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92 Aug 20.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 20, 1992 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 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 August 20, 1992, at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Reedie Ray delivered the invocation after which Mayor Tommy Swaim led the standing audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, William- son, Keaton and Twitty answered ROLL CALL. Alderman Fletcher came in immediately after ROLL CALL. PRESENT, ten (10), ABSENT (0). Mayor Tommy Swaim also answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. Others present for the meeting: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Personnel Director and Mayoral Aide Michael Beeman, Deputy City Clark Susan Goings, City Engineer Duane Reel, Fire Chief Rick Ezell, Asst. Fire Chief Bill Baldridge, Police Chief Don Tate, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Public Works Coordinator Skip Spears, Community Development Director Tony Ply, numerous fire-men, other employees, interested citizens and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 6, 1992 for study and action at the next Regular City Council Meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting of July 16, 1992 be AP-PROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: FIRE DEFT: Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Knight that the Regular Monthly Report of the Jacksonville Fire Department which revealed an estimated fire 1oss of $52,750.00 for the month of July. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. MUNICIPAL COURT (Probation Officer) Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Knight that the monthly report for July 1992 from Probation Officer Mike Mahone be APPROVED. Said report reflects cases month ending June 30, 1992, 129. Cases added in Month of July, 1992, 13, Probations completed, Month ending July 30, 1992 -10, for TOTAL CASES AS OF CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 20, 1992 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. JULY, 1992 132. Number of Juveniles on Probation 2. TYPES OF CASES REFERRED IN MONTH OF JUNE 1992: Battery, - 1, Carrying a Weapon, 1, Criminal Mischief, 1, Disorderly Conduct, 2, Endangering Welfare of a Minor, 1, Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1, Public Sexual Indecency, 2, Terroristic Threatening, 1, Theft of Property, 3, Theft by Receiving, 1. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, F1etcher, Williamson, Keaton, and Twitty voted AYE. NAY 0. Motion received ten (10) affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: SEWER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: DISCUSSION: Deficit in Loca1 Firemen’s Pension Funds Mayor Swaim explained that the fire and police pension fund was split in 1982 or 1984 and the new plan was called LOPFI, adding that the two funds are administrated differently. He further related that the pension board administers the police and fire plans which were in existence prior to the split, while LOPFI is administered by the state for the new hires. Fire Chief Ezell was recognized by Mayor Swaim to address the item of business. Chief Ezell stated that on behalf of the pension fund and those covered under the old plan he was petitioning the Council to place a millage increase on the November ballot. Chief Ezell related that the pension fund began with a deficit and that contributions of 1% of salary began in 1962 and at that time there were six paid members. He further stated that as time went on, contribution increases were mandated by law and in 1975 the city began a contribution match, for a total of 6%. In 1986, after a 3 year gradual increase, salary and city match contributions were a total of 12%. Chief Ezell pointed out that at this time the plan had 44 paid members and the deficit was growing. He expressed that limitations for funding exist under the current system and that in 1988, due to a local millage roll back, the fire pension went from a draw of 1/2 mill to 3/10 mill, which is the draw presently. Chief Ezell related that in the 30 years this plan has been in existence there have never been any benefit increases. Mandated CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 20, 1992 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. by law employee Social Security contributions are 7.65% and are matched by the city, however, he related that Fire Dept. members pay into retirement fund instead of Social Security. He added that LOPFI contributions are 6/%, and that members of the old plan have expressed their willingness to increase their contributions to 7% because of the 1.3 million shortfall in the plan as indicated by the 1991 Actuary Report. Chief Ezell further related that 55% of the active members under the old plan could not be guaranteed retirement. He indicated the need for Actuary Soundness emphasizing that 7/10 of a mill increase would generate enough funds annually to bring the plan out of deficit. Mayor Swaim related to the Council that by law general revenues were not responsible in making up for the short fall. Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Smith a request to have City Attorney Robert Hamburg prepare a request for a 7/10 millage increase for the Firemen's Pension Fund for General Election Ballot in November. Mayor Swaim informed the Council that there is a small amount of funds available through the state; however, to qualify for them attempts have to be made for a millage increase to 6/10 of a mill by local plans. He reminded the Council that the Department was asking for 7/10 of a mill which would bring them up to the one (1) mill allowed by law. Major Swaim suggested that an important voter consideration might be that contributions from those firemen in the old retirement plan be 7.65% instead of 7% which would match employee Social Security contributions. Alderman Wilson added that he felt the Council should support advertisement to inform the public of the issues concerning the defunct fund. Alderman Knight related the importance of public awareness and the need to also relate to the public what happens within a defunct fund and how it affects its members. Alderman Knight further expressed that City Fest presented an opportunity to reach a 1arge audience and generate public awareness. Alderman Ray conveyed that through investment education and careful foresight the pension fund could maintain a more secure future. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 20, 1992 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. Alderman Wilson expressed the need to 1et the public know that millage collections would not be of a permanent nature. Alderman Knight expressed deep concern in regard to the extremely low widow benefits. She offered her services to inform Civic groups on the issues before election time. Mayor Swaim restated the motion and a vote was taken at this time. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Swaim informed the Council that Actuary Reports are per formed every two years. He further related that since its conception the fund has carried a deficit which is not the result of bad investments. Mayor Swaim reminded the Council to expect Actuary Reports from the Police Department in the near future. POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: CDBG/King Street Project Mayor Swaim recognized Tony Ply, CDBG Director. Mr. Ply related that under HUD regulations appraisals and review appraisals were required. He further stated that at this time he had received two appraisals and one review appraisal on the King Street Project and that there have been efforts made to speed up the return on appraisals. Alderman Ray related that he had received calls concerning the delay on completion of the project. He asked if sales tax money had been withdrawn due to lack of land donations. Mayor Swaim requested a brief history of the King Street Project. Mr. Ply related that the main reason for the delay was regulations and secondly that revenue sharing money for the King Street Project was pulled in 1987 and used for the Ray Road Project due to lack of interest from homeowners in the area. Mr. Ply further stated that at a later date he had to re-conduct the survey him- CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 20, 1992 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. self in order to justify to HUD a need to carry on with the project. He said that he had completed the work with the engineers and is now awaiting appraisals to come in noting that there are four phases to the project. Mr. Ply expressed a desire to complete the project by June of next year. Mayor Swaim pointed out that Revenue Sharing ended in 1986. Mr. Ply related that Phase One was almost completed, pending one review appraisal not yet received. Mr. Ply state that only one bid was received. (bid sheet information included in these minutes) He related that this was the second time bids had been received on this project and that the first bid was thrown out at the request of the bidder. Mayor Swaim pointed out that there had been attempts to receive other bids. He added that this project started in 1988. Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman knight to accept the low bid of $29,947.50 for the O'Neal Street Reconstruction Project. MOTION CARRIED RESOLUTION 452 (#10-92) A RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CENTRAL ARKANSAS REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION STUDY. Mayor Swaim related that Resolution 452 was in reference to The Central Arkansas Regional Transportation Study which is an organization of Metrop1an and deals with the "Ice Tea Program". Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to read RESOLU-TION 452. MOTION CARRIED Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to APPROVE RESOLUTION 452 (#10-92). MOTION CARRIED ADDITION TO AGENDA Mayor Swaim requested that the Council consider an item with regard to a new roof for the Bailey Municipal Building at 109 Second Street. Mayor Swaim related that City Engineer Reel had secured bids for the reroofing of the building. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 20, 1992 7: OO P.M. - 7:45 P.M. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to suspend the rules and place the item on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED Mayor Swaim related that a total of three bids have been received and recommended that the low bid of $10,432.00 from Bryant, Inc. be accepted. (bid information included in these minutes) After a question from Alderman Smith regarding the bids, City Engineer Reel stated that the reason for the difference between the lowest and highest bid is the type of roof to be constructed. He related that a bid of $32,347.00 from Roberts, McNutt Water-proofing was for the construction of a 3-ply built up roof and removal of the old roof vs. a built up single membrane rubber type of roof with repair to existing roof from the other two bidders. Each has an equal ten year roofing guarantee on workmanship and a manufacturer materials warranty. City Engineer Reel added that the low bidder has letters of credentials upon request. Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Knight to ACCEPT the low bid of $10,432.00 from Bryant, Inc. MOTION CARRIED APPOINTMENTS: ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT: Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Smith that the meeting adjourn at approximately 7:45 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ___________________________ ______________________________ Lula M. Leonard MAYOR City Clerk-Treasurer