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17 JUL 20 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 20, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:14 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 July 20, 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: City Councilman: Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. Councilman Bolden was absent. PRESENT NINE (9), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Director of Engineering Jay Whisker, Professional Administrative Consultant Geoffrey Herweg, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Director of Public Works Jim Oakley, 911 Director Tabby Hughes, Dr. Robert Price, Commissioner Harry Stringfellow, Rick Kron, Jeannie Herweg, Lida Feller, Keith Weber, State Representative Bob Johnson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 6, 2017 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Traylor that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 1 June 2017 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilman Elliott moved, seconded by Councilman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for June 2017 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. Code Enforcement for June 2017 Assigned Calls 125 Self-Initiated Calls 658 Follow ups 645 Basketball Goals 3 Meetings/Court Hearings 10 Structures Inspected 0 Warnings Issued 75 Rental Properties Inspected 1 Notices/Letters Written 78 Properties Red Tagged 0 Vehicles Tagged 2 Search Warrants Served 0 Vehicles Towed 0 Structures Rehabbed 0 Lots posted 28 Structures Condemned 0 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 20, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Signs removed 87 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 5 Houses Demolished by Owner 0 Parking Violations 106 Tickets Issued 1 Grass Letters 99 Grass Mowed 98 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Councilman Elliott moved, seconded by Councilman Ray to approve the regular monthly report for June 2017 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $0.00 and a savings total of $0.00 ROLL CALL: Councilmen: Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. Request to Approve CDBG 2017 Annual Action Plan In response to a question from Councilman Sansing, Director Watson clarified that the correct amount to be received is $189,500.00. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to approve the annual CDBG Consolidated Plan Update and 2017 Strategic Action Plan as presented. MOTION CARRIED. b. Request to create City Council subcommittee to research long-term sustainable revenue opportunities for City operations Mayor Fletcher read the following prepared statement: “As I was preparing to speak at Newcomers Orientation on the Base yesterday, I was reflecting on how even I have seen such a change in our Military since sequestration 3 years ago, how the Military was looking for ways to cut overhead and costs and maximize resources to create revenue through the P4 incentives. We too have looked at the same things but at the same time trying to balance it with improving quality of life amenities that people look for as they decide where they want to live, work and raise their families. No doubt those cities that are growing today are progressive in those areas. The areas of education, recreation, public safety, job opportunities, etc. Jacksonville, I believe, has some of the greatest potential to grow and thrive of any city bar non and we are working to develop that potential as we meet the challenge of an outdated shopping model for retail, limited ourselves as to what restaurant opportunities due to being dry, little to no resources 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 20, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. to further entice industry to come and provide jobs when incentive packages are what makes the deal and landlocked for future development, but today, I can tell you we have been moving forward to address many of these concerns. Looking and building for the future is one of the primary roles of leadership as well as meeting the present needs of our people; however, one should not come at the cost of the other. They must be held in balance as well as importance. Like most, cities revenue for current operations are greatly diminished and jeopardizing sustainability for our communities as we operate and plan for the future. Our revenue system, which we have depended on for decades, relies upon three main sources that over the past few years has become questionable due to the nature of the business or operation itself. These being sales tax – roughly 68% of budget greatly being diminished by internet sales. Franchise Fees are taking a hit as well as some of these utilities are falling victim to new ways of communication and entertainment, specifically the phone & cable industry. Judiciary ops have fallen dramatically – almost by half over a short period of time. Between these 3 alone amount to almost 80% of our budget. It’s not hard to see we are facing an uphill battle to continue to provide services our citizens have grown to expect and enjoy if future revenue sources aren’t dealt with. Most all surrounding cities are having it deal with these same challenges and our solution could be very well similar to theirs or components thereof. That’s why I am requesting a committee of council members to look at how the future will need to look concerning sustainability in the operation of the city now and in the future. What worked well in the 80s and 90s will not work well in this changing environment that is quickly outdating our funding.” Mayor Fletcher related that Councilman Ray and Twitty are already on the Finance Committee. He added that he is sure some of the Council members would be interested in ways to generate revenue, explaining that like a lot of cities, Jacksonville has gotten into the reserves. He cited several surrounding cities that are searching for new revenue streams. He stated that 25 years ago when the Sales Tax issue was first brought before the citizens, the City made a deal with the public that the City would forgo 5 mills on personal property and real estate tax. He noted that he had a recent meeting with the former mayor of Magnolia, saying they had a discussion regarding the fact that Jacksonville is only relying on Sales tax. As a result this request for a committee to look at revenue opportunities has come about. He stated that this something that needs to be addressed as we plan for the future. He stated that he would have brought this to the Council earlier but Jacksonville needed to get a millage for our schools, saying at that time he felt as though that was the most important issue. He stated that he would like to applaud the Jacksonville community for passing the school millage, adding that he believes we will see the benefits from that very soon. He went on to say that at the same time we still have a responsibility to run the City. He asked for volunteers to serve on the committee. He stated that the committee can collect data and look at what other cities are proposing going forward. He added that it might also include having some town hall 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 20, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. meetings. He stated that this is our problem as a community and our responsibility is to our community. Councilman Traylor questioned if the scope of the subcommittee could include not just revenue sources but also cutting expenditures. Mayor Fletcher agreed, saying if any can be found. He stated that hardly a Director’s meeting goes by without the subject of cutting. He stated that if you start looking at the charts, we are dealing with a system that had technology not taken over; sales tax would have probably carried us longer. He stated that things are changing so fast that it is just not sustainable. He stated that if you cut so much, some small departments will be eliminated all together. He agreed that they committee could look at everything. The committee members are Council members: Mashburn, Traylor, McCleary, Collins, Twitty, and Ray. Mayor Fletcher commented that it would be good for Councilman Traylor to chair the committee. He stated that he would get back with everyone concerning dates. APPOINTMENTS: JACKSONVILLE WATER COMMISSION Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman McCleary to approve the reappointment of Joy Kinman for a term to expire 04/20/2025. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCMENTS: Discussion ensued and Mayor Fletcher answered Councilman Collins that he would make an announcement tomorrow regarding a local church that will lend itself as a cooling center. He added that he would continue to work on additional locations. Councilwoman Mashburn reminded everyone that the annual citizens of the th year awards banquet would be held July 27 at the Community Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:14 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 4