Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-08Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - June 17, 2008 MINUTES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING City Hall — 500 W. Markham June 17, 2008 - 6:00 PM The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas met in a regular session with Mayor Stodola presiding. Nancy Wood, City Clerk, called the roll with the following directors present: Hendrix, Richardson, Keck, Wright, Wyrick, Fortson, Adcock, Cazort, Kumpuris and Mayor Stodola. Vice Mayor Hurst was absent. Director Doris Wright gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Stodola called upon Dr. Sink, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, to make the presentation. Dr. Sink announced this was an eight week course sponsored by the City and that they had twenty -nine participants. The object of the Academy is to get citizens involved, and understand how city government and the different departments within the city work and operate, and to promote quality volunteerism in the City. Each graduate received a certificate of completion of the academy. PRESENTATIONS: Citizens Academy Graduation (June 17, 2008) Mayor Stodola recognized students from the youth exchange program. The next consideration was the Consent Agenda which consisted of Items 1 -11. 1. MOTION - To approve minutes of the Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting of May 20, 2008 and the Reconvened Meeting of May 27, 2008. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 12,709 - To set the date of public hearing for July 1, 2008, on the petition to form the City of Little Rock Municipal Property Owners' Multipurpose Improvement District No. 706 -08 (Longleaf Recreation District Project); and for other purposes. 3. RESOLUTION NO. 129710 - G -23- 399 -To set the date of public hearing for July 1, 2008, to abandon Witry Court as public right -of -way. Planning Commission: 10 ayes, 0 nays, I absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The owners of the nine (9) residential properties abutting Witry Court are requesting that the street be abandoned as public right -of -way. The street will become a private street with a gated entrance. 4. RESOLUTION NO. 12,711 - To authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with AT &T for central office based phone service. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: A resolution to accept the phone service proposal submitted by AT &T and to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with AT &T for Plexar phone service for City departments. Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - June 17, 2008 5. RESOLUTION NO. 12,712 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with RW Beck for the evaluation of the Solid Waste Landfill and Composting Operations. staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Authorizes the City Manager to enter into an engineering services contract with RW Beck for an evaluation of landfill and compost site operations to optimize cost effectiveness and evaluate potential savings in privatization. Bid No. 8207. The amount of the initial evaluation services is $108,873. 6. RESOLUTION NO. 12,713 - To certify the local government endorsement of AluChem of Little Rock, LLC, to be located at 10300 Arch Street Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas, to participate in the Arkansas Tax Back Program. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: A resolution to certify local government endorsement of AluChem of Little Rock, LLC, to be located at 10300 Arch Street Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas, to participate in the Arkansas Tax Back Program. The project will result in twelve (12) new jobs and there will be a total investment of $4,500,000. 7. RESOLUTION NO. 12,714 - To certify the local government endorsement of Porocel Industries, LLC, located at 10300 Arch Street Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas, to participate in the Arkansas Tax Back Program. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: A resolution to certify local government endorsement of Porocel Industries, LLC, to be located at 10300 Arch Street Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas, to participate in the Arkansas Tax Back Program. The project will result in twelve (12) new jobs, and there will be a total investment of $6,257,000. 8. RESOLUTION NO. 12,715 - To appoint new commissioners to the Board of Improvement for Tall Timber West Improvement District No. 3 of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and prescribing other matters relating thereto. Synopsis: Appointments: Diane Broadway, Pamela Johnson, and Sherri Scruggs. Original Members of the Board of Improvement have all either resigned or otherwise indicted their unwillingness to further serve in such capacity. 9. RESOLUTION NO. 12,716 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into a one -year contract to the Renshaw Firm Architects, Inc., for Americans With Disabilities Act Architectural Consultant Services as needed by various City departments. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The resolution awards a one year contract to the Renshaw Firm Architects, Inc, for Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Consultant Services as needed by various City Departments. 10. RESOLUTION NO. 12,717 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Brown and Brown, LLC, General Contractors, for the Otter Creek Restroom Facility. Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a construction contract with Brown & Brown, LLC General Contractors for the Otter Creek Park Restroom Facility not to exceed $180,000 dollars. 11. RESOLUTION NO. 12,718 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Crafton, Tull Sparks, Inc., for 12th Street Design and Development Services in an amount no to exceed $85,000; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. The consent agenda consisting of Resolutions, Items 1 -11, were read. A motion was made by Director Adcock, seconded by Director Cazort to adopt the Consent Agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, being two - thirds in number, the Consent Agenda was adopted. 2 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - June 17, 2008 PUBLIC HEARINGS were the next items on the agenda which consisted of Items 12 -14. 12. PUBLIC HEARING & RESOLUTION NO. 12,719 - Z -5683 — Rescinding the Planning Commission's approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow Little Rock Montessori School located at 3704 Woodland Heights Road to increase student enrollment and to expand onto the R -2 zoned residential property located at 11701 Pleasant Forest Drive. Planning Commission: 10 ayes, 0 nays, I absent. Staff recommends denial of the Conditional Use Permit. Synopsis: A record objector has appealed the Planning Commission's approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow Little Rock Montessori School located at 3704 Woodland Heights Drive to increase student enrollment and to expand onto the R -2 zoned residential property located at 11701 Pleasant Forest Drive. Mr. Tony Bozynski, City of Little Rock Planning Director, gave an overview of the application and stated that Staff was recommending denial of the Conditional Use Permit. He stated it is staff s belief this would encroach into the residential component of the neighborhood and was not an appropriate fit. Mayor Stodola opened the public hearing. Mr. Ken King, the applicant made a presentation to the Board to request the expansion of the Montessori School, and stated that originally they were asking to expand so that they could expand enroll by forty students, but since the Planning Commission Meeting, they had hired a consultant and it appears they can only accommodate twenty new enrollments if this expansion is approved. He said they had Mr. Henry, the