98 JUL 16.DOC
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 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 July 16, 1998 at the regular meeting place of
the Council. Alderman Lewis delivered the invocation after which
Vice Mayor Gary Fletcher led the standing audience in the "Pledge
of Allegiance" to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray,
Wilson, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Vice
Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. Mayor
Swaim was absent due to a National League of Cities Small Cities
Steering Committee Meeting with Mayors representing twenty-five
States across the U.S. PRESENT ten (10), ABSENT (0).
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, Police Chief Larry Hibbs,
Finance Director Paul Mushrush, OECD Director Frank Rowland, Fire
Chief John Vanderhoof, Mrs. Dee Dee Hibbs, Mrs. Edith Smith,
interested citizens and members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Vice Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the Regular City
Council Meeting of July 2, 1998 for approval and/or correction 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 4 June 1998 be APPROVED.
MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the
Regular Monthly Report for June of the Jacksonville Fire
Department be APPROVED. (Said report reflects an estimated fire
loss of $137,450.00 for the month of June.) ROLL CALL: Aldermen:
Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton
and Howard voted AYE. NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL DEPT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson to APPROVE
the monthly Animal Control Report for June.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
Report reflects the following:
REVENUES:................................. $ 841.00
CONTRIBUTIONS:.............................$ 5.00
ADOPTIONS AND FINES........................$ 836.00
TOTAL..................................... $ 841.00
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray,
Wilson, Williamson, Keaton and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/OECD
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the
Regular Monthly Report for June, of Economic and Community
Development Department be approved. Said report reflects:
JUNE YR-TO DATE
CD Public Improvement Projects:
a. Projects Bid ............................... 0 1
b. Pre-construction Conference ................ 0 2
c. Interim Inspection ......................... 6 17
d. Project Close-out .......................... 0 2
Homebuyer Assistance Grants (HAG):
Applications received ......................... 2 6
Approval Pending .............................. 1 N/A
Grants Approved ............................... 1 4
Housing Rehabilitation:
a. Letters to prospective applicants .......... 0 31
b. Applications received ...................... 2 10
c. Work write-up & cost estimate .............. 5 16
d. Bids Advertised ............................ 6 18*
e. Project Starts ............................. 4 13
f. Interim inspections ........................ 42 92
g. Project Close-outs ......................... 1 9
h. Emergency Inspection/Worked ................ 1/0 2/1
i. Warranty Repairs ........................... 2 3
j. Disability Access (program add 3/98)........ 2 3
k. Care with Color (program add 4/98).......... 2 3
*includes redo
MEETINGS:
Informational Meetings (OE/CD) ................ 4/6 20/25
Public Meeting (OE/CD) ........................ 0/2 0/6
Conferences/Seminars/Training (OE/CD) ......... 0/1 0/6
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray,
Wilson, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard, voted AYE, NAY (0).
MOTION CARRIED.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: DISCUSSION Starting Salaries for Elected Officials
Alderman Williamson related that a committee reviewing elected
officials starting salaries is suggesting $45,000.00 for the
position of Mayor, $36,000.00 for the City Attorney, and
$25,000.00 for the City Clerk. He pointed out that currently the
Mayor's salary is $55,685.00, City Attorney is $41,225.00, and
City Clerk is $34,955.00.
In response to a comment made by Alderman Wilson, Alderman
Williamson concurred that based on experience the starting salary
could be changed.
Alderman Williamson related that current salaries have been built
up through the years as a result of annual cost of living
increases. In response to a query from Alderman Williamson, City
Clerk Lu Hawkins related that she has been City Clerk about
seventeen years. He then related that all three positions are
being challenged and that somebody coming into one of those
positions should not make the same salary that it took others
years to build. He stated that a starting salary needs to be set
for the three positions.
Alderman Sansing agreed, saying that evaluation can determine if a
salary requires an advancement.
After a brief discussion regarding the committee recommendation,
City Attorney Bamburg suggested that this be addressed in the
budget ordinance at the end of the year. It was then questioned
if it would have to be addressed again when the next budget
ordinance was passed. City Attorney Bamburg questioned if the
intent of Council is to set a separate designated minimum for the
positions. It was noted that the Consensus of Council is to set a
beginning salary. City Attorney Bamburg related that because the
positions are elected it will need to be set by ordinance, adding
that adjustments to those salaries in the future will also need to
be addressed by ordinance.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the
City Attorney prepare an ordinance establishing a minimum salary
of $45,000.00 for the Mayor, 36,000.00 for City Attorney, and
$25,000.00 for City Clerk. MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
UPDATES:
PAVING PROGRAM:
City Engineer Reel informed the Council that the paving program is
50% complete, adding that rains have slowed progress on the
parking lot for the soccer fields. Alderman Ray complimented the
stripping work performed.
It was questioned whether the County had begun taking bids for the
repaving of Southeastern.
In response to a query from Alderman Keaton, City Engineer Reel
related that the compacting and sealing of the Park roads has
worked out very well and will hopefully be finished in about a
week.
911 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM:
Chief Hibbs related that the recent lightning strike to the 911
facility completely knocked the system out of commission
temporarily. He related that the damage is being assessed and
that some of the equipment has been sent for repair. He related
that Motorola was very prompt and responded immediately. He
stated that while the base station lost communication the units
did not. He said that Motorola had the station back up very
shortly on a temporary basis and completely on line with full
service the following day. He related that fortunately with the
Southwestern Bell circuit system the emergency calls were able to
be transferred through Pulaski County who answered and relayed
back to the Police Department involving very little delay time.
He stated that they are waiting on the repair assessment. He
speculated that the repairs maybe in the neighborhood of ten
thousand dollars depending on the extent of damage to the program
boards.
In discussion regarding surge protection, it was noted that the
lightning did get into the building through a path of least
resistance, adding that the damage could have been greater if not
for the Halo system. He stated that even with the Halo system
there is nothing that can protect 100% from a direct lightning
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strike.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
Chief Vanderhoof commended the Police and Fire Department in
keeping all services available for the citizens of Jacksonville.
He stated that considering the damage everything went well.
In response to a question posed by Alderman Williamson, Chief
Hibbs related that the equipment room has a halo system for
lightning protection. He related that no one was hurt, however,
lightning burned boards inside the computers located inside the
Communication Building but did not burn any other equipment. He
stated that it defies explanation.
In addressing other concerns, Chief Hibbs related that the
insurance company has been notified and the adjustor is now
working on it. He stated that in the assessment it will be
determined if the system was set up properly and where the final
responsibility belongs.
Chief Hibbs related excellent efforts by Grace Communications who
is the local service representative for Motorola, including having
new computer boards flown in from Chicago immediately.
Discussion ensued as to purchasing spare parts for inventory.
Alderman Ray complimented both Chiefs for a job well done in
keeping things going.
ADJOURNMENT:
Vice Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:25
p.m.
Respectfully,
___________________________ ____________________________
Lula M. Hawkins MAYOR
City Clerk-Treasurer
____________________________
Susan L. Davitt
Deputy City Clerk
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