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14 MAY 15 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 15, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 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 May 15, 2014 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Howard delivered the invocation and Nathan Gregson of Boy Scout Troop 128 led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Robinson, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Director of Administration Jim Durham, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, 911 Communications Director Tabby Hughes, Planning Commissioner Jim Moore, Johnny Simpson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 6, 2014 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Twitty that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 17 April 2014 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the regular monthly report for April 2014 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $400,500.00 and a savings total of $601,000.00. REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the regular monthly report for April 2014. ADOPTION FEES/FINES $1,605.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 25.00 TOTALS $1,630.00 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for April 2014 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 15, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. Code Enforcement for April 2014 Assigned Calls 129 Self-Initiated Calls 286 Follow ups 362 Basketball Goals 5 Meetings/Court Hearings 79 Structures Inspected 4 Citations/Warnings Issued 9 Rental Properties Inspected 6 Notices/Letters Written 28 Properties Red Tagged 1 Vehicles Tagged 7 Search Warrants Served 1 Vehicles Towed 0 Structures Rehabbed 2 Lots posted 60 Structures Condemned 0 Signs removed 102 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 2 Houses Demolished by Owner 2 Parking Violations 20 Grass Letters 83 Grass Mowed 31 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to suspend the rules and place a presentation from Metro Little Rock Alliance on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Fletcher introduced Mr. Joey Deen to address the City Council. He noted that the City of Jacksonville partners with the alliance. Mr. Deen stated that he is with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Little Rock Alliance. He explained that Metro Little Rock Alliance is a regional economic development marketing organization that partners with the 17 chambers of commerce around the Central Arkansas area. He related that the organization was formed in 2000 and designed to compete with larger metropolitan regions by partnering with regional entities. He stated that a consultant was hired and he interviewed all the economic development organizations around the region as well as the chambers of commerce, mayors, elected officials, educational institutions and the largest regional employers. He then related that the consultant stated that the only thing missing is the message, stated that he sees a collection of chambers and economic development organizations investing limited time, dollars, and resources trying to market themselves as communities of 20,000 to in Little Rock’s case 180,000 on a national and international level. He stated that the target groups are looking for population hubs; they do not care about city and county boundaries. He stated that they care about transportation, logistics, infrastructure, and workforce. He added that this is when the Metro Little Rock Alliance was formed and became fully funded and staffed in 2005, adding that Jacksonville has been a part of the organization since its inception. He stated that it is a twelve 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 15, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. county region representing a population of over 1 million people. He stated that they market with economic development professionals throughout the region, funded through public and private sector support. He stated that in this way they can leverage limited resources creating a single brand as Metro Little Rock Alliance, creating a single and more influential voice, stronger together than individually, thus more successfully for jobs. He explained that the Alliance is made up of Board members from all the regional funding entities, which work together and meet quarterly to approve budget and marketing ideas. He stated that while Metro Little Rock Alliance is not the only regional economic development organization but it is the largest and most well funded. He explained that the Alliance builds relationships around the Country responding to request for information and proposals. He stated that currently they are working on preparedness and getting sites ready for companies to review. He reiterated that it is important to take a “team approach”. He noted that the factors for successful attraction are worked more at the local level, while some are worked at the regional level. He then explained the new website which was launched in 2005, remarking that it has won national awards. He stated that it makes it really easy for companies or consultants to find properties and information about our area. He stated that this website features all opportunities in the region for meeting research criteria. He then noted that the website is being revamped visually, noting that it will still perform the same as it does now. He then reviewed that since being funded and staffed in 2005, they have worked with companies that have created over 12,575 new jobs, with net new payroll of $457,492,612.00 and a new capital investment of approximately 1.6 billion dollars. He noted that these figures are indicative of only those projects that have responded to their marketing and signed incentive agreements. He stated that these projects carry a region-wide impact, adding that larger companies look for the total workforce. He pointed out that the types of companies they work with offer economic stimulating jobs, adding that the payroll for these types of companies tend to turnover in the economy anywhere from 5 to 7 times. He noted that this could be as much as 450 million dollars, which would create a huge impact. He stated that the Metro Little Rock Region population growth since 1990 has been approximately 28.2%. He reiterated that they are marketing the region as a workforce of approximately one half million people with 20 institutions of higher education of 70,000 students. He noted that the region has had recognition by national publications such as Kiplinger’s Personal Finance rated us as the #1 of America’s 10 great places to live, Moody’s Investor Service stated that we are the second most diverse regional economy in the nation, Brookings th Institution call our region the 4 strongest economy in the Nation. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 15, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. He related that of late they have been targeting California companies, which has brought about a great response. He demonstrated ads that are being used around the Country, adding that they attended the 2013 U.S. Manufacturing Summit. He noted that Wal-Mart has committed 50 billion dollars in sales for products made in the USA, which has impacted vendors wanting to move to America and a lot of those companies are looking at Arkansas. He then reviewed their profiles that are being put in publications in industry sector magazines around the Country, adding that they have hosted events around the Country inviting consultants to Arkansas. He thanked the City Council for the opportunity to speak about the Metro Little Rock Alliance. Mayor Fletcher related that Jacksonville is very active and has several opportunities that are being worked, adding that Jacksonville is anticipating those announcements. He thanked Mr. Deen and Amy Mattison for their emails regarding companies seeking RFP’s. He stated that efforts are ongoing. He noted the educational opportunities in Jacksonville, saying that you can obtain a Master Degree in Jacksonville at the Joint Education Facility. He stated that Jacksonville has numerous positive opportunities, adding that he believes the economy is starting to move. He related that companies that have moved oversees are looking to relocate back to America. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: RESOLUTION 711 (#6-2014) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING TWO AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS AND THE MID-ARKANSAS WATER ALLIANCE, FORMERLY KNOWN AS LONOKE-WHITE; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to read Resolution 71 (#6-2014). City Attorney Bamburg explained that the amendments include a less than 1% share that the City of Lonoke had is going back to the Lonoke-White Water Authority and the second amendment is a name change of Lonoke-White to the Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance. In response to a question from Alderman Traylor, City Attorney Bamburg clarified that Lonoke-White will now have a larger share that they can market to any other entity. He assured Alderman Traylor that it would not change the percentage that Jacksonville has, unless the City Council were to decide to increase the portion. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 15, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 711 (#6-2014). Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the adoption of Resolution 711 (#6-2014). MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENT(S): NORTH PULASKI WATERWORKS PUBLIC FACILITIES BOARD Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the appointment of Johnny David Copeland for a term to expire 10/02/2015. MOTION CARRIED. In response to a question from Boy Scout Nathan Gregson of Troop 128, Mayor Fletcher answered that the City Council, himself, other officials are elected by popular vote. He explained that the City has 10 City Council members who have split terms. He stated that half of the members run every two years, adding that there are five wards in the City of Jacksonville. He then noted that the Mayor, City Attorney, and City Clerk are also open for election this year for four-year terms. He then explained that appointments are those positions on Boards and Commissions within the City that are approved by the City Council. He noted that Human Resource Director Jill Ross would be happy to provide him with an organizational chart for the City. Mr. Mark Mergenschroer, a resident of 601 Franklin Street thanked the City Council for an opportunity to address the noise issue regarding the new shooting range. He stated that he has been a resident of the Graham Subdivision since 2007 and has been pleased with his time in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He introduced his son, Caleb. He explained that Caleb is autistic and is a client of Pathfinders. He stated that he has worked very hard to produce a quality of life for his son. He stated that he is here tonight because of the shotgun noise coming from the new range. He played an audio of the sound of gunfire heard from his house. He stated that this noise is prevalent Wednesday through Sunday. He stated that when his son plays outside he has to have his ears covered, explaining that his son is very sensitive to noise. He stated that he is asking the City Council to move swiftly to address the noise issue, adding that it is his understanding that the noise currently exceeds the decibel allowed by City ordinance. He asked the City Council to speed the process, commending Alderman McCleary for responding to his email. He then commended City Attorney Bamburg for taking time to speak with him and Mayor Fletcher for visiting his area and evaluating the sound levels. He reiterated that his number one concern is his son, pleading with the City Council to address the noise coming from the shooting range. th ANNOUNCEMENT(S): City Offices will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. Sanitation routes will run one day later than normally scheduled. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 15, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:24 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 6