04-01-14 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
April 1, 2014
6:00 PM
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
April 1, 2014
6:00 PM
The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in a regular meeting with
Mayor Mark Stodola presiding. Assistant City Clerk Toya Robinson called the roll with
the following Directors present: Hendrix; Richardson; Hurst (enrolled at 6:12 PM);
Hines; Wyrick; Kumpuris; Fortson; Adcock; Vice-Mayor Wright; and Mayor Stodola.
Directors absent: Cazort. Director Richardson delivered the invocation, which was
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
City of Little Rock Retirement Recognition
Battalion Chief Brian D. Harlan — Little Rock Fire Department
eStem Public Charter School — 3A Girls Basketball State Champions
Episcopal Collegiate School — 3A Boys Basketball State Champions
National Service Day Proclamation
DEFERRAL:
5. ORDINANCE; G-24-045: To abandon a ten (10)-foot wide drainage and utility
easement located on Lot 1 Love Addition and a fifteen (15)-foot utility easement located
on Lot 1R Campbell Replat Number 2, in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other
purposes. Planning Commission: 8 ayes; 0 nays; 2 absent and 1 open position. Staff recommends
approval, (Deferred until April 15, 2014, at the applicant's request)
Synopsis: The request is to abandon a ten (10)-foot wide drainage and utility easement located on
Lot 1 Love Addition and a fifteen (15)-foot utility easement located on Lot 1R Campbell Replat
Number 2.
Vice-Mayor Wright made the motion, seconded by Director Hines, to defer Item 5 until
the April 15, 2014, Board of Directors Meeting. By unanimous voice vote of the Board
Members present, Item 5 was deferred until the April 15, 2014, Board of Directors
Meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA: (Item 1)
1. MOTION: To approve the minutes from the October 1, 2013, and October 15, 2013,
Board of Directors Meetings.
Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by Director Hines, to approve the Consent
Agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the Consent
Agenda was approved.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
April 1, 2014
6:00 PM
SEPARATE ITEMS (Items 2 - 3)
2. ORDINANCE NO. 20,862: To dispense with competitive bidding and authorize the
City Manager to enter into a sole-source contract with Caradine Companies Architecture
for architectural services in connection with the completion of the structures at 13700
Cantrell Road; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends
approval.
Synopsis: The Little Rock Police Department is requesting approval to award a sole-source contract
to the Caradine Companies to provide architectural and construction administrative services for the
Pankey Police Substation Project.
The ordinance was read a first time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Director Richardson, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading.
By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and
the ordinance was read a second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Director Richardson, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a third time.
Brenda Henson, 7301 Hidden Valley Road: Stated that she did not want to speak;
however, she wanted to go on record as in support of the project.
Regina Norwood, P.O. Box 17142: Stated that she was the co-founder of the Friends of
Josephine Pankey non-profit organization, and that the community was in support of the
project..
By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the ordinance was approved.
By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the emergency clause was
approved.
3. ORDINANCE NO. 20.863: To amend Little Rock, Ark., Rev. Code §2-49 (1988) to
set specific times for Citizen's Communication on the Agenda of regular meetings of the
Board of Directors; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes.
The ordinance was read a first time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Director Hurst, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Director Richardson, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a third time.
Robert Webb: Urged the Board to support the proposed ordinance.
Carrie Youna. 2017 Cumberland Street: Stated that she supported the proposed
ordinance.
Director Kumpuris stated that although thirty (30) minutes was allotted for Citizen's
Communication, there were times when Board Members asked numerous questions and
the time exceeded the thirty (30) minutes time limit. Director Kumpuris stated that if the
ordinance passed, then the Board needed to police themselves and adhere to the time
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
April 1, 2014
6:00 PM
limit. Director Richardson asked what the rational was behind only allotting thirty (30)
minutes for Citizen's Communication, especially since there were instances where the
Board spent several hours on one (1) Agenda item. Vice-Mayor Wright stated that
individual's that had items on the Agenda for Board action had followed the City process
to have their item placed on an Agenda and that Citizen's Communication was entirely
different. Vice-Mayor Wright stated that as Elected Officials, citizens were given ample
opportunity to contact them regarding their concerns or issues that they would like the
Board to address. Director Hurst stated that she did not feel that by having Citizen's
Communication at the end of the Agenda, it was denying anyone from addressing the
Board. Director Hurst stated that by having Citizen's Communication at the same place
on the Agenda every meeting, it provided an order that everyone understood. Director
Wyrick stated that she felt that by alternating the placement of Citizen's Communication
on the Agenda, it provided a healthy balance.
By roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Ayes: Hendrix; Richardson; Hines; Wyrick;
Kumpuris; and Fortson. Nays: Hurst; Adcock; and Vice-Mayor Wright. Absent: Cazort.
