At the June 27 meeting, city council considered a redraft of the proposed ordinance that would ban smoking tobacco in city parks, and alderman Terry McClung moved to put it on its second reading, but alderman Kristi Kendrick moved to amend the ordinance again, and passed around her newest version which added further restrictions on methods of using tobacco products.
Alderman Mickey Schneider asked, “Why list all this stuff?” She insisted council did not need to know how tobacco could have been used, just that it was banned in city parks. She said simpler was better, and Kendrick was making a mountain out of a molehill. Neither alderman David Mitchell nor McClung saw any problems with Kendrick’s new version.
After one change suggested by Weaver, McClung moved to approve the amendment, and vote to approve that motion was 4-1, Schneider voting No. The second reading passed with the same vote.
Save the planet
During Public Comments, Gary Taub said he appreciated council considering a resolution supporting the Paris Climate Agreement. He said it is important to work with other cities and states to protect the planet, and he was appalled when President Donald Trump stated the agreement was not good enough and withdrew the United States from the accord. Nevertheless, cities and states across the nation, including Little Rock and Fayetteville, have expressed solidarity with the agreement, and Taub was pleased Eureka Springs was considering the same response.
Kathy Martone stated saving the planet was critical and she was chagrined the government was so short-sighted. She lauded the efforts of the cities and states that resolved to support the agreement.
Council approved Resolution 712, which expressed support of the Paris Climate Change Agreement of 2015. Vote was 4-1, McClung voting No.
Other public comments
Joyce Knowles decried the fact that in spite of complaints, sidewalks in town have not been made to comply with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She said the situation indicated a lack of planning and code enforcement, and urged the city to take action against those who do not bring their sidewalks into compliance.
Eric Knowles said he was not happy with his latest water bill. He claimed the city was overcharging his water use to pay for its sewer bond, and he does not use city sewer. Plus the city tacked on an Infrastructure Improvement charge, which he said was probably illegal. Knowles said the city failed to get outside advice when structuring the recent increase in sewer rates, and “hunches and speculation” from city hall were not working for the city. He claimed the city is losing more water now than before it installed new water meters, and he called for establishment of an independent water and sewer commission.
Other items
- Council approved re-seating Susan Harman to the City Advertising and Promotion Commission. They also voted to seat Carol Wright to fill the vacant position on the CAPC.
- Mayor Butch Berry announced there are vacancies on the Hospital and Cemetery Commissions.
- Berry’s office will set up a joint workshop with council and Planning to review proposed revisions to City Code.
- City Attorney Tim Weaver will do further research to see if action is required regarding the new attendance policy approved by the CAPC in which commissioners can recommend removing a commissioner who misses three regular meetings in a year. Council would still have the final vote to remove the commissioner.
- During council comments, alderman Mickey Schneider stated some people in town complain the city is not fixing its infrastructure, but then complain about a small rate increase to fix infrastructure. “Check your priorities,” she commented.
Next meeting will be Monday, July 10, at 6 p.m.