Loading...
26 APR 16REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on April 16, 2026 at their regular meeting place. Mayor Elmore delivered the invocation and led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT EIGHT (8) ABSENT TWO (2). Council Members Dietz and Ray were absent. Others present for the meeting were: Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Parks & Rec Director Kevin House, Assistant Finance Director Brandy O’Brien, Director of Economic Development Robert Birch, Director of Network Operations Brian Harvey, Deputy Director of Network Operations Shawn Sutterfield, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, Richard Falls, and Todd Underwood. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 2, 2026 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member McCoy moved, seconded by Council Member Ruple that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 19, 2026 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Moss moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 22 Building 58 Business License 5 Electrical 69 Jobs Added 21 Plumbing 57 HVACR 33 FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FEBRUARY Estimated Fire Totals: Loss=$20,000.00 Saved=$1,280,000.00 Transported Runs 277 Non-Transported Runs 120 FIRE 13 NO EMERGENCY 24 Structure Fire 5 Cancelled 4 Outside/Dumpster, Trash 6 False Alarm 15 Transportation/Vehicle Fire 2 Good Intent 5 HAZARDOUS SITUATION 20 PUBLIC SERVICE 85 Hazard Non-Chemical 5 Alarms Non-Medical 18 Hazardous Material 6 Citizen Assist 65 Investigation 9 Weather 1 Other 1 MEDICAL 389 Illness 303 Injury Trauma 76 Other 10 FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH Estimated Fire Totals: Loss=$20,000.00 Saved=$405,000.00 Transported Runs 314 Non-Transported Runs 135 FIRE 21 NO EMERGENCY 15 Structure Fire 2 Cancelled 3 Outside/Dumpster, Trash 18 False Alarm 8 Transportation/Vehicle Fire 1 Good Intent 4 HAZARDOUS SITUATION 15 PUBLIC SERVICE 101 Hazard Non-Chemical 3 Alarms Non-Medical 24 Hazardous Material 5 Citizen Assist 74 Investigation 7 Weather 2 Other 1 MEDICAL 443 RESCUE 4 Illness 356 Elevator 4 Injury Trauma 80 Other 7 POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH Topic 2026 2025 2026 2025 Total Complaint Calls 3593 3068 Homicide Reported 0 1 Theft Reported 31 52 Homicide Cleared 0 2 Theft Cleared 22 31 Rape/Sex Assault Reported 1 4 Vehicle Theft Reported 5 6 Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 3 2 Vehicle Theft Cleared 5 4 Robbery Reported 1 4 Felony Cases Reported 80 123 Robbery Cleared 2 2 Felony Cases Closed 60 69 Felony Assaults Reported 11 16 Misd Cases Reported 231 228 Felony Assaults Cleared 10 5 Misd Cases Closed 198 157 Burglary Reported 7 6 Burglary Cleared 2 0 CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH Assigned Calls 54 Demolition by City 0 Self-Initiated Calls 261 Demolition by Owner 5 Follow Up Inspections 554 Parking Violations 12 Complied after Notice 195 Garbage Cans Tagged 0 Three Day Notice 0 Basketball Goals 2 Seven Day Letter 461 Structures Inspected 869 Citation Letters Mailed 67 Apartment Complexes Inspected 0 Citations Issued 9 Red Tags Issued 9 Vehicles Tagged 59 Search Warrants 0 Vehicles Towed 4 Grass Mowed 0 Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Signs Removed 58 Structures Condemned 0 Shopping Carts 34 Structures Rehabbed 0 FINANCE DEPARTMENT INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT/MARCH Total Revenues Total Expenditures General Fund $ 2,289,879 $ 6,274,558 Street Fund $ 414,017 $ 442,838 Sanitation Services Fund $ 380,213 $ 550,826 AG&F Shooting Sports Complex $ 49,384 $ 83,159 EMS Fund $ 608,384 $ 769,036 WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): GENERAL: a. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 1812 (#07-2026) AN ORDINANCE CONDEMNING STRUCTURES AND REAL PROPERTY AT THE LOCATION NOTED BELOW IN JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, FOR STRUCTURAL DEFECTS, DEFICIENCIES, AND PUBLIC HAZARD CONDITIONS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Elmore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:02 p.m. Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member McCoy to place Ordinance 1812 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1812. Code Enforcement Supervisor Marissa Barger requested the removal of 612 Pamela Street from the ordinance, noting the homeowner has almost completely renovated it and is out of violation at this point. She also requested the removal of 3415 North First Street since the neighboring Bible Baptist Church plans to purchase the property to expand. When Council Member Kinman inquired, she confirmed that 1705 McArthur Drive has been in violation since January 2023 for structural deficiencies regarding the failing foundation. She explained the owner had received an insurance claim on it, then a fire occurred, but that insurance claim slowed because they never corrected the foundation. She related that the owner passed away in October, then the next of kin in February, and there has been no action or other family contact. She told how Code receives complaint calls weekly regarding the property and recalled that the owners hoarded animals; some perished in the fire and the back yard is full of waste. Mayor Elmore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:06 p.m. Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member Mimms to amend Ordinance 1812 by removing 612 Pamela Street and 3415 North First Street and to APPROVE Ordinance 1812, as amended, on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1812, as amended, on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member McCoy to APPROVE Ordinance 1812, as amended, on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1812, as amended, on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member McCoy to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1812, as amended, in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCE 1812 (#07-2026) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026. Supervisor Barger confirmed she has a demolition crew ready for 107 Wilshire Cove after the April 20th deadline and also for some on this ordinance after the 30 day period. She gave an update on the nuisance billboard on Highway 161, saying Code will contact them Monday since today was their deadline. When Council Member Twitty inquired, she listed 1705 McArthur Drive, 8313 Highway 161, and 10028 Mayfair Road as beginning demolition within 45 days; the others will be put in a bid packet. She stated there are also eight already on schedule for demolition this year from previous condemnations; four being worked now, then four others started in the next few weeks. Council Member Ruple mentioned the report in the consent agenda stating over 400 calls for March. He showed appreciation for their work, noting Officer Gonyea recently assisted him with complaints. Supervisor Barger brought up that Code is now back to being fully staffed. When Council Member Twitty mentioned anonymous concern submittals, she replied that the online portal recently crashed, but she will check it tonight. She confirmed citizens can also call it in to them anonymously. APPOINTMENTS: SEWER COMMISSION Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the reappointment of John Ferrell for a term to expire 04/20/2031. MOTION CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cleanup Day Council Member Ruple thanked Parks & Rec Director Kevin House and his staff for planning the Cleanup Day held last Saturday. JHS Car Show & Dyno Council Member Mimms announced there will be a car show held at the High School this Saturday the 18th. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:14 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE City Clerk-Treasurer