15 OCT 01
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 1, 2015
7:00 P.M. – 7:22 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 1, 2015 at the regular meeting place of the City
Council. Alderman Howard 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 EIGHT (9), ABSENT (1).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg,
Director of Administration Jim Durham, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel,
Human Resource Director Jill Ross, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief
Kenny Boyd, Public Works Director Jimmy Oakley, City Engineer Whisker,
IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, 911 Director Tabby Hughes, Deputy City
Clerk Alyson Rhea, Planning Commission Chairman Jim Moore, Planning
Commissioner Patrick Thomas, Civil Service Commissioner Harold
Stringfellow, Jennifer Martin, Johnny Simpson, and interested citizens,
and members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting
of September 3, 2015 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 Bolden that the minutes of
the regular City Council meeting of 20 August 2015 be APPROVED. MOTION
CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve the regular
monthly report for August 2015 from the Jacksonville Fire Department,
reflecting a fire loss of $102,700.00 and a savings total of $194,7300.00
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve the
Regular Monthly Report for August 2015 regarding annual crime statistical
comparisons.
Code Enforcement for August 2015
Assigned Calls 183
Self-Initiated Calls 366
Follow ups 395 Basketball Goals 0
Meetings/Court Hearings 7 Structures Inspected 0
Citations/Warnings Issued 36 Rental Properties Inspected 17
Notices/Letters Written 8 Properties Red Tagged 0
Vehicles Tagged 7 Search Warrants Served 0
Vehicles Towed 2 Structures Rehabbed 0
Lots posted 12 Structures Condemned 0
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 1, 2015
7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M.
Signs removed 10 Houses Demolished by City 0
Trash cans tagged 7 Houses Demolished by Owner 1
Parking Violations 1 Tickets Issue 0
Grass Letters 25
Grass Mowed 27
REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve the
regular monthly report for August 2015.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $1,575.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00
TOTALS $1,575.00
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: ORDINANCE 1534 (#14-2015)
AN ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
(GENERAL LOCATION: 309 NORTH JAMES STREET); AMENDING ORDIANCE NOS. 213
AND 238 AND THE LAND USE MAP OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; AND,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
City Engineer Whisker related that the Planning Commission has
recommended approval of the rezoning request, explaining that it is the
last piece of residential property on both sides of James Street, located
at the southeast corner of James and Vine Streets directly across from
Dr. Cooper’s office. He explained that the owner is proposing to
renovate the structure and reopen the property as a commercial business.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden that Ordinance 1534
be placed on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden,
McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Howard voted
AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the
heading of Ordinance 1534.
Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance
1534 on FIRST READING and suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1534 on
SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing,
Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION
CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance
1534.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 1, 2015
7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M.
Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Mashburn to further suspend
the rules and place Ordinance 1534 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor,
Twitty, Smith and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon
City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1534.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden that Ordinance 1534
be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary,
Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0).
MOTION CARRIED.
st
ORDINANCE 1534 (#14-2015) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 1 DAY OF OCTOBER,
2015.
GENERAL: PUBLIC HEARING
a. ORDINANCE 1533 (#13-2015)
AN ORDINANCE AUTHROZING A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR FIBER OPTIC CABLE, DATA
MANAGEMENT, DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICES, AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY WITH RITTER COMMUNICATIONS
HOLDINGS, INC; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mayor Fletcher opened the public hearing at approximately 7:05 p.m.
City Attorney Bamburg stated that Ritter Communications is located in
Jonesboro and they are expanding their locations throughout the state, he
explained that they will be providing both telephonic and internet
connections; stating that they built a system that will be used at the
credit union and are wanting to provide services to both residences and
businesses the beginning of November. He related that Ritter
Communications have agreed to all terms regarding the franchise agreement
that will be executed upon City Council approval.
John Stroud, Vice President of external affairs with Ritter
Communications explained that Ritter Communications is a subsidiary of
E. Ritter & Company headquartered in Marked Tree, Arkansas. He added
that it is a family-owned business started in 1886 and has been in the
communications business since 1906 with their primary office located in
Jonesboro, Arkansas. He further explained that they provide high speed
internet, cable television, and telephone services from west Tennessee
across northern Arkansas. He related that they are expanding service
areas and have the opportunity to provide fiber service to cell towers
across Highway 67 and Interstate 40, adding that as they pass through
varies communities they are offering to provide business services in
those communities. He explained they have a technical limitation that
prevents them from offering their services to residential customer;
however they hope to be able to cover video at some point in the future.
He stated they would like to offer video services in the hospitality
industries and medical office waiting rooms sometime in the future. He
related that the initial service they would offer is business high-speed
internet and voice telephone.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 1, 2015
7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M.
In response to a question from Alderman Traylor, John Stroud explained
that they would extend their infrastructure off the fiber backbone that
they have already built.
Mayor Fletcher closed the public hearing at approximately 7:10 p.m.
Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor that Ordinance 1533
be placed on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden,
Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0).
Alderman McCleary Abstained. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney
Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1533.
Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to APPROVE Ordinance
1533 on FIRST READING and suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1533 on
SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, Sansing, Mashburn,
Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Alderman McCleary
Abstained. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the
heading of Ordinance 1533.
Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Mashburn to further suspend
the rules and place Ordinance 1533 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith
and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Alderman McCleary Abstained. MOTION
CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance
1533.
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor that Ordinance 1533
be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, Sansing,
Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Alderman
McCleary Abstained. MOTION CARRIED.
st
ORDINANCE 1533 (#13-2015) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 1 DAY OF OCTOBER,
2015.
b. PRESENTATION of Jacksonville Photo Book to Mayor Fletcher
Mayor Fletcher announced that the book presentation would be delayed to
the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
APPOINTMENTS: CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONER
Alderman Traylor moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to approve the
appointment of Lauren Fowler to fill the unexpired term of Cynthia Bolden
for a term to expire 4/01/2016. MOTION CARRIED.
ANNOUNCMENTS:
th
National Night Out will be held at the Boys and Girls Club October 6
starting at 5:30 p.m.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 1, 2015
7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M.
Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center Annual “Beans and
st
Cornbread” Fundraiser will be held October 21 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The annual FestiVille event will be held at Dupree Park Friday, October
ndrd
2 2:00 p.m. and Saturday October 3 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
ADDITION TO AGENDA: Purchase of school supplies worth $20,000.00
Patrick Thomas introduced Jerry Sanders, relating that he and Mr. Sanders
were able to secure a $3,000.00 loan to purchase $20,000.00 in school
supplies.
He then related current efforts to revitalize Main Street, acknowledging
Amanda and Luther Grant of Emily’s Dinner as being one of the first
businesses to participate. He stated that they have collect $583.00
toward the loan payment.
He named Heritage Pharmacy, McDonald’s, Sherwood Tire, Chicken Country,
Time to Shine, Vaughn Tire, Whit Davis, BBQ Shack, and The Hook as
businesses that are helping collect funds to repay the loan.
He stated that Mr. Sanders has been working to get school supplies to
children who need those supplies for quite some time, adding the Mr.
Sanders has been working with Arkansas Office Products regarding a
“backpack” program for school children.
Patrick Thomas pointed out now that Jacksonville has its own school
district, it is time for everyone to step up and get involved. He stated
that there will always be a child in need. He stated that he has been
talking with Otis Stewart about starting an organization to help school
children in need.
In response to a question from Mayor Fletcher, Mr. Thomas stated that he
is working with Bobby Lester to make sure that the school supplies are
strictly for the students of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School
District. He explained that the supplies would be distributed to the
various schools in Jacksonville.
Mr. Sanders acknowledged Patrick Thomas’ efforts especially regarding the
fundraising.
Mayor Fletcher wished Alderman Tara Smith a happy birthday.
Alderman Bolden announced that the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School
Board will be sworn in on Monday. He stated that this is a historical
moment for Jacksonville, he encouraged everyone to attend and show
support to the School Board.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 1, 2015
7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at
approximately 7:22 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER
City Clerk-Treasurer
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