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21 MAY 06 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular scheduled session on May 6, 2021 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Council Member Ray delivered the invocation and led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains answered ROLL CALL. Second Vice Chair Mike Dietz also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT EIGHT (8) ABSENT (1). Council Member Bolden and Mayor Johnson were absent. Others present for the meeting and by Zoom were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Leader Newspaper Reporter Rick Kron. By Zoom were: Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Theresa Watson, Human Resource Director Charlette Nelson. Council Member Traylor moved, seconded by Council Member Rains to appoint Council Member Dietz as the Second Vice Chair for City Council. MOTION CARRIED. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Vice Mayor Dietz presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 21, 2021 for approval and/or correction. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor that the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of 21 January 2021 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): GENERAL: a. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING from April 15, 2021 Regular City Council meeting. ORDINANCE 1655 (#05-2021) AN ORDINANCE CONDEMNING STRUCTURES AND REAL PROPERTY AT THE LOCATION NOTED BELOW IN JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, FOR STRUCTURAL DEFECTS, DEFICIENCIES, AND PUBLIC HAZARD CONDITIONS; DECLARING AN EMERGNECY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. Second Vice Chairman Dietz opened the public hearing at approximately 6:03 p.m. Council Member Blevins moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to place Ordinance 1655 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. (0) voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1655. With no one presenting to offer support or opposition, Second Vice Chairman Dietz offered a telephone number for anyone wishing to call in and voice support or opposition. With no calls, Second Vice Chairman closed the public hearing at approximately 6:08 p.m. Officer Ryan Wright informed the City Council that there were no visible signs of improvements regarding the properties before the City Council for condemnation. He then added that none of the owners had contacted the City to establish a scheduled for repairs or obtain building permits. He then answered that once the Ordinance is adopted, the property owners have 30 days to provide the Code Enforcement Department with a plan of action before further condemnation action will be taken. Council Member Traylor moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to APPROVE Ordinance 1655 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1655 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Blevins to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1655 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. th ORDINANCE 1655 (#05-2021) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 15 DAY OF APRIL, 2021. City Council joined with Council Member Blevins in recognizing the hard work and accomplishments of the Code Enforcement Department. b. DISCUSSION of adding a focused main City of Jacksonville Facebook page Council Member Blevins stated that he had brought this discussion before the City Council previously, saying he wanted to clarify his position, he related that he is not trying to replace any current department Facebook pages but believes a main page should be established. He stated that the page would be an addition to other pages for main focus items and that as a unified 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. page, other departmental Facebook page managers would be made administrators on the main page so that their post could be shared with a click to share to the main page. He stated that he would like to revisit this item. Council Member Traylor noted the various departmental Facebook pages, saying that if it is a circumstance of sharing, then he would be in favor of sharing. He then added that when it veers toward surveys, he feels it will become negative. He stated that he is not sure if there are negative comments if the City can delete those posts. City Attorney Friedman stated that the City is limited to only removing posts that contain profanity or threatening language. Council Member Traylor stated that he feels this could become an opportunity for bashing the City. Council Member Blevins stated that the main page could be made to restrict being able to make comments and it would only be for sharing from existing Departmental pages, so it would not be new content. Council Member Rains stated that if we were to open up online surveys, we would want to look into creating an online form, such as Google Suite, which has a good user interface regarding creating forms. She added that the responses would go into an excel spreadsheet that would not be accessible to the public. Council Member Sansing stated that if the Department heads are the ones that will be sharing this information then they need to be consulted for their opinion. He added that he agrees with Council Member Traylor that many people only use Facebook as a club. Council Member Traylor stated that if the Department heads want to have a main page it is up to them. He added that he feels it would be more coming from the Mayor, if he were wanting to have a main Facebook page. He stated that regarding information it would be a good thing but he would not want to start seeing bad comments on a main page. Council Member Sansing stated that it is more of an executive decision and the City Council is more of a legislative process. Council Member Rains confirmed with Council Member Blevins that he had spoken with some of the Directors who were in support of a main page. She stated that she would appreciate feedback from the Directors. Council Member Ray stated that he does not believe that the City needs a Facebook page. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House noted that they use social media a lot for advertising, saying it is the best free advertising out there, adding that his concern would be that if you allow comments you would have to have an admin and someone watching the page. He stated that if it is a simple share only of what we are already posting, that would be fine because we do that all the time. He concluded saying that it would not be a problem for his Department. Police Chief Hibbs confirmed with Council Member Blevins that the Police Department would not have to move their Departmental page to the main page but would only share their information to be included on the main page. He stated that he would be fine with that. He stated that while they do get negativity, they have a policy and it is managed. It was noted that the Police Department could share events they are hosting. He then added that the Police and Fire pages already share each other’s post. Chief Laughy stated that their Facebook page has served the Department well with few negative comments. He stated that as far as having a centralized website, he would not have a problem sharing the most important things. He stated that it would not be difficult for them to do that. He stated that he is not sure if a centralize page would be more used than a specialized page but he is not against the idea. Council Member Traylor pointed out that the City’s page could share links to the Departmental pages. Human Resource Director Charlette Nelson via Zoom stated that on their Facebook page, everyone shares their jobs including some City Council people, adding her thanks for that. She related that she also shares the Police and Fire, Parks and Recreation on their page. She stated that once they put jobs up, a lot of people share the jobs. She stated that she does not have a problem with doing it. Council Member Traylor stated that after hearing from the Directors, he would offer that Council Member Blevins should get with the Mayor and make it happen with the support of the City Council. He stated that the Mayor needs to choose who will run it. Council Member Dietz stated that the City Council appreciates Council Member Blevins’ input, noting he has good input; acknowledging that some of the Council is a little slow to change. He acknowledged that he is not fully versed in Facebook, adding that his wife is the Facebook expert. Council Member Blevins offered apologies, saying that it was brought to his attention that he may not have been clear when he introduced the idea initially. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. c. DISCUSSION Opening City buildings and hours of operation Second Vice Chairman Dietz related that in talking with other cities he learned that most are going back to full hours, adding that his th recommendation would be to do it by May 17. He then noted that a lot are st doing it June 1. Council Member Twitty stated that she received several phone calls about City Hall not being open, saying that our citizens pay taxes and want to do business with the City and they want to see the buildings open Monday thru Friday back to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. She pointed out that the churches are open and Parks and Recreation never closed; adding that everyone is back to business and the City needs to do the same. Council Member Smith stated that she would like for citizens to be able to do business at City Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Council Member Dietz stated that he has heard the same comments from citizens. Council Member Traylor questioned if the City Council has the authority to open City Hall back to regular hours when City Council was not the ones who prescribed the reduced hours. City Attorney Friedman stated that she believes Mayor Johnson made that decision after the Governor declared the State of Emergency. She then answered Council Member Traylor that she is not aware of the Governor lifting the State of Emergency, adding that she believes it is to expire at the beginning of June. Council Member Dietz concurred, adding that most of the places he has checked has opened to regular hours. Council Member Traylor, Blevins, and Sansing expressed sentiments that the sooner the City returns to normalcy the better. Council Member Rains moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to open City of Jacksonville City Hall, Police Department and Fire Department Monday through th Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting May 17. MOTION CARRIED. d. DISCUSSION Key Cards for City Council Members Second Vice Chairman Dietz stated that he is requesting that all City Council Members have their own key cards to get into City Hall for meetings and other visits until 7:00 p.m., saying that he would like to have access to the building during regular business hours to be able to have more access regarding greater knowledge in making sure everything is going smoothly. He stated that he feels the City Council is held to a higher esteem and it is the City Council’s job to make the rules and regulations that all City employees perform their jobs under. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. Council Member Ray stated that he feels that the City Council has access to the Department heads and the various Departments. He stated that he does not feel that any City Council Member needs to have access late at night. IT Director Emily Osment stated that they would be able to restrict the hours that the cards can access the building. Council Member Dietz reiterated that the cards would not work after 7:00 p.m. Discussion ensued regarding various reasons for the City Council having key cards versus the City Council not needing access after 7:00 p.m. Council Member Rains questioned the average cost to respond to an alarm at City Hall. Chief Hibbs stated that it would take two officers and if nothing is going on they leave. She proposed that an ordinance could be created saying that anyone using their key card that set off an alarm would have that amount deducted from their pay. Council Member Blevins stated that he could see where a key card would be useful on meeting nights but other than that he can not see any reason for holding a key card. Council Member Traylor that he would like to go on record as agreeing with Council Member Blevins. Council Member Mashburn stated that she does not feel that City Council Members need key cards. Discussion ensued as to whether the doors would be open once City Hall returns to regular 8 am to 5 pm hours or would only the front door be unlocked. City Attorney Friedman stated that it was recently discussed in a Director’s meeting and it was cited that City Hall in Little Rock has one main entrance and they keep a log of all visitors. She added that she believes it was Mayor Johnson’s intention to keep the front door as the main point of entry. She then pointed out that Sherwood is similar with one point of entry. Council Member Dietz stated that he feels it is good we can have a discussion with differing opinions and everyone will be fine and not get their feeling hurt. Council Member Rains stated that she would like to go on record of agreeing with Council Member Dietz. In response to a question from Council Member Rains, Council Member Blevins stated that typically the cost of a key card is approximately $5.00. Council Member Dietz concurred with IT Director Osment that the key cards identify the user and the time it was used as well as inside cameras. 6 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. IT Director Osment stated that the Council Members cards could be programmed to work during a set time of hours on certain days. She confirmed that all the key cards are programmable. Council Member Rains moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty that key cards will be issued to City Council Members optionally. ROLL CALL Council Members Blevins, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. Council Members Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, and Traylor voted NAY. Second Vice Chairman Dietz voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. e. Hospital Sale/no commitment of City resources regarding funds or staff Second Vice Chairman Dietz acknowledged concerns that there be no commitment of City resources regarding funds or staff involved in the Hospital sale. He related that this item was put on the agenda for Mayor Johnson to address but the Mayor is not here to offer further information. Council Member Twitty moved to suspend the item of business until… Council Member Ray interjected that the City Attorney should be able to answer that question. City Attorney Friedman stated that she has not seen the contract and cannot offer any additional information. Second Vice Chairman Dietz reported that he learned the City is not committing anything for the purchase of the Hospital, he added that City Attorney Friedman will review for further input. He then stated he was told that the Hospital Board has purchased a fully stocked ambulance for the City. He noted that this will give the City four ambulances and the other three are in good condition. He stated that the City would have the resources to do other things. He surmised that the City would probably have to expend funds to staff the fourth ambulance, explaining that it would be six employees because it runs 24-hour shifts. He stated that there is a cost but it would be for employees only, adding he believes that is something we would need to look into and might need to be done anyway. He stated that if the City gets a “free” ambulance, we would be able to do a lot with it if City Attorney Friedman’s review say everything else is the way it is supposed to be. City Attorney Friedman stated that from her understanding, the contract is already signed and executed. Second Vice Chairman Dietz concurred. Council Member Blevins questioned that the contract was executed without City Attorney Friedman seeing it? 7 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. City Attorney Friedman concurred, saying there is nothing she can do at this point. She stated that she wanted to make this clear, if there is anything someone was hoping that she could accomplish, it is too late for her input. Second Vice Chairman Dietz stated that he knows she is good and was hoping she could change some things. City Attorney Friedman replied, we can go to Circuit Court. He invited Chief Laughy to address the City Council. Council Member Blevins called for a point of order, saying that he thought there was a motion to suspend? Council Member Twitty stated that she made the motion. City Clerk Davitt stated that there was not a second to the motion. Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Blevins to defer this item until Mayor Johnson is present to answer questions. Council Member Blevins questioned if there is discussion regarding the decision to defer or how does this work. He noted that there is another incident with the land deal from the last City Council meeting, relating that City Council was told that it was $290,000 that was free and clear for the City to do whatever they wanted but he researched the Hospital Board minutes and it said that money was only geared toward Hospital purchases and medical purchases, which as he recalls was not discussed. Council Member Sansing and Second Vice Chairman Dietz recalled that it was discussed at the previous meeting. City Attorney Friedman stated that it was in the Hospital Board minutes but it was not stated in the City Council meeting. Council Member Blevins stated he was aware the property was restricted to medical use only but that it was not disseminated that funds from the purchase was strictly earmarked for medical purchases. Second Vice Chairman Dietz stated that he had never heard that either. Council Member Blevins noted that the information was in the Hospital Board minutes from March. Council Member Ray called for a question to the motion on the floor. ROLL CALL: Council Members Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains vote AYE. At this time a voice vote was taken to defer the item of business until Mayor Johnson is available to answer questions. MOTION CARRIED unanimously. 8 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. Council Member Twitty requested that someone from the Hospital Board be invited to also answer questions. Council Member Blevins asked how many City Council Members were aware that Mayor Johnson is the Chairman of the Hospital Board. Council Member Twitty stated that she wanted someone else from the Hospital Board to be available to also answer questions. Second Vice Chairman Dietz stated that he was not aware of that fact, but added that we will have some time to research and bring forth better information along with our additional questions. APPOINTMENTS: SEWER COMMISSION Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing to approve the reappointment of John Ferrell to the Sewer Commission for a term to expire 4/20/2026. MOTION CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Council Member Sansing noted that Preston Robinson was upset that he had said that Triangle Engineering was sold for $1.00; adding that Mr. Robinson stated that he had $500,000.00 in it. He stated that he has the accessor records and this took place in February 1997, saying that he was relying on his memory and he remembered that the property sold for $1.00. He continued saying that what he was told was that it was sold for $1.00 to the Jacksonville Commerce Corporation and that the Jacksonville Commerce Corporation sold it to Triangle Engineering. He reiterated that was what he had been told, and the money was used to buy the land that Sig Sauer and Jacksonville Office Products are located on. He related that it was used to buy land for development. He added that the Pulaski County Assessor shows that the City sold to Robinson for $1.00, it shows it to a Janeen Robinson and she transferred it to her husband, Preston Robinson. He stated that for the Facebook warriors who thought that I was out of my mind saying that it sold for $1.00, I have the County records showing it sold for $1.00 and I tracked back and found out who it was sold to, what Preston paid for it, and what the money was used for. He added that he apologized to Preston for that, but at $500,000.00; Preston still got a heck of a deal because at that time I think the assessed value was 2.4 million. He stated that he was just trying to prove that the City makes sure that businesses stay and if coming to Jacksonville, the City will give them the best deal possible to stay at home. Council Member Rains requested that a copy of those facts be held in the City Clerk’s Office in case anyone wants a copy. Council Member Traylor questioned if it affects City business, proposing that it just be let go. Council Member Sansing stated that the information he has is available at the Pulaski County Assessor’s Office. 9 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 6, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. Council Member Traylor stated that it has absolutely nothing to do with City business, adding that it does not need to be in the City Clerk’s Office. City Clerk Davitt noted that a copy is available in the original City land records. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Ray stated that he is very proud to announce that Council Member Traylor, who has been in business in the City of Jacksonville for 75 years. He congratulated Council Member Traylor, noting that they have just broken ground that will add more jobs to his business. Council Member Traylor stated that he wanted to make it clear that he has not been with the business for 75 years. He stated that Lomanco has been in business for 75 years, saying that they are a wonderful company to work for. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Second Vice Chairman Dietz adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:12 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR BOB JOHNSON City Clerk-Treasurer 10