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10 FEB 18.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 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 February 18, 2010 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Smith delivered the invocation and Nick Whisker 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: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Director of Administration Jim Durham, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Systems Administrator Barbara Daniel, Assistant Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Nick Whisker, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Griggs, Mrs. Glenda Fletcher, Mrs. Marie Fletcher, Mrs. Addie Gibson, Mr. Jim Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Dickie Penn, Mr. Larry Smith, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 4, 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 Stroud that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 21 January 2010 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to approve the Regular Monthly Report for January 2010 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to approve the Regular Monthly Report for January 2010 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, which reflects a fire loss of $32,000.00 and a savings total of $178,000.00. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Ferrell, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: ORDINANCE 1400 (#5-10) AN ORDINANCE CREATING JMC §18.18 (PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS); DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. City Engineer Whisker explained that Ordinance 1400 would add another zoning tool to the zoning ordinances for the City. He related that this Ordinance would address unique situations that could not fit under conventional zonings. He stated that this would allow the Planning Commission greater flexibility regarding smaller lots with adjusting green spaces in other areas instead of parks. He stated that the Ordinance was patterned from other cities with similar ordinances. He stated that the Ordinance would offer an allowance of eight (8) homes per acre and 20% open space unless the development is multi-story. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to place Ordinance 1400 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Ferrell, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1400. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1400 on FIRST READING and to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1400 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Ferrell, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1400. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to APPROVE Ordinance 1400 on SECOND READING and further suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1400 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Ferrell, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1400. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that Ordinance 1400 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Ferrell, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Smith that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and attached to Ordinance 1400. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Ferrell, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE APPROVED, ADOPTED, AND NUMBERED 1400 THIS 18 DAY OF FEBRUARY 2010. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. GENERAL: a. RESOLUTION 643 (#5-10) A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO UTILIZE FEDERAL-AID FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WEST MAIN STREET, HARRIS ROAD, JACKSONVILLE CUTOFF INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to read Resolution 643 (#5-10). City Engineer Whisker related that Resolution 643 allows the City to enter into agreement with Metroplan and the Highway Department because the City will receive Federal funds to perform the design and construction. He answered that there would be a study to determine if a roundabout or traffic signalization would be best. He added that it is hoped the project will be completed in time for school next year. At this time MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 643 (#5-10) Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve Resolution 643 (#5-10) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. b. RESOLUTION 644(#6-10) A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO PURCHASE LOT 96, TARA MOUNT SUBDIVISION, CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AN EMERGENCY INGRESS/EGRESS EASEMENT AND OTHER PUBLIC PURPOSES FOR RESIDENTS OF THE AREA; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Director of Administration Jim Durham noted that it was brought forth by Public Works Director Jim Oakley that twice this year the residents of Tara Mount were completely cut-off from Police and Fire protection due to area flooding. He explained that the lot was originally listed for $27,000.00 and the appraisal came in at $27,000.00, adding that he suggested a lower offer and the Mayor was able to secure a price of $19,900.00. He related that there would be a compacted gravel drive with a gate, explaining that the gate would be opened for residential use when the other road is flooded. He stated that this is not meant to change the fundamental design of the neighborhood. He then offered that as other areas develop with alternate access this easement could be closed and the lot should be able to be sold for at least the same price it was purchased. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to read Resolution 644 (#6-10). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 644 (#6-10) Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to approve Resolution 644 (#6-10) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. c. Request to accept bid for Asbestos Abatement Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the low bid from Snyder Environmental in the amount of $146,800.00 with funds to be drawn from the Capital Improvement Fund. Mayor Fletcher related that this is the asbestos abatement project for the Manor House Apartments adjacent to Dupree Park. He stated that the next phase of the project would be to advertise bids for demolition. At this time MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENT(S): ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Mayor Fletcher announced that the Annual Planning rd Meeting would be held February 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. He related that Richard Magee from Metroplan would facilitate the meeting. He encouraged the Alderman and Planning Commissioners to attend. Alderman Stroud noted that this would be the third annual meeting conducted by the City. He stated that previous meetings had developed more into a “wish list”, adding that this was not the purpose of the annual meeting. He stated that the Ordinance was designed to actually promote and accomplish some planning. He stated that currently we need to have the City Council members, Planning Commissioners, and Department Directors to address problems in the City. He cited the problem of the General Fund augmenting the garbage fund by approximately ½ million dollars annually. He then cited that the ambulance service is also being augmented by approximately ½ million dollars annually. He explained that these problems will need to be addressed by the City Council. He then cited problems with zonings being rapidly changed through Planning Commission requests. He stated that if this year the annual planning meeting proves to continually be less productive than designed, he will recommend that the mandate to meet annually be abolished. BOAT RAMPS Public Works Director Jim Oakley updated the City Council that the signed agreement from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission was received today, explaining that this will give the City $40,000.00 to construct two boat ramps. He stated that the first ramp would be placed at Dupree Park and the second would be on West Main in the vicinity of the one-lane bridge. He noted that the ramps would not only offer access to canoes but also small motor boats. He then clarified with Alderman Ray, that currently the City has one boat ramp that is located off Hwy. 161 at Lakeshore Drive. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. CENSUS INFORMATION Mayor Fletcher related that citizens would begin receiving Census forms thth around March 15 to 17, explaining that there are approximately 10 simple questions that would not take long to complete. He noted that Director of Administration Jim Durham is the lead contact for City Census information. He noted that in 2000, only 72% returned their Census forms, explaining the importance for the City to have everyone return their forms. He explained that participation determines the allocation of funds regarding school lunch programs, senior citizen centers, highways, hospitals, etc. He stated that it is very important that citizens fill out their forms and return them to the Census Bureau. He then noted that Census information also affects redistricting of Senate offices and Representatives, adding that it is based on Census information. He encouraged everyone to speak positively about the Census and urge everyone to complete their information and return by mail. Director of Administration Jim Durham stressed the importance of being counted and discounted the myths associated with participation in the Census. He explained that the Census information is completely confidential and well protected, adding that it is in no way even shared with the IRS. Mayor Fletcher recognized the promotion and selection of Tabby Hughes to Communications Director. He then recognized Chief Sipes and his Department for their interim contributions to the Communications Department. Finance Director Paul Mushrush was welcomed back to work following a lengthy absence due to illness. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:21 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 5