25 JUL 17REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on July 17, 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, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum.
PRESENT TEN (10) ABSENT ZERO (0).
Others present for the meeting were: Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Assistant Fire Chief Dewan Laws, Parks & Rec Director Kevin House, Finance Director Laura Collie, Director of Engineering
& Public Works Adam Whitlow, CDBG Director Michelle Spencer, and Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 3, 2025 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 LaBron that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 5, 2025 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/JUNE
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 23 Building 45
Business License 6 Electrical 54 Plumbing 37
HVACR 27
FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JUNE
Estimated fire loss for the month: $ 24,200.00
Savings total for the month: $ 765,800.00
POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JUNE
Topic 2025 2024 2025 2024
Total Complaint Calls 2787 2546
Homicide Reported 1 1 Theft Reported 51 60
Homicide Cleared 1 0 Theft Cleared 25 49
Rape/Sex Assault Reported 3 3 Vehicle Theft Reported 4 6
Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 2 0 Vehicle Theft Cleared 1 2
Robbery Reported 1 1 Felony Cases Reported 116 103
Robbery Cleared 2 0 Felony Cases Closed 103 153
Felony Assaults Reported 18 9 Misd Cases Reported 263 269
Felony Assaults Cleared 19 6 Misd Cases Closed 193 225
Burglary Reported 18 9
Burglary Cleared 6 12
CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JUNE
Assigned Calls 107 Demolition by City 9
Self-Initiated Calls 213 Demolition by Owner 0
Follow Up Inspections 707 Parking Violations 7
Complied after Notice 151 Garbage Cans Tagged 0
Three Day Notice 30 Basketball Goals 0
Seven Day Letter 299 Structures Inspected 1027
Citation Letters Mailed 39 Apartment Complexes Inspected 0
Citations Issued 9 Red Tags Issued 1
Vehicles Tagged 38 Search Warrants 2
Vehicles Towed 4 Grass Mowed 157
Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Signs Removed 13
Structures Condemned 0 Shopping Carts 0
Structures Rehabbed 2
FINANCE DEPARTMENT INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT/JUNE
Total Revenues Total Expenditures
General Fund $ 9,705,117 $ 13,163,522
Street Fund $ 1,339,469 $ 803,692
Sanitation Services Fund $ 706,363 $ 1,107,750
AG&F Shooting Sports Complex $ 196,824 $ 231,998
EMS Fund $ 1,256,651 $ 1,430,273
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
COMMITTEE(S):
GENERAL: a. SECOND READING ORDINANCE 1792 (#21-2025)
AN ORDINANCE DISSOLVING THE JACKSONVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION; REPEALING CHAPTER 2.26 OF THE JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Ruple to place Ordinance 1792 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Ruple, McCleary, Moss, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE
and Council Member Dietz, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, and Twitty voting NAY. MOTION CARRIED with Mayor Elmore voting AYE to break the tie vote. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading
of Ordinance 1792.
Council Member Kinman requested confirmation this would not dissolve the Historical Museum, but only the Commission.
Mayor Elmore concurred, saying this dissolves the Commission, which is separate from the Historical Society that is an official 501(c)(3) Board of Directors, stands on its own, and has
been in place. He explained the Commission has not operated in its proper function and the District/Society would stay in place since the City has no oversight and they are their own
entity. He reiterated this would end the Commission that reports to the City and the legal liability for it.
Council Member Ray brought up dissolving the Commission and selling the building. He recalled hearing the City was going to put out a memo for the owners to pick items up, so he took
that as the entire thing being dissolved.
Mayor Elmore confirmed the Museum has been closed since August of last year. He mentioned rumors he was throwing away items in two days, but that is incorrect. He confirmed anyone who
has possessions there can retrieve them any time. He stressed that this has nothing to do with the Museum; this is just about the non-functioning Commission. He recalled it was formed
years after the Society created the Museum and this will remove City oversight.
Council Member Ray suggested reorganizing it instead of using the word “dissolve,” because everyone thinks the City is throwing away the entire thing.
Mayor Elmore clarified that it never operated properly by having public meetings, maintaining records, keeping meeting minutes, and all financials turned into Finance; none of that was
happening. He reiterated that they can still function as their own Society and does not have to be a part of the City government.
City Attorney Friedman confirmed she had sent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for the financial information, but has not received anything.
When Council Member Moss inquired about the Museum building, Mayor Elmore reiterated that it has nothing to do with the Commission, but it will probably be sold since the City is reducing
properties. He affirmed that the Museum is not going back into it, no matter what happens with the Commission. He related that there was never a lease signed between the City and the
Society.
Mayor Elmore brought up that Robin Wakefield is the CEO.
Council Member Twitty mentioned that Jerry Sanders wants more time to get their belongings out.
Mayor Elmore stated people can come with City supervision and a member of the Society to retrieve their items. When Council Member Kinman inquired if the Society could purchase the building,
he replied that it could be possible. He added that there was an individual who made an offer on it, but it was months ago and was not accepted.
City Attorney Friedman confirmed this would not change how the Society is ran; this is an administrative issue.
Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1792 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1792 on THIRD AND FINAL READING.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member Ray and LaBron voting NAY and Council Member McCoy ABSTAINING.
Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1792 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, Twitty, Kinman,
and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member Ray, LaBron, and Moss voting NAY and Council Member McCoy ABSTAINING.
ORDINANCE 1792 (#21-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 17TH DAY OF JULY, 2025.
b. PRESENTATION: At-Large Voting by Former Council Member, Terry Sansing, NAACP members
Former Council Member Terry Sansing recalled being against ward-based voting, but during a discussion with Reginald Ford, he changed his mind. He explained in the past, some candidates
won their ward, but still lost because it was voted at-large. He noted the people in the ward wanted them as representation, but did not get them. He told how a citizen was asked by
a friend to display signs in her yard, but had no idea who the candidates were, or which were for her ward. He pointed out that this is not a good way to have a representative form
of government if the constituents do not know who they are voting for. He mentioned incumbents having a great advantage because they have a known name and opponents have to fight hard
to get theirs known. He acknowledged Jacksonville and Council are mostly conservative-minded, but there are other ways. He brought up a possibility of having one seat at-large and the
other ward-based, so Council can see how it is working for the City.
Steve Grappe of Stand Up Arkansas and the Jacksonville NAACP shared a PowerPoint presentation regarding at-large versus ward-based elections. He mentioned Stand Up Arkansas’ mission
to improve civic engagement, since the State is ranked 51st using the Civic Engagement Index. He explained it takes into consideration the number of registered voters and those who
vote. He related that the City is 50% lower than the State average, so they have been looking at ways to get more people involved, running for office, and voting. He mentioned receiving
a grant to increase civic engagement and how in the last election Stonewall, Foxwood, and Stonewall East neighborhoods accounted for 54% of all votes and decided every wards’ council
member. He brought up a 20-25% difference in voting between Ward 5 and 2 with areas of the City that has not had a council member in at least five cycles, so there are people who are
not getting represented. He pointed out that at-large voting is against the people in their own ward because here, we have 29,000+ people, 24,000 are eligible to vote, but we have many
wards where less than 50% do. He told how with ward-based elections, everyone can get a bite of their “piece of the pie” because they do not have to worry about influencing parts of
the City
they do not know. He noted that now, candidates have to reach 29,000 people; no matter where you live, what your income is, or your neighborhood’s socioeconomic level. He surmised they
would need at least $10,000 to campaign, but if it is broken down to wards, it creates an affordability to get into the race. He wants informed voters who research and know candidates,
but it is hard to know five wards-worth. He recalled growing up on Shirley Cove on the east side of the City, an area that does not get the same attention as others. He related how
people in that neighborhood are not voting as much because they do not feel they are being heard. He confirmed changing is not a costly endeavor, noting Cabot did it for less than $3,000
and Conway and Fayetteville have done it also. He recalled Conway changing theirs to ward-based in 2014, then the next election had a record number of candidates. He added that they
also got sidewalk specs that had been on the docket for 10 years in the lower income part of town. He told how the State passed legislation last spring that states if cities are going
to change by Council voting on it, it has to be filed with the Clerk by August 31st for the next election. He believes the citizens want it, adding that they have petitions signed from
each ward. He told how Senator Jamie Scott supports the change and surmised Representative Mark Perry would. He invited everyone to a townhall meeting 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Nixon
Library for their input.
Council Member McCoy brought up that a hybrid structure would be a fair compromise, with one seat at-large and the other ward-based.
Council Member Kinman suggested putting it on the ballot to let the citizens vote, since it should not be decided only by Council.
Council Member Dietz agreed.
Council Member McCoy clarified there is no cost for Council to draft an ordinance and vote. She mentioned this is not just Council deciding, but citizens have given their input.
Council Member Twitty surmised those same citizens would be willing to put it on the ballot. She mentioned transparency and how not every citizen is in attendance tonight or aware of
this possible change. She asked if the City is going to do something this big, why not let the voters decide?
Mr. Grappe confirmed if this is put on the ballot, it will not take effect until 2028. He pointed out that the State has dismantled the ballot initiative system, noting there were twelve
laws passed at the last General Election to make the ballot initiative system almost obsolete and intentionally done to stop the process. He stated that would be costly to the City,
but if Council changes it and did not like it, they could reverse it the next cycle. He affirmed if Council waits and does a ballot initiative, it is going to divide the City, because
people will organize.
Council Member Ray recalled an at-large person added to each ward for a better cross section of people elected. He would not have gotten elected if he was in a ward section, because
there is not a dominant ward in the City.
Council Member Twitty confirmed Cabot has denied this change several times.
Mr. Grappe clarified that Conway, not Cabot, just passed it. He told how if the City has a ward that does not have good voter turnout, for example Ward 2, they can never have a say in
who their representative is.
Council Member Ray mentioned how the forefathers saw fit to try to make a cross section of the people of Jacksonville to get elected.
Mr. Grappe replied that the system in the U.S. was created to where it can change with the times, because all of the things the forefathers put in place were not right. He noted a lot
of amendments have been made, and this is the latest in doing better for the people and what they want. He surmised if this was put on the ballot, it would win by 65%.
Council Member Kinman affirmed whether at-large or ward-based, she is going to work for all the people of Jacksonville.
Mr. Sansing brought up that Council was voted in by the citizens to be their representatives and to make decisions. He suggested they discuss it, decide what form, and go with it, since
Council is entirely within their right to decide how the voting is done. He confirmed since they have been voted into office, the people trust the decisions they make.
Council Member McCoy mentioned Council voting on ordinances and making decisions for everyone without every citizens’ input; this is no different from that. She suggested keeping an
open mind and not be resistant to change.
Council Member Twitty reiterated that all citizens, not just the ten council members, should make that decision.
Council Member Dietz moved to ADJOURN the meeting. MOTION DIED for lack of a second.
ADDITION TO AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to SUSPEND THE RULES to add an appointment to the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS: A & P COMMISSION
Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Ruple to approve the appointment of Edgar Atilano for a term to expire 03-31-2029. MOTION CARRIED.
RESUME AGENDA:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS: Citizen Concern
Citizen Todd Underwood of 602 Welham Street mentioned considering moving away due to the flooding and uncleanliness of the City. He brought up concerns about grass not being mowed and
trash being around.
Mayor Elmore replied there are hard working city employees to do those jobs, but part of the issue is being understaffed. He noted another problem is people not taking responsibility
and disposing of trash appropriately.
Council Member McCoy suggested starting a group, or connecting with the NAACP group that adopted Graham Road and picks up litter once a quarter.
Council Member Twitty related that she speaks weekly to Code Enforcement regarding such citizen concerns. She told how there is a particular house that is unsafe, trashy, and not mowed
that she get complaints on consistently, but Code has a lengthy list of yards to mow and the process addressing citations is lengthy as well having to wait on court dates, etc.
Mr. Underwood understood, but stated they would like the value of their home to increase and if the neighborhood is going down, their value will as well.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Birthday
Mayor Elmore announced that Council Member Ray will be turning 85 years old this Sunday.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:01 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer