98 SEP 17.DOC
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:58 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 17, 1998 at the regular meeting place
of the Council. Alderman Howard 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, Human Resource Director Steve Ward, City Engineer Duane
Reel, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Public Works Director Murice
Green, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Edith
Smith, Mrs. Linda Keaton, numerous policemen and firemen, Planning
Commissioner Bob Walker, and the following candidates in the
upcoming General Election, James Reid and wife, Frederick Gentry,
Gerri Prince, and Sherrie Walker. Jacksonville Patriot Editor Jon
Parham, and interested citizens were present also.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council
Meeting of September 3, 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 Elliott that the
minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 20 August 1998 be
APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to APPROVE
the monthly Report for August 1998 of the Jacksonville Fire
Department. Said Report reflects a fire loss of $36,200.00 . ROLL
CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson,
Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION
CARRIED.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott that the
Regular Monthly Report for August of the Jacksonville Police
Department be APPROVED. Said report reflects; Fine Settlements
$71,334.25, Miscellaneous Payments $ .00, Report Sales $300.00
making TOTAL COLLECTIONS: $71,634.25. ASSESSED: $50,604.25.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:58 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray,
Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton and Howard voted AYE. NAY 0.
MOTION CARRIED.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/OECD
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott, that the
Regular Monthly Report for August, of Economic and Community
Development Department be approved. Said report reflects:
AUGUST 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
AUGUST YR-TO-DATE
Homebuyer Assistance Grants (HAG):
Applications received ......................... 2 8
Approval Pending .............................. 0 N/A
Grants Approved ............................... 2 6
Housing Rehabilitation: OECD had two Rehab project work starts and
three completed; along with one disability access projects in
August.
MEETINGS: JUNE YR-TO-DATE
Informational Meetings (OE/CD) ................ 4/2 24/27
Public Meeting (OE/CD) ........................ 0/1 0/7
Conferences/Seminars/Training (OE/CD) ......... 0/1 0/6
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray,
Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard, voted AYE, NAY
(0). MOTION CARRIED.
DEVIATION IN AGENDA: PRESENTATION BY THE ARENA BOARD
Mrs. Billie Ann Myers, Nina Cash, Charlie Foster, and Art
Humphrey, of the Arena Board presented information regarding work
on the Alltel Arena in North Little Rock. The projected date for
completion is set for August of 1999 and it was pointed out that
total funding at present is seventy-two (72) million dollars. The
seating is projected to seat a maximum of eighteen (18) thousand
spectators with adequate parking and safety, a priority in the
planning. It was pointed out that three million dollars has been
set aside for the first couple of years as operational reserve.
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Mayor Swaim and the Council thanked the Board for the
presentation.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:58 P.M.
RESUME AGENDA:
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT: a. Request to Accept Bid: Sidewalk Program
Mayor Swaim pointed out that $125,000.00 of Street Funds, for the
last several years, has been allocated for sidewalk construction.
City Engineer Reel voiced that he is comfortable with the low bid
from Surrett Construction.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the
low bid of $104,891.75, from Surrett Construction Co., be accepted
with funding from the Street Department Turnback Funds. MOTION
CARRIED.
b. Request to Accept Bid: Northlake Drainage Project
Mayor Swaim asked the City Engineer to make a recommendation to
the City Council with regard to the contractor making the lowest
bid, Moran Construction.
City Engineer Reel stated that the company has never done work for
the City in the past and that three good references were supplied.
He related that the ditch to be constructed is 335 ft. long.
Alderman Keaton moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to accept the
low bid of $18,456.35 from Moran Construction with funding from
the Street Department Turnback Funds.
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION: ORDINANCE (#3-98) ANNEXATION Watkins
Property
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AND CONFIRMING ANNEXATION OF THE UNANNEXED
PORTION OF THE WATKINS PROPERTY INTO THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE;
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mayor Swaim reminded the Council that the annexation item has gone
to the County, that a public hearing was held, that the County
approved the request, that it bears the signature of the County
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Judge and that a thirty day waiting period has been met making it
timely for the passage of the annexation ordinance by the City of
Jacksonville.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:58 P.M.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to place the
Ordinance on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith,
Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton and
Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received ten (10) affirmative
votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon, City
Attorney Bamburg read the Ordinance.
Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to ACCEPT the
Ordinance on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith,
Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton, and
Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received ten, (10) affirmative
votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to ACCEPT the
Ordinance on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith,
Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton, and
Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received ten (10) affirmative
votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Lewis moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to suspend the
rules and place the Ordinance on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL:
Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher,
Williamson, Keaton, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion
received ten (10) affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION
CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the Ordinance for
the Second Time.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith, that Ordinance
be placed on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen:
Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson,
Keaton, and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received ten (10)
affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED. Ordinance
read THIRD AND FINAL TIME by City Attorney Robert Bamburg.
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis, that Ordinance
1095 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott,
Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton,
and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received ten (10)
affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott, that the
EMERGENCY CLAUSE be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen:
Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton,
and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). Motion received ten, (10)
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affirmative votes, (0) negative votes. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE APPROVED AND ADOPTED AND NUMBERED 1093 THIS THE 17th DAY
SEPTEMBER, 1998.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:58 P.M.
GENERAL: a. ARENA BOARD PRESENTATION / SEE DEVIATION IN AGENDA:
b. ORDINANCE 1100 (#10-98) Ref: Pay Increase, Pay Scale, & Bi-
Annual Evaluation of Current Levels of Pay/Jacksonville Police
Department
Mayor Swaim recognized City Attorney Robert Bamburg to address the
item of business.
Mr. Bamburg explained that a sponsor for Ordinance 1100 (#10-98)
is not needed as originally thought. He said that there are two
ways for issues to be placed on the ballot, initiative petitions
such as was filed with the office of the City Clerk by the Police
Department, and a referendum through action of the City Council in
passing an ordinance.
He related that there was an undue hardship worked through by the
office of the City Clerk due to information not being received
correctly and in a proper time frame from the office of the County
Clerk regarding registered voters in the City of Jacksonville. He
said he requested that the item be placed on the agenda so the
Council could address it, since completion of verification of the
voters signatures was uncertain and the possibility existed that
it might not be possible for said verification to be accomplished
within the proper time frame required for ballot preparation
pointing out deadlines set by the Election Commission.
He related that there is a sixty day deadline with an initiative
petition and with a referendum from the Council there is a thirty
day deadline noting that the difficulty was in the Election
Commission meeting a printing deadline of two weeks before October
9, 1998, the date absentee voting begins. He said that using the
ordinance at the October 1, 1998 meeting of the Council might have
missed that deadline pointing out that one part of the law does
not necessarily coordinate with the other part of the law.
He noted that the signatures of registered voters, on the
petitions presented to the Clerk's Office, have been verified and
that the appropriate number of registered voters has been
certified by said office for presentation to the Board of the
Election Commission. He said that presentation to that office on
September 18, 1998 will insure presentation on the General
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Election of 3 November 1998.
He stated that action by the Council is not necessary.
The Council did not take any action on Ordinance 1100 (#10-98).
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:58 P.M.
Alderman Wilson commented that he felt the Council wants to do
what it can for the Police Department as well as other departments
within the City Government noting that it has said responsibility
of doing so. He said that he thought the matter could have been
resolved had the Police Department come to the Council before
circulating petitions. He related that petitions such as the one
circulated by the department takes the authority away from the
Council who has the responsibility of passing a budget which
allocates the tax money that the City has. He expressed concern
that a precedent will be set and that the proposal as presented
calls for never cutting back on the number of personnel in the
Police Department and the fact that there is a proposal for a step
and grade situation that commits future Councils that may or may
not be able to generate the funds to pay those wages. He said
that he was confident that employees want the assurance that there
will be pay increases in the future, but that the further out the
Council goes in making those assurances which gives employees the
comforts desired puts the Council and the City at a greater risk
because there is more uncertainty for the Council and the City. He
related that he will help any way he can, commending the job done
in getting signatures on the petitions.
Alderman Sansing said that he felt the job of the Council is
primarily to enact the will of the people for the betterment of
all.
c. REQUEST TO ACCEPT BID: CDBG PHASE VIII SUNNYSIDE WATERLINE
SERVICE PROJECT
Frank Rowland, Director of OECD Department related that the
reconstruction of the waterlines have been an ongoing project of
the City of Jacksonville and funded in part by the Office of
Economic and Community Development. He said that Phase VIII is
the final phase for the reconstruction of the water main lines
noting that the low bidder is IBECX, $74,865.00. He related that
he was confident of the bid and requested the approval of the
Council.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing that the bid of
$74,865.00 from IBECX be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. (funding from
CDBG in conjunction with the Water Department)
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APPOINTMENTS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Swaim announced the opening of the
Jacksonville Business Development Center on 15 October 1998 from
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. He said that funds have been set aside for
a business incubator with offices at 109 West Main.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:58 P.M.
He announced that the Jacksonville Promise will meet on Saturday
for a clean-up a concentrated in Sunnyside Subdivision.
Mr. Steve Ward pointed out the sign up time, eight to nine o'clock
on Saturday 19 September 1998 giving information for activities
involved with the program.
Committee formation with reference to Modular Home Development
Phillip Keaton requested that the Council join with members of the
Planning Commission, Commissioners Mark Perry, John Hardwick, Bart
Gray Jr., and Bob Walker in an effort to address the Mfg. Modular
Home Development in the community.
It was pointed out that another meeting of the committee formed to
review salaries of the policemen is scheduled for 22 September
1998 at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Swaim, without objection, adjourned the meeting at
approximately 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully,
___________________________ ____________________________
Lula M. Hawkins MAYOR
City Clerk-Treasurer
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