HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-04-01_ (z3
MINUTES
Board of Directors Room
City Hall - 500 W. Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas
September 4, 2001
6:00 P.M.
The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas met in regular session
with Mayor Dailey presiding. The roll was called by City Clerk Nancy Wood, with the
following Directors present: Directors Hinton, Stewart, Graves, Kumpuris, Keck, and
Wyrick, Adcock. Vice Mayor Cazort; Directors Pugh and Lichty were absent. Director
Stewart gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Dailey asked for a motion to add the listed modifications to the agenda. Vice
Mayor Cazort moved to add the listed items to the agenda, and add Items M -1 and M -2 to
the grouped items. Director Kumpuris seconded the motion, and by unanimous voice
vote of the board members present, the modifications were made to the agenda.
M -1. ORDINANCE NO. 18,558 — LU01 -11 -02 To amend the land Use Plan (16,222) I-
430 Planning District East 24th and Jr. Deputy Road from Park/Open Space to Low
Density Residential; and for other purposes. (Planning Commission: 8 yes, 0 no., 3
absent.) Staff recommends approval. (Deferred from August 14, 2001.)
M -2. ORDINANCE NO. 18,559 — Reclassifying property located in the City of Little
Rock, Arkansas, East 24th and Jr. Deputy Road from Single Family to Multifamily
district and Open Space District, with conditions; amending the Official Zoning Map of
the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. (Planning Commission: 8 yes,
0 no, 3 absent.) Staff recommends approval. (Deferred from August 14, 2001.)
M -3. RESOLUTION NO. 11,120 — To commend the City of North Little Rock,
Arkansas, for its agreement to contract with the Greater Little Rock Chamber of
Commerce for Economic Development; and for other purposes. Director Kumpuris made
the motion to add Item M -3 to the consent agenda, saying as a gesture of thanks, and
- acknowledge the fact that they have done this, and in the spirit of community and
regionalism in which they did it, and thought the City should go on record in thanking
them for it. Vice Mayor Cazort seconded the motion. Mayor Dailey echoed the
comments of Director Kumpuris and stated he thought it was something we could all be
proud of in our spirit of regional cooperation and economic development is certainly a
regional issue. By unanimous voice vote of the board members present, the resolution
was added to the consent agenda.
Notification was made that the presentation of Girl Scouts of Ouachita Council — Barbara
Hall, would be rescheduled.
1. MOTION - To approve Minutes of Regular Board of Directors Meeting: July 17,
2001; Reconvened Meeting: June 26, 2001 and Special Meeting: June 29, 2001.
2. RESOLUTION 11,116 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with
Earlene Guel for $1,340 for property located at 1204 W. 37th Street as part of the
Tornado Disaster Rebuild Targeted Neighborhood Enhancement Plan.
3. MOTION - Z- 6149 -C - To set the date of Public Hearing for September 18, 2001 to
rescind the Planning Commission's action in denying a Conditional Use Permit to allow a
church (Fellowship Bible Church) parking lot at 1701 -1811 Napa Valley Drive.
(Planning Commission: 4 yes, 4 no, 3 absent.) (Staff recommends approval of
resolution, and the CUP.) Mr. Richard Wilhelm asked for a delay in the public hearing
on items 3 and 4. Mr. Wilhelm stated that many of the neighbors had not been aware of
this item and they wanted more time to have meetings of the neighborhood people. Ms.
Beverly Lindberg stated there were hundreds of homeowners who would like to be
involved and had no idea when this was brought before the Planning Commission how
many people wanted to be involved, and they have not had time to organize as well as
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they would like to and asked for a deferral on Items 3 and 4. There was an agreement
reached for the date of October 2, 2001 as the new date to set for the Public Hearing.
Director Cazort made the motion to amend the Public Hearing date. Director Stewart
seconded the motion, and by unanimous voice vote of the board members present, the
public hearing date was amended to Oct. 2, 2001.
4. MOTION - Z- 6149 -D — To set the date of Public Hearing for September 18, 2001 to
rescind the Planning Commission's Action in approving a Zoning Site Plan for an office
building to be located on the east side of Napa Valley Drive, approximately 600 feet
south of Hinson Road. (Planning Commission: 7 yes, 1 no, 3 absent.) (Staff
recommends denial of resolution, approval of site plan.)
5. RESOLUTION 11,117 - Awarding a contract to Harold Davis Construction in the
amount of $158,939.00 for the construction of Drainage Improvements to Leawood
Branch Drainage Improvements.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 11,118 - Of support for the City of Little Rock Parks and
Recreation's construction of Rebsamen Parkway Pedestrian/Bike Trail.
7. RESOLUTION NO. 11,122 - Awarding a contract to Gene Summers Construction
in the amount of $87,458 for the construction of roadways in Reservoir Park.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 11,119 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract
with Landers Ford for the purchase of one (1) 58 foot Tree Trimming Aerial Unit
with Body in the amount of $90,513.85.
The consent agenda was read, amending the date of hearing to October 2, 2001, in the
reading of the motions. Director Adcock made the motion to adopt the consent agenda,
Vice Mayor Cazort seconded the motion, and by unanimous voice vote of the board
members present, the consent agenda was adopted.
The next item on the agenda was a presentation: Waste Management Inc. — Mr. Wayne
Rathbun, District Manager of Waste Management in Little Rock. He stated that over the
past six years they have been in partnership with the City picking up yard waste, garbage,
in half of the City and recycling throughout the city. He stated this was a partnership
they appreciated, and hoped to extend. He stated there had been some concern lately by
the board with their recycling program, participation rates, types of recyclables they take,
and in this recycling program it is their goal at Waste Management to do two things, one
is to divert the waste streams away from the landfill which will preserve the air space,
and extend the life of the landfill, and tow, playing a role in making the City of Little
Rock number one in the State of Arkansas in recycling. He said what they have decided
to do based on concerns and to try and do what the board wants in the program, which are
to expand the recycling program, and two for it not to cost the citizens. He said that is
what they have decided to do. He said right now they take plastics "1" and "2 ', which
are containers such as coke containers, or a milk jug. He said these are the two types they
have taken in the program. He stated they take aluminum cans, newspapers and
cardboard. He said with the boards approval their recommendation is to start taking
colored (HDP), milk jugs or drinking containers, Draino bottles, shampoo bottles, etc.,
which they had not taken before. He said they would be taking "1' — "7" type plastics,
and should increase participation. Mr. Rathbun showed examples of the different types
of containers that they would be accepting. Director Keck asked Mr. Rathbun how the
public would be educated about this, and when does it start. Mr. Rathbun answered it
would start with the approval of the board. He said they are ready to go. He stated that
since August 1, they had been taking all these things. As far as educating the public, they
—' have developed a fold out that can be sent out, and had spoken to Guy Lowes, City staff,
and possibly a mass mailing could go out perhaps with the water bill, and try to develop
this, but it has not been all worked out yet. Director Keck asked if the City Staff and
Waste Management could possibly work together to produce an informational video and
run in open time slots, Mr. Carney City Manager and Mr. Rathbun agreed this was a good
possibility. Vice Mayor Cazort stated he appreciated Waste Managements efforts in
working on this, and it not costing the citizens more to accomplish this, and asked Mr.
Carpenter when there could be an amendment to their contract, how soon could that be
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available to be approved in order to move forward. Mr. Carpenter answered he hadn't
looked at the contract to see if this wasn't something that could be handled
administratively with the City Manager, but would check and if he had to take a contract
amendment, would bring it up at the next meeting. Director Adcock asked Mr. Carney if
staff would send a notice to Mr. Buddy Coleman, as he had been before the board
previously to request that the yellow milk jugs be recycled. Mr. Carney stated he would
do that, and if there were a formal motion by the board, staff was prepared to move
foreword. Vice Mayor Cazort moved to do so. Director Adcock seconded the motion.
By unanimous voice vote of the board members present, the new terms that have been
outlined by Waste Management dealing with recycling move forward.
Mayor Dailey announced that there were no speakers either for or against Item 18, and
asked to go ahead and open the public hearing.
Mayor Dailey opened the public hearing, on Item 18. There were no cards for speakers
to address the board on this item. Mayor Dailey closed the public hearing. Mayor
Dailey asked to include this item with the grouped items.
Citizen Communications was the next consideration on the agenda.
Ms. Dee White, 523 Booker Street, addressed the board on the subject of Rave dance
parties. She said there was a disturbing cover -up going on in regard to the City of Little
Rock's dealings with youth culture. Local media have instituted a black out on vital
details surrounding the breaking of contracts for music events on the dates August 10 and
October 5, 2001. She stated that aside from misinformation in the print media and
television, local talk radio refused to air a discussion on Raves or dance party culture.
This is censorship at it's worst. Only the alternative newspaper the free press printed an
accurate timeline of events the weekend of August 10th when a young man died tragically
in our city. She stated the City's promoter is breaking contract and releasing defamatory
comments about rival promoters to the media, and Director Hinton has suggested an
investigation into the City's inability to work with promoters other than the City's
promoter of the River Front Amphitheatre. She said she would like to add her voice to
Director Hinton's call for an investigation into whether the City had prior knowledge or
involvement in the August 10th breaking of the Hall of Industry Contract, and obtaining a
sub - standard location, as well as a task force to determine ways to include youth culture
in Little Rock's collective future. She said there needed to be an investigation into the
City's promoter's defamatory and conflicting statements, and a candlelight vigil for the
young man who died so tragically. Mr. Hank Ripper, 523 Booker Street, spoke on the
same subject as Ms. White said in keeping with remembering that we were all teenagers
once, all looking for something to do, and that sometimes someone will do something
stupid, like bring alcohol or drugs to an event, but that doesn't mean that everybody is
doing that. He said the fact that the press has been so one sided about the Rave thing, is
really disappointing and discouraging when it comes to how the city should be presenting
itself when trying to make a place for the youth culture of today. He said it sends a bad
message when all the facts are not given, and one of the facts being that the Hall of
Industry breeched it's contract with the promoter the day of the Rave, and what people
fail to see the significance of that is that there were about a thousand people coming into
this city from out of town with nowhere to go and no indication that the Rave had been
cancelled. He said to keep in mind, that the State or whoever runs this, Hall of Industry
put about a thousand kids in jeopardy by canceling this contract, and the Arkansas
Democrat Gazette has not written one letter to indicate this. He felt it tragic that Larry
Jegley would be so misleading in trying to point the finger at the Rave scene when the
responsibility ultimately lies with every individual that went to the Rave that night. If
- somebody did drugs, the Rave promoter did not go to that persons house that day and say
in order for you to get through the doors you have to do a drug. All the kids that were
there that were sober; pay the price for the kid that didn't have the sense to do the right
thing. The Rave scene or the dance party, the promoters who were trying to do, the best
to give clean Raves to the City, and asked for cooperation from the City and didn't get
cooperation that night is tragic. Mayor Dailey asked Mr. Carney to work with Director
Hinton, and if there is something Director Hinton is wishing to get before the board, it
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could be accomplished. Mr. Carney answered that he would. This concluded Citizen
Communication.
Grouped Items: Items 9 -16, Items M -1 and M -2 and Item 18:
9. ORDINANCE NO. 18,549 - Amending Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances of the
City of Little Rock, Arkansas, providing for Driveway Spacing Variance for Mabelvale
Middle School located at 10811 Mabelvale West Road. (Planning Commission: 9 yes,
0 no, 2 absent.) Staff recommends approval.
10. ORDINANCE NO. 18,550 - Amending Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances of the
City of Little Rock, Arkansas, providing for Driveway Spacing Variance for Terry
Elementary School located at 10800 Mara Lynn Road. (Planning Commission: 9 yes,
0 no, 2 absent.) Staff recommends approval.
11. ORDINANCE NO. 18,551 - Amending Chapter 8 of Little Rock, Arkansas Revised
Code (198 8) concerning Electrical Code Requirements and for other purposes.
12. ORDINANCE NO. 18,552 - Amending and Recodifying Chapter 8 Article VI, of
the Little Rock Arkansas Revised Code (1988) concerning Plumbing Code
Requirements, and for other purposes.
13. ORDINANCE NO. 18,553 - Amending and Recodifying Chapter 8, Article VII
HVACR/Mechanical of the Little Rock Arkansas Revised Code (1988) concerning
Mechanical Code Requirements, and for other purposes.
14. ORDINANCE NO. 18,554 - Amending Chapter 8 of the Little Rock Code of
Ordinances, providing for the adoption by reference of the 2000 International
Residential Code, and for other purposes.
15. ORDINANCE NO. 18,555 - Amending Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the
City of Little Rock, Arkansas, providing for Buildings and Building Regulations
Section 8 -282. Basis for establishing the areas of Special Flood Hazard.
16. ORDINANCE NO. 18,556 - Repealing Ordinance 15,302 and enacting in lieu
thereof a New Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance establishing
minimum flood control measures prepared by Federal Insurance Administration for
the City of Little Rock to comply with the "Full Program" requirements of the National
Flood Insurance Program; to establish the Rate Zones for properties lying within the
same; to provide for the Development Permit Process for construction within that area; to
provide for the administration and enforcement of same; and declaring an emergency.
M -1. ORDINANCE NO. 18,558 - LU01 -11 -02 To amend the land Use Plan (16,222) I-
430 Planning District East 24th and Jr. Deputy Road from Park/Open Space to Low
Density Residential; and for other purposes. (Planning Commission: 8 yes, 0 no., 3
absent.) Staff recommends approval. (Deferred from August 14, 2001.)
M -2. ORDINANCE NO. 18,559 - Reclassifying property located in the City of Little
Rock, Arkansas, East 24th and Jr. Deputy Road from Single Family to Multifamily
district and Open Space District, with conditions; amending the Official Zoning Map of
the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. (Planning Commission: 8 yes,
0 no, 3 absent.) Staff recommends approval. (Deferred from August 14, 2001.)
18. PUBLIC HEARING & ORDINANCE NO. 18,557 - To authorize the issuance of
- the City of Little Rock, Arkansas Sewer Refunding and Construction Revenue
Bonds, Series 2001; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Mayor Dailey declared the public hearing open on Item 18. No one appeared to speak
in favor or in opposition to the issuance of the bonds. Mayor Dailey then declared the
public hearing closed.
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The ordinances for grouped items 9 -16, Item 18, and item M -1 and M -2 were read the
first time. The rules were suspended to provide for the second and third readings of the
ordinances by a unanimous voice vote of the board members present. By unanimous
voice vote of board members present the ordinances and emergency clause were
adopted.
Mayor Dailey recognized Ms. Myra Jones, a former City Board Member and former
State Representative.
17. PUBLIC HEARING & RESOLUTION NO. 11,121 - To approve sources and uses
of projected 2002 CDBG, HOME, and ESG Funding. Mayor Dailey opened the public
hearing. Director Adcock stated she had some questions concerning this item. In section
one, there is listed $40,000 for home counseling, and in the past the organizations who
had received this grant, for the home counseling, at one time, they were requested to
provide for citizens for non - profit, and profit organizations that wanted to sell housing to
individuals to supply to those individuals the names and addresses of people who have
gone through credit counseling. She said she has requested for the last four weeks, for
different non - profits and profits, this list, and was given just the names, but no addresses,
no phone numbers, or anyway to contact them. After receiving that list, she said she did
ask for names and telephone numbers and has not received them. She stated she wanted
to make sure that when these contracts are awarded for home counseling, that these
names, addresses and phone numbers would be available to people who want to sell
homes to these individuals. Director Adcock stated that one organization that got the
contract is in a facility that one side is a credit counseling, and the other side is a real
estate office, and an individual who went there to get these names was told he would
have to pay the commission of the real estate office. She stated she would like to have
that investigated and to make sure as the city does this; the city does receive these lists so
they can be turned in to other organizations. Mr. Carney, City Manager told Director
Adcock that he believed staff could provide that information and would report back to her
on that. Director Adcock went on to state that under Part G., there is $20,000 for an after
school program. She said she was concerned, and asked if the same criteria were
followed as on the PIT funding for these after school programs. Mr. Carney answered
that he didn't know if exact criteria had been set. He stated that Joan Bohannon was here
from the CDBG Office and referred the question. Ms. Bohannon said the criteria has not
been set yet, it would have to go out for an RFQ to get the proposals or the qualifications
in. Director Adcock requested that since the community programs department deals with
this all the time, that they have input into this criteria, and we make sure all schools are
notified they can compete with this. Mr. Carney stated this could be done. Director
Adcock said in Section 3 it talks about $78,000 for emergency shelter grants, and asked if
these grants had been sent out. She said there is no shelter available for a woman with a
son over six years old. There is also no shelter available for a man with a child, and
knowing that there are those two groups who are not being served by any shelter she
wanted to make sure that who ever is chosen these groups are represented. Ms. Bohanon
stated that the proposals are in and they could go through those to see if that status is
represented. Director Adcock said she would like that information to be forwarded to
her. The resolution was read, and the public hearing was closed. A motion was made by
Vice Mayor Cazort to adopt the resolution; Director Adcock seconded the motion, and by
unanimous voice vote of the board members present, the resolution was adopted.
19. ORDINANCE - Z -5485 - Amending Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances of the
City of Little Rock, Arkansas, providing for deferral of Master Street Plan Sidewalk
Construction for Baseline Mini - Storage located at 8801 Doyle Springs Road. (Staff
recommends approval.) Director Adcock stated that on the Board Communication for
this item, it did not answer any questions, and it did not give any information. She said
this was an area the city has just paid dearly out on Scott Hamilton for sidewalks, and had
a problem that over on a road that is just like the next road over, that the city is deferring
sidewalks for five years. She thanked staff, saying the Scott Hamilton Sidewalks are
beautiful and the children are walking on them, and there is only one small section that is
not complete. She stated to Mr. Turner that she did not understand why staff was
deferring sidewalks in that area where children walk to school. Mr. Turner agreed that
the Scott Hamilton sidewalks are a wonderful addition to the city. He said he was thrilled
that by the community, the Board of Directors, and by staff through federal grants the
city was able to do that. On Doyle Springs Road, Mr. Turner said they were not asking,
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nor were they supporting a waiver of the sidewalks, he said what they were saying is a
deferral seems to be in order. There is two hundred and five linear feet across the
frontage of this property and there is no sidewalk on either side of it at this time. A
deferral would not have them build this sidewalk where nobody on either side could use,
however if the property adjacent were to develop it would trigger this construction so
there would be a more meaningful section of sidewalk. Director Adcock said she had a
problem with that because this is an area where the children are walking out in the street,
and why would we want those children to continue walking out in the street for even two
hundred and five feet? She thought the city needed to start the sidewalks, and maybe if
the city starts with this one, maybe then something could be done similar to what was
done on Scott Hamilton, and everyone could join together and possibly the neighborhood
people could donate the ground so Sidewalks could be put in. She said she could not
support the deferral, that this was equivalent to four lots. This would be a real beginning
on a sidewalk on a street where children are walking. She asked the board to vote no on
this one. Director Keck stated it would be interesting to hear from the applicant on this
one. He said to hold this on first reading. The ordinance was read the first time, to be
heard again in two weeks time.
20. ORDINANCE. - To amend the Master Street Plan Ordinance No. 15,519 for Kanis
Road Required Pavement Width Reduction from Bowman Road to Chenal Parkway.
(Deferred from July 3, 2001.)(Tabled) Mr. Carney, City Manager stated there might be
some confusion on the staff position on this item. To be clear, the Public Works
Director, Public Works Staff, and City Manager and staff are strongly recommending
approval. He said they have met with developers and others and have talked about this,
and are convinced this change would be positive in terms of potential development of this
section of the Kanis corridor, which is west of Bowman Road out to Chenal, and without
this change was convinced the city is not in the position financially and is highly unlikely
development could occur. Mr. Turner, Public Works Director, described the nature of the
corridor and the change. He said he believed this would allow the city to develop this in
an orderly manner, allow development to take place along Kanis Road and at the same
time provide the city with a facility that would handle traffic. He said if the city is not
able to build the full facility at this time, and the developers are not able to build a full
facility at this time, clearly a facility would not be out there that could handle traffic in
the near future. Mr. Dick Downing, Chairman of the Planning Commission stated that
the Planning Commission had asked him to appear before the board to express their
beliefs and why they voted the way they did. Mr. Downing told the board that he was the
lone vote against this. He stated what is being proposed is the road width is going to stay
the same, the trade off is that the developers, the people who want to develop on the
street will give the right of way as if it is going to be full width. They only have to
develop if it's narrow. He stated if it's ever going to be built to full size and he suspected
it would be at some point, the right of way would already be given, so the city would save
those dollars for having to have to buy that right of way. That is what the city obtains, is
the trade off on dollars, and that was part of the compromise, and felt that was the biggest
reason city staff agreed to it. The Planning Commission believed what was important
was the road; the need for the road and the width of the road is going to be maintained.
