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14 JAN 16CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on January 16, 2014 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Bolden delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, and Robinson answered roll call. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT EIGHT (8), ABSENT (2). Aldermen Ray and Howard were absent. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Director of Administration Jim Durham, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, Police Captain Kenny Boyd, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, IT Director Barbara McDaniel, 911 Communications Director Tabby Hughes, Planning Commissioner Jim Moore, Water Commission Chairman Jim Peacock, Water Department Superintendant Jake Short, Water Department Field Manager Sal Pappalardo, Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes, Pat Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Griggs, Glenda Fletcher, Charles Cavin, Johnny Simpson, Ivory Tillman, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 2, 2014 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 19 December 2013 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve the regular monthly report for December 2013. PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 11 Building Inspections 28 Business Licenses 4 Electrical 36 Plumbing 27 HVACR 11 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve the regular monthly report for December 2013. ADOPTION FEES/FINES $2,740.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 100.00 TOTALS $2,840.00 REGULAR ANNUAL REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve the regular monthly report for year ending 2013. ADOPTION FEES/FINES $ 21,300.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 1,905.00 TOTALS $ 23,205.00 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve the Regular Monthly Report for December 2013 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. Code Enforcement for December 2013 Assigned Calls 57 Self Initiated Calls 132 Follow ups 177 Basketball Goals 0 Meetings/Court Hearings 57 Structures Inspected 4 Citations/Warnings Issued 6 Rental Properties Inspected 1 Notices/Letters Written 12 Properties Red Tagged 0 Vehicles Tagged 4 Search Warrants Served 0 Vehicles Towed 0 Structures Rehabbed 0 Lots posted 3 Structures Condemned 0 Signs removed 51 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 0 Houses Demolished by Owner 1 Parking Violations 3 Grass Letters 0 Grass Mowed 0 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve the regular monthly report for December 2013 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $18,000.00 and a savings total of $30,000.00. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, and Robinson voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. WATER DEPARTMENT: a. RESOLUTION 706 (#1-2014) A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING IMPLEMENTATON OF A PASS THROUGH CHARGE UNDER JMC § 13.16.016 FROM CENTRAL ARKANSAS WATER TO JACKSONVILLE WATER WORKS RATEPARYERS FOR PAYMENT OF THE PASS THROUGH CHARGE FROM CENTRAL ARKANSAS WATER AUTHORITY OAS OF JANUARY 1, 2014; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Water Department Manager Jake Short recalled that in 2012, Central Arkansas Water informed them that there would be two rate increase one in 2013 and one in 2014. He related that in 2013 there was a 3.78% increase, which was absorbed by the Water Department and not passed on. He stated that the increase for 2014 is 3.61%, which equates roughly to $.06 per 1,000 gallons of water purchased from CAW. He stated that this would mean an increase of approximately $.42 per bill for the Jacksonville Waterworks ratepayers. He explained that this is the cost of the water and they are attempting to recoup those costs. City Attorney Bamburg recalled that several years ago the City Council passed an Ordinance that authorized the Water Commission to enact any pass through charge that were passed to them from CAW and Lonoke White. He explained that the Water Commission has already acted in order for this to pass through to the ratepayer under the authority of the Ordinance granted by the City Council. He stated that the Resolution is an informational tool for the City Council to address any questions from citizens. Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to read Resolution 706 (#1-2014). Alderman Sansing pointed out that the rate increase is only being passed to the retail customers and not to the wholesale customers. Mayor Fletcher clarified that the pass through charge is not a rate increase. Superintendant Short clarified with City Attorney Bamburg that the Ordinance does allow for pass through charges to be passed on to wholesale customer. He related that Cabot is a wholesale customer but they are currently not taking any water from Jacksonville. He then added that Bayou II is also a wholesale customer that is only taking a minimum amount of 50,000 gallons of water monthly, which is only enough to flush the line. He then explained that another customer, North Pulaski takes water from CAW so the 3.61% increase is already being passed to them, adding that North Pulaski only purchases enough water for flushing. He stated that it is water that is normally used for flushing to deal with system issues. Mayor Fletcher stated that he does appreciate that the Water Commission did not pass the previous CAW increase onto Jacksonville ratepayers. He stated that as a pass through charge it is the cost of doing business. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. Superintendant Short stated that they are trying to be proactive, explaining that if the Commission continued to absorb the pass through costs, they would have to conduct another rate study to raise rates. He added that they are being transparent, wanting to inform everyone of what is occurring. In response to a question from Alderman Robinson, Superintendant Short answered that the percentage of water purchased from CAW is roughly between 60 to 65%. He then answered Alderman Traylor that the wholesale percentage from Little Rock Air Force Base is approximately 11% and Bayou II is nominal at maybe .5%. Discussion ensued as to the computation process and Superintendant Short explained that it was figured off the monetary minimum obligation of Jacksonville purchasing 840 million gallons annually from CAW. City Attorney Bamburg clarified that the only amounts that can be passed through are the amounts that the Water Department receives bills on from CAW. Alderman Traylor clarified with Superintendant Short that the percentage increase is on any water amount purchased from CAW and that is what is figured into the pass through charge. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 706 (#1-2014). Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve Resolution 706 (#1-2014) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. b. ANNUAL REPORT by Water Department Manager Jake Short On behalf of the Jacksonville Water Commission I am pleased to provide you with the 2013 Annual Water Works report. Jacksonville Water Works secured financing from the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission in the amount of 25 million dollars in low interest loans regarding the completion of five major infrastructure projects that will provide a safe and plentiful water supply to the City of Jacksonville beyond the year 2050. We are happy to report that construction continues on our brand new 3 Million Gallon Elevated Water Storage Tank. This tank will replace our 65 year old 5 million gallon ground storage tank and is slated to be complete in early 2014. Work also continues on replacing and updating our Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System. These modifications to our control system will be completed in early 2014. The General Samuels 24” Water Line Project which also began construction in 2013 sits at 98% completion. Our South Source 24” and Main and Meter Station Project has just began and is estimated at 16% completion being CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. finalized in the next year and a half. Finally, the Water Works is also expecting to have an additional pipeline project begin this year with the North/South Water Line Project. Currently they are working on easements with Entergy, adding that once that is finished the project will be advertised for bid. Important work also continues on the Lonoke White Public Water Authority Project. The $55 million dollar project began in 2012 and is funded through the ANRC and USDA-RD. The project consists of an intake structure, a water treatment plant at Coal Creek on Greers Ferry Lake, and over 50 miles of water transmission mains that will serve the 8 member communities of Lonoke White. Scheduled to be completed in mid-2014, this vitally important project will provide Jacksonville and LRAFB with a secondary water source should a catastrophic event occur in the waterlines coming from Central Arkansas Water. Jacksonville Water Works continues to work with the LRAFB in their effort to privatize their water utilities infrastructure. Privatization would allow Jacksonville Water Works the opportunity to operate, maintain, improve, and assume all responsibility of LRAFB’s water system. By ridding itself of utilities, LRAFB can then focus on specific mission requirements instead of system repairs and upgrades. The Water Works is excited about the opportunity to further solidify the partnership between the LRAFB and the City of Jacksonville and looks forward to the benefits all stand to receive. The in-house projects completed during 2013 includes the installation of 12,486 linear feet of pipe, 10 additional fire hydrants, 40 valves, and updating 57 existing water services. At the end of 2013 we had 11,137 water meters in the water distribution system which includes 33 new water services. Customer service continues to be a top priority of Jacksonville Water Works staff. We are currently taking online payments through our secure internet site. In the year 2013, we received $10,689 online payments totaling $1,022,361.00. We continue to receive many positive comments from our customers using this updated service. As we move into 2014, I am pleased to announce that Jacksonville Water Works now has the ability to bill its customers via electronic mail. A campaign is being planned to inform Jacksonville water users of this new service and to encourage its use. Upgrades to our internal software and internet site have made the customer experience much more convenient, and will only continue to benefit Jacksonville Water Works. These upgrades have key advantages in that they reduce paper and postage costs, as well as stimulate improved cash flow by facilitating faster payments. Water Production was down in 2013. On June 19, 2013 we reached a peak demand for the year of 5.9 million gallons. This is well below the previous year’s peak water flow of 7.0 million gallons which occurred on CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. June 30, 2012. The total water production for the year was 1.3 billion gallons, which was a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. Our average daily water flow for the year was 3.6 million gallons per day. We are currently in the process of renovating our current warehouse facility at 1925 West Main. In 2013 a firewall was installed and design work completed for the construction of office space to be utilized by Jacksonville Water Works operations staff members. This work was accomplished with a workforce of 33 employees. We currently have 12 