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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-05Little Rock Board of Directors M, Minutes October 4. 200 MINUTES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING City Hall — 500 W. Markham October 4, 2005 6:00 PM The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas met in regular session with Mayor Jim Dailey presiding. Assistant City Clerk, Nataki Blocker, called the roll with the following Directors present: Pugh, Keck, Wyrick, Stewart, Hurst, Hinton, Adcock, Kumpuris, and Vice Mayor Graves. Director Cazort was not present at roll call. Director Hinton gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Dailey asked the Board to consider the listed modifications. ADDITION: M -1. RESOLUTION 12,101 - To set the date of public hearing for October 18, 2005 on a petition, Villa Vista, LLC, for the formation of Municipal Property Owner's Multipurpose Improvement District 424 (Villa Vista Project). Director Keck made the motion, seconded by Director Hurst to accept the modifications to the agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members present the modifications were approved. CONSENT AGENDA (Item 1 -4) 1. MOTION - To approve minutes of regular Board of Directors Meeting: September 6, 2005. 2. RESOLUTION 12,102 - To authorize the City Manager to execute a lease purchase agreement with the Trust for Public Land for a former section of the Union Pacific Railroad Line for the sum of $820,286.84; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: This resolution authorizes the City Manager to enter into a lease purchase agreement with The Trust for Public Land for acquisition of a segment of former Union Pacific railroad property contiguous to property previously purchased from the Trust for a walking and biking trail along the Arkansas River. 3. RESOLUTION 12,103 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with St. Paul /Travelers for City property insurance coverage for an additional year; and other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: A Request for Proposal for this coverage was issued to the appropriate insurance markets by the City's consultant /agent for property insurance coverage. The proposal from St. Paul/Travelers provides the highest level of coverage and the lowest premium costs. Little Rock Board of Directors Mc. z Minutes October 4. 2005 4. RESOLUTION 12,104 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Pro -Fire Equipment LLC for the purchase of one (1) 1 00f Aerial Platform Ladder Truck for the Fire Department; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Five (5) bids were received for Bid 45308. Pro -Fire Equipment L.L.0 is the lowest bid meeting the specifications. A motion was made by Director Adcock, seconded by Director Hinton, to adopt the Consent Agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members present, being two- thirds in number, the Consent Agenda was adopted. CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS Speaker: Mary Alford Topic: Neighborhood in Mrs. Alford's area needs children safety signs. Speed sign or speed bump installation is also needed for cars that speed through neighborhood. Speaker: 011ie Rucker Topic: Redgate — Forgotten City Corridor. There are no fire stations, police stations, alert centers, or other City services along this route. Speaker: Glenn Schwartz Topic: Decriminalize marijuana laws and focus on violent crime within the City. Grouped Items: Items 5 —10 5. ORDINANCE 19,416 - LU05 -10 -01 - To amend the Land Use Plan (16,222) in the Boyle Park Planning District south and east of Kanis and Barrow Roads. Planning Commission: 11 ayes, 0 nays. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Land Use Plan amendments in the Boyle Park Planning District from Mixed Office Commercial to Commercial for future development. 6. ORDINANCE 19,417 - Z -7914 — Reclassifying property located on the south side of Kanis Road approximately 500 feet east of Barrow Road from R -2 to C -3; amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Little Rock; and for other purposes. Planning Commission: 11 ayes, 0 nays. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The owner of the undeveloped, three (3) acre property located on the south side of Kanis Road, approximately 500 feet east of Barrow Road, is requesting that the zoning be reclassified from R -2 to C -3. 7. ORDINANCE 19,418 - LU05 -08 -02 — To amend the Land Use Plan (16,222) in the Central City Planning District from Single - family, Mixed Office Commercial, Mixed Use, Commercial and Industrial, to Single - family Low Density Residential, Multi- family, Mixed Use, Public Institutional, Neighborhood Commercial, Commercial and Light Industrial, and for other purposes. Planning Commission: I1 ayes, 0 nays. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: A package of amendments to update the Land Use Plan in the Central High Area; to more accurately represent the short and mid -term future development patterns in the area. 2 Little Rock Board of Directors Me, , i; Minutes October 4. 