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10 SEP 02.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 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 September 2, 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, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, 911 Director Tabby Hughes, Assistant Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Director of Information Technology Barbara Daniel, Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Griggs, Mrs. Glenda Fletcher, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mr. Jim Moore, Mrs. Mary Twitty, Mrs. Nola Ferrell, Mr. Mike Traylor, Mr. Lyndon Whitledge, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 15, 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 Sansing that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 5 August 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. Request to accept bid for Asbestos Removal & Demolition City Engineer Whisker explained that the City received four properties that need to be demolished. He then answered that the low bidder had performed other demolition work for the City satisfactorily. He related that the properties are 310 South Oak, 102 Joiner, 111 Galloway, and 106 Galloway. He noted that 106 Galloway was purchased by the City. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to accept the low bid from Lynn Development LLC in the amount of $19,100.00 with budgeted funds to be drawn from the Code Enforcement Demolition fund. MOTION CARRIED. b. UPDATE Grant Applications City Engineer Whisker related that the grants total over 4.5 million dollars. He stated that some of the grants have already been awarded and the others are still in progress. He pointed out the safe room grants for the 911 Center to be built on Marshall Road and the other for the Senior Center on Victory Circle has been awarded. He related that the grant for the 911 safe room is approximately $500,000.00 and the Senior Citizen safe room is approximately $280,000.00 for an add-on. He explained that the safe room for the Senior Center is in the design phase now, relating that there will be a hallway from the outside that can be used separately. He noted that the room can also be used in daily operations at the Senior Center. He related that there are two grants for revitalization and stabilization, one in the Wooten Road area and the other in the Sunnyside area. He stated that the Beechwood Subdivision Drainage grant has been awarded and we are soliciting for engineering bids. He explained that this is the mobile home park regarding Pinon and Leonard streets, relating flooding issues. He stated that Public Works has performed drainage work that has alleviated those flooding issues, explaining that this grant will provide for a retention area to ensure no further flooding issues even with a 100 year rain event. He then explained that this area would refer to the Stonewall ditch, adding that there was a second relief area discovered under the railroad that was not being fully utilized which provided the opportunity for a second channel. He added that this made a “Y” channel, explaining that they are proposing to take out the center of the “Y” and make it into a pond so the water will slow down and dissipate. He related that the Bayou Meto Creek Trail that leads from Lakeshore Drive on So. Hwy. 161 is currently being worked. He then explained that Reed’s Bridge and the City of Jacksonville has applied for two grants simultaneously. He related that up to two grants can be awarded up to a half million dollars with a total of $625,000.00 for the project. He noted that Reed’s Bridge submitted an application for a grant to purchase half a million dollars in area battlefield property. He then explained the City of Jacksonville submitted a project for $300,000.00 to construct sidewalks on Marshall Road to connect from Main Street to the Little Rock Air Force Base. He noted an increase in pedestrian traffic in Jacksonville. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. He related that the Jacksonville Fire Department is modifying their facilities and have applied for a $250,000.00 grant. He then pointed out two grants with ADEM and a Department of Justice grant for $36,000.00 and $23,000.00 to purchase AWIN radios for the City. He explained that it is mandatory that all Arkansas cities change to the AWIN radio systems over a period of time. In response to a question from Alderman Smith, City Engineer Whisker stated that the Main Street project qualifies for RUSA or LUSA funding. He stated that the City is using that type funding to improve Harris Road and Main Street. Director of Administration Jim Durham added that the $900,000.00 grant is a split grant with approximately $200,000.00 going to the Housing Authority and $700,000.00 going to the Sunnyside revitalization project. He stated that the City is proposing to acquire property on Galloway Circle, adding that the second phase would be to acquire property around the Senior Citizen Center on Victory Circle to hopefully attract a developer to construct a strip center and requiring that a small grocery store be part of that strip center. He also noted hopes for the construction of a senior housing complex in that area. He then noted that the economic development grant involves the Wooten Road property, explaining that the City applied for this grant based on the City acquiring the property for economic development. He added that this would be secondary if the State Fair accepts the offer and is located in that area. He noted that both grants are no-match grants. He then noted that there are front end costs to have a grant writer write the grants. He then addressed the AWIN radios, explaining that they are digital portable radios that the City will have to purchase. He noted that the cost of 1.9 million to change to AWIN is offset every time the City is able to get a grant to help convert. He also noted that this is a no-match grant, adding that there was a small fee from CDBG, who applied for the grant. He stated that a decision on award of grant should be made in the next 45 to 60 days. Discussion ensued regarding the difficulty in locating grants through private foundations. c. Formation of the Proposed Jacksonville Citizens’ Concerns Committee Mayor Fletcher related that this committee would address concerns from area residents regarding the upcoming question of annexation that has been placed on the November General Election ballot. He related that some of the area citizens who have asked to serve on this committee are Richard Robertson, Debbie Copper, Ray Urhich, Val Yagos, and Terry Weatherford. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M. Aldermen Elliott, Smith, Twitty, Ferrell, and Howard offered to serve as representatives from the City. Alderman Smith was chosen to Chair the committee. It was the consensus that the first committee meeting would be held September 9th at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Fletcher related that since the City Council decided two weeks ago to place the annexation issue on the ballot, the Water Department has partnered with a local property owner regarding the installation of a larger waterline. The local property owner was going to install a 2” line and that has been negotiated up to a 12” line through a partnership effort. He noted that this will address future water needs in the area. He added that a fire hydrant will also be installed. He stated that as development occurs opportunities for infrastructure will move faster. He stated that while instant services cannot be promised in the annexed area, services will happen as the area becomes more attractive for developers. Director of Administration Jim Durham related that the property owner was paying $22,000.00 for the 2” line, explaining that in negotiations it was related that the upgrade to an 8” line would be an additional $60,000.00 for the Water Department. He then added that they then agreed to go as high as a 12” waterline, which would complete the loop and offer better fire protection and future commercial and residential development. APPOINTMENT(S): ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Mayor Fletcher announced that the 3rd Annual Reed’s Bridge Civil War Battle Reenactment will be held Saturday, September 11th and 12th beginning at 9:30 a.m. He noted that a canon was dedicated last Saturday for the event. He related that this has become a big event for the City of Jacksonville. He then announced that the Pet Angels Adopt-a-Thon will be September 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Animal Shelter. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:50 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer