20 JAN 16CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 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 January 16, 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, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Johnson also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum.
PRESENT EIGHT (8) 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, Fire Chief Alan
Laughy, Interim Police Chief Joseph McCollough, Addie Gibson, Director of Downtown Planning and Development Bob Price, Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes, Water Department Manager Jake
Short, Water Commissioner Jim Peacock, Jim Moore, David Ryan, Kimberly Lett, Donna Weatherford, Charlie Jenkins, Jeff Twitty, Dejuana Sipes, Patrick Thomas, Johnny Simpson, interested
citizens, and members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Johnson presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 5, 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 21 November 2019 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: CODE ENFORCEMENT
Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to approve the regular monthly report as presented for October 2019.
Assigned Calls 237
Self-Initiated Calls 191
Follow ups 198 Structures Inspected 19
Meetings/Court Hearings 3 Rentals Inspected 7
Warnings Issued 128 Properties Red Tagged 2
Tickets Issued 2 Search Warrants Served 0
Notice/Letters written 116 Structures Rehabbed 0
Vehicles Tagged 22 Structures Condemned 2
Vehicles Towed 21 Houses Demolished by City 0
Lots posted 0 Houses Demolished by Owner 0
Signs removed 113 Parking Violations 0
Trash cans tagged 36 Grass Letters 13
Basketball Goals 3 Grass Mowed 38
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to approve the regular monthly report as presented for November 2019.
Assigned Calls 159
Self-Initiated Calls 140
Follow ups 173 Structures Inspected 10
Meetings/Court Hearings 1 Rentals Inspected 1
Warnings Issued 68 Properties Red Tagged 2
Tickets Issued 0 Search Warrants Served 0
Notice/Letters written 63 Structures Rehabbed 0
Vehicles Tagged 12 Structures Condemned 0
Vehicles Towed 4 Houses Demolished by City 0
Lots posted 0 Houses Demolished by Owner 2
Signs removed 105 Parking Violations 4
Trash cans tagged 12 Grass Letters 0
Basketball Goals 3 Grass Mowed 0
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to approve the regular monthly report as presented for December 2019.
Assigned Calls 104
Self-Initiated Calls 100
Follow ups 130 Structures Inspected 4
Meetings/Court Hearings 2 Rentals Inspected 2
Warnings Issued 47 Properties Red Tagged 1
Tickets Issued 1 Search Warrants Served 0
Notice/Letters written 29 Structures Rehabbed 0
Vehicles Tagged 5 Structures Condemned 0
Vehicles Towed 0 Houses Demolished by City 0
Lots posted 0 Houses Demolished by Owner 0
Signs removed 123 Parking Violations 0
Trash cans tagged 7 Grass Letters 0
Basketball Goals 1 Grass Mowed 0
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the Regular Monthly Report for November and December 2019 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for November 2019 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $6,000.00
and a savings total of $1,959,000.00.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for December 2019 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $40,000.00
and a savings total of $280,000.00.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for December 2019.
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 14 Building Inspections 51
Business Licenses Electrical 47 Plumbing 43
HVACR 24
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for November 2019.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $ 1,270.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00
TOTALS $ 1,270.00
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for December 2019.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $ 870.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00
TOTALS $ 870.00
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for the end of 2019.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $21,790.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00
TOTALS $21,790.00
Council Member Sansing noted that the number of bite cases was reduced to single digits (8), showing Animal Control is doing a good job of keep the strays off the streets.
Mayor Johnson acknowledged that the Fire Department did over 5,500 runs in 2019, commending them for their hard work along with the Police Department.
ROLL CALL: Council Member: Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT: Annual Water Department Report by Superintendent Jake Short
Superintendent Short read the following prepared statement:
On behalf of the Jacksonville Water Commission I am pleased to provide you with the 2019 Annual Waterworks Report. Jacksonville Waterworks had zero water quality violations to report
and has once again completed the year within our budget, while providing the citizens of Jacksonville with quality water and services that they not only deserve, but have come to expect.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
The Waterworks currently operates close to 1.2 million linear feet of water distribution lines, 800 fire hydrants, 7,250,000 gallons of storage capacity, and provides an average of 3,000,000
gallons of potable water per day to the residents of Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
The projects completed during 2019 includes the installation of 10,314 linear feet of pipe, 20 new fire hydrants and 40 additional valves. At the end of 2019, we had 11,352 water meters
in the water distribution system, which includes 82 new water services.
