14 OCT 16
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2014
7:00 P.M. – 7:17 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 October 16, 2014 at the regular meeting place of the City
Council. Alderman Bolden delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led
a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Traylor,
Twitty, Robinson, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also
answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. Aldermen Mashburn was absent.
PRESENT NINE (9), ABSENT (1).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg,
Director of Administration Jim Durham, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel,
Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Police Chief Kenny Boyd, Fire
Chief Alan Laughy, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, CDBG Director
Theresa Watson, 911 Communications Director Tabby Hughes, IT Director
Scott Rothlisberger, Planning Commissioner Jim Moore, Beverly Elliott,
Patrick Thomas, Johnny Simpson, Larry and DeDe Hibbs, Lida Feller,
interested citizens, and members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting
of October 2, 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 Robinson that the minutes of
the regular City Council meeting of 18 September 2014 be APPROVED.
MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the regular
monthly report for September 2014 from the Jacksonville Fire Department,
reflecting a fire loss of $40,000.00 and a savings total of $43,000.00.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the Regular
Monthly Report for September 2014 regarding annual crime statistical
comparisons.
Code Enforcement for September 2014
Assigned Calls 219
Self-Initiated Calls 366
Follow ups 345 Basketball Goals 2
Meetings/Court Hearings 109 Structures Inspected 1
Citations/Warnings Issued 8 Rental Properties Inspected 5
Notices/Letters Written 41 Properties Red Tagged 0
Vehicles Tagged 2 Search Warrants Served 0
Vehicles Towed 0 Structures Rehabbed 2
Lots posted 69 Structures Condemned 0
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2014
7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M.
Signs removed 150 Houses Demolished by City 0
Trash cans tagged 18 Houses Demolished by Owner 1
Parking Violations 15
Grass Letters 35
Grass Mowed 68
REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the regular
monthly report for September 2014.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $1,750.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 1,575.00
TOTALS $3,325.00
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the regular
monthly report for September 2014.
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 10 Building Inspections 24
Business Licenses 9 Electrical 32
Plumbing 35
HVACR 18
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Traylor,
Twitty, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: a. RESOLUTION 719 (#14-2014)
A RESOLUTION GRANTING AUTHORITY AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND SUPPORT
FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND ARKANSAS
STATE GAME & FISH FOUNDATION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
City Attorney Bamburg explained that the Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation
has agreed to fund the entire remaining amount promised to the City
regarding an agreement in the amount of two million dollars for the
shooting range construction and naming rights. He explained that an
amendment to the initial agreement would need to be approved by City
Council. He stated that the remaining amount is approximately 1.6
million dollars. He related that the full amount would be applied
directly to the outstanding loan on the shooting range. He added that
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2014
7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M.
Parks and Recreation Director House has agreed to commit to making range
improvements and developments, as well as hours of operation that is
addressed in Resolution 720 (#15-2014).
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to read Resolution 719
(#14-2014) MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the
heading of Resolution 719 (#14-2014).
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve Resolution 719
(#14-2014) in its entirety.
Alderman Traylor questioned how the amendment would affect the terms of
the loan.
Finance Director Cheryl Erkel related that she sent an email to Keith Cox
at BanCorp South, asking if the City could get the loan recalculated
without being refinanced, to reduce the monthly payments and keep the
length of the loan the same. She added that she has not heard back from
Mr. Cox as yet.
City Attorney Bamburg noted that there is no prepayment penalty and the
proposed monies will go directly to the principal balance, as long as the
City does not change the terms of payout regarding the time frame; the
City Council would not have to approve additional loan arrangements.
In response to a question from Alderman Robinson, Finance Director Cheryl
Erkel answered that if the payments are not lowered by spreading the
balance over the original time frame, then the loan would be paid off in
approximately 1 year.
City Attorney Bamburg clarified that any amendment to the payout
timeframe would have to be approved by the City Council. He stated that
the amounts are not necessarily an issue.
At this time, MOTION CARRIED.
b. RESOLUTION 720 (#15-2014)
A RESOLUTION GRANTING AUTHORITY AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE CREATION
OF A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CAMPING FACILITY AT THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME &
FISH FOUNDATION SHOOTING SPORTS COMPLEX; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
City Attorney Bamburg related that one of the plans proposed for the
shooting range complex is to begin developing a recreational vehicle
camping area, noting that a large number of participants travel in motor
homes to the Facility. He then explained that Parks and Recreation
Director Kevin House has worked with a shooting enthusiast from northwest
Arkansas who has agreed to assist in the construction of the first phase
of the camping grounds. He added that this is part of what the City has
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2014
7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M.
agreed to do in order for the Foundation to accelerate their payment
plan. He stated that it will end up being done in a much quicker and
less expensive fashion then what the City could do itself regarding the
lease/improvement plan. He stated that because it involves real estate
the City Council has to authorize the agreement. He added that he feels
this is a great opportunity for the City to participate in a
public/private partnership that would end up being beneficial to the City
because it will save money and help achieve those improvements so as to
start the flow of other improvements in subsequent phases that Parks and
Recreation Director Kevin House has designed for the complex.
Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to read Resolution
720 (#15-2014).
In response to a question from Alderman Robinson, Parks and Recreation
Director Kevin House replied that the Complex has not had any vandalism.
He then answered that there would be additional lighting in the camping
area, saying that the area would be located to the left side of the
Complex. He also answered that he did not feel that there would be a
need to put up a fence to separate the RV area from the wooded area.
At this time, MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the
heading of Resolution 720 (#15-2014).
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve Resolution
720 (#15-2014) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED.
ANNOUNCMENTS:
Mayor Fletcher announced that the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity
Center is hosting its annual “Beans and Cornbread” luncheon fundraiser
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October 22 at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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He then reminded everyone that early voting begins October 20 running
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through November 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Mayor Fletcher cited lighting complaints regarding the Oak Ridge Ranch
Subdivision, noting that a new higher voltage light will be installed at
the corner that turns heading to the Subdivision.
BUDGET DISCUSSION:
Alderman Traylor questioned if anything has changed since December when
the 2014 Budget was approved regarding considerations for the employees.
Finance Director Cheryl Erkel stated that for the past 3 months, the City
has seen an increase in the Sales Tax revenue, adding that as long as the
increase continues then the City will look at reinstating employee
longevity pay. She related that for the past 3 months the City Sales Tax
has averaged about a 6% increase, noting that she is expecting another
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2014
7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M.
payment this week and she will know then if there is a steady increase or
it falls down. She stated that if there is a decrease then they would
not be able to reinstate the longevity pay.
Mayor Fletcher pointed out that the Department heads have done a good job
at maintaining their budgets, which also helps.
Alderman Robinson related that he had spoken with the owner operating the
David’s Hamburger truck, who had told him that they had been well
received by the Jacksonville community. He stated that he wanted to take
this opportunity to brag on and commend the citizens of Jacksonville. He
noted that he was told that because they have been so busy they will be
bringing in more people next week.
Director of Administration Jim Durham stated that Mr. Lasiter has stated
that they would like to purchase the 1.123 acres and construct a David’s
Burger on that site.
He then referenced discussions involving himself, the Mayor, Finance
Director Cheryl Erkel and Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House;
saying that he believes it might be reasonable to look at, as the last
bit of the loan is paid off through the A&P Commission, putting the
shooting range on an enterprise basis to compare how it would look as
opposed to being in the General Fund. He stated that it would be clearer
to determine whether the shooting range is making or losing money. He
pointed out that funds could always be added for purchases that would
show as a separate item.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at
approximately 7:17 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER
City Clerk-Treasurer
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