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96 SEP 05.DOC CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 1996 7:00 A.M. - 7:39 P.M. CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on September 5, 1996 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman 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, Fletcher, Williamson, and Twitty answered ROLL CALL. Alderman Keaton came in at 7:02 p.m. PRESENT TEN (10), ABSENT (0). Mayor Swaim answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum expressing appreciation to those in attendance. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, Public Works Coordinator Murice Green, Mayoral Assistants Michael Beeman and Mark Powers, Police Chief Larry Hibbs, Fire Chief Rick Ezell, Planning Commissioner Kenny Elliott, Economic Development Director Mr. Phil Sullivan, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. DeDe Hibbs, Mrs. Robert Lewis, other City employees and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 15, 1996, 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 August 1, 1996 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: Animal Control Regular Monthly Report/July Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for the month of August 1996. Report reflects the following: CONTRIBUTIONS............................. $ .00 ADOPTION/FINES ............................$ 354.50 SECURITY DEPOSITS..........................$ 250.00 TOTAL..................................... $ 604.50 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 1996 7:00 A.M. - 7:39 P.M. FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS & REC DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. Request to Hire an Architect REF: Emergency Response Operator Building Mayor Swaim pointed out that the radio system presently used for emergency response by the City of Jacksonville is antiquated expressing the need to upgrade the system so that it will be compatible with the surrounding areas. He voiced that the Fire and Police Chiefs have spent a number of months working on replacement options. He said that the proposal is to combine the Police and Fire emergency operators who would handle both Police and Fire Department calls allowing more people on duty in the busy times increasing the efficiency of the departments. He said that a considerable amount of money will be saved in locating the equipment under the tower as opposed to downtown. He related that the building up for consideration would house the emergency operations system for the City of Jacksonville pointing out that commercial buildings require the stamp of a licensed architect. He said that state law allows the City to hire an architect as a professional person without bids. He proposed that negotiations for a reasonable fee with the Arey Group be permitted with regard to designing the building. He pointed out that he is comfortable with work done in the past by the firm. Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the Mayor be authorized to negotiate a contract, at a reasonable fee, with the Arey Group for the purpose of designing an emergency response operator building for the City of Jacksonville. Mayor Swaim pointed out that the funds will come from money set aside for the new radio system and out of the 911 funds which has been received on a monthly basis for the purpose of keeping up equipment or equipment placement. Alderman Fletcher voiced that he personally had a problem with hiring an architect noting past work done in-house by the City. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 1996 7:00 A.M. - 7:39 P.M. Mayor Swaim expressed appreciation for his point of view acknowledging that work at Central Fire Station was done in-house with the help of the City Engineer. Mr. Reel verified that a present ordinance sets forth that any commercial building is to bear the stamp of a registered engineer or architect in accordance with the Southern Building Code which is enforced by the City of Jacksonville. Mayor Swaim recalled that as a young council member, he went to Little Rock and found plans, which he borrowed, already designed by an architect for a building which was constructed as a fire substation in Jacksonville. Alderman Williamson voiced that in committee meetings with the Fire and Police Chiefs it was concluded that the floor of the building will have to be one that can be lifted up due to the nature of the wiring and temperature control. Alderman Keaton said that because of the nature of the electrical and plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing designers would have to be hired due to the unique facility. At this time a voice vote was taken and the MOTION CARRIED. b. Request to Accept Bid: Building and Contents Insurance Mayor Swaim recognized Mr. Paul Mushrush who made the recommendation that the low bidder, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., bidding $16,697.00 for building and contents insurance with a $2,500.00 deductible, be accepted since they were the only bidder that met the criteria of the bid. Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Knight that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., bid of $16,697.00 with a $2,500.00 deductible be accepted. MOTION CARRIED. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: Introduction of Officer Ross Cuccia and his new partner, K-9 BRITT from Czechoslovakia At this time Mayor Swaim recognized Chief Hibbs who introduced the two and one-half year old K-9 and Officer Cuccia. Chief Hibbs said that the dog has been in the area about three weeks during which he and his handler have been training together. He said that the first shift was started on Tuesday, September 3, 1996. He went on to say that ICO, the first K-9 purchased by the department, is still serving and will be useful in the future 3 doing drug sniffing after his skills become limited due to age. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 1996 7:00 A.M. - 7:39 P.M. He said that the department now has one K-9 per shift and related that building searches are made at local schools when requested. Mayor Swaim pointed out that money has actually been saved in the purchase of the K-9's from foreign countries as a discussion regarding a hip dysplasia disease in dogs bred in the United States was pointed out by Chief Hibbs. Chief Hibbs said that the dog is trained in obedience, drugs, apprehensions and tracking. Mayor Swaim expressed appreciation for the presentation. c. Request to Purchase Emergency Lights for Fire Stations Mayor Swaim recognized Alderman Joe Williamson who expressed that for several years there has been a need for emergency lights at the fire stations. Chief Ezell pointed out that the traffic flow in the City is increasing and especially at Central Fire Station where a lot of industrial and factory areas are located. He said that traffic does not always yield to the trucks and ambulances as they leave the station thus hindering emergency response. Mayor Swaim stated that basically the light is like one in any other traffic control situation with the ability to control its function inside the station for the departure of emergency vehicles. Chief Ezell said that eventually each substation will need the lighting control apparatus to aid in emergency vehicle departures. Mayor Swaim said that cost estimates have not been obtained as yet. He said that traffic signals are going to be replaced at Martin and North First Street within the next month and that the poles belong to the City. He said he feels the four poles with mast arms can be used on Redmond Rd. and on North First Street. Mayor Swaim requested that the expense be appropriated from Capital Improvement Funds. He asked that if the cost is below the bid limit of the City the expenditure be approved. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the purchase of Emergency Lights for two Fire Stations if under the bid limit of the City with funds from the Capital Improvement Funds. MOTION CARRIED. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 1996 7:00 A.M. - 7:39 P.M. Alderman Wilson requested that funds be set aside during budget considerations to fund lights for the remaining Fire Department Substations. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: RESOLUTION 491 (#6-96) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, CERTIFYING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT FOR DISCOVERY ENGINEERING, INC., D/B/A/ NATIONAL COATINGS AND AIR TECH COATINGS, INC. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARKANSAS ENTERPRISES ZONE PROGRAM; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Swaim explained that a local business is expanding its operations and desires to have his area declared an enterprise zone, which does not cost the City anything, and benefits the business. Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to place Resolution 491 (#6-96) on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Keaton moved, seconded by Alderman Knight to read Resolution 491 (#6-96). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon, City Attorney Robert Bamburg read the resolution. Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson to accept Resolution 491 (#6-96). MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENTS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: RADAR CONTROL: Mayor Swaim announced that radar units will be used to aid in protecting school children in residential as well as school areas. TUB GRINDER OPERATION: Mr. Murice Green, Public Works Director, explained that the tub grinder has been back in operation for approximately a month. He said that there has been a problem with people dumping improper items after hours. He pointed out that recently a permit for the operation was obtained which opened the door to inspections by PC&E adding that a fence was constructed so that people cannot come in after hours and dump things. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: Mayor Swaim announced that Third-Year funding has been approved, effective date being August 1, 1996. He said that the City is fortunate to receive the funding at a time of so many cuts in federal spending. 5 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 1996 7:00 A.M. - 7:39 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:39 a.m. Respectfully, ___________________________ ____________________________ Lula M. Leonard MAYOR City Clerk-Treasurer 6