The Magnolia City Council heard the first reading Monday of an ordinance that would rezone property at 1820 E. North St. from C-3 to C-2, as recommended by the Magnolia Planning Commission.
At the June 20 meeting, the Planning Commission approved the contested rezoning request stipulating no mobile homes, no automotive repairs and sales, and no hotels, motels, or motor hotels.
Patsy Bentley, 1403 Marcella, addressed the City Council and spoke against the proposed rezoning.
There will be two more readings of this ordinance before it is voted on.
Alderman Steve Crowell reported on the Police Committee meeting earlier that day. “In light of the environment of today,” he said, officials have taken a look at some items needed for benefit of both the citizens and police officers. “We have put together a list and come up with monies that we need to get this.” Crowell then proposed to take $53,537 from reserve funds to purchase this equipment. This was approved unanimously.
An amendment to the budget will be on the agenda for the August meeting.
Mayor Parnell Vann noted there has been “an outpour from this community” of support for the police department in recent weeks.
Council members heard the second reading of two ordinances amending Sections 10-27 and 10-28 of the Magnolia Code, revising the schedule of license taxes based on business inventory and classification of business. A committee of Aldermen Jamie Waller, Kelli Souter, Gary Farrar, and Sam Whitelaw was appointed to discuss these fees. Vann said the committee would meet in August, and bring this back to the September meeting.
Fire Chief Greg Pinner introduced Jason Key with Knox Box. Key explained this is a rapid entry program, with a steel box that goes on the outside of businesses. Only the police, fire, and emergency services departments will have a key to access that box which will contain keys to the building. “Therefore, not having to break down doors,” he said. “What this does is allow first responders to gain access to buildings or properties, essentially not having to spend time waiting or destroying property.”
Key said there is a one-time cost of around $300 to the business owner, but no cost to the city. Pinner said they are working toward a city ordinance that would require these to be installed in all new commercial buildings.
Vann, Pinner, and Police Chief Glenn Maxwell are to meet with the city attorney to discuss this before the next meeting.
Aldermen approved a resolution to amend 2016 budget line items including $39,000 for Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) expense in the general fund and $7,040 in the police fund; and economic development sales tax revenue of $228,193.
Kim Newell, city treasurer, explained the APERS item for the general fund and police fund were in the budget when it was approved. However, the formula had been wiped out and when the budget was typed into the ordinance these figures were left out. “It’s what we approved to begin with,” she said.
On the economic development, Newell said the city received a check from the state for $228,000 for the East North project. “We had made deposits out of the economic development fund to the state for this project. When the project was complete we had not spent as much money as they had projected that we would. Therefore, they sent us the money back so it was a refund of deposits we had made previously from the economic development fund.” Newell said this check was deposited into the economic development fund, and used to pay off the loan on the East North project that was due to be paid in February 2017.
In other business:
•Council members approved the water system audit, as presented by Bob Edstrom, CPA. Edstrom said this was a “clean opinion with no problems, in accordance with government accounting standards.”
•It was voted to postpone condemnation proceedings on property at 610 Gantt, as the owner had passed away and his daughter was in the process of cleaning up the property and getting it ready to put on the market. A resolution to condemn a structure at 304 Sprig St. was approved.
•A resolution was approved for a grant for airport runway guidance lighting through the Federal Aviation Administration.
•An update on the waterpark facility was postponed. There will be a town hall meeting on Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
•Following the meeting a prayer service was held by local churches. See related photograph in today’s edition.
•The next meeting will be Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.