City of Jonesboro
Council Meeting
March 14, 2005
 

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held a regular council meeting on March 14, 2005 at 7:00pm.  The meeting was held at 170 South Main Street.

                        Members present:         Council member Yvette McDonald

Council member Wallace Norrington

                                                            Council member Clifford Sewell

                                                            Council member Rick Yonce

                                                            Council member Linda Wenz

                                                            Mayor Joy B. Day

                        Staff present:                Stacey Inglis, Finance Officer

                                                            Kathryn Lookofsky, DDA

Robert Thomas, Police Chief

Jon Walker, City Manager

Minutes Approved:  Councilman Sewell motioned, seconded by Councilwoman McDonald to approve the February 14, 2005 minutes as written.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Home Occupation Guidelines:  City Manager Jon Walker reviewed feedback from the council on home occupation guidelines: i.e., no commercial signage, limit use to 25% of heated floor space, business hours, (8am-9pm), number of employees (2) and the number of students or salon chairs (2).  A new ordinance will be presented for consideration. 

Home Occupation:  Barton Hancock, 118 Evenview Drive requested a home occupation for office use for his police training business.  All equipment will be stored in a travel trailer off site.  Councilman Yonce made a motion to approve Mr. Hancock’s request for home occupation.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried with Councilman Sewell abstaining.   

JJ&G Change Order for Streetscape ROW:   Mayor Day reviewed what the change order involved.  Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to approve the change order for JJ&G in the amount of $7500.00 for right-of-way and easement plats for the Streetscape project.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Massengale Park Contract:  Mayor Day reviewed with council the bid review process for the CDBG for playground equipment and requested authorization to contract with Southern Playground to build the playground.  Mayor Day reminded council this is a CDBG grant that the city does not have to match and is a turnkey project.  Councilman Sewell made a motion to approve the contract with Southern Playground.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Executive Session:  Mayor Day requested a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.  Councilman Sewell so motioned.  Councilman Norrington seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 

Councilman Sewell made a motion to resume regular session.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried and regular session was resumed. 

Downtown Development Authority:  Councilman Sewell made a motion to appoint Frank Potts to the DDA Board.  Councilwoman McDonald seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.   

Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to appoint the following term limits for the Downtown Development Authority: 

                        Post 1              Six year term--Wesley Hargraves

Post 2              Six year term—Suzanne Igler

Post 3              Four year term—Susan Schilling

Post 4              Four year term—Jeff Maday

Post 5              Two year term—Abb Dickson

Post 6              Two year term—Frank Potts

 Councilman Sewell seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 OTHER BUSINESS 

Tyler Technology for Property Tax Module:  City Manager Jon Walker reviewed with council the expense ($13,500) to have Tyler Technology (INCODE) install the program and employee training for billing of 2005 property tax.  Councilman Sewell made a motion to defer any decision at this time in order to review the information.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  Under discussion, Councilman Sewell amended his motion to put off any decision on this program until the April meeting.  Councilwoman McDonald seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Public Works Update:  Mayor Day read a statement from Public Works Director Sam Durrance on the status of his department. 

Mayor Day read an invitation to the Garden of Roses Ceremony at Pope Dickson & Son for April 3, 2005.