McGehee City Council Minutes

January 11, 2000

 

The McGehee City Council met in regular session on January 11, 2000 at 5:30 P.M.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Bain Poole, Aldermen: Mark Day, Mike Rogers, Ricky Lattimore, Al Murphy, F.H. Gill, Mrs. Jimmie Perkins, City Attorney Drake, Fire Chief Allen, Police Chief Farrell and City Inspector Gober.

MINUTES: After the reading of the December Minutes, a motion was made by Alderman Rogers, seconded by Alderman Murphy, to approve as read. Motion carried.

TREASURY REPORT: A brief review was made of the reports. Alderman Day made the motion to approve as presented, seconded by Alderman Gill. Motion carried.

2000 BUDGET: Mayor Poole stated that the only change in the budget was for the 3% cost of living salary increase. The motion to approve the 2000 Budget was made be Alderman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Perkins. Motion carried.

BILLS: The Council reviewed the bills and a motion was made by Alderman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Day to pay all bills. Motion carried.

A brief discussion was held on the proposed 1 percent sales and use tax for the hospital. The tax revenue will go directly to the hospital and at a time that the tax is no longer necessary it will be abolished.

RESOLUTION: A RESOLUTION STATING THE INTENT OF THE 1 PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX FOR THE MCGEHEE-DESHA COUNTY HOSPITAL.

Alderman Rogers made the motion to adopt Resolution No. 344, seconded by Alderman Gill. Motion carried.

2000 OPERATING CALENDAR: Mayor Poole stated in addition to state holidays, the banks, county and other city offices were closing for Columbus Day. He asked for council consideration on adding Columbus Day to the 2000 calendar. Alderman Gill made the motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Perkins. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE NO. 726

AN ORDINANCE ASSIGNING THE "CHICKASAW ADDITION" OF THE CITY OF MCGEHEE TO WARD THREE (3) OF THE CITY FOR PURPOSES OF VOTING IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS AND OTHER PURPOSES.

And the City Clerk read the Ordinance in full.

Alderman Murphy, seconded by Alderman Day moved that the rule requiring the reading of an ordinance or resolution in full on three different days be suspended and that the ordinance be placed on its second reading. The Mayor put the question on the adoption of the motion and the roll being called, the following voted aye: 6 and the following voted nay: 0.
Thereupon, the Mayor declared that at least two-thirds of all members of the Council having voted in favor of the motion to suspend the rule, the motion was carried and the rule suspended. The ordinance was then read by the City Clerk. Alderman Day, seconded by Alderman Perkins, moved that the rule requiring the reading of an ordinance in full on three different days be further suspended and that the ordinance be placed on its third reading. The Mayor put the question on the adoption of the motion and the roll being called, the following voted aye: 6 and the following voted nay: 0. The Mayor declared that at least two-thirds of all members elected to the council having voted in favor of the motion to suspend the rule, the motion was carried and the rule suspended. The ordinance was then read by the City Clerk. Alderman Day, seconded by Alderman Perkins moved that the ordinance be adopted. The question was put by the Mayor on the adoption of the motion and the roll being called, the following voted aye: 6 and the following voted nay: 0. The Mayor declared the Ordinance adopted and signed the ordinance which was attested by the City Clerk and impressed with the seal of the City. The ordinance was given No. 726.

POLICE REPORTS: Chief Farrell gave each council member a copy of a request made by Mr. Leo Preston pertaining to his club. He stated that the ABC Board had refused the request and recommended that the council consider the refusal. Alderman Murphy made the motion to uphold the ABC Board refusal, seconded by Alderman Lattimore. Motion carried.

WATER COMPANY REPORTS: No questions. Alderman Murphy expressed appreciation to the Water Company on repairing a leak in which he had reported.

Mayor Poole requested authorization to purchase a portable storage building for the police department. A motion was made by Alderman Perkins to approve the request, seconded by Alderman Gill. Motion carried.

Mayor stated that he had received a request from Rusty Thompson to close off Owl Street and deed to the property owners. Both ends have been closed by the Highway Department. Attorney Drake stated that the owners need to follow standard procedures by filing a petition to close the street.

STATE OF THE CITY REPORT:

Mayor Poole opened his report by stating that 1999 had been a good year. He reported that the highway construction started in 1999 and was 83 percent finished. Another item was the new Post Office which is an asset to the City. Other new and improved businesses were: Police Station, Sign Hut, Sportsman Center, Wells and Son Tire Company, Griffin Funeral Home, Boys and Girls Club, Willie Mae's Kitchen, F.H. Gill Office Complex, reopening of Lawson's and the remodeling of the Family Clinic. He added that the most important challenge to McGehee was to save the hospital. He named other goals set for 2000 and expressed a concern for the various water projects. He closed by saying that his personal goal for 2000 was to stay out of lawsuits. His last comment was that he enjoyed being Mayor.

City Inspector Gober announced that notices will be sent out within the week on abandoned automobiles.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.