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15 DEC 17 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2015 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 December 17, 2015 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, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, 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: Director of Administration Jim Durham, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Accounts Receivable Specialist Nikki Wilmoth, Police Chief Kenny Boyd, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, City Engineer Jay Whisker, 911 Director Tabby Hughes, Finance Accounts Specialist Nikki Wilmoth, Code Enforcement Officer Charlie Jenkins, Planning Commissioner Patrick Thomas, Johnny Simpson, Ken Fletcher, Bob Stroud, Philip and Karen Carlisle, Tommy and Judy Swaim, Shane and Nikki Swaim, Dub Evans, John and Annabelle Davis, Michelle Whited and interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Twitty that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 19 November 2015 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to approve the Regular Monthly Report for November 2015 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. Code Enforcement for November 2015 Assigned Calls 84 Self-Initiated Calls 465 Follow ups 296 Basketball Goals 3 Meetings/Court Hearings 10 Structures Inspected 2 Citations/Warnings Issued 40 Rental Properties Inspected 3 Notices/Letters Written 8 Properties Red Tagged 0 Vehicles Tagged 1 Search Warrants Served 0 Vehicles Towed 0 Structures Rehabbed 0 Lots posted 0 Structures Condemned 1 Signs removed 103 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 7 Houses Demolished by Owner 0 Parking Violations 1 Tickets Issue 0 Grass Letters 0 Grass Mowed 0 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2015 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to approve the regular monthly report for November 2015 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $76,050.00 and a savings total of $415,000.00. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: SPECIAL RECOGNITION of Mayor Tommy Swaim Mayor Fletcher offered special recognition to former Mayor Tommy Swaim for his years of dedicated service to the City of Jacksonville and its citizens. He related that in speaking with mayors across the State it is hard to find a mayor with the lifespan of Mayor Swaim. He explained that having been an Alderman and now Mayor he has a greater appreciation for the job Mayor Swaim did. He continued to state that he appreciates Tommy Swaim more every single day, now as Mayor he can appreciate how very stressful the job can be. He stated that in Mayor Swaim’s tenure he accomplished a lot for the City of Jacksonville, noting that one of the many highlights for our community is the Community Center. He stated had it not been for Tommy Swaim coming up with a way to fund construction without raising taxes it would not have happened, which was very smart and it offered the show piece of Central Arkansas for many years. He noted that other cities have copied th Jacksonville, and the Community Center just celebrated the 20 anniversary. He related that he cannot think of any better way for this Community to honor and remember such a great leader as Tommy Swaim than by renaming the Jacksonville Community Center to the Tommy Swaim Community Center. He read the following statement: “From 1987 to 2009, Tommy Swaim served as a dedicated mayor to the citizens of the great City of Jacksonville and during that time Mayor Swaim developed and implemented the idea of the Community Center complex, that not only would serve the citizens of Jacksonville but also the Central Arkansas Regional area with meeting rooms, sporting events, exercise equipment and indoor aquatics. The citizens of Jacksonville voted in November 1992 to support his vision and leadership through support of a penny sales tax, consequently the City was able to fund the construction and operation of this facility without incurring any debt and that is why it is fitting that today we name our Community Center after Mayor Tommy Swaim.” 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2015 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. Former Mayor Tommy Swaim stated that when the building was constructed he was asked about naming it after him and he related that his response was that you do not build monuments to living mayors because then they do not get reelected. He expressed his appreciation, saying that this is a great honor. He stated that Jacksonville is a great city and he has always felt that we have the greatest employees. He said he does not miss being Mayor but he misses the employees, adding that he had great employees. He related that they worked hard for not too much money and he believes they are still working hard for not too much money. He related that as he as watched the City change over the years, he is proud to have been a small of that change. He added that he hopes to see the City move forward, saying that with the new school district he feels the next 10 years will bring major change. He related that the new school district was one thing he always wanted to see happen and now with the efforts of the City Council, Mayor Fletcher, the citizens, and some very dedicated volunteers; we have our own school district. He thanked everyone for this honor. b. AMENDED VERSION THIRD and FINAL READING ORIDANANCE 1540 (#20-2015) AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FISCAL BUDGET FOR 2016; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES FOR OPERATION OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF CITY GOVERNMENT; FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES COVERING GENERAL FUND OPERATIONS, STREET FUND, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FUND, AND SANITATION FUND; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Alderman Traylor moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to place Ordinance 1540 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. Alderman Traylor noted that the Ordinance listed that it has been amended; he requested to know the change. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Finance Director Cheryl Erkel related that at the previous City Council meeting, Alderman Traylor had questions regarding the cost of goods sold for the Shooting Range, explaining that she researched and found that the targets are included in the cost of goods sold. She stated that the cost of goods sold include targets, pro-shop inventory, and ammunition. She then explained that she went back and reviewed the revenues associated with the Shooting Range targets and the fees; adding that those revenue items have been increased. She related that revenues for the targets were increased $54,000.00, fees were increased by $13,000.00 and the pro- shop revenue sales were increased by $10,000.00. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2015 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. She related that while she was reviewing the budget, she discovered some other corrections: an item in the 911 budget for supplies was miscalculated, a correction in the IT budget regarding ClearPointe managing services, and a correction for the Parks and Recreation athletic supplies. She added that she also reduced the privilege tax revenues by $16,000.00, following other research regarding court fines she changed the original lump sum of $600,000.00 because part of that should have been separated out to help offset the costs of the Pulaski County Jail. She continued saying that the court fines has been decreased $120,000.00, adding that the fines for the jail costs originally had zero, which has now been changed to $75,000.00. She stated that she also increased the police warrants to $500,000.00. Mayor Fletcher asked for a motion to amend Ordinance 1540 to the amended version provided to City Council. Alderman Traylor moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to amend Ordinance 1540 (#20-2015) as provided. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon Deputy City Clerk Rhea read the heading of Ordinance 1540. Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to accept Ordinance 1540 on THIRD and FINAL READING as AMENDED. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1540 (#20-2015) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 17 DAY OF DECEMBER, 2015 APPOINTMENTS: PLANNING COMMISSION Alderman Traylor moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve the reappointment of Jim Peacock, Jr. for a term to expire 01/01/2019. MOTION CARRIED. thth ANNOUNCMENTS: City Hall will be closed December 24 and 25 for the st Christmas Holidays and January 1 for New Year’s Day. th Thursday, December 24 sanitation routes will run on Wednesday, December rd 23. Animal Control will have no fee adoption, yard sale, Christmas photo shoot, and Christmas market with vendors on Saturday, December 19, 2015. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2015 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. Mayor Fletcher then announced that a Jacksonville Community Theater has started and it will be held at the Light House Charter School December thth 18 and 19 performances will be at 7:30 p.m. with tickets available at the door. Mr. Phillip Carlisle offered public comment, stating that his question and concern is regarding the City code that deals with mowing of grass. He related that he has requested that a lot in his neighborhood be mowed and has had no luck getting any response. He stated that he has been trying to get this achieved all summer. He explained that he began with City Engineer Whisker at their Rotary meetings, and was told that he needed to call the Code Enforcement. He said he then called Code Enforcement with no response and from there he went to speak to the Police Chief and still nothing was done. He stated that the Police Chief told him that he was the ultimate responsible party at the Department and he would make a decision and get back with him. He stated that after that did not happen, he called Director of Administration Jim Durham and then called back and talked to Mayor Fletcher. He stated that after some conversation, he was told that the City would enforce the code, adding that still nothing happened. He continued saying that a month after that he called the Mayor again and was told that he was starting a real “fire storm” if he continued to pursue this. He stated that in his neighborhood he has one of the lots that more than 1 acre and less than 5 acres so by code it has to be mowed to 15”. He related that his neighbor has tall weeds but his whole yard is not that way. He explained that his neighbor mows 2/3 of his yard to zero inches every Friday but 1/3 he does not. He went on to explain that the 1/3 part is next to his grandchildren’s home. He related that anyone will do anything to protect their children and grandchildren, so he is asking the City to enforce their codes. He stated that he is trying to protect his grandchildren from the rats, mice, varmints and snakes because their play area is adjacent to this 1/3 area that is not mowed. He reiterated that he would like for the City to enforce the code, saying that the City protects citizens everyday with Police, Fire, and ambulance services. Our City Code Officers protect us when we build homes and now he is asking that they continue to protect his family by enforcing the code. He thanked the City Council for the opportunity to address them. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:53 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 5