12 DEC 06.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 6, 2012
7:00 P.M. – 7:20 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City
of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on December 6, 2012 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Howard delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led
a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Stroud, Robinson, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor
Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT EIGHT (8), ONE SEAT OPEN. ABSENT (1).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Finance Director
Cheryl Erkel, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Director of Administration Jim Durham, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, IT Director Barbara McDaniel, Public Works
Director Jim Oakley, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Water Department Superintendent Jake Short, Water Manager Sal Pappagallo, 911
Communications Director Tabby Hughes, Glenda Fletcher, Rizzell Aaron, Mary Twitty, Barbara Mashburn, James and Cynthia Bolden, Helen Stroud, interested citizens, and members of the press.
DEVIATION IN AGENDA:
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to address the open City Council seat of Ward 1, Position 2. MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded
by Alderman Stroud to appoint Alderman Elect James Bolden III to fill the unexpired term for Ward 1, Position 2. MOTION CARRIED.
Justice of the Peace Bob Johnson administered the Oath
of Office for Alderman James Bolden III as prescribed by the State of Arkansas.
Alderman Bolden thanked everyone who supported his campaign to serve as Alderman for the City of Jacksonville.
He related his desire to serve faithfully and dutifully the City of Jacksonville, adding his adage to “Stay Motivated”.
RESUME AGENDA:
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Fletcher presented
the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of November 15, 2012 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION
OF MINUTES:
Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 1 November 2012 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 6, 2012
7:00 P.M. – 7:20 P.M.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by
Alderman Elliott to approve the regular monthly report for November 2012.
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED
Building Permits 18 Building Inspections 69
Business
Licenses 8 Electrical 92
Plumbing 84 HVACR 44
ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Traylor, Stroud,
Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT: Request to accept bid for Training Audio Visual Equipment
Finance Director
Cheryl Erkel related that the Fire Department was the lead for the AV equipment that is to be installed in the classrooms of the new public safety building. She stated that the Fire
Department is requesting that the low bid be rejected for not meeting specifications and award the bid to the next low bidder Martin Company in the amount of $79,627.89. She then answered
that the funds would be drawn from the Capital Equipment Fund.
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to reject the low bid of $68,559.00 that did not meet specifications
and award the bid to Martin Company as the next lowest bidder in the amount of $79,627.89.
In response to a question from Alderman Traylor, Battalion Chief Bob Thornton related that
the lower bidder did not include the proper equipment to allow each classroom TV to operate separately. He explained that each classroom needs separate equipment to operate individually.
He stated that if the low bidder had included the necessary equipment they would not have been the lowest bid.
At this time, MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: a. Reject Shooting Range Bids
Mayor Fletcher explained that almost a month ago bids were opened for the
shooting range, saying that they significantly exceeded what was anticipated. He stated that the Game and Fish Foundation has opted to
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 6, 2012
7:00 P.M. – 7:20 P.M.
slow the process, noting that part of the problem was the impending deadline to have
the facility open and operating by March or April. He went on to say that the Foundation now feels it is more important to make sure the facility is constructed correctly than be pushed
by an impossible deadline. He stated that he has another meeting next week with members who are key to the contributions and who have not yet seen the plans because the project has
moved so fast. He added that time is no longer the main factor, the project will move forward at a more normal pace. He stated that he is asking the City Council to reject the bids,
saying that the project would be rebid around the first part of next month.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to reject all bids submitted for the shooting range.
MOTION CARRIED.
b. Request to accept bid for network hardware
Information Technology Director Barbara McDaniel related that the bid is for the hardware regarding the new public safety
building. She explained that while she has never used the low bidder, they did meet all requirements. She recommended the low bid from Data Pages with funds to be drawn from Capital
Equipment.
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to accept the low bid from Data Pages in the amount of $23,412.00 with funds to be drawn from Capital Equipment. MOTION CARRIED.
c. PRESENTATION update of Beechwood Drainage Project
City Engineer Whisker presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the various construction stages of the Beechwood Drainage Project.
He then related that the engineer for the project was Bond Engineering, explaining that the funding for the project came from CAPDD (Central Arkansas Planning and Development) regarding
an 80/20 match. He noted that the project area is in a flood way, pointing out that now the area drains under the railroad tracks through two boxes. He explained that five (5) acres
of land was cleared, saying that the goal was to use the entire project budget of $135,000 to build a pond. He further explained that they were only able to excavate about half the
amount of dirt they had originally wanted to excavate. He reviewed the construction of a berm and the pond location as well as a diversion ditch. He related that the construction was
completed before the rains, which filled the pond in one day. He stated that the project funds enabled them to do 2.5 acres which leaves 2.5 acres for future drainage consideration if
the City is fortunate enough to get another grant. He then added that the City would be willing to allow contractors to remove dirt as long as it is done correctly, which would continue
to widen the pond regarding future drainage considerations. He reported that the Sewer Department was instrumental in the project by raising the area manholes.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 6, 2012
7:00 P.M. – 7:20 P.M.
d. PRESENTATION 2013 Budget
Mayor Fletcher stated that the budget before City Council
is the preliminary budget, asking the members to review the budget before the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. He noted that one uncertainty in the budget was the utility
costs associated with the new public safety building as well as the City’s proportional share regarding the Pulaski County Jail. He related that the County Judge is proposing to open
80 more beds in the County Jail. He stated that the Mayors of Pulaski County have met twice to negotiate these increases with the County Judge. He then noted the expenses regarding
the shooting range, mentioning that the bid process will start in January with a completion date in the summer rather than the spring, which is when the tournaments are usually held.
He stated that the total budget covering the General, Street, Sanitation, and EMS Funds is $200,291.00 more than the amended budget of 2012, which is a .79% increase. He stated that
it is a tight budget, noting that the City lost population after the last census. He explained that it is estimated by Metroplan that each citizen is worth approximately $1,000.00 annually.
He added that Jacksonville lost approximately 1,500 people in the census count, which translates to a loss of approximately 1.5 million dollars. He stated that if Jacksonville had
maintained the same population there would not be the “crunch” that is currently being experienced, adding that this all goes back to the situation with the schools. He stated it is
anticipated that by the end of next year the City will be in the process of starting its own school system. He stated that there will be another public hearing in January, noting that
there is a petition drive, and once the petitions are signed by Jacksonville citizens they will be forwarded to the Judge to seek permission for an election in early spring. He stated
that the good news in this budget is that the employee longevity pay was able to be continued. He then stated that the 2013 budget is 1% over the amended 2012 budget, including a $500.00
employee raise. He asked the City Council to be ready to vote on the balanced budget at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
APPOINTMENT(S):
ANNOUNCEMENT(S): City
Hall Christmas Open House will be held Friday, December 14th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:20
p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER
City Clerk-Treasurer