HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-05Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
City Hall — 500 W. Markham
May 3, 2005
6:00 PM
The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas met in regular session with Mayor
Dailey presiding. City Clerk, Nancy Wood called the roll with the following Directors Present:
Directors Pugh, Keck, Wyrick, Stewart, Hurst, Cazort, Hinton, Kumpuris, Vice Mayor Graves
and Mayor Dailey. Directors Keck and Kumpuris were not present at roll called; Director Keck
enrolled at 6:03 PM, and Director Kumpuris enrolled at 6:35 PM. . Director Adcock gave the
invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Dailey asked the Board to consider the listed modifications.
Modifications:
Change of Presentation Date:
PRESENTATION - Central High Neighborhood Association Urban Forestry Essay
Award Presentations. Note: The presentation date has been changed from May 3,
2005 to May 17, 2005.
Deletion:
PRESENTATION - Little Rock Port Redevelopment District
Mayor Dailey announced that there was a written report on the Little Rock Port
Redevelopment District included in the Boards packets.
Mayor Dailey asked the clerk to read the Consent Agenda.
PRESENTATIONS:
Central High Neighborhood Association Urban Forestry Essay Award Presentations — Ethel
Ambrose
Little Rock Port Redevelopment District Update — Paul Latture & Jane Dickey
See modifications for explanation regarding Presentations.
The Consent Agenda consisted of Items 1 -11.
1. RESOLUTION 11,982 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into contracts with Little
Rock Dodge ($81,156) and Bale Chevrolet ($76,260) for the purchase of replacement vehicles
for various departments within the City; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: Items will be purchased from the 2004 -2005 Arkansas State Contract.
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
2. RESOLUTION 11,983 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with
Glover's Truck Parts & Equipment for the purchase of one (1) roll off truck with tarp; and
for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Glover's Truck Parts and
Equipment was the low bid for meeting the specifications for Bid #5230 in the amount of
$101,319.
3. RESOLUTION 11,984 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Glover's
Truck Parts & Equipment for the purchase of one (1) 30CY trash -bed knuckle boom truck;
and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Glover's Truck Parts and
Equipment was the low bid for meeting the specifications for Bid #5231 in the amount of
$112,608.
4. RESOLUTION 11,985 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with
Glover's Truck Parts & Equipment for the purchase of three (3) 25CY refuse trucks; and for
other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Glover's Truck Parts and Equipment
was the low bid for meeting the specifications for Bid #5232 in the amount of $334,119.
5. RESOLUTION 11,986 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with
Glover's Truck Parts & Equipment for the purchase of one (1) 13CY refuse truck; and for
other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Glover's Truck Parts and Equipment
was the low bid for meeting the specifications for Bid #5233 in the amount of $89,478.
6. RESOLUTION 11,987 - Authorizing the use of eminent domain on the Harrison Street
Improvements Project (Lee Avenue to Markham Street). Staff recommends approval. 2004
Bond Project. Synopsis: Authorizing the use of eminent domain for up to four (4) parcels
of land on the Harrison Street Improvements Project.
7. RESOLUTION 11,988 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the
Metrocentre Improvement District No. 1 to provide fleet maintenance and repair services.
Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The maintenance and repair of the Metrocentre
Improvement District 1 vehicles will not negatively impact the City's Fleet Services
Department.
8. RESOLUTION 11,989 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Fraley
Roofing in the amount of $141,500 for repairing the Fleet Services Building located at 3314 J.
E. Davis Drive. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Item is being purchased through the
formal bid process. Only two competitive bids were received. Funds are to be allocated
from the 2005 Short -term Financing Account.
9. RESOLUTION 11,990 - Authorizing the Little Rock Sanitary Sewer Committee to file a
petition for the City of Little Rock for the use and benefit of Little Rock Sanitary Sewer
Committee to annex certain lands in Pulaski County, Arkansas, outside the City of Little Rock
on which is located the Little Maumelle Sewage Pump Station, a part of the Little Rock Sanitary
Sewer System. Staff recommends approval.
