REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS OCTOBER 15, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: The Board of Directors of the City of Texarkana, Arkansas, convened in regular session at 7:00 PM on October 15, 2007 with the following members present: Mayor Horace G. Shipp, Assistant Mayor Williams, and Directors Shirley Bradley, Kathy Dunphy, and Sue Johnson. Also present were City Manager Harold E. Boldt, City Attorney Thomas A. Potter, and City Clerk Patti Scott Grey. Directors Patsy Cornelius and Chad Dowd, and City Attorney Ned Stewart were absent. INVOCATION: The invocation was given by Mayor Horace G. Shipp. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Mayor announced that the Board would go into executive session to discuss personnel matters. (This item was moved at the request of Assistant mayor Williams October 2, 2007.) MEETING RECONVENED: The meeting was reconvened by the Mayor following the executive session. RESOLUTION NO. 5462: Resolution No. 5462 was read in its entirety. Said resolution appoints Jack Glover to the Planning Commission. Assistant Mayor Williams, seconded by Director Dunphy, moved to adopt the resolution. The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted, as there were five ayes and no nays. 10152007minutes.doc 1
RESOLUTION NO. 5463: Resolution No. 5463 was read in its entirety. Said resolution approves compensation for City Manager Harold E. Boldt for services performed as acting City Manager from May 25 through October 1, 2007 in the amount of $5,500.00. (This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Assistant Mayor Williams). Assistant Mayor Williams, seconded by Director Dunphy, moved to adopt the resolution. The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted, as there were five ayes and no nays. RECOGNITION: Mayor Shipp recognized Kaelyn Allen, a Texas High School Government class student. The Mayor commented that she was attending tonight s meeting as part of Mr. Littmann s Government Class. ANNOUCEMENT: Mayor Shipp announced that there would be a public hearing to receive comments regarding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding later in the board meeting and Housing and Community Development Director Barbara Pitts would greatly appreciate it if everyone attending tonight s meeting would complete the sign in sheet in the back of the board room for a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirement. DAVID POTTER S PLAQUE OF APPRECIATION: Mayor Shipp presented a plaque of appreciation to David Potter for promoting downtown development, restoration, and preservation on behalf of the City Board of Directors. Mr. Potter accepted the plaque and thanked the Mayor and Board of Directors. David Potter, Potter Properties, Inc. thanked the Board for the plaque and gave a brief history of the restoration of the Smith Building. 10152007minutes.doc 2
ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM COMMISSION (AMAC) PRESENTATION: The Mayor introduced AMAC Chairman Mark Shoptaw. Mr. Shoptaw presented their 2007 Third Quarter Report regarding The Arkansas Municipal Auditorium - Restoring the AMA and Restoring Pride. He gave the board members and audience an update on the progress of the restoration of the municipal auditorium. Assistant Mayor Williams asked who would do the maintenance and upkeep of the auditorium. Mr. Shoptaw said the auditorium was being a city owned building, but he hoped revenue generated from the auditorium would provide for those costs. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) SPENDING STATUS: Mayor Shipp introduced City Manager Harold E. Boldt, and Mr. Boldt said he would be turning this item over to our new Public Works Director Jeff Hill. Mr. Hill presented a brief report regarding the spending status of the $274,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) loan funds. He gave the board members and audience an update on the progress of the Public Works Department s 2007 demolition using CDBG funding. Director Dunphy, asked if the condemned structure debris at 1005 Prince Street had been removed. Mr. Hill said the City would be responsible for cleaning the lot. Assistant Mayor Williams asked if there were any upgrades or improvements planned for George Williams Park or its pavilion. Mr. Hill commented on there being a short window of opportunity to use the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for improvements. The projects that were selected were based upon them being able to be completed quickly. CONSENT AGENDA: Director Dunphy asked that item, 7B be removed from the consent agenda. Mayor Shipp announced that item 7B, a resolution authorizing departments to surplus fixed assets with City Manager approval only, would be removed from the consent agenda. 10152007minutes.doc 3
Director Dunphy, seconded by Assistant Mayor Williams moved to have the item removed. The motion carried unanimously. Director Johnson moved to approve the revised consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Director Dunphy and carried unanimously. The items approved by consent were: MINUTES: The minutes approved were of the regular meeting of October 1, 2007. RESOLUTION NO. 5464: Resolution No. 5464 expresses the willingness of the City of Texarkana, Arkansas to utilize federal aid monies for the reconstruction of a traffic signal at Highway 71 (Stateline Ave.) / Arkansas Boulevard and Texas Boulevard. REGULAR AGENDA: RESOLUTION NO. 5465: City Manager Harold E. Boldt commented on this resolution freeing up the board s time on surplussing items that had little value. He said the approval for surplussed items would be done administratively, instead of being brought before the board. Director Dunphy asked for clarification on items to be approved. Mr. Boldt said it would only be fixed assets with low value. Resolution No. 5465 was read in its entirety. Said resolution authorizes departments to surplus fixed assets with City Manager approval only. [In accordance with the currently recommended Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) requirements and in conjunction with our Capitalization of Assets Policy (Resolution No. 5421)]. Assistant Mayor Williams, seconded by Director Johnson, moved to adopt the resolution. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Shipp opened a public hearing to receive comments regarding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. 10152007minutes.doc 4
Housing and Community Development Director Barbara Pitts said before starting on this year s CDBG funding she wanted to present a short DVD on the rehabilitation work being completed by Housing and Community Development on two projects, the College Hill Neighborhood Center at 1002 Ferguson Street (Battle home) and a residence at 1317 Kline Street. Ms. Pitts then spoke briefly in regard to the CDBG item. The stated the City of Texarkana, Arkansas ANTICIPATES that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allocate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds of approximately $345,000.00. Agencies, organizations, public institutions and all citizens are invited to attend public hearings for the intent of gathering input for budgeting of expenditures of funds administered by the Housing and Community Development Department. Three public hearings were required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in formulating a plan of action and budget strategy for Community Block Grant funds. This is the second of three scheduled meetings to obtain citizen input, allow for public discussion, and to inform all who are interested of eligible use of CDBG funds for programs and projects that meet the federal requirements. This hearing will be used in formulating a plan of action and budget projections for the next year. The 2008 allocation is not known at this time; however, the 2008 budget will projected on an anticipated estimated of $345,000.00 in 2008. Three (3) public hearings were scheduled at the following times and locations: Thursday, October 11, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. 2508 Rose Street College Hill Community Development Corporation Monday, October 15, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. 216 Walnut Street -- City Boardroom (regularly scheduled City of Texarkana Board meeting) Ms. Pitts gave an overview of the grant monies and a brief history of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). She introduced Jimmy Balditt Barrios, a Spanish Interpreter, and stated this was a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirement, before Mr. Barrios began translating information pertaining to the item. 10152007minutes.doc 5
Mayor Shipp asked if anyone in the audience or board members had questions or comments concerning this item. Phillip O Donald, 6904 Cherrybrook Circle, thanked the board for the CDBG funds they had received. He brought some of the players from his football team to show their appreciation. The Saints players included Sawyer Siau, Joshua Kindred, Shamez Oliver, Taviron Oliver, Laura Norman, Taylor Odonald and Jordan Odonald. Saint Coaches, who were in attendance, were Cliff Norman and Charlett Norman. Robert Jones, 813 Macedonia Road, spoke briefly about the tutoring that was being provided at Faith, Love and Hope. He thanked the board for the CDBG funds they had received. Joyce Collins, Sandflat-Glendale Shannon Neighborhood Center, said she submitted a proposal for funds and thanked city staff for helping her. She said the goal for the Sandflat Center was to make it a jewel in the area again as it had been in the past. Ms. Collins commented on the programs they had in place and asked for the funding to help with implementing more programs. Rose Warfield McGill, Faith, Love and Hope Youth Corporation Director, thanked Mr. Jones for highlighting one of the programs Faith, Love and Hope offered. She said each program s goal was to educate the area s youth. Ms. Warfield McGill spoke on the need for of repairing or replacing the center s roof. Assistant Mayor Williams asked that the Board consider helping Faith, Love and Hope obtain a new roof for their facility. Ms. Pitts commented that anyone who had not filled out a Request for Proposal form could pick a form up in her office at City Hall. No one else came forward; therefore the Mayor declared the public meeting closed. ORDINANCE NO. L-301: An ordinance was introduced to be entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. K-286; FOR DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES". Said ordinance rezones four (4) tracts of land located on both the East and 10152007minutes.doc 6
West sides of Crossroads Parkway (under construction) in the 900 block of East 51 st Street. (containing 17.239 acres of land, more or less) from R-1 Rural Residential to C-3 Open Display Commercial, the same being more specifically described as follows: Lots No. 1-3 of Crossroads East Minor Subdivision Plat and Lot No. 2 of Crossroads West Minor Subdivision Plat, Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas. Assistant Mayor Williams moved to have the ordinance read in abbreviated form. The motion was seconded by Director Johnson and carried unanimously. The ordinance was read the first time. Assistant Mayor Williams moved that the rules be suspended and the ordinance be placed on its second reading. The motion was seconded by Director Dunphy. The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried, as there were five ayes and no nays. The ordinance was read the second time and the Mayor declared the ordinance open for discussion. Assistant Mayor Williams then moved that the rules be further suspended and the ordinance be placed on its third and final reading. The motion was seconded by Director Johnson. The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried, as there were five ayes and no nays. The ordinance was then read the third and final time and the Mayor declared the ordinance open for discussion. The Mayor then put the question, "Shall the Ordinance pass?" The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the ordinance passed, as there were five ayes and no nays. EMERGENCY CLAUSE: Assistant Mayor Williams, seconded by Director Johnson, moved to add the emergency clause. The motion carried unanimously. 10152007minutes.doc 7
The Mayor then called for a vote on the emergency clause and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the emergency clause passed, as there were five ayes and no nays. ORDINANCE NO. L-302: An ordinance was introduced to be entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. K-286; FOR DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES". Said ordinance rezones a tract of land located on the West side Crossroads Parkway (under construction) in the 900 block of East 51 st Street (containing 21.197 acres of land, more or less) from R-1 Rural Residential to Planned Unit Development (PUD- Commercial), the same being more specifically described as follows: Lot No. 1 of Crossroads West Minor Subdivision, Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas. Assistant Mayor Williams moved to have the ordinance read in abbreviated form. The motion was seconded by Director Johnson and carried unanimously. The ordinance was read the first time. Assistant Mayor Williams moved that the rules be suspended and the ordinance be placed on its second reading. The motion was seconded by Director Johnson. The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried, as there were five ayes and no nays. The ordinance was read the second time and the Mayor declared the ordinance open for discussion. Assistant Mayor Williams then moved that the rules be further suspended and the ordinance be placed on its third and final reading. The motion was seconded by Director Bradley. The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion carried, as there were five ayes and no nays. The ordinance was then read the third and final time and the Mayor declared the ordinance open for discussion. 10152007minutes.doc 8
The Mayor then put the question, "Shall the Ordinance pass?" The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the ordinance passed, as there were five ayes and no nays. EMERGENCY CLAUSE: Assistant Mayor Williams, seconded by Director Bradley, moved to add the emergency clause. The motion carried unanimously. The Mayor then called for a vote on the emergency clause and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, Johnson, Williams, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the emergency clause passed, as there were five ayes and no nays. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION TIME: Mayor Shipp asked Mr. James Reese to come forward to speak during Citizen s Communication time. As Mr. Reese came forward, Mayor Shipp congratulated him on his recent retirement. James Reese, 1618 Rolling Ridge, spoke in regard to the speeding vehicles on his street. Mr. Reese said his street was being used as a cut through between Tennessee Road and Highway 196. He said vehicles travelled his street at a high rate of speed in spite of the street being narrow. He asked the police department to increase speed patrol. Boots Thomas, 5807 Deerwood, spoke about Bill Johnson s rezoning that the Board had not approved. Mr. Thomas said the Planning and Zoning Commission had approved Mr. Johnson to re-apply for rezoning. Jimmy Barrios, 414 East Fifteen Street, thanked the city staff and the fire department for all their help in connection with his house, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Barrios asked for more time in construction of his new residence before the City condemned the structure. 10152007minutes.doc 9
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: Horace G. Shipp, Mayor Patti Scott Grey, City Clerk 10152007minutes.doc 10