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02 DEC 05.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 5, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 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 December 5, 2002 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Ray delivered the invocation and Vice Mayor Howard led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Stroud, and Twitty answered roll call. Vice Mayor Howard also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. Mayor Swaim was attending the National League of Cities meeting in Utah. PRESENT ten (10), ABSENT (0). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Bobby Bamburg, Deputy Clerk Teresa Carter, Director of Administration Murice Green, Human Resource Director Charlie Brown, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jimmy Oakley, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Finance Accountant Cheryl Erkel, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Police Chief Ruthven, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Planning Commission Chairman Art Brannen, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mrs. Lindy Lewis, Mr. Larry Smith, interested citizens and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Vice Mayor Howard presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 21, 2002 for approval and/or correction at the next Regularly Scheduled 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 7 November 2002 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the Regular Monthly Report for November 2002. Said report reflects: ADOPTION/FINES: $632.00 CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 0.00 TOTAL: $632.00 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the Regular Monthly Report for November 2002. Said report reflects: PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED Building Permits 17 Building Inspections 57 Business License 8 HVACR 31 Electrical 76 Plumbing 61 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 5, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. UNSIGHTLY & UNSANITARY VEHICLES Grass Letters 2 Notice of Noncompliance 50 Property Mowed 0 Towed 4 Trash Letters 29 Trash Removal 0 CONDEMNATIONS Cost for Sept. $ 0.00 Structural Maint. Letters 0 Structural Repairs Made 0 Demolitions 0 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Stroud, and Twitty, voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: a. Fire Department Training Fire Chief Vanderhoof briefed the Council regarding a presentation developed to introduce the Jacksonville Fire Department to various cities and organizations. He stated that the presentation is adaptable regarding time allotments. He introduced Captain Kendal Snyder in charge of training, and related that Chaplain Joe Bratton was unable to attend. He related that the Mission Statement of the Jacksonville Fire Department is given to each new member and is taken seriously by all members. He related that the Mission Statement is a goal strived by all. He stated that this is accomplished by focusing on core values, tradition, and heritage. He related that the Fire Department is staffed with sixty dedicated and trained professional firefighters who work 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off. He stated that the Fire Department provides fire suppression, and advanced life support for the City of Jacksonville. He offered a partial list of activities that the Fire Department is involved with such as the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Sertoma, March of Dimes, Youth Sports, School Tours, adding that it continues to grow. He stated that the Department is divided into six divisions consisting of Chaplain, EMS, Training & Safety, Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention, and Fire Suppression. He briefly described the services available under each division, firstly noting that the Chaplain program provides employee assistance, firefighter support, family support community service to fire victims, and non-denominational service. He then related that the EMS program coordinated by Engineer Bob Thorton is comprised of several award winning EMS personnel, and is known Statewide for high quality EMS service. He stated that each Engine Company is staffed with trained firefighters that can provide basic life support and is strategically located to respond within four minutes to any location. He then related 2 that two advanced life support units can respond to any area in the City within eight minutes. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 5, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. He related that the Safety Section is headed by Captain Steve Moore. He stated that Safety Committees review accidents and inspects the station for safety and makes recommendations. He related that the Fire Marshall Captain Charlie Pope, backed by Engineer Bill Allen creates a partnership between the Fire Department and the commercial industry within the City to promote a safe environment. He added that the Fire Marshall is also a trained arson investigator. He related that the Fire Prevention Section is coordinated by Captain Mike Cantley and Firefighter Paramedic Mike Williams. He related that the section was formed by the City Council in the 1980’s to address efforts in Fire Prevention. He stated that the Section has grown since that time from a budget of $500.00 to $6,000.00. He related that the Fire Department has acquired a Kids Fun Safety House through a grant with matching City funds, adding that the safety house is an educational tool used to show approximately 7,000 school children annually how to be fire safe. He stated that fire safety is a Department wide effort and that it is the duty of every firefighter to provide education to the public that may decrease the chance of fire or accidents. He related that it is a team effort accomplished with pride and enthusiasm. He stated that the Suppression