City of La Plata

Regular Session

March 11, 2008

 

Present:                       Mayor Larry Herron, Alderman John McGee, Alderman Gene Grear, Alderman Trent Perry, Deputy City Clerk Lois Bragg, City Administrator Ray Ivy, and Police Chief Kenny Kirkpatrick.

 

Absent:                       Alderman Bob Johnson

 

 

Meeting Called to Order:

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Herron at 7:00 p.m., the roll was called and a quorum was declared present.

 

Visitors Comments:

 

None

 

Approval of Consent Agenda:

 

Regular Board Meeting 02/12/08

Special Session 02/20/08

Bill Payer Resolution 2008-05

 

Alderman McGee made a motion seconded by Alderman Grear to approve the consent agenda.  On a call by the chair for ayes and nays there were 3 ayes and 0 nays. The motion carried.

 

Mayor and Board Committee Reports:

 

February 2008 Financial:

 

Mayor Herron reviewed with the Board of Aldermen the Financial Statement for February 2008 and noted that he felt optimistic about the budget thus far.

 

Mayor Herron reported that liquor inspector, Ron Jones, had visited with Administrator Ivy regarding the fact that the City of La Plata should charge a $15 per day special event fee for sale of alcohol at special events held within the city limits. Administrator Ivy reported that the provision was already established by ordinance and that the fee was collected for the Silver Rails Event  Center Gala.

 

Mayor Herron reported that he and Administrator Ivy had met with David Waller, of the Macon County Rural Water District, regarding the water service for Parkland Addition and  the La Plata R-II Sport’s Complex. They were told that the issue would have to be presented to their  Board of Directors and if approval is given, a “Territorial Agreement” would be signed by both parties allowing the City of La Plata to provide water service to those areas.

 

Mayor Herron discussed the financing for the Phase 2 Sewer Project. The cost estimate for the project is between $1.3 million and $1.4  million. The City anticipates receiving a $500,000 grant from DNR and the rest of the funds would be obtained from the sale of $805,100 bonds. The current schedule states that the bidding process will begin in May with bids to be opened in mid-June. Work on the project will begin in August 2008 with a tentative completion date of February 2009. A public hearing will be held on Thursday, March 20th at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers to discuss the Sewer User Charge.

 

Mayor Herron discussed the public hearing that is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1st at the La Plata State Bank Community Room. The purpose of the meeting is to allow the  residents of the community to receive and discuss information on the “Sales Tax Initiative” proposal that will appear on the April 8th ballot. Mayor Herron discussed the number of miles involved in the  proposed street improvement project and the type of resurfacing that would be used in various parts of the City if the voters approve the passage of the sales tax initiative.

 

Mayor Herron also reminded the Board of Aldermen that the April  meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 15th instead of April 8th due to the fact that the election will be held on the 8th.

 

City Department Reports:

 

Court Clerk Lois Bragg reported a change in her court report.

 

Alderman Grear commented that he had read the enclosed job description for the Golf Course Clubhouse Manager and inquired as to if there were job descriptions for any of the other departments. At the present time, job descriptions only exist for the City Administrator and the Tax Billing Coordinator.

 

Report of City Administrator:

 

Administrator Ivy reported that the electric department has made a request for 1100 feet of Tri-Plex. He presented a bid of $2,622.40 from Arkansas Electric and the council approved the purchase.

 

Cleaning of La Plata:

 

Mayor Herron reported that he would be sending a letter to Bill Loe regarding his building located on North Brown Street.

 

Mayor Herron will also be sending a letter to Heidi (Hays) Lutz regarding the unsightly property located at 120 W. Williams that was formerly occupied by her deceased father, C.H. Hamilton Hays.

 

 

Old Business:

 

Administrator Ivy reported to the Council that he didn’t find any documentation that the 24-Hour Policy Police Protection Issue was ever voted upon. The only reference to the issue was a survey that was taken regarding the issue.

 

New Business:

 

Mayor Herron reported that the City will have an undetermined amount of money remaining after Phase 2 of the Demolition Project is completed.

 

After discussing the matter, Alderman Perry made a motion and seconded by Alderman McGee to advertise for additional structures for a Phase 3 Demolition Project. On a call by the chair for ayes and nays there were 3 ayes and 0 nays. The motion carried.

 

Mayor Herron reported that if the Aldermen wanted to approve the NECAC Self-Help Housing Project, they would only need to have a motion of support and that NECAC would be responsible for all efforts in obtaining interested individuals and land for the projects.

 

Alderman McGee made a motion and seconded by Alderman Grear to support NECAC Self-Help Housing Project. On a call by the chair for ayes and nays there were 3 ayes and 0 nays. The motion carried.

 

 

Adjournment:

 

Alderman McGee made a motion seconded by Alderman Grear to adjourn the regular session at 8:20 p.m.  On a call by the chair for ayes and nays there were 3 ayes and 0 nays.  The motion carried.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        ___________________________________

                                                                                    Larry Herron, Mayor

 

 

_______________________________

 

Lois Bragg, Deputy City Clerk