Customer service continues to be a top priority of Jacksonville Waterworks staff. We continue to take online payments from our customers through our secure Internet site. In the year
2019, we received 22,849 online payment totaling 2.2 million dollars. Every year we continue to see that grow. Our customers view it as a very positive thing and we continue to get
great feedback.
Water production increased in 2019. On June 2, 2019, we reached a peak demand for the year of 5.0 million gallons. This is marginally above our peak demand for 2018, which was 4.8 million
that occurred on June 30, 2018. The total water production for the year was 1.2 billion gallons, which was a 1.2% increase and our average daily water flow was 3.26 million gallons
per day.
2019 was our first full calendar year serving as the privatized owner of the Little Rock Air Force Base water distribution system. This 50-year contract requires us to operate, maintain,
repair, upgrade, and improve the Little Rock Air Force Base water system. That system is comprised of 236,416 linear feet of pipe, 412 fire hydrants, 3 pump stations, and 1,350,000-gallon
storage tank. It also provides approximately 450,000 gallons of potable water per day. In acquiring these facilities, JWW has employed the operations and maintenance strategies that
have proven successful with Jacksonville’s water distribution system and blended those with procedures familiar to the Little Rock Air Force Base system, which is working quite well.
It is important to note, as I stated in the beginning, we had zero water quality violations. We operate the two systems, Jacksonville and Little Rock Air Force Base independently of
each other. I am pleased to report that the Little Rock Air Force Base system had zero water quality violations in 2019.
This work was accomplished with a workforce of 32 employees. We currently have 12 employees licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health to properly operate the water system.
We appreciate your confidence and continued support in working with the Jacksonville Water commission to ensure that our City will have safe and adequate supply of high-quality water
for the future growth of the Great City of Jacksonville today, tomorrow and for many years to come.
Council Member Sansing commented that he had a chance to watch the crews at work in front of his house, where a line burst and water was coming up
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
through the pavement. He stated that they ran a new line, they didn’t tear
up the roads, dug minimal holes in the yard, filled them right in, and they started in the morning and by 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon there was no sign that they had ever been there.
Good Job.
Council Member Mashburn stated that they are very proud of the Water Department and the job they are doing.
Mayor Johnson commended the Water Department, asking how the relationship with the Air Base is going.
Superintendent Short replied that they took over the system May 1, 2018 and it has gone very well.
Council Member Bolden stated that the Water Department did not haphazardly take on that task, they excessively researched, went to visit other Air Basis to make sure we were lined up
and knew exactly what we were doing. He commended the staff and Commissioners.
In response to a question from to a question from Council Member Twitty, Superintendent Short stated that they would need to talk with their software people regarding the ability for
customers to store their payment method to the website. He stated that there could be liability issues but it would be researched.
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: Annual Wastewater Department Report by Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes
Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes introduced Commissioners Fred Belote, Chair; John Ferrell and then added that Vice Chair is Eddie Porter, Secretary Terry Vick and Bob Williams.
She read the following statement: Jacksonville’s sewer system consists of approximately 179 miles of sewer line ranging in size from 6 inch to 42 inch and over 3800 manholes. The earliest
construction dates back over 60 years. The system also includes 14 pump stations.
The wastewater utility is broken down into five departments: technical services, treatment, laboratory, collection system, and administration.
The Technical Services handles investigation, cleaning and televising, and oversight of all construction. The report for that department is found on pages 3-6. A few of their statistics
include:
Cleaned 54.08 miles of line.
Televised about 13 miles of line.
Inspected 359 manholes, 144 service lines and made 2,425 line locates.
Conducted inspections and oversight of all sewer line laid in the city.
Continued to update our GIS system and database management system. Samples of our mapping data has been included on pages 5 and 6.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
The Treatment & Laboratory departments, which includes Pretreatment & Equipment Maintenance, are responsible for operating the treatment plant, running process control tests in the laboratory
to ensure we are within permit regulations, assisting our industries with their wastewater treatment, and maintaining and repairing all plant maintenance and vehicles. Their reports
are found on pages 7-8. A few of their achievements include:
Completed our 24th year without an NPDES permit violation.
The plant treated over 2 billion gallons of water.
Our plant accepted 5.4 million gallons of landfill leachate from Two Pine Landfill.
Once again, there were no violations from ADEQ inspections of the plant and solid waste monofill, and no violations of our biomonitoring testing.
We performed 11,700 analytical tests in our laboratory and passed all recertification requirements.
Performed 1092 grease trap inspections, done on a monthly basis.
The Collection Systems department is responsible for repair and replacement of existing sewer line and manholes, and construction of new lines. Their report is found on pages 9-10.
A few highlights are:
Contractors replaced 5695 feet of mainline by pipe bursting.
Repaired 114 manholes and replaced 6 manholes.
Performed 10 street cuts.
Pipe bursting contractors replaced 5,695 feet of main line.
19% of all ML customer service calls were related to grease blockages, down from 24% last year, and 48% the previous year.
Home owners repaired 75 service lines in 2019.
The Administration Department handles financial management, personnel, purchasing, and clerical support. Their report is found on pages 11-12. Some of administration’s focus in 2019
was:
We received a perfect independent financial audit again in 2019 and came in under budget.
Overall operating revenue was up slightly by 4%, but sewer use fees were slightly down due to a decline in water usage which has been trending over the past few years.
Continued to mail post cards encouraging residents to “can the grease” and “shut the lid on wipes”.
Employee Licenses & Certifications:
Utility employees hold the following licenses:
10 Collection System certifications, with 4 being Class III (highest)
22 Wastewater Operator’s licenses, with 7 being Class IV (highest)
4 Solid Waste licenses
6 Plumbing Inspector licenses
16 CDL licenses
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
Awards & Achievements in 2019:
Michael Avery received the 2019 Dick Morris Employee Excellence Award.
Cathy Reed received the AWEA President’s Award for her service to the organization and was inducted into the Arkansas Select Society for Sanitary Sludge Shovelers.
The City Council commended Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes and her staff for their success and work ethic.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION: FINAL PLAT Jaxon Terrace PH 13
Public Works Director Jim Oakley stated that the water, sewer, streets, curb and gutter as well as drainage have been accepted and is ready for final plat.
Council Member Traylor moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to accept the Final Plat of Jaxon Terrace PH 13 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE(S): a. Request to form a committee regarding parking in bike lane in Stonewall Subdivision Council Member Bolden
Council Member Bolden stated that he is requesting to form a committee regarding bike lanes in the Stonewall Subdivision, explaining that the goal is to control speeding within the Subdivision.
He then added that Public Works Director Jim Oakley had recommended bike lanes to aid in that endeavor but there are people parking in the bike lanes. He stated that research shows
that most people do not ride bikes after 5:00 or 6:00, saying that there needs to be a committee to look at any regulations.
Council Member Mashburn offered to serve on the Committee. Public input and attendance was requested and encouraged.
Council Member Bolden asked the press to notify through the paper that any residents who wish to be a part of the Committee are welcome. It was then related that Stonewall is the only
Jacksonville Subdivision that has bike lanes.
GENERAL: a. Annual Organization of Governing Body
Council Member Collins stated that each January the City Council is supposed to do this each and every year. He read that the governing body may consider the passage of rules on several
subjects without limitation:
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
Council Member Collins moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor that concerning the meeting schedule, City Council will continue regularly scheduled meetings the 1st and 3rd Thursday
of each month at 6 PM. Cancellation or rescheduling of a City Council meeting will be determined by a consensus of the City Council regarding known conflicts or other scheduled events
before the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Otherwise, cancelled City Council meetings will be announced on Friday by noon and City Council will be notified by 5:00 p.m.
before the regularly scheduled Thursday City Council meeting. In the absence of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor or President Pro Tempore will conduct the meeting.
Council Member Sansing questioned how many parts Council Member Collins is presenting.
Council Member Collins stated that there are several.
Council Member Sansing acknowledged that he is aware they say we are supposed to have this in this month, but since you are the only one that is familiar with what you are doing and
the rest of us are really hearing it for the first time, I would like to request if we could all receive copies of what you are proposing. So, that as a group or individually, we can
familiarize ourselves with it, so we can discuss it from a knowledgeable position instead of doing it all immediately.
Council Member Collins replied that he does not think there is anything new, that we have not discussed over the course of the past year. If there is, it was not on purpose, but we have
had several committee reports that talked about the rules. We have had motions; this is all supposed to occur in the month of January.
Council Member Sansing pointed out that part of the motion says that if we cancel a meeting, we have to have a meeting to decide to cancel the meeting and a majority of the Council Members
do it.
