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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-09Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting July 21, 2009 6:00 PM Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting July 21, 2009 6:00 PM The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in a regular meeting with Mayor Mark Stodola presiding. Acting City Clerk Susan Langley called the roll with the following Directors present: Hendrix; Richardson; Hurst; Cazort; Keck; Wyrick; Kumpuris; Adcock; Vice Mayor Fortson; and Mayor Stodola. Director Wright was absent. Director Keck delivered the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Stodola recognized members of an Iraqi Youth Delegation that had been visiting Little Rock. PRESENTATIONS City of Little Rock's Participation in the Summer Cereal Drive: City Employees Toya Robinson and Stacia Butler gave an update regarding the City's participation in the 9th Annual Summer Cereal Drive. The City collected 1,096 boxes, which doubled the amount from last year, and received an award for 3rd Place in their division. National Night Out Presentation: Andre Bernard, Housing and Neighborhood Programs Department Director, gave an overview of the National Night Out locations and activities. University District Partnership Revitalization Plan: Ron Copeland, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, gave an overview of the University District Partnership. Mr. Copeland stated that the Partnership would like to request a resolution of support for the District's Revitalization Plan. MODIFICATION M -l. RESOLUTION NO. 13,002: Authorizing an increase in the contract amount for B.C. Main Construction Company, Inc., for Bankhead Drive Culvert Replacement. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Authorizes the City Manager to approve an increase in the contract amount with B.C. Main Construction Company, Inc., for the Bankhead Drive Culvert Replacement, Bid no. 09 -215. Director Cazort made the motion, seconded by Director Adcock, to add M -1 to the consent agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, M -1 was added to the consent agenda. 1 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting July 21, 2009 6:00 PM CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 - 2) 1. RESOLUTION NO. 12,998: To support the goals and objectives of the University District Partnership Revitalization Plan; and for other purposes. Planning Commission: 10 ayes, 0 nays, and I absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Approving a resolution supporting the goals of the University District Revitalization Plan for the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus. 2. RESOLUTION NO. 12,999: Awarding a contract to Lambert Construction Company, Inc., for Phase 2 of the 2009 Sidewalk Replacement Program; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Authorizes the City Manager to enter into a contract with Lambert Construction Company, Inc., for the CDBG Recovery Act Sidewalk Replacement Program Bid #09 -231. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by Director Keck, to adopt the Consent Agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the Consent Agenda was adopted. GROUPED ITEMS (Items 3 — 4) 3. ORDINANCE NO. 20,133: Condemning certain structures in the City of Little Rock as structural, fire and health hazards; providing for summary abatement procedures; directing the City Attorney to take such action as is necessary to raze and remove said structures; declaring and emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The structures at 4820 West 65t" Street (Education Building) and 2001 Valmar Street have become run -down, dilapidated, unsightly, dangerous and detrimental to the public welfare of the citizens of the City of Little Rock. 4. ORDINANCE NO. 20,134: Condemning certain structures in the City of Little Rock as structural, fire and health hazards; providing for summary abatement procedures; directing the City Attorney to take such action as necessary to raze and remove said structures; declaring and emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: Twenty (20) residential structures in dilapidated and /or burned condition causing a negative environmental impact on the residential neighborhoods in which they are located. Chris Mercer, 2501 South Broadway: Stated that he represented the owner, Moltus Cotton, of 4406 West 26t" Street and they were asking that the structure be removed from the condemnation list due to lack of notification. Mr. Bernard reported that Code Enforcement Staff had been dealing with this particular piece of property since 2006. Mr. Bernard stated that the notifications were sent to 1720 East 12th Street, which was the address that staff had on record, and that Mr. Cotton had signed for a certified letter at that address. Mr. Bernard explained that included in the certified letter was an inspection report, giving the owner thirty (30) days to raze and remove the structure or initiate repairs. The notices were sent regular mail, as well as certified mail. Mr. Bernard stated that staff received the green signature card that indicated that Mr. Cotton had signed for the letter in early July. Director Cazort asked when the fire at the structure occurred, and 2 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting July 21, 2009 6:00 PM Mr. Bernard stated July 2006. Director Cazort asked Mr. Cotton if he had taken any steps to rehabilitate the structure since the fire. Mr. Cotton stated that he had gutted the inside of the house and removed the sheetrock approximately two (2) years ago. Frederick