June 22 Planning Commission meeting minutes

City of Monticello
Planning Commission
Meeting of Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Minutes

The regular monthly meeting of the Monticello Planning Commission was called to order by Commission Chair Dan Boice at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Missionary Lou Lambert opened the meeting with a prayer.

Members present were Nick Akers, Dan Boice, Kathy Campbell, Esbeida Higginbotham, Lou Lambert, and Ray Ryburn. Bubba Groves and Jay Jones were absent. Boice declared a quorum.

May Minutes:  Ray MOVED to approve the May minutes as distributed, which motion was seconded and CARRIED.

Public Forum:  There were no comments.

CURRENT BUSINESS:

Report of the Fire Marshal:  Fire Marshal Jones reported on another busy month of permits and almost $37,000 having been collected for permits over the past few years.

OLD BUSINESS:

Armory Update:  A final draft of the Request for Proposals (RFP) was distributed and discussed. Dan noted the hard work of Jay Jones and Mayor Chase, as well as input from City Attorney Whit Barton, in working with consultant Jim von Tungeln to put this RFP together. The plan is as following:

• Post the RFP on the City’s (new) website.
• Publish a very short advertisement, with notification that the Armory is available and that the complete RFP will be on the City’s website.
• The process of closing the bids and allowing bidders to obtain financing should take approximately two and a half months.
• Proposals will be studied in an open meeting so that members of the public can weigh in.
• The Planning Commission will make our recommendation to the City Council.

Discussion noted that there is a minimum bid, and that the RFP gives the City the right to refuse any proposal.

NEW BUSINESS:

Plan for the City of Monticello: A very preliminary draft of a Comprehensive Plan was distributed and discussed.
       Dan reminded the Commissioners that preparing this Plan was one of our primary duties, a task that takes precedence over writing ordinances on any topic. The Plan comes first, and then the ordinances that help the City grow in accord with the Plan.
  Commissioners noted a number of concerns that they felt should be addressed in the Plan:
1. The centrality of UAM to the community, and how we can enhance UAM’s success.
2. The lack of – and need for – affordable housing, and strategies for encouraging that.
3. Transportation concerns: enhancing safety for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. Police Chief Akers noted some history of traffic control at various intersections.
4. How to encourage development of Monticello’s commercial area in order to make our city a destination. Examples from Cleveland, Miss., and El Dorado were discussed.

Dan asked that ALL Planning Commissioners study the draft, make notes of comments and questions, and bring their ideas and suggestions to the September meeting for a more extended conversation on the Comprehensive Plan.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.