HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-08Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes — September 2, 2008
MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
City Hall — 500 W. Markham
September 2, 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, Kumpuris, Fortson, Adcock, Vice Mayor Hurst,
and Mayor Stodola. Director Cazort was absent. Director Kumpuris was absent at roll call, but
enrolled at 6:27 PM. Director Richardson gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS:
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (September 2, 2008)
Mayor Stodola asked the Board to defer this listed presentation and to delete Item 10 from the
agenda. A motion was made by Director Keck, seconded by Director Adcock to make the listed
modifications to the agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present the
modifications were made. Director Cazort was absent. Director Kumpuris was absent at the
time of the vote.
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1— 10)
1. MOTION - To approve minutes of the Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes of
August 4, 2008.
2. MOTION - Z -8348 - To set the date of public hearing for September 16, 2008, to appeal the
Planning Commission's decision to deny a rezoning request for a Planned Commercial
Development titled Loftin Short-Form PCD, located on the southeast corner of Cantrell Road
and Black Street. Planning Commission: 0 ayes, 8 nays, 2 absent. Staff recommends denial.
Synopsis: The request is appealing the Planning Commission's recommendation of denial
of a rezoning request from R -2, Single - Family to PD -C to allow the development of the site
with a pool /spa supply store.
3. MOTION - LU08 -01 -02 - To set the date of public hearing for September 16, 2008, to
appeal the Planning Commission's recommendation of denial of this Land Use Plan in the River
Mountain Planning District for Low Density Residential to Commercial for future development.
Planning Commission: 0 ayes, 8 nays, 1 recusal. Staff recommends denial. Synopsis: The
request is appealing the Planning Commission's recommendation of denial of this Land
Use Plan amendment in the River Mountain Planning District from Low Density
Residential to Commercial for future development.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes — September 2, 2008
4. RESOLUTION 12,747 - G -23 -402 - To set the date of public hearing for September 16,
2008, on a request to abandon a portion of North Cedar Street, located south of Oakwood Road,
as a public right -of -way. Planning Commission: 9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Staff recommends
approval. Synopsis: Mr. Edward Walker is requesting the abandonment of North Cedar
Street located, south of Oakwood Road, as a public right of way. The area of abandonment
will be retained as a drainage and utility easement.
5. RESOLUTION 12,748 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract in the
amount of $99,200, with Professional Health Services, Inc., to perform physical examinations on
Little Rock Fire Department Personnel. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The Little
Rock Fire Department is requesting approval to authorize the City Manager to enter into a
contract with Professional Health Services, Inc., to perform physical examinations on Little
Rock Fire Department personnel.
6. RESOLUTION 12,749 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into engineering services
contract in the amount of $270,000 with Terracon for an NPDES Permit required bacteria study
of the City storm water system. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: To authorize the City
Manager to enter into a contract for engineering services with Terracon for a NPDES
Permit required bacteria study of the City storm water system. Bid No. 8239.
7. RESOLUTION 12,750 - Authorizing the City Manager to enter into contracts with Metro
Towing and Recovery, Routh Wrecker Service and Asher Wrecker Service for the provision of
towing services for a period of one (1) - year beginning October 1, 2008. Staff recommends
approval. Synopsis: Authorizing the City Manager to enter into contracts with Metro
Towing and Recovery, Routh Wrecker Service and Asher Wrecker Service for the
provision of towing services for a period of one (1) - year beginning October 1, 2008.
Following a competitive selection process, three (3) were deemed to be responsible and
responsive bidders.
8. RESOLUTION 12,751 - To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Sunbelt
Fire for the purchase of one (1) 100 -foot Aerial Fire Truck utilizing the H -GAC for a price of
$712,522. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: This truck will replace a thirty four (34) -
year old aerial fire truck. Funds for this purchase are allocated in the 2008 Short Term
Financing.
9. RESOLUTION 12,752 - To authorize the City Manager to extend a contract with HRG
Technology in the amount of $50,000 to integrate buildings permit legacy data into the new
software program. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Approval would allow for
historical building permit data to be integrated into the new building permit software.
10. RESOLUTION — Deleted - To accept the donation of Lot 18, Block 2, Brookside Park
Addition to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. Staff recommends
approval. Synopsis: The resolution accepts a vacant lot described as Lot 18, Block 2,
Brookside Park Addition to the City of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, for City
Land Bank purposes and authorizes the City Manager, Mayor and City Clerk to execute
any documents needed in connection to the acceptance of the property.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes — September 2, 2008
The Consent Agenda was read; Item 10 was deleted. Director Keck, seconded by Director
Adcock, made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board
Members present, the Consent Agenda (Items 1 -9) was adopted. Director Cazort was absent.
Director Kumpuris was not present at the time of the vote.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS
Speaker: Luke Skrable
Topic: Are City Employees Exempt from City Laws and Codes? Mr. Skrable cited
properties at 8624 Interstate 30 and at 6515 Young Road and problems associated
with environmental court cases regarding the property, and inquired as to whether
Director Adcock owned or was part owner of the property. Board members
requested that staff look into these issues, and report back on the findings.
