Journal Of Proceedings May 29, 2012
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS OF
THE CRAIGHEAD COUNTY
QUORUM COURT
MAY 29, 2012
The Quorum Court of Craighead County, Jonesboro, Arkansas, met in regular session at
7:00 p.m. on May 29, 2012 in the Craighead County Courthouse Annex with Judge
Ed Hill presiding.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Justice Hendrix and recited by all.
Judge Hill called the meeting to order and a prayer was offered by Justice Render. A roll call
vote was taken by Clerk Nancy Nelms. The following justices were in attendance: Stacks, Bowers, Hendrix, Weinstock, Tennison, Suiter, Hawkins, Blankenship and Couch. Also in attendance were Eastern District Deputy Sheriff Garland Tipton and Waylon Harris of the Jonesboro Sun.
Justice Weinstock gave the minutes of the last Public Service Committee meeting.
The minutes of the last Finance committee meeting were presented by Justice Blankenship.
Justice Hawkins read the minutes of the last Roads and Transportation committee meeting.
Justice Weinstock made a motion to approve the minutes of the April meeting as read with a second made by Justice Tennison. All voted in favor of the issue and the motion carried.
Judge Hill opened the meeting by speaking to Justices regarding the possible purchase of the property that adjoins the Eastern District courthouse. Justices discussed how the property might be used. Judge Hill reported that the property could be used for the Eastern District Sheriff’s Office and that the clerk’s office could then be expanded.
Justice Weinstock made a motion to pursue the purchase for $85,000.00. A second was
made by Justice Blankenship.
Justice Hendrix questioned as to whether anyone had actually looked at the property. Justice Blankenship stated that he had. He elaborated on the condition the property was in saying that it seemed structurally sound and was up to date. Justice Blankenship also explained that in the current location, there have been issues where the sheriff’s office was dealing with some people and things could have gotten out of hand. They are in a small place with many people taking care of business in other offices in that building. He stated he thought this would be a good move for the county.
Justice Hendrix was glad to hear that someone had checked on the property in person but also stated that he would feel more comfortable seeing it for himself.
A roll call vote was taken by Clerk Nelms with all nine justices present voting in favor of pursuing the purchase of above mentioned property.
Judge Hill also reported that the county had received a grant for $10,000.00 from Rural Service
for courthouse security.
The county judge gave an update on the Bono Lake project. Since last month a conversation had been had with Carl Garner, who is a civil engineer. Mr. Garner has handled many projects similar to this one. He has agreed to go into contract with the county for the rate of $3900.00 per week. This would include having a trailer and an engineer on site.
They are now at the part where the site is ready for the platform and cut off wall.
There was much discussion regarding the difference in this firm versus the Anderson firm and whether or not Anderson would be willing to step aside. The judge reminded justices of a letter from Anderson which pretty much stated that they were done. He said that if the
County entered into contract with Mr. Garner, that hopefully the project would be complete by 2013.
Justice Stacks made a motion to engage into business with Carl Garner for the amount of
$3900.00 per week until the completion of the Bono Lake project. Justice Hawkins seconded the motion.
All justices present voted in favor of this motion. Justice Hendrix did say that he would be interested in having Mr. Garner address the full court on the subject.
Justice Hawkins reported that he had heard what Mr. Garner had to say and that he felt confident that Mr. Garner and his firm had what it took to complete the lake project.
Justice Suiter inquired as to whether or not the county would have to take bids on this with Justice Stacks answering that we did not since it was a service and not goods we were buying.
Tony Thomas, administrative assistant to the county judge, stated that when we engage in business with him, he will have an opportunity to present his plan to the court.
Judge Hill stated that he felt like if we had this gentleman on board we would have probably completed this year.
Justice Hawkins thanked the other court members for their support of this matter.
Justice Blankenship wanted to know if there had been any more contact with a CPA to do an audit in the county clerk’s office. The judge responded saying that they had spoken with one and were going to interview two more.
Justice Weinstock wanted to know if the court would ever receive another treasurer’s report. She stated that she likes the idea of receiving the report.
The next item of business was a proposed resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENTS OF TWO BOARD MEMBERS TO THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BROOKLAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.
A motion was made by Justice Stacks and seconded by Justice Couch to accept the proposal as read.
A roll call vote taken by Clerk Nelms revealed that each justice voted in favor of the measure. Craighead County resolution 2012-6 passed appointing W.T. Gatlin and Darrell Reece to the board of directors of the Brookland Fire Protection District.
The final item of business to be discussed was a proposed ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2012 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET TO ADD
FUND 170, DEPARTMENT 2200 TO INCLUDE STATE RURAL GRANT MONIES
THAT HAVE BECOME AVAILABLE TO THE PHILADELPHIA FIRE PROTECTION
DISTRICT AND SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CRAIGHEAD COUNTY
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR PROPER TRACKING AND DISBURSEMENTS
OF THESE FUNDS.
Justice Hawkins made a motion to accept the proposal as read with a second being offered by Justice Suiter.
All justices in attendance voted in favor of the measure. Therefore Craighead County
Appropriation Ordinance 2012-7 passed unanimously.
With no further business on the agenda, Justice Weinstock made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Justice Hawkins. Therefore the Craighead County Quorum Court stood adjourned until June 25, 2012.
______________________________
Attest: County Clerk