employees licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health to properly operate the water system with 4 additional employees currently working toward the completion of their water operator license to further enhance the professionalism of the Jacksonville Water Works staff. These added facilities will aid the Water Works in that our staff members will be working from one footprint and be afforded much faster and easier access to materials, supplies, and JWW equipment. He then reported that they experienced a water quality violation in October 2013. He explained that they continually monitor for water contaminants, saying that thirty samples are taken each month to test for the presence of Coli form bacteria. He stated that in October four samples showed the total Coli form bacteria, explaining that the standard is that no more than one sample from the thirty per month can show a presence. He stated that at no point was public health at risk and it was not an emergency situation, adding that there was no need to boil water or for customers to have to use bottled water or any other corrective actions. He stated that by themselves Coli form bacteria are generally harmless. He said that the presence showing up in the samples serves as an indicator that there could be other potential harmful bacteria present or they could be experiencing problems with the treatment process or even the pipes in the distribution system. He stated that subsequent testing was performed to see if there were other more harmful bacteria present and that was not the case. He stated that they feel they have taken the appropriate steps to correct the violation. The water system was strategically and adequately flushed and some improvements were made to parts of the distribution infrastructure. He stated that in 2014 they budgeted for 30 new sampling stations to further aid our operations in collecting accurate samples. We take what we do very seriously and this was a reminder that what we do is important and diligence is always needed where the public health is concerned. We appreciate your confidence and continued support in working with the Jacksonville Water Commission towards the completion of the important capital projects set forth in the Water Master Plan. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. The scope of the projects included in the master plan will insure that our City will have a safe and adequate supply of high quality water for the future growth of the Great City of Jacksonville today, tomorrow and for many years to come. Mayor Fletcher noted that this was the first violation since the mid 90’s, adding that he appreciates that they were on top of the situation. In response to a question from Alderman Robinson, Superintendant Short stated that the whether or not a meter is active all meters are read. Alderman Robinson stated that he uses the online payment method and very much likes it. Mayor Fletcher stated that he is excited about the new water tower and that Lonoke White project will mean a lot to the future growth of Jacksonville. He related that Jacksonville will not be dependent on one source. He stated that he recently read an article that stated the underground aquifers are getting lower and lower and the future supply of water will be above ground. He added that he believes this project will turn out to be a wise investment for the Water Department. WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: ANNUAL REPORT by Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes stated that she is happy to deliver the annual report. She introduced the Jacksonville Sewer Commissioners: Fred Belote, Chair; John Ferrell, Vice Chair; Barbara Meyers, Secretary; and Pat Griggs and Eddie Porter. She related that Mrs. Joan Zumwalt retired from the Sewer Commission in April after 29 years of service. New Commissioner Eddie Porter was appointed in her seat, and Fred Belote was chosen as the new Chairman. Wastewater operators treated 1,621,310,000 gallons of wastewater. Our plant accepted 4,177,999 gallons of landfill leachate from Two Pine Landfill. We completed our 18th consecutive year without an NPDES permit violation. There were no violations from ADEQ inspections of the plant and solid waste monofill, and no violations of our biomonitoring testing. ADEQ granted a request for reduction in whole effluent toxicity testing based on test results over the last five years in which there have been zero (0) lethal or sub-lethal effects at the critical dilution. This means the fathead minnows and water fleas survived and reproduced in our treated wastewater. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. With our new ultraviolet disinfection system (UV), which has been on-line for 17 months now, our annual fecal coli form count average is 1.0, which is an exceptional achievement in this industry. With the elimination of chlorine, which was replaced by UV, our plant is completely chemical-free. Our in-house construction crews upgraded the Valentine Pump Station, which consisted of a new 18 foot deep wet well, vault, force main, control box, new pumps, and fencing. This increased the station to accept the additional flow from the new customers in the Valentine/Wooten Road area. 150 new customers in the Valentine/Wooten Road area were connected to the new system in 2013. Our construction crews constructed of 5,208 feet of force main and installed a grinder pump station for the Arkansas Game & Fish Shooting Complex. We accepted 4,951 feet of new main line in Jackson Terrace Phase 9. In-house crews re-laid 236 feet of pipe, and replaced 24 manholes, and constructed 10 new manholes. Three hundred ninety-seven (397) manholes were inspected and one hundred eighty-four (184) received some type of repair. Contracted forces replaced 8,361 feet of mainline by pipe