2005 OTHER BUSINESS 8. ORDINANCE 19,419 - To amend Little Rock, AR., Rev. Code 2 -111 (1988) to add a provision to assure that the City Manager may authorize certain actions in emergency situations; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. 9. ORDINANCE 19,420 - To establish the rate of taxation of property for the City of Little Rock For the Year 2006 for the various funds of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; to declare an ewergenc) -; and for other purposes. Synopsis: Adopt an ordinance levying property taxes to be paid on real and personal property located within the city of Little Rock for 2006. 10. ORDINANCE - Held on 2nd Reading - As Amended - To prohibit illegal laboratories, including clandestine methamphetamine laboratories to provide for the dismantle and cleanup of illegal laboratories after notice to cease and desist; to provide for disposal of items involved in and located within the immediate area surrounding the laboratories; and for other purposes. (1st Reading September 20, 2005. Hold on 2nd Reading). Director Adcock, seconded by Director Keck, made a motion to suspend the rules and place the ordinances on second reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members present, being two - thirds in number, the rules were suspended and the ordinances were read the second time. Director Adcock, seconded by Director Keck, made a motion to suspend the rules and place the ordinances with exclusion of Item 10 on third reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members present, being two - thirds in number, the rules were suspended and the ordinances, with exclusion of Item 10 were read the third time. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members present, being two thirds in number, the ordinances (Items 5 -9) were passed. Item 10 was held on second reading. An emergency clause was passed for Items 8 and 9. 11. PUBLIC HEARING - Vision Little Rock recommendations for Mayoral position. Mayor Dailey began the discussion by listing the different issues that would be discussed during the public hearing. The first issue would be to decide whether or not the Mayoral position would become full time. The second would be to decide whether a pay increase would be placed into affect for the Mayor. The third issue would be whether the commission appointments would be made by the City Manager or the Mayor and Board of Directors. The fourth issue is whether or not to give the Mayor veto power. Erma Hendrix stated that she would be in favor of giving the Mayor more power in the City, if the change would create a stronger government within the City. Pat Gee, President of the Upper Baseline Neighborhood Association, explained that she and the group she represents are very upset about the proposed items being discussed in the public hearing this evening. Ms. Gee said that she and others campaigned very hard to achieve the current layout of the City of Little Rock government. She stated that by taking the vote away from the people on this matter, and leaving it solely up to the Board, would be under minding everything a democracy stood for. Mrs. Gee asked for something this important to be decided by the citizens of Little Rock and not the Board of Directors. 3 Little Rock Board of Directors Meg .r Minutes October 4, 2005 Janet Berry, representative for South West Little Rock United for Progress, stated that at the last monthly meeting, this public hearing was a topic. She explained that the official position of the SWLRUP members was that they are opposed to any change within the City government without a vote from the citizens. Mrs. Berry said that she was once a member of the Vision team and recalled to the Board that many of the Vision recommendations were only recommendations and nothing more. She explained that many of the recommendations that Vision made were never passed by legislation. Mrs. Berry asserted that the City is understaffed, and the money that would be going to increase the Board and Mayoral salaries would be more wisely used by filling in much needed positions in the Fire Department, Police Department, and more. Craig Williams, concerned citizen, stated that he did not agree with the proposal of an increase of salary for the Mayor at this time. Kathleen Oleson, representative of the League of Women Voters of Pulaski County, praised the Mayor for the tireless effort and incredible job that he has done for so many years. She then asserted that Mayor Dailey's position is not meant to be full time, even though he works the extra hours. Mrs. Oleson acknowledged the fact that the Board's salary is not being discussed at this time, but by passing an ordinance to increase the Mayor's salary, the Board can later pass an ordinance to increase their salaries without the consent of the citizens within the City of Little Rock. She explained