Falotico appointed to Carroll's council seat

Aaron Falotico was appointed to fill the vacant Ward 1 seat on the Eureka Springs City Council almost without discussion Monday evening.

He is the only candidate for the Ward 1 Position 1 seat in the November election, but he was appointed to fill the Position 2 seat, formerly held by Penny Carroll.

He was suggested as a possible candidate for the position by Alderman Earl "Bud" Umland during the Aug. 23 meeting.

When the discussion of the vacant seat started Monday, Umland nominated him to the post.

Alderman Gayle Money supported the nomination as a way to have a smoother transition between councils at the start of the new year.

Only two of the current council could return: Karen Lindblad has an opponent in Rick Rojeck for the Ward 1, Position 2 seat, and Robert "Butch" Berry is unopposed for the Ward 2, Position 2, post.

Falotico is new to Eureka politics, but he has worked as a political advisor in Vancouver, Wash., and Johnson City, Ore.

When he began his college education, he went into campus politics, holding the office of president of the Residence Hall Association representing about 2,000 students.

In the spring of 1999, he graduated from Portland State University with a bachelor of science in political science.

CAPC collectors

Without being sworn into office, Falotico volunteered to serve on a committee to define the collectors of the City Advertising and Promotion Commission (CAPC) 2 percent gross sales tax.

Aldermen Bill Ott and Karen Lindblad fill out the committee.

Alderman Umland and Money, current representatives of the council on the CAPC, declined to be on the committee.

The CAPC has asked the council to clarify the existing definition of collectors in the Municipal Code.

The commission asked the council to work from proposed Ordinance 1948, which includes language to clarify the definition of a "gift shop."

The ordinance had been sent to the council 18 months ago, but did not get approval.

Bucket truck

Mayor Kathy Harrison gave the council a proposed resolution to purchase a 1995 Ford F-Series bucket truck for $20,000 from Jimmy Jones Excavating.

The truck will be put to immediate use to facilitate the changing out of Christmas lights in time to meet the Nov. 15 state deadline for turning on holiday lights. It will also be used for tree trimming, putting up banners and other projects.

She said the money could come out of capitol funds. She said portions of two proposed projects in the Fire Department and Transit Department would not be done this year, so the money is available.

Umland asked that the public works director be asked to get prices on comparable trucks from other suppliers as soon as possible.

Council members were willing to have a special meeting, if necessary, to make a decision about the purchase.

Budget review

Money asked for a workshop to go over the city's budget. The mid-year review was delayed due to the hiring of a new accounts supervisor and giving her time to get the accounts in order.

Council agreed to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, to go over the budget.

Noise ordinance

The Noise Ordinance Committee - Lindblad, Money and Umland - will meet with Police Chief Earl Hyatt at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20, to discuss changes to the proposed ordinance.

The council put the ordinance on the Sept. 27 meeting agenda.

Commission appointments

Jan Grinnell was approved for Position 5 on the Planning Commission.

David Clements was approved for Position 1 on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Mayor Harrison nominated Pat Matsukis for Position 4 on the CAPC. The vote on her nomination will be taken during the Sept. 27 meeting.

Mayor Harrison said Bill Fort has asked to be reinstated to the Hospital Commission. She said he wants to continue on the commission during the transition for the hospital.

Fort has been acting chairman of the commission and was instrumental in recently signing an agreement with Quality Health Network, Inc., of Lafayette, La., for management of the hospital.

There is a loan request before the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to build a new facility.

The vote on Fort will be in two weeks.

Vision Committee

recommendations

Alderman Bill Ott has presented a "to do" list of recommendations from the Vision Committee. The list is a distillation of projects from various vision and master plans and surveys of the city.

The list includes hiring a full-time city planner; capital improvements; community facilities; regulating strip development; parking; city gateway improvement; creating a housing authority; and continuing efforts for economic development.

Copies of the list will be available at City Hall. The recommendations will be discussed during the Sept. 27 meeting.