24 NOV 7
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
6:00 P.M. – 7:13 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 7, 2024 at their regular meeting place. Council Member
Bolden delivered the invocation and Mayor Elmore led a standing audience in
the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray,
Mashburn, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also
answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT TEN (10) ABSENT ZERO (0).
Others present for the meeting were: Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief
Brett Hibbs, Finance Director Laura Collie, Human Resource Director Charlette
Nelson, CDBG Director Michelle Spencer, Director of Engineering and Public
Works Adam Whitlow, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, IT Director Brian
Harvey, Director of Economic Development Robert Birch, Tina Hibbs, Morgan
Allen, Jim Moore, Cheesa Williams, Tanner Ruple, Michael LaBron, and Trenika
McCoy.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular
City Council meeting of October 17, 2024 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 regular City Council meeting of
September 19, 2024 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the
regular monthly report for October 2024.
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 22 Building Inspections 80
Business License - Electrical 67
Plumbing 97
HVACR 47
ROLL CALL: Council Member: Dietz, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Moss, 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):
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
6:00 P.M. – 7:13 P.M.
GENERAL: DEVIATION IN AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council
Member Bolden to move item d. to be discussed first on the agenda. MOTION
CARRIED.
d. Citizen Pam Clark regarding Foxwood Neighborhood Watch and Council Member
commentary
Citizen Pam Clark stated she has lived in the Foxwood Subdivision since 2004.
She told how the homeowner behind her died, then the son moved in. She
explained for the past year there have been six to eight dogs that fight,
jump the fence, and bark at neighbors. She mentioned the barking starts at
2:00 a.m. and does not end until around 5:00 a.m., resulting in her being
sleep deprived. She mentioned the owner is not feeding them and she has
several recordings of how they behave. She confirmed she has called the
Police Department non-emergency line and Animal Control talked to the
neighbor, so now he hides the dogs. She brought up that her family cannot
even go in the backyard without standing guard with a shovel.
Council Member Bolden noted people move to the City and are unaware of our
dog laws, recalling someone shopping in Walgreens with a pit bull in a cart.
He stressed that we need to make sure people understand that pit bulls are
not allowed and real estate agents need to tell the people buying homes here.
Mrs. Clark believes one is a pit bull and they constantly bark and attack
each other.
Animal Services Manager Kerrie Henderson related that they have written the
man six citations, and when they did a follow-up this week and last, the only
dogs he had were two hounds. She explained four retrievers and two pit bulls
have been moved, according to the owner, and they were nowhere on the
premises when they checked, but it is possible he is hiding them inside. She
confirmed she can take the steps to get a search warrant to search the home,
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noting his first court date is December 3.
Mrs. Clark added that the dogs have gotten into the neighbor’s fence and torn
up their children’s toys and trashed the yard. She told how her dog cannot go
in the backyard, but has to be walked on a leash in the front.
Council Member Ray recalled a pot belly pig in one area that caused all of
the dogs to bark, since it was something strange in the neighborhood.
Manager Henderson read the citations that included several counts each of no
rabies vaccinations, no city tags, running at large, and having banned
breeds. She recalled there being four retrievers, a chihuahua, two pit bulls,
and two hounds that he got a 30-day warning for being over the allowed number
of animals. She recalled at the follow-up, he had gotten rid of the four
retrievers, but still had two pit bulls, and when they checked this week and
last, those dogs were gone, leaving only the two hounds.
Mrs. Clark was concerned since a dog came across the fence and took food out
of a child’s hand and the father shot at it with rubber bullets.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
6:00 P.M. – 7:13 P.M.
Manager Henderson noted if the dogs had still been there after the time
limit, they would have seized them.
Council Member Twitty stated he needs to know there are quiet hours between
10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Police Captain Ryan Wright pointed out that every day he has those animals,
when they go to court it is considered a separate violation, so if he is
found guilty, it will not be for one day, but for the time period he has had
it; which is typically not a small fine. He confirmed once it goes to court,
it is the decision of the judge. He related the next thing they can do is get
a search and seizure warrant and seize the animals.
Council Member Bolden recommended posting signs throughout the City to make
people aware of the ordinances pertaining to dogs.
Mayor Elmore did not concur, because he would not want to visually clutter up
the City with more signs.
Discussion ensued regarding putting notices in the water bills, where Manager
Henderson noted she would like to have something regarding city dog licenses
included in them also.
Mayor Elmore stated we will be vigilant in keeping eyes on the home to see if
we can find the dogs that are not supposed to be there. He acknowledged being
at the mercy of waiting because a court date has been issued. He will make
sure Animal Control keeps aware and mindful of that area.
RESUME AGENDA:
a. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 1766 (#19-2024)
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIONS, BETTERMENTS AND
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SEWER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS;
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A SEWER IMPROVEMENT REVENUE BOND FOR THE PURPOSE
OF FINANCING THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS; PROVIDING FOR THE
PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON, AND A SERVICING FEE IN
CONNECTION WITH, THE BOND; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE COSTS OF ISSUING
THE BOND; PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
Mayor Elmore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:18 p.m., and with
no one requesting to speak, he closed it at approximately 6:19 p.m.
Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to place
Ordinance 1766 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden,
McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE.
MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of
Ordinance 1766.
Council Member Moss noted this is a bond that will not be a cost to citizens.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
6:00 P.M. – 7:13 P.M.
Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE
Ordinance 1766 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance
1766 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, McCleary,
Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE. MOTION
CARRIED.
Council Member McCleary moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE
Ordinance 1766 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance
1766 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden,
McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains voted AYE.
MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to APPROVE AND
ADOPT Ordinance 1766 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz,
Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains
voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary that the
EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz,
Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Rains
voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
TH
ORDINANCE 1766 (#19-2024) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7 DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024.
b. RESOLUTION 851
A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND MANAGER OF THE
JACKSONVILLE WASTEWATER SYSTEM TO EXECUTE CERTAIN DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION
WITH FUNDING ADMINISTERED BY THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to read
Resolution 851. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the
heading of Resolution 851.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to adopt
Resolution 851 in its entirety, including the emergency clause. MOTION
CARRIED.
Mayor Elmore announced that Resolution 852 is a mistake and was not supposed
to be in the packet since it was already approved.
Jacksonville Wastewater Utility General Manager Thea Hughes clarified that
Resolution 851 was the mistake; Resolution 852 needed to be approved.
c. RESOLUTION 852
A RESOLUTION OF INTENT REGARDING THE JACKSONVILLE WASTEWATER SEWER PROJECT.
Mayor Elmore confirmed everything Council just did is for Resolution 852, not
851.
City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 852.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
6:00 P.M. – 7:13 P.M.
Council Member McCleary moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to adopt
Resolution 852 in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED.
e. DISCUSSION 2025 Budget
Mayor Elmore recalled Council received the proposed budget for the year 2025.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing to ENTER INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION regarding a personnel matter at approximately 6:25 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member McCleary moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to EXIT
EXECUTIVE SESSION and RESUME GENERAL SESSION at approximately 7:01 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Elmore related that Council will vote on the budget at the next
regularly scheduled meeting.
APPOINTMENTS:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS: Council Member Rains requested clarification regarding why the
directors for the federal agency she had sponsored were not allowed to make
their presentation tonight.
Mayor Elmore responded that he was unaware of it until yesterday, since he
did not receive an email regarding it.
Council Member Rains shared that she was told it was for legal reasons, then
asked what the legal reasons were that they could not do a presentation.
Mayor Elmore clarified there is no reason they cannot do a presentation, but
there are legal reasons why the City could not go forward with the program,
therefore, there was no reason for the presentation.
City Clerk Davitt noted the City cannot participate in the liabilities.
Council Member Kinman recalled being falsely accused at the last meeting of
being unethical. She explained in 1981 Mayor James Reid passed an ordinance
allowing council members and city employees to do business with the City. She
requested an apology from Council Member Mashburn and the Leader Newspaper.
She added that she was contacted by a citizen asking why the Jacksonville
Historical District Museum is not open.
Council Member Mashburn noted she cannot address it since she is no longer
with the Jacksonville Historical Museum, as per the Mayor.
Mayor Elmore clarified he did not ask her to step down; she did voluntarily.
City Attorney Friedman brought up that it is all on video.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
6:00 P.M. – 7:13 P.M.
Mayor Elmore explained there were activities taking place at the museum that
were illegal, resulting in it is being closed and investigated. He recalled
Council Member Mashburn and her brother stepping down from that leadership
role. He told how there are discussions between the remaining Board Members
of the museum and the Jacksonville Military Museum of a possible joining of
the two to keep everything the Historical Museum had done alive. He surmised
the last time the museum was open was in September.
Discussion ensued regarding the funds collected by the Museum, where City
Clerk Davitt confirmed they are not the responsibility of the City, but are
strictly under the Jacksonville Historical District.
When asked, Mayor Elmore responded that much of the contents were on loan or
donated. When Council Member Kinman inquired about the illegal activities
that occurred, he did not want to get into details, but noted that most of it
was in the newspaper and anyone who would like to know more is welcome to
come see him, or can send a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Dietz recognized the Wastewater Utility
personnel, the Fire Department, and the Director of Economic Development for
the great jobs they do. He then listed the minimum water bills for 2023 as
$53.34, 2024 as $62.79, and 2025 as $64.56, noting the totals are for inside
city residential customers and include water, wastewater, and sanitation
services. He related that for the services and the quality of water you
receive, it is fabulous.
Mayor Elmore announced as of 1:00 p.m., the Arkansas Department of
Transportation renamed Highway 67/167 to be Interstate 57 that will run from
North Little Rock to Walnut Ridge, then eventually to St. Louis, Missouri and
Chicago, Illinois.
Council Member McCleary related there was a good turnout of kids at the Trunk
or Treat event and thanked the Parks and Recreation Department.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at
approximately 7:13 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer
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