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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-02-04 Minutes230 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS February 4, 1975 The Board of Directors of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas met in a regular session on Tuesday, February 4, 1975 at 7:30 p.m. in the Director's Room of the City Administration Building. Present: Administrative Assistant David McWethy; City Attorney Jim McCord; Darlene Westbrook, City Clerk; and Directors Ernest Lancaster, John Todd, Paul Noland, Al Hughes, Morris Collier, and Marion R. Orton. Absent: City Manager Donald L. Grimes and Director Russell T. Purdy Others Present: Members of the Community Development Committee, members of the audience and representatives of the news media. CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES 230.1 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Marion R. Orton. Following a moment of respectful silence, the Mayor asked if there be any amendments to the minutes of the January 21, 1975 meeting. 230.2 City Attorney McCord requested that paragraph 224.3 be amended to read: "The sole purpose of the public hearing, required by law, was for the Board to hear persons desiring to be heard on the sufficiency of the petition." 230.3 Director Todd requested that paragraph 229.1 be amended to read: "Director Todd suggested that all directors and the press be notified in advance to the committee meetings and that the meetings be open to the public." In regard to appointments to Board committees appearing on page 228, Mayor Orton requested that the minutes reflect that she would be an "observer" of the Housing Authority proceedings and not an actual member of the Housing Authority. 230.4 There being no further amendments, Mayor Orton declared the minutes approved as amended. 230.5 PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS. The Community Development Committee, chaired by Mr. L. M. McGoodwin, was charged with the responsibility of recommending to the City Board a proposed allocation schedule showing proposed expenditures of Community Development funds. Mr. McGoodwin prefaced the hearing by presenting a prepared statement which summarized the committee's work and proposed expenditures. He stated that the committee "gave serious study to the amalgamation of the human service needs and the 'brick and mortar' needs of providing services, such as streets and sewers in the low income areas of the city." Mr. McGoodwin's statement indicated the committee's expec- tation "that before funds are released to contracting agencies...a complete outline of work to be done, services to be performed, fiscal control, and reporting procedures will be furnished for approval by the city." 230 The statement cited that the committee experienced,a great deal of discussion in recommending approval of funds for parks and that the committee had included a provision that funds be spent for parks in areas which would generally serve low income people. However, the committee had not prohibited expenditures for tennis courts at Root School but the entire committee had not favored such an allocation. The committee also favored expenditures for streets and sewers in low income areas and ex- pected that the city would supervise the construction of streets, sewers, parks and other facilities as is within its expertise. A sub -committee recommended that priority be given to the construction of lateral sewers while the coMtitteeritself favored the concept that the sewer construction program include house connections to owner -occupied homes meeting low income standards, regardless of location in the city. In closing, Mr. McGoodwin stated that he endorsedd the proposed pro- gram in its entirety and recommended its approval. The committee recommended the following expenditures: Item 1975 Human Services $468,200 Services, parks and recreation Historical preservation Sewers Streets Housing Assistance and administration 98,300 15,010 294,000 202,400 Yearly Amount % Of Total Funds 1976 $ 68,200 35,000 15,000 213,000 344,000 1977 (853,000) $ 68,200 8.0 35,000 15,000 251,800 301,900 6.6 1.8 29.7 33.1 20.8 The Mayor and Board then reviewd the proposal item by item and fielded questions from the audience. Some members of the audience expressed strong belief that bids should be taken on the "brick and mottar" items. The de- cision as to whether bids were invited .and awarded would be left to the Board of Directors, Mr. McGoodwin said. Director Todd favored inviting bids as a means of providing controls on the funds. In discussion of social services expenditures, Director Todd felt the approval of the funds should be contingent upon obtaining matching funds from other sources. Representatives of the Economic Opportunity Agency answered questions per- taining to the child and infant day care centers and said that the centers would serve low income families. Mr. Charles Johnson, Director of EOA, requested reconsideration of a proposed expenditure of funds for a Human Services Coordinator to provide administrative services for the social services programs and a grantsman- ship position to seek and secure additional funds. Mr. Lynn Wade, member of the Community. Development Committee, favored the establishment of the grants- man'ship slot. Another member of the committee, Lewis Chesser, asked if it wou'td be in order to motion that the Human Services Coordinator be included in the social services section of the grant program and suggested that the cosft`be allocated from administrative funds. Mayor Orton did not feel that sSueh is motion would be in order but assured Mr. Chesser that his opinion 231 231 231.1 231.2 231.3 231.4 232 would be considered. Director Hughes thought that the proposal should be considered at the time the Board considered the entire program for approval. He further stated that he felt the coordinator should be able to serve all agencies involved in the program and that all of the agencies should avail themselves of the services that would be provided by such a coordinator. 232.1 Mr. McGoodwin stated that he felt the controversial proposal should be decided upon at a later date and that the City Manager should be involved in discussion of the matter. Mrs. Lilie Johnson, member of the committee, felt the coordinator position might be a duplication of efforts. 232.2 The Board also discussed a proposed increase in the Housing Assistance funds. Mr. Charles Hoffman, Community Development Program Director, ex- plained that the Housing Assistance Committee was requesting that the pro- posed $112,000 allocation be increased to $145,000. Mr. Claude Prewitt, member of the committee, stated that the additional funds were available from unappropriated funds in the Community Development program. Mayor Orton said the matter would be discussed at greater length when the Board held the public hearing on the Housing Assistance fund proposals. Mr. Lynn Wade expressed his opinion that any additional funding of the Housing Assistance program be made by appropriating funds from street and sewer programs rather than brick and mortar projects and social services programs. 232.3 In discussion of the proposed expenditures for administrative services, Mr. Hoffman explained that the $63,000 would be used for the salary of three staff members -- a coordinator, assistant, and secretary --, office supplies and equipment, and that $10,000 would be expended for an auto- mated management system. 232.4 During discussion of the proposed sewer projects, Mr. McGoodwin said the committee recommended that the city require households within 300 feet of the sewer to connect and that low income households (under $8,200 annual income) would be eligible to have their connections paid for by the Community Development program Director Todd suggested that a graduated system of charging for the sewer taps might be applied to house- holds earning less than $8,200. 232.5 Proposed street improvement expenditures were primarily for low income areas One member of the audience expressed opposition to the expenditures for street improvements because she did not believe the improvements would be in the interest of community development. She felt that paving projects would be contrary to the current need to conserve petroleum products and questioned the absence of any proposed mass transportation projects. Following some further discussion, Mayor Orton declared the public hearing concluded. 232.6 Mr. Wallace Johnson present in the audience, then expressed his concern over the fact that male members of the black community were not appointed to any of the committees. Mayor Orton said that the Community Development committees would be continuous and that appointments would be made periodically to fill vacancies that will occur. She suggested that any person willing to serve on the committees make application to the City Manager's office. REPORT FROM POLLUTION CONTROL COMMITTEE 232.7 Included with the agenda was a detailed report from the Pollution Control Committee concerning the collection and sale of reusable newsprint. Present 232 1 1 i in the audience were Mr. Lester Howick and Mr. James Kimzey, co-authors of the report. Mr. Howick said the report recommended that no action or decision be made by the Board because of the depressed market for news- print. If the price of newsprint should increase, Mr. Howick said the city might consider the placement of containers in various locations so that citizens might place their newsprint to be recycled. Mr. James Kimzey then explained how the study was conducted and how the recommendations were reached. He said three methods of collecting the newsprint had been considered and that the most feasible method seemed to be the location of containers in various areas of the city. This method, he said, would eliminate high costs of manpower and equipment maintenance. Mr. Kimzey felt it would not be feasible for the city to purchase its own recycling equipment. Following Mr. Kimzey's presentation, Director Noland commended the committee's work and suggested that the Board consider implementing the program should the market for the newsprint improve. Following brief further discussion, Mayor Orton acknowledged receipt of the report and thanked the committee for its work. (Copies of the committee's complete report are on file in the City Clerk's office.) CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSAL FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE SHREDDING AND DISPOSAL Mrs. Mary Beth Ahrend, President of Aerobic Destructor, Inc. of Rogers was present to present a proposal for the provision of a site and complete facilities for the shredding and disposal of municipal wastes now being disposed of at the present landfill site. Mrs. Ahrend stated that the equipment would shred 30-40 tons of waste per hour. She explained the shredding process which utilized a vertical shredder and a magnetic waste recovery system. She proposed to charge the city $3.00 per ton with a rebate to .ifie city of:20%"ofrathe tevenuei from's`erap1metral'tales@ cty. If the city decided to lease the old incinerator site to her company for its operations, her company proposed to pay the city $.25 per ton brought to the disposal site. Mr. Frank Burk had been requested by the Mayor to review the proposal and give a recommendation. Mr. Burk: recommended that the city, if it de- cided to accept the proposal, not be committed for more than two years. Based on a current waste tonnage of 420, Mr. Burk indicated that the city's cost could be as little as $20,000 per year He recommended that the city strongly consider the proposal. During discussion, Mrs. Ahrend said the facility would be available to individual citizens. Director Lancaster questioned the suitability of the site for the operation citing the location in the area of a park. Mrs. Ahrend stated that the operation would produce no objectionable odors or attract pests or insects. Storage of the shredded wastes would be in under- ground cells which, when filled, would be covered and could be used as a means of improving the terrain. Mrs. Ahrend stated that she would not enter into agreement with other cities or groups without the approval of the city. She said that it would be the responsibility of her company to arrange for the disposal of wastes if disposal facilities were inadequate. 233 233 233.1 233.2 233.3 233.4 233.5 233.6 234 234.1 Mayor Orton suggested that the proposal be referred to the Board's Solid Waste Committee for consideration and Director Noland suggested that the proposal be discussed with the State Pollution Control Board. 234.2 No action was taken by the Board pending further study. ORDINANCE NAMING A STREET "MOORE LANE" 234.3 The proposed ordinance to name a street running west from Highway 71 north of Williams FordLTractor Company "Moore Lane" was requested via petition by residents of the Mount Comfort Road area. 234.4 The City Attorney read the ordinance for the first time after which Director Noland motioned that rules be suspended and the ordinance placed on second reading. The motion was seconded by Director Hughes and was unanimously approved by the six board members present. Following the second reading, a motion to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third and final reading was made by Director Noland and was seconded by Director Hughes. In roll call vote of the Board the motion carried unani- mously. The City Attorney then read the ordinance for the third and final time. 234.5 There being no discussion, Mayor Orton asked if the ordinance should pass. The recorded vote of the Board was six "Ayes" and no "Nays", where- upon the Mayor declared the ordinance passed. ORDINANCE NO. 2080 APPEARS ON PAGE 261 OF ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION BOOK IV RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE PERPETUAL USE AGREEMENT - Frisco Railroad 234.6 The resolution would authorize the execution of a perpetual use agree- ment with the Frisco Railroad for a track crossing north of the intersection of Johnson Road and Highway 180.with an 8" water line for which the city would pay Frisco $50.00. The City Attorney read the resolution, and there being no discussion, Director Lancaster motioned that the resolution be adopted. The motion was seconded by Director Hughes and was passed in unanimous vote of the Board. RESOLUTION NO. 8-75 APPEARS ON PAGE 122 OF ORDINANCE $ RESOLUTION BOOK IV ORDINANCE APPROVING FINAL PLAT - 19th Green (Sweetbriar Addition) 234.7 The ordinance would approve the final plat of "19th Green", a planned unit development replat of Block 1 of the Sweetbriar Addition and would accept and confirm the dedication of street right-of-way and/or utility easements. 234.8 Administrative Assistant David McWethy reported that the developers had requested that the easement along the west edge of Block 16 be deleted because of the terrain. He said the requested change had not been considered by the Plat Review Committee nor the Planning Commission. Mr. McWethy advised the Board that the ordinance could be passed and, if the developer's request were granted, the easement could be vacated at a later date. 234 MIM IP 1 City Attorney McCord then read the ordinance for the first time after which Director Hughes motioned that rules be suspended and the ordinance placed on second reading. The motion was seconded by Director Noland and was passed unanimously by the .Board Following the second reading, Director Hughes motioned to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third and final reading. The motion, seconded by Director Todd, was passed unanimously by the Board. The City Attorney read the ordinance for the third and final time: There being no discussion, Mayor Orton asked if the ordinance should pass. The recorded vote of the Board was unanimous and the Mayor declared the ordinance passed. ORDINANCE NO. 2081 APPEARS ON PAGE 262 OF ORDINANCE $ RESOLUTION BOOK IV RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE CONTRACT The resolution would authorize the execution of a contract with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission for technical and professional ,services rendered to the city generally in the form of land use and planning advice to the Fayetteville Planning Commission. City Attorney McCord read the resolution and in discussion Director Todd questioned the rates charged in the past and whether.or not the city could honor the contract within the 1975 budgeted amount. Mr. McWethy said that the contract included an approximate 10% increase in rates and that the city could stay within the 1975 budgeted amount for this item. Following slight further discussion, Director Noland motioned that the resolition be adopted. The motion was seconded by Director Lancaster and was passed unanimously by the Board. RESOLUTION NO. 9-75 APPEARS ON PAGE 12340F ORDINANCE $ RESOLUTION BOOK IV CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER BUSINESS JJ 1 235 235.1 235.2 235.3 235.4 235.5 Mr. McWethy reminded directors of the application forms placed at 235.6 their seats that had been submitted by citizens for appointments to various city boards, committees, and commissions. He asked that the directors indicate their preferences to the Board Nominating Committee no later than February 9 so that the committee could consider them at their meeting on February 11 at 9:00 a.m. Director Todd reported that one member of the Pollution Control Committee, Mr. James Kimzey, was not included amongg the applications but that it was his understanding that Mr. Kimzey desired to be considered for reappointment. The Board then reviewed the draft of the 1975 Annual Report and suggested 235.7 minor changes. Mr. McWethy said bids would be awarded February 18 for printing of the report. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Director Hughes motioned that the meeting be adjourned. The motion, seconded by Director Collier, met with approval of the Board whereupon Mayor Orton declared the meeting adjourned. ATTEST: APPROVED: atC