17 JAN 19
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 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 January 19, 2017 at the regular meeting place of the City
Council. Mayor Fletcher delivered the invocation and led a standing
audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith,
and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL
declaring a quorum. PRESENT SEVEN (7), ABSENT (3). Aldermen Bolden,
McCleary and Ray were absent.
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, City
Engineer Jay Whisker, Director of Administration Jim Durham, IT Director
Scott Rothlisberger, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Police Chief Kenny
Boyd, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, CDBG
Director Theresa Watson, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Water
Commission Chairman Jim Peacock, Water Department Superintendant Jake
Short, Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes, Tommy Bond, Glenda Fletcher,
Johnny Simpson, interested citizens, and members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting
of January 5, 2017 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly
scheduled City Council meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor that the minutes of
the regular City Council meeting of 15 December 2016 be APPROVED. MOTION
CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Mashburn moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to approve the
Regular Monthly Report for December 2016 regarding annual crime
statistical comparisons.
Code Enforcement for December 2016
Assigned Calls 156
Self-Initiated Calls 521
Follow ups 370 Basketball Goals 1
Meetings/Court Hearings 7 Structures Inspected 0
Warnings Issued 26 Rental Properties Inspected 0
Notices/Letters Written 40 Properties Red Tagged 0
Vehicles Tagged 19 Search Warrants Served 0
Vehicles Towed 0 Structures Rehabbed 0
Lots posted 0 Structures Condemned 0
Signs removed 103 Houses Demolished by City 2
Trash cans tagged 10 Houses Demolished by Owner 0
Parking Violations 59 Tickets Issued 0
Grass Letters 0 Grass Mowed 0
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Mashburn moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to approve the
regular monthly report for December 2016 from the Jacksonville Fire
Department, reflecting a fire loss of $8,600.00 and a savings total of
$1,631,400.00.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Alderman Mashburn moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to approve the
regular monthly report for December 2016.
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 6 Building Inspections 21
Business Licenses 9 Electrical 21
Plumbing 20
HVACR 13
REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Alderman Mashburn moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to approve the
regular monthly report for December 2016.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $ 325.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00
TOTALS $ 325.00
Alderman Mashburn moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor to approve the
regular annual report for 2016.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $18,785.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 00.00
TOTALS $18,785.00
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Sansing, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith,
and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT: Annual Report by Water Department Manager Jake Short
Manager Jake Short introduced Water Commission Chairman Jim Peacock. He
then related that on behalf of the Jacksonville Water Commission he is
pleased to provide City Council with the 2016 Annual Water Works report.
Jacksonville Water Works had zero water quality violations to report and
has once again completed the year within its budget while providing the
citizens of Jacksonville with quality water and services that they not
only deserve, but have come to expect.
The projects completed during 2016 includes the installation of 3,140
linear feet of pipe, 3 additional fire hydrants, 20 valves, and updating
71 existing water services. At the end of 2016, we had 11,213 water
meters in the water distribution system which includes 16 new water
services.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
Customer service continues to be a top priority of Jacksonville Water
Works staff. They continue to take online payments from customers
through their secure internet site. In the year 2016, they received
15,659 online payments totaling $1,459,656. They continue to receive
many positive comments from our customers using this updated service. He
noted that in 2016, they began the use of tablets for processing work
orders; it replaces the previous system of paper based mechanisms and
has proven to be much more efficient in real time service.
Water Production saw a slight increase in 2016. On July 22, 2016, they
reached a peak demand for the year of 4.9 million gallons. This is well
below the previous year’s peak water flow of 6.9 million gallons, which
occurred on January 10, 2015. The total water production for the year
was 1.14 billion gallons, which was a 1.7% increase from the previous
year. Average daily water flow for the year was 3.1 million gallons per
day.
The move into new office space at the current warehouse facility at 1925
West Main was also completed in 2016. This added facility houses JWW
operations staff members and aids the Water Works in that these employees
are working from one footprint and are afforded much faster and easier
access to materials, supplies, and JWW equipment.
Jacksonville Water Works continues to work with the LRAFB in their effort
to privatize their water utilities infrastructure. A finalized proposal
was delivered in June of 2016. He related that negotiations are still
ongoing and a further proposal will be submitted at the end of next week.
Privatization would allow Jacksonville Water Works the opportunity to
operate, maintain, improve, and assume all responsibility of LRAFB’s
water system. By ridding itself of utilities, LRAFB can then focus on
specific mission requirements instead of system repairs and upgrades.
The Water Works is excited about the opportunity to further solidify the
partnership between the LRAFB and the City of Jacksonville and looks
forward to the benefits all stand to receive.
This work was accomplished with a workforce of 31 employees. They
currently have 11 employees licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health
to properly operate the water system with 3 additional employees
currently working toward the completion of their water operator license
to further enhance the professionalism of the Jacksonville Water Works
staff. He stated that they well represented the Water Department at the
Arkansas Rural Water Association Conference. They competed for the
second year in a contest that consists of two-person teams tasked with
assembling a fire hydrant on timed bases. They are judged not only on
time but how well the hydrant is assembled in proper working order.
Jacksonville Water Works team finished second this year.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
He expressed his appreciation to the City Council for their continued
support in working with the Jacksonville Water Commission towards the
completion of the important capital projects set forth in the Water
Master Plan.
The scope of the projects included in the master plan will insure that
our City will have a safe and adequate supply of high quality water for
the future growth of the Great City of Jacksonville today, tomorrow and
for many years to come.
In response to a question from Mayor Fletcher, Manager Jake Short stated
that the peak reached in January was from burst and leaking frozen pipes.
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: Annual Report by Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes
She introduced Sewer Commission Chairman Fred Belote, Office Manager
Kathy Reed, Operations Manager Mike Overstreet, Technical Services
Manager Paul Richards, Pretreatment Coordinator Kevin McGill, and Lead
Operator Bruce Jones.
The Wastewater Utility is broken down into five departments: technical
services, treatment, laboratory, collection system, and administration.
The Technical Services handles investigation, cleaning and televising,
and oversight of all construction. The report for that department is
found on pages 3-7. A few of their statistics include:
Cleaned 46 miles of line.
Televised about 13 miles of line.
Inspected 203 services lines and made 2,438 line locates.
Conducted inspections and oversight of all sewer line laid in the
City.
Updated our GIS system to include main lines, manholes, force
mains, pump stations, and grease traps. This allows us to target
our investigative work based on different attributes such as age of
pipe, size of pipe, or geographical area. Samples of our mapping
data has been included on pages 6 and 7.
The Treatment & Laboratory departments, which include Pretreatment &
Equipment Maintenance, are responsible for operating the treatment plant,
running process control tests in the laboratory to ensure we are within
permit regulations, assisting our industries with their wastewater
treatment, and maintaining and repairing all plant maintenance and
vehicles. Their reports are found on pages 8-10. A few of their
achievements include:
Completed our 21st year without an NPDES permit violation.
The plant treated 1.5 billion gallons of wastewater, compared to
1.8 billion last year, a decrease of 3 million gallons less water.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
Our plant accepted 5 million gallons of landfill leachate from Two
Pine Landfill, up from 3 million in 2015.
Rainfall for 2016 was 49 inches compared to 66.7 inches in 2015.
Once again, there were no violations from ADEQ inspections of the
plant and solid waste monofill, and no violations of our
biomonitoring testing.
Performed 7,701 analytical tests in our laboratory and passed all
recertification requirements.
The Collection Systems department is responsible for repair and
replacement of existing sewer line and manholes, and construction of new
line. Their report is found on pages 11-13. A few highlights are:
Contractors replaced 7415 feet of mainline by pipe bursting.
Inspected and repaired 78 manholes, replaced 8, and constructed 18
new manholes.
Performed 11 street cuts.
37% of all customer service calls were related to grease blockages.
The Administration department handles financial management, personnel,
purchasing, and clerical support. Their report is found on pages 14-16.
Some of administration’s focus in 2016 was:
Assisted in the development of a new database management system
which incorporates all our current databases into one location, and
connects all of our work and information to physical points on the
sewer line map.
We received a perfect independent financial audit again in 2016.
