The City Council of Monticello, Arkansas met in the council chambers at City Hall on January 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Joe Rogers, who presided over the meeting, called the meeting to order with the following council members present: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. City Attorney Bill Daniels, Finance Director Kimberly Fletcher and City Clerk Andrea Chambers were also present.

Mayor Rogers welcomed the visitors and Councilor Bond gave the invocation.

Finance Report – Finance Director Kimberly Fletcher:

Operating Budget

• Purchased a used police car and that was the only capital expense
• Sales Tax budget 2009 receipts are up $1,900.00 from the same month for 2008 compared to last December 2008, receipts were up $6,800.00 for year to date
• Ended year with a cash balance in sales tax of about $151,000.00 and able to carry over to 2010 about $13,000.00
• Replaced a vehicle in the Police Department that was totaled in a wreck

Executive Director Glenda Nichols gave the Chamber of Commerce report.

• Working on 2010 schedule with some changes
Weevil Welcome might change to August based on UAM’s wishes
• Rhythm and Roots Festival will be held in October from now on, the event is hard to work in May and this will erase some problems.
• Meeting in February for the membership will discuss the importance of the Census and benefits for purchasing energy efficient appliances
• Congratulations goes out to Councilor Sherrie Gillespie for being named ‘Woman of the Year’
• Reminder about the Arkansas Mission of Mercy to be held in May that Dr. Tim Chase has helped to bring to our community and a state high school baseball tournament to be held in May

Executive Director Truman Hamilton gave the MEDC report.

• American Recovery and Investment Act is a revolving loan fund to improve energy efficiency and in process of getting information out to local industries
• Still pending for the grant from FEMA for the fire station
• Almost ready to start on Ridgeway Project
• IFire Station grant is still pending thru FEMA
• Arkansas Economic Development Commission has a vacancy for the local office and it needs to be filled soon
• Working on Washington D.C. trip
• Clean-up report has little to report in the last thirty days mostly due to the weather for the four properties

BThe Chair called for any corrections to the minutes from the Street Committee meeting held Tuesday, November 03, 2009. There being no corrections, and upon a motion by Councilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Hubbard, and unanimously accepted, the minutes were approved as written.

The Chair called for any corrections to the minutes from the budget meeting held Thursday, December 17, 2009. There being no corrections, and upon a motion by Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Brown, and unanimously accepted, the minutes were approved as written.

The Chair called for any corrections to the minutes from the budget meeting held Thursday, December 28, 2009. There being no corrections, and upon a motion by Councilor Bond, seconded by Councilor Gillespie, and unanimously accepted, the minutes were approved as written.

Ruby Burton was present to discuss the ordinance to amend Ordinance #494 that will require adopted dogs from the City Dog Pound to be spayed or neutered. Mrs. Burton has been in contact with all counties in Southeast Arkansas and they are willing to pass an ordinance to require the dogs to be sterilized. If a puppy is adopted, then the person needs to sign a letter stating that they will bring the dog back when it reaches the age to have it sterilized. Councilor Chase stated since the program will be funded thru a grant, why can’t the city just change the policy without changing the ordinance so that if the grant runs out of money, the city will not have to fund the program because the program can’t run forever. Mrs. Burton stated that Crossett just uses a policy. Mr. Bill Daniels informed the Council that it is their choice to handle this administratively which gives more flexibility. Councilor Peer agreed with Councilor Chase to handle this as a city policy. The Chair asked for a vote and all Councilors voted “yes” and Mayor Rogers stated that this city policy will take effect January 22, 2010.

Councilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Hubbard, moved to suspend the rules requiring an ordinance to be read in full. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. Councilor Bond voted “no”. The Chair declared said motion passed by a vote of seven to one.

Councilor Hubbard introduced the following proposed ordinance which the City Attorney read the title distinctly and aloud in the hearing of the council as follows:

AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING PREMISES TO BE KEPT FREE FROM WEEDS, RANK GRASS, GARGAGE, RUBBISH AND OTHER UNSIGHTLY AND UNSANITARY ARTICLES; REQUIRING PROPERTY OWNERS TO ELIMINATE, FILL UP OR REMOVE STAGNANT POOLS OF WATER OR ANY OTHER UNSANITARY THING, PLACE OR CONDITION WHICH MIGHT BECOME A BREEDING PLACE FOR MOSQUITOES, FLIES AND GERMS HARMFUL TO THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY; AND PRESCRIBING A PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN SUCH CASES.

Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Hudson, moved to approve said ordinance. Mr. Daniels mentioned that there is a blank in the ordinance to be filled in by the City Council as to the height that weeds or grass is allowed to grow before it is considered a violation of the ordinance. The council agreed upon anything over twelve inches. Councilor Chase asked how this applies to undeveloped properties and Councilor Gillespie stated that the council would be able to look at each property and make a determination on a case by case basis. Councilor Hudson added that she interprets the requirements as to property that has been manicured in the past. Councilor Hudson also believes that a lot in a neighborhood should at least be kept clean. Councilor Chase stated that those lots should be shown some discretion. Mr. Daniels informed the Council that the state law changed in July of 2009 that allowed costs to be placed on tax books if the cities had to clean up property as an alternative procedure. Mayor Rogers stated that this ordinance will allow the city to receive the costs back associated with cleaning up a property if the landowner fails to do so. Truman Hamilton stated that now the city can recover money where before, the city could not get paid it and it would have been done for free. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. Councilor Bond voted “no”. The Chair declared said motion was passed by a vote of seven to one; the same approved as No.756.

Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Peer, moved to adopt the emergency clause for the ordinance. The Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. Councilor Bond voted “no”. The Chair declared said motion passed by a vote of seven to one.

Councilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Peer, moved to suspend the rules requiring a resolution to be read in full. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. All Councilors voted “yes” and the Chair declared said motion passed.

Councilor Chase introduced the following proposed resolution which the City Attorney read the title distinctly and aloud in the hearing of the council as follows:

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF MONTICELLO TO APPLY FOR A GRANT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO.

Councilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Peer, moved to approve said resolution. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. The Chair declared said motion was passed; the same approved as No. 10-5.

Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Brown, moved to suspend the rules requiring a resolution to be read in full. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. All Councilors voted “yes” and the Chair declared said motion passed.

Councilor Hubbard introduced the following proposed resolution which the City Attorney read the title distinctly and aloud in the hearing of the council as follows:

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CERTAIN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WITH THE MONTICELLO ECONOMIC/INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, INC. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Peer, moved to approve said resolution. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. The Chair declared said motion was passed; the same approved as No. 10-1.

Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Bond, moved to suspend the rules requiring a resolution to be read in full. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. All Councilors voted “yes” and the Chair declared said motion passed.

Councilor Gillespie introduced the following proposed resolution which the City Attorney read the title distinctly and aloud in the hearing of the council as follows:

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CERTAIN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WITH THE MONTICELLO/DREW COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Councilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Chase, moved to approve said resolution. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. The Chair declared said motion was passed; the same approved as No. 10-2.

TCouncilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Brown, moved to suspend the rules requiring a resolution to be read in full. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. All Councilors voted “yes” and the Chair declared said motion passed.

Councilor Hubbard introduced the following proposed resolution which the City Attorney read the title distinctly and aloud in the hearing of the council as follows:

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CERTAIN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT FOR YOUTH RECREATIONAL SERVICES WITH THE MONTICELLO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, INC.

Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Peer, moved to approve said resolution. After discussion, the Chair put the question and the following councilors voted “yes”: Clifton Bond, Sherrie Gillespie, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Beverly Hudson, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia White. The Chair declared said motion was passed; the same approved asNo. 10-3.

Mayor’s Report:

On December the 18th, Mayor Rogers met with FEMA to discuss areas that were damaged during the flooding that occurred in October. On January 4th and 8th, Mayor Rogers met with FEMA to gather information and invoices needed to fill out the paperwork for the disaster. On January 6th, Mayor Rogers attended the MEDC meeting at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Mayor Rogers attended the Town Hall meeting at UAM for Congressman Mike Ross on January 6th. On January 13th, Mayor Rogers attended the Intermodal meeting in Warren, Arkansas. Mayor Rogers, City Engineer Tony Beard and City Clerk Andrea Chambers attended the Arkansas Municipal League Conference held in Little Rock, Arkansas on January 13th, 14th, and 15th.

In addition:

• Repaired water leaks on well #3, well #6, East Bolling Street, South Boyd Street and on Hwy 138
• Worked on water line at Intermodal Facility
• Repaired road on East Bolling Street
• Replaced culvert on East Jackson Street
• Removed pavilion at McCloy Parkt
• Patched South Hyatt Street
• Installed water tap at Highway 278 West and Daniel Road
• Removed playground equipment from Jordan Park
• Cleaned ditches on South Edwards Street, East Jackson Street and Daniel Road
• Cleaned city bus shed
• Picked up trash on West Wood Street
• Watched safety film
• Cleaned sewer on Merrydale Lane, West College Street, in Western Pines, North Hyatt Street and South Pine Street
• Repaired sewer line in Jordan Park
• Removed and placed Christmas lights, trees and decorations into storage
• Removed trees from Jordan Park

All business having been discussed, and upon a motion by Councilor Bond the meeting was adjourned.

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