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13 DEC 19 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:30 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 December 19, 2013 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Alderman Bolden delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Robinson, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT TEN (10), ABSENT (0). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, IT Director Barbara McDaniel, Director of Administration Jim Durham, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy Mattison, Planning Commissioner Jim Moore, Bob and Helen Stroud, Johnny Simpson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 10, 2013 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 21 November 2013 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the Regular Monthly Report for November 2013 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the regular monthly report for November 2013 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $600.00 and a savings total of $9,400.00. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Robinson and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: Update from Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy Mattison Chamber CEO Mattison related that Jacksonville is in the top three vying for the Veterans’ Home, adding that we are competing against North Little Rock and Searcy. She stated that there will be a second presentation in January. Mayor Fletcher recognized Chamber CEO Amy Mattison for her hard work to keep Jacksonville a viable option. She then confirmed for Alderman Howard that Jacksonville is offering two separate sites. She related that one of the sites is on North First Street adjacent to Fire Station #3 consisting of approximately 21.73 acres. She noted that Jacksonville would have to work with the DOD to move the fence line back. She added that it will not be a problem explaining that she has already spoken with Congressman Griffin’s office. She then stated that the other site is on Military Road across from Chapel Ridge Apartments consisting of 30 acres donated by the Wilson family for the Veterans’ Home. She then surmised that there should be a final answer sometime around January/February. RESUME AGENDA: GENERAL: ORDINANCE 1507 (#38-2013) AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FISCAL BUDGET FOR 2014; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES FOR OPERATION OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF CITY GOVERNMENT; FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES COVERING GENERAL FUND OPERATIONS, STREET FUND, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FUND, AND SANITATION FUND; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing that Ordinance 1507 be placed on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Robinson and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1507. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to APPROVE Ordinance 1507 on FIRST READING and suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1507 on SECOND READING. Alderman Traylor noted that the salaries for Parks and Recreation increased by $113,000.00, acknowledging that the City is hiring a new employee for the Shooting Range but that one salary is not $113,000.00. He questioned the difference. Finance Director Cheryl Erkel referred the question to Human Resource Director Jill Ross. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. Human Resource Director Ross stated that she would have to research that data before offering a definitive answer. She then explained that the Shooting Range would have two full-time employees. Alderman Traylor noted that the base salaries are $62,000.00 and Director Ross concurred. He stated that the salaries are up by $56,000.00 over the budget. He questioned and Director Ross concurred that the salaries should be listed under the Shooting Range portion of the budget. She explained that a new Department section was created for the Shooting Range. Mayor Fletcher questioned if the amount would include the person added for maintenance. Director Ross stated that it did not. Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House stated that the only increase to his knowledge would be the salaries for the Shooting Range. Alderman Traylor reiterated the need to resolve the issue prior to passage. He noted that $113,000.00 is half way to being able to restore the employee’s longevity pay. Discussion continued and Alderman Traylor noted a discrepancy with the Fire Department salaries which is up $107,000.00, questioning if they are adding people in 2014. Finance Director Cheryl Erkel stated that the increase reflects the promotions done throughout the year. Alderman Sansing pointed out that the budget has been hashed back and forth for the last three months and everyone knew it would be a tight budget. He stated that the budget is balanced and the only way to cut into the budget further would be to lay employees off. He added that employees are not getting a raise but no one is being laid off. He urged that the budget be adopted. Finance Director Cheryl Erkel noted that she had provided the City Council with a handout regarding the most frequently asked questions of her. She added that she hopes that this information will help answer any questions. Alderman Ray called for a question to the motion. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn and Howard voted AYE (6). Alderman Elliott, Traylor, Twitty and Robinson voted NAY (4). MOTION FAILED. City Attorney Bamburg clarified that it takes 2/3 or 7 votes to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on SECOND READING. 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. Alderman Elliott questioned if the item could still be held for discussion. Mayor Fletcher recognized Alderman Elliott for further discussion. Alderman Elliott recognized the hard work it took to balance the budget but added that after reviewing the entire budget he would like to go on record, regarding the employees, as saying that when there is additional funds he would like to see some of the cuts put back into the budget before spending money on other items. Mayor Fletcher stated that a budget is a projected document of anticipated expenditures as well as revenue. He related that everyone has the same concerns regarding the “pinch” that it causes the employees. He then acknowledged that everyone knew when the budget was 2.9 million out that it would be a tight budget. He noted that unfortunately this is a situation that a lot of cities are facing. He stated that we are unable to make it painless for everyone; it could be made painless for some, but in order to do that we would have to lay employees off. He added that he does not want to lay anyone off. He stated that the Departments have tightened their budgets, to lay anyone off would cut services. Alderman Elliott stated that he feels it is important for the budget to st be approved before January 1 but would like to make the point that cuts should be reinstated prior to spending funds in other directions. Mayor Fletcher stated that while it is true the budget does not have to st be passed until February 1 it would complicate this budget. He noted nd that City Council will meet again on January 2 but that would still be two days of operations under the current budget. Explaining that it would be difficult to find the funds for those two days in the current budget. He added that he would have no objection to meeting again before the end of the year, even on New Year’s Eve to help pass the budget before January. He stated that he believes any issues can be addressed and the budget could be amended if there are any discrepancies. Alderman Elliott moved to APPROVE Ordinance 1507 on FIRST READING and suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1507 on SECOND READING. Mayor Fletcher asked for any further questions regarding the proposed budget. Alderman Traylor questioned the possibility of duplicating telephone services, explaining that he was unable to get a definitive answer. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. Finance Director Cheryl Erkel stated that some of the Internet is provided by Comcast and some of it is provided by CenturyLink. She stated that it is not a case of duplicate services to any one Department. Alderman Traylor stated that it was explained to him that the City has Comcast in case something happens to CenturyLink. IT Director Barbara McDaniel explained that the only place there would be redundancy would be at City Hall and the new Police Department. She then explained that Comcast has a bundle on that account with the televisions, saying that the televisions alone would cost as much as the bundle. She related that Comcast is being used for the Police cars so there are two or three different areas that the two connections are being used for. She concurred that another good reason is in case one of the Internet connections goes down. Alderman Ray seconded the Motion. Alderman Robinson noted that during preliminary budget discussions, there was talk of reducing the schools and seminars being proposed. He stated that he noticed that some of the budgeted amounts are reduced but some are almost the same. He asked if the schools and seminars have been reduced as much as possible. Finance Director Cheryl Erkel assured Alderman Robinson that the schools and seminars have been reduced. She stated that the remaining schools and seminars are the ones that have to be for certifications and continuing education requirements. She stated that it has been cut as much as it can be. Director Durham pointed out that all out-of-state travel has to be approved by the Mayor’s Office. Alderman Bolden stated that his main concern is going past the end of the year without a 2014 budget in place, adding that he has reviewed the budget and had his questions answered. He stated that he feels he can go ahead and vote “yes” on this budget. He stated that while cities are folding, the City of Jacksonville is far from that, adding that he feels this needs to be passed if it takes until midnight. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, and Howard voted (8) AYE. Aldermen Traylor and Robinson voted NAY (2). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1507. Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to APPROVE Ordinance 1507 on SECOND READING and to further suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1507 on THIRD and FINAL READING. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. Alderman Traylor questioned if there is any way to have an answer regarding the discrepancy on the Shooting Range salaries before continuing with passage of the Ordinance. Human Resource Director Jill Ross offered to go to her office and get the paperwork that would help resolve the issue. Mayor Fletcher pointed out that if there is a mistake, it would offer extra money that could be reallocated. He stated that even if the answer is forthcoming at a later time the money will still be there. Alderman Traylor stated that he would prefer to see the Ordinance passed with the longevity pay if possible. Alderman Sansing stated that a bigger concern is that every employee be able to keep their jobs. He noted that employees have already given up a raise and if need be longevity in order to balance the budget. Alderman Traylor stated his concern started with the employees increase in insurance, explaining that he realized going through the budget that there would be no way to get that much money reallocated, he added that the next item down is the longevity pay. Mayor Fletcher asked the City Council to move forward while waiting for Human Resource Director Jill Ross to return with the answer regarding salaries for the Shooting Range. DEVIATION IN AGENDA under APPOINTMENTS: Parks and Recreation Commission appointment of Tony Gordon for a term to expire 5/9/2018. Alderman Ray questioned the reason for not finishing the budget before moving to appointments. He stated that the budget is balanced and any questions can be resolved. He urged that the budget be completed before moving on. Alderman Ray called for a question to the motion. Alderman Sansing also called for a question to the motion. RESUME AGENDA under GENERAL: ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, Robinson and Howard voted AYE (9). Alderman Traylor voted NAY (1). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1507. Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that Ordinance 1507 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. 6 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2013 7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. Alderman Elliott stated that if there is a discrepancy then the City Council needs to look at how that money would be reallocated in this budget. Alderman Sansing noted that annually the budget is amended two, three, or four times so that would not be an issue. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, Robinson and Howard voted AYE (9). Alderman Traylor voted NAY (1). MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, Robinson and Howard voted AYE (9). Alderman Traylor voted NAY (1). MOTION CARRIED. st ORDINANCE APPROVED, ADOPTED, AND NUMBERED 1507 THIS 19 DAY OF DECEMBER 2013. Mayor Fletcher acknowledged the hard work that went into having a balanced budget and thanked the City Council for passing the budget. He stated that while we may not always agree; we are always on the same page as far as motives are concerned. In response to a comment from Director of Administration Jim Durham, City Attorney Bamburg stated that it would take City Council action to modify the budget, adding that it can be done anytime throughout the year. APPOINTMENT(S): PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Bolden to approve the appointment of Tony Gordon to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire 5/9/2018. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:38 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 7