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98 SEP 03.DOC CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:50 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 September 3, 1998 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: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT ten (10), ABSENT (0). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, Human Resource Director Steve Ward, City Engineer Duane Reel, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Public Works Director Murice Green, Planning Commission Chairman Bart Gray, Jr., Chamber of Commerce Director Mickey Anders, Police Chief Larry Hibbs, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Dee Dee Hibbs, The Jacksonville Patriot Editor Jon Parham, and interested citizens. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 20, 1998 and the minutes of the Special Joint Meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council for approval and/or correction at the next Regular City Council Meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 6 August 1998 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for August 1998. Report reflects the following: REVENUES.................................. $ 532.00 CONTRIBUTIONS............................. $ .00 ADOPTION/FINES.............................$ 532.00 TOTAL REVENUES.............................$ 532.00 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M. WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: Request to Accept Bid for and Engine Exhaust Removal System Chief Vanderhoof related that the system will remove hazardous fumes that occur when the diesel fire engines are started, adding that these fumes are a major safety concern for firemen. He related that through twenty year studies it has been determined that the fumes are hazardous to breathe. He said that sensors are activated after the fire engines move out and the fumes are removed from the building by a filtering system. It was noted that OSHA requires the exhaust removal system. In general discussion it was related that the optional system is a "tracking system" where the filter system is actually attached to the exhaust pipes and detached when the fire truck pulls off, adding that the system cost approximately $100,000.00 with maintenance. He related that the air vac system and installation would cost approximately $35,000.00 for all the fire stations. Chief Vanderhoof stated that he feels comfortable with the vendor and it was determined that if approved budgeted funds would come from the Fire Department Equipment line item and the balance from the Equipment Fund. In response to a question posed by Alderman Ray, Chief Vanderhoof related that the square footage of the bay area at each station determined the total installation cost, noting that the system will remove 5,000 cubic feet of air per minute. Alderman Williamson moved, seconded by Alderman Keaton to approve the bid and purchase of an engine exhaust removal system from Air Vaccum Corporation. MOTION CARRIED. (TOTAL COST $35,493.50) (funding as budgeted plus any balance from the Equipment Fund) POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: Request to advertise Bid to sell "old" street sweeper Mayor Swaim related that the new street sweeper has arrived and he is requesting permission to advertise for the sale of the old street sweeper which would be fine for a smaller municipality with less use requirements. He related interest from other municipalities to bid. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to advertise to sell "old" street sweeper. MOTION CARRIED. PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. REPORT of Joint Meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council Planning Commission Chairman Bart Gray, Jr. expressed appreciation to the Council for attending the joint meeting and related that the two hour meeting was a condensation of several two-hour meeting. He suggested that the Comprehensive Development Plan may need to be looked at more closely with the possibility of being changed in general or specific areas. He noted that a simple overview was presented at the meeting by Metroplan which he encouraged the Council to study. Ald. Wilson related that he felt there should not be a breakdown in communication between City Hall and persons coming there for information regarding development, land use change, zoning, and the process with reference to the time frame for said actions. Mayor Swaim requested that a check list be prepared through the offices of the City Engineer and the City Clerk in an effort to more readily inform the public of the process. b. MODULAR HOMES Alderman Keaton voiced that the modular home was mentioned briefly at the joint meeting of the Planning Commission and the City Council. He stated that he felt it is just a matter of time before the City will have to deal with affordable housing which the manufactured and modular home can provide. He suggested that definitions be looked at, as well as zoning, in efforts to make provisions for middle income families to fulfill their dream of home ownership. He went on to say that Southern Building Code and HUD requirements are met in modular home construction. He suggested that the hand-out be studied and action be taken in the future, giving consideration for provisions of the modular and manufactured home "alternate construction method" which are coming. He said that the Council and the Planning Commission working 3 together can make positive changes for citizens of the future. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M. He related that concrete homes are being used in other areas pointing out that quality is not necessarily lost in alternate methods of construction which are affordable. Alderman Elliott encouraged both the Planning Commission and the City Council to look into the matter suggesting that Jim Vantunglen from the Municipal League and Richard Magee from Metroplan be given opportunity to make presentations at the joint meetings. Alderman Smith voiced that he felt the issue is pertinent and that action should be taken in providing the alternate housing for the citizens of Jacksonville. Alderman Elliott suggested that J.D. Harper with the Arkansas Manufactured Housing Association would be helpful in supplying definitions. Alderman Ray made the Council aware of a manufactured house under construction off Hwy 294 in Lonoke County. He said that he plans to keep abreast of its progress. Alderman Fletcher suggested that it might be profitable for members of the committee to attend the National Home Builders Show in Dallas. A committee was formed; Ald. Keaton, Ald. Fletcher, Ald. Marshall Smith, Ald. Lewis, and Ald. Elliott plus members of the Planning Commission. (chairman selection to be made within the members of the committee) Alderman Wilson suggested Metroplan involvement along with Municipal League as suggested by Alderman Lewis. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: Mayor Swaim proposed to appoint a committee to address the issue created by a petition circulated by the F.O.P. regarding salaries for the Police Department. He said that misinformation has been given and that he would like facts to be before the general public. He related that 5.5% was the increase for last year, the cost of living 2.8%. He said that every employee in the City of Jacksonville got a 2.7% pay increase above the cost of living in 1998. 4 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M. He asked the two Police Committee Members, Alderman Howard and Sansing, serve on the committee. Volunteers were Alderman Wilson, Howard, and Ray. He said that the number of policemen has grown from 45 in 1994 to 69 in 1998. He related that he is not opposed to what the department is doing, that it is their right, but that he is concerned that the public is not getting the full information. Alderman Sansing related that an article in the newspaper was very disturbing to him. He directed a question to Chief Hibbs regarding the shape of the Police Department. Chief Larry Hibbs said that the department is in fine shape. He said that there are new hires and trainees who are functioning fine. Alderman Sansing commented on the article and expressed that he feels the department is in fine shape. He related that he has, in times past, talked with the Mayor about pay increases for policemen, noting that he voted no on a budget once with regard to pay increases for policemen. He said that since that time, he is aware that there are other city employees who need raises as well. He pointed out that he has talked with Mayor Swaim about bringing in a consultant to look at all pay scales adding that he feels there are discrepancies in all departments within the City. He said that there are fine men and women in the Police Department. Chief Hibbs said that the department will continue to do its business adding that the officers take a great deal of pride in the job they do. Mayor Swaim pointed out that nine of those who left the department during the year, six were retired and three were terminated. He related that he hoped the committee could disseminate clear information. Alderman Fletcher commented that it was not his intention to hurt the Police Department with reference to a recent newspaper article contending that he feels the numbers leaving the department are warning signs which he does not want to see ignored. He related that low salaries, in his opinion, will keep qualified people from 5 joining the force pointing out that the cost of training officers who leave the department is also a factor that alarms him. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M. Mayor Swaim pointed out that statistical data shows how good the Police Department is doing in resolution of crimes, recovery of stolen properties, ranking in the top in cities of comparable size. He said that he did not desire to get in an adversarial position with the Police Department. In addressing the funding, that it is there, Mayor Swaim added that the auditor said there should be funds to run the City in the case of an emergency. He commented that he has worked very diligently to get the City in the position of a strong financial base adding that he has sympathy and empathy with the employees but that he feels care should be taken in committing non-reoccurring funds to reoccurring costs. He pointed out that over $800,000.00 per year is spent on insurance for employees urging that the Council discuss the matter before it becomes argumentative about the issue noting that the Council has worked through problems in the past. He said that he fully expects the issue to be on the ballot in November adding that the issue is not all about employees that it also says that we can never cut the number of employees, that we can never lower the benefits and that we must always give a cost of living raise which dictates what the City is going to do with its money in the future. He said that he thinks it is very dangerous for any department to have an iron clad situation that says the number of employees can never be lowered or that the number of benefits cannot be changed pointing out a $34.00 increase in family coverage which was absorbed during the year by the City and not passed on to the employee. Alderman Howard asked that graduations from the Police Academy be made available to the Council so the ceremonies may be attended. c. APPOINTMENTS: Incoming Municipal Court Clerk Mayor Swaim announced that the present Municipal Court Clerk is retiring noting a luncheon on September 8, 1998 in her honor. He related that the position is an appointed one and that Municipal Judge Batton has recommended Ms. Donna Brimmage, presently Deputy Court Clerk, as Municipal Court Clerk. Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that Ms. Donna Brimmage be appointed as Jacksonville Municipal Court Clerk according to State Statute. MOTION CARRIED. (Mayor Swaim pointed out that salary will be dedicated per State 6 Statute limitations, $23,000.00.) ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Swaim announced that City Hall would be closed August 7, 1998 in celebration of Labor Day. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M. He also announced that there will be a presentation by the Arena Board at the next Regular City Council Meeting. Alderman Ray announced a Cardboard Boat Race sponsored by the Jacksonville Rotary Club to be held during the Mums, Music, and Muscadine Festival. A carnival at the Elderly Activities Center was announced for 12 September, 1998. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim, without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:50 p.m. Respectfully, ___________________________ ____________________________ Lula M. Hawkins MAYOR City Clerk-Treasurer 7