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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. 1 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 2 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. 3 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. 4 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 5