Speaker: Robert Webb
Topic: Thank You. Mr. Webb thanked the Board for ratifying his appointment to the
Little Rock Housing Authority Board, and offered his services.
GROUPED ITEMS (Items 11— 12)
Director Hurst, seconded by Director Adcock, made a motion to add Item 15 to the Grouped
Items. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the motion carried. Director
Cazort was absent. Item 15 was added to the Grouped Items.
11. ORDINANCE 20,019 - Z -8337- — Approving a Planned Zoning Development and
establishing a Planned Commercial District titled Ms. Bertha's Child Care Center Short-Form
PCD, located at 8211, 8213 and 8215 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas; amending the
Official Zoning Map of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. Planning
Commission: 9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The request is
to rezone the site from R -2 Single - Family and 0-3, General Office District to PCD to allow
the existing daycare facility to expand within the western -most building.
12. ORDINANCE 20,020 - To amend Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Little Rock, Arkansas, providing for a deferral of Master Street Plan Construction Requirements
for Kanis Road; and for other purposes. Planning Commission: 8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent. Staff
recommends approval. Synopsis: Authorizes a deferral of street improvements required
under the Master Street Plan for five (5) years or until adjacent property is developed for
Baker Elementary School at 15001 Kanis Road.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes — September 2, 2008
15. ORDINANCE 20,023 - Z- 4587 -D - Approving a Planned Zoning Development and
establishing a Planned Commercial District titled Hunters Green Estates Lot 12 Revised Short-
Form PD -R, located at 51 Hunters Green Circle, Little Rock, Arkansas; amending the Official
Zoning Map of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. Planning Commission:
9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The owner /applicant is
proposing to revise the previously approved PD -R to allow for the construction of an
enclosed sunroom within the area previously proposed for a screened porch.
The Grouped Items were read the first time. Director Adcock, seconded by Vice Mayor Hurst,
made a motion, to suspend the rules and place the items on second reading. By unanimous voice
vote of the Board Members present, being two - thirds in number, the rules were suspended and
the ordinances were read the second time. Director Adcock made a motion, seconded by Vice
Mayor Hurst, to suspend the rules and place the ordinances on third reading. The ordinances
were read the third time. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, being two -
thirds in number, the ordinances (Items 11, 12, and 15) were passed. Director Cazort was
absent.
SEPARATE ITEMS (Items 13 -16)
13. ORDINANCE 20,021 - To amend Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Little Rock, Arkansas, providing for a deferral of Master Street Plan Construction Requirement
for the proposed Outer Loop Road; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: Authorizes a deferral of street improvements required under the Master Street
Plan for five (5) years or until adjacent property is developed for Dreamland Development,
LLC on property located on the east side of the proposed Outer Loop Road.
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock, seconded by Director Keck, made a
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 was read the second time. The ordinance was read the second time. Director
Adcock, seconded by Vice Mayor Hurst, made a motion 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
unanimous voice vote by the Board Members present, the ordinance (Item 13) was passed.
Director Cazort was absent.
14. ORDINANCE 20,022 - Z- 8235 -A — Approving a Planned Zoning Development and
establishing a Planned Industrial District titled The Village at Hidden Creek Apartments Long -
Form PID, located north of Stagecoach Road, near the County Line on Hidden Creek Boulevard,
Little Rock, Arkansas; amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas;
and for other purposes. Planning Commission: 9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Staff recommends
approval. Synopsis: The request is to rezone, a fifty -two (52) acre site from I -2, Light
Industrial to PID to allow future development of a Mixed -Use development containing
Multi - Family Residential, and Industrial uses.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes — September 2, 2008
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock, seconded by Vice Mayor Hurst, made a
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 was read the second time. The ordinance was read the second time. Director
Adcock, seconded by Vice Mayor Hurst, made a motion 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
unanimous voice vote by the Board Members present, the ordinance (Item 14) was passed.
Director Cazort was absent.
15. ORDINANCE 20,023 - Z- 4587 -D - Approving a Planned Zoning Development and
establishing a Planned Commercial District titled Hunters Green Estates Lot 12 Revised Short-
Form PD -R, located at 51 Hunters Green Circle, Little Rock, Arkansas; amending the Official
Zoning Map of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. Planning Commission:
9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The owner /applicant is
proposing to revise the previously approved PD -R to allow for the construction of an
enclosed sunroom within the area previously proposed for a screened porch.
16. ORDINANCE - Deferred to Oct 7 - MSP -07 -04 — To amend the Master Street Plan
(19,152) modifying the right -of -way requirement for University Avenue, north of Lee Avenue;
and for other purposes. Planning Commission: 8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent. Staff recommends
approval. Synopsis: A Master Street Plan Amendment to modify the right -of -way for
University Avenue from Lee Street to Cantrell Road, changing to 100 feet from 110 feet.
