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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-21 Little Rock Board of Directors Special Called Meeting May 11, 2021 4:00 PM Little Rock Board of Directors Special Called Meeting May 11, 2021 4:00 PM The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in a Special Called Meeting with Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., presiding. City Clerk Susan Langley called the roll with the following Directors present: Hendrix; Richardson; Webb; Peck; Wright; Wyrick; Phillips; Kumpuris; Adcock; Vice-Mayor Hines; and Mayor Scott. Director Doris Wright delivered the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Scott stated that he would like to recognize the men and women of the Little Rock Police Department as it was Police Officers Week. In addition, Mayor Scott stated that it was Police Memorial Week and that the Board would observe a moment of silence for those Officers that had transitioned in the line of duty. AGENDA (Items 1 - 3) 1. ORDINANCE: To call a special election in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, for July 13, 2021, on the question to levy a 1% Sales and Use Tax within the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, to provide that they levy shall commence on January 1, 2022; to prescribe other matters that pertain to the election; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval(1St Reading held on April 20, 2021)(2nd Reading held on April 27, 2021) (Deferred from May 4, 2021) The ordinance was read for the third time. Director Webb stated that she would like to make a motion. Mayor Scott stated that he would not entertain a motion at that time, as he wanted to give the individuals that had signed up to speak on the item the opportunity to address the Board. Vice-Mayor Hines made the motion to overrule the Chair. Director Webb made the motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Hines to lay Item 1 on the table. Director Phillips called for a Point of Order. Mayor Scott stated that he would not entertain a motion at that time. Director Phillips stated that if the Mayor was not going to entertain the motion, then he would withdraw his Point of Order request. City Attorney Tom Carpenter stated that if a Board Member made a motion to a lay an item on the table for a period of time, that would take precedence over everything else. Mayor Scott stated that proper parliamentary procedure was not followed in that he did not entertain the motion. City Attorney Carpenter stated that the Mayor did not have that right. Mayor Scott called for the first citizen to address the Board. City Attorney Carpenter stated that the action was not proper in that there was a motion on the floor to overrule the Chair. Mayor Scott asked if there was second to the motion and Director Adcock seconded the motion. Director Phillips called for a Point of Order. Director Phillips stated that it was his understanding of the parliamentary rules that a motion to lay an item on the table after it had been read three (3) times was an improper move to 1 Little Rock Board of Directors Special Called Meeting May 11, 2021 4:00 PM kill the item. City Attorney Carpenter stated that typically a motion to lay an item on the table was for a definite time-table; however, he did not hear the time period stated as multiple Board Members began speaking as soon as Director Webb began her motion. Director Phillips stated that if there was not a time table given, then it would have been an improper motion. City Attorney Carpenter stated that he did not hear the time period stated as there were multiple people talking. City Attorney Carpenter stated that Robert's Rules of Order applied in Arkansas if there was no rule or Statute that was contrary to it. City Attorney Carpenter stated that the ordinances of the City suggests that the desire to cut off all debate and to lay on the table was not favored. Mayor Scott stated that since it was not favorable, the Board would proceed with hearing from the individuals that were present to speak on the item. City Attorney Carpenter stated that there was still a motion on the floor to overrule the ruling of the Chair. Director Phillips stated that he did not hear a time specific given regarding laying the item on the table and stated that he felt that City Attorney Carpenter was leading the witness so that a motion could be made with a designated time. Mayor Scott stated that the Board would proceed with hearing from the individuals that were present to speak on the item. Vice-Mayor Hines called for a Point of Order. City Attorney Carpenter stated that a call for a Point of Order took precedence. Vice-Mayor Hines stated that Director Webb had made the initial motion; however, the Mayor declined to recognize the motion. Vice-Mayor Hines stated that he made the motion to overrule the Chair, which had received a second from Director Adcock, and that was the point that the Board needed to address at the moment. Mayor Scott stated that because he did not recognize the motion made by Director Webb, the motion to overturn the rule the Chair was not valid; therefore, it was proper to move on with hearing from the individuals present that wanted to speak on the items. Vice-Mayor Hines stated that the Mayor was out of order and that the motion to overturn the Chair's ruling to not recognize Director Webb's motion was in fact valid and needed to proceed to a vote. Mayor Scott stated that there had already been a vote to overrule the Chair. City Attorney Carpenter stated, and was confirmed by City Clerk Susan Langley, that no such vote had taken place. City Manager Moore suggested that the Board take a five (5)-minute recess. Director Richardson made the motion, seconded by Director Phillips, to take a five (5)-minute recess. By roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Ayes: Hendrix; Richardson; Webb; Peck; Wright; Kumpuris; Phillips; and Vice-Mayor Hines. Nays: Wyrick and Adcock. By a vote of eight (8) ayes and two (2) nays, the motion was approved and the Board took a five (5)-minute recess. The Mayor called the meeting back to order and recognized the citizens that were present to speak on the item. Alli Washington: Stated that she was a concerned resident and asked the Board to support the ordinance for the sales tax proposal. Jackie Smith: Stated that she was in support of the proposed sales tax and asked that the Board support the ordinances. Mario Williams: Stated that he felt the money could go for bettering the community and was interested in how it would be used. 2 Little Rock Board of Directors Special Called Meeting May 11, 2021 4:00 PM Kristen Smith: Stated that she was the Prevention Coordinator of Arts over Tobacco Program with the Brandon House Cultural & Performing Arts Center and that she was against the proposed sales tax, and was concerned with the vague nature of some of the line items. Dr. Patrice Bax: Stated that she was the Director of Programs for the Brandon House Cultural & Performing Arts Center and that while she was supportive of the proposed sales tax, she was against some of the line items in the budget of the proposed tax. Kathy Wells: Stated that she was the President of the Coalition of Little Rock Neighborhoods and asked that the Board delay calling the election so that more information could be given for the citizens to educate themselves. Mayor Scott read an e-mail from Rep. Joyce Springer expressing her support of the proposed sales tax increase. Director Webb stated that she had been previously interrupted before she could state her entire motion and would restate her motion. Director Webb made the motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Hines, to lay Item 1 on the table until the July 13, 2021, and to establish a legitimate intent for the motion. By roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Ayes: Richardson; Webb; Peck; Wright; Wyrick; Kumpuris; Adcock; and Vice-Mayor Hines. Nays: Hendrix and Phillips. By a vote of eight (8) ayes and two (2) nays, Item 1 was laid on the table until July 13, 2021. Mayor Scott stated that with the vote to table Item 1, there was no reason to address Items 2 or 3; therefore, they would be placed on the July 13, 2021, agenda as well. 2. ORDINANCE: To levy a 1% Sales and Use Tax within the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; to provide that the levy will commence on January 1, 2022; to prescribe other matters that pertain to the election; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval ((1st Reading held on April 20, 2021)(2nd Reading held on April 27, 2021) (Deferred from May 4, 2021) 3. RESOLUTION: To state the uses of the 1% Rebuild the Rock Sales and Compensating Use Tax Funds upon approval of the Tax Levy by the voters at an election to be held July 13, 2021; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. (Deferred from May 4, 2021) Vice-Mayor Hines made the motion, seconded by Director Wright, to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the meeting was adjourned. • APPROVED: r,„„„1,2„„ Suuaan City Clerk Frank Scor., Ma >5r — __.... 3