bursting. Responded to 37 customer calls for mainline blockages. Sixteen (16) of these were caused by grease, and eleven (11) were caused by non-dispersibles (wipes). Only one (1) was caused by Inflow and Infiltration (I/I), which continues to confirm that the past several years’ of aggressive rehab of the system is proving successful. This year, three (3) overflowing manholes were caused by I/I, from a rain event which occurred during a 24 hour period when we received 9 inches of rain. Eight (8) overflowing manholes were caused by grease, and five (5) were caused by non-dispersibles (wipes and other products). In addition to our “Can the Grease” campaign, which has been our motto for the past 11 years, we waged a war on wipes by starting our “Don’t Clog Your Pipes, Shut the Lid on Wipes” campaign. Public educational materials have been mailed, inserted in water bills, displayed on billboards and large trucks, and provided by door hangers. We had three segments on local news channels, and several newspaper articles. I am serving on a national Water Environment Federation committee who is working with the manufacturer of “flushable” and “disposable” products to try to eliminate the problem. It is our hopes to educate our public that the ONLY thing that should be flushed is toilet paper….and never flush “flushable” wipes or other products in your toilet. We cleaned 55.67 miles of line on a routine cleaning schedule, and 1 mile on an emergency basis. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. For the first time, we developed an in-house Geographic Information System of the Utility’s assets to be used both in the office and in a mobile setting. This is an on-going process and still being updated. We are currently working on the relocation of sewer lines for the expansion of Highway 67/167 at the Redmond Road and Main Street bridges. The project is ready for bid at this time. We have begun survey work for a force main to run from Hwy. 161 to the City’s property that was originally proposed as a Fairgrounds site, in an effort to prepare that property for development. We inspected 862 grease traps at restaurants and 12 oil/water separators and sand traps at mechanic shops and car washes. We performed 8,025 analytical tests in our laboratory for the Johnson treatment plant. Operating revenue was up by 9.17% due to the second step of a 3-step rate increase. We received a perfect independent financial audit. In January, we submitted a very detailed proposal to the Defense Logistics Agency for the privatization of the sewage collection system located on the LRAFB, and responded to a negotiation message on September 9. DLA will review proposal and negotiate its contents. If project is awarded to JWU, a significant bond issue backed by the Federal Government may be required. This will in no way obligate the City of Jacksonville’s funds or Jacksonville Wastewater Utility’s funds. Citizens of Jacksonville will NOT fund this project with their sewer rates or city taxes, but bond issue will require City Council approval. JWU participated in the Jacksonville High School Job Fair, and the first annual Jacksonville FestiVille. JWU hosted the AWW&WEA Central District meeting in March, where we welcomed 120 visitors to our campus, and provided tours of the treatment plant and a demonstration of the Operations Challenge events. Once again, as we do annually, JWU joined with the Jacksonville Police Department and the Jacksonville Water Works to promote “Prescription Drug Take-Back” day annually in April and October. JPD has a drop box available 24/7 to discard unused prescription drugs, to keep them off the streets and out of the nation’s waterways. Several JWU employees volunteer their own time in our industry’s associations, where they serve on boards and committees, arrange for speakers and presentations at conferences, and work together with neighboring wastewater professionals to provide training and education for the water and wastewater professionals in our state. This industry-related work, and networking with other professionals, develops our employees’ skills, knowledge and leadership abilities. I am very proud of their participation in our industry’s organizations. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. 2013 Awards & accomplishments: Operations Challenge Team (Bruce Jones, John Huffmaster, Paul Richards, & Steve Grobeck) won the State competition, placed 2nd in the Texas state competition, and placed 10th overall at the National Competition in Chicago, where they came in 3rd in the Collection Systems event. Bob Williams was awarded the Water Environment Federation’s Bedell Award, which acknowledges outstanding performance by a wastewater professional. Sam Zehtaban was acknowledged by the Water Environment Federation for 25 years of service by acceptance into the “Quarter Century Operator’s Club”, and was inducted into the Arkansas Select Society for Sanitary Sludge Shovelers. Luke Avery won the first annual “Arkansas Hawg Waller” competition by cutting an 8” PVC pipe with a hand saw in a flat 8 seconds, and Bruce Jones won the Texas competition by doing the same with exactly the same time. Paul Richards received his Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from UALR, and was inducted into the international construction honor society, Sigma Lambda Chi. Bruce Jones received the Dick Morris Employee Excellence Award, given annually to a JWU employee who demonstrates excellent work principles. The following licenses are currently held by JWU employees: Class IV Wastewater Operator = 6 Class III Wastewater Operator = 8 Class II Wastewater Operator = 2 Class I Wastewater Operator = 5 Solid Waste license = 6 Plumbing Inspector = 7 Commercial Driver’s License = 18 Mayor Fletcher extended his appreciation to Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes, her staff, and the Commissioners. FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: Request to set up $400.00 petty cash for the Shooting Range Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve petty cash set up of $400.00 for operational expenses at the Shooting Range. MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION: FINAL PLAT Cavin Estates Lots 1-3 City Engineer Whisker related that this property was previously developed as a trailer park and now the owner is proposing to develop single-family homes. He stated that the first three lots already have curb, gutter and sidewalk. He explained that the developer will continue the next phase going down Mayfair. Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to approve the FINAL PLAT of Cavin Estates Lots 1-3. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: STATE OF THE CITY by Mayor Fletcher We live in a world that at the same time some people see sunsets, others see sunrises. There is a new day a dawning for Jacksonville as we start 2014 but as we face the future, we also need to reflect on the past as the ground work to bring about this promising future. Like any year in review, they all have their “ups and downs” and 2013 started off with ups beginning with the completion of the Jacksonville Public Safety Building that houses three city departments and brings them into the 21st century with state of the art facilities and equipment. The lion’s share of the 40,000 square foot building houses the Jacksonville Police Department. With much thought and planning with spacious layouts of every phase of the PD operations there brings about a more organized system and even carries over into a higher degree of professionalism due to the pride each member has in being a member of the Jacksonville Police Department. Also housed in the Public Safety building are the training offices of the police and fire departments. Training officers maintain records and training classrooms in addition to the recently opened grounds for both departments. There are three medium sized classrooms equipped with state of the art technology and a large gathering room/classroom that is actually a concrete and steel re-enforced Safe Room that is open to the public in the event of a Tornado Warning. This facility is used on a regular basis for Federal, State and Local Emergency Service Organizations. It also opens the door for additional training for our training personnel that normally would have to go elsewhere including out of state at a greater cost to our city, not to mention the revenue that is spent at local businesses due to attendees eating here as well as lodging. No one can appreciate the new 911 Communications located there unless they had seen the old facility. It too, is protected with its own safe room construction and houses new state of the art 4G/LTE digital radio system. This system allows for statewide communications through the AWIN Network. AWIN and the State of Arkansas maintain the transmitter site, saving the city of Jacksonville $65,000-$100,000 annually. The workstations include large wall-mounted screens to help monitor all emergency activity at a glance and maintain a fluid operations at all times. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. Early in 2013, paperwork was completed and signed between the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and the City of Jacksonville to build the largest trap/skeet shooting facility in the State. Shortly thereafter, groundwork began in spite of a wet spring to build the 3.5 million dollar facility that will draw shooters from all across the south as it is expected to host state and regional tournaments thus boosting the local economy especially in the hotel/restaurant business. The site covers 160 acres with 14 trap stations, 3 skeet ranges, 5,000 square foot Administration Building, 2 pavilions with restroom facilities and a 3D archery course that will be constructed sometime this spring. The Arkansas State Legislature met in their scheduled legislative session and passed many bills however, one of special interest to the city deals with the local option of wet/dry. It has the potential to level the playing field and make it easier to attract nice family restaurants on the national chain level. It is costing our city when our citizens go to another city to eat by using our local money to support another city’s tax base. That money needs to stay in our own hometown, financing city services and projects. I have maintained all along that no city has the potential Jacksonville has, yet our hands are tied to do anything about it. The new legislation allows cities that contain the former townships to be able to get on the ballot the initiative to go wet through a petition process requiring signatures of 38% of the registered voters. The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce is heading up the signature drive and as of today have 1,471 of the 4,839 signatures needed. A big door to door effort is underway to gather the remaining signatures. In 2013, we saw the retirement of long time Fire Chief John Vanderhoof who served our city faithfully for 40 years. His goals and dreams as he lead the Jacksonville Fire Department were accomplished before he left, topped with the ISO fire rating moving from a 3 to a 2, which is a major feat. Filling those shoes we knew would be a difficult task, and after a thorough search, it turned out that the person that excited us was right here among us. The search process brought us applicants from several states and with different backgrounds and views but Alan Laughy set himself apart very quickly in the interview process with his energy, frankness, vision, and preparation to carry out that vision along with his qualifications and training. Chief Laughy left a job very near to his heart as assistant chief at the Little Rock Air Force Base Fire Department to accept this new challenge in his fire career. Welcome Chief Laughy as he leads the “Pride of Jacksonville”. This year was historic due to the State and the 3 central Arkansas school districts (Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special School District) and interested parties reaching a tentative agreement to help end the desegregation funding, thus helping set the state to address the long neglected needs of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski schools and patrons by the separation from the current district thus forming a new, independent one. The State and the school districts have been in court over 30 years at a cost of 1 billion dollars in government aid. By separating Jacksonville and North Pulaski from PCSSD, this will be a CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. win/win solution to all parties involved, as the district will have more money per student in Pulaski County and Jacksonville will qualify for more state money for facilities as they are built. It also addresses one of the nine areas that have to be settled to qualify for unitary status. I am happy to say tonight that this past Monday January 13, 2014, United States District Judge D. Price Marshall gave final approval to a settlement that will end the state’s annual payment of desegregation aid to the 3 central districts in 4 years and part of that settlement starts the process to create a Jacksonville/ North Pulaski School District after decades of efforts. This decision will create a tremendous amount of work as the real work begins now for both the community and the District in order to bring everything to completion as there are many steps to be taken yet. We saw the completion of a new high school for Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School. This school was built to house grades 10, 11 & 12 and completed the work started three years ago with the formation of the new elementary, followed by the addition the next year of the Flight line Academy on the Little Rock Air Force Base. By the close of the year, the orange pylons that have dotted Graham Road for the past two long years as construction was under way to widen Graham Road from two lanes to four with concrete curb and gutters, full running sidewalks on both sides were removed, signaling the near completion of this great asset to the area and what better timing as the state of the art trap/shooting facility will being hosting shooting events this spring that will draw people from all over the country to this area. One project that I feel was the most overlooked this past year, yet was very important concerning public safety, was the covering of the dangerous drainage ditch along Redmond Road from Dupree Park to Highland. This deep ditch at the edge of the roadway had many cars drive off into it, especially during heavy rains at nighttime. This work was done in house and I appreciate the talent and commitment of our Street Department to address this issue as it has always worried me concerning public safety. This year brought an opportunity for our city to show its pride in our military and those who have served by submitting a bid for the new Veterans Home to be located here. Thanks to the hard work of the Chamber of Commerce we left a great impression in the first round and are currently in the top three sites and the final decision will be made very shortly. Before I began to summarize this past year I read over the past State of the City reports for the past four years and found a common phrase I used over and over. That phrase was that “Jacksonville has a great future”. I can tell you tonight knowing the seeds that we have sown over these past four and a half years concerning economic development and the hard work of many citizens over the past three and four decades concerning education and a separate school district that the future we have talked about in the past is upon us today. Our time is now and that evidence will be seen in the weeks and months to come. There has been much behind the scenes efforts that will pay off for the efforts that took time and CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. patience. I believe that cities that have a strong future will be those who focus on three areas. These three areas are education, health care and economic development. A plan that will develop and offer its citizens a higher and stronger quality of life that today people demand for themselves and their family. As I have stated before, these past four and a half years have been trying times economically across the nation. The housing market shakeup with foreclosures helped create the worst economy since the depression of the late 20s and 30s. Sequestration and a government shutdown made big headlines and placed a hardship upon our community and Federal employees that reside here. Beginning in early summer and running fourteen weeks, base civilian employees were furloughed one day per week resulting in a pay cut of 20%. That spilled over into the local economy, not to mention the additional hardship upon those who were left to pick up the slack. Shortly after the furlough ended, and everyone got back to work the first of October began a seventeen day government shut down. Even though employees were called back with back pay, we still live in very uncertain times as there is not and has not been a federal budget passed to operate under in the past five years. This lack of ability holds us all back in building a strong future economically and in a military town makes us even more aware of the effect it has on military readiness as the world becomes more dangerous and demands stronger counter measures. Let me say here that the challenges that do face our military that I can tell you by