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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-05-01 MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY 1, 1973 The Board of Directors of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas met in regular session on Tuesday, May 1, 1973 at 7:30 P.M. in the Directors Room of the City Administration Building. Present: City Manager Donald L. Grimes; Purchasing, Personnel and Budget Officer Sturman Mackey; Administrative Aide David McWethy; City Attorney David Malone; City Clerk Helen Young; and Directors Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. Directors Absent: Utley. Others Present: Representatives of the news media. Minutes of the regular meeting of April 17, 1973 had been distributed to the Board members prior to the meeting. The following amendments were made to the minutes of the April 17, 1973 meeting: 1. Director Orton requested that line one on page 192 be amended by deleting "Sunrise Manor" and inserting "Hillcrest Tower", since Hillcrest Tower Apartments is what Mr. Carlson had in mind when he made that statement. 2. On page 197, paragraph two, Director Orton requested that the statement which read: "Mr. Grimes said the applicants have discussed with the Highway Department the matter of access and the Highway Department will need a portion of the property at the south end," be amended to read, "...north end." There being no further corrections or additions to the minutes, the minutes of the April 17, 1973 meeting were approved as amended. Upon request of Mayor Purdy, the City Attorney read the second time the proposed ordinance to rezone a 56.5 acre tract located on the northwest corner of Highway 16 West (Wedington Drive) and the Highway 71 Bypass from A-1, Agricultural District, to C-2, Thoroughfare Commercial District. Petitioners are Leo and Jewell Kate Thomas. City Manager Grimes stated that apparently the residents of the area have no strong objections to a motel at the intersection, but that they do have objections to the idea of speculative commercial zoning for wide use. Mr Grimes added that it appears that if the City would agree to zone a depth from Highway 16 West approximately 500 feet north to C-2, the zoning would be lined up as the Planning Commission had requested and the amount of property rezoned would be in excess of 13 acres which is the amount needed for the proposed motel. Marshall Carlisle, attorney representing the property owners, commented that the only property that is proposed for development at this time is somewhere around 14 acres. Mr. Carlisle said that detailed sketches of the placement of the proposed motel were presented to the Planning Commission at the time of the public hearing. Mr. Larry Wood of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission indicated that it would be better to keep the C-2 zoning at the intersection rather than string it down Highway 16 West, Mr. Carlisle said. Mr. Carlisle emphasized that he did not think the proposed motel could be placed on the 660 feet depth from Highway 16 West as City Manager Grimes had proposed. Mr. Carlisle said that a contract has already been entered into between the proposed motel developer and the 204 property owners for the purchase of the property included in the original rezoning request. A large group of residents from the area were present at the meeting. Glen Newtown stated that he thought the City Manager's recommendation to rezone property to C-2 a depth of approximately 500 feet from Highway 16 West and give Giles Addition residents an exit from a street at the west end of that property would be desirable. Mr. Newtown added that if the whole tract were rezoned the City would be leaving the residents of Giles Addition at the mercy of more commercial development. Ken Riley of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission said that NWARPC is recommending that the City giveaconsideration to asking the Highway Department to look at the intersection involved here. Mr. Riley explained that the NWARPC has suggested an alternative that a service road come down to Dorothy Street and that the new collector type facility be acquired for the Giles Addition neighborhood as an extension of Dorothy Street which would connect with a northern extension of Marvin Avenue. Mr. Riley explained further that the proposed off ramp would be moved then to Giles Road to provide an acceptable point of egress for those in commercial and residential developments when signaii,tation is installed. The distance from the Highway 71 Bypass right- of-way to the new service road proposed by NWARPC to serve Giles Addition would be 1,000 feet. Director Carlson moved that the proposed ordinance be amended so that the legal description would include the south 660 feet of the proposed tract parallel to Highway 16. Director Murray seconded the motion. Upon roll calPthe following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Murray•and Carlson. "Nays" Noland and Stanton. There being four "Ayes" and two "Nays".tire .motion passed: Director Carlson then moved that the rules be suspended and the proposed ordinance be placed on third and final reading. Director Orton seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" Purdy. There being five "Ayes" and one "Nay" the motion passed. The City Attorney read the proposed ordinance the third and final time, after which the Mayor asked the question, "Shall the Ordinance pass?" Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: -441/4 "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray and Carlson. "Nays" Stanton. There being five "Ayes" and one "Nay" the Mayor declared the Ordinance passed. Director Orton then moved that a recommendation be made to the Planning Commission that they consider amending the service road ordinance according to the proposal made by Ken Riley of NWARPC written in the minutes above. -Director Noland' seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. Marshall Carlisle asked if the ordinance just passed included the rezoning of the property recommended for R-2 zoning by the Planning Commission. The City Attorney explained that it did not. Director Stanton moved that the vote just taken on the ordinance above be expunged. Director Noland seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. Director Noland moved that the ordinance be amended to include in the legal description the remainder of the tract to be rezoned from A-1 to R-2. Director Orton seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. 205 The Mayor then asked the question, "Shall the Ordinance pass?" Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. /There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the Ordinance passed. *Ordinance No. 1917 appears on pages 179 and 180 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. Item Four on the agenda was consideration of the recommendations of Director Carlson concerning parking spaces for City employees. Included in the agenda was a letter from Garland Melton, Jr., Chairman of the Fayetteville Parking Authority, requesting that this item be tabled. Director Carlson recommended that this item be tabled until the Parking Authority is ready to present a report to the Board. City Attorney Malone announced that petitions have been filed with the Circuit Judge requesting that the Judge appoint a three-member committee to reapportion the City into wards. City Attorney Malone stated that the Judge has said that he will recommend to any committee he appoints to study reapportionment that they consider fully any plan the City has recommended. Mr. Malone stated further that it is his recommendation that the City Board go ahead and allow the procedures in the Circuit Court to be accomplished because there are no cases printed that have made any decisions under the Home Rule legislation. Therefore, Mr. Malone said, it is safer to do this under the court procedure. Mr. Malone further recommended that if the plan proposed by the City Manager to be considered at this meeting is acceptable that the City Board recommend the proposed ward reapportionment plan to the Circuit Court. Administrative Aide David McWethy reported to the Directors on the recommended ward reapportionment plan, and indicated that in the opinion of the City staff there were three prime considerations in the recom- mendation: (1) That the wards be as nearly equal in population as was practical; (2) that the ward boundaries exhibit a certain amount of "visual logic" by adhering to natural geographic boundaries, such as streets, creeks, railroad tracks, etc.; and (3) that neither of the wards have any distinct demographic characteristics which might result in one having an economic or racial imbalance over another. Director Noland moved that the City Attorney be directed to appear before the Circuit Judge and submit and support the proposed ward reapportionment plan as the Board's recommendation, and further that Administrative Aide David McWethy be asked to also appear before the Judge to provide information regarding the ward reapportionment plan. Director Orton seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. Director Stanton reported that the Board Nominating Committee needs more candidates for the Planning Commission position. Director Stanton said the Board Nominating Committee would try to have a recommendation prepared by the time of the next regular Board meeting. Director Carlson moved that this matter not be forestalled any longer and that the Board have an opportunity to make nominations at this time and take a vote on those nominations at this meeting. Director Orton seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton and Carlson. "Nays" Purdy, Noland, Murray and Stanton. There being two "Ayes" and four "Nays" the motion did not carry. 206 1 1 1 The next item on the agenda was consideration of the request by the City Engineer for authorization of projects not specifically approved in the 1972-73 fiscal year Water and Sewer Budget. These projects include the following: 1. 16" water line relocation near the northern end of the Highway 71 Bypass. 2. Installation of a water line on Dinsmore Trail. 3. Installation of a water line on Highway 265 South. 4. Sewer line installation in the area. of Viewpoint Drive and Highway 45 East. City Manager Grimes explained that there are sufficient funds available to perform these projects. Director Orton asked whether the authorization of these projects would put off some other projects where more homes may be involved, such as Baldwin Avenue. City Manager Grimes explained that the authorization of these would not put off other projects. Mr. Grimes explained that Baldwin Avenue's problems started recently and he has instructed the City Engineer to draw lateral lines for Baldwin Avenue and as soon as the engineering can be done on the Baldwin Avenue project and other projects, they will be brought to the Board for authorization. The City Attorney read a proposed resolution to authorize the expenditure of funds from the 1972-73 fiscal year Water and Sewer Budget for the accomplishment of the projects itemized above. Director Stanton moved the resolution be adopted. Director Carlson seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the resolution adopted. *Resolution No. 35-73 appears on page 133 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. The next item on the agenda was a request by Mr. Hank Gintonio of Gintonio Construction Company that he be allowed to pave Mockingbird Lane which has curb and gutter in place which was installed several years ago at a time when the subdivision regulations specified a street width of 26 feet. City Attorney Malone advised the Board that the City has a contract with the developer to develop that street under the provisions of Ordinance No. 1245, and that the City cannot require Mr. Gintonio to develop the street under any later regulations. Street Superintendent Clayton Powell reported that the curbs and gutters have been in place since about 1965. Mr. Powell presented data to the Board which indicated that the curb heights of the street are no longer the same. Mr. Powell said, "I don't see how the City can continue to accept streets of this nature. It costs the taxpayers money." Charles W. Atkinson, attorney representing Mr. Gintonio, stated that Mr. Gintonio should not be penalized by the City's asking him to meet newer regulations. Mr. Atkinson also stated that he felt that Mr. Gintonio is Within his rights and should be permitted to surface the street in order to make the property available for the use for Which he bought it. Mr. Atkinson said that neither he nor Mr. Gintonio had any notice that there was any discrepancy in the line of the street. If this discrepancy resulted from erosion, Mr. Atkinson said, it was not Mr. Gintonio's fault; if it was built that way, the City approved it. Mayor Purdy stated that it seems reasonable that the City would have to allow the 26 foot street but that he did not believe this kind of curb level would have been acceptable when the street was accepted and he does not feel that the City could accept that now. 207 City Manager Grimes recommended that if the curb elevations meet the original approved plans, the City permit the use of those plans, and if not, that the City require the reconstruction of one or both sides of the street. City Manager Grimes went on to say that if the plans are not available, then the City require Mr. Gintonio to meet the standards on elevation that are in effect at this time. It was the will of the Board that the City Manager be authorized to allow Mr. Gintonio to install Mockingbird Lane to meet the standards of Ordinance No. 1245 and the engineering plans and profiles which have been previously approved. If the plans and profiles do not meet the standards of Ordinance No. 1245 the matter will be handled in the normal administrative manner. City Attorney Malone read a proposed resolution to authorize the execution of a contract for the installation of an eight inch water line, the developer paying $2,000 of the cost of this water line plus the cost of financing the construction of the water line, the City to reimburse the developer for all but $2,000 of the cost of the line when the 1973-74 Water and Sewer Budget takes effect. City Manager Grimes explained that the City will be charged no interest on the cost of the water line. Director Stanton moved the resolution authorizing the execution of the contract with the proposed developer, Hatfield Pontiac -Cadillac Company, be adopted. Director Carlson seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the resolution adopted. *Resolution No. 36-73 appears on page 134 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. The next item on the agenda was consideration of the recommendation of the Community Appearance Committee regarding the traffic islands on Highway 71 Business Route between North Street and Harold Street. The recommendation of the Community Appearance Committee was that the City request the Highway Department to effect a change order concerning Highway 71 North through Fayetteville to direct that the placement of gravel and asphalt in the curbing islands next to the highway be replaced with topsoil in which low growing shrubs could be planted. The maintenance of these planters would be the responsibility of the individual business owners along the highway. Bryce J. Davis was present at the meeting to present a petition signed by 16 business persons along the Highway 71 Business Route, requesting that the City of Fayetteville take such action as is necessary to insure that the State Highway Department not fill the curb islands along College Avenue with concrete or asphalt but that the islands be filled with a good grade of topsoil and sprigged or seeded with grass and that appro- priate plantings be placed in such a manner as to enhance the general appearance of the Avenue. Dan L. Flowers of the Arkansas State Highway Department reported that the recommendation of the Community Appearance Committee has been sent to the State Highway Department Headquarters in Little Rock for their recommendations. Mr. Flowers stated that before the change order can 208 1 be enacted, the State Highway Department will need to have a commitment from the City of Fayetteville guaranteeing the maintenance of the traffic islands. Directors Carlson and Purdy expressed some doubt that the planters would be maintained satisfactorily by the business places. After some discussion, Director Orton moved that the City Manager be authorized to notify the State Highway Department that the City of Fayetteville will guarantee the maintenance of the traffic islands on Highway 71B from North Street to the Bypass. Director Noland seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. City Controller Pat Tobin presented an evaluation of bids received and recommendation regarding health insurance for City employees. The recommendation read as follows: "That Alternative B be approved and that funding of this increase be appropriated in the following manner: (1) General Fund - Appropriate an additional $6,800 from the unappropriated fund balance to General Fund Account 4575 - Insurance Account; (2) Public Works Fund - Appropriate an additional $2,110 from the unappropriated fund balance to Public Works Fund Insurance Account 7575; (3) Water and Sewer Fund - Appropriate an additional $1,100 from the unappro- priated fund balance to Water and Sewer 0 & M Fund Insurance Account 6675 (the current fiscal year ends July 31); (4) Sanitation Fund - Increase Sanitation Fund Insurance Account 5075 by $1,800 and decrease Sanitation Fund Vehicle and Machinery Maintenance Account 5073 by $1,800. (The vehicle main- tenance costs so far this year have been running below the 1973 budget projections. Barring any unforeseen maintenance problems, the proposed budget change should be sufficient to absorb the increased health insurance premiums for the Sanitation Fund.)" Alternative B in the health insurance proposals read as follows: "Increase health insurance benefits according to Blue Cross -Blue Shield Plan III with City participation increasing from $7.57 monthly on individual to $11.59 monthly, and City participation increasing from $7.57 monthly on family to $15.79 monthly. There would be no increased cost to employees." City Attorney Malone read a proposed resolution to:sauthorize the changes in the budget as recommended above in order to absorb the increased health insurance premiums of the recommended group health insurance plan. Director Carlson moved the resolution be adopted. Director Stanton seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the resolution adopted. *Resolution No. 37-73 appears on page 135 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. Budget Officer Sturman Mackey presented bid tabulation and recommendations regarding bid awards for eight vehicles which had been budgeted. It was recommended that the bids for all vehicles be awarded to Lewis Ford Sales, Inc., the low bidder. It was further recommended that the 3/4 ton pickup truck for the fire crash vehicle be re -bid after execution of a grant agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration. The following recommendation was made for budget changes: "It is recommended that an additional $1,270.52 be budgeted from the 1973 Revenue Sharing Budget, Balance for Contingency, for the acquisition of vehicles budgeted therein; and that an additional $245.45 be budgeted from the Water and Sewer 0 $ M Fund for acquisition of the 1/2 ton pickup for the administration -engineering division." 209 City Attorney Malone read a proposed resolution authorizing the budget changes as recommended and approving the recommendation for bid awards as outlined in Administrative Memorandum No. 5-1-738. Director Noland moved the resolution be adopted. Director Orton seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the resolution adopted. *Resolution No. 38-73 appears on page 136 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. City Manager Grimes presented bid tabulation and recommendation that the award of bids for liquid oxygen, vaporizers, and roto meters be awarded to the low bidder for each item. Director Orton moved the City Manager's recommendation be accepted. Director Carlson seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. Attached to the agenda was a bid tabulation for Bid #189, 5/8" x 3/4" water meters. City Manager Grimes recommended that the bid be awarded to the low bidder with trade-in, Rockwell Manufacturing Company. Director Stanton moved the City Manager's recommendation be accepted. Director Carlson seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote the motion passed unanimously City Attorney Malone read a proposed resolution to authorize the execution of a lease agreement with Herman Jones for renewal of a lease for property located at the northwest corner of the intersection of the Highway 16 Bypass and Industrial Park Road (approximately 17 acres). The lease agreement is for a three-year period at $80 a year. City Manager Grimes explained that this is a row -crop lease only. Only one bid was received for the lease of this property, that bid being from Herman Jones. Director Noland moved the resolution be adopted. Director Orton seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the resolution adopted. *Resolution No. 39-73 appears on page 137 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. City Manager Grimes recommended that the City give notice to Clyde Weems who holds a five-year contract for the use of property located at the Industrial Park (that portion of the Industrial Park not under contract for sale or not taken by streets or railroad right-of-way or not specifically reserved by the City for other purposes) in exchange for mowing and other maintenance work, that the contract will be terminated in 1974 on the anniversary date of the contract and that competitive bids will be taken for pasture rights to the land at that time. 210 1 1 1 Director Orton moved that the City Manager be authorized to give notice to Clyde Weems that the contract for the use of the land will be terminated on the anniversary date of the contract next year. Director Noland seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray and Stanton. "Nays" Carlson. There being five "Ayes" and one "Nay" the motion passed. City Manager Grimes announced that the only bid received by the Urban Renewal Office for the Urban Renewal project was for $428,000. The Urban Renewal Office had estimated $203,000 for this project. $80 000 of the bid amount was for asphalt paving in the project. The Urban Renewal Office would like to negotiate this amount down by taking the asphalt paving out of the project. $25,000 in materials and labor and equipment would be required to do the asphalt paving work, Mr. Grimes said. Mr. Grimes stated that the City of Fayetteville has sufficient funds in Revenue Sharing Contingencies to perform this work for the Urban Renewal Project. Mr. Grimes said that he has discussed this matter with the Street Superintendent and they feel that the City should do this work to keep the rest of the Urban Renewal project from being torn apart. City Manager Grimes recommended that the Board authorize the expenditure of $12,500 from the 1972 Revenue Sharing Budget and $12,500 from the 1973 Revenue Sharing Budget to accomplish the asphalt paving for the Urban Renewal project. Mr. Grimes explained that the City's other in-kind commitments would be cancelled by this action. The $25,000 will cover the cost of the asphalt. Mr. Grimes stated that the City's original commitment to the Urban Renewal project was for $45,000 in-kind credits. City Attorney Malone read a proposed resolution to authorize the allocation of $12,500 from the 1972 Revenue Sharing Funds and $12,500 from the 1973 Revenue Sharing Funds in order to accomplish the asphalt paving for the Urban Renewal Project. Director Stanton moved the resolution be adopted. Director Murray seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the resolution adopted. *Resolution No. 40-73 appears on page 138 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. John Winn, Ozark Almanac Community TV representative, was present at the meeting to ask the Board to purchase three video tapes and lend them to Ozark Almanac to be used in the video-taping of City Board meetings. Mr. Winn further requested that the Board encourage the University of Arkansas to cooperate with Ozark Almanac in allowing Ozark Almanac to use University facilities for programming, technical operations, etc. Mr Winn reported that the cost of the three video tapes would be a maximum of $120. City Attorney -Malone read a proposed resolution authorizing the allocation of $120 from 1972 Revenue Sharing Contingency, and further that the City Manager be authorized to indicate to the University of Arkansas that the Board of Directors encourages their cooperation with Ozark Almanac in allowing the use of their facilities for programming, technical operations, etc. Director Carlson moved the resolution be adopted. Director Orton seconded the motion. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: "Ayes" Orton, Purdy, Noland, Murray, Carlson and Stanton. "Nays" None. There being six "Ayes" and no "Nays" the Mayor declared the resolution adopted. *Resolution No. 41-73 appears on page 139 of Ordinance and Resolution Book 3. 211 During the discussion of the previous item, Director Carlson commented that it would be a good policy if the City could begin to record the sound of City Board sessions on tape, these recordings to be kept on file for a period of one or two years. Director Carlson requested that the City Manager set up briefing sessions with various City departments - Police Department first - and that these briefing sessions be announced and as many of the directors as possible could be present. There being no further business, Director Stanton moved the meeting be adjourned. Director Carlson seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously, whereupon Mayor Purdy declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: Ilm City C. APPROVED: 212 1 1