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12 MAR 15.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 15, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 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 March 15, 2012 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Smith delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Traylor, 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: Director of Administration Jim Durham, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, 911 Communications Director Tabby Hughes, Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes, Planning Commissioner Jim Moore, Pastor Ricky Allen, Glenda Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mary Twitty and Ron Higgins, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 1, 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 16 February 2012 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2012 annual crime statistical comparisons. Code Enforcement for February 2012 Assigned Calls 76 Self Initiated Calls 570 Follow up meetings 136 Basketball Goals 16 Hearings attended 20 Structures Inspected 45 Issued Notices/Letters 2 Food Services Inspected 0 Written 20 Properties Red Tagged 9 Vehicles Tagged 48 Search Warrants Served 0 Vehicles Towed 3 Structures Rehabbed 0 Lots posted 0 Structures Condemned 0 Signs removed 187 Houses Demolished by City 0 Trash cans tagged 158 Houses Demolished by Owner 6 Parking Violations 84 Rentals Inspected 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 15, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2012 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $50,000 and a savings total of $250,000. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Animal Control Report for February 2012. Said reports reflect: ADOPTION/FINES: $2,530.00 CONT RIBUTIONS: $ 25.00 TOTAL: $2,555.00 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2012. PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED Building Permits 10 Building Inspections 14 Business Licenses 9 Electrical 28 Plumbing 23 HVACR 11 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Traylor, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: RESOLUTION 676 (#2-2012) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT OF OBLIGATION WITH THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to read Resolution 676 (#2-2012). Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes related that Resolution 676 is a requirement by Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, explaining that is a revision of a similar action the City Council took last year. She related that the Utility is required to post a financial assurance for an amount that would cover the sludge disposal cells should they ever have to be closed out or have any repair work. She noted that the amount this year is $524,944. She stated the contract of obligation that the City offers can only be the amount of general revenue dispersed in the last fiscal year, which is $421,694. She added that this was not the amount approved last year so the State has requested that Resolution be revised to include the exact amount. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 15, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve Resolution 676 (#2-2012 in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: ORDINANCE 1440 (#2-2012) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING JMC §§5.32.110 (NONCONSENSUAL TOWING REGULATIONS); AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith that Ordinance 1440 be placed on FIRST READING. Director of Administration Jim Durham explained that because of continuing complaints to the Arkansas Towing Board, their recommendation to the City of Jacksonville was to adopt an Ordinance similar to what other cities have put into effect. He related that in essence the Ordinance directs that if a property or business owner in Jacksonville has someone’s vehicle towed from their property they must use a towing company located in Jacksonville with a storage lot in Jacksonville that offers 24 hours vehicle availability. He related that there have been a number of complaints regarding vehicles being towed by Little Rock companies who patrol for tows and then charge as much as $600.00 for the owner to retrieve their vehicles. He added that he was told by the investigator at the Arkansas Towing Board that if the City adopted this type of ordinance it would address this situation. Discussion ensued regarding the company making the car available for retrieval 24 hours daily so as not to run up additional charges. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Traylor, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Clerk Susan Davitt read the heading of Ordinance 1440. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1440 on FIRST READING and to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1440 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Traylor, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Clerk Susan Davitt read the heading of Ordinance 1440. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to APPROVE Ordinance 1440 on SECOND READING and to further suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1440 on THIRD and FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 15, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Traylor, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Clerk Susan Davitt read the heading of Ordinance 1440. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that Ordinance 1440 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Traylor, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be APPROVED and ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Traylor, Robinson, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCE APPROVED, ADOPTED, AND NUMBERED 1440 THIS 15th DAY OF MARCH 2012. APPOINTMENT(S): CIVIL SERVICE Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the reappointment of Donnie Farmer & John Kinder for terms to expire 4/01/2017. ADDITION TO AGENDA: BID OPENING FOR SENIOR CENTER City Engineer Whisker related that the bid opening for the Senior Center was held this past Tuesday, explaining that because the soils report was not included, an addendum was issued but two the of original vendors did not receive the correct bid opening schedule and as a result were late turning in alternative bids. He stated that in fairness to all vendors the project is being rebid and re-advertised. He noted that the original bids ranged from $625,000 to $750,000; while the project was only budgeted for $500,000. He added that 75% of the funds will come from the State through the Safe Rooms Program, noting that the State will only pay a certain amount per foot making the City responsible for not only the $125,000 difference but also another $125,000, approximately $250,000 instead of the $125,000 allotted in the budget. He then explained that the architect on the project is going to take this time to revalue engineer the building to get the cost down to the $500,000 that was budgeted. He stated that City Attorney Bamburg recommended that the City Council officially reject all original bids in fairness to vendors and because it was outside the scope of the budget. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to suspend the rules and place the item on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to reject all original bids received on the Senior Center project and to rebid and re-advertise that project following a reevaluation by the architect. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 15, 2012 7:00 P.M. – 7:17 P.M. In response to a question from Alderman Ray, Mayor Fletcher related that this would slightly delay the completion of the project but would allow for the opportunity to reevaluate costs, adding that it would still be completed in time for the City to satisfy grant criteria. He related this project would offer approximately 2500 square foot of exercise space as well as being a safe room. He noted that this allows the Center to expand their activity programs. He then added that in the event of tornatic weather the doors can be opened remotely and would provide a safe haven for citizens of the immediate area. At this time, MOTION CARRIED with Alderman Robinson abstaining. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Mayor Fletcher announced that the Parks and Recreation Department is hosting an Easter egg hunt March 31st beginning at 10:15 a.m. at Excell Park. He then announced that the Citywide Cleanup is being held April 21st, noting that everyone participating should report to the Jacksonville Recycling Center at 8:00 a.m. that morning. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House reported that the Pool opening is still on scheduled for the first week in April. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:17 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer