97 JUL 03.DOC CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 3, 1997
7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on July 3, 1997 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Lewis delivered the invocation after
which Mayor Swaim led the standing audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Aldermen Sansing and Keaton were absent. Mayor Swaim also answered Roll
Call and declared a quorum. PRESENT Eight (8), ABSENT (2).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, City Engineer Duane Reel, Public Works Director Murice Green, OECD Director Phil
Sullivan, Police Chief Larry Hibbs, Finance Director Paul Mushrush and Asst. Cheryl Erkel, Mrs. DeDe Hibbs, Mrs. Edith Smith, interested citizens and members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of June 19, 1997 for study and action at the next Regular City Council Meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Alderman Lewis moved, seconded by Alderman Howard that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of June 5, 1997 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
OECD DEPARTMENT:
Regular Monthly Report/OECD Department
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis that the Regular Monthly Report for February of Economic and Community Development Department be approved. Said report reflects:
Informational Meetings.................................... 9
Hud Meetings............................................. 0
Public Meetings.......................................... 1
REHAB:
a. Letters to prospective applicants..................... 6
b. Applications received................................. 1
c. Bids Advertised....................................... 0
d. Work write-ups & estimates............................ 0
e. Pre-constructions conferences......................... 0
f. Appraisals & Environmental reviews.................... 0
g. Interim Inspections................................... 0
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 3, 1997
7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M.
h. Final inspections..................................... 0
i. Emergency Inspection................................. 0
j. Partial payments...................................... 0
k. Project Close-outs.................................... 0
l. Warranty Repairs...................................... 0
m. Contracts signed...................................... 0
n. Rehab mortgages released.............................. 0
Public Works:
a. Bids received......................................... 1
b. Interim Inspections................................... 23
c. Project Close-out..................................... 0
d. Pre-construction Conference........................... 0
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, and Howard voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED.
ANIMAL CONTROL DEPT:
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis, to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for June, 1997.
Report reflects the following:
CONTRIBUTIONS.................................. $ .00
ADOPTION/FINES ................................ $ 708.00
SECURITY DEPOSITS.............................. $ .00
TOTAL.......................................... $ 708.00
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT: a. BID: Hapsburg Street Drainage Rehab
Mayor Swaim explained that the joints in the drainage pipes are to be resealed by equipment, locating the problems with the use a television camera, from the inside of the pipes adding
that yards will not be torn up in the process.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson to Accept the low Bid from Gra-Co, Inc. for $92.00 per joint. MOTION CARRIED. (Funding Source: Street Drainage Fund)
City Engineer Reel related that the work area, containing 110 joints of pipe with approximately 50 needing repair, would be observed by himself or Mr. Greg Wood of the Street Department.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 3, 1997
7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M.
b. BID: Stonewall Drainage
Mayor Swaim related that due to a miscalculation from one of the bidders, the Council is being asked to accept the next lowest bid from Jefco Construction Company, adding that the bid
meets the requested specifications.
City Engineer Reel said that he spoke with the owner of the company making the lowest bid, rejected by the Council. He said that rejecting the bid is justified with explanation by the
owner regarding errors in figuring the bid, by his foreman, regarding excavation especially.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to ACCEPT next to the lowest bid from Jefco Construction, Co. in the amount of $58,264.00 for the Stonewall Drainage Project. MOTION
CARRIED.
(Funding source: Drainage Fund)
PARKS & REC DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL:
a. AUDIT REPORT
Mayor Swaim introduced Mr. Mack McAlister whose firm performed the annual audit for the City of Jacksonville.
Mr. McAlister thanked the Council, Mr. Gerald Clark who put the audit together, Mr. Paul Mushrush, Finance Director and staff.
He related that he felt the City has a strong financial foundation brought about by solid management. He pointed out the following:
1. Total operating revenues for 1996; 13.2 million dollars
2. Revenues from the City's share of Pulaski County one cent sales tax; $4,330,000.00
3. Revenues from City Sales Tax $2,370,000.00
He commented that together, items 2 and 3 provide slightly over 50% of the total revenues for the City.
4. Tax Turnback from the State of Arkansas contributed another 16%5.
Total operating and capital expenditures for 1996; $12,085,000.00 an 8% increase over 1995 expenditures
6. Overall total revenues in City's operating funds exceeded
operating and capital expenditures by approximately 1.1 million dollars in 1996
7. City Reserves in its operating funds; $9,050,000.00 at the end of 1996, amounting to approximately 69% of total revenues for
one year
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 3, 1997
7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M.
He said that overall the City reflects good budgetary controls during 1996 and effective cost containment by its management.
He said that compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing financial activities and found no material weaknesses or instances of non-compliance. He said that some
recommendations have been included in the management letter concerning items considered to be of an immaterial nature.
It was noted that steps are being taken at this time to follow the management letter recommendations.
Mayor Swaim pointed out that job numbers have been assigned in efforts to correct a problem with duplicate requisitions.
He pointed out that 1.3 million dollars is designated, from the reserves, for a new radio system for the City plus an additional seventy-six thousand for radio and 911 update, $850,000.00
earmarked for the overpass match fund, $573,000.00 for Loop Road, and $250,000.00 for soccer fields.
b. BID: Demolition of Property
Mayor Swaim pointed out that only one bid was submitted and that being $30,800.00. He added that if it is determined that there is asbestos to be removed, there will be an additional
cost with the recommendation that payment be taken from the reserve fund with Council being made aware of said action. He said that bidding will not be required.
He related that $30,000.00 was budgeted by the Engineering Department.
He said that if repairs are being made and proper guidelines being followed, the City Engineer will remove said properties from the demolition list.
He related that the purpose of the City is that every house should be livable or be removed.
DEVIATION IN AGENDA:
ACCEPTANCE OF AUDIT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the 1996 Audit done by McAlister and Associates, P.A. be ACCEPTED. MOTION CARRIED.
c. DISCUSSION: Purchase of Addn'l Property adjoining Dupree Park
Mayor Swaim explained the location of the parcels adjoining the
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 3, 1997
7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M.
park property. He said that originally, Dupree Park was two forty acre parcels touching at the corner of each parcel adding that the City has purchased and additional twenty acres on
which soccer fields are being located.
He said that the proposal to be considered by the Council is for the purchase of fifty acres that goes across the end of Dupree Lake and across the other forty acres. He said that is
the higher part of a large part of the section of the acreage pointing out that with the help of Hercules, the lake will be drained allowing the entrance of fresh water. He said that
modifications such as making deeper places for fish habitat, moving the narrow end thus changing the location in a sense making it more attractive for camping and create nature trail
for walking or biking. He related that ISTEA funding may be available in efforts to modify the lake adding that land purchase would provide a strong buffer and provide another access
into the park.
Mayor Swaim asked that the Council authorize an appraisal and a dollar amount of no more that $450.00 in allowing him to negotiate the purchase of the parcel.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott that Mayor Swaim be authorized to order an appraisal and negotiate with the owners of the property a dollar amount of not more than
$450.00 per acre for the purchase of approximately 50 acres adjoining Dupree Park. MOTION CARRIED. (Funding source: Capital Improvement)
APPOINTMENTS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DRAFT ORDINANCE
Mayor Swaim encouraged the Council to review the draft ordinance regarding fencing included in the agenda packet and asked that the Aldermen attend the Planning Commission meeting at
7:00 p.m. on July 14, 1997 if possible in that zoning may be important in the overall decision of the Commission and the Council.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
He announced that City Hall would be closed in celebration of
July 4, 1997.
PARKING/TRUCKERS
Alderman Fletcher brought to the attention of the Council a request regarding providing a place for truckers to park their
rigs.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 3, 1997
7:00 P.M. - 7:40 P.M.
He brought attention to an incident involving removal of a vehicle by the Jacksonville Police.
Mayor Swaim explained that a citizen followed proper procedure in posting his property, which was violated by a trucker, and that the police followed rules of the department in dealing
with the issue.
He said that the City did not trap the trucks, that signs were posted regarding parking on private property.
He related that parking is not provided for factories in the City with tax dollars.
Alderman Howard congratulated Mayor Swaim regarding his being made First Vice President of the Municipal League adding that he is doing a great job and that it is a great honor for the
City of Jacksonville.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully,
___________________________ ____________________________
Lula M. Leonard MAYOR
City Clerk-Treasurer