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21 NOV 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 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 a regular session on November 4, 2021 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, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Johnson also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT (1). Council Member Dietz was absent. Others present for the meeting and by Zoom were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, IT Director Emily Osment, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Jane English, and Leader Newspaper Reporter Rick Kron. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Johnson presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 17, 2021 for approval and/or correction. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Rains that the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meetings of 17 June 2021 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for October 2021. OCTOBER PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 8 Building Inspections 16 Business Licenses Electrical 29 Plumbing 28 HVACR 16 ROLL CALL: Council Member: Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. PARKS & RECREATION: WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: RESOLUTION 813 (#12-2021) A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND GRANTING AUTHORIZATION TO MAYOR JOHNSON AND OTHER OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT PLANS FOR JACKSONVILLE WASTEWATER UTILITY FOR THE RELOCATION OF SANITARY SEWER MAIN FACILITIES (JP WRIGHT LOOP ROAD BRIDGE, STATE PROJECT #061527); AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to read Resolution 813. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 813 (#12-2021). Public Works Director Jim Oakley stated that this is for the Loop Road Bridge for relocation of the utility line; noting the costs to be approximately $770,000.00. He stated that it is a Federal 80/20 match grant. He clarified that it is just to relocate the sewer line and it would initially be paid for by the City of Jacksonville and will then be reimbursed 80%. City Attorney Friedman stated that the project is 100% reimbursable; adding that the Bridge itself is an 80/20 match. Public Works Director Jim Oakley stated that it is and it is not; explaining that the owner being Wastewater, it would be 100% reimbursable, the City picks up the 20% and Federal picks up the 80%. Mayor Johnson stated that if Wastewater is 100% he needs to convince Wastewater General Manager Thea Hughes to help us. Public Works Director Jim Oakley then answered that the project has not been bid yet and that it is located on the northeast side towards the trailer park, the same side as Loop Acres. He answered that the bids would be let early next year and work would begin in Spring 2022. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to adopt Resolution 813 (#12-2021) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): GENERAL: a. PRESENTATION by Lou McAlister with Broadband Development Group Lou McAlister and Aleah Smith of Broadbrand Development Group presented for the AR Broadband Now Project, which is a State-wide initiative to help get affordable broadband Internet access to the entire State. He stated that their task is to formulate a Master Plan that will guide and inform decision making by the Legislature because they are probably going to be spending close to one billion dollars in Arkansas to get broadband Internet access to everyone. He related that they have spent over 200 million dollars so far, there are about 350 or 400 million dollars’ worth of applications in the pipeline, there is more money flowing in, and there is more need all the time. He explained that the Legislature and the Commerce Department wanted to make sure the money was being spent wisely and efficiently to address the current needs. He stated that the Master Plan consists of five components; The technical 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. portion; where engineers are looking at all of the available technologies to handle broadband Internet service. He noted that all of this has to happen within the context of the funds available. He stated that the financial part is where you build the business case where the Engineers will look at technologies, the need, the time, the money available, and how to apply that so that we have a business case that makes sense. He then stated that a third component of the plan is the commercial part; or how we look at the sustainability of a plan. He explained that a good plan is not going to be a continual cost of taxpayer’s money but is sustainable so that the business case works going forward. He noted that we will not be back in this case in 3, 5, or even 20 years. This problem will be solved for the State and the plan will be self-generating and go forward; the way a good business plan should. He then stated that the social component in this is very important because broadband access is important to everyone in terms of education; it is important in agricultural business, telemedicine, business development, as well as economic progress. It helps us retain our children, get higher median income, and helps recruit businesses into the State. He explained that the social part that they are working on currently is the collection of survey data, noting that they are conducting over 300 meetings in the State in the next five months. He noted that everyone has a copy of the survey, encouraging everyone to fill out the surveys to be processed. He added that they want to have community meetings so that they can get into neighborhoods that are under-served. Mayor Johnson expressed that they are out to find what is truly the need. He noted areas that are underserved and noting that First Electric is laying fiber to houses, which is affordable. He noted that they received a grant from the State to do that. He stated that it is important as City leaders to help his group get in contact with other communities’ churches and civic groups. Mr. McAllister stated that he cannot emphasis enough that this is one of those places and times in history where everyone’s voice counts. Every response will be given to the Legislature and they are going to make some very big decisions about where that money is going to be spent to serve the State. He stated that th is the political part of it and that is the 5 element in the Master Plan. He stated that this will put Arkansas in a position to move from the bottom to one of the top tiers regarding Internet service. He stated that this will provide immense benefits in terms of education and economic development. He reviewed a lengthy list of organizations and Internet providers who are joining up as part of the solution. He related that the money is going to be spent on the infrastructure to provide top tier service in the State. He provided emails and phone numbers: arbroadbandnow@bdg.link and phone 501-712-5275; encouraging everyone to participate and take the survey. He then answered that they are providing the Master Plan and it will be the Legislature who will spend the money largely based on the Master Plan. He clarified that monies would be given to providers to get service into rural areas, adding that the electric companies will be involved. He stated that it would be a combination of various ways to provide Internet service to everyone in Arkansas, mentioning Elon Musk’s satellite as a possibility for out of the way consumers. He reiterated that the goal is to get Internet to everybody and to make it affordable. He stated that 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. affordability is key, on a National average, is about 2 to 3% of people’s gross income. In Arkansas, we believe affordability is 1 to 1.5% of gross income. Council Member Blevins stated that this is important and was highlighted most recently with the pandemic when students had to work from home, and a lot of them in the low to moderate income families did not have Internet. Mayor Johnson stated that he is going to send Mr. McAllister’s information to all the churches and civic groups. He asked the City Council to help spread the information. b. RESOLUTION 812 (#11-2021) A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND GRANTING AUTHORIZATION TO MAYOR JOHNSON AND OTHER OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH ROCK REGION METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to remove Resolution 812 from the table for further discussion. Mr. Charles Frazier of Rock Region Metro answered Council Member Rains that access to the Air Base would require coordination with Base officials regarding security purposes. He related that currently they would be able to get to the entrance of the Base to drop people off or to get on. Council Member Bolden stated that all such kinds of transportation are met at the Base gate. He stated that the person has to be picked up at the gate due to security. Council Member Rains questioned if CDBG funds would be made available for passes regarding the “at risk” community members. Mayor Johnson stated that at the time he met with Charles and Teresa, funds were available for monthly passes for those that qualified. Mr. Frazier then answered that any citizen could purchase a monthly pass, and the price is $36.00. Mayor Johnson asked Mr. Frazier his estimate as to how many riders on average would they expect to have based on the survey. He noted that previously there were four but if the routes are going to be inside the City that might affect the numbers. Mr. Frazier stated that they gathered over 300, almost 400, survey responses and from those responses he would surmise that there is a large population that is interested in public transit and that would consider using it. He stated that travel patterns are changing, particularly for workers, but as it relates to the senior citizen population that need to get to essential services, he stated that he believes there is a demand to be met in Jacksonville. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Council Member Blevins noted that the contract is $250,000.00 annually and it has that Rock Region is projecting to spend $145,000.00, $130,000.00, $110,000.00 downgrading over the course of this three-year trial period. He also says that if at any time Rock Region does not have the means available, that the City of Jacksonville would be responsible for the full $233,000.00 if Rock Region is not able to provide the CARES Act money. He then added that it is $88,000.00 for one person, one car, to drive 12 hours daily in the City of Jacksonville. He asked if there is any way to guarantee that the CARES Act funds would be available? Mr. Frazier answered that Rock Region Metro receives $15,000,000.00 in CARES funds, another $7,000,000.00 in ARP funds, saying that they already have the funds. He then related that their Board earlier this year approved and allocated the full funding available for this particular endeavor. He stated that we can revisit the language; saying that his understanding of the language was that for whatever reason the City of Jacksonville funding did not come through then the City would still be responsible for the difference between what is funded by Rock Region and the City of Jacksonville portion. Mayor Johnson conferred with Mr. McAllister that the City of Jacksonville’s maximum expense is 200 plus thousand dollars, and Mr. McAllister pointed out that is at the end of 5 years. He then agreed that it would be $300,000.00 at the end of 3 years. Council Member Blevins stated that $100,000.00 for one vehicle, saying that he feels this is a high price to pay for something that may not even be utilized. Mr. Frazier stated that the service that we proposed is the best option for growing ridership, which is a full 12-hours of service a day. He added that in reality, that is actually two vehicle and a third vehicle as a spare, so that we are going to be precuring these assets and it would be two and half employees to work the 12-hour shift to cover all instances regarding sick and FMLA leave. He stated that they do not want to offer service for 12-hours daily and then not be able to follow through with that because someone called in sick or there was an accident with a vehicle. He then encouraged, saying that had done this with the City of Conway, if there is a desire to look for a different pricing model, there are private companies, Via, Uber, other companies that can provide this and perhaps the City wants to look into that. He then continued saying that they are in the business of public transit, so this is what they are able to do, we have a model that works for us. Council Member Blevins stated that he did not mean there was only one car or one person, but only one car per shift over a 12-hour period. He stated that if that one vehicle gets stuck in traffic or at the Base then it ties up the whole deal. He then noted that Conway is a college town and probably gets a lot of use by this type of program because there is a ton of students that need to get from one place to another that do not have vehicles, whereas Jacksonville does not have that luxury. He stated that the idea is good, but for the buck, there could be more bang. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Council Member Traylor concurred. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Smith to read Resolution 812. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 812 (#11-2021). Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to adopt Resolution 812 (#11-2021) in its entirety. Council Member Traylor stated that as previously discussed, he does not feel this is a good way for the City to spend its money. He pointed out that if there were people that were going to use this service, then we would not have lost the bus service or the taxi services. He stated he does not see spending this much money not knowing if it is going to be utilized. Mayor Johnson stated that there is a major cost difference between a $5.00 taxi ride to the doctor and a $5.00 ride back home or $1.50 for all day. Council Member Traylor pointed out that the City had programs for people to be reimbursed for taxi rides. Mayor Johnson concurred, saying that it was close to $20,000.00 annually. Council Member Traylor noted that the Taxi company was getting their full fare. Mayor Johnson stated that it could be a reduced price to whatever Theresa negotiated. Council Member Traylor countered that they still did not want to stay in town, even though they were getting their full share. Mayor Johnson stated that he does not know why they went out of business. Council Member Traylor stated that he would rather find out why they left Jacksonville rather than spend over $100,000.00 annually over the next three years. He stated that he understands people who need, and would use this service, but issue concerns for the service being tied up for long periods of time. Mr. Frazier stated that they would not wait for someone shopping but would return when called, noting that it is on-demand. He then noted that it could be scheduled as well. He stated that currently they are averaging a 10-minute wait if you call on-demand in our various zones. Council Member Ray noted before the pandemic he used the Metro because he got trapped in Jacksonville trying to get to Little Rock, and then got trapped in Little Rock trying to get back to Jacksonville. The Metro just happen to be there and he ran down to the bus station, saying that he thought it was pretty 6 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. good even though it let him out at McDonald’s. He stated that it would be even better now since they are going to pick people up at their homes. Council Member Sansing noted that when the Air Force is looking at Bases this is one of the items they are graded on when deciding to keep or close Bases. He stated that we want to do everything possible to keep the Base. He supported having this for the underserved and to help the score of the Air Force Base. Council Member Blevins stated that he does agree that we need a plan but does not feel this plan serves the City. He noted that at $64.00 per hour and at $1.35; that means that 56 people have to use this every hour just to break even. He stated that there are other options that we should pursue, including a City owned system, that we could control and use for Festiville and the Senior Center and rope it into one thing with multiple vehicles running at $48,000.00 annual position for a person. This is just one person, one car, 12-hour shift, saying that it does not work for our City model. Council Member Rains restated that her earlier question was if the City was able to go in for one year and see how it is and then decide whether or not to continue to year two and three. Mayor Johnson stated that he is not sure this would fit Rock Regions methods, but it would be up to Charles Frazier to answer that question. Mr. Frazier stated that they had deliberations on their Board about if they could provide the service, to put one vehicle on the road for 12 hours a day, we need two and a half vehicles and so there is built into the contract is a minimum of a three-year commitment so that we can properly depreciate the vehicles that we are buying with Federal monies. If you were to choose to leave early during the first year, there is a cancellation fee, so that we could recoup that loss because we would end up having to give that money back to the Federal Government. He stated that the short answer is yes, you could cancel, but there is cancellation fee in those first few years. He stated that if it is in the first year, it is $100,000.00; the second year is $66,000.00 and the third year is $33,000.00. In response to a question from Council Member Bolden, Mr. Frazier responded that there is not a deadline. He added that his Board has approved moving forward with this and, regarding the percurrent of equipment and hiring of employees, they will need a full six months to start the project. He stated that is something the City should be considering. Council Member Bolden stated that he would sponsor a townhall meeting next Thursday or at some other quick time. We could advertise in the paper and the constituents could come and discuss this and based on what they say, we can address this at the next City Council meeting. 