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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 20, 2000
7:00 P.M. – 7:21 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 July 20, 2000 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Mayor Swaim delivered the invocation and led
a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Wilson, Twitty and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. Alderman Fletcher arrived at approximately
7:02 p.m. PRESENT seven (7), ABSENT (3).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Melanie Green, Director of Administration Murice Green, Human Resource Director Dennis Foor,
City Engineer Jay Whisker, CDBG Director Frank Rowland, Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant Patty Walker, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Police Captain Baker, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs.
Lindy Lewis, Mr. Dennis Sobba, Deputy of Public Works Jimmy Oakley, Mr. Terry Sansing, Mrs. Addie Gibson, Jacksonville Patriot Reporter Peggy Koury, Leader Reporter Rick Kron, Democrat-Gazette
Reporter Amy Upshaw and interested citizens.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 6, 2000 for approval and/or correction at the next Regular City Council Meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 15 June 2000 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson that the Regular Monthly Report for June of the Jacksonville Police Department be APPROVED. Said report reflects; Total value of
reported stolen Property $73,843.00, Total value of recovered stolen property $36,340.00, and Total Report Sales $358.25.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 20, 2000
7:00 P.M. – 7:21 P.M.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to APPROVE the Report for June of the Jacksonville Fire Department, which reflects a fire loss of $28,000.00, and a savings total
of $46,000.00.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson that the Regular Monthly Report for May, be approved. Said report reflects:
JBIP ACTIVITY JUNE YR. TO DATE
Students enrolled in current classes 0 18
Number of sessions held 0 18
Correspondence to new business 0 13 Applications taken 4 25
Promotional presentations 2 24 Visits/Consultations with students 12 56
Student Grant/Loans 0 0
Graduates 0 0
Graduate business starts 0 2
Note: The U.S. Dept. of HUD recognized this program in June as a “Best Practice” State and Regional Award winner for 1999 and now in competition for National Honors to be announced
in August 2000.
PROGRAM INQUIRIES JUNE YR-TO-DATE
Rehab 2 7 Home 12 16
CDBG 8 10
Sewer 6 10
HAG 1 2
Home Buying 6 21
HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE GRANT (HAG)
Applications 1 2
Approved 1 1
HOUSING REHAB APPLICATIONS
Loan Applications (HOME) 1 2
Grant Applications (CDBG) 3 4
Total Rehabs Done 2 16
HOME BLDG/BUYING/RECONSTRUCTION SALES
Applications received 1 9
Homes built or re-constructed/completed 0 2
Mortgage Loan applications pending financing 0 4
Approved Mortgage loans for const. sales 0 1
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 15, 2000
7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Note: The U.S. Dept. of HUD recognized this program in June as a “Best Practice” State Award winner for 1999.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS/JUNE
Stanphil Road Sidewalk
Residents do not want this sidewalk on the north side of the road.
Construction-Pending location
We will hold a meeting in August to discuss alternatives
S. Spring Street Reconstruction, sidewalk, curb
Bids received/pending Council action-estimated construction date: August 28, 2000
Low/Mod Income area Parks Improvement
-new equipment purchased/pending for Galloway Park
-proposed equipment for Johnson & Excel Parks ineligible.
Mr. Rowland explained that a ruling from HUD based on a citizen complaint, stated that Johnson & Excel Park (in the same census tract) must be included or excluded together. He stated
that it is planned to mention the area in the Five (5) Year Plan as a strategic revitalization area and are now waiting for a determination from HUD. He then noted that the Mayor and
the Parks and Recreation Commission have funded equipment for both Johnson & Excel Park from City funds because they could not be funded through CDBG.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Wilson, Fletcher, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Swaim noted that the complaint was from the Johnson Park area regarding work being conducted in Excel Park. He stated that the census tract eliminated both parks from being considered
in the low to moderate-income areas.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT:
GENERAL: a. REQUEST TO ACCEPT BID
Mayor Swaim related that the low bid from Barger Excavating was given the option to resubmit prior to acceptance of bids because of a miscalculation based on yardage. He stated that
Barger was allowed to recalculate based only on the lowest calculation submitted for that particular item. He related that when
resubmitted the bid still came in as lowest bidder.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 15, 2000
7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to accept the low bid of $150,310.00 from Barger Excavating.
In response to a question from Alderman Wilson, Mayor Swaim related that the refigured bid was based on the lowest calculation submitted only for that particular item. He then related
that Barger did not have the opportunity to use other bids as a basis for recalculation.
Mayor Swaim related that funds will be drawn from CDBG projects.
At this time, MOTION CARRIED.
b. HOME CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM/CDBG approval to acquire property.
Mr. Frank Rowland referred to the appraisal report from Mr. Larry Dupree regarding 106 Church Street. He related that the appraised value is $7,800.00, adding that the offer will be
made for less. He stated that as a purchase of less than $10,000.00 it does not require Council approval, adding that he wanted to make sure Council is aware of plans to embark into
purchase of land to build houses. He stated that CDBG will not exceed the appraisal price and will hopefully purchase under appraised value.
Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to grant authority for the Mayor and CDBG Director negotiate purchase of the proposed property, not to exceed appraisal. MOTION CARRIED.
c. LETTERS OF CONDEMNATION
City Engineer Whisker related the following five (5) houses have received letters of condemnation: 192 Pike Avenue, 103 Pulaski, 312 South Oak, 110 Jaxon Circle, 510 Ray Road. He asked
that telephone calls be directed to his office. He related that owners have been asked to bring the houses up to code before further proceedings.
Mayor Swaim explained that condemnation of the houses will require City Council action, adding that the letter is to notify owners that they must meet code in a reasonable length of
time.
Discussion ensued and it was noted that at least two property owners have shown interest in bring the houses up to code.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 15, 2000
7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
In response to a question posed by Alderman Wilson, City Engineer Whisker related that the letter states that the owners have thirty (30) days to contact the Engineering Department regarding
their intention. He then related that after thirty (30) days the owners who have not contacted the City will receive a second letter of procedure. He related in direct response to
Alderman Smith, that the second letter states that they will be scheduled to meet with the City Council usually within twenty-one (21) days depending on scheduled Council meetings.
Mayor Swaim related that the legal steps will be handled by City Attorney Bamburg.
Discussion ensued as to the vacancy of the homes. Mayor Swaim related that condemnation is unpleasant but the fact is that these homes for condemnation have become unsafe and uninhabitable.
He stated that they must be repaired or destroyed. He related that the factor for repair cost has to be decided by the owner.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Swaim reported that Chief Hibbs has made some progress in his recovery and is doing well for the circumstances. He related that he is still in I.C.U.
STREET MILLING
Mayor Swaim related that there have been calls regarding that the street milling is ahead of the paving. He stated that the City is pushing coordination between the two in completion
of the project. He stated that striping bids should come before Council next month and pointed out that the asphalt will need to cure before the striping begins.
Discussion ensued regarding various striping materials and the cost of those materials in direct relation to the illumination factor.
City Engineer Whisker offered to bring information regarding materials and cost to the Council for consideration.
Alderman Fletcher offered that a light be considered for a portion of Redmond Road during the reconstruction of the bridge.
Mayor Swaim pointed out that the reflective material used for striping which comes rolled and is applied is more than fifty (50) cents per foot. He related that it has been used in
selective intersections as a test product provided free from the manufacturer. He related that higher reflectivity materials cost
is prohibitive to the amount of striping recommended annually.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 15, 2000
7:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
He then related that weather factors have influenced the contractor's ability to maintain employees.
Alderman Wilson complimented the appearance of City grounds and other areas being maintained by the Beautification Department.
Mayor Swaim and Alderman Fletcher mentioned considerations for a gazebo in front of City Hall and a water foundation for the Chamber of Commerce building.
Alderman Twitty related that visitors she hosted from Sacramento, California were very impressed with the City Hall and Community Center buildings.
Mayor Swaim related that the building construction was accomplished at a cost of $600,000.00 without raising taxes.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM
City Clerk-Treasurer