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91 MAR 21.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 21, 1991 7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING  CITY HALL  #1 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on March 21, 1991 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Marshall Smith delivered the invoca-tion after which Mayor Swaim led the standing audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty were present. Alderman Fletcher came in at approxi-mately 7:05 p.m. PRESENT, NINE (9), ABSENT, (1). Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. Others present for the meeting: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Fire Chief Rick Ezell, Personnel Director Michael Beeman, City Engineer Duane Reel, Assistant Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Deputy City Clerk Teresa Parker, Sanitation Superintendent Billy Gilmore, other city employees, interested citizens, members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 7, 1991 for study and action at the next regular meeting of the council. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 21, 1991 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular Monthly Report of the Jacksonville Fire Department for February which reflects an estimated fire loss of $15,550.00, be APPROVED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletch-er, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular Monthly Report of the Jacksonville Police Department for February which reflects COMPUTER COLLECTION, $25,378.63, MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS $18,248.97 AND REPORT COPIES $221.00 for a TOTAL of $43,848.60. Aldermen Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletch-er, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 21, 1991 7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M. SEWER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: Discussion: FUNDING OF ITEMS DELETED FROM THE 1991 BUDGET Mayor Swaim requested that the Council approve funding for items deleted during 1991 budget consideration from the proposed Police Department Budget. No specific items were named and the dollar amount requested was $21,000.00. Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that $21,000.00 be added to the Police Department portion of the1991 budget to fund items deleted during budget hearings. MOTION CARRIED. STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPAR1MENT: REVIEW OF SANITATION ORDINANCE No. 639 Ref: Removal of Trees Mayor Swaim explained the existing problems with picking up waste generated in the cutting down of trees. He said that the cost per load for dumping yard waste is $63.00 and that the city has charged $100.00 per load in instances where there has been an excessive amount of limbs to be picked up adding that each house-hold pays $96.00 per year for trash service. He pointed out that by ordinance, the city does not have to pick up any tree waste and that all or sections of the ordinance could be republished to make the public aware if the council sees fit. Alderman Knight mentioned that last month the landfill fees for dumping limbs and trees was approximately $7,000.00 and that mid-March the fees are $5,300.00. She voiced that she felt the guidelines in the ordinance make it necessary for persons to pay for the service. Mayor Swaim pointed out that the sanitation department is a break-even operation and that rising costs have made it necessary for the city to come up with a program to compost yard waste adding that a fee of $100.00 per trash load will continue. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 21, 1991 7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M. Alderman Ray voiced that he felt the public should be made aware of the ordinance and that the responsibility of the persons cutting down a tree or trees should be made clear. A short discussion ensued regarding the kind of equipment needed to set up a compost system for yard waste and the consensus of the council was that Mayor Swaim look into the matter and bring a request to go out for bids for the same when he sees fit. He pointed out that $60,000.00 was budgeted to cover the cost of yard waste disposal in the 1991 budget. Mayor Swaim voiced that there is the possibility that the Waste-water Utility and the City may be able to work together in the composting of yard waste collected in the city. He said that a Senate Bill which says that there will be no yard waste accepted in the landfills by 1993 which means that by that time the city will have to make some kind of adjustment in its waste disposal programs. He added that the sanitation department is not subsidized by any tax dollars at this time as far as operations are concerned, and that the city should be as strin-gent as possible on what is picked up until something is designed to dispose of the yard waste. Mayor Swaim said that the city will continue the $100.00 fee which covers the dumping fee, cost of the truck and labor, adding that the trees should be cut in a manageable size. He asked permission to go deeper into implementing a program of composting yard waste as far as a search for equipment etc. The Council agreed that the Mayor should proceed with the com-posting endeavor. He said that in approximately three years, equipment could proba-bly pay for the equipment needed. He invited the Council to view a tape after the meeting showing equipment which can probably be used in the endeavor. GENERAL: a. Discussion: CITY PARTICIPATION IN "WELCOME HOME" FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL The Mayor voiced that the celebration, which is in the planning stages, would be in support of anyone who served in the Military during the Desert Shield, Desert Storm Program plus those who CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 21, 1991 7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M. served in the United States filling in for persons who were in the Gulf during the war. He said that the festivities are being planned for the later part of May and that expenses will be shared by the Chamber of Commerce and the LRAFB. He said that a celebration is being planned by the State of Arkansas is scheduled for JUNE 29, 1991 which will give Jackson-ville the opportunity to have a parade. He said that he has asked the Jacksonville Real Estate Council to work on a float, which they have agreed to do if the city will bear the expense of materials used. He said that he would like the city to be repre-sented in the parade. The Council discussed a conservative and a liberal amount regard-ing the expenditure. The Mayor noted that the Chamber of Commerce is going to try to raise $12,000.00 for the "Welcome Home" city parade. Alderman Smith voiced that he does not have a problem with $5,000.00 being designated for the expenditure. Comments were made by Alderman Fletcher that the celebration should include a spiritual segment which was sanctioned by the other council members. Mayor Swaim requested that Alderman Fletcher work with the Cham-ber and include that in the activities and also related that a parade, open house at the LRAFB with some type of picnic type food for everyone are being planned. Attorney Bamburg added that the space for such a celebration is adequate on base, that an athletic event may be included in the middle of the activities and that probably a fireworks display will conclude the evening adding that plans are incomplete at this time. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that a $5,000.00 maximum be appropriated from the Contingency Fund, $3,000.00 going to the Jacksonville "Welcome Home" festivities and $2,000.00 going toward the celebration to be held June 29, 1991 by the State of Arkansas honoring all those who were involved in the conflict in the Gulf. MOTION CARRIED. b. Discussion: CABLE TELEVISION LEGISLATION CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 21, 1991 7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M. Mayor Swaim pointed out that Senate Bill 12, which was in commit tee last week, would allow more competition in the cable busi-ness. He said that hopefully some regulation would be put into the business which now has a monopoly. He said that the problem is not only local but one that is felt throughout the nation. He noted that 700 mayors presented a letter to a committee in Washington regarding deregulations with regard to cable televi-sion service. He suggested that everyone interested in the matter contact their legislators and express their opinions regarding Senate Bill 12. Alderman Ray reiterated that Mr. Mike Wilson of Cable Television said that programming costs made the increase necessary. It was noted that North Little Rock is doing a feasibility study regarding having their own cable television service and have offered to let the City of Jacksonville join with them and be included in the study. No action was taken on the item of business. APPOINTMENTS: Reappointment of Mr. Ferrel Gray to the Housing Authority for a five year term to expire 3/17/1996 Alderman Fletcher moved seconded by Alderman Ray that Mr. Ferrel Gray be reappointed to the Housing Authority for a five year term to expire 3/17/1996. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT: Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Ray, that the meet-ing adjourn at approximately 7:40 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, _____________________ _______________________ Lula M. Leonard MAYOR City Clerk Treasurer