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20 FEB 20 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:29 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 February 20, 2020 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: Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Johnson also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT (0) ONE SEAT VACANT. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, IT Director Scott Roethlisberger, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Human Resource Director Charlette Nelson, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Interim Police Chief Joseph McCollough, Director of Economic Development & Cultural Alliance Bob Price, Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes, Wastewater Commissioner John Ferrell, David Rayan, Mike Dietz, Jim Moore, Dejuana Sipes, Johnny Simpson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Johnson presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 6, 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 Bolden that the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of 16 January 2020 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the Regular Monthly Report for January 2020 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. CODE ENFORCEMENT Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to approve the regular monthly report as presented for January 2020. Assigned Calls 67 Self-Initiated Calls 79 Follow ups 90 Structures Inspected 0 Meetings/Court Hearings 3 Rentals Inspected 0 Warnings Issued 9 Properties Red Tagged 0 Tickets Issued 0 Search Warrants Served 0 Notice/Letters written 31 Structures Rehabbed 0 Vehicles Tagged 4 Structures Condemned 0 Vehicles Towed 0 Houses Demolished by City 0 Lots posted 0 Houses Demolished by Owner 0 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:29 P.M. Signs removed 77 Parking Violations 0 Trash cans tagged 1 Grass Letters 0 Basketball Goals 0 Grass Mowed 0 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for January 2020 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $48,000.00 and a savings total of $1,279,000.00. ROLL CALL: Council Member: Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: ADDITION TO AGENDA: Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to suspend the rules and place Resolution 790 (#01-2020) on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. RESOLUTION 790 (#01-2020) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNDERWRITER AND BOND COUNSEL, TO PROCEED WITH MATTERS PRELIMINARY TO THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED APPROXIMATELY $15,300,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF WASTEWATER REFUNDING REVENUE BONDS, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES OF BONDS, TO REFUND THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS WASTEWATER REFUNDING REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2016B AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO. City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 790 (#01-2020). Ms. LeAnn Burnett with Stephens Public Finance, explained that they monitor both the City’s and the utilities’ debt on a regular basis to identify refunding or refinance opportunities. She noted that the 10-year treasury is at a 1.60, which would be very beneficial in issuing taxable bonds to refund the Wastewater Tax Exempt Bonds. She stated that they ran an analysis and met with the staff at Wastewater, saying that preliminary numbers show that there is a net present value benefit of over 6%, most issuers proceed with a refunding if the savings is between 3 and 5 percent. She then related that they had met with the utility Commission and they passed a Resolution to proceed, City Attorney Friedman was present at that meeting. She explained that the savings could be significant to the utility, anywhere from 50 to 60 thousand dollars annually in savings over the life of the bond issue. She stated that they would not be extending the final maturity date of the bonds; it would just be a mirror refunding. She confirmed that it would be 6% net present value savings and that it would be calling bonds and then reissuing those bonds. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve Resolution 790 (#01-2020) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:29 P.M. FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: ADDITION TO AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1629 (#3-2020) on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCE 1629 (#03-2020) AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR PURCHASE OF A NEW INTERVIEW ROOM CAMERA SYSTEM FOR THE JACKSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT; FOR APPROPRIATE IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCESS FOR DEPARTMENT AND JACKSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1629 (#03-2020). Interim Police Chief McCollough related that the current system in the interview rooms under the Criminal Investigation Division is very outdated and cannot be updated any further, noting that it is using the X-P operating system. He explained that there have been performance issues and they are proposing to replace the old system with the WatchGuard system, which is what is also used for the patrol cars. He pointed out that by using WatchGuard it would integrate with the system already in place. He related that the WatchGuard system is user friendly and the officers are already familiar with the system. He then confirmed for Council Member Mashburn that the current system was brought over from the old Police Department. He then answered that the new system would have automatic updates. IT Director Scott Roethlisberger explained that the interview room system would integrate with the existing server that we have for patrol and is automatically updated. He continued saying that IT handles the updates. Mayor Johnson noted that the proposal exceeds the $20,000 and we are asking that it not be put out for bid, that it is the lowest bid that we got for this quality. Interim Police Chief McCollough then answered that the Criminal Investigation Division has four interview rooms, adding that very crucial evidence is recorded in these interview rooms. Council Member Sipes noted that it is almost a requirement now regarding court cases. Council Member Sipes moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to approve Ordinance 1629 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1629 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:29 P.M. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Sipes to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1629 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1629. ROLL CALL: Councilman Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Councilman Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1629 (#03-2020) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 20 DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2020. STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): Mayor Johnson suggested that Committee meetings always be held on a Thursday so the public can get use to those meetings being on a Thursday either before a City Council meeting or on the off Thursday night. a. Used Car Lot Committee (Council Member Mashburn) Council Member Mashburn related that the Ordinance is being finalized by the City Attorney. b. Citywide employee step & grade pay (Council Member Mashburn) Council Member Mashburn stated that this Committee is tabled until the City has the funds. It will be removed as a standing Committee for reports. c. Committee regarding parking in bike lanes for Stonewall Subdivision (Council Member Bolden) Council Member Bolden related that the recommendation to come from the Committee was to have the speed checked in the Stonewall area and they will return for further recommendations. He noted that it was a good meeting with lots of participation. GENERAL: PRESENTATION for Black History Month In honor of Black History Month, Council Member Bolden stated that we want to recognize those individuals who have impacted the City. He read in honor of Black History Month let us remember the men and women who paved the way in this great City and have unified the calls of the impacted including the late Chief Neely, Council Member Robert Lewis, those who raise African American Community Leaders that pioneered and served in this great City. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:29 P.M. Mayor Johnson recognized Cynthia Bolden, the first African American Female to serve on the Jacksonville Civil Service Commission. He offered Mrs. Bolden a plaque commemorating her dates of service and expressing appreciation for her service to the City. Mrs. Bolden thanked everyone, saying that it was an honor to serve the City. Mayor Johnson recognized Council Member Reedie Ray, noting his service on the City Council to present being 32 years, also noting his present service as Chairman on the A&P Commission, as well as 16 years on the Executive Council of the Municipal League and 9 years on the School Board. He stated that his recognition goes beyond his service on the City Council, extending to his everyday life for more than 32 years, being part of the City and he has made a difference. He added that he as well as the citizens of Jacksonville personally thank him for his service. Council Member Bolden read that in honor of Black History Month, we recognize you as the longest serving African American Elected Official for the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas. We thank you for your dedicated and continual service since 1989. Council Member Ray stated that he is proud to be of service to the City and proud to do as he has been doing. He further expressed his appreciation and stated that he loves serving. Mayor Johnson recognized Council Member Sansing for some special remarks. Council Member Sansing stated “he is glad to see we’ve got a pretty crowd here tonight. My remarks are as much to my fellow Councilmen as anybody else. The other day, quite coincidentally, I run into Mary at an office here in town, well one of the “Jeffs” in town and it was one of those situations that was complete happenstance. But, we were able to have a totally unplanned discussion about past history, during that time, I came to understand and know what was going on with the Resolution I put forth in the past. I was wrong and I apologize to Mary, and I am doing it publicly, because I was wrong for including in that in her Resolution. Number one, she was just asked/told to come to the meeting early, she didn’t know any reason why. Number two, she was not present during any discussion because she was on the telephone, she was in there, got a phone call from her husband, went out to the foyer, called her husband back, when she got back in, it was back to everything as usual, knew nothing was going on and was just kind of caught as a victim of circumstance in a very bad storm of circumstance. So, I wanted everybody in this town and the press to understand that Mary Twitty was not involved in any way nefarious or actually even knowing what was going on. And, I just wanted to make that as a public statement.” Mayor Johnson stated that he is going to add that Susan Davitt was 10 minutes late getting there, I think it was over before she got there. So let’s just get the air clear. I hope to put this to rest and we do not bring it up 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:29 P.M. anymore. We are done. City Clerk Susan Davitt stated that she was not 10 minutes late because she was not invited. I never knew that was… Mayor Johnson interjected that is correct, you saw that there were people here and thought that meeting had started early and you weren’t there. So, she was going down the hall to another meeting and she wasn’t even aware that it was going on. He concluded saying that he wanted to clear the air on both. APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Johnson announced that the Taste of New Orleans is directly following the City Council Meeting next door at the Community Center. He encouraged everyone to attend. Council Member Ray announced that he had provided a booklet for everyone to read regarding the importance of the State one-cent sales tax to support street, road and bridge funding. He explained that the booklet demonstrates the amount of money lost if the sales tax is not passed. Mayor Johnson noted that the one-half cent sales tax represents 1/3 of the road and bridge budget annually, expressing its importance. He related that he would expect a resolution of support closer to November. He acknowledged that the vote would be on the General Election in November. Citizenry comment: Mr. Roger Tolleson of 1507 Pine Crest Drive, stated that he has been a resident of Jacksonville for 10 years, saying that he would like to address a nuisance item. He explained that his neighbor to the rear of his property has two large boxer bull dogs that stay out in the yard. He related that the dogs bark continuously. He said that he has been to the Animal Control and was told that someone would talk to his neighbor. He stated that even so, it is still a problem, so he has been back to Animal Control at least two or three times. He stated that he was told to record the dogs barking along with the date and time, adding that he has done that and taken the recording to Animal Control. He related that once again, he was told that Animal Control would have someone go and talk to his neighbor. He stated that it is still a problem, adding that he has called the Police Department because the dogs bark at night. He recalled that the Police Department came out and told him that there is not a whole lot that they can do, other than talk to his neighbor and tell them to put the animals up. Once again, it is quite for a while and then the next day, it is the same thing all over again. He stated that it is at a point where he feels it is past being warned. He then explained that another neighbor that has a backyard adjacent to this backyard and they also have a boxer bull dog, so now there are three dogs barking continuously all night long. He added that he has never had a problem with the dogs being vicious. He then recounted that when he first moved in there was a chain-link fence and when he was in the yard the dog would come up to the fence and stand on his hind legs and his head was actually above the chain-link fence. He stated that this did scare him a few times. He related that since then he has put up a privacy fence along the back of his yard, saying that he felt that might hinder some of the noise but 6 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 20, 2020 6:00 P.M. – 6:29 P.M. that doesn’t really do a lot. He continued saying that he is doing what the Animal Control officer told him to do by addressing the City Council. He explained that they told him that once he got the recordings with the date and time, he should take it to the City Council. He stated that he is here to ask that someone go back to Animal Control and have Animal Control talk to his neighbors and tell them that they really need to do something with these dogs. He related that it is at a point where he cannot sit in his living room and listen to the TV. He stated that he has a tape recording if the City Council would like to hear it. Mayor Johnson related that City Attorney Friedman just told him that if he wants to address this… City Attorney Friedman interjected that he can make a meeting with her office and come in with the tape recording along with the date and times, she could send a letter to the neighbors. She stated that is something they have routinely done in the past. She continued saying that if that doesn’t work, then we can go to court. Mr. Tolleson agreed to make an appointment with City Attorney Friedman. In response to a question from Council Member Mashburn, he replied that he has lived there for 10 years, explaining that it wasn’t a problem at first but for the last two years it has gotten worse because one of dogs, a female died, and he replaced that dog with another male boxer. He stated that within the last two years, he has gone to Animal Control at least three or four times, adding he cannot say how many times he has had to call the Police Department at night. He thanked City Council for the opportunity to address them. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:29 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR BOB JOHNSON City Clerk-Treasurer 7