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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY
Mayor Swaim announced that Justice of the Peace Dennis Sobba was
present to officiate an "Oath of Office Ceremony". Mr. Sobba
administered oaths to re-elected and newly elected Aldermen.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in
Regular Session on January 4, 2001 at the regular meeting place of
the Council. Alderman Stroud delivered the invocation and Mayor
Swaim led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the
flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson,
Fletcher Stroud, Twitty and Howard answered. 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, Director of
Administration Murice Green, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Finance
Director Paul Mushrush, Purchasing Agent C.J. Brown, Police Chief
Hibbs, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Deputy of Public Works Jimmy Oakley,
Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Parks Assistant
Administrator Patty Walker, Fireman Bill Plunk, CDBG Director
Theresa Watson, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Helen Stroud, Mrs. DeDe
Hibbs, Mrs. Addie Gibson, Mr. Tommy Dupree, Mrs. Sandra Sansing,
Mrs. Lendy Lewis, Jacksonville Patriot Reporter Peggy Koury, Leader
Newspaper Reporter Rick Kron, and interested citizens.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council
Meeting of December 21, 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 Howard that the minutes
of the Regular City Council Meeting of 7 December 2000 be APPROVED.
MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to APPROVE the
monthly Animal Control Report for December 2000 and the Annual
Report. Report reflects the following:
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
DECEMBER:
REVENUES……………………………………………$ 325.00
CONTRIBUTIONS………………………………$ .00
ADOPTIONS/FINES…………………………$ 325.00
TOTAL……………………………………………………$ 325.00
ANNUAL FOR 2000:
REVENUES……………………………………………$ 6,660.50
CONTRIBUTIONS………………………………$ .00
ADOPTIONS/FINES…………………………$ 6,660.50
TOTAL……………………………………………………$ 6,660.50
Mr. Green related that December experienced over 50% adoption rate
for the animals received by the Shelter during the month, and a 30%
overall adoption rate increase from last year.
ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson,
Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. (0) voted NAY.
MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT:
GENERAL: Executive Summary And Capital Projects Plan
Mayor Swaim presented a report of the 2001 Capital Projects Fund
regarding dedicated reserve funds. He pointed out that a
significant portion of the funds are not available to the General
Fund; explaining that $706,841 is designated for Industrial
Development pointing out that it is tied to the donation of the
Franklin Electric Building under the condition that sale proceeds
be used for Industrial Parks or to promote industry. He stated
that although listed it is not a general fund expenditure, adding
that the amount has grown from 500,000 through buying and selling
property over the years. He stated that a gas line was recently
run on part of the property to enhance the sale price. He stated
that those funds are administered by the Chamber Foundation as
authorized in contract by the City Council. He noted that $250,000
has been set aside for the Animal Shelter project and pointed out
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that the Capital Construction Fund includes improvements to the
firing range, awning replacement at the Police Department, a
bicycle storage area, and roofing for the library.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
He stated that $80,400 of capital improvement funds went into this
year’s budget. He then pointed out dedicated funds regarding
matching funds for the overpass at approximately $716,000,
extension of Second Street is estimated at $500,000, adding that
other funds are dedicated to projects previously approved by
Council.
In response to a question from Alderman Wilson, Mayor Swaim related
that Bond Engineering has completed preliminary plans for the
Second Street Reconstruction project, adding that those plans have
been submitted to the Highway Department. He then related that
there was $25,000 available for the preliminary engineering work
but it tied the City to Federal regulations including a
environmental impact study and other regulations. He pointed out
that by changing the scope of the project, the City more than saved
the $25,000 in grant funding.
Discussion ensued and it was related that the project is scheduled
to tie into Hwy 161 at the Bailey Street intersection. Mayor
Swaim stated that less had been budgeted, and that after a meeting
with the Highway Department regarding street acceptance, the City’s
proposal is to trade the improvements on Second Street and Hwy 161
over State required improvements from Main Street over to North
First Street. He related that the City increased the amount by
estimating cost to make those improvements that the Highway
Department required on that section before they would take it into
the State Highway system.
Alderman Fletcher questioned a traffic pattern study, mentioning
concerns for the James Street area. He suggested that the Street
Department Committee host a public hearing to vent frustrations and
prioritize counts and patterns. He added that he understood part
of the problem is that a majority of the property is located on
State rights-of-way.
Mayor Swaim agreed, pointing out that the entire intersection at
James Street is State right-of-way. He then pointed out that T.P.
White, John Harden, and the overpass intersections are actually
State roads. He related that the City proposed to the Highway
Department that James Street become a three-lane street with a
right-turn lane at the north end, adding that the proposal was
rejected. He stated that the Highway Department feels that the
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only way to improve that situation is to widen the bridge, and the
Highway Department is not prepared to incur that cost. He offered
that the City has the capability to perform a traffic count, and
has done so in many different areas over the years. He then stated
that the City would be glad to perform a City wide traffic plan if
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
possible or if needed hire a consultant to develop a traffic
pattern plan. He stated that he was surprised and pleased
regarding how well the traffic flowed in the Wal-Mart area despite
the location change, adding that it is no more congested than it
was when Wal-Mart was located on the other side of the freeway. He
mentioned optional traffic avenues to improve the James Street
situation. He then related that the State Highway Department is
proposing to change access roads from McCain Mall through Sherwood
to one-lane roads. He stated that part of the Highway Departments
overall objectives is to change all access roads into one-lane
roads in the future. He acknowledge a slow down of traffic at
James Street and its inconvenience, adding that there are other
areas more congested. He stated that the City is attracting more
traffic into town because of local businesses and the Highway
Committee needs to review that.
Alderman Wilson pointed out a potentially dangerous situation
regarding northbound vehicles exiting off Hwy 167 at the Vandenburg
exit and stacking up back to the freeway.
Mayor Swaim stated that he is familiar with that situation, saying
that a lot of North Pulaski County uses North First Street to enter
on the freeway, which causes problems at the exit in the afternoon.
He then stated that, however the Highway Department has moved the
widening of Graham Road to four-lanes up on the list. He related
that the City had been concerned that this improvement would take a
number of years before it caught the attention of the Highway
Department, adding that the first stage should begin this year.
Mayor Swaim encouraged Council to study the report and breakdowns
regarding Sales Tax revenues and General Fund expenditures,
pointing out that Public Safety and Public Works receives the
largest amount. He stated that those areas should be of interest
and he hopes that Council can utilize the document regarding
citizen questions throughout the year concerning the budget or
allocated funding.
Mayor Swaim related that there are additional drainage projects not
yet at a stage that would warrant listing, adding that drainage
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improvements have come a long way with many more projects to come.
He stated that it would have taken five pages to list all drainage
concerns, pointing out there are a few projects that need to be
addressed, adding that the City is now using corrugated pipe for
underground ditches which last longer than the metal piping.
Mayor Swaim commended Mr. Mushrush’s efforts, saying that the
objective is to make it easy for anyone to obtain budget
information. He then complimented the detailed budget.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to approve the
Executive Summary and Capital Projects Plan for 2001. MOTION
CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS:
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the
reappointment of Lester Piggee to serve on the Planning Commission
for a term to expire 01/01/2004; and to approve the appointment of
Mark Perry to serve on the Planning Commission for a term to expire
01/01/2004. MOTION CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Swaim related that information regarding the west and south
proposed annexations will be available at the public hearing to be
held January 8 6:00 p.m., at City Hall.
He then related that progress is on going but slow from the storm
clean up, adding that there are still limbs all over town. He
related that the City is attempting to estimate costs as requested
by FHMA, adding that at last count there have been 365 loads for
disposal. He stated that the City is hauling limbs on a daily
basis and is setting up more equipment to increase that ability. He
related that because of the massive amount the City is unable to
grind the material, adding that it is being burned in a pit. He
related that one problem causing a slow down is that there are very
few areas in the City that are remote enough to continue the flow
of heavy equipment in and out of as the ground thaws and becomes
soft and muddy. He stated that this will lengthen the time
required to complete clean-up operations. He related that efforts
to rent additional equipment from suppliers or borrowing other
cities equipment that did not suffer the amount of damage
Jacksonville did. He related that the City is proceeding with the
clean-up rather than the option of stopping and waiting for FHMA
approval for contracted help. He related that he knows the
citizens want to see progress being made, so the City will continue
to move limbs from residences.
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Alderman Smith suggested the City forward a letter of appreciation
to Entergy for its responsiveness during the storms.
Mayor Swaim stated that he, as well as other mayors and judges met
to discuss Certificates of Appreciation, adding that he is very
appreciative of those efforts because Jacksonville was able to be
back on line faster than other areas.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
Alderman Wilson recognized efforts by Mayor Swaim and City
employees, adding that it was very helpful that the City worked
with Entergy to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. He
then pointed out that when it snow the City employees were back on
duty salting and sanding the roads.
Mayor Swaim pointed out that most of the City street crew worked
the majority of Christmas Day to salt and sand the streets, he also
noted the Police and Fire who normally have to work on holidays.
Alderman Ray noted that the Community Center offered itself as an
emergency shelter for those without electricity and was deemed
successful and appreciated.
Mayor Swaim announced that City Hall will be closed in observance
of Martin Luther King’s birthday January 15, 2001.
It was noted that the Animal Shelter meeting will be held Thursday
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January 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Swaim related a letter from elderly resident unable to clean
the limbs from her back yard and explained that he felt sure that
are civic organizations to help, adding that more information will
be obtained regarding those organizations.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at
approximately 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
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Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM
City Clerk-Treasurer
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