current conditions the same upon addition to the Lease; to continue to use the Leased Property for Recreational Purposes—Parks & Rec Director Mack Hollis, Alderman Tripp. Alderman Tripp made the motion to adopt the resolution with a second simultaneously by Aldermen Knost and Irwin. Motion carries 8-0 on a voice vote. 2. Consideration of approval to donate old landscape timbers removed from City Parks- Parks & Rec Director Mack Hollis, Alderman Tripp. Alderman Tripp made the motion to grant the request with a second by Alderman Irwin. After some discussion Alderman Irwin made the motion to amend the previous motion to authorize the department heads to dispose of property that is no longer of any value to the department and prohibit the materials to be given to City Employees. Alderman Knost seconded the motion. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. Mayor Eaton told the Council the announcement would be posted on the City’s website. The landscape timbers would be free to the public. 3. Consideration of a Resolution the Removal or Razing of an Unoccupied, Dilapidated Structures; Restoring the properties up to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and City Codes thereby protecting the health, safety and welfare of the Public; Providing for Liens on the Properties to recover costs associated with removal of Structures upon nonpayment Located at 808 West “E” Street, 417 Modesto Place, 1600 So Knoxville and 810 North Frankfort---City Attorney Trey Smith, Bill Clark Code Enforcement. City Attorney Trey Smith gave an update on the properties. 1600 South Knoxville is to be razed by the owner. 810 North Frankfort; the tenant needs to move before renovations can begin. 808 West “E” Street is in the process of getting the necessary permits to renovate the property. Alderman Irwin made the motion to postpone until April meeting. Alderman Horton seconded the motion. Motion carries on an 8-0 voice vote. 4. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to Enter an Agreement with an Engineering Firm to Perform Engineering Services for Certain Improvements on Runway 7-25 at the Russellville Municipal Airport—Director Bobby Day Pulled by Bobby Day. He needed time to gather more information. 5. Consideration of Ordinance # 2120 Providing for the Adoption of a Flood Insurance Rate Map Dated April 17, 2012, for the City of Russellville —City Attorney Trey Smith. Alderman Steuber made the motion to read the Ordinance one time by title only with a short explanation. Aldermen Larkin and Irwin 5  seconded the motion simultaneously. Motion carried on a voice vote. City Attorney Trey Smith read the Ordinance as instructed. Alderman Steuber made the motion to adopt with a second by Alderman Irwin. Motion carries 8-0 on a roll call vote. All Aldermen present and voting in favor. Alderman Irwin made the motion to adopt the Emergency Clause with a second by Alderman Horton. Motion carries 8-0 on a roll call vote. All Aldermen present and voting in favor. 6. Discussion Concerning the Possibility of a Public Transportation system in Russellville—Alderman Randall Horton. Dina Newman with Area Agency on Aging spoke on the need for transportation to doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and to the grocery store. They are procuring a grant partially funded through the Arkansas Hwy Department. They are planning to purchase two vans to run in the Russellville area. Alderman Horton made the motion to refer to the Finance Committee. Alderman Tripp seconded the motion. Motion carries unanimously on a voice vote. 7. Consideration of a Discussion of Amending Ordinance # 2099 Concerning the Competitive Bidding Process—Alderman Horton, Alderman Tripp. Alderman Horton thought the Ordinance may need to be revisited. Alderman Irwin’s thoughts were to leave that decision to the Mayor if the amount was under the specified amount required for formal bidding. There is a form in place for the Department Heads to use when collecting quotes for projects under $20,000.00. 8. Consideration of Resolution # 1277 to Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an Agreement for Engineer Services Concerning the Arkansas Transportation Enhancement Grant Project—Alderman Garland Steuber. Alderman Steuber made the motion to adopt the Resolution with a second by Alderman Irwin. Motion carries on an 8-0 voice vote. All Aldermen present and voting in favor. 9. Consideration of Discussion of an Ordinance to Revise I-40 Corridor Signage for Businesses within proximity to the interstate—Alderman Burke Larkin. Aldermen Larkin suggested a revision of the Zoning Code to reflect changes in the Signage requirements for businesses along the I-40 corridor. These suggested changes will go before the Planning Commission before going to Council. 10. Consideration of a Discussion concerning Accessory Buildings and the process of going through Board of Adjustment for variances exceeding allowed square footage—Alderman Burke Larkin. Aldermen Larkin suggested a revision of the Zoning Code to reflect changes in 6  the Accessory building requirements. These suggested changes will go before the Planning Commission before going to Council. Signage and Accessory Building variances are brought before the Board of Adjustment and/or Planning Commission on a regular basis. Changes may possibly be brought to the Council at the April Meeting. 11. Discussion of Bidding Procedures and Change Order related to Hilltop Summit Estates-Alderman Knost, Alderman Steuber. Alderman Knost stated he had been advised by an attorney not to pursue the issue due to the fact the project is under construction at this time. Alderman Knost asked for a copy and a breakdown of the change order that was submitted for that project. Public Works Director Michael Oakes told the Council he would get them the information on the change order. 12. Discussion of Maintenance of Riverview Road—Alderman Knost. Alderman Knost pulled this item because the property owners were unable to attend the meeting. 13. Consideration of Resolution # 1278 Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a Sewer Easement on City Park Property at Hickey Park—Alderman Randy Horton. Alderman Larkin made the motion to adopt the Resolution. Alderman Irwin seconded the motion. Motion carries on an 8-0 voice vote. All Aldermen present and voting in favor. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Irwin. Meeting adjourned. Mayor Bill Eaton ATTEST: Kathy Collins, City Clerk Date: 04/19/12 7