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Truck stop ordinance makes headway |
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Tuesday, 13 May 2008 |
The second reading of an amended ordinance that would regulate truck stops in the city was approved 6-4 in a Benton City Council meeting Monday night. The proposed ordinance will come up for a third and final reading in a June council meeting.
Two of the aldermen who voted against the ordinance explained their objections to the proposal.
Joe Lee Richards said he considers the ordinance “encroaching on people’s rights” and said he cannot support it.
Larry Wolf said he shares Richards’ beliefs, calling the ordinance “anti-business.”
Also voting against the ordinance were Aldermen Greg White and Brad Moore.
When the ordinance was addressed previously, it drew opposition from Lloyd Brown, the owner of a vacant truck stop, and former mayoral candidate Don White. Brown was present for Monday’s meeting, but did not speak in the session.
In the previous meetings, both of the men contended the council would be “discouraging business in the city” by enacting this type of ordinance.
When the ordinance was initially introduced, it stated that any business that discontinued dispensing diesel fuel and did not resume doing so for 30 days could no longer operate in the city. This later was amended to 180 days, then expanded to five years and now states that the owner could still resume the operation within a six-year period.
In the prior meetings, Alderman Doug Stracener and City Attorney Brent Houston noted that the city has received numerous objections about businesses like Pilot Truck Stop that create traffic congestion and where pollutants are emitted from commercial vehicles as their engines are idled.
In another matter, the council discussed but took no action on an ordinance creating a Historic District Commission that would set procedures for the establishment of historic districts in the city.
Marsha Guffey, the city’s director of community development, explained that the creation of a historic district in Downtown Benton would make the businesses eligible for preservation grants.
The council eventually decided that a public hearing should be held before a decision is made regarding the commission.
According to the proposed ordinance, the commission would consist of five to nine members appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. Members would be electors of the city, receive no salary and serve three years.
Guffey pointed out that the city has a “very high percentage of existing historic structures” on the National Register of Historic Places.
A commission of this type would serve to “protect the look” of the city’s historic nature, Guffey said.
Alderman David Sparks pointed out that “this city is 160 years old” and said “we need to preserve the historic look.”
Alderman Charles Cunning-ham expressed a concern that the council “should not be shortsighted” as previous leaders were in the mid-1960s when the city had the opportunity to receive urban renewal funds and rejected them.
“We’re still suffering from the loss of those federal dollars,” Cunningham said. “Let’s be real careful when we consider opting out of anything.”
He added, “Everyone in Benton has an investment in property and getting into historical preservation is an opportunity ... .”
Stracener said he supports the concept, but thinks a public hearing should be held before the council establishes a commission that would possibly impose regulations that some business owners might find objectionable.
Alderman Greg White expressed similar comments to Stracener’s, but said he does “appreciate the concept” of preserving the city’s historical appearance.
At the start of the meeting, Mandy McClendon, a junior at Benton High School, received the Youth of the Year Award, which was chosen by the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council.
McClendon, 16, was selected among eight nominees, all of whom had been named Youth of the Month at various times throughout the year. The monthly and yearly honors are based on exemplary character, service and citizenship.
All of the nominees for the award were recognized at the council meeting. They included Hannah Bethel, Matthew Eldridge, Jade Johnston, Benjamin Martin, Maggie Martin, Nick Peters and Cole Wineland. Eldridge and Wineland were not present.
McClendon is the daughter of Glen and Susan McClendon.
The monthly and yearly honors cannot be given to members of the youth council, but numerous awards were presented to the members of that body. These will be included in a later article.
Serving as advisers to the youth council are Angela Ross and Jill Johnson.
In another matter, the council approved a resolution rescinding previous council action that condemned a structure at 601 Terry St.
Cunningham and Holland commended the property owner, Kassel Properties, for taking the necessary action to clean up the property.
“I think this shows tremendous wisdom on the part of this council to do this,” Cunningham said in regard to rescinding the condemnation order.
“There’s a tremendous shortage of property in the city,” he said. “The building looks real well now. It meets all the requirements for habitation.”
In regard to other properties, the council approved a resolution accepting the lowest acceptable bid for the demolition and removal of condemned structures at 2004 River St. and 608 S. Border St. The resolution also noted that a contract for asbestos removal would be awarded to Ward’s Asbestos Removal of Mabelvale. The bid is for $9,400.
The council also took the following action:
•Approved an ordinance waiving competitive bidding and ratifying contracts with Howell Utility and Excavation Inc. for utility relocation on Edison Avenue. The cost of the project is reported to be $64,520.
•Heard the mayor announce that the city’s health insurance rates with Arkansas Municipal League will not change when the new year begins July 1.
Stracener noted that the city pays the “second highest individual rate of any city” in the state. He said it would be good “to hear that it’s going down.”
•Heard Alderman Steve Lee announce that the Citizens Public Safety Committee has reviewed the results of a telephone survey conducted by students from University of Central Arkansas. He said the committee is ready to present its final report in June.
•Heard a monthly report from the city’s Advertising and Promotion Commission from Jill Jones, executive director of the commission. Jones is now in her new office, located in an office complex across the drive from the Benton Police Department.
•Heard Alderman Jerry Ponder review a recent meeting of the city’s Public Utility Commission.
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Razorbacks