knowing and observing the leadership of our base personnel that they adapt and come through stronger than going in, but they still need the attention and support both in Washington and here locally. However, in spite of these trying economic times, most people would use it as an excuse and do nothing waiting for opportunities to get better. Believing the public wants results, not excuses, we have trudged ahead plowing the fields with persistence and making the city and its potential known on the national level. These efforts will soon pay off and as they do our tax base will increase, thus making Jacksonville a stronger city. Evidence of this should start to be seen this spring and early summer. In the area of education after 30+ years, 6 feasibility studies, endless town hall meetings, discussions, frustrations from the condition of facilities, lack of vision, control and professionalism of school boards ignoring the needs of our city and its children. We are on the threshold of an election that will begin the process of righting the wrongs by the people voting to create an independent Jacksonville/North Pulaski school district by this fall. This will mean many things some of which will place our new district into a new wealth index thus allowing our new district to receive substantial money from the state to help construct new facilities. On the economic level the past years of our efforts and involvement with Retail Attraction and personal participation with Rickey Hayes in bringing people and business from around the country into a more focused effort to get the national retailers and restaurants interested in Jacksonville has gotten busier this past year. As anyone with real CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. estate experience knows due to the high cost of investment and compounded by lack of raw developable commercial property the wheels turn slow but the good news is that there is serious interest in Jacksonville and the market it has. We look forward in the very near future to several announcements. As our population becomes more aged locally, as well on the national scene, health care becomes more of an issue and Jacksonville will keep its attention on this facet in both its amenities and economic boost that a community reels in. I have maintained since I came into office four years ago that our state and specifically Jacksonville needs to work hard to attract retirees into the community. Nationally, there are ten thousand people that retire a day for the next eighteen years. With many of them, they bring an already established income therefore immediately creating a positive economic boost to local businesses and economy. Their contribution to the community is their real estate taxes support a school system that they themselves don’t burden down thru usage, most at this particular age group are generally healthy and want to be engaged in the community that they live in such as volunteerism. These are citizens that don’t have to rely upon additional jobs and industry as a matter of fact collectively they help to create those opportunities. This past year has had its difficulties with our local hospital but it is still a source of health care that is ours and we need to rally around this facility and support still some of the greatest health care providers such as the doctors, nurses and administrators who I can tell you truly care about every aspect of their patients life. The personal care and time they give each patient is unmatched by many of much larger facilities. This hospital has been faithful to this community for over fifty years and was there for thousands of people in times of great need and made the difference. I call upon our city to be there for her as she works to make the transitions to survive in a very difficult field in today’s environment, as her success is really all of ours. Medicine and health care is rapidly changing and our city needs to work on where health care is headed and where we need to be twenty years down the road and get out in front greeting it when it arrives and that is what we are working on. I want to close by acknowledging some special groups of individuals that are the key to our success as we are moving forward. First my staff and Directors who are so gifted and talented who give so much of themselves and are so conscience of their work they give me and the citizens nothing short of their best. Another group that is even more so special is the employees who in all honestly make my directors look even better. This group is the ones that make it all come together that create the harmonious flow of excellent service to our citizens the people of Jacksonville have become accustomed to for so many years. The various commissions that serve this city, two of which you heard tonight that give hours upon hours for no pay and sometimes unwarranted criticisms. The elected officials such as a city clerk Susan Davitt who keeps so many commissions, boards, and city council as well as myself straight. It’s CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. hard to fathom the time that it requires to do this job. The city attorney Bobby Bamburg whom I know gets frustrated with me as I create more confusion in his already complicated world of growing legal requests and demands but I know this: even if I don’t get it immediately (as I usually do), when I get it, I have strong confidence in it that it cannot be done any better. Judge Robert Batton has always worked with me and that is not always the case in other Districts. This relationship is a vital one as we must work in a harmonious relationship or the whole community suffers and this one is, thanks to the judge, a healthy one. Last, and certainly not least, no Mayor could ask for a better working city council that I am blessed with. I know quite a few of the 500 or so Mayors around the state and we talk on a very regular basis. It is so common to hear of intergovernmental fighting and bickering. Some cases there are nothing short of just pure hatred which makes the people’s business to suffer. I know sometimes a harmonious relationship of mutual respect and common focus and priorities becomes boring to some folks but the by-product of such relationships is strong progress and a healthy future. I acknowledge these people because it is a team effort that makes this city run as smoothly as it does and not the results of one man or a small group; therefore, they are worthy of much attention and praise. Finally, “Thank you” all for your service to our great city and I would be amiss to say personally to the citizens of this great city a personal wholehearted Thank You for allowing me to serve you at a great time in the history of our city as we have been working to create a new city for the 21st century with opportunities for all citizens from education to employment. Thank you and may God Bless our country, our servicemen and women, and our efforts for a greater Jacksonville. APPOINTMENT(S): ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Mayor Fletcher announced that City offices will be closed Monday, January 20th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He stated that on Monday there will be a day of empowerment and service hosted at the Boys & Girls Club starting at noon. He noted that there will be great speakers and some service projects. Mayor Fletcher recognized attendee LaConda Watson, Mrs. Jacksonville International. He announced that the Fourth Annual Father/Daughter Banquet hosted by the Sertoma Club will be held Friday, February 14th at the Jacksonville Community Center. Mrs. LaConda Watson addressed the City Council saying that she is very proud to represent our City as Mrs. Jacksonville International. She stated that the next step is the Mrs. Arkansas International on April 11th – 13th 2014 at the Maumelle High School. She related that she has been a resident of Jacksonville for sixteen years; her husband is a retired Master Sergeant from the Little Rock Air Force Base. She also related that their children started school in Jacksonville. She is an CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. employee of Alltel for sixteen years, which evolved into Verizon and now AT&T. She noted that she is also involved with the American Heart Association and Susan G. Komen as her main focus since moving to Arkansas. She stated that her platform for the Pageant will be focusing on health, fitness, and family with the American Heart Association as her primary sponsor. She stated that one of the things that she is excited about is hosting through the Community Center a Zumba-thon on February 22, 2014. She related that she will be attending the Martin Luther King event at the Boys and Girls Club and noted that her daughter will be present to sing the National Anthem. Jim Moore, a member of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, stated that the Association is a non-profit organization formed from Jacksonville citizens who have attended the Citizens Police Academy 8 week course. He recognized Mr. Ivory Tillman as a member. He related that the JCPAAA is dedicated solely to support the Jacksonville Police Department, which is done by volunteering in some of the offices performing tasks such as finger printing for jobs or ID records for children. He continued saying that they also sponsor an annual Christmas lunch for the Police officers and their families. He then explained that they began a project in August to raise money for the purchase of a K9 officer. He stated that one of the Police K9s is ready to retire so the JPCAAA has raised approximately $7,200.00 through various fund raisers to go toward the estimated $9,000.00 purchase cost for a new K9. He added that this price does include training. He noted that Chief Sipes was able to negotiate a lowered price from the customary $10,000.00 cost. He related that recently they were able to collect another $500.00 from the members of the JPCAAA who challenged each other with $50.00 pledges. He stated that there are other planned fund raising projects such as a basketball game at the Boys and Girls Club on February 16th; the Police Department team will play Pastor Baker’s team. He then related that also the second annual JPCAAA Golf Tournament will be held at the Southern Oaks Golf course on April 28th as a fund raiser. He noted that last year’s Tournament raised approximately $4,000.00 that was used to purchase the kitchen appliances at the new Police Department. He informed the City Council that another project the Organization has agreed to be involved with is helping the Chamber of Commerce obtain the necessary signatures for the wet/dry vote. He then noted that any leftover monies from the fund raisers will be used to purchase vests for the Police K9s, explaining how important it is for them to be protected. He stated that the Organization continues to work closely with Chief Sipes and all the officers as their commitment of support. He encouraged members of the City Council to donate to help reach the remaining goal of $1,800.00 to purchase the new K9. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 8:09 P.M. Alderman Mashburn questioned if drug funds could be used toward this purchase, and it was related that Chief Sipes had offered to use those funds and the JPCAA has offered to replace those funds. Director of Administration Jim Durham challenged members of the City Council by saying that he would match dollar for dollar all the donations made from the City Council. Alderman Ray and Bolden pledged $100.00 each. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:09 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer