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99 JUN 03.DOC CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 3, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 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 June 3, 1999 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, Gentry, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Twitty 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 Melanie Green, Administration and Public Works Director Murice Green, City Engineer Duane Reel, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Purchasing Agent C.J. Brown, Purchasing Assistant Angela Blacklock, Police Chief Hibbs, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Battalion Chief Ron Peeks, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Attorney Will Bond, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. DeDe Hibbs, Mr. Terry Sansing, Leader Reporter Rick Kron, and interested citizens. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 20 May 1999 for approval and/or correction at the next Regular City Council Meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 6 May 1999 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: a. Asphalt Overlay Program Bid Mayor Swaim related that the low bid is between three and four dollars per ton less than the 1998 bid. He related that the list represents a good range of the job and City Engineer Reel is satisfied with the low bid contractor. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the recommended low bid from Rowlett Construction in the amount of $273,907.32 at $1.32 milling per yard. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE 1 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 3, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. Funds will be drawn from Street Department funding. Mayor Swaim pointed out areas regarding the construction of the railroad overpass that were deleted, adding that the area would require reworking at the time of construction. MOTION CARRIED. b. Sidewalk Construction Bid Mayor Swaim related that current ADA requirements include consideration for five foot sidewalks, adding that an addendum to the original bid for five-foot sidewalks came in at a total of $118,182.81 from Joyner-Ford Construction. In response to a question posed by Alderman Howard, Mayor Swaim related that ADA and Highway Department regulations are proposing that all sidewalks be five feet. Director of Administration and Public Works Murice Green related that because of ADA requirements Metroplan and other jurisdictions are working together to set standards for sidewalk construction. He related that a recently approved grant for the City stipulated the construction of five foot sidewalks. He further pointed out that because of developing standards and the overall scope of projects according to Metroplan five foot sidewalks are becoming the standard. He related that standards and recommendations are formed by representatives on the technical committee and transportation advisory committee from each Metroplan jurisdiction which makes up the members of the inter-modal transportation system. He stated that the development of wider sidewalks is just one aspect of the whole picture in developing a better system regarding safety and ADA requirements. Mayor Swaim related that sidewalk location from the curb determines Highway Department requirements, adding that if the sidewalk is located next to the curb it must be one foot wider. Mr. Green pointed out that North First Street has six foot sidewalks adjacent to the curb. Mayor Swaim related that efforts are being made to connect sidewalks in the different areas for pedestrian traffic. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the recommended low bid from Joyner-Ford Construction in the amount of $118,182.81 to be drawn from Street Department funds. MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE 2 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 3, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: Annual Lawn Care Bid Mayor Swaim related that the item is a corrected bid process. Mr. Biggs related that Extreme Green was recommended by the Baseball Association who contracted the company to handle Excell Park. He said that they were pleased with the results and is requesting that their service for Dupree Park including field five, the softball fields, soccer complex, and the Community Center. In response to a question from Alderman Wilson, Mr. Biggs related that Chemlawn has previously performed the work. Mayor Swaim noted that the contract consists of weeding and fertilization and does not include mowing, adding that particular attention is being paid to the soccer fields in efforts to get grass to cover the fields. Discussion ensued and it was determined that the following annual lawn care bid would include lawn maintenance City wide. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the recommended low bid from Extreme Green in the amount of $10,260.00. MOTION CARRIED. PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: Request Funding to Repair Lights/Dupree Park Field One Mayor Swaim related the earlier allocation for lighting work at field one, adding that the lighting situation now appears to be one where the wiring is not sufficient. Alderman Williamson agreed to be a committee of one to make recommendation to Council regarding further quality of wiring and switches. Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve an estimated $20,000.00 in funding for lighting repair at Dupree Park with funds to be drawn from Capital Improvement. MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENTS: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Mayor Swaim related that Mr. Dietz is involved with sports in Jacksonville and understands that a Commissioner's responsibility in serving is to look at and be aware of the entire Parks program. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE 3 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 3, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the appointment of Mr. Michael Dietz to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a five-year term to expire 9 May 2004. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Swaim encouraged registration for Arkansas Municipal League being held June 16th - 18th. Alderman Wilson commended efforts by the Parks Department and Softball Association regarding the Softball Tournament, adding that area businesses benefited and can appreciate the efforts. He said that all City employees are doing a good job and commented on the appearance of the City grounds. Alderman Wilson pointed out that the Chamber of Commerce will host an event on the 10th to honor Mr. Bobby Lester. He suggested that along with a proclamation from the Mayor he would like to see the Council join that expression with a Resolution of appreciation. He commended Mr. Lester's accomplishments regarding the district school children. Alderman Williamson pointed out that his wife is retiring from the school system after 34 years as a teacher in the school district. General consensus of the Council was that City Attorney Bamburg prepare a Resolution in honor of Mr. Bobby Lester and Ms. JoAnn Williamson. Mayor Swaim said that he appreciates the comments regarding the City grounds, adding that Jimmy Oakley is graduating from a management course at the University of Little Rock. He related that Jimmy Oakley has been in the management program for two years. He related that the course is a middle management course available for government employees. He commended the course saying that it has enhanced Jimmy Oakley's management ability and saves the City money in the long run. In response to a question posed by Alderman Fletcher, Mayor Swaim related the James Street building is being considered for development as the new Chamber of Commerce. He informed Council that Alderman Wilson's Bank purchased and donated the building to the City of Jacksonville, which is valued at $450,000.00. He then related the need for additional space near the Police Department. Alderman Fletcher suggested the street between Dupree and James be closed and incorporated into the existing isle for green space. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE 4 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 3, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. He related that he appreciates the flower beds and would like to see a fountain or another type of focal point in that area. He related that a fountain and a court yard would be ideal. Mayor Swaim related that concrete work has been donated for a military type monument for the area, adding that there is additional space available. Mr. Murice Green related that Jacksonville Incorporated was not approved for a grant thus the City has accepted it as a Public Works project. He related that work has begun and encouraged suggestions. He related that the area now has water and the possibility of a fountain in under consideration. Mayor Swaim related that the Downtown Organization would welcome participation and membership. He related that the City matched funds raised by the Downtown Organization to purchase banners commemorating education. Alderman Howard raised the question of additional housing for seniors and Mayor Swaim related that HUD is reviewing a grant application regarding efforts to achieve another facility similar to the existing Towers building. He related that recently HUD has moved away from building multi-story structures and toward single- story separate dwelling situations. He stated that land costs are the major difficulty, adding that HUD has agreed to consider application for a multi-story facility and that Jacksonville has submitted those plans. He related combined efforts with the Jacksonville Chamber Foundation and the Jacksonville Housing Facility as the non-governmental sponsor to share expenses. He related that the grant is for $2,045,000.00 and that with the additional funds it will allow for a three-story structure with 36 to 38 units. He referred to the sketch of the proposed development and related that it would face Bailey Street with parking around the shopping center area. He pointed out one main focus was to construct a facility close to shopping for the elderly. He related a 50-50 chance of obtaining a grantee and acknowledged help from the Housing Facilities Board and engineering services from Tommy Bond. He related that the current waiting list for the existing facility would more than fill the proposed new facility and start a new waiting list. He related that during a public meeting at the Elderly Activity Center the project received over whelming support and many of those wanted to get on the waiting list of the proposed building. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE 5 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 3, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. He related that Ms. Francis Burnett has requested the first handicap room in the new building. He explained that Ms. Burnett had always lived in Jacksonville but when put into a wheel chair she could no longer stay in her home and is now residing in a facility in Gravel Ridge due to the lack of space in Jacksonville. He said that she wants to be in the City. He acknowledged help from CDBG and the other agencies earlier mentioned. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim, without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m. Respectfully, ___________________________ ____________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 6