23 SEP 7
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 6:36 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 September 7, 2023 at the regular meeting place of the City
Council. Mayor Elmore delivered the invocation and led a standing audience in
the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Dietz, McCleary, Sansing, Twitty, Kinman, and
Rains answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a
quorum. PRESENT SIX (6) ABSENT FOUR (4). Council Members Bolden, Ray, Mashburn,
and Moss were absent.
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman,
Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, City Engineer
Adam Whitlow, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, CDBG Director
Michelle Spencer, Communications Director Emily Sundermeier, Lieutenant Ryan
Wright, IT Director Emily Osment, Kerrie Henderson, Madison Binsted, Alicia
Fenton, Roger Sundermeier, Jay McCarty, Lida Feller, Jim Moore, and Wyatt
Elmore.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regularly
scheduled City Council meeting of August 17, 2023 for approval and/or
correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member Twitty moved, seconded
by Council Member McCleary that the minutes of the regular City Council
meeting of July 20, 2023 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve
the regular monthly report for August 2023.
AUGUST
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 12 Building Inspections 54
Business License - Electrical 71
Plumbing 42
HVACR 24
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve
the regular monthly report for July 2023 regarding annual crime statistical
comparisons.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/CODE ENFORCEMENT
Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the
regular monthly report as presented for July 2023.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 6:36 P.M.
Assigned Calls 49
Self-Initiated Calls 186
Follow Up Inspections 476 Demolition by City 0
Complied after Notice 173 Demolition by Owner 1
Three Day Notice 23 Parking Violations 0
Seven Day Letter 322 Garbage Cans Tagged 0
Citation Letters Mailed 29 Basketball Goals 1
Citations Issued 11 Structures Inspected 711
Vehicles Tagged 24 Apartment Complexes Inspected 4
Vehicles Towed 4 Red Tags Issued 0
Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Search Warrants 0
Structures Condemned 0 Grass Mowed 102
Structures Rehabbed 0 Signs Removed 6
ROLL CALL: Council Member: Dietz, McCleary, Sansing, Twitty, Kinman, and
Rains voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT: Camera system demonstration by Chief Hibbs
Mayor Elmore stated this item of business is going to be put off until
another meeting.
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
COMMITTEE(S):
GENERAL:
APPOINTMENTS:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS: Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty
to ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION regarding a personnel matter at approximately
6:02 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Rains to RESUME
GENERAL SESSION at approximately 6:30 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Elmore related that the only business that took place, although it was
not actually business, in the executive session was a discussion regarding a
personnel matter within the City government.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: City Statement Regarding Animal Shelter
Mayor Elmore read the following statement on behalf of the City:
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 6:36 P.M.
st
“On Friday, September 1, the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville
Animal Shelter was made aware of a Facebook post regarding the overcrowding
procedures of the shelter. While the post has gained traction and attention,
it does not factually tell the complete story of the Jacksonville Animal
Shelter and its daily operations.
The Jacksonville Animal Shelter has never been a no-kill shelter, and
euthanasia is only sought as an absolute last resort. An animal is only
considered for euthanasia for reasons such as length of stay, health concerns
and aggression towards people and other animals, among other criteria.
Euthanasia is never a first option for the Jacksonville Animal Shelter, the
City of Jacksonville or its employees, and is a decision we do not take
lightly. It hurts our hearts any time the difficult decision to euthanize an
animal is made, and it is to be reiterated that euthanasia is the absolute
final option after unsuccessful adoption, rescue or foster attempts. The City
of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Animal Shelter and its employees strive to
deliver the best possible quality of life to all of the shelter’s animals in
hopes that they are adopted, rescued or fostered.
Lieutenant Ryan Wright’s letter was not new information to the City or its
employees. This letter is a statement of overcrowding guidelines and
procedures for the operation of the Jacksonville Animal Shelter. The letter
ultimately provides uniform structure and protection to ensure that healthy,
adoptable animals will not be unfairly euthanized. Dogs will not be held in
crates longer than 24 hours.
Volunteer work for the expansion of the shelter has been offered. However, as
the City of Jacksonville is a municipality, there are state statutes to
follow when dealing with any City facilities and taxpayer dollars. The
donation in question was not in cash, but instead, rather a dollar amount of
time and machinery usage. By law, the City of Jacksonville requires that any
sort of work regarding City facilities and taxpayer dollars must be bid on if
exceeding a specific dollar amount. If it is under a specific dollar amount,
the City must obtain multiple quotes for the project.
The City of Jacksonville understands the urgent need and high importance to
improve the Jacksonville Animal Shelter. Animals at the shelter deserve a
space where they can be nurtured and cared for in a facility that is updated
and can accommodate the shelter’s needs on a day-to-day basis. However,
legally, there are rules, regulations and statues put into place by the state
of Arkansas that the City must abide by in order to make these necessary
improvements to the shelter a reality. I am currently exploring options and
the possibility of using remaining ARPA funds to finance a shelter renovation
project sooner rather than later. If sufficient funds are not available,
funding will be requested to be included in the 2024 budget.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 6:36 P.M.
Generous outside support has allowed the shelter to operate comfortably
within their yearly allocated budget. Because of this generosity, budget
requests from previous years did not accurately reflect the shelter's ability
to function independently. The proposed 2024 budget will be reflective of
City funds required for the Jacksonville Animal Shelter to be self-
sufficient. Donations of any sort are always welcomed and appreciated, and
can be given directly to the Jacksonville Animal Shelter. Monetary donations
to the shelter do not, and will not, be rolled into the general fund; they
will remain with the shelter.
For accurate, up-to-date information regarding the Jacksonville Animal
Shelter or any of its animals, please contact the animal shelter directly.
Contact information, hours of operation and information on animals in the
shelter that are available for adoption, can be found on the City’s website,
cityofjacksonville.net, as well as on the Jacksonville Animal Shelter’s
official Facebook page: Jacksonville Animal Shelter, Arkansas.
The support and love for the shelter and the animals that reside there is
felt and highly appreciated. Last month, the shelter reported 99 animals had
left the shelter, with 54 of those being adoptions. The Jacksonville Animal
Shelter remains at an 85% save rate, with the end-of-year goal being 90%, but
our ultimate goal is to be 100%. Multiple animals continue to come to the
animal shelter, where they wait to be adopted, rescued or fostered. It is
because of the generosity and support from the general public that hundreds,
if not thousands, of animals have found themselves a new home and a family
that they can call their own.”
He stressed that if someone has a question regarding anything with the
Shelter, they can contact himself, Chief Brett Hibbs, Lieutenant Ryan Wright,
or stop at the Shelter and speak to any of the employees.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at
approximately 6:36 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer
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