City Traffic Engineer to look at the traffic flow if the application is approved, and stated Mr. Henry said that the increased enrollment would not create a significant increase in the flow that is currently there. Mr. King stated if this is approved, the school would not be asking for any other expansions. Mr. David Robinson, Ms. Ginger Rush, Ms. Karen Proetz, Mr. Ray Rogers spoke in opposition to the project saying that traffic would be increased in the neighborhood, that property values have already fallen because of the location of the school, and expanding into the residential site, would further the devaluation of properties, they did not want any more commercial projects in the neighborhood. They felt this was detrimental to the character of the neighborhood, They were also afraid if this were approved, then more and more commercial projects would creep into the neighborhood, and the commercial element would keep expanding. Mr. Craig Williams was present, and in opposition, but did not wish to speak. Several Board members said they had received letters of opposition to the expansion. The issue of the notification procedure for notifying residents within the two hundred foot radius of the project site, when an item is deferred, or a public hearing is deferred, either at the Planning Commission level or the Board level, was brought up by some of the residents of the area. Mr. Moore, City Manager, stated that the City does abide by statues and ordinances, but stated he would like to revisit the process that is in place and would meet with staff and then report back to the Board if changes might need to be addressed in this procedure. 3 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - June 17, 2008 There being no further discussion, Mayor Stodola closed the public hearing. A roll call vote was taken and recorded as follows: Directors Wyrick, Kumpuris, Fortson, Adcock, Hendrix, Richardson, Cazort, Keck, and Wright voted aye. Vice Mayor Hurst was absent. The resolution was adopted, and the Planning Commission's vote of approval was overturned. 13. PUBLIC HEARING & ORDINANCE 19,981 - 5 -1278 - To vacate a plat in Ranch Highlands Subdivision, an addition to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. Planning Commission: 9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The applicant is seeking a vacation of the previously approved preliminary plat for Phases II and III of the Ranch Highlands Subdivision, which have not been final platted. Mayor Stodola opened the public hearing, and asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak either in favor or was opposed to the vacation of the plat. There was no one present. Mayor Stodola closed the public hearing. The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Director Cazort to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the second time. Director Adcock made a 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, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the third time. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present being two - thirds in number the ordinance was passed. Vice Mayor Hurst was absent. 14. PUBLIC HEARING & ORDINANCE NO. 19,982 - To abandon West 29th Street located east of Maple Street in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, as a public right -of -way. Planning Commission: 9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Lauderdale Roofing is requesting the abandonment of West 29th Street located east of Maple Street, in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. The area of abandonment will be retained as an access and utility easement to continue to allow legal and physical access to the abutting lots. Mayor Stodola opened the public hearing, and asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak either in favor or was opposed to the abandonment. There was no one present. Mayor Stodola closed the public hearing. The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Director Richardson to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the second time. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Director Hendrix to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the third time. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present being two - thirds in number the ordinance was passed. Vice Mayor Hurst was absent. Other Business consisted of Items 15 & 160 Director Cazort made a motion, seconded by Director Keck, if there was no one to speak in favor or in opposition to Items 15 and 16, if they could be read together. By unanimous voice vote the motion carried. Director Adcock stated she had a question on Item 15. She wanted to know if the ordinance contained a date when the surcharge would end; and if the $1 surcharge would be enough in light of gas prices keep going up. 11 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - June 17, 2008 Mr. Carpenter advised that a end date was not in the ordinance, that he and other staff members were working on amendments to the City transportation Code, and that would be coming before the Board in the next few months, and a date could be discussed at that time, or if there was a change in gasoline prices before that time, this could come back to the Board at any time between now and the time they are ready to present the revised transportation code. Director Adcock asked if this could be done in a thirty to sixty day time period. Mr. Moore, City Manager stated that would be the goal. 15. ORDINANCE NO. 19,983 - To continue a total surcharge per ground transportation trip pursuant to the Little Rock Transportation Code, Little Rock, Arkansas Revised Code 34- 43(B)(5)(C) 1988; due to a dramatic increase in the price of gasoline; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. 16. ORDINANCE NO. 19,984 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Motorola, Inc., in the amount of $100,861.67 to purchase twenty (20) Motorola portable police radios. Synopsis: The Police Department is requesting approval to purchase twenty (20) Motorola portable radios to supply the current recruit class and for spares in emergencies. Items 15 and 16 were read the first time. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Director Richardson to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the second time. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Director Richardson to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read the third time. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present being two - thirds in number the ordinances (Items 15 and 16) and the emergency clause in Item 15 were passed. Vice Mayor Hurst was absent. Citizens Communication was the next portion of the Agenda. The speakers and topics were as listed: Speaker: Luke Skrable Topic: Freedom of Information Clarification on Information received regarding the hotel properties the City owns. Director Adcock had some questions regarding the Land Bank Commission. She stated that she was informed by a memo written by Mr. Carpenter that his office would be unable to handle the legal component of the Land Bank Commission, and asked who would be handling it, since having legal counsel is vital to the Commission. Mr. Carpenter stated that it was not that his office was not capable of handling the legal matters; it was that he did not have enough staff to handle it. It was a manpower issue. Mayor Stodola stated that he and Mr. Moore and Mr. Carpenter had discussed this, and that they were discussing some possibilities. A motion was made by, Director Richardson, seconded by Director Cazort to adjourn the meeting, by unanimous voice vote of the Board Members Present, being two - thirds in number; the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. 5 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes - June 17, 2008 ATTEST: Na cy Woo , CMC City Clerk 0 A DpA nX7r - Mark Stodola Mayor