Mayor Johnson clarified that if there is nothing that has been reported by Friday at noon then it can be cancelled.
Council Member Sansing stated that the Mayor can simply say that we do not have enough on the agenda, is that what this is?
Council Member Collins replied that if no Council Member has requested anything for the agenda by noon on Friday prior to the meeting, then it is up to the executive branch whether they
have business for us.
Mayor Johnson stated that it is just as it has been. He stated that really through this whole thing there are no changes. Still use Robert’s Rules of Order, still do all the same things.
Council Member Ray stated that it is just a little housekeeping measure.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
Mayor Johnson added it is a housekeeping, once a year.
At this time, MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Collins moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor that concerning the agenda for meetings; the agenda form as prepared for council meetings currently is accepted as presented
for this meeting. Council Member requests for agenda items should arrive to the City Clerk no later than noon the Friday prior to the scheduled meeting. City Council members’ request
for items to be placed on the agenda may be forwarded or directly communicated to the City Clerk and will be placed on the agenda and sponsored by the Council member(s) making that
request. No such item will be removed from the agenda unless specifically withdrawn by the sponsoring Council member(s) and such is made known directly to the City Clerk by that sponsoring
Council member(s). No other City personnel, Mayor nor any Director has influence to remove any item(s) placed on a City Council agenda by a Council member(s) through intercession with
the City Clerk. Executive Branch agenda items are not restricted by the council members. All meetings will be announced through the City Clerk’s Office whether they be regular special
or committee. All members of the governing body will be informed of all City meetings. Commission recorders will include all members of the governing body when announcing their meetings.
No council member shall independently call or conduct a public meeting. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Collins moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden that concerning citizen commentary, the announcement of location of sign-up sheets will be posted via PowerPoint on the
main view screen 15 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting start time and remain their till 5 minutes prior to the meeting start. Signup sheets to speak are available at the front left
of the audience just forward of the podium. Citizens may request to address during discussion of agenda items or as new business at the end. Citizens may speak for a period not to exceed
five minutes, unless the Council via motion approves extension of time. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Collins moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor that concerning the absence of the Mayor, the City Council shall elect a president pro tempore to preside over council
meetings. This Council designates in accordance with the Mayor’s wishes that Council Member Bolden is the first President Pro Tempore to preside over Council meetings. The second President
Pro Tempore is designated as Council Member Sansing. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Collins moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden that concerning if the Mayor is unable to perform the duties of office or cannot be located, one (1) of the following
individuals may perform all functions of a mayor during the disability or absence of the Mayor: The Council acknowledges that Council Member Bolden is designated as first Vice Mayor
and the second Vice Mayor is designated as Council Member Sansing. MOTION CARRIED.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
Council Member Collins moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor that we continue to acknowledge that the procedural rules for municipal officials, published by the Arkansas Municipal
League in May 2014 be used to remove any ambiguity from Robert’s Rules of Order, which we abide by. MOTION CARRIED.
b. Proposal to hold special election for Ward 1, Position 1 vacancy
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing that regarding filling the vacancy for Ward 1, Position 1 that the City host a public election to let the people of Jacksonville
choose who they want.
Council Member Mashburn asked if we could make a motion to go into a meeting, adding that she feels the City Council should go into a meeting to discuss this before we rule on it.
Council Member Twitty moved to go into Executive Session.
Council Member Bolden withdrew his previous motion and seconded the motion to go into Executive Session.
City Attorney Friedman clarified with Mayor Johnson that you have to announce the reason.
Mayor Johnson put the question to City Council.
Council Member Mashburn answered that it is to discuss personnel.
At approximately 6:32, the City Council adjourned to Executive Session.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to reconvene the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of January 16, 2020 at approximately 6:47 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor to hold an election to fill the seat of Ward 1, Position 1. ROLL CALL: Council Members Bolden, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Collins voted AYE. Council Members Sipes, Twitty, and Smith voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Johnson announced that by a vote of 5 to 3 there will be a special election to fill the seat of Ward 1, Position 1. He stated that he would contact the Election Commission, adding
that we may have to have a special City Council meeting to consider a proclamation of election. He noted that he would begin work tomorrow with City Attorney Friedman regarding the
process.
c. State of the City
Mayor Johnson expressed gratitude for being Mayor. He stated that this being his first year in office, there is quite a learning curve.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
I have learned the speed of government and how many steps there is in everything you do, but I say government moves at the speed of an iceberg. He stated that there are a lot of things
they worked on but it just takes a while, many projects begun but they seem to always need one more step. ARDOT has to approve this bridge, this right-of-way has to be approved, there
is always something going on but we have been working on economic development, business recruiting, searching for someone to take over our Hospital. And, expanding our bus system, adding
that a lot of those things are still in the works, they just take time. He then stated that being from the private sector, if we need this – we just do it, no that is not how it works.
We have bids, we got processes, we have approval of this body to do things. So, everything we do takes steps and processes. And, that learning curve has been quite tremendous.
Central Arkansas Sports Complex – This concept has started and knowing what I know now, I would have had the economic impact and feasibility study done a long time ago. But, we are
in the process right now of getting our business plan developed and then we are going to go and ask for money to help do the project. He stated that it is still on the table and we
are still hope to do it. We still have plans to do it and it will be a great thing for the City of Jacksonville. It will bring a lot of visitors to Central, because it is more than
Jacksonville. It is Central Arkansas we are talking about. We are talking about bringing people to Central Arkansas, which helps your Airport, Clinton Library, all the hotels and restaurants
in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot, Benton, and Conway. He stated that this will do a lot for all of Central Arkansas, and we have to quit thinking about
ourselves and start thinking regionally.
Bus service expansion – He stated that it is a little more than just buying a bus, adding that there are processes. Rock Region has come out and we have met and toured Jacksonville
and held public meetings and had public surveys. So, if we put in a bus system, it doesn’t take the people that want to ride it, where they want to go, then we have wasted our time.
I needed their opinion as to how best serve them so I can research options. Rock Region Metro, is a good bus service provider to help. He stated that it is still in the works and we
still hope to get it done.
New hospital provider – With the closure of North Metro Medical Center, he stated that we are close. I have been in discussions with a hospital provider regarding the leasing of space
and equipment. Talks are in final stages and we hope to have an announcement by the 1st of February or before if things keep progressing.
New restaurants & businesses – He related that he has 6 restaurants and 2 hotels interested in coming to Jacksonville. He added that it takes time and energy, it is a big investment.
He stated that he has talked to our current hotel owners, adding that he started watching hotel impossible to get some ideas of how to help them make their business more attractive
to people and how to promote their business better. Construction regarding the widening of 3 lanes through Jacksonville and going to one-way service roads have caused concern from businesses.
He
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
stated that he is trying to get them to meet with ARDOT, who has promised that they will never close the ability for them to get their business. He stated that he has another business
that needs to get with ARDOT so they can get easement to their business. He stated that is the process that wears me out. He went on to say that in speaking of the widening of the
Freeway, one of the big problems is we have to move all utilities and you have to buy rights-of-way. He noted that the Heritage Shopping Center, where Loop Road will go through will
be gone, those business will be gone because it is going to become Loop Road. He stated that this is all a process, the surveyors have been out here in the past two months. He related
that getting to the Air Base from Gwatney Chevrolet is going to change, explaining that the five-way intersection at Vandenberg, T.P. White, and North First Street will become a T.
It will be safer and easier. He stated that once this is completed he believes Jacksonville will see a lot of economic growth because of the ease and accessibility.
Census 2020 – Work began on getting an accurate count of our population in 2019. He stated that it is important to get the right count because that is how we divide the sales tax money
and how we divide road and bridge money. He continued saying that it is how much money the Schools get and the Housing Authority. It is our representation at the State Capital and
at the Quorum Court. Teams have already been sent out in the community. We took the 2010 Census and took the numbers of the worse reporting areas and have sent teams out in that area
to educate the residents regarding the Census. He stressed the importance of every citizen being counted and what it means to the community. He then noted that this Census we will be
able to include residents living on the Little Rock Air Force Base. He stated that he expects the population to go over 30,000.
In other matters:
Kum & Go opened its doors in March. They have exceeded their projections in the Jacksonville store. We are glad to have them as part of the community.
The gateway feature in front of the Kum & Go is now complete. We are pleased with the improvements in this area that leads to our downtown.
Planters have been added to downtown. More are to be added.
The future of the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District looks bright. The newly constructed Jacksonville High School opened for the 2019-2020 school year. Construction has begun
on the new Jacksonville Middle School. The new Jacksonville Elementary School will be built once the middle school is complete.
He related that the DAV has put in over 20,000 volunteer hours in the community, helping thousands of veterans. He recognized Council Member Bolden for his service and volunteerism regarding
the DAV. He stated that they play a vital part to our community, noting that Jacksonville has a large number of veteran retirees.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
We have had some turmoil in the City last year. It is time that we put that behind us and move forward in a unified effort to make Jacksonville what it should be. Together we can achieve
greatness. “If you’re looking at the past, you are tripping over the future”. Let’s quite looking at the past and go forward. If someone needs to say “I’m sorry” let’s get it done.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor, it has been my privilege and honor.
APPOINTMENTS:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Public Comments: Mayor Johnson recognized Kathy Jones of 28 Briarwood to address the City Council.
Following is the prepared statement Mrs. Jones read from:
Mrs. Jones acknowledged that the Mayor just spoke about putting things in the past but added that this is important and she would like to read her statement.
“My name is Kathy Jones and I live in Jacksonville. I graduated from JHS in 1981. I am a citizen and active voter. I have concrete solid evidence that multiple meeting violations have
taken place. My curiosity lead me to FOIA for information, and in doing so, I stumbled across something that lead me to speak tonight. As I read over the FOIA, media articles and
City Council minutes, it certainly looks like what Mr. Sansing claimed, on September 5, 2019, when he said, the newspaper stated, “The Fix is in”. As Mr. Sansing said, the FOIA information
clearly shows the intent of some people to discuss City business. BUT, it looks like to me, the very 4 Council Members who protested loudest, did the very thing they accused others
of doing.
City Attorney Freidman, on February 26, 2019, in subcommittee minutes, stated that anything put in email, (writing) can be constituted as a “meeting”. Mr. Bolden has also stated that
2 Council Members cannot meet without the press. BUT, on December 30, 2019, in response to my FOIA, Mr. Sansing told City Attorney Friedman, he had no texts or emails. What about the
text you sent Mr. Collins giving him your home address on November 29, 2018?
Then another text on November 30, 2018, that Mr. Collins said was in reference to Ordinance. 1591, which Mr. Collins included in his response, as well as many other texts. Such as text
referencing a meeting, or in the very least, a discussion between you two. Including texts between Collins and Municipal League Attorney Wilkerson, where he asks which email he should
use and if it would be privileged communication. (He was advised it would not be privileged because it would be subject to FOI, but didn’t think it would be a problem). BUT on December
2, 2018, Mr. Collins sent former City Attorney Bamburg an email asking to add Sansing, Bolden and Elliott as Co-sponsors to Ordinance 1591. Yet, Mr. Elliott texted him the same night
as the meeting held in YOUR home. I am not sure whether Mr. Bolden spoke by phone or in person, but there wasn’t any texts or emails. Was the press invited? Did you call Rick Kron,
as you did in August, or as you did more recently? So as I see it, YOU set up a meeting and even said “to come in the side door”. Mr.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
Collins I am confused, when you told the Council on November 15, 2018, that “it” was just a discussion starter, that NO draft had been made. Yet on October 31st, you had former City
Attorney “draft ordinances” for 4 different elected official positions, (Mayor, City Attorney, City Clerk and part time Council Members). Why was Ms. Smith the only one to be singled
out, in an email to Rick Kron on December 9, 2018, which was published in the Leader? Why was Ms. Smith the only one to have to choose between a benefit that is offered to ALL City
employees? Just because you or anyone else chooses not to take it, that is on you.
Mr. Collins why did you redact the name on the text messages between you and former HR Director Jill Ross? What did you mean when you told her in a text on November 13, 2018, that you
had been focused on this for a year? It couldn’t have been the drafts, as you didn’t start them until October 30, 2018. Was in retaliation against Ms. Smith because your emails beginning
December 2017 until present that makes it seem so. You were publicly upset that you received a letter from Prosecuting Attorney Jegley; even though your FOIA emails, texts, and Council
minutes prove you did and were involved in “illegal meetings”, as were many others. Texts show all 4 cosponsors of Ordinance 1591 were doing business in private. Mr. Collins why were
you sending out emails about Ordinance 1591 - 45 plus emails, that included a former mayor, handful of candidates, including Patrick Thomas, yet 1 main person was left out – Mayor candidate
Bob Johnson?
Mayor Johnson cautioned Mrs. Jones that she had one-minute remaining.
Mr. Sansing, what would you say about a meeting that was held and Rick Kron attended but left before it ended, AND after he left, City Attorney Friedman stated that since 3 Council Members
were there, she had something she wanted Council to know, but she didn’t want to put into an email and didn’t want the public to know. The Council Members were Collins, Bolden, Mashburn
and City Attorney as well as Davitt, (who is not a voting member of government and only recorded the minutes). This is documented. Talking about not putting anything in writing. NO
PAPER TRAIL, like you deleting text and emails, when you received emails asking for comments and did not reply in writing. This FOIA showed and proved when a member like Bolden says
and I quote, “I am going to be blunt. I don’t trust everyone sitting up here, so I would rather just come to you because certain people up here may record it, then it is public. We
got sued by somebody up here.” Maybe that is why Mr. Bolden never replied to any of Mr. Collin’s emails?
Time doesn’t allow me to go over all the instances of what would be considered “illegal meetings”, as Mr. Sansing’s attention-bringing has done. What have all of you to hide?
Why is it not public business that the former administration had not paid taxes on City properties, or did what was needed since 2008 and caused those properties to be lost? Mr. Collins,
you were in that meeting when Ms. Freidman spoke about this and yet you had the nerve to call out Ms. Smith, asking her what she found out in her FOIAs as a private citizen? Your actions
and the documentation prove this IS about a person who has fought for this City.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
Mayor Johnson announced that Mrs. Jones’ five minutes; you’re not done.
Mrs. Jones pleaded she is not done, saying she only has a little bit more, adding “please, let me finish, please”.
Mayor Johnson called for City Council to weigh in.
Council Member Traylor stated that he would say no, adding that he is tired of spending his time…
Mrs. Jones interjected that Brian Blevins…
Council Member Sipes stated that the Council has done it before, letting Brian Blevins go on forever.
Council Member Sansing stated let her have her say.
Mayor Johnson recalled that Brian Blevins went for 6.5 minutes.
City Attorney Friedman advised Mayor Johnson that there needed to be a motion.
Council Member Collins moved that Mrs. Jones be allowed to continue for 5 additional minutes.
Mayor Johnson stated that she has already been 6.5 minutes. He opened the floor for a motion to allow her to finish.
Council Member Traylor seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member Ray voting NAY.
Mayor Johnson asked her to go ahead and finish but make it quick because she is already 7 minutes in.
I will not give you my full findings sir, but assure you that in your outrage, you ARE guilty. Your December 2017 email bashing Ms. Smith for “handing the City a $20,000 bill” is disgusting.
You realize that was only paying her back for money she spent? Morally, ethically AND legally she was right. The former Mayor, City Attorney and 9 Council Member were wrong.
I stand behind the Police Department, even though I only know a few of them. I am deeply troubled that those who stood behind an illegal hire, chose not to stand behind the Police Department
as a whole, that he was placed to oversee.
Trust, transparency and integrity has been lacking and for longer than what we have been led to believe. It has been in the press with what they chose to print, hashed on social media,
and recently “going live” with multiple Facebook 3-ring-circus acts.
I don’t have much more than my vote, but it IS a vote that counts.
In ending, either I or someone else will be handing this over to the proper authorities. Thank you for your time.”
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
Council Member Sansing offer a comment. He stated that some of the issues that she addressed took place prior to the current Mayor’s administration, under Mayor Fletcher, with the City
Attorney Bobby Bamburg. The City Council, myself and other ones that were here at that time were taught that it takes 3 people to make a meeting. We were taught that because that
was the opinion that Bobby Bamburg had received from the State Attorney General before Leslie Rutledge, her and her group are the ones that changed it to 2, so what you are calling
illegal at that time under the FOI rules that we were taught was entirely fine. I asked Council Member Collins to bring something and drop it off at the side door because my wife was
sick and I was having a tree cut down. You talked about me not having any emails, I have a small inexpensive phone, every time the emails get full I delete the whole thing or text messages,
I delete the whole thing. The rules were different then.
Council Member Ray moved to adjourn. Council Member Traylor seconded the motion.
Mayor Johnson stated that he would like to make some announcements.
City Attorney Friedman advised the Mayor that the meeting has just adjourned.
Mayor Johnson stated that he still wants to make the announcements.
He announced that there will be a chili cook-off January 23rd at Nixon Library 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Council Member Bolden announced that he does not text and he does not do emails and does not conduct private meetings.
Mayor Johnson thanked the audience for their attendance and adjourned the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:14 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR BOB JOHNSON
City Clerk-Treasurer