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock, seconded by Vice Mayor Hurst, made a
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 was read the second time. The ordinance was read the second time. Director
Adcock, seconded by Director Keck, made a motion 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.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the right -of -way modification to University Avenue.
Mr. Erick Ostermueller spoke in opposition stating his fear that the already small medians would
be even smaller; indicating that many of the neighborhood people used those medians for
pedestrian traffic routes. Mr. Craig Berry spoke in favor of the ordinance; his view was that the
modification would bring conformity to the right -of -way along University Avenue. Director
Wyrick requested staff to come up with a definition of pedestrian friendly and what it would
actually look like on paper. Director Kumpuris stated for the record that he has an office near
this location. Mr. Carpenter advised that it would not be necessary for him to recuse from the
vote.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes — September 2, 2008
After much discussion, questions from the Board, and requests for additional information,
Director Wyrick, seconded by Vice Mayor Hurst, made a motion to defer voting on the item until
requested information was provided to the Board. A roll call vote was taken and recorded as
follows: Director Wright, Keck, Kumpuris, Fortson, Adcock, Hendrix, and Vice Mayor Hurst
voted in favor of deferring the item, Director Richardson voted in opposition. The motion
carried and the item (Item 16) was deferred. Director Cazort was absent
PUBLIC HEARINGS (Item 17)
17. PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCE 20,024 - G -23 -400 - A request for a right -of-
way abandonment for portions of Conner Street, East 10th Street and alley located within and
adjacent to Block 35, Industrial Park Addition to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, as public
right -of -way; and for other purposes. Planning Commission: 8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent. Staff
recommends approval. Synopsis: Little Rock Airport, adjacent property owner, requests to
abandon portions of Conner Street, East 10th Street and an alley located within and
adjacent to Block 35, Industrial Park Addition.
Mayor Stodola opened the public hearing. There was no one present to speak in favor or
in opposition. Mayor Stodola closed the public hearing.
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock, seconded by Vice Mayor Hurst, made a
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 was read the second time. The ordinance was read the second time. Director
Adcock, seconded by Vice Mayor Hurst, made a motion to suspend the rules and place the
ordinances 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
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the ordinance was passed. Director Cazort
was absent.
OTHER BUSINESS (Item 18)
18. DISCUSSION - 1998 — Parks and Recreation Revenue Bond Refunding
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the refinancing of the 1998 — Parks and Recreation
Revenue Bond Refunding. Mayor Stodola overviewed the proposed projects. The projects
proposed were for the Zoo, War Memorial Park, Rebsamen Tennis Center Complex, Natural
Steps Athletic Fields, LA Petite Roche, Western Hills Golf Course, Otter Creek and Southwest
Community Center Playgrounds, Animal Village Dog Park, Crump Park, West Central Ball
Complex. Director Hendrix contended that most of the projects were located in west Little
Rock, and that they (Ward 1) would favor ball fields at Crump park rather than bathroom
facilities. Director Wright stated that she would be intimately involved in the planning process
for the West Central Ball Park complex, and renewed her request for a community center in the
area. Director Wyrick named several parks in her area that need improvements and also favored
some spending toward the downtown MacArthur Park.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting Minutes — September 2, 2008
Director Kumpuris noted that everything couldn't be done with this refinancing, but noted that
this was something that could be built upon for the future. Mayor Stodola said that by
refinancing the 1998 Park Bond, the city would extend payments 12 years until 2035. But it
could mean an interest rate lower than the 5.76% the city is now paying. Sharon Priest,
Downtown Partnership, asked for dollars for MacArthur Park, saying it is an iconic and historic
park and there are several issues such as lighting that need to be addressed. Bill Cobb, Chairman
of the Parks and Recreation Commission, spoke in favor of refinancing the bonds. Several
spokespersons for Life Champs addressed the Board in favor of refinancing the bonds, and in
particular were interested in the ball fields. They are now using the North Little Rock facilities
and said it would be great if something was developed in Little Rock for the teams to play on.
Life Champs Corporation also committed to provide some financial assistance if the ball park
facilities are built. Director Richardson asked for an estimate on what the costs would be to
rehabilitate Western Hills Golf Course and a summary of specific cost for each project listed as
well as an impact study. Mayor Stodola asked the Board to consider the item for vote next week
at a reconvened meeting.
Vice Mayor Hurst, seconded by Director Fortson, made a motion to defer the discussion and vote
next week. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present the item (# 18) was deferred.
Director Wright, seconded by Director Fortson, made a motion to recess the meeting to
reconvene on September 9, 2008, to resume the discussion on the item. By unanimous voice
vote the meeting was recessed at 9:15 p.m.
ATTEST:
Nan y Wood MC
Ci Clerk
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APPROVED:
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Mark Stodola
Mayor