The board has never decided what that is going to look like, it has been addressed and
was at one point and time going to be discussed but never got that far for a variety of
reasons. He said he thought that still needed to be addressed, but the commission felt like
the city needed to step foreword here. What the developers will tell you is you will go
out to that area and go past Bowman and Kanis and travel west, there is virtually no
development and they will tell you the reason is the uncertainty of what is going to
happen with this particular road. Even though the commission did not like in full the
compromise, they felt under the circumstances, looking at the reality of it, it was a good
tradeoff for the city. He said he happenedd to disagree for many reasons. Director
Adcock asked what were his reasons. He said in his opinion he thought you were raising
a precedent, making a decision that if you go to 36th Street and go further south of Kanis
Road and the developers up there are going to be sitting up there saying the same thing
because the city doesn't have any money to build roads. Director Adcock stated that
before a vote was taken, that she felt they should look at what impact this would have city
wide as it was going to affect more than Kanis Road. This was going to change the way
all arterial roads were looked at. Director Adcock asked Mr. Carney if it would not be
wise to defer or postpone this until the impact this would have on the city could be
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determined. Mr. Carney stated he did not think it appropriate to defer but it was always
the board's choice. He said it seemed to him this was an individual unique in terms of a
roadway that has not been developed for the two and one half miles, looking at this as
single issue in terms of we don't know if there would be a lot of development, if this is
moved foreword or not. He said he believed it likely there would be development. If this
is the trigger mechanism to make that happen, then he thought it was good; there could be
other developers and other individuals come foreword with another section of roadway
some other place that could be similar, but he thought you would look at those
individually. If this type of arrangement triggers development that would not occur
otherwise and adds to the tax base for the city, the school district, that is not bad, and
looked at this as an opportunity perhaps to do, in this case, a unique action which has not
been recommended before but the uniqueness stands on its own. He said he didn't see a
need to evaluate every roadway, most don't have this kind of circumstance and felt it
worth the consideration of the board. Mr. Bob Wilson, P. O. Box 3140, spoke in
opposition to the plan. Mr. Dickson Flake, 17 St. John Place, spoke in favor of the plan.
Mr. Ramsey Ball spoke in favor of the plan. There was discussion from the board on
issues such as this is dealing with policy, it may be setting precedent with this action, and
there were thoughts from some of the Board as to waiting for Vision Little Rock's
Infrastructure Team to finish their study and make their recommendation and timelines
for finishing the project, vs. piecemeal of the project. Director Adcock made a motion to
table the issue until the Vision Little Rock Report is given to the Board. Director
Kumpuris seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and recorded as follows:
Director Hinton, yes, Cazort, yes, Keck, yes, Stewart, yes, Wyrick, yes, Kumpuris, yes,
Graves, yes, Adcock, yes, Mayor Dailey, yes. The vote was unanimous.
A motion was made by Director Keck to go in to executive session to consider various
appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Director Adcock
seconded the motion, and by unanimous voice vote of board members present the
meeting recessed at 8:20 PM.
22. RESOLUTION NO. 11,123 - To make appointments and reappointments to various
Boards and Commissions.
The meeting reconvened at 8:45 PM. Mayor Dailey called the meeting back in session.
City manager, Cy Carney announced the appointment recommendations as follows: The
Arkansas Arts Center Board of Trustees: Five reappointments, Mr. Phil Cox, Ms. Oliva
Farrell, Mr. Raymond Remmell, Mr. John Selig, Ms. Alma Williams, and three new
appointments: Mr. Joseph B. Hurst, E. Wilson Moore. The Central Arkansas Transit
Authority: Ms. Janet Tate. The Commission on Domestic Violence: Ms. Renee
McCorkle Bryan. The MacArthur Military History Museum Commission: Re-
instatement of Mr. Jason B. Hendren. The Historic District Commission:
Reappointment: Mr. Wyatt Weems, new appointment, Ms. Carolyn Newbern. The
Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission: Mr. John Siccardi. The River Market
District Design Review Committee: new appointments: Mr. Tim Heiple, Ms. Patti
Wingfield, Mr. Jim Schimmer. Director Keck motioned to accept the recommendations,
Vice Mayor Cazort seconded the motion, and by unanimous voice vote of the board
members present, the resolution was approved to make the listed appointments.