team is lead by Battalion Chiefs Claude Howard, Ron Peek, and Ken Snyder. He stated that suppression is what the Fire Department is trained for, adding that the members are on three shifts based on 24 hours on and 48 hours off. He stated that one of the three Battalion Chiefs is on duty regardless of holidays or special events. He stated that the Incident Command System allows each emergency scene to have organization and structure. He explained that this provides the Officer in charge a tool to manage the firefighters and resources available. He stated that from the time an alarm is received at the Fire Station, units are rolling within 30 seconds. He reviewed photographs of structure fires in the City including the recent structure fire at Chapel Ridge Apartments. He introduced Battalion Chief Kendal Snyder in charge of training. Chief Snyder stated that Captain Steve Moore is the Training Officer, adding that the Training Division is the busiest division because training occurs everyday. He stated that each firefighter receives an average of 300 hours annually in Fire Suppression, Rescue and EMS, which exceeds National and State recommendations. He related that they receive training in Hazmat, weapons of mass destruction and bio-terrorism training since the 9-11 incident. He stated that all firefighters are IFSAC certified through the Arkansas Fire Academy within one year of 3 service and then move on to a three-year apprentice program. He related that training is handled on a four stage concept of Position Training, Position Development, Position Assessment, and Advancement Training. He clarified that this means a firefighter is trained for their present job, then developed from an apprentice to journeyman and then prepared for promotion into the next job with continuous assessments. He stated that CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 5, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. the training committee makes recommendations and directs training efforts. He stated that the future plans for the Training Division are to continue hosting classes that bring firefighters in from other cities across the State for career development regarding education and certification through IFSAC (International Fire Service Accreditation Council). In response to a question posed by Alderman Wilson, Chief Snyder answered that currently the evaluations for firefighters generally comes from the Chief Officers regarding recommendations as far as individual training needs. He complimented the Chief Officers, relating their dedication and commitment to the job. Chief Snyder then explained that a firefighter is under the Civil Service guidelines so that when a position becomes available those with time in rank requirements can apply to be tested. He related that the guideline set by the Civil Service is 2 years time regarding time in rank and a competitive test. He related that the promotion test was revamped last year with good results. Discussion ensued regarding the recent fire at Chapel Ridge Apartments, Chief Vanderhoof related that the investigation has concluded and that the cause will be probably listed as undetermined, adding that the most probable cause was plumbers welding pipes. He stated that the fire loss was estimated at $260,000.00. He added that the firefighters did an excellent job getting the equipment into the complex given that the ground was extremely wet. He related the imminent danger of occupied buildings as much as 150 feet away sustaining heat damage from the intense blaze, adding that those buildings were saved. He noted the importance of access regarding a planned development of that size. Alderman Fletcher commended the Department for its collective efforts and cooperation working together. Chief Vanderhoof stated that the Fire Department success starts by making employees a part of the organization, so they buy into that organization and are proud to be there and give 110%. He stated that the Fire Department has many good people who donate extra time to contribute to various committees and projects. Vice Mayor Howard complimented Chief Vanderhoof and his staff. Alderman Smith pointed out that the completion of the overpass could 4 facilitate continued excellent response time for the Fire Department. b. Fire Department Chapel Program Item deferred until Chaplain Bratton is available. POLICE DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 5, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION: FINAL PLAT Collenwood Phase IV City Engineer Whisker related that two items in the common area were not completed at the time of the last Planning Commission meeting, but have since been completed to satisfaction. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the Final Plat of Collenwood Phase IV. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: APPOINTMENT(S): Civil Service Appointment of Otis Stewart Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the appointment of Otis Stewart to the Civil Service for a term to expire 4/1/2006. MOTION CARRIED. 2003 Budget Vice Mayor Howard related that information regarding the 2003 budget was distributed with the agenda packet and asked that questions be directed to Finance Director Paul Mushrush. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Vice Mayor Howard complimented the Street Department regarding the City Christmas Decorations and announced that the Christmas Parade will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. He related that the Senior Center would host a fundraiser next Thursday evening, saying that Alderman Smith and his singing group would provide the entertainment. He then related that City Hall would host its Annual Open House, December 13, 2002 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Mayor Howard without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:35 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ 5 Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 6