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99 SEP 02.DOC CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:27 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 September 2, 1999 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Mayor Swaim delivered the invocation after which he led the standing audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Gentry, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Twitty and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Alderman Lewis and Smith were absent. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT eight (8), ABSENT (2). 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, Finance Accountant Cheryl Erkel, 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. Glenda Fletcher, Mr. Dennis Sobba, Mr. Terry Sansing, 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 August 19, 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 Howard that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 5 August 1999 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: WATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. REPLACEMENT OF RECYCLING BUILDING Mayor Swaim related that efforts by the City to purchase property and relocate the recycling operation have not yet come to fruition and that consequently the City may want to look at the purchase of other property to build a recycling center. He stated those efforts over the past two and a half years in obtaining the 1 Jemelco CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:27 P.M. property has not yielded a final decision. He stated that after much work they are expecting an answer in a few weeks to move forward. He stated that plans were to purchase the Jemelco building and approximately nine acres of land to relocate the recycling center. He said that the environmental issues have been resolved through EPA and DPC&E and now is a mortgage matter being held by the Small Business Administration. He related that the City holds the title to the property under a tax lien claim but the outstanding mortgage is keeping the City from occupying the building. He related further efforts to negotiate the opportunity for a sealed bid adding that it will be contingent on Council approval regarding the offer to be made. Discussion ensued regarding the time frame and it was related by Mayor Swaim that he is watching for the advertisement for sealed bids, which is forthcoming. b. RESOLUTION 523 (#10-98) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE JACKSONVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Swaim related that the item of business has not progress as he had hoped, adding that he is still working with the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce concerning the purchase of the Chamber building to be used in conjunction with the Police and Courts. He related negotiation regarding the possibility of a trade of the bank building on James and Dupree in exchange for the current Chamber building. He stated that efforts are on going and asked if there are suggestions. He related the desire to move the Municipal Court offices into the existing Chamber building. He then related that the downstairs would be remodeled as the Court room, adding that funds have been appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund for said purpose. He stated that the crowded conditions and needed repairs of the existing space further demonstrate their need for more space. Chief Hibbs related that some operations of the Police Department are located elsewhere from the current building and that with the relocation of the Municipal Court those operations could be brought under one roof. He said that he felt that if the Court had their own facility it would be mutually beneficial regarding customer traffic. 2 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:27 P.M. c. DISCUSSION Planning for the future Mayor Swaim expressed concern that "the City as an organization" needs to address future plans, mentioning accomplishments from the five-year plan. He asked that Council consider either a special or general City Council meeting open to the press for discussion of future directional plans. He mentioned the possibility of bring in a facilitator to help the process, adding that it would be an opportunity to talk ideas and form a plan for as much as ten years into the future. He stated that in many areas the City of Jacksonville is at a cross roads and needs to address topics such as annexation for future growth and development of residential areas. He then related also the need to plan for Jacksonville's part in County government mentioning the Pulaski County Jail issues. He stated that regarding the Freedom of Information Act the Council needs to set aside time for public discussion. Alderman Wilson suggested that discussions be held immediately after or before the regularly scheduled City Council meetings. Alderman Fletcher expressed enthusiasm for future planning and pointed out that he would like to use this time as an opportunity to discuss a children focus for the future instead of the Air Base. He related outstanding efforts by Parks and Recreation with implementation of the Soccer and Ball programs. He offered further discussion regarding the school district. Alderman Ray stated that after Council would be good and suggested that City Commissioners, State and School Representatives along with Quorum Court Representatives be invited, adding that it would take working through several meetings to achieve a plan for the City of Jacksonville. Mayor Swaim recognized Quorum Court member Mr. Dennis Sobba in routine attendance, adding that he appreciates Mr. Sobba participation and representation. Alderman Elliott expressed the desire to move ahead at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Alderman Williamson related that Commissions need to be included. Mayor Swaim stated that efforts would be to work toward established goals. 3 Discussion ensued and it was suggested that a facilitator from Metroplan could be helpful and that the Planning Commission members would need to be included. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:27 P.M. Mayor Swaim said that he envisioned that Council could begin the process with further input from Committees and Commissions soon after formulation. APPOINTMENTS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Special City Council Meeting with presentation form Public Sector Personnel Consultants to be held in the Jacksonville Community Center Wednesday September 8th at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Swaim related that there will be no advance of information prior to the presentation for either City Council or the public. It will be presented to everyone at the same time. He encouraged participation. He stated that he has been very careful to remain neutral. He pointed out that the firm has been paid 50,000.00 for their opinion and it would be a waste of money to direct the firm or their study. PULASKI COUNTY JAIL POPULATION Chief Hibbs related that he was notified by Sheriff Johnson that the jail has reached maximum population for the holiday weekend. He related concern for discussions regarding future planning and the jail situation. Mayor Swaim complimented the Chief and Police Department explaining that the City of Jacksonville has one of the smallest participation in the Pulaski County Jail because of its efforts to handle prisoners and bond those who can be bonded out. He then related that Jacksonville's share to open a new part of the Pulaski County Jail is $29,000.00 based on the population put into the jail. He pointed out that one of the reasons crime is down is because those who have committed offenses are in the County Jail and if released because of over population in the jail crime will naturally increase. He related that as part of future planning discussion he would collect data regarding the Pulaski County Jail for consideration. Discussion ensued and it was related that the first meeting should be held to determine and establish direction of discussion, which could later involve specialist in those different directions for later meetings. OVERPASS UPDATE Mayor Swaim related that the environmental impact study should be 4 ready in October. He stated that the Highway Department has requested and received the City of Jacksonville matching funds and CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 1999 7:00 P.M. - 7:27 P.M. are moving forward with the design for utility relocations. He related that bidding could take place between then and the first of the year. Mr. Dennis Sobba, Quorum Court Representative addressed the audience saying that he is proud to represent Jacksonville, adding that Jacksonville is the only city paying its fair share of the Pulaski County Jail. He related participation in a twelve-week course regarding the jail and sheriff office, which resulted in accomplishments for the same. Mayor Swaim related that Jacksonville entered the contract in good faith, adding that he has even suggested a pay per day basis, which was not acceptable to other cities given that it would be a sizable increase in their cost. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim, without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:27 p.m. Respectfully, ___________________________ ____________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 5