Finance Director Lonnie Clark told city council Monday that the State Legislative Audit for revenue and expenses of the city were compliant with state statutes. “For me that is very comforting,” Clark said. The full audit is available online at www.arklegaudit.gov.
- Aldermen voted to revoke Ord. 2179, now no longer allowing a member of city council to serve on the Planning Commission. Alderman Mickey Schneider said that it is unfair for one person to vote on both council and Planning. “It has been determined that for the safety and well being of our people and the city in general it would be better to revoke this ordinance,” she said.
- The Historic District Commission provided council with a revision to the Sidewalk Municipal Code Chapter 9.08 that will allow for an aggregate concrete that matches existing adjoining sidewalks in color and texture. Aggregate sidewalks must follow concrete specifications set forth in 9.08.06 Construction. Aldermen discussed recommendations, including the gray color palette and the process of approval if there are desired deviations from the recommended color, materials, or artistic treatments. Ultimately, they voted unanimously to endorse the HDC recommendations and directed City Attorney Tim Weaver to draw up the ordinance.
- City Building Inspector Bobby Ray provided a violation report listing addresses where code violations were reported. Mayor Butch Berry said Ray would be attending the next meeting, and also said that the HDC is having a workshop March 6 with a special guest speaker from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program to discuss enforcement, policies, procedures, and code violations. Berry said the Planning Commission would have a workshop with Ray in July where code enforcement will be discussed.
- Commissioners and aldermen voting on issues related to their own businesses were discussed, with City Attorney Tim Weaver providing a definition and examples of conflict of interest, and pointing out the obvious that someone should not vote on an issue if he/she is directly benefiting.
- Aldermen voted unanimously to authorize application for acceptance of a Historic Preservation Restoration Grant to create an ADA compliant meeting space in the lower level of the Auditorium. The matching grant uses $72,346 from the city’s capital fund for a total project cost of $132,346. Berry said the grant results should be made known to the city by April or May.
- Council unanimously approved an ordinance to vacate 11 Midway Alley and returned a portion thereof to the adjoining landowner. At the next regular meeting, March 11, at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium, there will be an agenda item to discuss the Norris Street property.