By a vote of six (6) ayes, three (3) nays and one (1) absent, the ordinance was
approved. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the emergency
clause was approved.
PUBLIC HEARING (Item 4)
4. ORDINANCE NO. 20,864: G-24-044: To abandon portions of the utility easements
located on Lots 6 and 7, Woodland Farms Estates, located at 10 Pine View Place, in the
City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. Board of Adjustment: 4 ayes; 0 nays; and
1 absent. Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: The owner of the property located at 10 Pine View Place, described as Lots 6, 7 and 8,
Woodland Farm Estates, is requesting abandonment of a portion of the utility and drainage
easements located on Lots 6 and 7.
Mayor Stodola opened the public hearing and asked if there were individuals present
that wished to speak for or against the item. There being none present, Mayor Stodola
closed the public hearing.
The ordinance was read a first time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Richardson, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Director Richardson, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a third time. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members
present, the ordinance was approved.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Item 6)
6. RESOLUTION NO. 13,864: To make an appointment as commissioner on the Little
Rock Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; and for other purposes.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
April 1, 2014
6:00 PM
Direct r Richardson made the motion, seconded byDirector Adcock,cock, to appoint Valerie
Brown to fill the unexpired Little Rock Housing Authority Board of Commissioners term of
Kathy Webb, said term to expire on September 30, 2018. By unanimous voice vote of
the Board Members present, the appointment was approved.
DISCUSSIONS (Item 7)
7. DISCUSSION: 2015 Legislative Agenda.
City Manager Moore distributed copies of the City's proposed 2015 Legislative Agenda
that included the following:
D Amend Statute 5-73-110 related to clarification on releasing a weapon back to an
individual who is determined to be mentally irresponsible.
D Adjust the 3% administrative charge that the State charges for collecting
municipal sales tax.
D Amend the existing language to allow for an annual notice to property owners for
code enforcement violations.
D Increase funding and establish disbursement procedures for a Housing Trust
Fund.
D Amend Stated Statutes related to Refusal of an Owner to Comply; to allow for
nuisance problems to be immediately addressed by the City when contact cannot
be made and/or when an owner requests City assistance and to allow for a
singular annual notice.
• Allow for a local option to allow all cities to charge the same 911 fee on landlines
regardless of a city's population; allow for 911 fees to be charged on cellphones
at the same rate as charged on land lines; allow for a local option that allows
municipalities to charge a 311 fee against landlines and cellphones.
D Allow for a provision that allows for funds generated by illegal tobacco sales to be
rebated or turned-back to the city in which the funds were generated.
D Amend definition of afterschool programs as regulated for the State's Childcare
Division of the Department of Human Services.
D Change State Statute 27-51-1202 that regulates pedestrian right-of-way in
crosswalks. Currently drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Director Hendrix stated that she would like more input on the items the City was planning
on presenting to the Arkansas Municipal League (AML) and asked if she would have the
opportunity to do so. Assistant City Manager Bryan Day stated that staff was planning
on presenting the items at an AML meeting the following week; however, if the Board
had additional items they felt needed to be addressed and they weren't included in the
AML package, there was always the opportunity of utilizing the City's lobbyist. Director
Hines stated that he trusted staff for changes that would help the City and that he was in
support of the package.
Director Wyrick stated that she would like have more information regarding what the
costs would be for the additional 911 and 311 charges on cellphones. Mayor Stodola
stated that currently the law didn't allow the operational costs for 311 to be paid for with
monies that are generated through the 911 fee, either on land lines or cell phones.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
April 1, 2014
6:00 PM
Director Fortson stated that he understood the need for looking at new cost allocations
for 911 service due to the diminishing use of land lines and the increase use of cell
phones; however, 311 was advertised as a basic City service and he had not been
convinced that any special fees needed to be added. Director Hurst stated that she
agreed with asking for a local option; however, she disagreed with attaching a fee to 311
calls. City Manager Moore stated that he would withdraw the item related to 911 and
311 and would obtain additional information for the Board regarding that issue.
Director Hendrix made the motion, seconded by Director Hines, to approve the City's
2015 Legislative Agenda and to forward the items to the Arkansas Municipal League for
inclusion into their legislative package. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members
present, the motion was approved.
CITIZEN'S COMMUNICATION
Edward L. Matowitz, 25 Greenwav Drive: Contract to paint the curbs in Little Rock to
increase safety and add beauty.
Cozetta Jones, 30129 West 17th Street: Stephens Community Conditions.
Kathy Webb, 2121 Gaines Street: Good Government and Communication.
Vice-Mayor Wright made the motion, seconded by Director Hines, to adjourn the
meeting. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the meeting was
adjourned.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
//SL .Toya Robinson, Assistant City Clerk Mark Stodola, Maor
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