QUORUM COURT MARCH 28, 2011
The Quorum Court of Craighead County,Jonesboro, AR, met in regular session, at 7:00 p.m. on March 28, 2011 in the Craighead CountyCourthouse Annex with Judge Ed Hill presiding.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Justice Hoke 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 court members were present for the meeting: Justices Stacks, Bowers, Bryant, Hendrix, Weinstock, Render, Hoke, Tennison, Suiter, Blankenship, Couch, and Cox. Also present was Tony Thomas, administrative assistant to the county judge, Joe Monroe District Clerk, Garland Tipton and Terry McNatt from the Eastern District Deputy Sheriff’s office. In attendance also were Tim Gibson, representative of Vela Court software, and Waylon Harris of the Jonesboro Sun. There were also several concerned citizens present.
A motion was made by Justice Stacks and seconded by Justice Weinstock to approve the February minutes.
Justice Stacks read the minutes from the last Public Service Committee meeting.
Justice Bryant read the minutes from the last Finance Committee meeting were read by Justice Bryant.
The minutes from the last Roads and Transportation committee meeting were read by Justice Couch.
Justice Couch elaborated on a proposed equipment replacement policy for Craighead County. With this proposal there could be a trade-in buyback for as much as 80% on some equipment. The idea is to replace equipment a few pieces per year and not let several pieces wear out at the same time.
Ken Stacks reported a proposal from Roberts McNutt that was less than $50,000.00 on the work needed on the old courthouse. The bid is les than Justice Stacks had originally thought.
Judge Hill spoke regarding an issue with the now destroyed Bono Bridge. He stated that the lawyer for BNSF should return his call later in the week. The plan is to speak with representatives from the railroad to see if a deal can be worked out for the county and BNSF to possibly split the cost of a new bridge. Judge Hill said that this issue is far from being over with. Dan Melton, a concerned citizen was present and spoke regarding the bridge issue stating that the residents of the area were very disappointed at the outcome.
The county judge then briefed the court regarding the Bono Lake issue saying that there are people lined up to begin work as soon as the weather becomes more fair.
There was no old business for the court to discuss.
The first item of new business was a proposed resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF A BOARD
MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PHILADELPHIA
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.
A motion was made by Justice Stacks to accept the proposal as read. Justice Weinstock seconded the motion. All voted in favor and Resolution 2011-1 passed unanimously appointing Larry Keough to this board.
The next item of new business on the agenda was a proposed resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF A BOARD
MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BONO FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT.
Justice Render made a motion to accept this proposed resolution seconded by Justice Bryant. All justices voted in favor of this proposal. Resolution 2011-2 passed appointing Bill Lane to the board.
The third item on the agenda for the court was a proposed resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF A BOARD
MEMBER TO THE CRAIGHEAD COUNTY/JONESBORO PUBLIC
LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Justice Couch made a motion to accept the proposed resolution as read. A second was made by Justice Stacks. All voted in favor and Resolution 2011-3 passed with no opposition, therefore Deborah Taylor was appointed to replace the vacancy of Bill Davenport on this board.
The final item for the court members to tend to was a proposed resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURTOF CRAIGHEAD COUNTY,
ARKANSAS, CERTIFYING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF
BUSINESS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TAX BACK PROGRAM (AS
AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 15-4-2706(D) OF THE CONSOLIDATED
INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003)
A motion was made by Justice Bowers and seconded by Justice Weinstock to accept the proposed resolution as presented. There was some discussion regarding this matter. A vote was taken with all justices voting in favor of the measure. Resolution 2011-4 passed with no opposition.
Tim Gibson, representing Vela Court Software spoke regarding his company. He told the court of other counties that used his software and gave general information about the cost and use of the product. There was much discussion and many questions among court members on this subject.
Justice Hoke spoke to the court to get feedback of what members thought about the possibility of giving the county employees Good Friday off as a paid holiday. There was some discussion regarding this matter. It was decided that the
Committees would discuss this at their April committee meetings on April 11.
With no further business to discuss, Justice Bryant made a motion to adjourn with Justice Render seconding the motion. The Craighead County Quorum Court stood adjourned until April 25, 2011.
___________________________
Attest: Nancy Nelms