23 SEP 7CITY 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.
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:
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
6:00 P.M. – 6:36 P.M.
“On Friday, September 1st, 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.
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