21. ORDINANCE - To amend Section 6 -12 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Little Rock, Arkansas pertaining to the keeping of prohibited animals; and for other
purposes. (Deferred to an indefinite date). Speaking in opposition to the proposed
ordinance were Mr. David Westbrook, 1300 Fair park Blvd., Dr. James Mittelstaedt,
1002 Loretta Lane, There was some discussion regarding how many people in the City of
Little Rock actually keep venomous snakes, and the purpose, and incidences involved in
— their handling the snakes. He said the problem here is people's fear of snakes and the
perception of what is going on. He stated that the snakes are used for providing anti
venom for hospitals, research, education, etc. He stated the ordinance needed to provide
for this, to qualify persons who keep the snakes as responsible keepers. Ms. Linda
Berry, 10 Southmont Circle representing the Museum of Discovery, stated she believed
some sort of compromise could and should be worked out, that they use the snakes to
educate people. Ms. Pam Adcock represented the Animal Advisory Board. Animal
Services Advisory Board, stating that the meeting was a well thought out process, many
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facts were gathered from experts in the field in order to come to a decision, and many
hours were spent in discussion of the ordinance. The vote was four to three, a close vote.
Mr. Ed Davis, Animal Services, said in fact finding, they came up with twenty -three
cities that specifically do not allow venomous reptiles, three that allow them with some
requirements. Director Adcock stated the at the meetings, MEMS personnel asked that
some sort of notification to them be made as identifying persons who had venomous
snakes in their homes. Director Kumpuris motioned that a small committee be formed, to
further study and discuss these issues and to come back to the board with
recommendations in two weeks time. Mayor Daily suggested, along with Director
Kumpuris's motion that the committee would include, Dr. Mittelstaedt, Tom Carpenter,
City Attorney, Director Cazort, as the Zoo Board Member representative, and then
someone, from the Animal Advisory Committee, and the understanding would be that the
board wants some sort of compromise that does not ban venomous species in the City.
Vice mayor Cazort seconded the motion, and by unanimous voice vote the board voted in
favor of forming the committee. Director Adcock requested that Mr. Ed Davis, the
Director of Animal Services be included in the group. Mr. David Westbrook stated what
you have here is a situation that has been created by a couple of individuals, resulting in a
couple of sensationalist articles in the newspaper, and then everyone thinks there is a
cobra just down the street, which is just not true. He said there are very few people that
keep venomous snakes. Mr. Westbook stated that they are vigilant in keeping the snakes
in cages. No keeper allows them to run loose. They are responsible for their own health
and welfare and that of their family, so if they do have snakes in their house they are
doing there best to keep them contained. Mr. Westbrook said when he was bitten, in his
opinion if you have a choice between a ruptured appendix and a rattlesnake bite, "take the
rattlesnake bite ". He said there is a real reason why people keep snakes, for education,
research, etc., and it can be done safely. Mr. Don Darnell, 7007 E. Wakefield, stated
that what is before the board is the result of the work of The Advisory Board, and the
vote was razor thin, and what you have is a recommendation. He stated these folks put in
a lot of time and effort, and stated what he was going to ask the board to do, and they
were doing, and that was to put away the unreasoned fear, and look at this unemotionally
and rationally. He stated that because there was a recommendation from the Advisory
Board, some sort of rationale for not following the recommendation, might be in order.
Mayor Dailey stated the board appreciated the hard work and do recognize the
tremendous effort the Advisory Committee has put in on this, and knew they took their
jobs very seriously and very thoroughly looked at it. He asked that the appointed
committee work on the issue and it would be deferred to an indefinite time.
23. REPORT: City Manager's Activity Report. Mr. Carney, City Manager, noted that
part of the motion from Director Kumpuris referenced at two -week time frame, and asked
the board for more time. Director Kumpuris stated that whenever they get ready to come
back to the board, there was no specific time frame. Mr. Carney handed out a memo for
the next "World Fest ", by the Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission, at Riverfront
Park. He also gave the board lists of the traffic signal priority based on traffic counts and
other information. There are thirty -three signals that have been identified as locations
that need signals. There is no dollar amount of fund any of them, but it is the latest list.
He said they are going back through and systematically looking at each of these traffic
counts and some are older, so there may be some changes in the priority list. He also
provided the board with an updated calendar of board scheduled events.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Cazort to adjourn the meeting: Director Adcock
seconded the meeting and by unanimous voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 9:45
P.M.
ATTEST:
0 U WALGI II r MOM
APPROVED:
"
MAYOR
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