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26 JUL 16REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on July 16, 2026 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, McCoy, Ray, 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 Member Ruple and McCleary were absent. Others present for the meeting were: Police Chief Brett Hibbs, HR Director Charlette Nelson, Finance Director Laura Collie, Assistant Finance Director Brandy O’Brien, CDBG Director Michelle Spencer, IT Director Brian Harvey, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, John Kennon, Richard Falls, and Todd Underwood. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 2, 2026 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 Twitty that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 4, 2026 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Council Member LaBron recalled a citizen’s concern regarding property near Stanphil Road. Code Enforcement Supervisor Marissa Barger clarified that the address is 1216 Military Road. She confirmed it did not collapse, but was condemned. She explained the owner passed away, and the daughter took ownership after probate and submitted a Plan of Action for demolition. She noticed it was taking time, so she sent a final notice with a deadline. She spoke with her Monday when she was notified that she was in the hospital, however, it has been completely demolished; there is just a bit of rubble and foundation. Council Member LaBron seconded the motion at this time. MOTION CARRIED. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JUNE PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 23 Building 31 Business License 7 Electrical 40 Jobs Added 8 Plumbing 45 HVACR 38 FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JUNE Estimated Fire Totals: Loss=$57,000.00 Saved=$1,258,000.00 Transported Runs 285 Non-Transported Runs 154 FIRE 12 HAZARDOUS CONDITION 14 Building Fire 4 Electrical Hazard/Short Circuit 2 Cooking Fire 2 Electrical Power Line Down/Arcing 1 Vegetation/Grass Fire 1 Motor Vehicle Collision 3 Outside Rubbish, Trash 2 Gas Leak 1 Vehicle Fire 3 Odor Investigation 2 Smoke Investigation 5 MEDICAL 361 Medical Call 301 PUBLIC SERVICE 64 Gunshot Wound 1 Citizen Assist/Service Call 1 Pregnancy/Childbirth 3 Fire/Smoke Alarm 16 Motor Vehicle Accident 20 Lift Assist 47 Psychological/Behavior Issue 36 NO EMERGENCY/FALSE ALARM 12 Accidental Alarm 6 Cancelled 1 Malfunctioning Alarm 2 False Alarm/No Emergency Found 3 POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JUNE Topic 2026 2025 2026 2025 Total Complaint Calls 3078 2787 Homicide Reported 1 1 Theft Reported 40 51 Homicide Cleared 1 1 Theft Cleared 37 25 Rape/Sex Assault Reported 1 3 Vehicle Theft Reported 4 4 Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 2 2 Vehicle Theft Cleared 1 1 Robbery Reported 1 1 Felony Cases Reported 117 116 Robbery Cleared 2 2 Felony Cases Closed 56 103 Felony Assaults Reported 20 18 Misd Cases Reported 226 263 Felony Assaults Cleared 9 19 Misd Cases Closed 188 193 Burglary Reported 12 18 Burglary Cleared 6 6 CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JUNE Assigned Calls 103 Demolition by City 3 Self-Initiated Calls 174 Demolition by Owner 0 Follow Up Inspections 666 Parking Violations 2 Complied after Notice 213 Garbage Cans Tagged 1 Three Day Notice 0 Basketball Goals 2 Seven Day Letter 253 Structures Inspected 943 Citation Letters Mailed 58 Apartment Complexes Inspected 0 Citations Issued 8 Red Tags Issued 0 Vehicles Tagged 15 Search Warrants 0 Vehicles Towed 1 Grass Mowed 58 Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Signs Removed 45 Structures Condemned 0 Shopping Carts 15 Structures Rehabbed 0 FINANCE DEPARTMENT INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT/JUNE Total Revenues Total Expenditures General Fund $ 5,500,988 $ 13,224,848 Street Fund $ 1,945,390 $ 1,028,218 Sanitation Services Fund $ 952,535 $ 1,220,914 AG&F Shooting Sports Complex $ 208,335 $ 185,758 EMS Fund $ 1,263,659 $ 1,565,700 WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1818 (#13-2026) AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL PROPERTY OWNERS' MULTIPURPOSE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 6 (MEADOW CREEK PROJECT); AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member McCoy moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to place Ordinance 1818 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1818. Mayor Elmore recalled this being presented previously, but there was an agreement to amend a few things. Representative Attorney Lisa Ferrell mentioned, taking into consideration the comments raised, the ordinance was amended. Council Member McCoy read an excerpt from the May 21st meeting: “City Clerk Davitt read from the petition stating “the cost of construction of various improvements for recreational purposes and the cost of maintaining the landscaping, the dedicated streets.” When she noted there is no cost to the district of maintaining dedicated streets, Ms. Ferrell agreed that “the dedicated streets” can be removed.” She referenced an email from Ms. Ferrell on June 2nd stating she did not amend the petition. Ms. Ferrell explained the petition is the request, but the ordinance has the impact of law. She brought up if they have to file a new petition, it would begin the process again. She reiterated that the ordinance is what governs and it states clearly: “The District shall dedicate the utilities and streets to the City of Jacksonville. After completion and dedication of the infrastructure, maintenance on the infrastructure will be performed by the City of Jacksonville or the agency or company responsible for the utility.” When City Attorney Friedman confirmed she is comfortable with that, Mayor Elmore entertained a motion to approve Ordinance 1818 on first reading and suspend the rules and place it on second reading. No motion was made at this time; therefore, Ordinance 1818 will be re-presented at the next meeting. Ms. Ferrell affirmed she is here to answer any questions or concerns. She mentioned State law requires that a City shall form an improvement district if two conditions are met: 1) the lienholder does not object, which they have proof of, and 2) all landowners have signed and are supportive. She understands there seems to be reluctance to pass it, but Arkansas State Statute says a City shall approve the formation of an improvement district unless those two conditions are not met; they have met both. She welcomed meeting with each council member to determine what the continued reluctance is and work to address it. When no further questions were asked, she noted she will research what the next steps are under Arkansas Law to determine if there is a deadline or if they need to take next additional steps. She hopes to resolve this at the City Council level, rather than elsewhere. b. Main Street Realignment Acquisitions Director of Engineering and Public Works Adam Whitlow stated certified offer letters were sent on June 10th to the five owners the City needs to acquire rights-of-way from for the Main Street Realignment Project. He told how a response was received from all, with one offer accepted as presented, as well as two counteroffers so far. He detailed Cross Roads Free Will Baptist Church, Inc. appraisal value was $200.00, and they counteroffered for $1200.00. He added that Miranda Raines owns the lot on the corner of Western Hills, where the appraisal value was $4,000.00, has counteroffered $10,000.00. Citizen Miranda Raines of 3513 West Main Street wanted to express concerns with the street realignment, noting there is an addition of a bike lane and a sidewalk. She surmised she is the only actual resident out of the five, so this affects her daily. She told how she measured, and when she backs out of her driveway, she will be backing onto the sidewalk every time. She understands having a safe road is important, but it is going to affect her daily. She asked if there is an opportunity to move the bike path further into the woods to give more space in her area. She is grateful that the proposal is no longer a roundabout, but is concerned since it gives her very limited space for additional parking and access to her backyard. She stressed that this realignment will significantly impact her daily life. Council Member Twitty told how she visited the property and is very concerned for Ms. Raines and the drivers coming through every time she backs out. She asked if there is any way to push it further away from her property. Director Whitlow recalled doing that once, confirming it can be looked at as a site modification, but there are regulatory hurdles it has taken to get to this point, since it started well before his employment with the City. Council Member Twitty suggested doing that because it greatly affects Ms. Raines and her family who comes to visit. Director Whitlow confirmed he is comfortable with the geometry and pictures sent and the sidewalk is not in the road, but crosses behind the curb, then an 8’ bike lane, and a white stripe where the traffic pattern is. He understands the concern, but is very comfortable with the safety of it. He highlighted regulations and costs to amend, affirming these designs are from McClelland Engineers and is funded by Metroplan and federal funding. He told how this is the top priority of Metroplan to get funded and bid this year. He explained they have had funds allocated, and at this point, looking at it in the context of construction and change orders would be the much easier process. He brought up if they need to change order out the bike lane and move the improvements, that would be his preferred route. He reiterated he is comfortable with the geometry, McClelland Engineers has stamped it, and it has been reviewed by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, along with lots of engineers and technical people who all concur. He told how Ms. Raines has an extra street before getting to Main Street, so she is not referring to backing out to Main Street. City Clerk Davitt concurred, reiterating she will not be backing out straight onto Main Street; she has a private drive. Director Whitlow noted the entrance to that private drive is going to be pulled back. Ms. Raines stated the measurements she did were to the bike lane, not to the sidewalk. She brought up that when she backs up, she will be on the sidewalk, concurring that she will not be pulling into the road. Council Member Twitty requested Director Whitlow move it as far back as he can to help Ms. Raines. Director Whitlow surmised the Engineers have attempted to take all of that into account to the best of their ability, but is happy to make that request. City Clerk Davitt inquired if the house has a 25’ or 35’ front setback. When Council Member Kinman inquired, Director Whitlow replied if Ms. Raines does not sell her portion, the City can choose not move forward with the project, or do eminent domain, but at this point she has a counteroffer on the table. Mayor Elmore assured it will be looked at; the City cannot promise anything, but Director Whitlow can see if there are any other options available. Ms. Raines reiterated that Director Whitlow has been very nice to work with, very cordial, and she appreciates his work thus far. Director Whitlow told how Medlock Management, LLC spoke to him yesterday and is interested in doing a land swap with the City, so they are getting Bond Engineering to prepare an exhibit. He explained they own property east of Northlake Subdivision that adjoins property the City owns south of Redmond Road. He recalled looking at the City-owned property to mitigate projects on Wooten Road, but they found that it had very little mitigation value to the project. He recommended the City explore the option since the portion they want has very little value, but it will be brought back with a detailed exhibit. He explained that Mr. and Mrs. Ruby has an attorney reviewing their offer and he has not received a confirmed decision yet. Council Member Dietz mentioned appraisals being a basic opinion, noting if three are done, there would be three different values. He stressed that it is a matter of what the seller is willing to accept for their property. Director Whitlow told how Gene and Nancy Griffin Living Trust has accepted their offer as proposed. He recommended to accept the counteroffer of $1200.00 from Cross Roads Church since it seems reasonable. He explained the process for the Uniform Relocation Act requires a certified appraisal, then a review of that certified appraisal with another appraisal. When Council Member McCoy inquired, he confirmed this is an 80% federal/20% City grant, so everything to this point is within the budgeted line item on the grant funds for right-of-way acquisitions. Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to accept the counteroffer of $1200.00 from Cross Roads Free Will Baptist Church, Inc. for .025 acre right-of-way for Parcel #22J0061100100 (4201 West Main Street). MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENTS: JACKSONVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to approve the reappointment of Greg Bollen for a term to expire 03/17/2030. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the reappointment of Shanacee Person for a term to expire 03/17/2031. MOTION CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:34 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE City Clerk-Treasurer