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94 MAY 5.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 5, 1994 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 May 5, 1994 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Smith 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, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, and Twitty answered Roll Call. Alderman Lewis came in immediately after ROLL CALL and Alderman Fletcher came in at approximately 7:06 p.m. PRESENT NINE (9), ABSENT ONE (1). Alderman Keaton was absent. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. Others present for the meeting: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Goings, Mayoral Assistant Michael Beeman, Public Works Coordinator Skip Spears, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Code Enforcement Officer Wayne Cox, Code Enforcement Officer Wayne Cox, Police Chief Larry Hibbs, Industrial Specialist Jerry Halsell, Dr. Rex Moore, Economic Development Director Rona Scott, Mrs. Judy Swaim, other city employees, interested citizens and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 21, 1994, 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 April 7, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: b. ANIMAL CONTROL: March 1994 Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for the month of April 1994. Report reflects the following: CONTRIBUTIONS.................................$ 25.00 ADOPTIONS/FINES...............................$ 447.50 SECURITY DEPOSITS.............................$ 150.00 TOTALS........................................ $ 652.50 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 5, 1994 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: Request to Accept Bid: Trash Truck (Bid sheets A and B are included in these minutes.) Public Works Director Skip Spears pointed out that no bid completely filled all the specifications that were listed. He related that basically there are two ways to mount the knuckle boom on the truck, one being with a cone shaped mounting device and another type a-frame. He said that the a-frame mounting system was specified noting that there has been problems with the cone shaped device. He recommended the Bucy Equipment Bid because it is a Ford vehicle relating that Fords make up the entire sanitation fleet, that $801.00 is the difference between the Robinson Int'1. and Bucy Equipment bid and that efficiency wise, manpower wise, and mechanic wise the recommendation is reasonable. He pointed out that the item was included in the 1994 budget of the Sanitation Department. Mayor Swaim related that the depreciation on the vehicles was started years ago which funding is the source for replacing the vehicle. Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson that the Bucy bid of $60,279.00, for a Sanitation Truck with a Trash Loader be accepted. MOTION CARRIED. PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. COMMITTEE REPORT: Domestic Animals Alderman Knight was recognized by Mayor Swaim to address the item of business. She yielded to Alderman Terry Sansing who gave a report with regard to the committee meeting. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 5, 1994 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. He said that information from the "Potbellied Pig Registry Service" and a professor of Animal Sciences from the University of Arkansas has led the committee in their decision that no change be made at this time in the Jacksonville Municipal Code: Alderman Smith voiced that he felt the Council should respect the work of the committee in making a decision regarding the issue. Mayor Swaim recognized Ms. Suzie Morales of Jacksonville who voiced that she favored that any citizen be given the opportunity to keep whatever pet they desired. Alderman Sansing related that basically he had no problem with allowing the potbellied pig as a pet but that three-fourths of the people he spoke to about the problem are not in favor of permitting the "potbellied pigs" as pets in the City of Jacksonville. Mrs. Betty Boyles requested that she be permitted to bring to the Council a petition in favor of allowing the "potbellied pig" as a pet. She asked how many signatures would be needed to get the Council to reconsider changing the ordinance. Alderman Knight voiced that city officials in Little Rock and North Little Rock have advised the City Council to be very careful before making any change in the municipal code because the problem can get out of hand noting that they very much regret what they have done. Mrs. Budellis spoke in favor of allowing the "potbellied pig" as a pet pointing out that she raises lamas and that pets are beneficial to children and the elderly. Mr. Skip Spears voiced that the City of Little Rock has two basic areas of concern: (1) the size of the "potbellied pigs" and that more and more are being placed in back yards and (2) that the price of the potbellied pigs are coming down and that more people are able to afford them. He related that Dr. Nolan professor of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas related that it depends on what the animal is fed as to the odor of the droppings. He then related that cross breeding would also be a factor for consideration along with the problem of mange mites which is transferable to humans. He related that the situations center around responsible pet owners adding that as the price is lowered they will become more common as pets. Alderman Ray related that the city was unaware of the existence of Mrs. Boyles potbellied pig until the Animal Control Department received a complaint from a neighbor. He related that growing up 3 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 5, 1994 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. he also had a pig as a pet and understood the feeling associated with loving and having that kind of pet adding however that there is a time and place for all things. Robert Cole who stated that he raises potbellied pigs addressed the Council and asked if he could be supplied with the people of Little Rock who supplied Mr. Spears with the information he presented to Council. In addressing the issue of mange he related that any animal can be diseased adding that he found that to be an extremely poor excuse for not allowing potbellied pigs to be kept as pets. He stated that he has raised them for five years and has never had a case of mange. He related that as far as size, there are as many breeders trying to breed down as there are trying to breed up. He related that the pigs he sells are between 20 to 30 lbs adding that he has sold pigs to people in Jacksonville stating that there are probably 15 to 20 pigs in town that the Council is unaware of. He related that four complaints should not be enough to stop ownership of potbellied pigs. He related that the pigs can be trained the same as dogs. Mayor Swaim responded to a statement by Mr. Cole regarding his dislike of pigs by stating that he had grown up on a farm and that his prior statement referred to the problems which already exist with the cat and dog situation reiterating that if it were not for the complaints received regarding the potbellied pig the Council would not have been involved. He related that enforcement of the ordinance or a change of ordinance is the issue. He stated that his job is to enforce the ordinance if Council does not choose to change it. Discussion ensued as to the requirements concerning a number of signatures on a petition regarding having this item brought before the Council at a later date. Mayor Swaim related that he does not feel that a petition is an accurate mark as to the pros or cons of the issue. He stated that he measures it in the cost of taxpayer dollars to monitor and enforce the legislation that the Council decides on. Discussion ensued as to the weight that the National Registry considers is reasonable for potbellied pigs. It was related by Mr. Cole that a miniature potbellied pig is roughly 35 lbs. while the standard potbellied pig will go up to 100 to 125 lbs. Mayor Swaim asked for the consensus of the Council. He then stated that the recommendation from the Council is not to change the ordinance at this time. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 5, 1994 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. b. INFORMATION ITEM: Probable Houses for Condemnation Mayor Swaim directed the attention of the Council to a partial list of homes for condemnation as prepared by City Engineer Reel and Code Enforcement Officer Wayne Cox. At this time the Council was presented with photographs of the houses in question. He related that if the Council chooses to take action, the City Attorney will need to prepare necessary documents. Information regarding the remodeling of 600 Beverly was provided to the Council. The recommendation of the Council was to prepare an ordinance for the next regular City Council meeting. c. RESOLUTION 470 (#4-94) A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NOS. 328 335, 404, AND 435 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, REGARDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF TRIANGLE ENGINEERING'S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AND EXPANSION IN THE ARKANSAS ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to read Resolution 470 (#494) MOTION CARRIED. At this time City Attorney Robert Bamburg read Resolution 470 (#4- 94) in its entirety. Mayor Swaim related that this is an incentive program to encourage industries to expand and hire new employees who qualify must be low to moderate income employees which afford the industry some tax breaks. Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to APPROVE Resolution 470 (#4-94) MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENTS: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson that Mr. Bob Stroud be re-appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire May 9, 1997. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 5, 1994 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:45 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ ________________________ Lula M. Leonard MAYOR City Clerk-Treasurer