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14 APR 17 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:15 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 April 17, 2014 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Howard delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Robinson, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Director of Administration Jim Durham, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, 911 Communications Director Tabby Hughes, Planning Commissioner Jim Moore, Keith Webber, Sandra Sansing, Patrick Thomas, Johnny Simpson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 3, 2014 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 20 March 2014 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the regular monthly report for March 2014. ADOPTION FEES/FINES $2,440.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 30.00 TOTALS $2,470.00 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the regular monthly report for March 2014 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $15,900.00 and a savings total of $299,100.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the Regular Monthly Report for March 2014 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:15 P.M. Code Enforcement for March 2014 Assigned Calls 60 Self-Initiated Calls 244 Follow ups 284 Basketball Goals 7 Meetings/Court Hearings 70 Structures Inspected 8 Citations/Warnings Issued 21 Rental Properties Inspected 1 Notices/Letters Written 19 Properties Red Tagged 0 Vehicles Tagged 7 Search Warrants Served 0 Vehicles Towed 0 Structures Rehabbed 3 Lots posted 0 Structures Condemned 0 Signs removed 66 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 1 Houses Demolished by Owner 0 Parking Violations 3 Grass Letters 0 Grass Mowed 0 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: FINAL PLAT Evans Subdivision City Engineer Whisker explained that Evans Subdivision is a one lot subdivision just outside the City limits. He related that the property was part of a larger tract and the County would not address the property until it was properly subdivided. Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Robinson to accept the Final Plat of the Evans Subdivision as recommended by the Planning Commission. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: a. DISCUSSION Valentine Annexation Alderman Ray noted that this is the second time to present the request to annex the Valentine Road area annexation. He stated that the residents have expressed their desire to be annexed into the City of Jacksonville. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to proceed with the annexation of the Valentine Road area. In response to a question from Alderman Traylor, Alderman Ray answered that City Engineer Whisker has a map of the area to be annexed. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:15 P.M. City Engineer Whisker related that in order to proceed with the annexation by petition, which is 50% of landowners consisting of 50% of the land, and without taking a vote of the population, the map is a jagged boundary line. He stated that a clean line boundary map would not yield 50% of the property owners that own 50% of the land so the annexation would have to go before the public for a vote. Mayor Fletcher noted that at the last legislative session voted to outlaw enclaves or islands, questioning if this annexation would create an island. City Engineer Whisker stated that he does not believe the annexation would create any islands. Mayor Fletcher recalled that it has been discussed several times, saying that he believes this is something the City could do but he also believes it should be done toward the end of the year in order for it to be official at the beginning of 2015. He stated that the does not believe we should strain the budget to try and provide services. He added that there were hard decisions made to get the 2014 budget passed and take of the present responsibilities. He advised waiting till the end of the year. Alderman Ray noted that legally it would take awhile to accomplish the annexation, saying that it would be after the first of the year before it finalizes. Alderman Bolden stated that the motion was to start the process. Mayor Fletcher stated as long s the City Council is aware that we do not need to take on any more obligations regarding this year’s budget; he does not have a problem with the decision to proceed. He added that he feels it would be a good idea to have some neighborhood meetings, noting that the area has several issues that the residents will have to comply with in order to come into the City. Alderman Ray related that the area neighborhood meets every month on the first Monday of the month. Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Bolden to amend the motion that it would not be effective until the first of next year. Alderman Traylor asked if the City Council could review a map of the proposed annexation prior to taking formal action. Alderman Ray stated that he would not have a problem with waiting to take action until the City Council can review the map. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:15 P.M. Discussion ensued regarding a further amendment to the motion, City Attorney Bamburg clarified that a motion to table until the meeting would provide time for the City Council to review the map. He added that a motion to table would take precedent over the other motions. Alderman Traylor moved, seconded by Alderman Twitty to table the motion to proceed with the annexation until the next City Council meeting, allowing time to review the annexation map. MOTION CARRIED with Alderman Bolden voting NAY. b. SPECIAL CITIZEN RECOGNITION Mayor Fletcher stated that he would like to publicly acknowledge Harold and Sybil Gwatney with special citizen recognition for offering the City a location for the City of Jacksonville gateway sign, the Welcome to Jacksonville sign further south on Hwy. 67/167. He stated that he would be presenting them with a plaque of special appreciation. APPOINTMENT(S): SEWER COMMISSION Alderman Traylor moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve reappointment of Barbara Meyers to the Sewer Commission for a term to expire 4/20/2019. HOSPITAL BOARD Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the appointment of Bob Stroud for a term to expire 6/30/2018 and appointment of Jason Kennedy to fill the unexpired term of Mac McAllister to expire 6/30/2014. RESCEDULING City Council meetings Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to reschedule the May stth 1 regularly scheduled City Council meeting to May 6 to avoid a conflict in scheduling with the ribbon cutting for the new shooting range. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to reschedule the June thth 19 regularly scheduled City Council meeting to June 17 to avoid a conflict in scheduling of the Annual Municipal League Conference. MOTION CARRIED. Director of Administration Jim Durham offered that separately from the Valentine area annexation, he would like to look at the southern corridor leaving Jacksonville for annexation consideration. He related the obvious value to the Census to have the annexation. Alderman Elliott concurred, noting that before another Census those areas need to be able to be included. Alderman Howard offered that the City might want to also consider the Military Road area. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 17, 2014 7:00 P.M. – 7:15 P.M. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:15 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 5