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10 APR 15.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 15, 2010 7:30 P.M. – 7:46 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 April 15, 2010 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Smith delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Ferrell, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT TEN (10), ABSENT (0). Others present for the meeting were: Director of Administration Jim Durham, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Battalion Chief Kendell Snyder, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, Director of Information Technology Barbara Daniel, Assistant Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Griggs, Mrs. Glenda Fletcher, Mrs. Marie Fletcher, Mrs. Nola Ferrell, Mrs. Helen Stroud, Mrs. Beverly Elliott, Mrs. Paulette Howard, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mrs. Addie Gibson, Mr. Ivory Tillman, Mr. Rizelle Aaron, Mr. Jim Moore, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: The minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 1, 2010 were included in packets for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meetings of 4 March and 18 March 2010 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the regular monthly report for March 2010 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the regular monthly report for March 2010 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, which reflects a fire loss of $45,000.00 and a savings total of $305,000.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the regular monthly Animal Control report for March 2010. Said report reflects: ADOPTION/FINES: $3,175.00 CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 197.00 TOTAL: $3,372.00 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 15, 2010 7:30 P.M. – 7:46 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the regular monthly report for March 2010. Said report reflects: PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED Building Permits 35 Building Inspections 58 Business License 11 Electrical 51 Plumbing 46 HVACR 32 UNSIGHTLY & UNSANITARY VEHICLES Grass Letters 3 Notice of Noncompliance 24 Property Mowed 0 Towed 2 Trash Letters 26 CONDEMNATIONS Trash Removal 2 Structural Maint. Letter 0 Property Maint. Letters 76 Structural repairs made 0 Cost $ 265.00 Demolitions 0 CITATIONS WARRANTS Debris & open storage 0 Arrest 0 Property maintenance 0 Search 0 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Ferrell, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: Request to accept bid for 2007 Chassis Dump Truck Public Works Director Jim Oakley recommended the higher bid of $67,000.00 from Inmon Truck Sales, explaining that the lower bid truck of $58,320.00 has 300,000 more miles than the higher bid. He stated that he believes it would be more cost effective given the difference in mileage over the lifespan of the vehicle. He related that both trucks are 2007 models, adding that the choice to purchase used instead of new is because the vehicle is aged out faster than the mileage. He stated that generally a truck can have as much as one million miles before being replaced. He explained that the higher bid is a Mack truck, which has a good reputation and a one year warranty from the manufacturer. Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to reject the lower bid of $58,320.00 from MHC Kenworth and accept the higher bid of $67,000.00 from Inmon Truck Sales. In response to a question from Mayor Fletcher, Public Works Director Jim Oakley stated that the Mack truck has 170,000 miles and the Kenworth has CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 15, 2010 7:30 P.M. – 7:46 P.M. 470,000 miles. He then answered that this purchase is to replace a truck that was taken out of service. At this time MOTION CARRIED. SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: GENERAL: APPOINTMENT(S): ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Mayor Fletcher related that after sending out an all-call regarding the Census last night, today his office received several phone calls from residents in subdivisions that apparently did not receive their Census by mail. He noted that many parts of Northlake Subdivision, consisting of approximately 200 to 250 homes, did not receive their Census; as well as Lakeside Mobile Home Park consisting of 167 homes. He stated that the press had reported a 62% return for the City of Jacksonville, urging citizens to get the word out for the Census count. He then asked that City Council members who plan to attend the Municipal League Conference June 16th through the 18th contact his office regarding arrangements. He announced that the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Farmers’ Market would be April 28th at 10 a.m. Public Works Director Jim Oakley announced that the Jacksonville Clean-Up Day would meet at the Recycling Center April 24, 2010 @ 9:00 a.m. He then announced that the Animal Shelter Pet Fair will be April 24th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. He commended the Animal Control staff, pointing out that last month they succeeded with an over 50% adoption rate. He then informed the City Council that the Department is continuing to respond regarding Pit Bulls, explaining that they picked up eleven unlicensed Pit Bulls last month. Mayor Fletcher noted that the Memphis Flea Market, held in the vacant Wal-Mart building this past weekend, brought significant revenues to area restaurants. He stated that he received good feedback regarding the event, adding that he had spoken with the parent company who was impressed by the number of people (12,000) who attended the Saturday and Sunday event. He related that the company has committed to two more weekend events. He related that additionally there have been other vendors interested in renting the property for gun shows, electronic shows, and boat shows. He stated that this has the opportunity to turn into an expo type situation for the City. He then added that any parking problems are solvable with better signage and advertised stadium parking. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 15, 2010 7:30 P.M. – 7:46 P.M. Mr. Rizelle Aaron addressed the City Council saying that the objective of the NAACP is to help minority groups’ progress so that we can all progress, adding that oftentimes individuals will say things to them that they will not say to the City administration or Police Department. He stated that the NAACP sometimes acts as a mediator, or go between and then they talk to the City. He stated that they are not against the Community, adding that their intent is to listen to the people that they represent. He noted that their NAACP branch is one of the fastest growing branches in the State. He added that they are on tract, before the year is over, to be the largest NAACP branch in the State; pointing out that they represent a large number of people in Jacksonville. He stated that he wanted to clarify that the NAACP is not an African-American organization that wants to complain about everything. He stated that they get a number of complaints every month, every week, every day, and a lot of those complaints are just nonsense. He related that he and Mr. Chris Wright investigate every complaint, adding that if the complaint appears to be foolishness then they do not address it, they respond with a letter saying that there is nothing that they can do. He stated that the NAACP wants the same thing, to see the City progress and grow, but they also want to see the gap between minorities and other groups close. He stated that they are working with the City, not against the City. Mayor Fletcher thanked Mr. Aaron for his comments but noted that he has a hard time understanding why someone with a problem or complaint would not feel like they could talk with their officials, an Alderman, the Police Chief, or himself. He stated that he does not neglect anyone and he treats everyone fairly. He pointed out that since the officials are the ones to be held accountable; he believes anyone with a problem should come to their City officials. He stated that the City Council is the elected body for all Jacksonville citizens and he knows everyone on the City Council to be an honest person. He stated that this is not Washington D.C. and this City Council is not separated from their constituents, adding that if any constituent has a problem they need to call us. He added that if they are not satisfied with the way the City handles the problems then he could understand other action, adding that he has a problem if they call you and then you have to act as a go between. He stated that it hurts him to believe they do not trust him. He related that this system, the way government works, we are the elected representatives of the people and they need to call us or the Police Department. He stated that he brags on the Police Department because he believes Jacksonville has the finest Police Department in the State. Mr. Aaron stated that he would agree and would like to respond in kind, saying that Chief Sipes is doing a great job, but that does not mean there are not areas to be worked on. He added that if they were not involved in the way they are now, then a lot of things that need to be said would not get said. He stated that it is not a CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 15, 2010 7:30 P.M. – 7:46 P.M. reflection on Mayor Fletcher or the City; but some people especially minority groups do not trust the system and people in authority. He added that because of this they do not feel comfortable approaching people in authority. Mayor Fletcher stated that there has to be trust to solve problems, adding that they (representatives of the NAACP) need to help restore trust; saying that the City has not done anything to betray that trust. Mr. Aaron stated that it is clear that the City Council and the Mayor run the City, but it is good for them to have another outlet if they do not feel comfortable talking to the City. He related that everything that people talk to them about, unless it is something that they ask not to be relayed, he conveys to the City. He stated that Mayor Fletcher is more than welcome to talk with or ask questions of him, Mr. Tillman, or Mr. Wright. He concluded saying that anything that comes to him will come to the Mayor, adding that he feels they are a necessary organization. Mayor Fletcher stated that he had addressed issues forwarded from Mr. Aaron and surmised they might not have liked the answer. Mr. Aaron concluded saying that sometimes we have to agree to disagree. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:46 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer