23 APR 20CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 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 April 20, 2023 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Council Member Bolden delivered the
invocation and Mayor Elmore led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT SEVEN (7)
ABSENT (3). Council Members Sansing, Mashburn, and Moss were absent.
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Fire Chief
Alan Laughy, City Engineer Adam Whitlow, Human Resource Director Charlette Nelson, CDBG Director Michelle Spencer, Wastewater Utility General Manager Thea Hughes, IT Director Emily
Osment, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, Jim Moore, Johnny Simpson, Jerry Sanders, and Brian Blevins.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of March 16, 2023 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled
City Council meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray that the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of March 2, 2023 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the regular monthly report for March 2023.
MARCH
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 15 Building Inspections 28
Business License - Electrical 33 Plumbing 27
HVACR 13
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the regular monthly report for March 2023 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $41,000.00
and a savings total of $884,000.00.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the Regular Monthly Report for March 2023 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/CODE ENFORCEMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the regular monthly report as presented for March 2023.
Assigned Calls 108
Self-Initiated Calls 142
Follow Up Inspections 331 Demolition by City 0
Complied after Notice 130 Demolition by Owner 0
Three Day Notice 41 Parking Violations 3
Seven Day Letter 214 Garbage Cans Tagged 4
Citation Letters Mailed 25 Basketball Goals 1
Citations Issued 21 Structures Inspected 4
Vehicles Tagged 39 Apartment Complexes Inspected 0
Vehicles Towed 7 Red Tags Issued 18
Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Search Warrants 2
Structures Condemned 0 Grass Mowed 0
Structures Rehabbed 0
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the regular monthly report for March 2023.
ADOPTION FEES $ 1,650.00
SPAY/NEUTER FOR ADOPTED DOGS 1,650.00
Paid by the City of Jacksonville -
Paid for by JFOTA 1,650.00
FINES 1,445.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 70.00
TOTAL $ 3,165.00
Vet Bills paid by City not spay/neuter $ -
Vet Bills paid by JFOTA not spay/neuter 17,405.00
ROLL CALL: Council Member: Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
DEVIATION IN AGENDA:
GENERAL: d. Storm damage update by Mayor Elmore
Mayor Elmore gave the following update in regards to the tornado that occurred on Friday, March 31, 2023:
“As you are all aware, we did endure the storm and tornado on the 31st of March. I am incredibly happy to say we sustained no casualties. Everything that we have done since then, we
have been able to do in a different light, because of no deaths. It would have been an entirely different atmosphere if that had been the case, so we do thank the Lord for that. I want
to thank, first of all, our citizens; everyone who stepped up during this time. The way civic and social groups, individuals, families, churches, etc. came together during this is a
testimony to the people of Jacksonville; who we are and what we are made of. Thank you for that and for all of their volunteer time. We
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
would not be in the place we are right now if they had not been willing to serve as they did. Also then, our City employees, from Fire, City, Dispatch, Parks and Rec, etc. who stepped
up and have gone above and beyond. I am very appreciative of them for that. The City itself, there has been a huge difference made from where we were that afternoon until now. I would
say with total confidence that we are lightyears ahead of where the other cities who were affected by this are, and that is purely because of our people and what they have done to step
up; with the communication between City offices, between City offices and the public, and volunteers who all played a role in it. It has been remarkable to say the least, so I cannot
reiterate how proud I am of everybody and their work in that way. As far as our City goes, all of the streets are clear and power is on, so that is a good thing. Our people are taken
care of. We have nobody who is being housed in the shelter at First Baptist Church since the last person left the facility this past Saturday. The American Red Cross has them in places,
whether it is a hotel or another spot, they have all been taken care of, so we are very fortunate for that. In town it is right around 217 houses that were either destroyed or affected
in some way along with several churches, our Dupree Park, and some businesses. The tornado itself was non-discriminating where it hit. It hit some of everything, but our people coming
together like they have has been phenomenal. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you for that. We are moving forward and plans are in place. The Public Works, Sanitation,
and Street Departments have all been working incredibly hard. Parks and Rec have been working incredibly hard getting things put back to place. We have managed on our own until this
point. Everything we have done, we have done through our employees or volunteers, which is unreal. We are at the point now of reaching out with contract employment for cleanup and debris
disposal and removal. Through FEMA our expenses in a situation like this, when there is a declared emergency, are generally reimbursed 75/25 with anything we expend during this time,
FEMA will give us back 75% of it, so we are paying 25%. With this State of Emergency, the Governor had asked the President for a period of 100% coverage so anything we submit during
that time will be paid. The President agreed to that for thirty days, so now, due to some timing and so forth, we are actually in the middle of that since they backdated it to the 10th.
We are now actually ten days in and have lost that time we could have been using the 100%. The Governor’s Office has informed me that they will add an additional three days to us for
that, and maybe some of the other cities, because not all five of the affected cities were affected the same way. They are going to add three more days, so we are grateful for that.
Here is the big thing too; with the 75/25, us having to pay 25% of the rest of that not covered in the 100%, all of the volunteer time that has been spent by people, from an hour or
someone who spent an entire week volunteering, every hour we can account for that has been tracked is credited towards that 25%. I do not know what the formula is or the multiplier
they use to come up with a dollar amount per hour, but all of that will come straight off the top of the 25% we would owe, so that is an even bigger level of appreciation for those
who did come out and serve, because not only did they serve their fellow citizens and neighbors, they are also helping alleviate the burden that would be shared by the City during this
time.”
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
Council Member Bolden urged every entity in the City that has volunteered in any way, to get their volunteer hours in as soon as they can so they can make sure FEMA has it.
f. Request to establish a COAD
Mayor Elmore stated that one of the things he has learned during this time from the American Red Cross is a strategy called Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). He explained
that it was interesting seeing different organizations step up, work, and take a different role. He detailed that First Baptist Church housed people, the NAACP was going door-to-door
offering people resource information, and the Methodist Church was cooking meals. He mentioned that it would be an organized plan for the next time a disaster occurs where there would
be organizations in place who already know their role and what to do. This would ensure upfront who is doing what and calls can be made to immediately jump into action. He brought up
that the chiefs and some department heads will conduct a debrief to go back and look at what worked, what did not, and what they could do better. He confirmed this COAD will be a part
of that in order to have a plan for next time.
American Red Cross Volunteer Leathe LaBan from New Orleans, Louisiana, stated there is an organization called the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and also
an Arkansas VOAD that he suggested Jacksonville use as a guide. He related a COAD helps coordinate organizations such as United Way, Salvation Army, NAACP, etc., and meets on a regular
basis during “blue skies” in order to be prepared when “gray skies” come.
The following volunteers from the American Red Cross were present and introduced themselves: Karen Cook from Charleston, South Carolina, Kelly Crain from Savanna, Georgia, and Brook
Spangler from LaGrange, Georgia.
Mayor Elmore announced tomorrow, April 21st at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Life Center located at 1026 Ray Road, there will be multi-agency resource center.
Council Member Rains moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to establish City Council support for the creation of a Jacksonville Community Organization Active in Disaster. MOTION
CARRIED.
RESUME AGENDA:
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
PLANNING COMMISSION: ORDINANCE 1724 (#08-2023)
AN ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS (PARCEL LOCATED AT 7708 T P WHITE DRIVE); AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 213 AND 238 AND THE LAND USE MAP OF THE CITY
OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Dietz stated this property is near the Cabot city limits where they have been moving trailers and things in for about a year. He explained it is 8.19 acres that will be
for heavy steel manufacturing for C & D Steel Extractors. He detailed they will have buildings in the front and the steel and supplies stored way behind it so it will be good for Jacksonville
and surrounding areas. He confirmed the Planning Commission approved it because they would love to have more businesses in Jacksonville.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to place Ordinance 1724 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains
voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1724.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to APPROVE Ordinance 1724 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1724 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE Ordinance 1724 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1724 on THIRD AND FINAL READING.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1724 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty,
Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman,
and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1724 (#08-2023) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL, 2023.
Council Member Dietz noted that the Planning Commission does a lot of work to make sure they comply with guidelines. He mentioned how the agenda is sent out to all Council Members to
ensure they know what they are dealing with and be involved. He hopes they take time to drive by these properties to stay informed.
COMMITTEE(S):
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
GENERAL: a. RESOLUTION 832 (#01-2023)
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SALE DOCUMENTS FROM THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN (GENERAL LOCATION – LOTS 2, 29, 34,
50, 52, 56, 63, 132, 155, 172, 189, 259, 288, 304, 305, 355 OF THE SUNNYSIDE SUBDIVISION); AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Dietz recalled discussions in Council regarding the sale of City-owned lots that the Parks and Recreation Department have had to mow and maintain. He explained that some
thought they needed someone qualified to come in to start something in Sunnyside to improve it. He noted that on October 21st, 2021 he brought this to Council, and then in November
2021, he gave everyone a list of the lots available. He related this let everyone know the current status. He confirmed for the record that he does not make any money from any sales
or anything he does for the City, but is doing this because it helps the City. He told how the organization that made the offer contacted him and said they were ready to build once
purchased. He mentioned that Central Arkansas Home Builders build great houses and have been approved to build sixty on J.P. Wright Loop Road. He assured they are all quality homes
maintained and leased by certified builders who are currently building an office on T.P. White Drive. He shared that they gave him three personal cell phone numbers to call if there
is ever a problem with any of their properties in Jacksonville.
Council Member Bolden agreed Council has been dealing with this for a while, adding that he has received texts and emails saying it was not brought up to the public. He assured they
have opened it up to the public, pointing out that a gentleman and his son came before Council to request and purchase the lot next to their house. He related this has been wide open
to the public for years and has been public, not only under Mayor Elmore’s administration, but with others as well.
When Council Member McCleary inquired, Council Member Dietz replied that he researched the lots, but did not personally contact the adjacent lot owners, noting that the majority of them
are owned by rental companies. He believes if the person next to the lots were going to buy them, they have had ample time. He confirmed with Director House that the Parks and Recreation
Department has plenty to mow without these lots. He pointed out that back in October and November, he gave everyone copies and no one seemed interested.
When Council Member Twitty mentioned a citizen wanting to buy a lot next to his, he replied that he does not think there is a lot the City owns next to him. He noted that Jacksonville
needs housing in the worst way and this company is qualified, because you just cannot start building a house without a license, bonding, and insurance. He related that this Company
has told him they want what the City needs to get rid of so they can start building to get Jacksonville and Sunnyside going positive. He stressed that they have not had any growth there
in forever.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
When Council Member Rains brought up that a committee was designated, City Attorney Friedman responded, although it was discussed, she was unsure if one was ever formed.
When Council Member Rains questioned the date of a newspaper publication, pointing out they had talked about if they had previously published anything in the paper, it was not a definitive
confirmation they were going to publish it. City Attorney Friedman recalled that historically they have not published these in the paper; just like the gentleman who wanted to purchase
the land adjacent to his home and came before Council to request it, the City did a Resolution, and a deed, so he could purchase the lot. She mentioned the similarity to the City-owned
hospital property; if someone is interested in City property, they come to the City to make an offer, it is not published in the paper.
City Clerk Davitt noted that the agenda is published widely and Council Member Twitty agreed this has been discussed multiple times and is not anything new.
Council Member Dietz reiterated that we have a qualified contractor ready to build. He assured it is not costing the City anything or any time. He shared that they approached the City
wanting to buy the lots and is netting up the $750.00 and paying all fees to help alleviate the City of something we do not really need or want. He affirmed it would help the City and
he thinks it is time to move on.
Council Member Rains recalled it was stated previously that this would be a good opportunity for residents to gain land and she thinks it is a necessary thing. She stated from the parcels
listed, half of them are next to somebody who personally owns the residence. She listed them as 106 Jaxon Circle, 118 Jaxon, 129 Jaxon, 183 Pike, 108 Lee Avenue, 193 Roosevelt Road,
171 Roosevelt Road, and 196 Pike. She related that she is sponsoring two citizens to speak on this matter.
Mayor Elmore noted they each have two minutes to speak.
Kurt Zen-Ruffinen of 106 Faulkner Street stated he purchased a lot in Sunnyside in August, adding that he is employed by the Jacksonville School District. He explained it was rushed
because school had already started, but he was lucky to find a house decent enough to live in. He shared that once he purchased the house, he noticed there were several lots around
him vacant, with one being next door constantly having trash in it. He told how when he got on the County website to see if it was available, repossessed, or City-owned, it was not,
as far as he could tell. He mentioned after the tornado, while he was picking up branches, he was approached by Reginald Ford who asked him if he were interested in buying the lot,
and he was, since it would increase the value of his property. He affirmed he is happy to buy the lot and added that he does not think everybody knows those lots are available.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
When Council Member Rains inquired about his interest in the lots, he replied it is money, adding that his house is almost as big as the lot it sits on with a tiny parking pad, so it
would be nice to have a garage, a fenced in area where his dog could run, and a yard he can actually use, because you do not see that in Sunnyside since those lots are really small.
He commented that if you are going to be building another house on a small lot and just smash people in it, it is not going to be very attractive, but if you have a larger lot, that
person is going to actually have an investment that is going to pay them a return when they sell their property and be more attractive for someone coming in to buy. When Council Member
Rains requested clarification, he replied he would like a garage on the vacant lot.
Discussion ensued regarding the lot Mr. Zen-Ruffinen was interested in, 104 Faulkner Street, and it was confirmed the lot was not listed in the Resolution and is not owned by the City
of Jacksonville, therefore, there was no reason to continue discussion.
Council Member Rains brought up that Mr. Zen-Ruffinen had previously stated he was interested in purchasing multiple of these parcels.
Mr. Zen-Ruffinen mentioned several empty lots across the street from him, with one or two being owned by the City. He stated it is a good investment for the citizens that live in the
neighborhood.
Brian Blevins shared that he spoke with Mr. Zen-Ruffinen who said he was offered the lot at $1,200.00, not the $750.00 that was in the ordinance.
Council Member Dietz clarified that $750.00 is the lot cost, but he would have to pay closing and it is $1,200.00.
Mr. Blevins recalled that in 2021 when this was brought up, he was on the City Council and inquired if the lots could be City financed for citizens, but was told that is not possible.
He shared that he told Council Member Dietz he would buy all of the lots and set up a way for citizens to be able to purchase and finance it. He related that he spoke with Council Member
Dietz ten times over the next two years to try to set it up; meeting with him in person and talking to him on the phone, but he never told him he needed a contract. He stated he was
ready to buy them, but he never got back with him, and obviously got back with somebody else in order to do this. He pointed out that citizens need this since we just got hit with a
huge tragedy and should not kick them while they are down by selling the lots next to them when they are still picking up limbs and trying to fix their houses up. He affirmed that the
City does not need $12,000.00 more than citizens need an opportunity to be land and home owners. He suggested having an auction with the lots at $750.00 and whichever ones do not sell
can go to the company Council Member Dietz wants to sell them to. He noted that having the Company contact numbers is not a benefit, because if Code Enforcement has an issue, the owners
are supposed to fix it. He stressed that the citizens make this town go and it is how it should be.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
When Council Member Twitty brought up adjacent lot owners having the first buy option, he mentioned it has been said that no one watches the City Council meetings, so they need to put
this public on the main Facebook page and website for a month to give people the opportunity to purchase them, and if they do not, they can sell to whoever Council Member Dietz is working
with.
Council Member Dietz clarified that he is not working with anyone; a company contacted him ready to buy the lots.
Mayor Elmore confirmed the City does not normally advertise when it is has a sale like that.
Mr. Blevins inquired, City Attorney Friedman assumed the Company found out just like the individual who spoke earlier, from the assessor’s website, or, they heard Council Member Dietz
speak about it in a Council meeting. She assured it is public information and that is how the City has sold other lots.
Council Member Bolden noted it has been in newspaper articles and all meeting minutes are public record. He shared that he has had individuals come to him wanting to buy lots and he
directs them to contact the City.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to read Resolution 832 (#01-2023). MOTION CARRIED with Council Member Rains voting NAY. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read
the heading of Resolution 832 (#01-2023).
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to adopt Resolution 832 (#01-2023) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member Rains voting NAY.
b. RESOLUTION 833 (#02-2023)
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO UTILIZE FEDERAL-AID TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM FUNDS.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to read Resolution 833 (#02-2023). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 833 (#02-2023).
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to adopt Resolution 833 (#02-2023) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED.
c. ORDINANCE 1725 (#09-2023)
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT CREATING THE LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE; APPOINTING CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REPRESENTATIVES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to place Ordinance 1725 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains
voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1725.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to APPROVE Ordinance 1725 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1725 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE Ordinance 1725 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1725 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1725 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman,
and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1725 (#09-2023) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL, 2023.
e. ORDINANCE 1726 (#10-2023)
AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL; FOR APPROPRIATE IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCESS FOR DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REPRESENTATIVES; DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Rains to place Ordinance 1726 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains
voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1726.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE Ordinance 1726 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1726 on SECOND READING.
When Council Member McCleary inquired, City Engineer Adam Whitlow replied they are tentatively set to mobilize Monday, provided this ordinance passes.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to APPROVE Ordinance 1726 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1726 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1726 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman,
and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman,
and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1726 (#10-2023) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL, 2023.
ADDITION TO AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to SUSPEND THE RULES to ADD ORDINANCE 1727 (#11-2023) to the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
f. ORDINANCE 1727 (#11-2023)
AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR DEBRIS MONITORING; FOR APPROPRIATE IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCESS FOR DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REPRESENTATIVES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY;
AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to place Ordinance 1727 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains
voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1727.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE Ordinance 1727 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1727 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE Ordinance 1727 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1727 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1727 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman,
and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Ray, Twitty, Kinman,
and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1727 (#11-2023) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL, 2023.
APPOINTMENTS: A & P COMMISSION
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to reappoint Roger Sundermeier for a term to expire 03/31/2027. MOTION CARRIED.
SEWER COMMISSION
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to reappoint Edward Porter for a term to expire 04/20/2028. MOTION CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 7:03 P.M.
Mayor Elmore confirmed that the names of candidates that previously submitted for City Council Ward 4 Position 1 are being considered for Board and Commission appointments.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dupree Park Tornado Damage
Council Member Bolden stated Dupree Park is destroyed, so Council should be ready to expedite repair approvals.
When Council Member Dietz inquired, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House replied that the lights were finished the Thursday evening before the tornado hit. He related that the building
concessions were done, but the inclusive playground equipment was on site in locked containers, adding that the playground equipment company will be here next week to access what is
damaged inside. He brought up that they do not want to lose any tournaments because they have worked a lot of years building these relationships and getting them here. He told how they
have been focused, almost primarily, on Dupree Park with Wastewater, Sanitation, and other City help there every day cleaning. He noted that insurance will be here next week, so we
will have a lot better idea of what all will be covered and what they will have to reach out to FEMA to help with.
When Council Member Bolden inquired, it was confirmed they would need an ordinance to waive competitive bidding for repairs, but when Director House gets the final numbers, they can
have a special meeting to get one approved so they can get started.
Director House related there are a lot of things happening right now, but he does not have any numbers yet. He noted that there is no power in the park and was unsure of when they would
get it back. When Council Member Dietz mentioned Coach’s Field, he confirmed they have done some upgrades there that were not destroyed from the tornado. He stated that Entergy is going
to feed power from Redmond Road instead of the back, and although he requested to have all undergrown power lines, Entergy could not afford it, therefore, they are going to go overhead
into the park where there are already existing lines, then from there everything will be underground. When Council Member Kinman brought up insurance, he shared that there is another
group of adjusters coming in Monday afternoon.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:03 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer