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98 APR 16.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 16, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DR. The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on April 16, 1998 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Gary Fletcher delivered the invocation after which Mayor Tommy 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. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT eight (8), ABSENT two (2). Alderman Keaton was ill and Alderman Sansing was unable to attend due to work schedule. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, Public Works Director Murice Green, Police Chief Larry Hibbs, OECD Director Frank Rowland, Director of Human Resources Mr. Steve Ward, Planning Commission Chairman Bart Gray Jr., Past Mayor James Reid, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Dee Dee Hibbs, interested citizens and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Vice Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 2, 1998 for study and later action at the next Regular City Council Meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 19 March 1998 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL/MARCH Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for March 1998. Report reflects the following: OVERTIME HOURS PERFORMED:..................$ 39 REVENUES...................................$ 1,082.50 CONTRIBUTIONS............................. $ .00 ADOPTION/FINES.............................$ 1,082.50 TOTAL REVENUES.............................$ 1,082.50 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 16, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis that the Regular Monthly Report for March of the Jacksonville Police Department be APPROVED. Said report reflects: Fine Settlements, $ 67,790.80, Miscellaneous Payments $ 131.75 Report Sales $ 253.00 for total Collections of $ 68,175.55. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, and Howard voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis that the Regular Monthly Report for March of the Jacksonville Fire Department be APPROVED. (Said report reflects an estimated fire loss of $97,900.00.) ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, and Howard voted AYE. NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: GENERAL: a. PRESENTATION: Reed's Bridge Battlefield The item was delayed until later in the meeting in the absence of Mr. Tommy Dupree. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: b. PRESENTATION: Jacksonville Care Channel Mayor Swaim voiced that the request from the Care Channel is regarding funds to repair their building and maybe to move their entire operation at Hickory and Spring St. He related that they have asked if the City is interested in buying their existing building at the corner of Main and North First St. He explained that the overpass will come through but that preliminary plans do not show any direct damage to the building on Main and First St. other than there will be a stand up wall beside the building from North First along Main Street. He explained that the front of the building will still have full access as well as the east side. He said that he had spoken with Mr. Belden who related that they were interested in selling the building and moving to another location. He said that the City owns the old Water Department building, beside the Main & Spring St. building, which CDBG is presently working on as a "business incubator". He said that the building CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 16, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. presently used by the Wage program is also owned by the City. He asked the Council to consider whether the building is needed and if the price is conducive. There was a general discussion regarding condition and repairs that need to be made at this time. Alderman Howard said that he felt it might be good for the City to own all the property on the block where "Old City Hall" is located. Alderman Wilson questioned the long-term need for the building. Mayor Swaim said that thoughts to make the area into a type of historical district have been voiced, including moving the caboose down, closing Short First Street, and moving the old depot to the area as well. He related that the owners of the original depot of Jacksonville have given him a tentative offer to donate the building to the City in exchange for a tax donation for the appraised value of the building. Alderman Fletcher suggested that a committee be formed to look at the area as a historical district giving consideration to how the building would fit into the scheme and whether or not purchasing the building would benefit the City. Past Mayor James Reid voiced that he has made a market analysis on the old service station building owned by the Care Channel. He pointed out that the two-story building contains 6,120 sq. ft and six bathrooms. He related that he would guess as a market analysis a $50,000.00 rage, maximum. Mayor Swaim said that he was told the value was $75,000.00 to $100,000.00 adding that he liked Mr. Reid's analysis better. There were comments regarding purchase by the Care Channel of the old Friendly Auto Parts Store which seemed to conflict with previous conversations with Mayor Swaim regarding use of CDBG funding at a time when they were available. He expressed that he is disappointed in that those funds have been used for other projects and are not available relating that the overpass will probably take the corner of said building in its construction. City Attorney Bamburg informed the Council that care will have to be taken if the Council is looking at the possibility of providing CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 16, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. funding to the Care Channel as requested for improvements on the property. He said a contract will be needed from the municipality in return for some form of service to allow the expenditure. It was pointed out that funds now used are under contract between the Elderly Activity Center and the City due to a change in State law. He said that some things for the Boys & Girls Club fall under the same guidelines. City Attorney Bamburg related that the possibility of requests of like nature could be forthcoming at some future date. Alderman Smith voiced that he did not feel the Council should act on the matter at this time unless it would add to the development of something of a historical nature. There was a general discussion regarding church donations to the Care Channel and Mayor Swaim explained that the Care Channel was created through the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to centralize efforts in the City to help those in need. He said that the service provided the needy is a wonderful one and their importance to the community should not be diminished. RESUME AGENDA: At this time the item concerning the Civil War Heritage Trail and the “Battle of Reed's Bridge" was addressed by Mr. Tommy Dupree of the Sertoma Club. He pointed out that there are other clubs involved in the restoration project. He said that monetary funds are requested from the City Council to help promote the Civil War Trail. He related that the State has funds available at this time to promote tourism in the State. He said that the restoration is also on a national level with a group coming in to tour the trail sites in Arkansas of which Reed's Bridge would be a part. He said that markers are in at all sites except the Jacksonville site which is to be installed by the first of May. Handouts were presented to the City Council. He introduced Mr. Jack Danielson and Mr. Mark Krist with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Mr. Krist related that for the last six or seven years he has been involved in the American Battlefield Protection Program, a National Civil War Battlefield Preservation effort. He commented that the Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail is made up of a public and CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 16, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. private state wide partnership called the Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail. He said that the most recent project was the signs which mark places around the State. He pointed out that the Little Rock Campaign of 1863 was one giving Reed's noteworthy recognition. He gave an overview of material distributed to the Council. Mayor Swaim voiced that the Battle of Reed's Bridge was a major battle in the attempt to take the City of Little Rock. Mr. Dupree related the history of events leading up to the battle. He said that there is a lot of historical interest in the community. He related that the State and the Federal Government are spending a lot of money to promote the Civil War Heritage Trail. He pointed out that he feels the job of the City of Jacksonville is to highlight the historical interests of the Civil War and also of other things like the fact that the Military Road was the major artery that transported the Indians from the east into the Oklahoma Territory. He remarked that the Air Force Base and the Ordinance Plant, active in World War 11, are a part of the history of Jacksonville. Mayor Swaim informed the Council of Mr. Dupree's request; that the City Council provide fifty percent (50%) of the total cost of the purchase of seven (7) acres of land, the other fifty percent being raised through grants or donations by individuals in the community. He related that the only way funding could be given for the purchase is for the property to be deeded to the City. He said it could be used for other purposes as he pointed out that there is no park in South Jacksonville. He went on to say that the seven and one half acres lends itself to use for City purposes and adds to the historical significance there. Mr. Dupree related that the request is for $25,000.00 adding that the State has put $1,000.00 toward the purchase of the land adding that the Sertoma Club and numerous individuals have also contributed to the fund. Cleaning and enhancement of the property with fencing, stone and cast iron monuments, etc. was discussed. It was noted that federal funds will be available to improve the spot once the post has been established as a historical one. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 16, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. Mr. Danielson related that the site is the only one in the area around Little Rock with acreage available for purchase. Mr. Krist gave information regarding an Education Grant Program which could be available to help with development of the historical site. Mayor Swaim pointed out that action on the request would be forthcoming within a month or two. Involvement of the Park & Recreation Commission was suggested by Alderman Williamson. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Swaim announced that the Arkansas Municipal League will be meeting June 17, 18, and 19 in Little Rock encouraging Council Members to attend. Mayor Swaim announced that immediately following the City Council Meeting a bus from the Park & Rec. Department would be available to transport anyone who wanted to view the 911 Emergency Complex off Harris Road. ADJOURNMENT: Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson that the meeting adjourn at approximately 7:45 p.m. Respectfully, ___________________________ ____________________________ Lula M. Hawkins MAYOR City Clerk-Treasurer