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10 DEC 02.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 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 December 2, 2010 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Howard 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, Howard, Stroud, Twitty and Ferrell answered roll call. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were: Director of Administration Jim Durham, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, City Engineer Jay Whisker, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, IT Director Barbara Daniel, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Assistant Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, 911 Supervisor Elaine Mayberry, Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Griggs, Glenda Fletcher, Marie Fletcher, Judy Schuetzle, Helen Stroud, Edith Smith, Don Long, Jim Moore, Mike Traylor, Mary Twitty, Aaron Robinson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of November 18, 2010 and the special City Council meeting of November 23, 2010 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 Ray that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 4 November 2010 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1411 (#16-10) AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FISCAL BUDGET FOR 2011; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES FOR OPERATION OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF CITY GOVERNMENT; FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES COVERING GENERAL FUND OPERATIONS, STREET FUND, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FUND, AND SANITATION FUND; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 P.M. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to place Ordinance 1411 (#16-10) on FIRST READING. Finance Director Paul Mushrush related that there had been no essential changes to the budget previously presented to the City Council. He stated that revenues in all categories are declining, which is why total revenues and expenditures for 2011 are down by $123,000 from this current year’s budget. He related that no levels of service have been changed, explaining that capital expenditures were cut back in order to balance and work within the funds available. He noted that this year’s budget offers a flat $500.00 raise for all salaried employees, adding that directors and elected officials have declined any increase in order to offer this raise to the employees. He related that with cooperation from all Departments the budget was able to be balanced, noting that the only Departments in the General Fund that increased were Police, Fire, 911, and Parks & Recreation. He noted the largest increases were in Police and Fire because of their size. He then offered that the increase for 911 is funded by 911 revenues generated from cell phones and regular landlines. He stated that the Parks budget would have decreased if the purchase of a dehumidifier for the pool area had not been necessary. He noted that property taxes were unchanged in the Street Fund, but added that the Turnback had a $1.50 per capita decrease. He stated that as a result this brought down total revenues for the Street Fund, noting that the budget is not as much as last year; but there are funds that were brought forward as fund balance. He then explained that these funds represent monies that are dedicated to projects. He also explained that the Street Fund has projects that can change in priority because of the weather. He related that the EMS Fund is partially subsidized, explaining that an Ordinance will be presented to the City Council in order to collapse part of the subsidy by raising the base rate to $495.00 per run from $395.00. He stated that an EMS services survey was conducted and the average area rate was $575.00, which means the City of Jacksonville is substantially lower. Even with the proposed raise, it will be $80.00 below the average. He stated that expenditures were held in check and the Fund is only being increased by $5,000.00, which are medical supplies. He reviewed the Sanitation Fund, saying that the Fund has been running in the red for several years. He related that a five-year study regarding a rate increase was conducted approximately ten years ago without change. He stated that the retained earnings have been used to keep operations going. He explained that if things remain unchanged this year, the Fund will be in the red without funds to support those operations. He stated that a decision will have to be made as to how the gap will be covered. He noted that a Sanitation Committee has been formed to offer recommendations. He then stated that if there are not gap measures, there will be a $400,000 deficit in the Sanitation Fund. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 P.M. Mayor Fletcher stated that not only is the Sales Tax down, which is the largest part of the budget, fees and franchise taxes are also declining. He then noted that the fee structure may need to be updated, explaining that many residents have discontinued landline service in favor of cell phones. He then noted that other ambulance companies charge for supplies as well as run charges, while the City of Jacksonville has never and will not be charging for supplies. He stated that the Sanitation Committee will recommend a rate increase and determine what type of services will continue to be offered regarding automated curbside pickup and the number of weekly pickups. He noted that the City of Little Rock has 200 positions that they have not filled after becoming open, while the City of Jacksonville has not asked any Department not to fill any open position. He stated that the City of Jacksonville is still operating a first class city with first class operations. He commended Finance Director Paul Mushrush and the Finance Department for their efforts in publishing the budget and the other Department Heads for deferring their raises so their employees could have a raise and their efforts to help balance the budget. He then noted that the only project the Street Department has not concluded as planned is the Main, James, & Dupree Improvement Project, adding that City Engineer Whisker has assured him that the project is slated to begin next Monday. Alderman Elliott commended the cooperative efforts of each Department Head to offer a balanced budget. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Howard, Stroud, Twitty and Ferrell voted AYE (9). NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1411 (#16- 10). Alderman McCleary moved, seconded by Alderman Ferrell to ACCEPT Ordinance 1411 on FIRST READING and suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1411 (#16-10) on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Howard, Stroud, Twitty and Ferrell voted AYE (9). NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1411 (#16-10). Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to ACCEPT Ordinance 1411 on SECOND READING and suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1411 (#16-10) on THIRD and FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Howard, Stroud, Twitty and Ferrell voted AYE (9). NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1411 (#16-10). Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary that Ordinance 1411 (#16-10) be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Howard, Stroud, Twitty and Ferrell voted AYE (9). NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1411 (#16-10). 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 P.M. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Smith that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be attached to Ordinance 1411 (#16-10). ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Howard, Stroud, Twitty and Ferrell voted AYE (9). NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1411 (#16-10). ND ORDINANCE APPROVED, ADOPTED, AND NUMBERED 1411 THIS 2 DAY OF DECEMBER 2010. b. VIDEO PRESENTATION Mayor Fletcher related that he had received a phone call from a reporter who wanted his response to the City of Jacksonville being recognized from the House Chamber in Washington D.C. by Congressman Vic Snyder. He related that he was able to have this rare opportunity recorded and thus preserved. The City Council and audience were treated to a video presentation of Vic Snyder introducing House Bill 1724 commending the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas for its outstanding support in creating a unique and lasting partnership with the Little Rock Air Force Base, members of the armed forces stationed there, their families, and the Air Force. A copy of the video is on the City of Jacksonville’s website. Mayor Fletcher noted that the Joint Education Facility will be accepting enrollment for classes in approximately four weeks. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: CDBG Director Theresa Watson informed the City Council and audience of an opportunity through the Reader’s Digest for the City to participate in a contest “Cheer-up Your Community”. She stated that the community that has the most votes will receive $40,000 that can be used in the community for necessary projects. She explained that everyone should go to the website Readersdigest.com and vote for Jacksonville. She noted that if you include six friends’ email addresses, then you can have six additional votes. She also explained that you can vote once a day during the time of the contest. APPOINTMENT(S): rd ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Mayor Fletcher announced that the 53 Annual Christmas th Parade will be held Saturday, December 4 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and th City Hall will host its Christmas Open House Friday, December 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:28 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 5