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26 JUN 4REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on June 4, 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, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT ONE (1). Council Member Moss was absent Others present for the meeting were: Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief Brett Hibbs, HR Director Charlette Nelson, Finance Director Laura Collie, Economic Development Director Robert Birch, Assistant Finance Director Brandy O’Brien, Communications Director Emily Sundermeier, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, Barry Jefferson, Wyatt Elmore, Marvin Batiste, and Todd Underwood. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 21, 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 Kinman that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 7, 2026 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MAY PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 6 Building 45 Business License 7 Electrical 49 Jobs Added 17 Plumbing 47 HVACR 23 WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): GENERAL: a. Citizen request to speak regarding condemnation Citizen Robert Bamburg of 618 Chaucer Court stated he owns 200 Overland Trail that was included in the latest condemnation. He explained how he requested and received a 90 day extension from Mayor Elmore since his name was on the only notice received. He reiterated that the notice of public hearing had the Mayor’s name on it, so he addressed his request to him. He confirmed he is attempting to sell it and relayed that any condemnation action would stop the sale, which it did. He related that he is still attempting to sell and whoever purchases it must make progress and pursue remediation. He noted he is not a skilled laborer, but must turn it over to someone who is. He would hate to see the City lose a taxpaying residence and end with a vacant lot. He affirmed that the house is able to be fixed but he is not the person to do it, so he is putting it up for sale. He told how this is the first time hearing of issues with the property since 2023. He stated he had not heard, received, seen, or had any contact with Code regarding the property, which is why he addressed his request to the Mayor who has the authority to grant such. He requested Council to consider amending the ordinance passed in order to give 90 days. He told how he is showing the house to a potential buyer tomorrow who has the skills and ability to remediate. Council Member McCoy mentioned owners being at meetings and working with Code. She requested Code Enforcement Supervisor Marissa Barger to go over attempted notices, recalling Mr. Bamburg not being present at the meeting. When Mr. Bamburg confirmed his email stated he could not be present and he was excused from attending, City Attorney Friedman noted that information was not shared with Council. Supervisor Barger told how Code mailed nine letters to the same property where the certified letter was signed for regarding the structural concerns in 2025 and 2026, as well of others regarding outside storage and fencing. She brought up an unsheltered person consistently sleeping under the carport and, as of May 22nd, their belongings were still there. She confirmed the lawn has been maintained, but reiterated that the carport is full of debris that Code has cleaned once before, then a week later was back. She affirmed that the house is in the same, if not worse, condition from 2023 to now. She surmised with his work history with the City, he knows he has to maintain his property and has been provided Code’s contact information. She related that there has been no contact to herself regarding the condemnation; not by phone, email, or in person. She detailed how Code placed notices on the door of the property and provided copies of the letters mailed. Mr. Bamburg stated he has not received those; the ones he received in 2023 were in response to an FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request he had to file in order to get information. He mentioned since 2023, he has not received anything from the City regarding the property until the certified notice of public hearing sent by the Mayor. Supervisor Barger confirmed the letters were sent to Mr. Bamburg’s primary residence at 618 Chaucer Court. Mr. Bamburg added that he has received mail from other City departments on a regular basis, but has not seen anything from Code. Supervisor Barger reiterated there were orange notices put on the doors and windows stating the house is unsafe, but they were scratched off. She referenced available pictures of every visit from 2025 to current, as well as 2023. She told how Code has had several properties sell after condemnation where the new owner provides a Plan of Action, then after repair, they remove it from condemnation status. She confirmed there are no immediate plans for demolition of this property due to the nature of the situation. City Attorney Friedman shared a concern of optics; having close proximity to the Mayor somehow can circumvent people from complying with every other ordinance that every other citizen has to comply with. Mr. Bamburg affirmed that is not his request; he is not asking for an exemption or anything more than what any other property owner received. City Attorney Friedman related that they have come to the meeting and asked, or went to Code Enforcement. Mr. Bamburg said he cannot respond to things he does not receive and he does not go to the property on a daily basis due to his schedule. He stated that he has cleaned the property and maintained it, but has struggled with the unsheltered. He mentioned if anyone were to see it today, they would know there is no one there and nothing under the carport. When Council Member Twitty inquired, Supervisor Barger explained if there is a new owner, the case starts over since Code cannot cite the new one for what the past one did. She reiterated if a property is sold, Code will allow the new owner to submit a Plan of Action and when it is repaired, structurally sound, and habitable, they remove it from condemnation status. Council Member McCoy recommended Mr. Bamburg to work with Supervisor Barger on the selling process so the buyer can also work with Code. Mr. Bamburg related that all potential buyers know the requirement of taking action to satisfy the City and make progress in a timely fashion. When Council Member LaBron asked what if it does not sell in 90 days, he replied that he would pursue what has to be done in order to bring it into compliance. He confirmed the emergency clause was attached to the ordinance. When asked by Council Member Kinman, he responded that the fire occurred around 2015, noting this property was included in his divorce process and he did not get clear title to it for approximately 4.5 years. He explained there was insurance on the house, but they did not pay anything and only offered 1/10th of what was needed for repair. He presented a copy of the public hearing notice received, noting at the bottom it is issued under Mayor Elmore. He brought up that there may be information at the top from the Police Department, but he knows Chief Hibbs does not take care of these properties, so he responded to the Mayor. Council Member Twitty acknowledged Council giving citizens 90 days, noting that Code works extremely hard and is overwhelmed, but one main reason for her vote was because there was no contact with them, which felt like disrespect. She asked, going forward, is there a problem working with Supervisor Barger and staying in contact with Code. Mr. Bamburg replied that whoever he is directed to stay in contact with is who he will be in contact with and that is not an issue. Council Member McCoy pointed out that every letter has the exact same mailing address but only the certified one was received, which is concerning. She also felt it was disrespectful to Supervisor Barger for there to be no contact. She stated if Council approves 90 days, the same meeting attendance requirement would apply. She confirmed Council has not amended an ordinance for someone to receive a 90 day extension; it was done prior to passage. Mr. Bamburg recalled in the past there have been numerous properties extended or omitted from the ordinance, which is a common process in hopes of not having a vacant lot in a residential area. Council Member McCoy clarified that it was done prior to the passage. Supervisor Barger mentioned, of the four properties removed, three were present at the meeting and all four submitted a Plan of Action to Code and have kept in contact with her. Mayor Elmore related that the property was not supposed to have made it this far to Council for condemnation. He explained that Mr. Bamburg reached out 2.5 weeks prior to the meeting and asked what could be done. He told how his response was that the best he can do is what has been done for others, which is 90 days; nothing more, nothing less. He noted that the property should not have been on the condemnation list that night, but through miscommunication, it was not removed. He stated that he was not prepared to say anything about the reason for Mr. Bamburg’s absence at the meeting because he had already told him that Code will give him 90 days. Supervisor Barger told how the Mayor informer her that Mr. Bamburg requested a 90 pause, like others were granted. She agreed, but requested a Plan of Action. She also relayed to the Mayor that in the past, she had to request the 90 days at the council meeting because it was already on the agenda. Mayor Elmore stated it was not on the agenda yet because we were not at the point where agendas were due. Supervisor Barger mentioned the ordinance had already been sent to City Attorney Friedman, so she was under the impression that it could not be removed. She reiterated that to this day, she has not received a Plan of Action or contact from Mr. Bamburg. When Council Member McCoy asked is every citizen whose property is listed for condemnation able to contact the Mayor’s Office and request a 90 day pause, Mayor Elmore concurred, adding that anyone can contact him any time. Mr. Bamburg reiterated that this has been done in numerous circumstances and properties that are not going to be condemned are commonly not included in the ordinance. He shared that agendas are not released until the Monday prior to the meeting and he had contacted Mayor Elmore far before then. He assured there is no intention of disrespect, he simply responded to the person whose name was on the bottom of the notice. He explained after requesting the pause, he also requested to be excused from the meeting due to his scheduling conflict and believed everything was appropriate and done, then found out otherwise afterwards. He noted that the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the City and his authority is greater than the employees. Council Member Kinman moved to grant Robert Bamburg a 90 day extension on the condemnation of 200 Overland Trail. Council Member Ruple recalled that it was still the majority will of Council to deny the 90 days at the previous meeting. He affirmed that the Mayor did not show any bias or favoritism. He recommended if an extension is granted, that Mr. Bamburg attend the next meeting for an update. Council Member Ray seconded the motion on the floor. When Mayor Elmore requested clarification on Council Member Kinman’s motion, City Clerk Davitt confirmed that it would include an amendment to Ordinance 1817 (#12-2026). Council Member Twitty acknowledged there was a motion and second on the floor, adding that Mr. Bamburg has agreed to work with Supervisor Barger and she can keep Council up to date on the property. Supervisor Barger requested something in writing from Mr. Bamburg regarding the intent of the property. Mr. Bamburg agreed to do so, reiterating that he will meet with his potential buyer tomorrow before he submits a Plan of Action. When Council Member Ruple asked if he can get a Plan to Supervisor Barger a week from today, he concurred. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCleary and McCoy voting NAY. b. DEMONSTRATION Online Boards and Commissions Volunteer Form Council Member McCoy recalled proposing an online form last March, noting it would be beneficial for Council and citizens to receive a demonstration of how it works. IT Director Brian Harvey briefly demonstrated the newly launched online Boards and Commissions Volunteer Form and provided an instructional handout. He noted that the form can be accessed through the city’s website and Facebook page to be submitted online or in paper form to the Mayor’s Office. He highlighted the option of receiving a confirmation email after a completed online submission and how the Mayor and City Clerk’s Office will receive email notifications. He showed an example of a confirmation email and also what the paper form consists of. He recommended online submission since it is faster with more immediate responses. Council Member McCoy asked if there is a received stamp for those who turn in a paper form, or some way to track submission. City Clerk Davitt confirmed that is possible. Council Member Ruple noticed the paper contained the consent to a police and record check, but the online form does not. He requested it to be consistent. When Mayor Elmore and City Clerk Davitt agreed it needs to be on both forms, Director Harvey affirmed he can add it. When Council Member Ruple requested a submission confirmation be emailed automatically, Director Harvey noted he can verify that possibility. APPOINTMENTS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Ruple mentioned the Code Enforcement monthly report. He thanked the department for their great work all over the City. Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION regarding personnel at approximately 6:50 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member Mimms to RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION at approximately 7:18 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Elmore stated it was a personnel discussion with no action taken. He explained that it will be worked on and presented at a later date. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:19 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE City Clerk-Treasurer