MINUTES FROM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, December 17, 2009
6:00 p.m.
The City Council of Monticello, Arkansas met in the council chambers at City Hall on December 17, 2009 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
- For month of November we are at 92% of budget
- Streets received $60,000 from FEMA for re-imbursement for damages during the storms
- Dump truck was paid for out of capital improvements
- Replaced a vehicle in the Police Department that was totaled in a wreck
- Fire Department purchased 4 SBCA’s that was requested in the budget
- Sales Tax budget 2009 receipts are down $3,800.00 from the same month for 2008 compared to last
- January 2008, receipts were up $4800.00 for year to date
Executive Director Glenda Nichols gave the Chamber of Commerce report.
- Finished last event for the year with the Santa Train
- Added new member with the Hampton Inn
- Began scheduling events for 2010
Executive Director Truman Hamilton gave the MEDC report.
- All four properties are either in process of tearing houses down or they will be in near future, the house on Hyatt Street will be down by June 15, 2010
- Still pending for the grant from FEMA for the fire station
- Siren system is a done deal and the President has already signed it
- In process of working on Washington D.C. trip to present legislators our want list such as resurfacing the Lake Monticello road, training equipment for the fire department, a community center, etc.
- Applied for grant thru EDA for the intermodal facility to upgrade the west sewer pond along with the sewer lines and water tank that is a 60/40 grant and it looks favorable
- Angela Jackson will begin tutoring at the Workforce Training Facility for 6th and 7th grade tutoring on Saturdays
Benji Ryburn was present to announce the approval of the $5.4 million dollar project for the Ridgeway building.
Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Hubbard, 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 REVISING THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, ARKANSAS, FOR THE TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2009, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Brown, 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. 9-26.
Councilor Brown, 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 Peer 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 REVISING THE SALES AND USE TAX BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, ARKANSAS, FOR THE TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2009, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009; 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. 9-27.
Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Hudson, 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 PROVIDING FOR AND ADOPTING AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, ARKANSAS, FOR THE TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2010, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010; APPROPRAITING MONEY FOR EACH AND EVERY ITEM OF EXPENDITURE THERIN PROVIDED FOR; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Councilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Brown, 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. 9-28.
Councilor Peer, seconded by Councilor Hudson, made a motion to approve the city’s holiday schedule for 2010. The Chair called for a vote and all councilors voted “yes” and said motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Bond, seconded by Councilor Hudson, 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. . 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 FINDING AND DECLARING CONDITIONS ON CERTAIN PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF MONTICELLO TO BE A NUISANCE, ORDERING THE NUISANCE BE ABATED WITHIN THIRTY DAYS, AUTHORIZING ABATEMENT BY THE CITY AND IMPOSITION OF A LIEN FOR EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE CITY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Councilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Brown, moved to approve said resolution. Councilor Bond asked who owned the property on Larkin Street and Truman Hamilton responded that Mitchell Roland in West Helena owns it and they have been notified twice and it has been ignored. Councilor Gillespie stated that she has received a lot of complaints about the property and that it needs attention. 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 accepted unanimously; the same approved as No. 9-29.
Councilor White, seconded by Councilor Bond, moved to approve the Street Committee’s recommendation to adopt the street specifications for construction of city streets. After discussion, the Chair put the question and all councilors voted “yes” to accept the street specifications.
Bobby Roberts was present to discuss issues about the streets in University Heights. He wanted to know where the residents stand on the city adopting the streets in the subdivision and Mayor Rogers stated that he recommended that the city adopt the streets that have already been asphalted at this time. Councilor Chase stated that in his opinion, only the streets that have been black topped should be brought into the city street system and not the others because those areas are still undeveloped and the developer should be held accountable for surfacing those streets as he said he would do. Councilor Hudson felt like the city has to accept all streets and prevent it from happening in the future. Councilor Hubbard asked for a legal opinion from Mr. Bill Daniels. Mr. Daniels informed the council that the city has the right to accept or not accept the streets. Councilor Hubbard asked if the city can attach a lien to the remaining property to force the developer to pay for the city’s expenses. Mr. Roberts stated that it is not feasible to bring the undeveloped streets up to specs at this time because utilities still have to be installed and that would damage the streets. Councilor Chase asked if the residents have consulted an attorney and Mr. Roberts stated that they have not. Mr. Roberts also stated that he feels the problem lays with the city for not following thru on holding developers accountable for construction of streets and he felt like it was a waste of time to try and force the developer at this point, to pave the streets. Councilor White responded that she fells the city should accept all streets. Councilor Hudson asked about how many lots are still undeveloped and Mr. Roberts stated about 5 or 6 lots in University Heights phase I and the lots for Deer Run which is suppose to have bigger homes, has about 38 acres left and the back side is completely undeveloped with no utilities. Councilor Hubbard made a motion to table the issue for further study and said motion failed for lack of a second. Councilor Chase wants to pave these streets because the residents are in a terrible situation but he feels that pressure needs to be placed on the developer and probably a legal action will be necessary to force him to take care of his business. Also, Councilor Chase added that a reasonable amount of time should be given for the developer to take care of it and the City might have to re-visit this in the future and possible accept these streets if nothing is done. Councilor Chase made a motion to accept all streets that have been paved in University Heights into the city street system, Councilor Gillespie seconded said motion. The Chair declared said motion unanimously passed. Mr. Daniels advised the council to deny any building permits along the streets that do not meet the city’s street specifications as a way to enforce the street specifications.
Ruby Burton with the Humane Society was present to discuss issues about the City Dog Pound concerning the spay and neuter program. Councilor Hudson inquired as to the cost to the city and Mrs. Burton responded that the cost would be solely incurred by the Humane Society. Mrs. Burton also stated that by keeping breeding dogs off of the streets, the population should decrease and their goal is zero dogs having to be euthanized. Councilor Hudson made a motion, seconded by Councilor White, that the city adopt the program to spay or neuter dogs adopted from the city dog pound and to be paid for by the Humane Society. The Chair declared said motion unanimously passed.
Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor White, 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. The Chair declared said motion passed.
Councilor Brown 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 FOR THE APPLICATION OF A GRANT THROUGH OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM.
Councilor Hudson, seconded by Councilor Brown, 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 accepted unanimously; the same approved as No. 9-30.
The meeting date for the City Council to hear verbal presentations for economic development and youth services was set for Monday, December 28th at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor’s Report:
On November 17th, Mayor Rogers attended the Airport Commission meeting at the Monticello Municipal Airport. On November 18th, Mayor Rogers attended the Intermodal meeting held in Warren, Arkansas. On December 2nd, Mayor Rogers attended the MEDC meeting in Monticello, Arkansas. Mayor Rogers, Fire Chief Steven Faulkner and City Clerk Andrea Chambers traveled to Searcy, Arkansas to tour their three Fire Department stations and discuss how to lower ISO ratings. Mayor Rogers met with FEMA on December 10th in Monticello, Arkansas.
In addition:
- Repaired water leaks on Watts Street, Highway 425 South, Highway 425 North, at Well #3, Samuel Street and on North Gabbert Street
- Replaced water line on East College Street
- Installed Christmas trees in McCloy Park, City Hall and on the square
- Repaired road at Airport
- Repaired culvert on South Edwards Street
- Patched West College Street, McCloy Park, South Conley Street, North Speer Street, North Chester Street, South Edwards Street, South Oak Street, South Oak Street, Oakwood Street, David Lane, Allen Drive, Cooper Street, Oakland Street, Henley Drive, Hyatt Street, Gabbert Street, West College Street, Jackson Street, Speer Street, Locust Circle and in Mason Hill
- Installed two-inch water tap at Oakwood and Highway 425
- Repaired curb and gutter on Briarcliff Street
- Repaired lift station at Bankston Hall and Bowser Road
- Cleaned limbs on South Gabbert Street and around square
All business having been discussed, and upon a motion by Councilor Bond the meeting was adjourned.
Back to City Council Page
© copyright 2009 SEARK Internet Solutions