that by increasing the salary of the Mayor, other organizations within the City will suffer. Mrs. Oleson referred to a previous election that included the option of the City to become a Mayor /Council form of government. She stated that if this ordinance passes, the beginning of a change toward Mayor /Council government would occur. She said that the people of the City should have the final word on what form of City government they prefer. Mayor Dailey asked Mrs. Oleson how she would answer the Vision recommendation of making the Mayor's position full time. She said she would recommend the Mayor become full time. She stated that if the City has a City Manager form of government, then let it be strictly run by that government. Mrs. Oleson explained that if the Mayoral position becomes full time, there will be two heads running the City, and nothing would get accomplished. Diane Charles, President Emeritus of South End Association, stated that she agreed with Ms. Oleson's comments. She stated she was not sure that all citizens in the City of Little Rock agree with Vision. She explained that according to Vision, the citizens do not know who is in charge of the City of Little Rock. Mrs. Charles stated that the move of the Heifer Project, Acxiom, completion of the Clinton Library, and business development within the City of Little Rock are accredited to Bruce Moore, the City Manager. She stated that it would be a mistake for the Little Rock Board of Directors to increase the pay of the Mayor and turn the position into one that is full time. She stated that the right of veto power for the Mayor should be approved by the people, not the Board of Directors. 0 Little Rock Board of Directors Mcc,.ng Minutes October 4. 2005 Jim Lynch, President of the Coalition of the Little Rock Neighborhoods, stated that the recommendation by Vision is portrayed by the press as a pay raise only. He said that this conflicts with the synopsis of the item discussed tonight, which is the Mayoral position. He wanted to know what the job position would entail and how it would change from its current listing. He gave examples of other problems that should be dealt with before this item tonight, such as: quality of drinking water, violence within the City, long term growth infrastructure out West, landfill expansion, community policing, gangs, drugs, racial issues, and more. He explained that fifteen years ago, the issue of City government arose, and now the same topic is arising again. Mr. Lynch explained that these topics brought forth by Vision should be discussed, but the people within the City of Little Rock should be able to vote on them. He stated that he would like to see a Mayor with much stronger executive responsibility. Mr. Lynch said that under the City Manager form of government, the chief executive is the appointed official. He thinks that the executive authority should be with an elected official. Troy Laha, concerned citizen, agrees with the statements of the other speakers about leaving the decision of government change to the citizens of the City of Little Rock. Wally Waller, concerned citizen, stated that the full time position should be granted to the Mayor with a pay increase. He explained that the salary the Mayor currently received is inadequate for the amount of work that he puts into the City. Mr. Waller stated that by having two heads that manage two different parts of government within the City would be wise, as long as their boundaries are clearly defined. John Parke, concerned citizen, agreed with everything that was stated earlier by Mr. Lynch. He stated that unless an amendment was made to define the responsibility and accountability of the Mayor, a salary increase would not be necessary. Mayor Dailey closed the public hearing. Minor discussion took place regarding the jail, but further discussion was officially scheduled to take place at the Board of Director's October 11, 2005 agenda meeting. Director Stewart stated that hearing from the public and having healthy discussions on topics that affect the community, such as the Vision recommendations, should take place more frequently. She said that she would like for the community to have on going dialogue with the Board of Directors, so that the citizens' concerns are taken into account. Director Hurst stated that many more opportunities would be presented to discuss these topics with the citizens of the City. City Manager, Bruce Moore, announced that Bryan Day had been chosen as the new Assistant City Manager. Mr. Day thanked everyone who helped him through the ranks to become the Assistant City Manager, and assured everyone that he would not let them down. 5 Little Rock Board of Directors Mee Minutes October 4, 2005 Director Hurst made a motion seconded by Director Hinton to adjourn. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members present, the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 P.M. ATTEST: Nan Wood, MC City Clerk APPROVE i Jim I a' ey Mayor