2
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
10. RESOLUTION 11,991 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with
Osburn Associates, Inc. for the purchase of reflective sign sheeting materials for the Traffic
Control Section of Public Works Department; and for other purposes. Staff recommends
approval. Synopsis: This is an annual bid for reflective sign sheeting for traffic
control /information signs for the City of Little Rock.
11. RESOLUTION 11,992 - Authorizing the use of eminent domain on the Mabelvale Pike
(Gum Springs to 56th Street) Road Reconstruction Project. Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: Authorizing the use of eminent domain for up to 11 parcels of land on the
Mabelvale Pike (Gum Springs to 56th Street) Road Reconstruction Project.
The Consent Agenda was read. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Director Cazort to
adopt the Consent Agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members present, the
Consent Agenda was adopted. Director Kumpuris was not present for this vote.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS
There were no speakers present for the Citizens Communications portion of the meeting.
The Separate Items consisted of Items 12 —17
12. ORDINANCE 19,316 - Z- 6932 -B - Approving a Planned Zoning Development and
establishing a Planned Commercial District titled Arkansas Association of Nigerians Revised
Short Form PCD located at 9802 Geyer Springs Road, in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas;
amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Little Rock; and for other purposes. Planning
Commission: 10 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The applicant
is requesting to amend the previously approved PCD to add fraternal organization to the
allowable uses for this site.
The ordinance was read the first time. Mr. Moore explained, in response to the Boards request at
the Agenda Meeting the previous week to look at the previous application to see if any
landscaping or buffering conditions would apply, stated that when the property was developed, it
was located outside the city limits and there were no landscaping requirements. In 2000 the
location lost its non - conforming status, which was the reason for the rezoning. There are no
additional landscaping requirements. Director Wyrick asked the applicant, Stephen Argon, who
stated he was president of the organization, what his plans were as far as doing anything being
done to the outside of the building. Mr. Argon replied as soon as they get approval from the
Board, they will clean up the outside and have it looking nice so it will be attractive to the
members of the neighborhood. He stated they would give the building a nice color, something
close to the color of the church who is their nearest neighbor. Director Keck made a motion,
seconded by Director Hurst, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. The
rules were suspended by unanimous voice vote of the Board members present being two - thirds in
number, and the ordinance was read the second time. Director Keck made a motion, seconded
by Director Hurst, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. The rules were
suspended by unanimous voice vote of the Board members present being two - thirds in number,
3
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
and the ordinance was read the third time. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members
present, the ordinance passed. Director Kumpuris was absent at the time of this vote.
13. ORDINANCE 19,317 - To establish Municipal Improvement District No. 9 of Little
Rock, Arkansas — Brookside Park Project; and for other purposes. An emergency clause was
written into the ordinance. (Deferred from 4- 19 -05). Staff recommends approval.
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Keck asked for Mr. Carpenter's legal rendering
as to what the Board is supposed to be voting on and what the limitations are, and asked Mr.
Moore if the project moves forward, if there are requirements for the City, and when do these
come in to play. Mr. Carpenter stated the only question before the Board tonight is whether to
approve a municipal improvement district and the only issue is whether there is a majority in
value of the property owners who have signed the petitions that have been presented. He stated
the Board has been provided a affidavit from Beach Abstract that says that there is a majority in
value and therefore the Board does not have a great deal of discretion. All that the Board would
be approving tonight is that an improvement district can be in place within the geographic
boundaries that have been presented to the Board. The Board is not approving a plat, or saying
whether anything can be built or not built, and not directing any building permits to be issued.
Director Cazort stated he was comfortable about things that would occur outside the boundaries
of the improvement district that the Board has some control over, but regarding improvements
inside the boundaries of the improvement district, asked if those are still subject to the city's
subdivision ordinance, if they come in and redo that area completely. Mr. Carpenter answered
that they would have to bring something back. He stated the applicant has a plat that they say
goes along with the improvement district but in fact, as has been pointed out once before, they do
not have control of all the property where they intend to put streets, so there is no way they could
get permits that would allow them to build the streets without having control of the property.
Assuming they won't get control because the property is a cemetery, then they would have to
come back to Planning and actually replat the development. Mayor Dailey reminded the persons
who wished to speak, that Mr. Carpenter has stated the parameters under which the Board has the
authority to move forward with this improvement district and would appreciate the speakers to
keep their comments to anything that might speak to the value or something that would render
the Boards decision, or question about the legality of the issue. Those opposed were: James M.
Pierce, Etta Land, James LaBorde. The issues raised were that they did not think the district had
control of 50% of the property, the boundaries appeared unclear, the development could affect
the cemetery property, they were unclear what lots and blocks were owned by the district, they
questioned why at one meeting the district was number 1 and now it is numbered 9, and believed
some of the property owners were not notified. They asked why the issue did not go to the
Planning Commission, and whether Mr. Clifton the developer was a real estate broker or a
developer. David Menz, the Attorney for the improvement district, stated that in establishing
these improvement districts the attorney and petitioners have to follow the State Statutes. The
states say that there has to be a majority in value of the signatures before the local (Board of
Directors) can approve an improvement district. He stated notice must be given to all the
property owners which they have done, by certified mail, return receipt requested. Once the
signatures are obtain, these are taken to an abstract company, in this case, to Beach Abstract, a
very reputable company, who certified that over fifty percent of the areas value, what those
people had signed the petition in order to form the district. The statue says that once that is done,
M
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
that the board (Little Rock Board of Directors) shall create the district. He stated he understood
that some of the neighborhood folks have gone to the Assessor to check the tax records. Mr.
Menz stated it was explained to him by the abstract company that sometimes the tax records lag
in the recorders office because the deeds are filed first in the recorders office and the assessors
office pick them up later, so it may be that some of the property that was done right before the
abstractors certificate was executed. He said they have paid Beach Abstract a substantial amount
of money to make the certification. Director Adcock asked if the two lots were purchased to
make the 51 % after the papers were filed. Mr. Menz replied that the two lots were obtained after
the certification was obtained, so that would get the percentage up around fifty -six or fifty -seven
percent. Those two lots were not counted. As a matter of record, they wanted Mr. Carpenter and
the Board to know that Mr. Clifton had purchased two lots, even after the Abstractors had
certified that over 51 % of assessed valuation was owned by the petitioners. Mr. Menz stated in
response to concerns regarding the cemetery that they do not have any part of the cemetery
within the district, it's beyond the boundaries of the district. It may be adjacent to, but obviously
if streets, gutters, and drainage are put in, etc., a survey would have to be done, and would mind
the boundaries of the cemetery and not affect the cemetery. Mayor Dailey stated, then for the
public record, should the district find that there is any lap on the cemetery property, they would
respect the cemetery. Mr. Menz said certainly they would, and there are state statutes that
protect cemeteries. Ms. Wood, City Clerk in answer to the question regarding the discrepancy
in the number of the improvement district, stated that those numbers are given to the district by
the County Assessors Office, and that they realized they had duplicated a number, (Number 1)
and reassigned (Number 9) to this district. Mr. Carpenter in response to the item not going to the
Planning Commission; Mr. Carpenter explained in terms of denying the district, the creation of
an improvement district is governed by state statute and there is a constitutional basis for these
improvement districts and essentially you have a strict compliance with that, and that is why it
did not go to the Planning Commission, it is in effect a levy district, to levy assessments. In
terms of will they have to go to the Planning Commission and come to this Board in the future,
the answer is yes. Even though you create the improvement district tonight, the improvement
district cannot actually levy assessments until there is an express listing of the types of
improvements that are to be made and then an allocation of the value of the value or benefit of
those improvements to specific lots. That issue is then brought to the Board of Directors. What
you have in this situation, he suspected, that if the district is formed tonight, they will have to
figure out if they can really build the plat they had before, or they going to have to make
changes. He stated we know for example, the plat they had before anticipated ingress and egress
to a road that would go across part of the golf course at Hindman Park, and thought the Board
has made it clear that that is not going to happen. The plat that he has seen will have to have a
roadway through it that will go through the cemetery and understood, that is not going to happen.
As changes are made as to how they wish to develop the property would image that would cause
changes that would go to the Planning Commission and then once those are in place, they know
what improvements would have to be made and have the assessments done, and that is what
would be brought back to the Board of Directors. Mr. Clifton, developer, in answer to the
questions to whether he was a developer or real estate broker responded that in the past acted as a
developer, but in his case there is no developer per say in a special improvement district. There
is a commission appointed that acts as the developer, nada that he would probably be on that
commission. Mr. Clifton in answer to questions about the lots, stated there are 95 lots in the first
phase, and anything above 46 lots constitutes over 51 % and there are twelve lots in Block 1.
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
Mayor Dailey asked Mr. Carpenter what would be the process, if the citizens chose to challenge.
Mr. Carpenter stated if they have standing, meaning if they own property within the district, then
they would challenge it in circuit court, saying the Boards decision was incorrect. Mayor Dailey
asked Mr. Carpenter if the emergency clause was required to be approved. Mr. Carpenter
answered it was not. Mayor Dailey recognized Mr. LaBorde, who wanted to know which lot Mr.
Golden had purchased. Mr. Menz stated all they have is the recorded deed, and Mr. Clifton
could get the lot number. Mayor Dailey asked Mr. Carpenter if this was of particular concern, or
would impact the Board's ability to act on this item. Mr. Carpenter stated he did not think so,
that there is more than 50% even without Mr. Golden's lot. Director Hurst made the motion,
seconded by Director Adcock, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance 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 Hurst made the motion,
seconded by Director Keck to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board members present, being two - thirds in number the rules were
suspended and the ordinance was read the third time. By voice vote the ordinance was adopted
by the majority of Board members present. Director Adcock voted in opposition. The vote was
10 ayes, 1 nay. A roll call vote was taken on the passage of the emergency clause, and recorded
as follows: Directors Pugh, yes, Keck, yes, Wyrick, no, Stewart, no, Hurst, yes, Cazort, no,
Hinton, no, Adcock, no, Vice Mayor Graves, yes, Mayor Dailey, Director Kumpuris, no. The
emergency clause failed.
14. PUBLIC HEARING & RESOLUTION 11,993 - Z- 6274 -A — To rescind the Planning
Commission's action to approve a conditional use permit for Jose's Nite Club Latino located on
the C -4 zoned property at 9110 Interstate 30. Planning Commission: 7ayes, 2 nays, 2 absent.
Staff recommends denial of the Conditional Use Permit. Synopsis: A record objector is
appealing the Planning Commission's action in approving a conditional use permit to allow
a special events center on the C -4 zoned property at 9110 Interstate 30.
