Eureka Springs City Council had a full agenda to lumber through at the Monday, Nov. 24 meeting with issues surrounding the position of the city clerk taking precedence.
The city received a written resignation letter from City Clerk Ida Meyer prior to the meeting. This resulted in items such as issuance of permits, business licenses, and meeting minutes becoming backlogged. With assistance from City Attorney Heather Owens, Mayor Butch Berry presented a plan to rearrange the city clerk position and duties and aid in the repair of any discrepancies. Because the city clerk is an elected position, Meyer’s resignation was required to move forward and had to be formally accepted by council.
Ordinance 2380 was brought to amend municipal code regarding the duties and compensation of the city treasurer. The amendment resolves that the responsibilities of the city clerk had “grown in complexity and volume” and that there is a need to change assignment of responsibilities to facilitate the continued delivery of city services. This ordinance strips the city clerk position of extra duty requirements other than those required by Arkansas state law and adjusting the salary to reflect that.
Following was Ordinance 2381 which defines the position of Deputy City Clerk Treasurer, who will sign documents and perform duties of the City Clerk Treasurer when they are unavailable. The Deputy City Clerk Treasurer is considered a city employee. The appointment expires on Jan. 31 of every odd year and can be reappointed or appointed by the Mayor with City Council’s approval.
Berry said that city employee Kim Stryker would fill the new position to help the city get back up to speed.
Berry’s proposal suggested a salary of $2400 annually for the City Clerk Treasurer. Alderman Terry McClung expressed concerns that there would be no incentive for anyone to run and suggested $12,000 instead. Legal counsel made clear the salary could also be amended down the road. The ordinance ensures that if issues were to occur in the future, the city would be able to replace the Deputy City Clerk Treasurer, as they are a city employee, not an elected official.
Resolution No. 895 accepting the resignation of Ida Meyer, Ordinance No. 2380 amending the duties and compensation of the city clerk, and Ordinance No. 2381 designating duties of a Deputy City Clerk Treasurer were passed with three readings for 2380, 2381. Alderman Harry Meyer voted No on first two items.
How to make Temp-EDs less painful
Alderman Susane Gruning brought forth discussion of Temporary Entertainment District requirements after receiving mixed feedback from constituents. Gruning said some business owners said they had not been notified of TEDs prior to events– leaving them unable to participate, unsure of the rules, and having their businesses affected. She said some businesses may not want to participate, while some are simply unaware until the moment has passed or wristbands have all run out.
Gruning proposed that organizers of TED’s collect signatures from all ABC licensed business owners within the boundaries of proposed TED areas and submit them along with their application to provide accountability and tighten up communication. Aldermen raised hypothetical scenarios that could complicate Gruning’s proposed form-system, like people’s refusal to sign at all, or organizers being unable to reach business owners.
Alderman David Avanzino said that he had also heard complaints from his constituents. Council put forth suggestions including public publication of TED approvals, the city notifying ABC holding business via email, and organizers delivering wristbands directly to surrounding bars/business owners. The discussion was tabled so legal counsel could review Gruning’s proposal and impose proper language to be put to a vote.
Water Assistance Program gets support
City Finance Director Michael Akins arrived at the podium with an air of enthusiasm for a new proposed ordinance to create a Low-Income Water Assistance Program. Akins said he got the idea after visiting a picnic event in Tahlequah, Okla., where he encountered a booth meant to educate people about their LIWAP.
With water costs soaring, Akins said Eureka Springs has a huge need to help low-income families. The question, he said, was how to help without hurting the water department?
The plan provides that the city will pay the bills of eligible residents, many of whom will be on SNAP and Social Security benefits– and can receive assistance up to three times a year with an upward limit of $500.
Potentially, Akins said he would like to use the $50,000 from the sale of the Queen Anne Property to initiate the program and draw funding for the program from the Franchise Fee Fund going forward. The Franchise Fee Fund generates around $350,000 a year and is used as a “rainy day” fund– for things like rockslides and waterline emergencies. If the Queen Anne sale were to fall through, Akins said he would simply draw the money from the Franchise Fee Fund. Alderman David Avanzino said he has “never been more proud of anything at this table, and as alderman Rachael Moyer had said we are stewards of this land, and I cannot think of a greater example.”
Ordinance 2382 establishing the Low-Income Water Assistance Program was passed first and second reading.
Other Business:
- Discussion of sidewalks and the Queen Anne purchase were deferred.
- In public comments, Jim Markle returned to voice complaints about Harry Meyer, saying Meyer caused issues with the sale of Markle’s property by telling Markle’s buyers there was no sewer line connection, referenced an altercation between Meyer and another neighbor, and said that Meyer defamed Avanzino by accusing him of coaxing people to complain about Meyer in public comments– stating that Meyer is unfit to be on city council.
- In discussion of Planning budget’s request for $50,000 to invest in professional services to create a city land use plan, aldermen McClung and Moyer expressed support. Moyer said that a land use plan could unlock a lot of things for the city, but it would be best to get “real numbers,” so that if $50,000 was out of reach, they could cobble together a different amount to invest in planning. Planning commissioner Susan Harman explained during public comments that the request for the $50,000 was intended to plan for housing, parking, and agricultural zones– providing plans for the next 10 to 20 years.
- Discussion was circulated concerning the state of Little Lake Eureka. A resident of Cambridge St., suggested that the water was polluted from runoff and sewage leaks, describing buildup causing stench and unsafe conditions. Gruning asked whether the city or property owners surrounding the lake own the lake. McClung tried to recall the arrangement with previous owners saying he thought perhaps there had been a lease agreement between property owners and the city. The answer was unclear. Public Works Director Simon Wiley was asked if he could test the water. Wiley responded that he certainly could, but that they would have no previous test results to compare it to.