Lee, 1107 South Pine Street: Asked that his structure be removed from the condemnation list. Mr. Lee stated that his appeal was to save the trees on the property. Mr. Lee reported that he had approximately fifty (50) trees in his yard and that in order to raze and remove the structure, the trees would have to be removed. Director Richardson stated that the property had become a source of criminal activity and that the neighbors have complained. Director Richardson stated that he felt that the structure could be removed; only damaging the trees on the l lt" Street side of the property. City Manager Bruce Moore stated that he would like to remove 1510 Pulaski Street from the condemnation list. City Manager Moore stated that staff had received notification that there was a new owner involved and that they had been told to not begin any rehab on the property until after September. Director Keck made the motion, seconded by Director Adcock, to remove 1510 Pulaski Street from the condemnation list. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, 1510 Pulaski Street was removed from the condemnation list. The ordinances were read the first time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by Director Cazort, to suspend the rules and place the ordinances on second reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the ordinances were read a second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by Director Richardson, to suspend the rules and place the ordinances on third reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the ordinances were read a third time. By roll call vote of the Board Members present, the votes for Item 3 were as follows: Ayes: Adcock; Hendrix; Hurst; Cazort; Keck; Wyrick; Kumpuris; and Vice Mayor Fortson. Nays: Richardson. Absent: Wright. By a vote of 8 ayes; 1 nays; and 1 absent, the ordinance was passed. By roll call vote of the Board Members present, the votes for the emergency clause were as follows: Ayes: Adcock; Hendrix; Hurst; Cazort; Keck; Wyrick; Kumpuris; and Vice Mayor Fortson. Nays: Richardson. Absent: Wright. By a vote of 8 ayes; 1 nays; and 1 absent, the emergency clause for Item 3 was approved. By roll call vote of the Board Members present, the votes for Item 4 were as follows: Ayes: Adcock; Hendrix; Hurst; Cazort; Keck; Wyrick; Kumpuris; and Vice Mayor Fortson. Nays: Richardson. Absent: Wright. By a vote of 8 ayes; 1 nays; and 1 absent, the ordinance was passed. By roll call vote of the Board Members present, the votes for the emergency clause were as follows: Ayes: Adcock; Hendrix; Hurst; Cazort; Keck; Wyrick; Kumpuris; and Vice Mayor Fortson. Nays: Richardson. Absent: Wright. By a vote of 8 ayes; 1 nays; and 1 absent, the emergency clause for Item 4 was approved. 3 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting July 21, 2009 6:00 PM SEPARATE ITEMS (Items 5 - 6) 5. RESOLUTION NO. 13,000: To express the position of the Board of Directors that the former Little Rock Job Corps Building at 2020 Vance Street is not appropriate as a Homeless Day Resource Center; and for other purposes. Director Hendrix made the motion, seconded by Director Kumpuris, that a new resolution be substituted that would read as follows: "To express the opposition of four (4) neighborhood associations, east of Main Street in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, to the Board of Directors that the Job Corp Center is not appropriate for a Homeless Resource Center; and for other purposes." Director Cazort stated that the proposed substitution resolution was not binding in any way and did not contain the substance that the present resolution contained. Director Hendrix withdrew her motion for substitution, with Director Kumpuris withdrawing his second. Jessie Goodrum, 801 West 53rd Street: Stated that she understood the concerns of the citizens in the neighborhoods located around the Job Corp Building; however, the homeless people needed somewhere to go that would give them stability and the resources to get on their feet. Carol Tabron: Stated that the neighbors in the area located around the Job Corp Building were not unsympathetic to the plight of the homeless; however, they did not want the Homeless Day Resource Center in their backyard. Essie Raglin, 5035 Velvet Ridge: Stated that the homeless needed the center to obtain medical attention and other services. Kathy Wells, 2121 Gaines Street: Stated that the City should find a way to fund a Homeless Day Resource Center without robbing the Pettaway Neighborhood Association that surrounds the Job Corp Building. Joyce Hardy, 214 Center Street: Stated that the City desperately needed a Day Resource Center for the homeless in the community; however, she didn't feel that the Job Corp Building was appropriate. Ms. Hardy stated that he was not opposed to a day center being located in her neighborhood; however, she felt that it needed to be located in a commercial district. SPC Tasha Bizzell, 602 North Alston: Stated that she was a Veteran and that 65% of the homeless in Arkansas were Veterans and needed a place to go during the daytime. Carrie Young 2017 Cumberland Street: Stated that she was a resident of the Pettaway Neighborhood Association and that the Job Corp Building was located in an area with several schools and a large number of elderly individuals reside. Ms. Young stated that she supported a Homeless Day Resource Center; however, she encouraged the City to find an alternate location. Joseph deOrbegozo, 14 Shepard Hills Court: Stated that he supported the Homeless Day Center and urged the Board to take a look at a similar center in San Antonio, Texas. Jonathan Fili, 4219 Medford Cove: Stated that he felt that the Job Corp Building was a perfect location for the Homeless Day Center. 4 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting July 21, 2009 6:00 PM Page Wilson, 1516 Rock Street: Stated that he lived eight (8) blocks from the site and that he supported locating the Homeless Day Center in the Job Corp Building. Sandra Wilson: Stated that she lived in Ward 1 and supported the Homeless Day Center being located in her ward. Tom Navin, 2500 North Tyler Street: Stated that he was with the Catholic Charities of Arkansas and asked that consideration of the facility not be dropped without inspection. Marshall Peters, 507 East 8th Street: Asked the Board to not disallow utilizing the building without checking it out. Jane Rampona, 11 Woodberry Road: Encouraged the Board to at least have the building inspected before making a decision. Rev. Scott Walters, 1202 Kavanaugh Boulevard: Stated that specifics, such as a budget, what providers would inhabit the building, etc., would be more helpful and might ease some of the fears of the residents. Rev. Mark Evans, 6809 Sullivan Street: Stated that he was the Chair of the Mayor's Taskforce on Homelessness and that they had voted unanimously to encourage the City to conduct an inspection on the Job Corp Building. Reg Robinson: Stated that he supported the City conducting the inspection on the Job Corp Building. Director Kumpuris stated that the only way that the City could determine if the Job Corp Building was suitable for a Homeless Day Resource Center was to actually have the facility inspected. Director Keck stated that there could be other uses for the building that the City had not explored and that he felt the City should inspect the facility for other potential uses should it be deemed unsuitable for the Homeless Day Resource Center. Director Richardson stated that he felt that the building should be inspected; however, he wanted the record to show that just because a Board Member voted to support the resolution to inspect the building (Item 6), did not mean that they support a Homeless Day Resource Center to be located within the facility. By roll call vote of the Board Members present, the votes were as follows: Ayes: Hendrix. Nays: Adcock; Hurst; Cazort; Keck; Wyrick; Kumpuris; and Vice Mayor Fortson. Present: Richardson. Absent: Wright. By a vote of l ayes; 7 nays; 1 present; and 1 absent, the resolution failed. 6. RESOLUTION NO. 13,001: To authorize the City Manager to execute a permit with the United States General Services Administration for the inspection of 2020 Vance Street, Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. By roll call vote of the Board Members present, the votes were as follows: Ayes: Adcock; Hendrix; Richardson; Hurst; Cazort; Keck; Wyrick; Kumpuris; and Vice Mayor Fortson. Absent: Wright. By a vote of 9 ayes and 1 absent, the resolution was approved. 5 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting July 21, 2009 6:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING (Item 7) 7. ORDINANACE NO. 20,135; G -23 -409: To abandon a portion of the West Capitol Avenue Right -of -Way adjacent to Lot 7, Block 252, Original City of Little Rock (900 West Capitol Avenue) in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, as a public right -of -way; and for other purposes. Planning Commission: 10 ayes; 0 nays; I absent. Staff recommends approval. Synopsis: The adjacent property owner is requesting to abandon the north 0.3 foot of the eighty (80) -foot wide West Capitol Avenue right -of -way adjacent to Lot 7, Block 252, original City of Little Rock (900 West Capitol Avenue). The ordinance was read the first time. Director Keck 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, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read a second time. Director Keck made the motion, seconded by Director Cazort, to suspend the rules and place the ordinances on third reading. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the ordinance was read a third time. Mayor Stodola opened the public hearing and asked if there were any individuals present that wanted to speak to the issue. There being no one present to speak, Mayor Stodola closed the public hearing. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the ordinance was approved. OTHER BUSINESS (Item 8) 8. REPORT; MAY 2009 FINANCIAL REPORT: Sara Lenehan, Finance Department Director, reported that against a budget of $55,716,387, the City had collected $54,423,679, or 40.7 %, through the end of May, compared to $54,032.205 one (1) -year ago. Ms. Lenehan stated that the sales tax numbers for April were -0.77% less than one (1) -year ago; however, for the last twelve (12) months; the numbers were 1.25% higher than the previous twelve (12) months. Ms. Lenehan reported that the vacancy savings goal for the year was $4,751,665, and through the end of May, $1,819,589 had been achieved. CITIZEN'S COMMUNICATION Ben Allen Studdard: Had questions regarding who actually held the deed to the old VA Hospital off of Roosevelt Road. Grace Blagdon: Wanted the Board to be aware that the Land Bank Commission was now one (1) -year old. Robert Jones: Questioned the purchasing protocol of the ten (1) properties recently acquired during the State Land Commissioner auction. I Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting July 21, 2009 6:00 PM Director Hurst made the motion, seconded by Director Keck, to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous vote of the Board Members present, the meeting was adjourned. ATTEST: Susan n I Acting City Clerk 7 APPROVED: Mark Stodola, Mayor