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14 JUN 17 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 17, 2014 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 June 17, 2014 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Bolden delivered the invocation and Vice Mayor Elliott lead a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Robinson, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Vice Mayor Elliott also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT EIGHT (8), ABSENT (1). Mayor Fletcher was absent. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Director of Administration Jim Durham, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Interim Police Chief Kenny Boyd, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, Animal Control Department Manager Hedy Wuelling, Water Department Superintendant Jake Short, Water Commission Chairman Jim Peacock, Tommy Dupree, Keith Webber, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Vice Mayor Elliott presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 5, 2014 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 15 May 2014 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve the Regular Monthly Report for May 2014 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. Code Enforcement for May 2014 Assigned Calls 77 Self-Initiated Calls 515 Follow ups 570 Basketball Goals 7 Meetings/Court Hearings 54 Structures Inspected 6 Citations/Warnings Issued 66 Rental Properties Inspected 2 Notices/Letters Written 72 Properties Red Tagged 1 Vehicles Tagged 3 Search Warrants Served 0 Vehicles Towed 1 Structures Rehabbed 0 Lots posted 85 Structures Condemned 0 Signs removed 114 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 52 Houses Demolished by Owner 2 Parking Violations 21 Grass Letters 82 Grass Mowed 25 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for May 2014 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $131,000.00 and a savings total of $219,000.00. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING a. RESOLUTION 713 (#08-2014) A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE EXERCISE OF EMINENT DOMAIN ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONIVLLE, ARKANSAS, TO OBTAIN PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EASEMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, EXPANSION AND INSTALLATION OF JACKSONVILLE WASTEWATER UTILITY FORCE MAIN LINES ALONG MCCAIN ROAD; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Vice Mayor Elliott related that Resolution 713 is being removed from the agenda, explaining that the matters involving eminent domain have been settled with the property owners. b. CITIZEN RECOGNITION Animal Control Manager Hedy Wuelling related that Jack and Christine Henderson donated a mobile adoption unit to the Jacksonville Animal Shelter. Christine Henderson related that she and her husband, who is a retired Chief from the Air Force, have live in Jacksonville since the early 70’s. She stated that she has always loved animals and has always done whatever she could for the cause of animals. She related that she attended a mobile adoption event with Hedy, explaining that while other cities had mobile adoption units, the City of Jacksonville was using a tent. She relating that in speaking with Hedy she found out that things such as mobile adoption units are usually donated to cities. She explained that Hedy was in the process of having an online yard sell to raise money for the unit, citing that new units are usually around $32,000. She promised Hedy that she would match donate $15,000 for a new unit. She then related that she found a used mobile adoption unit on EBay for $18,000 and Hedy confirmed enthusiastically that it was exactly what the Shelter would need. She related that she purchased the unit for the Shelter. She stated that she would have liked to have had it available for the City 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. Council to see but it is getting a tune-up and is going to be wrapped. She added that there would be a big opening ceremony at a later time. Vice Mayor Elliott presented Jack and Christine Henderson with a plaque featuring the Key to the City. He related that this means a lot to the City of Jacksonville, saying that it will be enormously beneficial. c. Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Preservation Society Alderman Ray noted that he is a member of the Society, recognizing Mr. Tommy Dupree to address the City Council. He further noted that Mr. Dupree is also the Chairman for the Historical Society regarding the preservation of battlefields for the State of Arkansas. Mr. Tommy Dupree stated that he is requesting a grant of $15,000 to the Reed’s Bridge in order to close out a land purchase regarding property located on Cloverdale Road. He related that this area is where the southern canon was positioned in 1863. He explained that he has been in negotiations with the property owner for approximately two years. He stated that there is slightly over five acres, and the property owner has agreed to split the sell into two sales. He then explained that the Reed's Bridge Battlefield Preservation Society have funds from Representatives Mark Perry and Jane English regarding the GIF funds. He related that Mrs. English is going to commit $25,000, explaining that originally it was going to be a commitment of $50,000. He explained that this caused them to be $30,000 short, adding that he went before the A&P Commission last night to request $15,000, which was tabled until next month. He continued saying that he is now asking the City to grant $15,000 to complete the sale. In response to a question from Alderman Traylor, Mr. Dupree clarified that he would need both the $15,000 from A&P as well as $15,000 from the City to complete the purchase. Vice Mayor Elliott further clarified that Reed's Bridge Battlefield Preservation Society is seeking $25,000 from Representative English, $25,000 from Representative Perry, $15,000 from A&P Commission, and $15,000 from the City Council. Discussion ensued regarding what fund would the monies be drawn from and if funds are available. Director of Administration Jim Durham stated that the only fund he would be aware of would be the Contingency Fund, then Finance Director Cheryl Erkel answered that $75,000 had been budgeted for that Fund. It was noted that the Mayor was absent due to a family medical emergency. Director Durham related that availability of funds would need to be researched, adding that it could be brought back at the next City Council meeting. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. Alderman Sansing stated that in the past he has been opposed to public funds being used for this type of request, adding that his only objection currently would be financial concerns. He noted that the City has a very tight budget this year, adding that loans were made and it would be fiscally irresponsible to commit any monies without reviewing the circumstances surrounding the availability of those funds regarding other commitments. He stated that the Mayor would need to also be on board with the expenditure. He stated that while he does not think it is a bad idea, he does not feel a decision should be made at this meeting. Director Durham related that they are looking at the Sales Tax, which looked better last month but it still has to meet budget expectation and the first few months of the year it did not meet expectations. Vice Mayor Elliott reminded the City Council of a prior commitment, saying that City Council has agreed that before any new commitments were funded they would look at the cuts that were made to balance the budget. Director Durham stated that they should be able to determine in the next few months what direction things are headed and if those cuts could be reinstated. Alderman Ray related that the A&P Commission had postponed a decision for one month, because they have missed their projections regarding their revenue stream. He explained that the budget is for $800,000 and $800,000 has been committed in this year’s budget. He added that the A&P Commission’s goal was to give everyone that requested funds some funding from this budget, adding that Reed’s Bridge Preservation Society was granted some of those budgeted funds. He stated that the Hotel/Motel tax revenues are down 12% and the Prepared Food Tax revenues are down 3%, making for a tight budget. He related that the A&P will consider the request and give a determination at their next meeting. He offered that the City Council is not willing to make that determination without the Mayor being present, offering Mr. Dupree an opportunity to come back to the next meeting and represent his request. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to table the request for $15,000 to help purchase land for the Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Preservation Society to the July 3, 2014 regularly scheduled City Council meeting. MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENT(S): WATER COMMISSION Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to reappoint John D. Davis to the Water Commission for a term to expire 4/20/2022. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Vice Mayor Elliott adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:16 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 5