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12 FEB 16.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:34 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 February 16, 2012 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Smith delivered the invocation and the fifth grade class from Bellwood Elementary led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Stroud, Robinson, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Director of Administration Jim Durham, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, IT Director Barbara McDaniel, Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Kennon, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, 911 Communications Director Tabby Hughes, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Mike Wilson of Comcast, Planning Commissioner Jim Moore, Glenda Fletcher, Marie Fletcher, Jennifer Wintz, Mary Twitty, Lucien Shockley, Helen Stroud, Pastor Ricky Allen, Pastor Cecil Gibson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 2, 2012 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 19 January 2012 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the Regular Monthly Report for January 2012 annual crime statistical comparisons. Code Enforcement for January 2012 Assigned Calls 93 Self Initiated Calls 438 Follow up meetings 155 Basketball Goals 13 Hearings attended 12 Structures Inspected 6 Issued Notices/Letters 1 Rentals Inspected 2 Written 12 Properties Red Tagged 9 Vehicles Tagged 45 Search Warrants Served 3 Vehicles Towed 1 Structures Rehabbed 0 Lots posted 0 Structures Condemned 0 Signs removed 50 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 90 Houses Demolished by Owner 1 Parking Violations 113 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the Regular Monthly Report for January 2012 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $100,000 and a savings total of $100,000. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the Regular Monthly Animal Control Report for January 2012. Said reports reflect: ADOPTION/FINES: $1,630.00 CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 100.00 TOTAL: $1,730.00 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the Regular Monthly Report for January 2012. PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED Building Permits 5 Building Inspections 22 Business Licenses 16 Electrical 32 Plumbing 31 HVACR 15 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Stroud, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. PRESENTATION in honor of Black History Month Alderman Kevin McCleary introduced his former classmate Pastor Cecil Gibson. Pastor Cecil Gibson performed an emotionally moving and poignant rendition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech. Mayor Fletcher and the City Council joined in thanking Pastor Gibson and expressing their appreciation for his rendition of the speech. Mayor Fletcher noted that he was blessed to be able to see Pastor Gibson deliver the “I have a Dream” speech in Conway last week. A copy of Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech is attached to the minutes as matter of permanent record. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M. b. PRESENTATION by Mike Wilson of Comcast Mr. Wilson presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding an introduction to “Internet Essentials”, a program developed to help low income families get connected to the Internet. He stated that the digital divide between those who have access to the Internet and those who do not is a nationwide problem. He reiterated that Comcast has developed this program and is in the process of implementation. He stated that this project is a community effort, urging that it takes everyone working together to make it happen. He reviewed statistics for conquering the digital divide, noting that approximately 92% of American households have access to broadband. He stated that the real issue is the broadband adoption rate, which is currently at 65%, making the non-adoption rate 35%. He related that income and cost are the main factors, pointing out that homes with income greater than 30 thousand have an Internet adoption rate of 87%, while homes with less than 30 thousand only have an adoption rate of 52%. He stated that in order to close the digital divide there must be a focus on low income families. He related that an FCC survey identified three major barriers that keep non-adopters from getting broadband; cost, digital literacy, and relevance. He related that the Internet Essentials program was designed by Comcast along with the FCC to address these issues. He stated that this is one of the first programs of its type to directly confront the digital divide by providing affordable access to home Internet service, a discount-priced computer and training for low income families. He related that Comcast has committed to provide Internet service for $9.95 a month and an option for low income families to purchase a computer for $150.00. He pointed out that in order to be eligible a resident needs to be located within the area Comcast offers Internet service; have at least one child receiving free or reduced school lunches through the National School Lunch Program; has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days; and does not have an overdue Comcast bill. He related that there is a potential to reach 108 schools, 53,000 students and 33,000 students on free and reduced lunches in the Comcast central Arkansas area. He noted that the school districts are working with Comcast to identify those students that are eligible, adding that Comcast is also working with many community based organizations. He stressed that this is a community effort, explaining that the Internet is a true levelizer. He related that all students have access to Internet at school but it is equally important for them to have access at home for research and homework. He pointed out that it would also enable teachers to use online resources and tools to expand the flow of information and personalize learning opportunities for students. He stated that it would also allow parents to become engaged with their children’s education. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M. He reviewed the initial results, pointing out that Comcast has publicized the program across more than 4,000 school districts and over 300,000 schools nationwide; partnered with more than 3,000 governors, mayors, local, state, and federal legislators and community based organizations to promote Internet Essentials and engage eligible families. Comcast has offered digital literacy training, and has connected over 41,000 families (an estimated 160,000 Americans) to the Internet. He stated that in the first six months of the Program, Comcast learned that participation is tied to the school and community engagement, noting that the application process needs to be as simple as possible. In 2012, Comcast is looking to expand the criteria to include reduced school lunch families, which will add approximately 300,000 households, totaling 2.3 million eligible families. He added that they plan to double the speed up to 3 Mbps downstream, and 768 Kbps upstream. He related that many community-based partners have offered to sponsor and help provide monthly fees and computers to students. He noted that one exciting aspect has been that the FCC, other cable operators, and the telephone companies are working to drive adoption and reduce hardware costs to families. He stated that there will be a lot of opportunities for the students in the Jacksonville area. In response to a question from Mr. Ivory Tillman, Mr. Wilson explained that they have been in discussions with the Pulaski County School District to help get the word out about the Program, adding that additional training is part of the plan. He pointed out that the children are already using the Internet at school, and it may be the kids who end up teaching the parents how to use the Internet. Mayor Fletcher and the City Council expressed their appreciation for his presentation. c. DISCUSSION Annual Joint Planning Meeting. Mayor Fletcher noted that the Annual Joint Planning meeting had been scheduled for February 28th, but offered that it might be more a productive meeting to have Mr. Dan Burton of “Livable, walkable communities” to facilitate a meeting with the City of Jacksonville in March. It was the consensus of the City Council to dispense with the regularly scheduled meeting in lieu of potentially scheduling Mr. Burton to host a meeting in Jacksonville sometime in March. APPOINTMENT(S): 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Mayor Fletcher announced that on February 15th the Pathfinder Dream Team basketball team competed in the Special Olympics Area 5 games at Cabot High School and won medals in their division, advancing them to the State games held in Russellville on March 30th. Mayor Fletcher expressed pride in the Pathfinder organization and their accomplishments. Mayor Fletcher then recognized Aldermen Kenny Elliott, Marshall Smith, and Bill Howard who are in the first graduating class of the Arkansas Municipal League Elected Officials program. Mayor Fletcher then announced that the Signs & Billboard Committee will host their first meeting February 28th at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. He reminded City Council members to register for the Arkansas Municipal League Annual Conference to be held June 20-22 in Hot Springs. POOL UPDATE Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Kennon stated that the pool is progressing on schedule, noting a change order to fix the outer wall as well as the insulation in the ceiling. She related that the HVAC unit will not be installed until the last week in March, adding that the proposed opening date will be around the 1st of April. Mayor Fletcher noted that the pearlings were completed rusted, adding that it was more of a hazard than anyone could have speculated. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:34 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 5