7 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Council Member Rains noted that there was a survey of roughly 10% of our citizens’ feedback, questioning why that would not be sufficient. She noted that it was almost 400 people and 400 people will not fit into this room. Council Member Bolden stated that he is good with the 10% regarding the survey but there are some Council Members that are having a problem with people who do not have much money getting bus rides, we can have them all come out. Council Member Traylor stated that his problem is not with people who do not have money and not being able to give them transportation; adding that his problem is that he does not think that we are going to be able to give them the transportation that they would want and not enough people are going to use it. Council Member Bolden stated that the key is that if 10% of the people want to use it… Council Member Traylor questioned why the City should pay $100,000.00 for five people to ride the car around town? Council Member Smith questioned how we could know it would be five people. Council Member Bolden stated that we have to get a legitimate entity that is going to take care of our people, adding that is our responsibility. If 10% are saying that we need it, we are going to count on our 10% and it is going to grow from there. He stated that he understands that we are talking about money, but the bottom line is that people are struggling out there, some have lost their cars to repos during this pandemic. He added that he knows they need this, saying that he believes it is going to be more than 5 people. Council Member Rains concurred. Council Member Ray called for a question to the motion. Council Member Blevins stated that just because we need this service does not mean we should spend an exorbitant amount of money for a service just because we need it. He related that there is time for us to look at other options, this is the first one to come before the Council, adding he thinks there is other options we should look at. Council Member Sansing pointed out that this is not designed to make money for the City, this is the City effectively subsidizing transportation for people that need it. We have a needy population in this town that needs the transportation, this is a way to rectify that. Council Member Bolden seconded the call for a question to the motion. ROLL CALL: Council Member Bolden, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, and Smith voted AYE. Council Member Blevins, Traylor, and Rains voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. 8 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden restated their earlier motion to adopt Resolution 812 (#11-2021) in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Bolden, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. Council Member Blevins, and Traylor voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. In response to a question from Mayor Johnson, Mr. Frazier answered that riders pay for 20% of the cost of services because it is a subsidized service. c. ORDINANCE 1673 (#23-2021) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND MODIFYING § 6.04.010 (ANIMAL CONTROL) OF THE JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to place Ordinance 1673 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Bolden, 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 1673. Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Mashburn to APPROVE Ordinance 1673 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1673 on SECOND READING. Mayor Johnson explained that depending on size of animal, the owner must have a cage adequate for that size animal and it is being protected from the weather. City Attorney Friedman clarified that the biggest change is that no kennels or crates would be allowed. Adequate Shelter is not defined in the original Jacksonville Municipal Code, this will protect the animals from the elements. She then noted that this also does not allow for tarps to be shelter, which has been an ongoing issue for Animal Control. ROLL CALL: Council Member Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. (0) voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Rains to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1673 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. (0) voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Rains moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1673 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. (0) voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Rains voted AYE. (0) voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. 9 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. d. Preliminary 2022 Budget Mayor Johnson announced that the City would start Director budget meetings tomorrow and going through next week. City Council has received that schedule and are welcome to attend. e. UPDATE Sunnyside Lots Item was removed by the sponsor Council Member Dietz from the agenda. f. DISCUSSION Various items/status of the City Council Member Blevins noted at the last City Council meeting the mill add-on was approved. He related Council discussed the ½ percent mill for the General Fund and a ½ percent for improvements. He then recalled that in 2005, the City had an election and voted to have the 1% mill added, but when it was time to have that 1% mill fall off; Bob Johnson had a townhall meeting asking if that 1% could be used for the General Fund, he wanted to reallocate the mill. He then recalled during the townhall meeting, everyone said “we do not really want that because they did not want their taxes raised” and Bob Johnson mentioned that it would only be for two years. The previous City Council meeting was the end of that two years, but when it was brought up, Mayor Johnson said that was not written that way. He pointed out that the one mill was voted for and approved for the specific purpose of the Library but the City is continuing to use it for something else that was not voted on. He reiterated that the 1% was not voted on, it was moved over to something else under the guise that it was not going to raise our taxes. Wherein reality it was raising the tax 1 mill without the seeming appearance of raising the tax. He stated that he feels this needs to be recognized that the mill the City is using now is not being used for what it was voted for and even though we have the ability to raise the mills to 5 mills without having a vote, this mill was not that mill. Mayor Johnson noted that this was the addition of a new mill when the old mill for the Library expired. He then answered Council Member Blevins that the Library has been paid off so the mill dropped off. Council Member Blevins noted that on the list sent out by Finance Director Cheryl Erkel it showed that there was still a balance of $25,000.00. Finance Director Cheryl Erkel answered that the balance that she shows on the Library bond fund is the payments that the City is receiving from the delinquent taxes that were already assessed. She then added that nothing new is being assessed with the Library tax, that tax for the Library bonds is restricted to just being spent on the Library for building maintenance. She stated that the money is on hold until we get an invoice from CALS. CONTRACTS FOR UNITY HEALTH Council Member Blevins related that he had asked to see the contracts from Unity Health and Mayor Johnson had said he sent them but it was not all the contracts. He stated that unless he is mistaken, the City ordered the ambulance that is supposed to be paid for by the Hospital Board. He explained that the 10 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Board was going to pay for the ambulance through the funds received from the sale of the old Department of Workforce building, which has not sold. Mayor Johnson then assured Council Member Blevins that the Hospital Board is still paying for the ambulance, noting that the Hospital Board has other funds beside counting on the sale of the Workforce building. He then answered Council Member Blevins that the Hospital Board would pay for the ambulance when it arrives. Chief Laughy then answered that he is not certain when it will arrive, saying that he is still waiting on a delivery date. In response to a question from Council Member Blevins, Mayor Johnson assured him that no City funds would be used in the purchase of the ambulance even though the contract says that the City or the Jacksonville Medical Board will purchase the ambulance. Council Member Blevins asked if the City Council could get the rest of the contracts. Mayor Johnson stated that they are trying to sell the building currently. Council Member Blevins corrected that he was speaking about the contracts the Mayor has signed so far with Unity Health. Mayor Johnson stated that Council Member Blevins has copies of everything he has signed. He went on to say that he has sent everything Council Member Blevins had requested, which was an asset purchase agreement, and deeds. He stated that is all he has signed. Council Member Blevins stated that Mayor Johnson is mistaken because he has copies that were signed by the Mayor that were not sent by the Mayor. Mayor Johnson stated if you have something show me, saying he does not know what there is. He said if Council Member Blevins wants to send them to him, he would be happy to look at them. g. DISCUSSION To amend ordinances to allow on-premises alcohol sales until 5 a.m. with permit Council Member Blevins related that the City had passed an Ordinance causing the bars to close at 2:00 a.m., explaining that this has hurt those businesses that were annexed. He stated that as a good faith offer, since they have permits that allow them to sell until 5:00 a.m., he would like to amend the ordinances to allow them to sell alcohol until 5:00 a.m. He related that he wanted to have this discussion with the City Council. In response to a question from Council Member Traylor, Mayor Johnson answered that there are two businesses in the annexed area that have a 5:00 a.m. permit. He then answered that the permits were granted by ABC. 11 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Council Member Sansing stated that if he remembers correctly, the Ordinance was partially in response to incidents that were taking place with the club on Main Street that is now Lomanco’s warehouses, and that is why the 2:00 a.m. was adopted at that time. He stated that when the Ordinance was adopted those businesses were not in the City limits. He stated that he feels there is a little bit different situation now then having one open to 5:00 a.m. on Main Street and something open to 5:00 a.m. out there that had been allowed to do it before. Council Member Rains clarified her understanding that the business that had situations that ultimately resulted in the 2:00 a.m. Ordinance is no longer in business. Council Member Bolden stated that there were more events than that. Chief Hibbs stated that he was not involved in the decision to change the ordinance to 2:00 a.m., he noted that there was a homicide at one of the businesses on John Harden. He added that there were issues at Peaches on Main Street. Council Member Traylor stated that if he remembers correctly, other places in the County were closing at 2:00 a.m. because that was the requirement and what was happening is that everyone from those places were coming into Jacksonville. Chief Hibbs then answered Mayor Johnson that there were several people hit by cars on John Harden over the years, a surprising number of people who leave the clubs intoxicated and walk down the dark road. He related that the club where the homicide took place is no longer and he is not sure if the one there now is the same owner. He stated that there are not a lot of problem out there now, if it goes into a 5:00 a.m., there are only a certain number of people who stay up that late. He added however, if that is the only club in town, then there will be an increase in the area. Council Member Ray stated that as a bartender he would say that closing at 2:00 a.m. is more controllable by law enforcement. He added that it is only those few people that stay open to 5:00 a.m., saying that he does not see a lot of money being made between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Chief Hibbs stated that there are only a very few people that are there after 2:00 a.m., adding that he is not sure it would be worth it or not. Council Member Blevins stated that there are only two businesses that have the 5:00 a.m. liquor license, and again they are two businesses that annexed into the City, then after they annexed in, the 2:00 a.m. ordinance was adopted. He pointed out that if they de-annex from the City, which was the reason they came in last week, they would be able to stay open to 5:00 a.m. He proposed that there could be an amendment to grandfather those two businesses. City Attorney Friedman stated that she foresees potential issues if we allow certain businesses. 12 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. Mayor Johnson questioned if there was a committee formed that he agreed to be on, that would deal with these businesses. Council Member Rains stated that she is on the committee and has not received any email correspondence. Council Member Bolden asked Chief Hibbs based on his professional opinion, does he feel it would be a good decision for the City to have the businesses open till 5:00 a.m. Chief Hibbs responded that he did not feel it would be good for the City. Council Member Traylor noted that there is still a committee to talk about other things to try and help the business owners. Council Member Ray offered to be Chair of the committee, saying he would set up the first meeting. He stated that the main directive would be to discuss getting utilities to the area. h. RECOGNITION of April Kiser for the Officer Bones program through social media Council Member Blevins recognized April Kiser for her Officer Bones campaign from this Halloween season. He related that this was a very creative campaign that was not only fun, but it highlighted the Jacksonville Police Department in a positive light. Utilizing only a plastic skeleton and social media, she was able to showcase all the inter workings of the Police Department and other offices of the City in a way that had not been done before. It was an informative journey of the behind the scenes working of one of the most important Departments of the City, told in a way that made people want to find out about what was happening. People wanted to know about Officer Bones, even wanted their picture taken with him. This was a huge success and sets the bar of the message that we should be sending to the citizens. Thank you, April Kiser and Officer Bones, for taking us on this ride along into the day to day of this extremely vital service. RECOGNITION of Courtney Dunn for service to the City through the Chamber of Commerce Council Member Blevins read a prepared statement: “I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce CEO Courtney Dunn for all of her hard work and accomplishments for these past couple years. This City has had its ups and downs, no organization more than the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; having no one at the helm for almost a year, she was hired to take the reins and try to gather momentum with a vehicle that hadn’t moved in so long that no one was watching when it started to happen. Courtney was a strong-will and motivated leader, limited only by the approval of the Board she answered to. In the last couple of years, that vehicle powered by her sheer determination and passion started to gain momentum, 13 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M. by the time the naysayers started paying attention, she was moving forward and nothing was going to stop her. On top of her CEO duties, she started to study economic development and created a partnership with Jacksonville so that she could hone and sharpen those skills, she is a winner, plain and simple. She succeeded every pass, overcoming every obstacle. Courtney had received more education, and was on the verge of outgrowing the CEO of the Chamber position. She was an established economic developer now with training, certifications, and the motivation to succeed. Luckily for Courtney, another city saw that hard work, passion and willingness to strive for greatness. Courtney starts her job as an economic developer of Maumelle and her time as the CEO of the th Chamber ends tomorrow, November 5. She is going to be incredible and succeed because Maumelle is her home, and economic development is her next achievement to conquer. She will do amazing things because we have already seen what she had done with an adopted home, so the sky must be the limit for her real home. So, in conclusion, I would like to say, thank you, Courtney for everything you did for a City that wasn’t yours initially, in a position with a stigma of negativity attached to it, that you overcame, made yours and succeeded with. Your absence here will be felt and congratulations. I personally am glad that I finally saw you”. APPOINTMENTS: BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to appoint Jeff Twitty to the Board of Adjustment to fill the unexpired term of Tasha Gregory set to expire 02/05/2022. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Twitty abstained. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Johnson noted that there is a list of training opportunities listed in the City and Town publication, noting that most of them are done virtually. He encouraged participation. He reminded everyone of the Military Museums plans for Veteran’s Day. 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 14