95 APR 20.doc
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 1995
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 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 April 20, 1995 at the regular meeting place of
the Council. Alderman Fletcher 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,
Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton answered ROLL CALL: Mayor Swaim
also answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. He expressed
appreciation for those in attendance.
Others present for the meeting were: Mayoral Aide Michael Beeman,
Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg,
City Engineer Duane Reel, Public Works Director Skip Spears,
Police Chief Larry Hibbs, Fire Chief Rick Ezell, CDBG Director
Tony Ply, Economic Director Phil Sullivan, Industrial Specialist
Jerry Hasell, Chamber of Commerce Director Mickey Anders, Mrs.
Judy Swaim, Mrs. D.D. Hibbs, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mrs. Sandra
Sansing, 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 6, 1995 for study and action at the next Regular
City Council Meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis that the minutes
of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 16, 1995 be APPROVED.
MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: Regular Monthly Reports were submitted by:
Police Department, Fire Department, Recycling, and CDBG
Department.
POLICE DEPARTMENT: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH 1995
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular
Monthly Report of the Jacksonville Police Department for the month
of March be APPROVED. Said report reflects: Computer
Collections, $63,246.63, Miscellaneous Payments $1,044.50, Report
Copies $284.00 for a total Collections of $64,575.13 ROLL CALL:
Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletcher,
Williamson, and Keaton voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 1995
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
FIRE DEPARTMENT: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH 1995
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular
Monthly Report for the month of March 1995, of the Jacksonville
Fire Department be APPROVED. (Said report reflects an estimated
fire loss of $65,000.00) ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith,
Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton voted AYE.
NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED.
QUARTERLY RECYCLING REPORT: 1ST QTR. 1995
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the
quarterly recycling report be APPROVED. Said report reflects the
following for the 1st quarter of 1995.
Sale of Alum. cans, Paper (Newspaper, Computer, White, Mixed),
Cardboard, Scrap Metal, Plastic #1, Plastic #2 was $ 16,483.12;
total Lbs. collected for sale 341,300 lbs.
Ground Yard Waste 6,678 Cubic Yards.
Number of people through Recycling center 2,235.
Public Works Director Skip Spears offered a comparison from the
recycling report stating that there has been a 20% increase in the
pounds collected this quarter over the same quarter last year with
a 235% increase in price for the sale of those materials. He then
agreed with Mayor Swaim who related that he is under the
impression that the price increases will not remain this high for
an extended period of time. He related that prices are very
dependent on the economic forces around the world, adding that
because it cannot be predicted in long terms, it is not very
helpful in providing funding for planned Sanitation Department
projects.
Mayor Swaim commended Mr. Spears for his efforts in recycling such
as load co-oping which enables him to get the best prices
available.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray,
Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
CDBG: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH 1995
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular
Monthly Report for March 1995, of the Community Development
Department be APPROVED. Said report reflects:
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 1995
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Informal Meetings ................................... 5
Conducted Seminar ................................... 1
Rehab:
a. Letters to prospective applicants .............. 2
b. Applications received .......................... 3
c. Bids advertised ................................ 1
d. Work write-ups & estimates ..................... 2
e. Pre-construction conferences ................... 2
f. Appraisals & Environmental reviews ............. 3
g. Interim Inspections ............................ 24
h. Final Inspections .............................. 1
i. Emergency Inspection ........................... 3
j. Partial payments ............................... 1
k. Project Close-outs ............................. 2
l. Warranty Repairs ............................... 2
Public Works:
a. Bids Received .................................. 1
b. Interim Inspections ............................ 15
c. HUD Meetings ................................... 1
d. Project Close-out .............................. 0
e. Contract Awarded ............................... 0
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray,
Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION
CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & REC DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: a. Request to Accept Bid: Telecommunications System
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 1995
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Mayor Swaim related that the telephone system at City Hall is
antiquated and it has become increasingly difficult to find parts.
He then related that two years ago the telephone company suggested
changing for that reason. He related that the low bid offered by
BCS is the same system now being used by the Parks and Recreation
Department which has proven to be satisfactory.
Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the
low bid from BCS in the amount of $14,173.91 budgeted funds from
line item City Hall Expense. MOTION CARRIED.
b. PRESENTATION: River Project given by Judge Villines.
Mayor Swaim introduced County Judge Buddy Villines to discuss a
River Project for consideration by the public.
Judge Villines related that when cities work together on projects
all the citizens benefit. He mentioned joint efforts with the
County Jail Facility, communication improvement efforts for Police
Departments, and the Solid Waste Management Programs which have
enjoyed success. He related that because of competition changes
in the world, major market places will be the identified areas in
the future not cities or counties. He encouraged the reading of a
book written by Neal Pierce entitled Citistates. He stated that
economic issues are the concern of the area and not just one
community. He related that after analyzing the industry which
involves sports, entertainment, concerts, big shows and
conventions it was discovered that the industry employees are
spread throughout the county. He related that after a review of
the area by he and the Mayors of Little Rock and North Little Rock
recommendations for War Memorial Stadium, Barton Coliseum, State
House Convention Center and an arena were formulated. He then
pointed out that state legislation which puts money back into
state owned facilities has already dealt with War Memorial and
Barton Coliseum.
He related that the State House Convention Center and an arena is
the focus of the River Front Project. He related that the project
will create an environment which people will be drawn to. He
stated that he feels it is a project that everyone in the county
would want to be a part of. He related that there are several
ideas under consideration such as negotiations with Union Pacific
Railroad to secure the bridge to develop a tramway of older
railway cars as an attraction, and circular walkways on bridges.
He related that getting the most out of the river setting on both
sides of the river is key. He added that it was concluded that a
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downtown arena would be a better location than one in the
suburbs,
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 1995
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
because facilities in the outlining area did not stimulate further
development, adding that the trend of construction has returned to
the core of an area. He cited the project developed in the
Cleveland area as an example, pointing out that downtown
construction generally stimulates other economy in the area. He
related that the north shore is the target site because the south
shore of the river already has plans to develop a cultural and
entertainment district, which will host the central library
system, farmers market, and the museum of science and history;
adding that they are already funded for these projects. He
related that the north and south shore are working together to
collate their efforts for maximum benefit on both sides of the
river, adding that is basically how the plan came together. He
stated that with regard to the state owned facilities (War
Memorial and Barton Coliseum) a plan for revenue sharing taxes was
negotiated. He said that arguments have been raised as to who
should carry the majority of responsibility state, local business
or regional area depending on ownership and profitability. He then
related that financing would be a twenty million dollar
contribution from the state over a four year period, the private
sector would contribute ten million and the one year one cent
sales tax would generate forty-five million for a total of
seventy-five million for construction and linking both sides of
the river. He related that he is talking with the various city
councils in a grass roots campaign to help ensure success for the
project. He related he has been pleased with the response from
city council and quorum court members. He related that later in
the summer there would be an election for the one year one cent
issue. He pointed out what the parameters of the project would be
and presented a rendition of the completed project, relating that
a deck would be built to handle parking and informed the Council
of the different accesses to and from the project that would
handle traffic flow. He stated that conceptually the rendition
gives an idea of how the boat traffic will be improved along with
ideas for the bridges in the area. He then stated that the
capacity for the arena would be between fifteen and twenty
thousand depending on cost variables, relating that the facility
will be able to handle concerts, basketball games and large
meetings. He stated that it would be an additional cost to set up
for ice hockey or exhibition space because of special wiring under
the floor with wider door to accommodate trucks. He stated that
the goal is twenty thousand seat capacity. He related that at the
end of May there would be a meeting involving regional councils to
officially set the project into motion, pointing out that the key
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to success is to have everyone involved and committed; adding that
he would be asking the City Council to approve a Resolution of
support in the future.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20, 1995
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Alderman Fletcher questioned the safety factor for citizens who do
not like to go into Little Rock.
Judge Villains related that there was the same reaction in other
cities that have completed the same type of projects and it has
been something that the citizens have been proud of, adding that
sometimes the perception of safety is more of a concern than a
real issue. He assured Alderman Fletcher there would be adequate
security.
Alderman Ray related that he works in the area of the proposed
project and that crime rate is 0.3 for the area, adding that
security is good.
Judge Villains related that other communities are willing to make
the investment which would bring similar projects to their area.
He related that we (the area) will loose the opportunity to
compete with other areas without a commitment to work together. He
stated that this project can bring FCC basketball, Razorback
basketball, and NCAA tournaments into the area. He stated that
"there is a multitude of reasons to be for it, granted there are
some reasons and concerns that people might vote against it; but I
hope we really look at it hard and see that ultimately it will be
good for all of us."
Discussion ensued as to the turnover of the tourist dollar and the
different activities that will bring those dollars in and the
different surrounding areas that will receive benefit from them.
APPOINTMENTS: WASTEWATER COMMISSION APPOINTMENT
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Knight to approve the
Wastewater Commission re-appointment of J.C.George for a term to
expire 4/20/2000.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully,
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___________________________ ____________________________
Lula M. Leonard MAYOR
City Clerk-Treasurer
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