25 FEB 6REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on February 6, 2025 at their regular meeting place. Council Member Ray delivered the invocation and Mayor
Elmore led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, and Kinman answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT
NINE (9) ABSENT ONE (1). Council Member Mimms was absent.
Others present for the meeting were: Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief Brett Hibbs, HR Director Charlette Nelson, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Finance Director Laura
Collie, Communications Director Emily Sundermeier, Director of Engineering and Public Works Adam Whitlow, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, Economic Development Director Robert Birch,
IT Director Brian Harvey, Fred Belote, and Larry Wilson.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 2, 2025 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 Ray that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 5, 2024 be APPROVED.
MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/DECEMBER
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 23 Building Inspections 51
Business License Electrical 57 Plumbing 79
HVACR 34
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JANUARY
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 19 Building Inspections 48
Business License Electrical 69 Plumbing 74
HVACR 38
FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/DECEMBER
Estimated fire loss for the month: $ 10,000.00
Savings total for the month: $ 10,000.00
POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/DECEMBER
Topic 2024 2023 2024 2023
Total Complaint Calls 3412 2043
Homicide Reported 0 0 Theft Reported 49 66
Homicide Cleared 0 0 Theft Cleared 47 27
Rape/Sex Assault Reported 0 2 Vehicle Theft Reported 12 17
Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 3 5 Vehicle Theft Cleared 7 2
Robbery Reported 1 3 Felony Cases Reported 109 131
Robbery Cleared 1 1 Felony Cases Closed 115 131
Felony Assaults Reported 7 13 Misd Cases Reported 217 220
Felony Assaults Cleared 8 9 Misd Cases Closed 191 226
Burglary Reported 8 10
Burglary Cleared 9 3
CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/DECEMBER
Assigned Calls 39 Demolition by City 1
Self-Initiated Calls 97 Demolition by Owner 1
Follow Up Inspections 210 Parking Violations 1
Complied after Notice 96 Garbage Cans Tagged 2
Three Day Notice 22 Basketball Goals 0
Seven Day Letter 110 Structures Inspected 201
Citation Letters Mailed 12 Apartment Complexes Inspected 0
Citations Issued 0 Red Tags Issued 0
Vehicles Tagged 59 Search Warrants 0
Vehicles Towed 2 Grass Mowed 0
Unsafe Structures Tagged 1 Signs Removed 10
Structures Condemned 0 Shopping Carts 0
Structures Rehabbed 0
ANIMAL SERVICES REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/DECEMBER
ADOPTION FEES $ 2,970.00
SPAY/NEUTER FOR ADOPTED DOGS 2,970.00
Paid by the City of Jacksonville 2,970.00
Best Friends Animal Rescue Grant -
Paid for by Best Friends -
FINES 1,339.21
CONTRIBUTIONS 3,279.51
TOTAL $ 4,618.72
ANIMAL SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT/2024
ADOPTION FEES $ 32,450.00
SPAY/NEUTER FOR ADOPTED DOGS 32,450.00
Paid by the City of Jacksonville 22,825.00
Paid for by Best Friends Rescue 9,625.00
FINES 18,395.54
CONTRIBUTIONS 25,662.71
TOTAL $ 76,508.25
WATER DEPARTMENT: 2024 Annual Report by Water Department
Water Department Superintendent Jake Short stated Council Member Kinman is now serving as Chairman of the Water Commission, with Larry Wilson being Vice Chairman. He then read the following
statement: “On behalf of the Jacksonville Water Commission, I am pleased to provide you with our 2024 Annual report. This year the Water Works had zero water quality violations and
has successfully managed to stay within our budget while continuing to deliver the high quality water and services the residents of Jacksonville not only deserve, but have also come
to expect.
The projects completed in 2024 include the installation of 7,800 linear feet of pipe, 10 additional fire hydrants, and 40 new valves. Our system boasts 11,628 water meters, welcoming
106 new water services in 2024. Customer service remains a primary focus for Water Works staff. We maintain our commitment to accepting online payments via our secure website. In 2024,
we processed 37,735 online transactions amounting to a little over $3.9 million. Additionally, the number of workorders processed through the utility totaled over a little over 24,000,
which was an 11% increase over the previous year.
Water usage increased slightly in 2024. The total water purchased was 1.35 billion gallons, which was a 1.3% increase compared to 2023. On January 17, 2024 we reached our peak demand
for the year, which was 7.7 million gallons. The previous year's peak water flow of 5.4 million gallons occurred on September 10th. We currently manage nearly 1.2 million linear feet
of distribution line, l,000 fire hydrants, 5.25 million gallons of storage, and provides an average of 3.7 million gallons per day to the residents of Jacksonville, LRAFB, and three
other wholesale customers.
2024 was our sixth full year managing LRAFB distribution system. Under this 50-year contract, we serve as the systems privatized owner that requires us to operate, maintain, repair,
upgrade, and make significant improvements to that system. The LRAFB water distribution system includes approximately 290,000 linear feet of pipe, 507 hydrants, 3 pump stations, and
1.35 million gallons of storage. It is important to note that these two systems operate independently of one another. I am pleased to report that the LRAFB system also reported zero
water quality violations in 2024. The LRAFB Maintenance Team scheduled maintenance of 509 valves and 284 fire hydrants in the distribution system, conducted training for LRAFB personnel
as needed, and repaired 3 emergency leaks as part of routine daily activities. They also oversaw the installation of an emergency power generator and switch gear at the secondary connection
point from our system. These tasks were completed with a staff of 31 employees, 11 of which are currently licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health to operate the water system,
and 4 currently going through classes hoping to test later this year.”
When Council Member McCleary inquired, Superintendent Short replied that the classes are 24 hours of schooling that could be done in a year.
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: 2024 Annual Report by Wastewater Utility
Wastewater Utility Manager Thea Hughes read the following statement: “Jacksonville's system consists of about 183 miles of gravity sewer line ranging in size from 6 inch to 42 inch,
about 13 miles of force main, and over 3800 manholes. We also have 14 remote pumping stations. We completed our 29th consecutive year at the treatment plant with zero permit violations,
while operating the plant under construction the last three years. Phase I of our treatment plant upgrades was completed in 2024, and this year we have started on Phase II. We were
able to get a low interest loan from the Arkansas Natural Resources Division which will cover a large portion of the cost.
Phase I consisted of all new filters, SCADA throughout the plant, new clarifiers, new disc rotors and DO probes, and new electrical building and equipment at a cost of about $18 million.
Phase II of the improvements consists of some items we were not able to do in Phase I because of funding. It includes new solids handling equipment, an alkalinity feed system to help
with nitrification, a new parasitic acid disinfection system to assist and act as back to the UV system. We completed the project on the I-57 highway widening by moving several sewer
lines.
The wastewater utility is broken down into four departments. The Technical Services handles investigation, cleaning and televising the lines, and oversight of all new construction. They
completed 8.1 miles of televising and cleaned 57 miles of main line. Their report is on pages 3-4. The Collection Systems department is responsible for repair and replacement of sewer
lines and manholes, and construction of new lines. They inspected and/or repaired 153 manholes and performed 20 street cuts. They also get to do some fun things like build a Christmas
Parade float and participate in the Parade. The Operations department is responsible for operating the treatment plant, running process control tests in the laboratory to ensure we
are within permit regulations, assisting our industries with their wastewater pre-treatment, and maintaining and repairing all plant equipment. The plant treated over 1.7 billion gallons
of water in 2024, performed 252 inspections of grease traps throughout the City, and performed over 5,206 analytical tests in the laboratory. Their report is found on pages 5-7. The
Administration department handles financial management, personnel, purchasing, and clerical support. We continue our effort to educate our citizens not to flush anything down the toilet,
other than toilet paper, and never pour grease in drains. One administrative employee received the Dick Morris Employee Excellence Award in 2024. Congratulations to Vickie Herd. Their
report is found on pages 8-9. Our employees have many licenses and certifications including 9 Collection System certifications, 19 Wastewater Operator's licenses, 4 Solid Waste licenses,
7 Plumbing Inspector licenses, and 13 CDL licenses.”
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION: a. ORDINANCE 1773 (#02-2025)
AN ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS (PARCEL LOCATED AT 909 SHALL COURT); 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 Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to place Ordinance 1773 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss,
Twitty, and Kinman voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1773.
Council Member Dietz related that the Planning Commission granted this change to allow multi-family in a single-family residence. He noted it would need to be brought up to code.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow explained that R-0 is single-family residential and R-2 is a two-family duplex. He told how it could not be appraised as multi-family since it was zoned R-0,
so he related to the owner if they want to advertise it as an income multi-family, they would have to request a rezone. He confirmed that his Staff is not in favor, since this is not
an area transitioning from single-family to multi-family. He advised caution on the precedence it would set. He mentioned it is legal as it sits, but it has to be occupied by the same
family unit. He confirmed if approved, it would have to be brought up to duplex standards, which includes fire code issues, separate meters and sanitation services, etc. He related
that this was approved through the Planning Commission 4 to 3 and there was one neighbor in opposition. He mentioned being careful in spot zoning in an area that is not transitioning
to multi-family. When Council Member Ruple brought up the Bill of Assurance, he replied that it expiring is irrelevant to the City, as far as the land use; they still acknowledge it
as a single-family area.
Council Member McCleary shared his concern of setting a precedent.
When Council Member McCoy mentioned a concern for neighbors and property values, Engineer Whitlow confirmed it was advertised and posted properly and they had one who opposed it, but
he himself could not speak on the potential property value effect.
Representative Craig Friedman with Friedman Law Firm stated nothing about this property is going to change, other than what would be required to make it R-2, which is putting a water
meter outside and a possible fire barrier inside. He stressed that externally, it is going to look exactly like it does since there are no plans to make changes and no one would know
the difference unless they are watching where people are walking in. He related that the way it is designed, it looks like a single-family home. He explained that a large part of the
Country is going toward form-based zoning that is based on the appearance of the property, not necessarily the use. He said for example, a boutique could be next to a house and it would
not matter because it would
look the same aesthetically. He noted that no one would know the difference here unless they were looking at a zoning map, because this is the way the property has been used for three
years and how it will continue to be used. He reiterated there is not going to be any construction done on this property, other than what the City may require to bring it up to zoning.
Council Member Kinman brought up concerns of what could happen in the future in other subdivisions if this were to change to R-2.
Mr. Friedman shared current pictures of the property, noting there is a door on the side to enter the smaller portion, which he believes was an enclosed carport years ago. He pointed
out that the property has been remodeled and is in good condition.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to APPROVE Ordinance 1773 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1773 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member Dietz, Ray, and LaBron voted AYE. MOTION FAILED with Council Member Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Moss, Twitty, and Kinman voting NAY.
b. ORDINANCE 1774 (#03-2025)
AN ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS (PARCEL LOCATED AT 6350 TP 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 Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to place Ordinance 1774 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty,
and Kinman voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1774.
Council Member Dietz stated there used to be a tire shop here, but they sold the land. He explained the new company sells pipes and will store it in the back. He confirmed they thought
it would be a good fit for that area.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1774 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1774 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL:
Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, and Kinman voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1774 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1774 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, and Kinman voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1774 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron,
Moss, Twitty, and Kinman voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron,
Moss, Twitty, and Kinman voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1774 (#03-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 6TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025.
COMMITTEE(S):
GENERAL: a. STATE OF THE CITY by Mayor Elmore
Mayor Elmore read the following statement:
“This past year was the halfway point of my first term as Mayor of Jacksonville. Each and every day, I have the honor and privilege of serving the City of Jacksonville and the almost
30,000 people that are proud to live, work and play here. To the over three hundred City employees, I thank you for your daily service to the City and the people of Jacksonville. To
our ten City Councilmembers, thank you for your dedicated service, support and duty to the people and City of Jacksonville. With continuing collaborative efforts between my office and
our Councilmembers, the things we can accomplish for this City are limitless. The people and City government of Jacksonville can, must and should, work together towards achieving the
flourishing future of Jacksonville that we all know, and can feel, is on the horizon.
2024 was a year of rebirth and new growth in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District met its goal of having all-new buildings by the 2024-25 school year, giving
thousands of scholars the opportunity to receive world-class education, setting scholars up for college and careers alike. The former Jacksonville Elementary School was demolished around
the holidays, and the debris and rubble has since been removed from the site. The future of the land remains unknown, yet my office and the City are committed to working towards a solution.
Residential and commercial construction around Jacksonville continues to grow. The City's engineering department issued 111 building permits for residential construction, and 15 permits
for commercial construction. Renovations of the Jacksonville Animal Shelter were also completed. We are in the midst of true revitalization in our community, and I believe that 2024
was a step forward in an amazing chapter of Jacksonville's story.
Economic development and growth in Jacksonville this past year was tremendous on a number of fronts. In February 2024, Robert Birch was hired as the City's first economic development
director, and he continues to work diligently to showcase our City to businesses and real estate developers. Sig Sauer opened the Jacksonville Arkansas Ammunition Center in October
and announced additional plans to further expand their presence and manufacturing campus in Jacksonville. With this development and expansion, 675 new jobs are expected to be created
over the next three years. 81 businesses applied for new licenses, an increase from 73 in 2023.
A call for residents and visitors alike to reacquaint themselves with Jacksonville is underway with the launch of the Rediscover Jacksonville campaign. A joint partnership with the Communications
Department and Office of Economic Development, Rediscover Jacksonville aims to showcase aspects of our community that are unique to Jacksonville. More so, Rediscover Jacksonville is
about community pride, displaying to central Arkansas, the Southeast region and the world what makes Jacksonville special. The Rediscover Jacksonville Business Beautification Grant
was created, with applications opening at the beginning of 2025. This matching grant, of up to $5,000, will aid local businesses in improving their exterior aesthetics. With this grant
program, we hope that businesses, both large and small, will continue to take pride in being located in Jacksonville, and will continue to invest in our community.
2024 was also a season of awards. The Jacksonville Parks and Recreation department was awarded with two awards at the United States Specialty Sports Association's National Convention:
Dupree Park was recognized as the National Complex of the Year and the Autism Awareness Softball Tournament for Pathfinder was recognized as the Southwest Event of the Year. The Parks
and Rec team does a phenomenal job with all of their events and the upkeep of the City's numerous parks and athletic complexes. We are grateful for all of their hard work; it does not
go unappreciated, nor does it go unnoticed. The City of Jacksonville was also recognized as a Trendsetter City by Arkansas Business for the Marshall Smith Inclusive Playground at Dupree
Park. For the twenty-sixth consecutive year, the City's Finance Department was awarded a "Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting" by the Government Finance
Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada.
2024 also commemorated the one-year anniversary of the March 31, 2023 tornado. Repairs in the affected areas have almost been completed. New Commandment Church of God in Christ, which
was destroyed during the tornado, celebrated its grand re-opening in a brand-new facility across the street from its former site. The resiliency of the people of Jacksonville continues
to shine bright. Jacksonville continues to not only recover, yet thrive, each and every day.
The work towards making Jacksonville a community that everyone is proud to call home continues. 2025 looks to be another promising year for our City on a number of fronts. Five Below,
a nationally recognized chain of specialty discount stores, will open on T.P. White Drive, in the vacant unit between Citi Trends and Harbor Freight. The expansion project of Highway
67/167, also known as Interstate 57, is nine months ahead of schedule and is over halfway complete. The estimated date of completion, which is subject to change due to circumstances,
is projected for December 2026. 2025 will also be a year of celebration in the City, as the Jacksonville Community Center will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. The Center has won
numerous local, state, regional and national awards since its opening, and it continues to serve thousands of people annually through its facilities.
For the Jacksonville Fire and Police Departments, as well as the City's Dispatch center, 2024 brought about progress and development. Fire Station 2 on Graham Road will be completed
this year, which will provide our City's first responders with the space and amenities needed to best serve Jacksonville. In compliance with the Public Safety Act of 2019, the Jacksonville
911 Communications Center consolidated with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. The consolidation of the departments has resulted in citizens of Jacksonville and unincorporated areas
of Pulaski County being served by our 911 Emergency Communications service. In 2024, the Jacksonville Police Department increased their officer total by 54.2%, bringing their end-of-year
officer count to 54. The Jacksonville Police Department is optimistic about the growth of the department in 2025. Public safety is of key importance to any City. With the City's emergency
services seeing modern improvements and continued growth, Jacksonville can, and will, continue to remain a safe community for all.
In times of celebration and in times of hardship, the people of Jacksonville have always been supportive of one another. Friends, neighbors, community members and strangers have uplifted
each other in times of need, and they have also rejoiced together in good times. Jacksonville's future is extremely bright, and the best is yet to come. It is the responsibility of
all of us to do our part to ensure that Jacksonville is the best place we all know it can be. This year, I invite you to soar with us to new and unprecedented heights in Jacksonville's
history. Join me in anticipation for what 2025 will bring. Together, we can create a Jacksonville that we can all be proud of.”
b. Report from Director of Economic Development regarding 2025 Shot Show & ICSC Retail Event
Director of Economic Development Robert Birch stated he, Mayor Elmore, and Police Chief Brett Hibbs attended an exclusive vendor event thanks to the Little Rock Regional Chamber and
Sig Sauer. He explained the reason they attended was to support one of the City’s largest employers, Sig Sauer, at the 2025 Shot Show. He mentioned it being the largest event he has
attended and there were several other cities from Arkansas there. He brought up wanting to show our strength to attract more businesses, along with helping Sig Sauer grow. He shared
Sig Sauer’s plan to have everything they need to produce their products done here, because of the environment Jacksonville has provided for them. He told how they had a private dinner
with Sig Sauer, the State, and Hugh McDonald, who is the head of the Commerce Department for Arkansas. He also attended the ICSC Red River retail convention in Dallas, recalling they
went to the large one in Las Vegas last year, but did not see a benefit in it. He mentioned attending this smaller one as a representative of the Metro Little Rock Alliance and that
Kathy Perez and Lauren Martin from the Jacksonville Chamber also came. He listed representatives from Maumelle, Cabot, Sherwood, Pulaski County, North Little Rock, and Searcy who attended
as well to show their strength as an area. He related that Titan Student Leadership starts next week at the Chamber to grow the next generation of leaders. He also believes there will
be a new partner at the High School, noting we are the only one in Central Arkansas that has all academies sponsored. He stated Bargain Hunt and Dirt Cheap are both closing, but it
has
nothing to do with the City because they are both national bankruptcies. He is excited about the space since the location is the most requested right now. He confirmed Five Below is
opening, which came from last year’s ICSC meeting. He related that the energy and excitement around the City is as high now as it was in the late 1980s. When Council Member McCoy inquired
about the Titan Student Leadership, he responded that they will start with 10 scholars and eventually go to 25.
APPOINTMENTS: JACKSONVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to approve the reappointments of Addie Gibson to expire 03-17-2027, Jon Johnson to expire 03-17-2028, and Logan Perry to expire
03-17-2029. MOTION CARRIED.
A & P COMMISSION
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to approve the appointment of Jason Fox to the unexpired term of Kayla Hawkins set to expire 03/31/2027. MOTION CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member McCoy requested that the monthly financial report be a part of the consent agenda since it is required to be presented to Council in open session.
Mayor Elmore concurred, saying it will be part of the agenda packets moving forward.
Council Member McCoy also mentioned that it is required for Council to annually, in January, assemble and organize the governing body. She pointed out a working document of rules and
procedures placed at each council member’s seat, noting they can adopt or make revisions at the next meeting.
Council Member Twitty related that Council Member Mimms’ father passed away and asked to keep her and her family in their thoughts.
Council Member Ruple stated Pastor Brennan Ayers of First Assembly of God passed away recently due to terminal cancer. He explained that congregation also provides the monthly food for
the pantry at Jacksonville Middle School and will continue to be instrumental to their food drives.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:10 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer