91 NOV 21.doc
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 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 November 21, 1991, at the regular meeting
place of the Council. Alderman Marshall Smith delivered the
invocation after which Mayor Swaim led the standing audience in
the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag.
ROLL CALL:
Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson
and Keaton were present. Alderman Twitty came in at approximate-
ly 7:02 p.m. Alderman Fletcher was absent with flu. 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,
City Engineer Duane Reel, Police Chief Don Tate, Fire Chief Rick
Ezell, Personnel Director and Administrative Assistant Michael
Beeman, Assistant Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Deputy City
Clerk Teresa Parker, Sanitation Superintendent Billy Gilmore,
Park & Rec. Director Annabelle Davis, Probation Officer Mike
Mahone, Retired General Lint, members of the Student Council
Organizations from Jacksonville and Vorth Pulaski High Schools,
other city employees, interested citizens, members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council
Meeting of November 7, 1991, for study and action at the next
Regular City Council Meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson that the
minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 17, 1991
and the Special City Council Meeting of October 29, 1991, be AP-
PROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the regu-
lar monthly report for the month of August from the Jacksonville
Fire Department which reflects an estimated fire loss of
$3,975.00 be APPROVED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith,
Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty voted
AYE. NAY (0). Motion received eight (9) affirmative votes, (0)
negative votes. MOTION CARRIED.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
SEWER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION: REQUEST TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR a. THE
CLOSING OF STONE STREET BETWEEN NORTH OAK & NORTH ELM and b. THE
CLOSING OF PARK STREET IN THE HENRY ADDITION
The location of the streets requested to be closed was clarified
and Mayor Swaim stated that the streets were never developed as
shown in the land use plan of the City of Jacksonville.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Smith that a Public
Hearing be set for the closing of Stone Street between North Oak
& North Elm Streets and Park Street in the Henry Addition. Said
hearing to be held at 7:30 p.m. during the Regular City Council
Meeting. MOTION CARRIED.
GENERAL: a. PRESENTATION BY RETIRED GENERAL LINE Ref: Air Park
Museum (See attachment to these minutes.)
Mayor Swaim expressed appreciation to General Linz for the pre-
sentation.
No Council action was taken on the item of business at this time
and discussion was delayed until the remaining items on the
agenda were addressed by the Council.
b. REQUEST TO ACCEPT THE SECOND YEAR BID BY CITY AUDITORS
Mayor Swaim pointed out that the bid is from the McAllister Firm
who did the 1990 audit.
Paul Mushrush, Assistant Finance Director, expressed that it is
Mr. Kelleys recommendation that the second year bid of
$14,700.00, a $1,500.00 increase over last year, be accepted.
There were a few remarks regarding the audit being completed in a
timely manner.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Mayor Swaim voiced that over 600 hours are spent annually by the
firm and that the quality of work is outstanding.
Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the
bid of $14,700.00 from the McAllister Firm to do the 1991 audit
for the City of Jacksonville. (Said expenditure is proposed in
the 1992 budget). MOTION CARRIED.
NON AGENDA ITEM: PRESENTATION BY Sheila Jones of GTE/A video of
the JACKSONVILLE AND CABOT AREAS
Mayor Swaim introduced Ms. Jones who addressed the Council with
information regarding the work of GTE in compiling the video.
She voiced that the company's desire was to promote the communi-
ties and bring more industry to the area.
Mayor Swaim pointed out that Jacksonville and Cabot raised
$14,000.00 and that GTE raised $45,000.00 to produce the video.
Alderman Wilson requested, after Mayor Swaim had expressed
appreciation for the presentation, that a letter expressing the
appreciation of the Council be sent to GTE.
Mayor Swaim said that he would take care of the request.
c. DISCUSSION: MEDICAL EXPENSES of AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICER
Mayor Swaim pointed out that regulations have kept the City of
Jacksonville from having workers compensation for the auxiliary
policemen. He said that he was involved in efforts recently with
the Municipal League in Fayetteville which would hopefully cor-
rect the situation of coverage for auxiliary policemen.
He said that the auxiliary officer, working for the city at no
salary, was injured. He pointed out that the total expenses for
the injury to the officer is not known at this time, but that
bills have begun to come to the city with request for payment.
He requested authorization to pay said bills. He said that the
amount of bills at present are approximately $17,000.00.
He pointed out that an incentive program has been put in place
and that the auxiliary officers will now be covered under Munici-
pal League Workers Compensation.
He said that the $17,000.00 expenditure will be taken from the
Contingency Fund. His request was that authorization be given to
pay all medical bills for the particular individual and noted
that he will inform the Council of the final expenditure.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Knight, that author-
ization be given to pay the medical expenses of Auxiliary Police-
man Ransom, as they become due, from the Contingency Fund.
MOTION CARRIED.
d. 1992 BUDGET ORDINANCE 9 5 9 (#22-91)
Mayor Swaim pointed out, as he presented the budget ordinance,
that no taxes have been raised since 1987.
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Smith ,that
Ordinance be placed on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen:
Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton
and Twitty voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received nine (9) af-
firmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED. Ordi-
nance read FIRST TIME by City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the rules be
suspended and that full reading of the ordinance be dispensed
with. MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson
that Ordinance be accepted on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Alder-
men: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson,
Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received nine (9)
affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED. ACCEPTED
ON FIRST READING.
Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Ray , to
suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on SECOND READING. ROLL
CALL. Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, ,
Williamson, Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion re-
ceived nine (9) affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION
CARRIED. Whereupon, City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg read
the Ordinance for the SECOND TIME.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis , to
Further suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on THIRD AND
FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis,
Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton and Twisty
voted AYE. NAY 0. Motion received ten (10) affirmative votes,
(0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon, City Attorney
Robert E. Bamburg read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing that
Ordinance be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen:
Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson,
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Keaton and Twitty voted AYE NAY 0. Motion received nine
(9) affirmative votes, (0) negative votes.
MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCE APPROVED AND ADOPTED AND NUMBERED 959
THIS 21st DAY OF NOVEMBER 1991.
e. CURFEW ORDINANCE 958 (#21-91)
Alderman Sansing was recognized by Mayor Swaim to introduce the
Ordinance.
He voiced that the ordinance has been in the making for a while
noting that he had talked with Mayor Swaim, the Chief of Police.
City Attorney Bamburg and other Council Members. Mr. Sansing
recognized Chief Tate to address the Council.
He commented that the ordinance is patterned after the North
Little Rock Ordinance with some accommodations made for the
Jacksonville area. He voiced that he felt the problem in Jack-
sonville is no worse than any other area in the country. He
noted that at the curfew time there are juveniles who should be
under the supervision of their parents and that the ordinance
will help in this area of need. He pointed out that there are
certain places in town that juveniles are likely to congregate,
that some have come here due to restrictions in their certain
locations.
He said that there have been dramatic decreases in certain areas
of crime in North Little Rock which he said is hoped for the City
of Jacksonville after passage of the ordinance.
It was pointed out by Alderman Knight that the North Little Rock
Curfew Ordinance has ten o'clock for Sunday through Thursday
nights, and twelve o'clock for Friday and Saturday nights whereas
Jacksonville has three different curfew times: ten o'clock
Monday through Thursday night, twelve o'clock on Friday and
Saturday night and 11:00 Sunday night.
Alderman Wilson voiced that he felt it would be beneficial for
the Council to be consistent with the ten o'clock curfew on
school nights. He said that he was opposed to specific legisla-
tion.
Alderman Sansing pointed out that the eleven o'clock curfew on
Sunday night was in the ordinance to accommodate a long standing
business in town, that parents with children under eighteen years
of age could go to the business and pick their children up.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAs
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray ,that
Ordinance be placed on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen:
Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton
and Twitty voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received nine (9) af-
firmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the rules be
suspended and that reading of the ordinance in full be omitted.
A voice vote was taken with Alderman Wilson and Keaton voting
Nay. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Keaton expressed that due to the
controversy connected with the ordinance, he felt it should be
read openly.
After a short discussion, the motion and second was withdrawn.
Ordinance read FIRST TIME by City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg.
There was discussion regarding holidays and summer days when
there are no school days and exceptions and under Section Three
and Section Two.
Two Student Council Members, Robert Daugherty from Jacksonville
High School and Sonya Gutierrez from North Pulaski High School
addressed the Council with regard to the curfew ordinance.
Mr. Daugherty said that a majority of the students he was able to
talk with at Jacksonville High School are opposed to the ordi-
nance. He requested that alternative action be taken with regard
to the juvenile problem.
Miss Gutierrez represented the North Puaski Student Council.
She voiced that the requests of Mr. Daugherty be given considera-
tion by the Council. She related that most students were opposed
to the limitations the curfew would impose on the students.
Mayor Swaim voiced appreciation for the professionalism of the
Student Council Members in their presentation and for their
input regarding issues dealt with in the ordinance before the
Council to the City Council.
Mr. Larry Estes, who has a son sixteen and one-half years old,
voiced that basically, there is a suspension of the liberties of
teenagers. He questioned whether posing a curfew on juveniles
will change the juvenile delinquency problems within the City of
Jacksonville and questioned whether or not the requirements of
the ordinance adopted by NLR has made a change in juvenile prob-
lems there adding that no evidence has been presented either way.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
He stated concern that the general public was not better informed
about the legislation as proposed. He related that in the matter
of fines to parents of children who are determined to be breaking
the curfew restrictions, that he felt a judge should make a
determination also questioning the reference to an existing
emergency.
At this point Mayor Swaim asked that Chief Tate present informa-
tion regarding questions by Mr. Estes.
It was pointed out that the emergency as related in the ordinance
is relative to legal matters and the time element related to the
effective date of the legislation.
Chief Tate related that the City of Jacksonville does have a
curfew ordinance in force, noting that the main difference in the
old ordinance and the new one before the City Council is that
the old one holds the juvenile responsible and does not include
the ages of fifteen through seventeen, noting crimes after curfew
hours committed by 51% in that age group, and that the new one
puts responsibility on the parents. He related to a display of
guns and knives related to juvenile crimes mainly confiscated in
and around particular areas where problems exist within the city.
He said that a decrease in thefts of 1.584% in North Little Rock
in the second month after passage of the curfew ordinance and
that burglaries dropped 69%.
Mayor Swaim pointed out that a lot of the offenses are committed
by persons who live outside the City of Jacksonville.
Mrs. Jo Anne Close was recognized by Mayor Swaim. She voiced
that she favored the passage of the Ordinance and expressed
appreciation for all the work done in the Sunnyside area.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson to amend
Ordinance 9 5 8; Section Two, a and b that all other nights
would read 10:00 p.m. and 12.00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
nights.
Alderman Ray said that he felt what is written in the ordinance
is sufficient and should be left as it is.
Alderman Wilson voiced that he felt the ordinance would be con-
sistent in the event a county-wide ordinance is ever adopted.
Alderman Sansing related that he felt the ordinance should be
tailored to the needs of the city.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Alderman Knight voiced that she felt the ordinance should be
structured for the needs of the City of Jacksonville, for our
young people and when and if there is a county-wide ordinance,
they will look at the one adopted by the city and adopt it.
Alderman Twitty related that she felt the ordinance should be
left as read.
A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN AT THIS TIME: Alderman Twitty voted
Nay, Alderman Keaton voted Aye, Alderman Williamson voted Aye,
Alderman Wilson voted Aye, Alderman Ray voted Nay, Alderman Sans-
ing voted Nay, Alderman Lewis voted Nay, Alderman Smith voted
Nay, and Alderman Knight voted Nay. THE AMENDMENT FAILED.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray , that
Ordinance be accepted on FIRST READING.
Alderman Keaton posed a question regarding notification to par-
ents (item c, Section 4) and Chief Tate related that forms are
prepared which will require tree signature of the parent along
with a warning citation.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Ray, Sansing, Wilson, Williamson, Lewis,
Smith, Keaton, Knight and Twitty voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion
received nine (9) affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION
CARRIED. ACCEPTED ON FIRST READING.
Alderman Wilson suggested that the ordinance be considered at the
next City Council Meeting.
Court Probation Officer Mike Mahone voiced that the ordinance is
1ong overdue and that he approved its immediate passage as he
encouraged the students not to take the ordinance personally.
He made reference to the weapons on display and voiced that the
juveniles from whom they were retrieved know how to operate them.
Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Smith , to
suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on SECOND READING. ROLL
CALL. Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing. Ray, Wilson,
Williamson, Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion re-
ceived nine (9) affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION
CARRIED. Whereupon, City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg read
the Ordinance for the SECOND TIME.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Alderman Keaton related to some of the alternatives suggested by
the Student Council representatives and noted that everything has
been tried in efforts to solve the juvenile problems noting that
nothing has worked up to this point.
Mayor Swaim related that efforts to work with different organiza-
tions is underway and urged the young people who were present to
get involved in preserving the public peace, safety and welfare
of the community.
It was suggested by Alderman Wilson that the Student Council
confer with Chief Tate and that a combined effort be put forth
with regard to improving juvenile activity within the city.
Mr. Daugherty voiced again that the students feel that the city
is taking a last resort and that alternatives should be addressed
first.
Alderman Wilson voiced that the ordinance has been worked on for
a long time, that it is not a last resort type situation and that
their feedback will be appreciated in the area of amendments etc.
Alderman Lewis encouraged the students and expressed that there
are things that the Council has to do to try to protect the
citizens, not necessarily to hurt the youth, but an endeavor to
get those juveniles committing crimes off the streets.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing , to
further suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on THIRD AND
FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis,
Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty
voted AYE. NAY 0. Motion received nine (9) affirmative votes,
(0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon, City Attorney
Robert E. Bamburg read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Knight that
Ordinance be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen:
Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, William-
son, Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. NAY 0. Motion
received nine (9) affirmative votes, (0) negative votes.
MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Smith, that the
EMERGENCY CLAUSE be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. Alderman Knight,
Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty
voted AYE. NAY 0. Motion received nine (9) affirmative votes,
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 1991
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M
(0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE & EMERGENCY CLAUSE APPROVED AND ADOPTED AND NUMBERED
958 THIS 21ST DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1991.
It was suggested that efforts be made to make the youth and their
parents aware of the ordinance just approved by the Council.
Chief Tate said that he would make the ordinance available
through the educational efforts of the Police Department at the
local schools.
NON-AGENDA ITEM
Mayor Swaim voiced that for a number of years options regarding
deferred compensation for employees and a cafeteria plan that
would allow the City of Jacksonville to save some money on FICA
deposits have been looked at.
The following committee was formed to study proposals: Aldermen
Ray, Knight and Keaton, Mayor Swaim and Assistant Finance Direc-
tor Paul Mushrush. No meeting date was set.
It was the consensus of the Council that the matter of a donation
to the Air Park Museum be included in the December agenda.
Mrs. Close expressed appreciation for the efforts of all depart-
ments for improvements in the Sunnyside Hills Addition.
APPOINTMENTS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT:
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson that the meet-
ing adjourn at approximately 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully,
__________________________ _________________________
Lula M. Leonard MAYOR
City Clerk-Treasurer