Several JWU employees continue to volunteer their own time in our
industry’s associations, where they serve on boards and committees,
arrange for speakers and presentations at conferences, and work
together with neighboring wastewater professionals to provide
training and education for the water and wastewater professionals
in our state. This industry-related work, and networking with
other professionals, develops our employees’ skills, knowledge and
leadership abilities. I am very proud of their participation in
our industry’s organizations.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
Employee Licenses & Certifications:
Utility employees hold the following licenses:
CDL License 14
Coll Sys I
certification 4
Coll Sys II
certification 4
Plumbing Inspector 6
Solid Waste 4
Wastewater I 9
Wastewater II 2
Wastewater III 9
Wastewater IV 6
Awards & Achievements in 2016:
Bruce Jones received the 2016 Dick Morris Employee Excellence
Award.
Paul Richards received the AWEA Young Professional of the Year
Award.
Kevin McGill received the AWW&WEA Wastewater Outstanding
Achievement Award.
Sam Zehtaban (retired) received the WEF William D. Hatfield Award.
st
Jay Summers won 1 place in WEF’s Inge.
Mayor Fletcher complimented both utilities, noting that Wastewater has
been featured in two national magazines. He stated that both Departments
are as close to perfect as you can get.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION: Final Plat Graham Wood Subdivision PH II
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the final
plat of Graham Wood Subdivision PH II as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
GENERAL: ADDITION to AGENDA:
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to suspend the rules
and place Resolution 748 (#1-2017) on the agenda.
RESOLUTION 748 (#1-2017)
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AND URGING SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON’S
PROPOSED TAX RELIEF PACAGE FOR MILITARY VETERANS; AND, FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
Alderman Elliott stated that Resolution 748 eliminates taxation of
military retiree benefits and pay.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to Read Resolution
748 (#1-2017). MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Mashburn to approve
Resolution 748 (#1-2017) in its entirety.
Mayor Fletcher pointed out that many surrounding States are incorporating
this benefit for the retired Military and as a result Arkansas is losing
some great resources as well as many good citizens. He stated that this
piece of legislation is before the legislators currently. He added that
keeping the highly trained and skilled retired Military is beneficial to
the Arkansas communities and help the workforce as well as driving
industry.
At this time MOTION CARRIED.
STATE OF THE CITY by Mayor Fletcher
Mayor Fletcher read the following statement:
When I am with the Base Commander, Col. Chip Brown, at Joint Intro as he
welcomes the new servicemen to Little Rock Air Force Base, he always
informs the newbies that if you came to Little Rock thinking its some
little sleepy hollow, you’re in for a surprise. He then commences to
tell them of all the activities going on. Not only is Little Rock Air
Force Base no sleepy hollow, neither is the City Jacksonville. The most
obvious sign of this is the highway expansion everyone sees on a daily
basis.
The widening of Highway 67/167 continues throughout 2016 with the opening
of 2 lanes southbound on the Main Street overpass and Redmond Road
overpass, with the final 4 lanes both south and northbound to be
completed in the first half of 2017. When completed, the 6 lanes will
bring us a much safer highway segment that has in the past been one of
the most dangerous spots in our highway system with accidents and
fatalities. At the same time, bids were opened last month and
construction is to begin this spring on the 6 laning of Hwy. 67/167 north
of Vandenberg to Hwy. 5. This is expected to take 2 years to complete.
At this time, the plans for Project #604, which is the widening from Main
Street thru Vandenberg interchange, is being completed and the most
complicated phase out of the entire widening process will be going out to
bid, with construction to begin in 2019 and taking 3 years to complete.
This will be a more time consuming project due to right of ways, utility
relocations, congestion and 2 new bridge projects. No doubt this
construction has brought inconvenience to people, but the long-term
benefits it will provide our community in the end will be worth it all.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
The Bond that the City Council passed for Capital Improvements in 2015
was carried out in 2016 with the majority of the projects being in the
Fire Department and in the Parks & Recreation Department. Mid-summer saw
the arrival of 2 new pumper trucks and a ladder truck for the Fire
Department that replaced trucks well beyond their usefulness to the City.
If I may say so without being prejudiced, they are the most beautiful
fire trucks in the State, possibly the nation. Every detail was spec’d
out, taking close to a year from design to delivery at a cost of 2.1
million dollars. Also, 40 self-contained breathing apparatus were
purchased through a federal grant at a cost of $233,964. Work was
started in rehabbing and remodeling the Central Fire Station that was
built 37 years ago. The first phase was gutting the dayroom, kitchen and
bathroom into a brand new facility custom designed for each shift. Phase
2 is now underway, which includes renovating upstairs and constructing
individual sleeping quarters and new showers. Hopefully, this will be
completed in the coming months.
McClelland Consulting Engineers is in the process of creating a master
plan for a new baseball/softball complex with commercial development to
support such a major expansion of the Parks and Recreation Department.
With the cancellation of many tournaments in recent years due to flooding
from Bayou Meto into Dupree Park, it is necessary to look to and plan for
future concerning tournaments and the economic impact it has had on our
community in the past and whether or not Jacksonville wants to regain the
prestigious position as one of the favorite host cities for them.
This past spring, major renovations were done on the kiddie pool at
Splash Zone at the cost of $400,000. Eight pieces of exercise equipment
were replaced upstairs at the Community Center at a cost of approximately
$40,000. The roof of the Tommy Swaim Community Center was recoated at a
cost of $100,000. as it has begun to leak in recent years. This should
take care of the problem for the next 10 years or more.
In a meeting a little over a year ago about the future of downtown
Jacksonville Dr. Robert Price, PhD agreed to serve my administration as
the Director of Downtown Planning & Development. Since that time, Dr.
Price has been deeply involved in creating a Steering Committee of
business and property owners, attended meetings and conferences dealing
with redevelopment from Little Rock to Bentonville. He has spent over
240 hours this summer creating an in depth master plan that contains 11
steps in the process that will move downtown Jacksonville from a
commercial/retail area designed during the urban sprawl of the 1960s into
a design that is the desired lifestyle of the future. Unlike master
plans that we have done in the past that sit on a shelf, this 100 page
document is laid out in multi-phase and step processes that lead us
through a building process to attain the ultimate goal of a town centered
concept, where downtown is centered around people, rather than
automobiles. The fast pace of change in our world is requiring cities to
take the famous hockey player, Wayne Gretzky’s advice of “Skating to
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been”. According to
experts, if downtown redevelopment is done right, it will have an
economic impact on home values within an easy 6+ block radius of Main
Street.
Also in 2016, under the leadership of Alderman Barbara Mashburn and
business owner RB McGrath, the Jacksonville Historical Society was
reinvigorated in a push to preserve the old historical downtown business
district buildings. After months of hard work and dedication, the
National Historical Society accepted the buildings in the area and placed
them on the Historical Register, making them eligible for more grants and
incentives, which will enhance the ability to preserve our history while
bringing an opportunity to turn these building back into the economic
development of our City as they did when they were the downtown of
Jacksonville in the mid-1920s.
One of Jacksonville’s older shopping centers that contained the City’s
original Wal-Mart location and later was known as Knight’s Grocery, sold
in 2016 to Steve Edwards, who gutted the 42,000 sq. ft. store and
renovated it into one of the nicest and finest grocery stores and fuel
stations in Jacksonville. The multi-million dollar project will continue
with the remodeling and occupation of the shopping center itself. Other
retail and restaurants were constructed and opened this past year, always
a good indication of a good tax base for the operation of the City as
well as job creation for local citizens. This past year has brought us
Hardees’s, Fuzzy’ s Taco Shop, Pho and More, and CM Smoke. After 4 years
of lobbying at ICSC (International Conference of Shopping Centers),
Hibbett Sports opened a sporting goods store this December.
We saw six industrial and commercial building permits issued due to
expansion or new industry construction in the Industrial Park this year.
One year ago, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that world renowned gun
manufacturer Sig Sauer would be coming to Jacksonville, bringing 50
industrial jobs. However, after a recent trip to their home office in
Portsmouth, NH, the number of jobs has increased to 125. We are excited
and proud that Sig Sauer has already made plans for expansion and are
optimistic about their future in Jacksonville.
Not far away, Arkansas Office Products has broken ground and begun
construction on an 11,000 sq. ft. warehouse that will employ 10. This
business has much promise to grow and expand as well with over 40,000
product selections.
Arkansas Welding Academy established its school in Jacksonville in May
2013 with 3 students. Today they have 25 students and when the current
expansion of an additional 4,500 sq. ft. is completed, their capacity
will be 50. Plans are for 2 shifts of 50, thus gaining 100 students for
total enrollment. They are also working through the University of Texas
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
at Arlington as a teaching site for OSHA 30 to certify safety officials
in the field. Other expansions include Poloplaz, Ashland Chemical and
Wild West Auction.
The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District established itself in 2016
with the hiring and development of district positions and the inaugural
hire of school staff and support personnel. With the actual birth of
independence taking place July 1, 2016 when JNPSD became a standalone
district cutting ties with Pulaski County Special School District after
decades of effort. Not having a new school built in over 30 years under
Pulaski County Special School District, the new Jacksonville North
Pulaski School District has this past year cleared the grounds, developed
the plans and will break ground this summer on a new 60 million dollar
high school complex and a 16.5 million dollar, 650 student elementary as
a school replacement program starts to redefine the education commitment
for our City. The citizens themselves showed their commitment this past
year by voting for a 7.6 millage increase to finance such improvements.
Construction will begin this spring on a $535,000 addition for the Health
Unit in Jacksonville. The 1,900 sq. ft. expansion will better serve the
already growing needs of Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. The
services include immunizations, reproductive health, environmental
health, public health preparedness, WIC and hygiene training.
The Little Rock Air Force Base continues to rehab, rebuild and invest in
its infrastructure with a new 117 million dollar runway, the centerpiece
to the other renovation projects, insuring a strong vital future in our
community as it serves the world. Due to all the construction, in the
place of the air show of the larger scale typical of the past, the Base
wanted to do something for the public and created the Arkansas Military
Expo that brought in over 30,000 visitors to experience much of what our
own State does in the area of military mission and how our own citizens
participate in the cause of freedom. At present time, the Little Rock
Air Force Base is in contention with 7 other bases for the Battlefield
Airman Mission that will add some 200 instructors that will train 1,200
airmen each year. By training airmen to be combat controllers, rescue
officers and joint terminal air controllers that call in airstrikes for
the Army, Marines and Navy, it will bring even more diversity to the
mission of the Base and reinforce the confidence the military has always
had in the performance of our Air Base and the fantastic community
support that has become nothing short of legendary.
Jacksonville will see a change in 2017 it has not seen in 40 years in our
courts system. Robert Batton, who has served the City proudly since
being elected Municipal Judge in 1976, has decided to retire. Rita
st
Bailey was elected and took office January 1 and we are excited about
her gifts, talents and passion as she will lead the judicial branch of
our government. We wish her well and success in her many years to come
on the bench.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2017
7:00 P.M. – 7:39 P.M.
Upon reading the department directors end of the year reports, I was
amazed at all the activities and accomplishments each of the City
departments were involved in on a daily basis. The work load for many
was unbelievably massive. The sheer numbers speak of a City heavily
engaged at creating a quality of life for its citizens; we should all
stop and appreciate. While it’s always easier to see a problem we ought
to be at times recognizing those who work unnoticed most of the time to
keep a seamless city performing at a level that is one of a first class
city. My appreciation goes out to our employees that are in the trenches
with little fanfare and are doing exceptional work. They truly are
professionals in every sense of the word. To my directors that provide
forward thinking and leadership on the highest level, I just want to say
I am so proud to be associated with each of you. You make it look easy
when it’s not; you handle problems with professionalism and confidence
that I can count on. Though it is never easy to run a city, you make it
a more pleasant job. Every compliment I ever receive belongs to you,
your department staff and crews. To the many volunteers that serve this
great City on various boards and commissions, you are an asset that
elevates the quality of life in our City and you do it because you care
and we love you for that. You are that small percentage that wants to
contribute your talents solely because you want to make our City better
without pay or fanfare. I am always appreciative of the Jacksonville
City Council. Each year, I make note of the fact that many cities across
this nation are not blessed to have the honor of working with such a
visionary group that can have several different opinions but a single
focus on what is good for the community relating to the big picture. Our
successes now, but even more so in the future, will be the direct result
of unity on our Board.
For years, I have said time and again that no city in our State has the
potential that Jacksonville has. We are now starting to see the
potential turn into reality, making these exciting times for our City.
May God Bless our efforts as we strive to make every citizen proud and
part of something bigger than them.
APPOINTMENTS:
ANNOUNCMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at
approximately 7:39 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER
City Clerk-Treasurer
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