Loading...
19 NOV 07 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:42 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 November 7, 2019 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Council Member Bolden delivered the invocation and Mayor Johnson led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Johnson also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, IT Director Scott Roethlisberger, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Parks & Recreation Marketing & Public Relations Manager Marlo Jackson, Parks and Recreation Office Manager Patty Walker, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Addie Gibson, Police Captain Kim Lett, Director of Downtown Planning and Development Bob Price, Dejuana Sipes, Patrick Thomas, Johnny Simpson, Keith Weber, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Johnson presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 17, 2019 and the special City Council meeting of October 28, 2019 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden that the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of 3 October 2019 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Elliott to approve the regular monthly report for October 2019. PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 10 Building Inspections 35 Business Licenses 8 Electrical 31 Plumbing 34 HVACR 30 ROLL CALL: Council Member: Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: WATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:42 P.M. PARKS & RECREATION: THIRD and FINAL READING ORDINANCE 1616 (#23-2019) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING JMC 14.08.050 (E) REGARDING PARKS & RECREATION REGULATIONS FOR PARKS’ FACILITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member Traylor moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to place Ordinance 1616 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. Council Member Sipes moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor to request an amendment to clarify in regard to security officers, that it is meant to be a “law enforcement officer with jurisdiction in Jacksonville and that Jacksonville have the first right of refusal”. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Friedman concurred. ROLL CALL: Council Member Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty that Ordinance 1616 be APPROVED and ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1616 (#23-2019) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7 DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019. Council Member Twitty related that Parks and Recreation has been working extremely hard for the last couple of years and we now have youth volleyball in Jacksonville. She encouraged everyone to applaud Kevin and his staff regarding their efforts in achieving this for Jacksonville. Mayor Johnson announced that Jacksonville’s FestiVille was chosen as “Arkansas Festival of the year”. PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): a. Used Car Lot Committee Council Member Mashburn b. Ordinance 1584 (#06-2018) Out of State property owners maintaining a local registered agent Council Member Collins Council Member Collins stated that he needs some time with City Attorney Friedman, but she has been busy and it is hard to get a chance to speak with her. c. City-wide Step & Grade Pay-Scale Council Member Mashburn GENERAL: a. Disabled Veterans Association to occupy the entire back half of the Old City Hall Building on Second Street. Council Member Bolden thanked the DAV in the City of Jacksonville who help so many disabled Veterans, noting that he is part of the organization, 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:42 P.M. explaining that he helps with counseling and recruiting. He stated that it is very important for this organization to have the necessary space to carry on their mission. He then noted that there has been a near-by city that has offered space in an effort to move the DAV to their city. He then noted that Brother Floyd and his wife were in a car accident on Graham Road, asking for prayers for the family. Mr. Bill Carnahan of the DAV related that Floyd Spencer was their Senior Vice Commander for the Chapter, adding that both Floyd Spencer and his wife were killed in the accident. He stated that from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, they had 25,000 hours of volunteer hours. Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing to allow the DAV to occupy the back half of the Old City Hall Building located at 102 South Second Street. MOTION CARRIED. b. ORDINANCE 1621 (#28-2019) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE §5.04.100 TO PROVIDE MODIFICATION OF THE CITY’S BUSINESS PRIVILEGE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR BILLBOARDS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to place Ordinance 1621 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1621. Mayor Johnson stated that currently the City charges by the number of faces on a sign, adding that mostly cities charge by the number of post. He then answered that the price would decrease slightly. Mayor Johnson then stated that the City of Jacksonville has been in a lawsuit with Lamar and this will settle the lawsuit. Councilman Bolden moved, seconded by Councilman Elliott to approve Ordinance 1621 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1621 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Bolden moved, seconded by Councilman Ray to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1621 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Bolden moved, seconded by Councilman Traylor to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1621. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1621 (#28-2019) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7 DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:42 P.M. c. ORDINANCE 1622 (#29-2019) AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING ORDINANCE 1618 (#24-2019) FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEVYING ONE (1) MILL AND ONE (1) MILL AGAINST ALL PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEVYING ONE (1) MILL AND ONE (1) MILL AGAINST ALL REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; FOR THE PURPOSE OF EFFECTING CERTIFICATION TO THE COUNTY CLERK OF PULASKI COUNTY OF THE TAX LEVIED; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Councilman Traylor moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to place Ordinance 1622 on FIRST READING. Mayor Johnson explained that the Ordinance passed in October left the Library mill on for collection. He related that this Ordinance repeals the first Ordinances and removes the one mill for the Library. He then concurred with Council Member Collins that this is to confirm collection with the County Clerk each year. He then explained that the collection is held for two years before being disbursed somewhere else. He stated that the Quorum Court then produces an Ordinance to assess the mills. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1622. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to approve Ordinance 1622 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1622 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1622 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1622. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1622 (#29-2019) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7 DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019. d. ORDINANCE 1619 (#26-2019) AN ORDINANCE TO SET ADDITIONAL MILLAGE TAX RATES TO BE ESTABLISHED IN 2020 FOR THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Councilman Traylor moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to place Ordinance 1622 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1619. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:42 P.M. Council Member Sansing questioned if this was part of the one that you made an amendment to for ¾ of a mill? Council Member Traylor confirmed. Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Collins to amend Ordinance 1619 to reduce collection from ¾ of a mill to half a mill, saying that the two half mills equal the amount of the Library mill coming off. Discussion ensued regarding the tax rate not increasing but remaining the same. It was articulated that the Library tax was one mill and the new tax for the General Fund will also be one mill. Council Member Twitty stated that she was contacted by constituents who wanted a break by the Library tax going off, given the new School tax that was put on. At this time ROLL CALL was taken to amend Ordinance 1619: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, and Collins voted AYE. Council Member Twitty and Smith voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Traylor moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to APPROVE Ordinance 1619 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1619 on THIRD AND FINAL READING as AMENDED. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, and Collins voted AYE. Council Member Twitty and Smith voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Sansing moved, seconded by Councilman Ray to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1619 as AMENDED. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, and Collins voted AYE. Council Member Twitty and Smith voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, and Collins voted AYE. Council Member Twitty and Smith voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1619 (#29-2019) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7 DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019. e. PRESENTATION of the Preliminary Budget for 2020 Mayor Johnson asked Council Members to review the budget, explaining that budget hearings would be held next week. He stated that City Council would be notified of those times and which Department is being reviewed. He asked Council Member who could not attend to email any questions or concerns to Finance Director Cheryl Erkel. Council Member Collins noted that Ordinance 1600 required that the elected officials be included in the Employee Handbook, which has not happened yet. Mayor Johnson confirmed that it is being worked on. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:42 P.M. f. PRESENTATION Boys & Girls Club Mrs. LaConda Watson introduced herself as the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club in Jacksonville, offered a brief presentation. She stated that the mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. She related that they are a 501(C)3 organization, so any funding they receive is through grants, fundraising, endowments, individual contributions. She reviewed the members of the Board of Directors, noting that she is looking for a van driver, asking if anyone knows of someone to refer them to her. She thanked the volunteers who serve the Boys & Girls Club. She reviewed her Community Impact Programs, noting a program called Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence, she explained that this is a grant that was awarded to them last year. She stated that they are going into their second year, noting that this is a grant that she competes for every year. She related that it is a literacy grant that she personally wrote with the assistance of her Treasurer, Mr. Freddie Scott. She stated that this is the second year they have been awarded the $40,000 grant. She stated that they have been very fortunate and bless to have partnered with United Way and see it through as a community effort. She stated that they have a great food program, they work with the Food Bank regarding a partnership. She then stated that a new program is Project Lighted Up, this is a group from the Little Rock Air Force Base that helps with mentoring. She stated that they also have an outreach program, explaining that she goes into the Jacksonville schools and she mentors to the middle school kids, adding that she has a group of young ladies at the Bayou Meto that she works with. She stated that outreach is just as important as what they do in the Club. She related that there are 91 children enrolled into their after school program, 74 are African American, 12 Caucasian, 5 multi-racial. She stated that they are about at a 95% regarding low-income families or single- households. She stated that all of their kids because of the School District to receive free lunches throughout the School system. She stated that during the summer time they had 140 students, saying that they actually have kids that come from Sherwood, North Little Rock, Beebe to be a part of the organization. She stated that it was a great experience. She presented a PowerPoint presentation including photographs. th She informed the City Council that as September 30, their revenue is at $115,000 and their expenses are currently at $83,000.00. She stated that some of the restraints they are seeing is the building. She stated that they are in need of proper outdoor lighting. She recognized Public Works Director 6 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:42 P.M. Jim Oakley for his support. She then noted playground protection, explaining that right now the park is wide open and as we look at what is happening in communities regarding active shooter, she stated that it is hard to keep our kids safe as opposed to what is happening on the outside. She stated that the situation is being evaluated from a safety perspective to see how we can continue to improve in that area. She brought up transportation, noting that they are fortunate enough to have a new van. She stated that they were blessed by one of Club members who helped secure a new van. She continued explaining concerns regarding infrastructure, explaining issues for when the lights have gone out inside the Club. She stated that a generator is a must to have proper lighting and the proper care during storms. She then stated that IT support for any major issues, noting that they have experienced the phones lines going down. She stated that they are preparing to evaluate those things for the coming year. She stated they are getting ready for their 50 Anniversary, celebrating the accomplishments in the Club and in the Community. She related that they have Dayelle Musselman who is the head coach’s wife of the Razorbacks Basketball th Team, who will be at the Club to help us celebrate on December 20 at the Community Center. She stated that she would love to talk to anyone who would like to get involved and help as a call of action. She offered thanks to the A&P Commission, saying that she met with them on Monday evening and they are helping as far as supporting them with some of the media advertisement. She then thanked the Mayor and everyone for their continued support of the Club. She recognized Mr. Mark Evans as their volunteer videographer for the Club. She played a commercial that was done by Mark Evans featuring Dayelle Musselman. Council Member Sansing thanked Mrs. Watson for a job well done and keeping the kids of Jacksonville safe. Council Member Bolden stated that he would be willing to donate $300.00 for a proper generator. APPOINTMENTS: CENTRAL ARKANSAS LIBRARY SYSTEM (CALS) Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the reappointment of Kelly Moss as Jacksonville’s representative on the CALS Board. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Bolden recognized Public Works Director Jim Oakley regarding the street striping in Stonewall. 7 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2019 6:00 P.M. – 6:42 P.M. Public Works Director Jim Oakley informed the City Council that they are going to put bike lanes on Stonewall Drive, noting that it is a wider street than most any other street in Jacksonville. He stated that this would make it safer for the bikes as well as possibly slow down vehicle traffic. He stated that as soon as the weather permits they will complete the job. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:26 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR BOB JOHNSON City Clerk-Treasurer 8