Mr. Tony Bozynski, Planning and Development Director, gave an overview, saying this is for the
approval of a conditional use permit to allow what is being referred to as a special event
center /private club at 9120 I -30. It has access off of the service which can be accessed from
Forbing Road. This service road is one -way to the west. It is zone C -4, and directly to the north
is a multi - family development which is zoned MF -18, and a multi - family development to the
west which is M -F -18, single family area to the east. In the immediate vicinity, adjacent to the
property is the Shrine's Temple, the property to the west is zoned C -4 but is vacant, and further
to the west is a mini - storage project. Staff is not in support of this conditional use permit for a
number of reasons. There is concern that it is not compatible with the immediate area, especially
because there is a fairly strong residential component. There is concern that there are a number
of conditions attached to this application that deal primarily with the operation of the proposed
use. Staff is concerned that those kinds of conditions will create problems for staff in terms of
monitoring them and the enforcement of them. There is one condition that deals with having
adequate security on site and if that number is not present, then the facility is supposed to be
closed. It will be difficult to have staff there to ensure that does or does not take place. The
compatibility with this kind of use does not work, the hours of operation, the days are Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, the hours of operation on Friday and Saturday are until 2 am in the
morning. At the Planning Commission meeting the applicant did amend the application to
2
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
change the hours of closing on Sunday from 2 am to 10 pm. The Planning Commission felt that
was a reasonable accommodation. Concerns raised by residents or property owners speaking in
opposition included security on the site, traffic, possible cut - through traffic though adjoining
single- family neighborhoods, noise impacts, possible increases in vandalism and crime from this
proposed use. One individual raised concerns over impacts on property values in the immediate
area. Mr. Bozynski stated the issue early on was what was being proposed for this property. The
application mentions having receptions, concerts, and would have an area with pool tables and
possibly a DJ playing music, so staff is assuming that when an event is not scheduled, such as a
reception, the facility would still be open to allow members to come in. It has elements of either
a nightclub or private club. Director Wyrick asked if the ordinance shouldn't specify that it is a
private club rather than it is just implied. Mr. Bozynski answered that it probably needs to be
included, that the original Planning Commission write up that was included. Director Wyrick
asked if the Planning Commission approved a special events center or did they approve a special
events center /private club. Mr. Bozynski stated they approved what was before them which had
elements of a private club or night club. Directory Wyrick stated it did not say private club and
wanted to make sure that if this passes, that all of it goes away, not just the special events but
also the private club, and wanted to know what they approved. Mr. Bozynski stated the write up
for the Planning Commission for the proposal stated "a conditional use permit is requested to
allow use of the existing buildings on the C -4 zoned property as a special events center /private
club. Director Wyrick asked why their write up didn't say that. Mr. Dana Carney, Zoning
Manager, stated he wrote that resolution and it is clearly Hose's Nightclub Latino, Inc. under
whatever use mix it may be, and the wording in the resolution itself should have perhaps been
more consistent with what was written for the Planning Commission. Director Wyrick stated that
was her point. Director Wyrick asked about the outdoor Flea Market that is proposed from 7 am
to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and music that would be broadcast on those days. Mr.
Bozynski stated there are a couple of conditions that address this, and one condition is that
outdoor music on Sundays is limited to three occasions. Three Sundays during the year, and
there is to be no use of amplified music or speakers outside of the building. Director Adcock
asked how many parking spaces are on the area. Mr. Bozynski answered that one of the
conditions is to stripe the site to have 211 parking spaces. Director Adcock stated her concern
was that if there is facility that can have up to 1000 people in it, and only 211 spaces, then where
do they plan on getting the other parking spaces for their customers. She stated that some of the
apartment complexes are located as close as within ten feet of the parking spaces and if there is
activity until 2 am in the morning, every time someone opens and closes car doors, the residents
would be able to hear the noises from their bedrooms, which are located to the back. Mr.
Bozynski stated those were some of the concerns that staff has also. Director Adcock asked how
many enforcement officers work on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Mr. Bozynski stated there are
none on Sunday; currently there is one working four hours on Saturdays, trying to address some
areas that have been identified as having some problems. On Fridays, there is the normal
complement out in the field. Director Adcock stated the police patrolling this area, since it is a
large area would most likely be a low priority, and asked how the conditions would be enforced.
Mr. Bozynski stated they would be handled on a complaint based issues. Director Kumpuris
asked if the city has ever placed an entertainment facility in next to a residential area in the
collective history of this Board. Mr. Bozynski stated he had discussed this with staff and could
not think of any particular situation. Director Keck stated in the River Market, there are several
entertainment venues that have been brought in and currently there is residential development.
7
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
Director Kumpuris stated he thought that situation was different because the city has encouraged
co- habitation of living, eating and playing in the same area. Director Adcock stated the people
who live in the River Market area choose to do so; the people in Town and County and Old
Oakes, and Village Green did not purchase or rent their home in an entertainment district.
Director Keck stated he was only taking part in the discussion and not accusing people of
desiring to live any where other than where they do. Director Hurst asked if the Board wanted to
add a condition at this point would that be possible. Mr. Carpenter, City Attorney, stated what
you have now is to approve or disapprove the appeal that has been taken. Mr. Carpenter stated if
it is disapproved, meaning the appeal is granted, and then basically they have to start over again.
Director Cazort asked what the time frame would be for them to re -file. Mr. Bozynski stated the
time is twelve months. Mr. Dickson Flake, representing the applicant, and having a minority
interest in the property, and stated present with him are the applicant Hose Contreras and Peter
Buruman, an associate of Mr. Contreras. Mr. Flake stated the site is almost three and a half acres
and the two major buildings of 18,000 and 9400 square feet and has two hundred and eleven
parking spaces. One hundred and eighty are required by ordinance. Mr. Flake stated there were
four concerns expressed when they met with the neighbors. One was potential adverse affect on
public safety, the second was liter, the third traffic, and the fourth was noise. Mr. Flake stated
that Mr. Contreras was not a new comer and had been in business for five years. He has a good
record on public safety. He has committed to having two off -duty police officers in the parking
lot at all times, to gate the lot that the officers would require at the close of business that all
vehicles leave the premises and the gates would be locked before the officers would leave the
premises. He also has security cameras on the lot, and will have private security inside the
facility. Mr. Flake stated that in respect to liter, his records are that he not only took care of his
won property, but the surrounding property before he lost that property due to fire. Mr.
Contreras has committed contractually to take care of his own property and a sixty foot
parameter around his property. With respect to noise, Mr. Contreras engaged an acoustic
consultant, Dr. Tom Remer, to evaluate the buildings and his amplifier system, and to measure
the noise that is generated. Dr. Remer made three recommendations which Mr. Contreras agreed
to. Mr. Flake addressed the traffic issue and stated the site is surrounded by the interstate on one
side, which is the only access, and three collector streets, Chicot, Mabelvale Pike, and Forbing
Road. Mr. Flake stated this club has become an integral part of the Hispanic Community. The
facility is used for Hispanic Debutante parties, wedding receptions, etc. Mr. Contreras sponsors
concerts and beings entertainment that is for the Hispanic Community. Mr. Flake stated the
applicant was in business for five years and had no complaints by the neighbors, a good
relationship as a business person in the community. He had a fire and worked his lease out on
September 2004. He then went to the Planning Commission for his Conditional Use Permit, and
was on the Consent Agenda for December 16th. Some things came up at that hearing so it was
deferred for six weeks, to February 3, 2005. The staff again asked for a deferral and Mr.
Contreras agreed. It went to March 17, 2005 at which time the Planning Commission approved
it, with a vote of seven to two. This appeal brings it to May 3, 2005. Mr. Flake stated Mr.
Contreras serves as an important part of the Hispanic Community. He has had no problems, no
bad publicity, and has a good five year business record. There was discussion comparing the old
business to the new business such as parking, hours, noise levels of vehicles coming and going,
doors opening and closings. It was determined that the old business was not as large or intense,
and the apartments were not as close to the club. Jay Freeman, spoke in favor of granting the
permit. He stated Mr. Contreras wanted to live the American Dream, that he was a good
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
neighbor and friend. He stated he had been to the club and had never witnessed any trouble. He
stated this club would be good for the community. He asked the Board to grant the permit.
Vinita Settlers spoke on behalf of Mr. Contreras as a business neighbor. She stated that he had a
business located next door to hers at 7601 Geyer Springs. She said he was a very nice gentleman
and pointed out that his business go so that he did not have enough parking space, and he came
over and asked if he could rent their parking lot to help his customers park there since they
would be closed at the time his business really got started. She stated that her son told Mr.
Contreras hat he would not charge him rent if he would just kept he property clean. She stated
that he went beyond what was asked of him. He cleaned the yard all the way around. Not only
what his customers may have left and what the other business customers had left. He cleaned the
whole area. She asked the Board to see fit to let him open another club. She stated he was a
good business neighbor and never had any complaints about his business. Director Adcock said
the impact on the back side of the Village Green Apartments would be more intrusive than it was
on Willow Creek, the apartments that were located next to the old business. Don Wallace stated
he was a neighbor and board member of Scimitar Shriners, the property next to the proposed
club. He said their issue had to do with the safety of their members. They have 1711 members;
the average age is 69.07 years. Safety was a concern for some of the family events, which
included small children, and parking overflow, and where the overflow would park. Mr. Wallace
stated one of their concerns was if they had a function and Mr. Contreras had a function; there
would be a clash somewhere in the parking. There was the concern (at what might happen at
any nightclub) after hours. He stated they had been in this location since 1985 and had never had
any police called to the location. Herb Dicker, President of the Meadowcliff Neighborhood
Association, spoke in opposition saying that traffic from the club could cut through
neighborhoods and cause safety problems in patrons had consumed alcohol. He stated he did not
think this type of facility in a Multi- family neighborhood was a good fit. Janet Berry, Southwest
Little Rock United for Progress, stated their members voted against the application. Ms. Berry
was concerned that the majority of the conditions are not worth the paper they are written on.
Code enforcement is unable or unwilling to enforce those conditions. It will be up to constant
complaints from neighbors for anything to get done for this. She stated that in the last few weeks
the neighbors were notified that the facility would be transferring their private club. She stated
when she visited the people at the ABC Board; they told her they are transferring an alcohol
permit that is for a private club only. It does not work for special events, which means he could
not serve beer or whatever he is serving at his receptions because that requires another permit.
She stated this is a private club. The ABC Board shared with her some of the letters of
opposition of the Alcohol Permit there. The Chief of Police of Little Rock is on record opposing
this application, and asked the Board to not grant the permit. Director Wyrick asked Mr. Moore
to explain the Chief's recommendation on the project. Mr. Bruce Moore, City Manager, stated
the Little Rock Police Department is not supportive of ABC issuing the permit at the proposed
location. Directory Wyrick asked about safety issues in regard to the Police Department. Mr.
Moore answered that each application is reviewed on its own merit and in this instance they did
review within their various divisions of the Police Department and concluded they would not
support this application. Troy Laha, Vice President of the Cloverdale Neighborhood
Association, stated they are directly south of the facility to leave and take the access road one
way going west to Chicot, and cross over into the edge of their neighborhood. If they continue
on down Chicot Road they are in their neighborhood. He stated they are getting a regular
schedule of disturbances in Ottenheimer Park. They had a shooting in the park last Friday
9
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
evening, and they are concerned this will increase this type of activity in the park. At the last
two meetings the neighborhood association voted to oppose this application and request that the
Board deny this request. John Honea, President of the South Brookwood Ponderosa Association,
stated that several of the members voiced the same concerns that he had. In addition, Mr. Honea
reported that he had also spoken with the police, who informed him that a club like this attracts
prostitutes, drunks, and other criminal activities such as DWI and fights. He asks that the permit
be denied. Director Adcock asked questions of Mr. Gentry, President of Town and Country
Neighborhood Association, who has also voted against this development. Mr. Dickson Flake
made rebuttal to the allegations of the opposing party of the development and asked the Board
for their support of the development. Director Stewart asked questions regarding the occurrence
of flea markets on the property. The applicant responded that flea markets would occur once a
month during limited hours with no amplified music and no alcohol outdoors. Director Stewart
also asked about concerts. The applicant responded that these would occur once a month for one
day each. Director Stewart also expressed concerns about security and the opposition of the
police department to the alcohol permit. Board of Directors asked more questions of the
applicant regarding hours of business, types of events, and security concerns. Tom Carpenter,
City Attorney, was questioned regarding the procedure for obtaining an alcohol license.
Mayor Dailey closed the public hearing. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Director
Wyrick, to pass the resolution. The roll call vote was recorded as follows: Directors Pugh,
Wyrick, Stewart, Hinton, Adcock, Kumpuris, and Vice Mayor Graves voted yes; Directors Keck,
Hurst, Cazort, and Mayor Dailey voted no. The resolution overturning the Planning
Commission's decision was adopted. The Board members stated that they wanted to assist the
applicant in finding an appropriate location for the development.
15. PUBLIC HEARING & ORDINANCE 19,315 - To establish Chenal Valley Municipal
Property Owners Multi- Purpose Improvement District No. 10; and for other purposes. Staff
recommends approval.
Mayor Dailey opened and closed the public hearing; there was no one present to speak on the
matter. Director Adcock, seconded by Director Cazort, made the motion to suspend the rules
and place the ordinance on second reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members
present, being two - thirds in number, the rules were suspended and the ordinance were read the
second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by Director Cazort, to suspend the
rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members
present, being two - thirds in number the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the
third time. By voice vote the ordinance was adopted. A motion was made and seconded and
by voice vote the emergency clause was passed.
Director Keck, seconded by Director Wyrick made the motion to go into Executive Session to
consider recommendations to various Boards and Commissions. By unanimous voice vote of the
Board members present, the meeting was recessed at 8:12 PM. Mayor Dailey called the meeting
back into session at 8:27 PM. Mr. Moore announced the following recommendation: River
Market Design Review Committee, appointment of Ann Wait. Director Adcock, seconded by
Vice Mayor Graves, made the motion to adopt the resolution making the appointments. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board members present, the resolution was adopted.
10
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2005 - 6:00 PM
OTHER BUSINESS
16. ORDINANCE — 3rd Reading scheduled for May 17, 2005 - To repeal Little Rock, Ark.
Rev. Code Chapter 3, Article II, Section 3 -11 through 3 -23; to replace it with a new False Alarm
Ordinance to strive to improve public safety by further reducing emergency responses to false
alarms; to encourage alarm users and alarm companies to properly use and maintain the
operational effectiveness of alarm systems in order to improve the reliability of alarm systems
and reduce or eliminate false alarms; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. (1st
Reading held on 4- 19 -05). (2 "d Reading only). Synopsis: The ordinance more clearly states
the responsibilities of alarm owners, alarm installation companies and alarm monitoring
companies regarding false alarms. The ordinance establishes an alarm permit system.
Bob Biles, Director of Finance, gave a detailed report on the most recent changes to the
ordinance. The Board voted on each amendment separately. The first amendment was in regard
to the omission of decal stickers in consumer doors and windows in Section 4. Director Hurst
made a motion, seconded by Director Adcock, to accept the amendment. By unanimous voice
vote of the Board members present, the amendment was adopted. The second amendment was
in regard to the amount and type of information the City would require for individual alarm
system permit. Director Cazort raised issues concerning public access to information that could
be potentially used for criminal enterprise. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Vice
Mayor Graves, to accept the amendment. By unanimous voice vote of the Board members
present, the amendment was adopted. The ordinance was read the second time, as
amended.
17. EXECUTIVE SESSION & RESOLUTION 11,994 - Appointments to Boards and
Commissions. Synopsis: 1 position to the River Market Design Review Committee
Director Wyrick made a motion seconded by Director Cazort to adjourn. By unanimous voice
vote of the Board members present, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 P.M.
ATTEST:
a cy Woo CMC
City Clerk
11
APPROVED:
r
JJ4 Dailey
%yor