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17 MAR 16 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2017 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 March 16, 2017 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Ray 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, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT EIGHT (8), ABSENT (2). Aldermen Ray and Mashburn were absent. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Director of Administration Jim Durham, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief Kenny Boyd, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Planning Commission Chairman Jim Moore, Planning Commissioner Patrick Thomas, Jeff Twitty, Tommy Bond, Johnny Simpson, Keith Weber, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 16, 2017 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Traylor that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 19 January 2017 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2017 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. Code Enforcement for February 2017 Assigned Calls 142 Self-Initiated Calls 642 Follow ups 464 Basketball Goals 8 Meetings/Court Hearings 8 Structures Inspected 1 Warnings Issued 45 Rental Properties Inspected 0 Notices/Letters Written 50 Properties Red Tagged 10 Vehicles Tagged 12 Search Warrants Served 0 Vehicles Towed 0 Structures Rehabbed 0 Lots posted 0 Structures Condemned 0 Signs removed 126 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 3 Houses Demolished by Owner 0 Parking Violations 268 Tickets Issued 0 Grass Letters 0 Grass Mowed 0 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the regular monthly report for February 2017 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $27,900.00 and a savings total of $872,100.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the regular monthly report for February 2017. PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 15 Building Inspections 22 Business Licenses 15 Electrical 27 Plumbing 31 HVACR 7 REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the regular monthly report for February 2017. ADOPTION FEES/FINES $1,095.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00 TOTALS $1,095.00 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: RESOLUTION 749 (#2-2017) A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS TO UTILIZE FEDERAL-AID FUNDS FOR THE FOLLOWING CITY PROJECT; JP WRIGHT LOOP ROAD RAIL GRADE SEPARATION. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to Read Resolution 749 (#2-2017). City Engineer Whisker related that the City partnered with Metroplan started in 2000 to replace area railroad bridges, offering that there were 12, and the City of Jacksonville had the first one which was on Main Street. He then explained that since City of Jacksonville had two th bridges on the list they moved the second one to 12 on the list. He stated that the second bridge is on JP Wright Loop Road. He stated that Federal Aid would be 80% and the City’s match would be 20%. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M. Mayor Fletcher stated that this would be a three phase project and the first phase will be this year and it will consist of project planning; next year will be the right-of-way and utility phase of the project, followed by the construction phase. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 749 (#2-2017). Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve Resolution 749 (#2-2017) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 1565 (#1-2017) AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND CLOSING FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PURPOSES A PORTION OF SHARP STREET, JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS (GENERAL LOCATION: THAT PORTION OF SHARP STREET FROM WEST MAIN STREET TO SCHOOL DRIVE, JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS); AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Fletcher opened the public hearing at approximately 7:03 p.m. City Engineer Whisker related that the closure of Sharp Street is part of the overall plan for the High School campus, explaining that Sharp Street cuts through the property where buildings are being proposed in an attempt to enclose the campus for safety. He pointed out that Sharp Street will still exist inside the campus as a student drop-off for the rear part of the High School. Mr. Jim Moore, Jacksonville/North Pulaski School Board member, stated that the School Board would appreciate a favorable vote. Mayor Fletcher closed the public hearing at approximately 7:04 p.m. Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary that Ordinance 1565 be placed on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1565. Alderman McCleary moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to APPROVE Ordinance 1565 on FIRST READING and suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1565 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1565. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M. Alderman Traylor moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to further suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1565 on THIRD and FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1565. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden that Ordinance 1565 be APPROVED and ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1565 (#1-2017) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 16 DAY OF MARCH, 2016. b. RESOLUTION 750 (#3-2017) A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND VOICING OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED NOISE POLLUTION PLANS FOR THE ARKANSAS HIGHWAY & TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT’S PROJECT NOS. CA0604 AND CA0605, WHICH ARE THE EXPANSION OF HWY. 67/167 THROUGH THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS FROM W. MAIN STREET TO HWY. 5; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Fletcher explained that there was a lot of concern expressed at the public hearing last Thursday evening; one concern being the short period for public comment. He explained that Resolution 750 is asking that the public comment period be extended to 60 days. He noted that he has spoken with a Congressman, State Representative, and Highway Department Officials, encouraging everyone to take the Internet survey and voice their concerns about the project and the public comment period. He stated that there is a lot of concern for the aesthetics of the proposed design and how it hurts the commercial businesses along the Highway. He then voiced concerns regarding the extra noise because it is bouncing back from the wall, saying that this has proven to be an additional issue for concern. He stated that the right-of-way will also be an extra maintenance headache, saying that there are a lot of issues that need to be fully addressed prior to the close of the public comment period. Alderman Bolden confirmed with Mayor Fletcher that each side access road would become one-way roads, saying that it should not affect businesses. Mayor Fletcher stated the issue is the wall that will obscure the site of businesses located along the Highway. He then answered Alderman McCleary that the wall is proposed to be as tall as 10’ to 12’ in various locations. He then answered Alderman Bolden that the expressed purpose of Resolution 750 is to request an extension of the public comment period to further address all issues of concern. He noted that the construction phase is still a couple of years into the future, so there is a concern why the public comment period is only 15 days instead of the customary 30 or more. He then answered Alderman Collins that the section just north of Vandenberg to Hwy. 5 has a wall on the west side in the vicinity of the 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M access road, which has a wall and then there is a second wall on the 604, which is a phase that has not been put to bid yet. He then added that there has been comment that it may not be concrete walls but PVC walls, which is the reason they need an easement behind those houses. He stated that there are several issues and the process needs to be slowed down to discuss the various concerns. Alderman McCleary moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to Read Resolution 750 (#3-2017). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 750 (#3-2017). Alderman Bolden moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to approve Resolution 750 (#3-2017) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. c. DAV Presentation by Charlie Brown Mr. Charlie Brown stated that Chapter 7 of Disabled American Veterans has been dedicated to empowering veterans to lead high-quality life following service. He related that part of their role in the Jacksonville DAV is to help those veterans to navigate through the VA system, which is done by providing free assistance and advice to obtain benefits that they may be entitled to that they are not aware of. He stated that they also represent their interest before Congress if the need is called for and extending their services into the community. He related that the Jacksonville Chapter 7 was established in 1932 and is part of the Arkansas Department of DAV, adding that Jacksonville is the largest Chapter of 22 Chapters in the State of Arkansas. He noted that there are almost 3,000 members on the rolls to date. He related that volunteers maintain regular office hours, Monday thru Thursday serving an average of 100 veterans monthly and contributing more than 2,000 volunteer hours. He stated that for several years they have called Jacksonville home, and only through the support of the City of Jacksonville are they able to continue to support and serve veterans. He presented to the City of Jacksonville an award recognizing the continued support. He then thanked the City and Mayor Fletcher for their continued support. Alderman Bolden expressed his appreciation for having a Jacksonville Chapter and for the valuable service offered to our American veterans. Mayor Fletcher recognized their volunteerism and dedication to their mission. ANNOUNCMENTS: Mayor Fletcher announced that tonight’s meeting is Police Chief Kenny Boyd’s last City Council meeting as Police Chief. He stated that Kenny has decided to retire, noting that he has served the City of Jacksonville with 29 years of dedicated and distinctive service to its citizens. He stated that it would be hard to express how much the Chief’s leadership has meant to him, the Department, and everyone he has served and helped. He wished him well. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M Chief Boyd thanked the City Council and Mayor for the opportunity to work side by side, saying that it has been a great adventure. APPOINTMENTS: A&P COMMISSION Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve the appointment of David Bush for a term to expire 3/31/2021 and the reappointment of Ray Patel for a term to expire 3/31/2021. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Bolden announced that there would be a retirement ceremony for st Chief Boyd on March 31 at the Public Safety Building and expressed his appreciation to Chief Boyd. 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 6