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10 NOV 18.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 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 November 18, 2010 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Ray delivered the invocation and Vice Mayor Smith led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Stroud, and Twitty answered roll call. Vice Mayor Smith also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT SEVEN (7), ABSENT (3). Mayor Fletcher was out of town on City business. Others present for the meeting were: Public Works Director Jim Oakley, 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 Director Tabby Hughes, Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Griggs, Jim Moore, Mike Traylor, Aaron Robinson, interested citizens, and members of the press. Vice Mayor Smith explained that with three members absent and himself serving as Vice Mayor, Ordinance 1410 (#15-10) could be accepted on first reading but there are not enough members to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on second reading. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Vice Mayor Smith presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of November 4, 2010 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 21 October 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 October 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 October 2010 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, which reflects a fire loss of $1,000.00 and a savings total of $399,000.00. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Stroud, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1410 (#15-10) AN ORDINANCE CREATING AND CERTIFYING TAX LIENS AGAINST REAL PROPERTIES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, FOR BALANCES DUE FROM SERVICES RENDERED BY AND/OR ON BEHALF OF THE CITY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Vice Mayor Smith noted that Ordinance 1410 is an annual measure regarding the filing of liens for grass mowing and other services. He noted that the Ordinance has to be certified to the Assessor’s office by November th 30. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to place Ordinance 1410 (#15-10) on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Stroud, and Twitty voted AYE (6). NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1410 (#15- 10). Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to ACCEPT Ordinance 1410 (#15-10) on first reading. Alderman Sansing noted that the total of tax liens is $70,895.00, adding his support to call a special meeting to act on passing the Ordinance. ROLL CALL: Aldermen McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Stroud, and Twitty voted AYE (6). NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. b. PRESENTATION of preliminary budget for 2011 Finance Director Mushrush provided each City Council member with a copy of the preliminary budget. He stated that it is very close to the final budget presentation, noting that there are always a few items that come in at the last moment. He offered a brief overview, noting that the projected total operating and expenditures for 2011 compared to 2010 is $123,000 less. He explained that revenues have been slow in revering from the economic downturn. He noted that in order to partially fund the budget some Capital Equipment items were not funded. He added that the Capital Equipment number is relatively the same as last year, explaining that the Parks and Recreation Department has a specialty item, a dehumidifier, which is no longer operable. He stated that without replacement of this item the City would have to close the pool, which represents almost one-quarter of a million dollars. He stated that while the budget is slightly smaller than last year, there is no change in levels of service for the citizens. He continued saying that there is a 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. small employee raise to reward City employees for their hard work in keeping the City on track. He stated that the raise is proposed as a flat $500.00, adding that Directors and Elected Officials have graciously declined any increase. He directed the City Council to review the Street Department Fund, saying that again there is a decline in revenues. He noted that the State Gas Turnback had dropped another $1.50 per capita, which roughly represents $45,000. He then noted a small increase in the property tax revenues regarding assessed values. He noted the negative figure of ($804,786.) at the bottom of the page, explaining those funds are carryover funds that are actually available funds but cannot be treated as revenue. He related that the largest proposed expenditure for 2011 is the Main, James, and Dupree improvement project that started in 2009. He then reviewed the Emergency Medical Services Fund, saying that this fund has been subsidized in order to continue operations. He related that in order to reduce that subsidy, a rate study was conducted and revealed that the City is almost $200.00 below the average run rate in Arkansas. He stated that an estimate of raising the base rate from $395.00 to $495.00 per run would reduce the subsidy by approximately $125,000. He clarified that the subsidy consists of a $70,000 true transfer of revenues that belong to the Fund, explaining that the LOPFI Tax Turnback on Insurance provides funds to cities in order to compensate for providing retirement benefits for uniformed service employees. He stated that these funds are recorded as income in the General Fund and is then transferred to the EMS Fund. He stated that the projected rates would cover all of the operating capital required for operations plus 45% of the employee costs. He reviewed the Sanitation Services Fund, noting declining revenues in the Fund. He stated that while no one wants to talk about a rate increase, there needs to be a change. He stated that operations need to be analyzed to determine if the City is going to continue operations in the same manner, adding that once the manner is determined the rates need to be set as required to maintain that level of service. He related that he has performed a five-year projection, pointing out that if nothing changes in operations the City would be down over one million dollars at the end of five years. He continued saying that there are no revenues to support this loss. He stated that the retained earning funds have been used in order to keep the Sanitation Fund operating, but those funds will not be available in 2011, which amounts to over $400,000. He stated that Mayor Fletcher had requested that the City Council form a committee to analyze rates and operations, making recommendation to the City Council for next year’s budget. In response to a question posed by Vice Mayor Smith, Finance Director Mushrush concurred that Sanitation rates have not been raised in approximately ten years. It was also noted that currently the City’s 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. rates are lower than any other city and one of the very few that offer the level of service that we offer. Discussion ensued regarding the twice-weekly garbage pickup being changed to a once weekly pickup, which is what most cities currently offer. Vice Mayor Smith suggested that the committee could also consider if the City would continue that service or hire a private contractor. Aldermen Howard, McCleary, Stroud, Ray, and Sansing were chosen and volunteered to serve. Alderman Ray volunteered to Chair. Alderman Ray stated that the committee would hold its first meeting before the first City Council meeting in December. Alderman Sansing stated that everyone is aware that revenues are declining. He pointed out that the annexation was voted down would have netted the City approximately two million dollars in tax revenue annually. He commented that two million dollars could have been used to fund projects. APPOINTMENT(S): ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Vice Mayor Smith announced that Municipal Offices would thth be closed November 25 & 26 for Thanksgiving Holiday. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Vice Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:16 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 4