REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS MAY 16, 2005

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1 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS MAY 16, 2005 MEMBERS PRESENT: The Board of Directors of the City of Texarkana, Arkansas, convened in regular session at 7:00 PM on May 16, 2005 with the following members present: Mayor Horace G. Shipp, and Directors Shirley Bradley, Kathy Dunphy, and Sue Johnson. Also present were City Manager Charles Nickerson, City Attorney Ned Stewart, and City Clerk Patti Scott Grey. Assistant Mayor Londell Williams, and Directors Chad Dowd and Weldon Johnson were absent. INVOCATION: The invocation was given by Director Dunphy. CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Shipp announced that a resolution, approving summer parks schedule of activities, would be removed from the consent agenda. Mayor Shipp commented that he would like to discuss the item further. Director S. Johnson moved to remove the item from the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Director Dunphy and carried unanimously. Director S. 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: minutes.doc 1

2 The minutes approved were of the regular meeting of May 2, RESOLUTION NO. 5194: Resolution No authorizes the District 7 Arkansas Amateur Softball Association (ASA) to collect the following gate fees at Hobo Jungle Park during the Girls ASA Championship Tournament June 17-18: District Tournament Adults $3.00 Students $2.00 Under 6 years Free RESOLUTION NO. 5195: Resolution No authorizes concession sales for the Community Development/Weed & Seed Strategy Swinging in the Summer with Music and Art in the Parks program. RESOLUTION NO. 5196: Resolution No authorizes submission of an application for federal funding through the Edward Byrne State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance and Formula Grant in the total amount of $283,295 and to expend the funds in accordance to the grant requirements. The resolution further authorizes the local matching funds in an amount not to exceed $120, are hereby authorized as follows: Program Income $ 80,000 Miller County Sheriff s Department 25,490 Narcotics Self-Sufficiency Fund 14,874 REGULAR AGENDA: RESOLUTION NO. 5197: Total $ 120, minutes.doc 2

3 Resolution No was read in its entirety. Said resolution approves the Community Development Department/Weed & Seed schedule for Swinging in the Summer with Music and Art in the Parks summer activities. Mayor Shipp asked Community Development Director Barbara Pitts to come forward and briefly elaborate on the Community Development Department/Weed & Seed Swinging in the Summer with Music and Art in the Parks summer activities schedule. Ms. Pitts reviewed the following schedule: Date & Theme Activities Special Focus Time and Location Time May PM Kick Off Hawaiian Décor Games for children Live music Art exhibit Building family traditions Bramble Park College Hill June 2 June 16 July 7 July 21 Oldies Music Fest Juneteenth Celebration Independence Day Family Activities Costume contest for 50 s and 60 s judged by local radio personalities Live Music Art Exhibit Country Music Band Art and Craft Displays Nostalgia Best Dress Contest Recognition of Black History and Culture Patriotic and Traditional Jazz Live Jazz Orchestra Texarkana Jazz History Vera Bradfield Jefferson Park Bobby Ferguson Park Bramble Park College Hill August 11 Gospel Live praise performances Spiritual Praise Jefferson Park December 8 Christmas Local talent and refreshments Holiday celebration Downtown Pocket Park minutes.doc 3

4 She said the long term goal is to promote wholesome use of the parks and a tradition of family usage. Free music, games and variety entertainment are fun for the whole family. Mayor Shipp encouraged everyone to attend. Director Dunphy, seconded by Director S. Johnson, moved to adopt the resolution. The Clerk called the roll and the following vote resulted: Directors Bradley, Dunphy, S. Johnson, and Shipp voted aye. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted, as there were four ayes and no nays. ASSISTANT MAYOR LONDELL WILLIAMS 2005 ICSC TRAVEL: Mayor Shipp asked City Manager Charles Nickerson to review the proposed resolution. Mr. Nickerson commented that the resolution would authorize reimbursement to Director Londell Williams for his travel to the 2005 International Council of Shopping Centers Conference in an amount not to exceed $ The City s Travel Policy was revised March 21, Section I. B. (1) of the policy states For Mayor/Directors, mileage reimbursement shall not exceed economy class air fare round trip unless a higher reimbursement rate not to exceed $ over economy class air fare round trip is approved in advance of travel by the Board of Directors. Sharing the same vehicle is encouraged. The Board action requested is to consider authorizing a higher reimbursement rate, not to exceed $200 over economy class air fare round trip, for the 2005 ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) for Assistant Mayor Londell Williams. This resolution would give Board approval for Assistant Mayor Londell Williams to receive mileage reimbursement of $200 above the cost of an economy class airfare ticket ($440.31) for a total cost not to exceed $ minutes.doc 4

5 Director Bradley moved to adopt the resolution. The Mayor said the resolution died due to a lack of a second. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION TIME: Adger Smith, 308 Meadows Road, spoke in regard to a home he referred to as a substandard structure, being relocated in his subdivision. He presented pictures of the home, which has the proper permits contingent upon certain improvements. Mr. Smith spoke briefly about loop holes in the city code and asked that something be done to remedy the problem before other neighborhoods/subdivision have a similar situation. Mayor Shipp thanked Mr. Smith for bringing the situation to the board s attention. He asked that the City Manager and city staff review the situation and prepare possible solutions and changes to the code. David Bigbee, 41 Morning Drive, and Howard Staggs, 21 Morning Drive, reiterated Mr. Smith comments. City Attorney Ned Stewart asked that the Meadows Road/Morning Drive subdivision residents review their subdivision covenants. Mr. Stewart commented that the owners of the building attained permits contingent upon certain improvements, which would bring them in compliance with city code. If the owners do not bring the site under compliance, they will not be able to get additional permits and it could possibly become a nuisance under city code thereby the residents could have it removed. Director Dunphy asked that the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Staff review the city code to close loop holes that allow these situations. The City Manager commented that the problem with the code is that it must be general enough to encompass a wide variety of scenarios. The staff does what it can with the minutes.doc 5

6 help of citizens and the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustments to foresee problems, but the code evolves constantly to close loop holes. The Mayor stated again that the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Staff would review the problem and the city code for improvements. Irene Clemmons, 835 Laurel, invited the City Board and audience to the Sandflat- Glendale Shannon Neighborhood Center s monthly prayer breakfast Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 9:00 AM at 209 East 14 th Street. If anyone has questions, please, call 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 minutes.doc 6