26 MAY 7REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on May 7, 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, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum.
PRESENT TEN (10) ABSENT ZERO (0).
Others present for the meeting were: Parks & Rec Director Kevin House, Division Chief of EMS Drew Cargile, HR Director Charlette Nelson, Finance Director Laura Collie, Assistant Finance
Director Brandy O’Brien, CDBG Director Michelle Spencer, Director of Network Operations Brian Harvey, Network Operations Phillip Lee, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, Reginald Ford,
Richard Falls, and Todd Underwood.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 16, 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 April 2, 2026 be APPROVED.
MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCoy to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/APRIL
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 29 Building 53
Business License 9 Electrical 81
Jobs Added 15 Plumbing 74
HVACR 48
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT: ORDINANCE 1813 (#08-2026)
AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF LIFEPAK 35 CARDIAC MONITORS, ACCESSORIES, AND WARRANTIES FOR THE JACKSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS DIVISION; FOR APPROPRIATE
IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCESS FOR THE JACKSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REPRESENTATIVES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member McCoy moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to place Ordinance 1813 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty,
Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Clerk Davitt read the heading of Ordinance 1813.
Fire Chief Alan Laughy referred to the Cardiac Monitor Usability and Performance Study done in two phases. He noted that the Advanced Cardiac Monitors are very expensive and require
a sales representative, but there is a direct correlation between the quality of product and service of those and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). He feels this particular
monitor, although not the lowest unofficial bid, is the best quality for their paramedics, EMTs, and the citizens of Jacksonville. When Council Member McCoy inquired, he replied that
they currently have four monitors with one backup; they last bought them eight years ago, but they are suggested to be replaced after five. He confirmed he did two, and started a third,
three-year maintenance contract to keep the current ones functioning. When Council Member Ruple inquired, he told how they are considering keeping an older one in reserve and mentioned
a possible turnback on the used ones as money back or store credit with the vendor.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCoy to APPROVE Ordinance 1813 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1813 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE Ordinance 1813 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1813 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1813 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron,
Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss,
Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1813 (#08-2026) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF MAY, 2026.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT: Request to accept bid: 2026 Asphalt Overlay Program
Director of Engineering and Public Works Adam Whitlow related the public bid opening was April 28th; there were five plan holders, but only two submitted bids. He confirmed the low bid
was CK Asphalt with a base bid of $540,162.85; $489,031.35 with the deductive alternate applied, which is a 7’ tapered edge mill and overlay that CK Asphalt did last year, instead of
a full mill and overlay. He recommended to award the bid to CK Asphalt with the deductive alternate applied. He confirmed it will come out of the Street Fund.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCoy to accept the low bid, with the alternative deductible applied, of $489,031.35 from CK Asphalt LLC for the 2026 Asphalt Overlay
Program. MOTION CARRIED.
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION: a. ORDINANCE 1814 (#09-2026)
AN ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS (LOCATED BETWEEN JOHN HARDEN DRIVE AND OLD HWY 67; TONEYVILLE ROAD); AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 213 AND 238 AND
THE LAND USE MAP OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to place Ordinance 1814 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty,
Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Clerk Davitt read the heading of Ordinance 1814.
Director Whitlow related that R-8 zoning is an RV park and there were no oppositions to the request. He recalled another RV park approved in this area, but it is slowly being worked
on still.
Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE Ordinance 1814 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1814 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL:
Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE Ordinance 1814 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1814 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member LaBron moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1814 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron,
Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1814 (#09-2026) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF MAY, 2026.
b. DISCUSSION: Master Street Plan Update
Director Whitlow related what prompted this was a request from RE/MAX Homefinders Principal Broker Daniel Gray to abandon a right-of-way dedicated via plat years ago. He pointed out
that it is adjacent to the Dollar General on Military Road, noting at the time, the City had territorial jurisdiction outside city limits and the Master Street Plan showed J.P. Wright
Loop Road eventually connecting to Southeastern Avenue. He mentioned since it is outside city limits, the City cannot abandon the right-of-way; it has to be
petitioned to the County. He explained that the four areas with proposed streets in the Plan do not make sense, and with this one in particular, Staff saw no merit to extend since it
already terminates into an arterial State Highway. He believes the Planning Commission recommended Council remove all streets shown on the Plan lying outside city limits, which he supports.
He mentioned it may be a simple textual amendment, but Mr. Gray is seeking a letter of support that can be taken to the County with his petition to abandon. He brought up when a right-of-way
is abandoned, the property goes to the adjoining owners; the County does not get it, but are stewards of public rights-of-way. He feels it is warranted for Council to support it, or
do a textual amendment for the four proposed streets existing outside city limits. He confirmed he plans to undertake a more significant Plan update in the future. When Council Member
Ruple inquired, he affirmed that City resources are not being used to maintain it since it is only a dedicated right-of-way, with no physical improvements, on undeveloped property.
He recalled cities having territorial jurisdiction of five miles, then one mile, and last year Arkansas Legislature removed it completely, so there is no reason for it. He brought up
the possibility of a letter of support for Mr. Gray’s petition, which has a timing issue to it.
City Clerk Davitt suggested authorizing acceptance from the recommendation of the Planning Commission and the City Engineer’s Office provide a letter of confirmation to the interested
parties, which would require a vote.
When Council Member McCoy inquired about the timeline, Director Whitlow was unaware, but affirmed there is a property transaction pending.
Council Member McCoy stated she would like to see the letter first.
Council Member Kinman asked if this is just to clean up something that never should have happened.
Director Whitlow concurred, noting it is cleaning up unusable property that will make the property usable for a higher intended use, which is good for everyone going forward.
When Council Member Moss asked if Council will see the letter before approval, Mayor Elmore confirmed that it will be made available if that is the will of Council.
Director Whitlow shared that the Planning Commission vote was to relay it to Council for support.
When City Clerk Davitt confirmed it was the recommendation of the Planning Commission, Director Whitlow concurred, noting it did not get put into an ordinance form to be presented to
Council.
Mayor Elmore pointed out that action can be taken at the next meeting.
COMMITTEE(S):
GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1815 (#10-2026)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE METHOD OF SELECTION FOR THE OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY SHALL BE APPOINTED RATHER
THAN ELECTED; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mayor Elmore asked to suspend the rules to table the ordinance for future discussion. He explained that he is putting together a temporary advisory group comprised of 7-9 citizens to
meet with him, discuss this issue, and receive feedback. He reiterated that he would like to table this if there is no objection from Council. When Council Member McCoy inquired, he
replied that he will be selecting members from all wards. He related that they will work on the formalities of how they will come back with a report to Council.
Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to suspend the rules to remove Ordinance 1815 (#10-2026) from the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
b. RESOLUTION 857 (#04-2026)
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR THE WOOTEN ROAD INDUSTRIAL SITE; AUTHORIZING THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS FOR
SITE DUE DILIGENCE ACTIVITIES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCoy to read Resolution 857 (#04-2026). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Clerk Davitt read the heading of Resolution 857 (#04-2026).
Director of Economic Development Robert Birch recalled applying for a grant last year, but when the City did not receive it, they were allowed to reapply this year in two phases. He
mentioned the first is for due diligence work, which includes soil borings, historical research, and two environmental study phases, so when a company comes, the information is available
to them. He confirmed it also allows them to request a $4 million grant next year to assist with widening Wooten Road. He told how the feedback received included the lack of due diligence
and the width of the road; which has held it back. He affirmed that it has been shown more than anything else and has gotten good feedback on the ground, but without the due diligence
work, it gets overlooked since it is not shovel-ready. He brought up that the 220 acres is close to interstates, airport, the Port of Little Rock, and how the State wants to certify
it, making it a premier site. He stated that getting preliminary work done is key and will allow them to apply next year for a larger grant. When Council Member Moss inquired, he replied
that it is located south of the City and was once proposed to be fairgrounds. He related that utilities were run, but an electrical improvement needs to be made from single-phase to
three-phase. When Council Member McCoy inquired, he replied that it is a 60/40 grant and the larger grant should be 80/20. He hopes the due diligence will not cost as much as the $51,800.00
grant since he reached out to a company who did a Phase 1 study on the site for Sig Sauer three years ago and will request an update to save money. He estimated costs to be at approximately
$15,000.00.
Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to adopt Resolution 857 (#04-2026) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS: PLANNING COMMISSION
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to approve the appointment of Todd Underwood to the unexpired term of Terry Sansing set expire 01/01/2028. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER COMMISSION
Council Member Ray moved to approve the reappointment of Logan Perry for a term to expire 04/30/2034.
When Council Member Ruple asked if it is always an 8-year term for Water Commission or is there a way for Council to change it, City Clerk Davitt confirmed it is in the State Statute
and ordinance adopted by Council.
Council Member Ruple seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCoy voting NAY.
Council Member Twitty shared that Commissioner Perry was not told to be present tonight; he had prior engagements regarding his children’s sporting events and coaching.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Elmore referenced the citizen sign-up sheet, noting James Bolden III and Theresa Cook had departed the meeting. He asked citizen Richelle Brittain if she would like
to speak at this time, where she confirmed she will wait until her item of interest is brought back on the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Community Needs Assessment Survey
CDBG Director Michelle Spencer stated she will extend the survey to May 15th, noting it is posted on the City website, Facebook page, and paper copies are available at the Community
Development Office. She requested as many citizens as possible to fill it out to best know the needs and get everyone’s input.
High School Graduation
Council Member Mimms announced the High School’s graduation will be May 14th 7:00 p.m. She stated the Senior Parade is May 12th beginning around 11:15 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:37 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer