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99 OCT 07.DOCCITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 7, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:22 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 October 7, 1999 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Ray delivered the invocation after which Mayor Swaim led the standing audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Alderman Lewis arrived at approximately 7:02 p.m. and Alderman Gentry arrived at approximately 7:09 p.m. Alderman Twitty was ill. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT nine (9), ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Melanie Green, Human Resource Director Dennis Foor, Director of Administration Murice Green, City Engineer Duane Reel, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, OECD Director Frank Rowland, Purchasing Agent C.J. Brown, Purchasing Assistant Angelia Blacklock, Police Chief Hibbs, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. DeDe Hibbs, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mr. Tommy Dupree, Ms. Addie Gibson, Mr. Terry Sansing, Police Officer Martin Cass, Leader Reporter Rick Kron, Patriot Report Peggy Koury, Democrat-Gazette Report Larry Ault, and interested citizens. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 16, 1999 and Special City Council Meeting of September 8, 1999 for approval and/or correction at the next Regular City Council Meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 2 September 1999 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for September 1999. Report reflects the following: REVENUES .............................. $ 416.50 CONTRIBUTIONS ......................... $ 0.00 ADOPTIONS/FINES ....................... $ 416.50 TOTAL............................. $ 416.50 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 7, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:22 P.M. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, and Howard, voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: DEVIATION IN AGENDA: b. CDBG Project/Approval of consultant engineering for Sage Street Mr. Frank Rowland explained the process regarding the proposal for solicitation of bids and stated that a committee of Alderman Ray, Lewis and Gentry work with the Department in reviewing those bids. He then related that a scoring sheet is used to determine the engineering capacity for the project bid, adding that the bid is then graded and scaled. He pointed out that there is a one point preference to business located within the City. He said that OECD Department acts with the committee in an advisory capacity and that the recommendation is for Bond Engineering. He stated that the Department agrees with that recommendation. Mayor Swaim related that under State Statute professional services do not require bid in a dollar amount but can be proposed for determining the most qualified firm. He added that price is also checked for extravagance. Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the selection of Bond Engineering as the consultant engineering firm for the Sage Street Widening Project. MOTION CARRIED. Funds will be drawn from the Community Development Block Grant Funds. RESUME AGENDA: a. Request to Accept Building and Contents Insurance Bid Paul Mushrush related the low bid to be from Gallagher & Company located in Little Rock. He related that Gallagher has a superior rating and is one of the largest insurance companies in the United States. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 7, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:22 P.M. He then related that it will be a replacement cost policy with a $2,500.00 deductible. He recommended the bid be awarded to Gallagher & Company. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to Accept the low bid of Gallagher & Company in the amount of $20,187.00 to be drawn from budgeted General Funds. MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENTS: PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Mayor Swaim related that Planning Commission Chairman Walker has moved outside the City limits and has resigned his position with the Planning Commission today, adding that the proposed appointment is to fill the position held by Ms. Dana Nixon who is now living in Little Rock. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the appointment of Mr. Bobby Lester to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Dana Nixon to expire 1/1/2000. MOTION CARRIED. SALARY STUDY UPDATE: Mayor Swaim related that Murice Green, Dennis Foor and Paul Mushrush have been working with department heads regarding the salary study and are trying to get that into a position where it is more understandable. He stated that they have been working diligently through the process. He stated that it is not a concern of his Office or the Finance Department that there are not funds to meet the guideline in one year, but that the concern is in sustaining that for a three to five year period of time without creating financial burdens the City could not handle. He related that concerns are being looked at very closely as to how much can be done. He said that it was never a question of having enough money to do it at one time, if you change the way business is done. Alderman Smith questioned would some of the information be in the budget. Mayor Swaim said that when the budget is presented with a proposal then it will be open for discussion and any input from Council members will be good. He encouraged any Council member that would like to be involved with some of the discussions with the Finance Director, Human Resources person or Murice, they are more than welcome to do that. He related that it is a very complicated study and they want to make sure that it is understood. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 7, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:22 P.M. Alderman Wilson suggested that it would be very helpful if the preliminary budget presented different options. He then said that he feels all Council members would like to get to mid-point, or at least the minimum and work towards mid-point. He added that in order for that to happen other things may have to be given up, so Council needs to look at what those different options might be. He illustrated his point by saying "If for instance everybody is brought to the minimum with some work toward mid-point percentage, what effect does that have or if more than that, what effect does that have. He stated that he believes it is going to get down to some real difficult choices. Mayor Swaim agreed saying "that is a very good point," adding that the problem is not today's cost, but the projection of future cost over a number of years. He mentioned the 7% raise given in January. He then stated that it means using fund balance and any reserve at a growing rate over a period of time anytime you give a large raise and that raise comes again the next year. He pointed out that if raises do not come out of general funds you are depleting funds elsewhere and once depleted comes the problem of trying to figure how to sustain that. He summed that the problem is being able to continue it consistently. He related that he would never agree to give funds one year and take them away the following, adding that "it is just not fair." He stated that we want to do as much as we can, realizing that we need to sustain that over a three to five year period of time without raising taxes. In response to a question posed by Alderman Smith, Mayor Swaim said that the City Sales Tax has not generated as much this year as it did last year. In response to a question regarding projections in revenue from the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Mayor Swaim stated that he did not have those figures but hopes it will pick up the difference in the next year. He stated that he monitors the figures on Sales Tax as soon as it comes in looking at projections for budget purposes. He related that at the present time our sales tax for this year is over fifty thousand below what it was last year with no speculation for recovery. Alderman Elliott related that at a recent Municipal League meeting other cities with a drop in sales tax were wondering how the internet sales are affecting those figures. He stated that there is a need to address the internet sales tax as a big contributing factor. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 7, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:22 P.M. Mayor Swaim stated that it is very well understood nationwide that internet sales is making a big difference, mentioning predictions of billions spent on the internet this year buying goods that are not taxable on a local level. He pointed out that Wal-Mart has an internet page for retail purposes. He stated that it will make a difference, adding that a committee in Washington has been appointed however there is a moratorium against raising local taxes for internet sales for at least three years until some decision is made on whether internet sales can be taxed or not. He then stated that besides the issue of local taxes for cities, his concern is that internet sales hurt local businesses taking away opportunity for those businesses to sustain themselves. He reflected on concerns from some citizens over the new Wal-Mart, stating that in his opinion he feels the local retailer is in more danger from internet sales. He related that he feels comfortable that the sales tax will be alright in the long run, adding that the reason there are funds available regarding raises this year is because in the past the City sales tax fund has grown at a substantial rate. He related growth as high as over 11% at one time averaging 6 to 9% per year growth. He stated that his concerns regarding the salary study is being able to do what is proposed in a timely manner and sustaining it for a long period of time. ANNOUNCEMENTS: CONTINUED DISCUSSION of Planning for the Future Mayor Swaim announced that immediately following the City Council Meeting, a discussion of planning for the future will resume. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim, without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:22 p.m. Respectfully, ___________________________ ____________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer