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17 MAY 04 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:19 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 May 4, 2017 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, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT TEN (10), ABSENT (0). Others present for the meeting were: City Engineer Jay Whisker, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief Geoffrey Herweg, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, Director of Administration Jim Durham, Mayoral Secretary Michelle Whited, Director of Public Works Jim Oakley, Rick Kron, Cynthia Bolden, Mark Smith, Johnny Simpson, Glenda Fletcher, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 20, 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 Bolden that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 16 March 2017 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. Discussion: “Drink by the Glass” presented by Dr. Robert Price Dr. Robert Price related that the first objective in the 13 objective master plan for “Drink by the Glass” was to get the bill passed, to vote, and start attracting some good restaurants in to the community. He explained that the “Drink by the Glass” campaign was determined to be the most critical economic development item for our City. He continued saying that the bill establishes a process by which the City has to implement the details of the bill, so that a license can be issued to any restaurant that wants to participate and follow the requirements of the bill. He related that the Governor signed the bill in February and will 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 4, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:19 P.M. become effective around August 1, 2017. Therefore, the City needs to develop an election campaign to inform and explain the bill to citizens in the community. He pointed out that the bill does not establish liquor stores in Jacksonville; however it will allow a license provided to restaurants that has a minimum of 70% prepared food sales to sell beer, wine, mixed drinks, and other kinds of liquor. He related that a planning group needs to be formed within the City to achieve this objective. He stated that the committee should have one member of the City Council, adding that he has also requested the Chamber of Commerce provide representation. He noted that nothing significant can be done until the middle of the summer; however the necessary planning can be done. He explained that the Committee is working with the City of Sherwood because of the history regarding the Gray Township going defunct and now there is only two townships left in Pulaski County; adding that the people in the Gray Township can vote on the proposal, which includes some areas of Sherwood. He then introduced Mr. Donny Crain, the Economic Development Director for the City of Sherwood. He explained that there will be a combined planning group with shared costs regarding advertising and signage. Mr. Crain stated that the City of Sherwood and its business community is very supportive of the “Drink by the Glass” initiative, it is seen as something that will be good for our economic development efforts. He added that it will encourage investment in growing areas of the Sherwood community and contribute to the quality of life for our residents, as well as being a very positive impact for the economy. He stated that there is a waiting period before either city can go through any of the formalities but the time is right for both communities to start working together through the planning process regarding a combined effort. He concurred that there will be a joint committee of city and business leaders from both communities working together. He stated that he looks forward to working together. Dr. Price noted that Representative Bob Johnson, Caroline Brown from Sherwood, and Jane English are the primary authors of the bill. He explained that the bill calls for each city council to develop an ordinance of support. Mayor Fletcher noted that an ordinance would be presented to the City Council in August. Representative Bob Johnson stated that the bill is written in such that an election can only be held within the city limits of a first class city in a wet county that has defunct townships in other words; Sherwood and Jacksonville. He noted that Sherwood would have their own election and Jacksonville will host its own election of all citizens of Jacksonville not just the areas of the “old Gray Township”. He added that the elections would be at the same time since they are for the same purpose. He pointed out that the cities would have to pass ordinances that call for a local election. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 4, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:19 P.M. Dr. Price explained that following the certification of the election results, revitalization efforts can move forward as planned. b. Update: Current Flood Information presented by City Engineer Jay Whisker and Public Works director Jim Oakley City Engineer Whisker stated that there have been two substantially th flooding events in Jacksonville. He noted that one on April 17 was more eventful for the areas of Marshall Road and Harris Road, noting that the Rocky Branch Creek flooded approximately ten houses at the end of th Braden Street and West Lane. He then noted that the event on April 30 produced flooding over the whole City, approximately 11 houses and 21 apartments were flooded. He stated that all this information would be provided to Pulaski County OEM. He explained that the County would be the entity to declare a Disaster event and have it forwarded to the State. He asked that if anyone is aware of any flooding issues involving these two events to contact his office so they can be included in the statistics going forward to the County. Public Works Director Oakley stated that while there were several roadways covered in water, the roads fared well with little damage. He went on to say that the City garage and the Parks maintenance building did get approximately 2’ of water but it has since been dried and is looking good. He added that all the damage to Dupree Park has not been completely assessed yet because the water is still receding; saying that he feels the damage will be minimal as well. He noted the high winds, advising that by Sunday afternoon the Street Department had cleared all downed trees. He commented that this was one of the largest rain events he had seen regarding the flooding of roadways. In response to a question from Mayor Fletcher, he concurred that the railroad spur from the mainline (Union Pacific) down to General Samuels on the creek by Redmond Road flooded and the railroad ties flooded out. He noted that the spur is leased to Arkansas Midland and they completed repairs yesterday. Alderman Mashburn thanked Public Works Director Oakley for him and his crew’s efforts following the events, adding her thanks to City Engineer Whisker. Alderman Sansing questioned if a channelization to the Arkansas River from the Bayou Meto help the area flooding? City Engineer Whisker stated that it had been discussed when Mayor Fletcher first took office, saying that Jacksonville is actually lower than the Arkansas River and that is why it takes over 100 miles to get into the Arkansas River. He stated that we run at a slower pace than the Arkansas River and it goes into the River around Dewitt, Arkansas. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 4, 2017 7:00 P.M. – 7:19 P.M. Mayor Fletcher stated that a major problem for Jacksonville is that when other places downstream flood Jacksonville receives the back flow and Bayou Meto begins to back up, adding that there is a ridge between Jacksonville and Vilonia that brings the bulk of that water to Jacksonville, which is why the one-lane bridge on West Main floods and is one of the last areas to recede. He stated that so far the flood maps have been highly accurate. He stated that Jacksonville was fortunate, noting that there were 7 deaths in the State. He stated that we are starting to see more of these types of rains. He asked that anyone experiencing any flooding to provide that information to City Engineer Whisker. APPOINTMENTS: ANNOUNCMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:19 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 4