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23 MAR 16 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2023 6:00 P.M. – 6:38 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 March 16, 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, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT (0) VACANT SEAT (1). 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, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, IT Director Emily Osment, Jim Moore, Johnny Simpson, Addie Gibson, Jerry Reichenbach, Jason Sanders, Marsha Dornblaser, Leonard Montgomery, Samuel Baker, Geraldine Broadway, Kendell Snyder, John Paintin, and Rick Kron. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of March 2, 2023 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden that the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of February 16, 2023 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 February 2023. FEBRUARY PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 16 Building Inspections 17 Business License - Electrical 46 Plumbing 42 HVACR 13 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for February 2023 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $2,700.00 and a savings total of $660,800.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2023 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2023 6:00 P.M. – 6:38 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/CODE ENFORCEMENT Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report as presented for February 2023. Assigned Calls 66 Self-Initiated Calls 460 Follow Up Inspections 401 Demolition by City 2 Complied after Notice 132 Demolition by Owner 0 Three Day Notice 56 Parking Violations 0 Seven Day Letter 412 Garbage Cans Tagged 4 Citation Letters Mailed 9 Basketball Goals 0 Citations Issued 9 Structures Inspected 515 Vehicles Tagged 56 Apartment Complexes Inspected 0 Vehicles Towed 9 Red Tags Issued 13 Unsafe Structures Tagged 13 Search Warrants 0 Structures Condemned 0 Grass Mowed 0 Structures Rehabbed 0 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for February 2023. ADOPTION FEES $ 0.00 SPAY/NEUTER FOR ADOPTED DOGS 2,585.00 Paid by the City of Jacksonville - Paid for by JFOTA 2,585.00 FINES 520.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 265.00 TOTAL $ 5,955.00 Vet Bills paid by City not spay/neuter $ 80.00 Vet Bills paid by JFOTA not spay/neuter 14,968.63 ROLL CALL: Council Member: Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2023 6:00 P.M. – 6:38 P.M. GENERAL: a. RECOGNITION of the Knights of Columbus by Tanya Kopp of the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center Executive Director of the Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center Tanya Kopp recalled in March of 2020, when they had to close their doors due to Covid, the Knights of Columbus came to the Center with carloads of people asking how they can help. She explained, beside from the Rotary Club, they have been the biggest volunteer group from Jacksonville for their Meals on Wheels program. She shared that in 2022 they helped the Center deliver 53,000 meals. She then presented a plaque in appreciation to members of the Knights of Columbus. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: APPOINTMENTS: SEWER COMMISSION Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to appoint Jay Whisker to fill the unexpired term of Jeff Elmore set to expire 04/20/2027. ROLL CALL: Council Member: Dietz, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Twitty, and Kinman voted AYE. Council Member Bolden ABSTAINED. Council Members Mashburn and Rains voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. RESUME AGENDA: b. Candidate Forum regarding vacant Council position Mayor Elmore stated tonight is the night in which the City Council position for Ward 4, formerly filled by Mike Traylor, will be appointed. He explained they have given the seven candidates the opportunity to have three minutes each to address Council. He shared that one candidate, Dr. Richard Moss, was unable to attend this meeting since he is teaching a class at Pulaski Tech. Kendell Snyder stated he has lived in Jacksonville for approximately 41 years, adding that he met and married his wife here, and his children were born at Rebsamen Hospital. He worked here for many years as a firefighter and has no plans of leaving Jacksonville since he is committed to it, loves it, and wants to see the City continue to thrive and grow. He told of his leadership and coalition experiences, along with how he looks for data-driven solutions to solve problems, in order to meet as many needs as possible. He would love the opportunity to serve the City of Jacksonville. Geraldine Broadway stated she has lived in Jacksonville for 13 years and is interested in serving more since she plans on being here for the rest of her life. She mentioned she is well-versed in corporate America, prisons, and police departments, so she can help in any area, and looks for the opportunity. Samuel Baker stated he has lived in Jacksonville for approximately 15 years with his family who are interested in watching the Community continue to grow. He brought up that he has young children, so he wants a place they can live and improve upon. He shared that he has been in community service for most of his life; listing Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Eagle Scouts, and 24 years in the military consisting of Army, Army Reserve, and the National Guard. He also participates in Trail Life USA with his sons, which is similar to Boy Scouts, but is faith, community, and service-based. He told how last 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2023 6:00 P.M. – 6:38 P.M. Summer he and his sons participated in the Raising Men Lawncare Service where they mowed over 80 lawns, free of charge, for people in need; such as elderly, veterans, single-parent homes, and the disabled. He related the reason he does this is because his life is not his own, but it belongs to Christ, his family, his Country, and to the Community. He brought up that he lives by servant leadership tenets and believes in not using position power, authority, or wealth to please himself, but to instead use it in the service of others. He described himself as authentic, genuine, humble, passionate, and caring, adding that he appreciates the consideration for the position on Council. Leonard Montgomery stated he and his wife built a home in Jacksonville in 2000 with the intent of making it their permanent retirement home. He told how he retired as a Captain from the North Little Rock Police Department after 38 years, as an Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel after 28 years, and most recently as Director of Emergency Management in the 911 Center for North Little Rock after 7 years. He explained that when the vacant seat for Council was announced, he thought it would be an opportunity to extend his multiple decades of public service to serve Jacksonville. Marsha Dornblaser stated she has lived in Jacksonville for over 56 years and worked here at the same job for over 38. She explained her involvement throughout her life in various activities and organizations in the City where she has worked with, met, and interacted with a very diverse population. She recalled that in the late 1990’s she was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission where she served 10 years and formulated a development idea of a new outdoor water facility for Jacksonville. She mentioned that with the help of many people on the Commission, they worked long and hard for two years and got the project of Splash Zone completed. She noted that, being a graduate of Jacksonville High School, she is very interested in what is going on in the school system, therefore, she ran for, and won, an elected seat on the Jacksonville North Pulaski School Board, where she served for 5 years. She explained that most recently she saw the need for a Christian childcare center and when her pastor agreed, she formed committees that looked into the possibility and the obstacles. She brought up that it took about nine and a half months of hard work, but it created the Christian Childcare Center at First United Methodist Church on Main Street. She described herself as being independent, fair, and open-minded. She related that she retired after 38 years of working as a dental hygienist here in Jacksonville, adding she has the time, energy, and the desire to serve her town since she has a passion for it. She pointed out that sometimes people do not take her seriously because of her purple hair, but she is serious about it because it is in memory of her daughter Julie and in honor of her granddaughter Hazel who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 8 weeks old. She confirmed that it stands as her commitment to raise money and awareness every day for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2023 6:00 P.M. – 6:38 P.M. John Paintin stated he fell short on his resume in respect of credentials, but when he found out the position was available, he felt it was time to do something for the City. He explained he has sat back for 40 years now and have volunteered a lot in the City doing different things. He recalled that the elected officials were doing a great job so there was no need for him to interfere, but he is here today to ask if they want new input from a reliable, responsible person. Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 6:19 p.m. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing to RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION at 6:34 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Elmore announced that Council has come to a decision. He thanked the six, who were not chosen, for applying and putting themselves out there to serve. He explained that because they have a willingness to volunteer, he will keep their names and resumes to add to the collection of people for different boards and commissions within the City. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPOINT Dr. Richard Moss to fill the vacancy of City Council seat of Ward 4 Position 1. MOTION CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Municipal League Summer Convention Mayor Elmore shared that the Arkansas Municipal League Summer Convention will thth be June 14-16. He explained that registration is already open and any elected official who would like to attend can notify his office. Highway Construction Mayor Elmore reminded that highway construction starts Monday. City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated they will start on John Harden Drive on Monday and T.P. White Drive on Wednesday. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:38 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE City Clerk-Treasurer 5