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20 DEC 17 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 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 December 17, 2020 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Council Member Ray delivered the invocation and Mayor Johnson led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Dietz, Blevins, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Johnson also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT EIGHT (8) ABSENT (2). Mayor Johnson noted that tonight’s meeting is Council Member Collins’ last meeting, expressing appreciation for his service to the City. Others present for the meeting via Zoom were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Courtney Dunn. Present in the audience were: Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Public Works Director Jim Oakley and Rick Kron. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Johnson presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 3, 2020 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 Traylor that the minutes of the regular scheduled City Council meeting of 19 November 2020 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the Regular Monthly Report for November 2020 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. CODE ENFORCEMENT Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Twitty to approve the regular monthly report as presented for November 2020. Assigned Calls 7 Self-Initiated Calls 38 Follow ups 64 Structures Inspected 2 Meetings/Court Hearings 7 Rentals Inspected 0 Warnings Issued 0 Properties Red Tagged 0 Tickets Issued 0 Search Warrants Served 0 Notice/Letters written 91 Structures Rehabbed 0 Vehicles Tagged 20 Structures Condemned 0 Vehicles Towed 2 Houses Demolished by City 0 Lots posted 0 Houses Demolished by Owner 0 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. Signs removed 60 Parking Violations 5 Trash cans tagged 0 Grass Letters 0 Basketball Goals 0 Grass Mowed 0 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the regular monthly report for November 2020. PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 8 Building Inspections 22 Business Licenses Electrical 24 Plumbing 25 HVACR 11 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the regular monthly report for November 2020. ADOPTION FEES/FINES $ 610.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00 TOTALS $ 610.00 ROLL CALL: Council Member: Dietz, Blevins, 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: COMMITTEE(S): Used Car Lot Committee (Council Member Mashburn) No committee report to present. GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1646 (#20-2020) AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS CALLING FOR THE DETACHMENT OF LAND CURRENTLY LOCATED IN JACKSONVILLE, PULASKI COUNTY ARKANSAS, PURSUANT TO ARKANSAS CODE ANNOTATED §14-40-1801. Council Member Smith related that Ordinance 1646 would be tabled until the East/West Connector study by ARDOT is complete. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. b. ORDINANCE 1650 (#24-2020) AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN AMENDED FISCAL BUDGET FOR 2021; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES FOR OPERATION OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF CITY GOVERNMENT; FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES COVERING GENERAL FUND OPERATIONS, STREET FUND, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FUND, SHOOTING RANGE FUND, AND SANITATION FUND; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz that Ordinance 1650 be placed on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Blevins, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1650 (#24-2020). Mayor Johnson stated that the amended ordinance adds an extra person and moves money to fund that person. He stated that fund is in road and bridge and it needs to go to the General Fund. Council Member Traylor confirmed with Mayor Johnson that the City Clerk’s assistance position was put back into the City Clerk’s budget. He then clarified that the Deputy Clerk is going to be under the Clerk and this person is going to be the receptionist person will be under H.R. Finance Director Cheryl Erkel explained that the funding for the receptionist was taken out of the Finance budget and we put the position for the Deputy City Clerk back into the City Clerk’s budget and we are putting a part-time person in the Mayor’s budget and the difference between the salaries and the benefits came out of the operating transfers, which is in the Public Works function of the General Fund. She continued saying that is the reason we had to amend the budget because the funds went from the Public Works section to the General government section. She then noted that no funds were taken from the Street Fund. Council Member Twitty questioned if the Deputy City Clerk would come in at mid over/or below? Mayor Johnson stated that they would be coming in at just below mid until they can prove themselves and then they will go to mid. He then answered that the previous Deputy City Clerk was slightly above mid. Council Member Twitty questioned if normally they are brought in at mid. Mayor Johnson stated that he believes after their 90 days then we need to get them to mid. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve Ordinance 1650 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1650 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Blevins, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1650 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Blevins, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1650 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Blevins, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Blevins, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1650 (#24-2020) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 17 DAY OF DECEMBER, 2020. c. DISCUSSION ITEMS SUBMITTED BY Council Member Blevins He stated that prior to being sworn in, he spoke with Mayor Johnson about the wet/dry issue to which he was informed that there was a proposed bill that will allow a vote to happen that if it passes it would make the City wet. He stated that he believes this will supersede the Gray Township ruling. Mayor Johnson stated that if the State Legislature passes it, then it will let Council set levels of what they would or would not allow. He noted that currently the City has “Drink by the Glass”. He then answered that the vote th is expected to go through sometime after January 11 and before April 20, 2021. Council Member Blevins stated that he was not sure if a lot of people were aware of that but there might actually be an opportunity for the City, noting that it has been a big order of contention with the City. He added that we do have “Drink by the Glass” and we have been able to allow some restaurants to carry alcohol but still have the “dry label” has been like a scarlet letter on the City, which may have affected peoples’ decisions to locate in other places. 1) What is each Council Member’s vision for Jacksonville in 2021. Council Member Blevins stated that he feels it would be good to have a general idea so that we can all work and get on the same page. He related that when we are actually thinking of things for ourselves, we can put other peoples’ ideas into consideration to accomplish a joint forward push to create a better Jacksonville. Council Member Dietz stated that he is hopeful that as a City Council member and all Departments of the City will go positive, everything that has happened before I got on the Council is here say and is past. He related that he would like to see the City Council stay positive, pointing out that the City has a lot of very good people in position. He noted that the Police 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. and Fire Departments are doing great, and all Department seem to be working together. He then related that he has been very impressed regarding the budget and how the City was able to work through the budget. He stated that he had visited with Public Works Director Jim Oakley a lot who was very receptive, and IT had done a great job. He continued saying that it is time for everyone to pull together. He added that he would only want to see very little negativity come out of the Council and from Jacksonville. He concluded saying let’s get Jacksonville moving forward like we use to. We have great schools and we have people interested in Jacksonville. He stated that he gets a lot of comments from people wanting to know about Jacksonville, saying that we are on the up and up, we have things going on, good restaurants, there are people checking Jacksonville out online. He stated that it would be his dream for the City Council to work together in order to get more done then if everyone gets aggravated. He stated that if we get aggravated let’s do it in a professional manner and then move on, which is how the business world works. He stated that he has been in real estate for 33 years and he feels that the young people have a lot of good ideas, saying that it has taken him a couple of years to realize that he may have to change his thinking and give credence to their ideas because they might have some good points. He stated that he has learned to listen more and speak a lot less. He stated that it is surprising how much positivity that generates. He stated that he respects the City Council for their service and they are good people for that service. He thanked the Mayor and added that this comes from someone who is no longer here but his father in-law, Doug Wilkinson, thought that Susan Davitt hung the moon. He said that if you needed to know anything, get something done, Mr. Doug Wilkinson would say, I just go in and talk to Susan and we get it done. He stated that with everyone working together I think we are going to have a great 2021 and going forward. Council Member Blevins concurred. Council Member Mashburn stated she seconds that sentiment. Mayor Johnson stated that looking forward is the most important thing. He quoted himself saying “if we are looking at our past, we are tripping over our future”. He stated that his goal is to get the Hospital up and running, saying that it is very important. He stated that we are anticipating a th January 15 closing date, saying that they have already become active with the Rotary Club and are looking to have an appointment on the Senior Center Board. He stated that if you are going to have a successful city, you have to have good healthcare, good education opportunities and a good quality of life. He stated that the City has opportunities to help provide a good quality of life that does not cost anything. He noted that COVID has handicapped everything. He expressed optimism for the future. He then noted that he has scheduled a meeting with ARDOT regarding the repair of Jacksonville’s service roads until they can be rebuilt. He stated that we need to think forward regarding what we can do to improve the City. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. Council Member Collins stated that Rose Rains who will be taking his position is one of the sharpest young people that you will ever meet with a lot of energy. He stated that he hopes she gets the same mentoring that he received when he joined the City Council. Mayor Johnson stated that he had about a two-and-a-half-hour conversation with Ms. Rains, adding that he was very impressed with her. He said that she is a deep thinker and is very smart. 2) Thoughts on ways to reopen the closed Graham Road access to First Street. He stated that one of his visions for the new year is to reopen Graham Road, saying that he is not aware who on the Council knows the history when it closed, adding that there was no paperwork to show it was going to be closed permanently. He stated that he heard that if we reopened it we would have to pay a large sum of money back, saying that he has not been able to find any of that. He asked the Council for their thoughts on reopening Graham Road. He stated that when they initially decided to close it, a lot of the feedback was that it would kill the businesses over there, create a slum and cause more crime, the area would go away and be horrible. He stated that a 13-year retrospective proves they were right. He stated that when he moved to Jacksonville it was open and it was the line in the sand, the moment that he remembered seeing that side of Jacksonville start to get the feeling that they were not wanted. He noted that the fire trucks are over there and the only way to get over to the area is to drive down and around or over the bridge, whereas if there is a fire on First Street they could just go straight down, if it were open. Mayor Swaim mentioned in the minutes, that there were ways to reopen it and that it could be reopened. He stated that he feels, especially with the Shooting Range being a destination spot, that opening up that area, especially with all the new house construction, that it would be a win-win. Mayor Johnson stated that when Mayor Fletcher first took office, it was going to cost 1 million dollars at that time and he had the money set aside and he sent a letter to the Railroad and ask them to reopen it and they refused. Council Member Blevins stated that the City abandoned the easement and gave it back to the Railroad, adding there are ways for us to get it back. Mayor Johnson asked Public Works Director Jim Oakley to write a letter and request if it can happen. Council Member Mashburn concurred, saying that the City should do everything possible. She added that she believes that it would help the Shooting Range and that part of town. Council Member Traylor asked everyone to remember that it was closed to make it safer, questioning why we would want to thwart the safety factor and make a crossing there. Council Member Ray stated that it was built because of the safety issues. 6 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. He recalled that there were a couple of accidents and the Railroad had said that if the City closes the Graham Road crossing, the City had two accidents close together so we chose the overpass and to close Graham Road. He stated that the safer alternative was to build the overpass. He said that now it would cost 1 million to have the same crossing that would have previously cost $400,000.00 if the Railroad would even allow it. Mayor Johnson stated that the Railroad will bring up the safety issue, noting that is why we are building a bridge at Loop Road. Council Member Blevins stated that he has looked at all the paperwork, citing that back in 1985, was when they voted to get the bond to build the bridge. The bridge was originally supposed to go from Main Street to Graham Road, it was not supposed to go to Bolden’s. He added that about the time it came to buy the area for the Church, the City did not have the money, so they had to revert and go to Bolden’s because the plan was for always for that Graham Road to be open. Mayor Johnson stated that they are on the same section line so it makes perfect sense that they would connect. Council Member Blevins reiterated that a 13-year retrospective, hopefully there is not irrevocable damage done to that side. He stated that he definitely feels that it is something that we should look at redoing because there is railroad crossing everywhere and there is railroad accidents all the time and of course you hate to hear that and you hate to see it and you hate to know that it happens but it is an inevitability from people who act wrong or something else that happens. We cannot be scared to move forward with our City. Council Member Collins pointed out that if the crossing goes back in then the train horns have to go off every time they cross that. Council Member Blevins noted that it was adopted to be a noise free zone and yes it would come back. Mayor Johnson noted that the residents that live on Spring Street did not like that. 3. How do we win back the respect and trust of the citizens of Jacksonville that we have lost over the course of the last couple of years. Council Member Blevins stated that he has definitely spoke with a lot of individuals and he has heard all the things, adding that there are some where people are just angry and they talk. He stated that he is not sure if it is because he is a new Council member but people talk to him. He went on to say that there have been things in the past that have led to people not trusting the City; I would like to send a message to let them know that we do 100% have their best interest in mind and that we do want to make changes that would positively affect them such as what I am trying to do with removing the 7 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. Pit Bull ban, what I am trying to do about creating a junior chamber of commerce or junior city council so kids that will be our future will know what is going on with the City and get the youth involved. Getting the lights downtown so people can see what is happening at night, because it does not look inviting for people wanting to bring a nightlife downtown. He stated that he is curious what the City Council thinks the message should be to them. Mayor Johnson stated that he feels we pretty well have the respect of most of the citizens because we have been very transparent and very open. He stated that before COVID, he explained that you get that by going out in the public. He stated that he and his wife were trying to visit every church every Sunday, by getting to know people and them know you is how you get that respect. It is part of the campaign trail. He addressed Council Member Twitty noting that she just finished a campaign, saying that he thinks she feels like you got their respect because you won. He stated that he believes we have done a lot since he has been Mayor to rebuild the trust in the people. Council Member Blevins stated that he agrees there has been a lot done, but he is wondering what more we could do. Mayor Johnson stated that we have to keep up the same hard work. Council Member Ray concurred, saying that we just passed the budget tonight so we need to show the people that we can stay within that budget and time will process the progress. Council Member Dietz added and be able to take care of our City employees. He stated that we appreciate the City employees more than we can show them, noting that they all just received 4% raises. He related that he talks with a lot of people and he listens and his office is open to all citizens of Jacksonville and his phone is on 24/7. APPOINTMENTS: CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to approve the appointment of Bob Baker to fill the unexpired term of Jessie Lindsey for an appointment to expire 4/01/2025. MOTION CARRIED. A&P COMMISSION Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to approve the appointment of Henal Shah for a term to expire 3/31/2024. MOTION CARRIED. PLANNING COMMISSION Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to approve the appointment Jim Moore for a term to expire 1/01/2023. MOTION CARRIED. 8 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Blevins thanked everyone who supported him to be able to get to this position, adding that he does hold this position as very valuable and is going to treat it with respect. He stated that he is taking it extremely serious. He stated that leading up to this there was no group that was greater support than the Jacksonville Chapter of the NAACP. He stated that they are incredible and absolutely a bonus for this City. He added that he has heard all the tales about them being trouble makers. He then said “the truth is, I’m a trouble maker, but it’s all perception, I am a trouble maker to the people that do not want to be held accountable by me”. “I just want to say that they have done an incredible job and they care about everybody; being in the trenches with them, I have seen it countless numbers of times and I think that they are an absolutely amazing group. I cannot say enough good things about them. I want to make the statement that I am going to donate the net of my first pay check from the City Council to the scholarship fund of the NAACP. I figured that my first step into this, I should give to them”. Blade and Barrel Microbrewery Council Member Twitty related that she has had citizens comment that it has been almost two years since Blade and Barrel was supposed to open, there have been boarded up windows and it looks like nothing is happening and then suddenly the lights are on and then off again. She questioned what is the story. Mayor Johnson stated that he has not talked to them but he believes that once ABC approves them, he believes they have to brew for 30 or 45 days to show ABC that they can do it. He stated that he would call them and ask. Council Member Twitty noted that it was on record stating that they were going to open by December or January two years ago and it still has not happened. Mayor Johnson stated that they have just incurred obstacles. Council Member Traylor noted that we do not need to go on record saying someone is going to open because ultimately it is up to them when they open. Council Member Twitty stated that the owner was here and she asked and that is what he had said. Mayor Johnson stated that it was not him who stated when they were going to open. Council Member Twitty said in this case when they did not open then they need to make contact. We need them to come back and let us know what is happening. Mayor Johnson stated that he would make contact and ask about the anticipated opening date. He related that dealing with ABC is an unknown for sure. 9 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:39 P.M. Council Member Ray thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for their Christmas Parade. Mayor Johnson noted the success of the Parade. Council Member Twitty noted that Parks and Recreation is just finishing their youth volleyball season and it has really grown. She added that the staff is doing an outstanding job running the games and keeping every safe with social distancing. She stated that she has talked to many of the parents and they are very appreciative of the programs. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:39 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR BOB JOHNSON City Clerk-Treasurer 10