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02 MAY 02.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 2, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 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 May 2, 2002 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Ray delivered the invocation and Mayor Swaim led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT eight (8), ABSENT (2). Alderman Twitty arrived at approximately 7:02 p.m. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy Clerk Teresa Carter, Human Resource Director Charlie Brown, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jimmy Oakley, Police Chief Ruthven, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Parks Administrator Patty Walker, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Lendy Lewis, interested citizens and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 18, 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 Howard that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 4 April 2002 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS AND RECREATION: Request to Accept Bid for Skateboard Park Equipment Mayor Swaim mentioned previous concerns from the Council regarding liability issues involving a skateboard park, adding that the Parks Commission has recommended a skateboard park and $25,000 has been budgeted. He related that the low bid came in at $25,241.00 for the purchase of five pieces of equipment. In response to a question posed by Alderman Elliott, Mayor Swaim related that temporarily the skateboard park would be located at the old recycling center location. Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs stated that the equipment 1 included in the bid is a fun box, half pike, grind rail, spike, and a pyramid. He pointed out that the temporary location already has an CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 2, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 P.M. existing slab. He stated that the goal is to establish a permanent skateboard park at the amphitheatre off Loop Road. He related that skate boarders are a part of the population that is not currently being serviced. Discussion ensued regarding immunity from liability and City Attorney Bamburg advised that proper installation of the equipment as per the manner provided by the manufacturer and signage are additional precautions. Mr. Biggs noted that the manufacturer will install the equipment and that signage is also provided. In response to a question posed by Alderman Elliott, Mr. Biggs stated that the second proposal included installation. It was noted that the temporary park would not have lighting to the extend hours of operation. In response to a question posed by Alderman Lewis, City Attorney Bamburg related that the signage would warn that use of the equipment is at the users responsibility, adding that the City would not in any way be responsible for injuries. In response to a question posed by Alderman Howard, Mr. Biggs related that RJR Enterprises was the only vendor to attend the Parks Commission meeting, adding that they installed the equipment at Conway and Arkadelphia. Mayor Swaim stated that a bid requirement was that the company provide a State contractors license in the bid packet. Discussion ensued regarding a requirement for use of safety equipment and Mr. Biggs stated that signs would be posted asking skaters to use the proper safety equipment, but added that ultimately it is up to the discretion of each user. Alderman Howard supported the idea of a skateboard park, noting many problems with skaters in improper areas of the City. Alderman Ray noted that skate boarding has become a popular event that is being televised on the sports channels. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to accept the low bid for equipment and installation from RJR Enterprise in the amount of $35,241.22 with funds to be drawn from Parks Department funds. MOTION CARRIED. 2 PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. Expansion of Division and Mulberry CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 2, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 P.M. Mayor Swaim related that the $33,000.00 estimate would include the widen of Mulberry and Division, provide for an alley, curb, gutters, and sidewalks. He related that one option was to extend Second Street to North First Street, explaining that the Arkansas Highway Department did not want Hwy 161 to be closed. He stated that the other alternative was to come up to Mulberry or Division and let traffic traveling north to North First turn right on Second Street and then proceed to the overpass at the light. He stated that the other option would have traffic moving under the overpass around to Second Street and then back to Main Street before crossing the overpass. He asked the Council for permission to move forward with bid specifications, adding that funds have been budgeted in the Street Department Fund for an extension. In response to a question posed by Alderman Fletcher, Mayor Swaim stated that Division and Mulberry are narrow streets with open ditches. He stated that they are not improved to the level of traffic that will be using them. He pointed out that the proposal has first level approval from the Arkansas Highway Department, but will still have to move through the Highway Department’s approval procedures. He stated that other considerations were discussed regarding the possibility of turning Mulberry or Division into one-way streets and asking for a turn lane off North First Street, which would allow traffic to store before turning left. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to prepare bid specifications regarding the expansion of Division and Mulberry Streets. MOTION CARRIED. b. RESOLUTION 561 (#6-02) A RESOLUTION URGING SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS OAK RIDGE ESTATES INTO THE CITY LIMITS OF JACKSONVILLE (COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE OAK RIDGE ESTATES ANNEXATION); AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Swaim related that the Resolution addresses a newly developing subdivision off Maddox Road outside the City limits, he pointed out that the developer has hired an attorney and asked the County and the Jacksonville Planning Commission for permission to be annexed. City Engineer Whisker related that the annexation originated as a request from the Planning Commission when the developer presented his preliminary plat, because the City would be extending water, and sewer services. He related that the subdivision did not touch the City limits so the developer purchased a separate piece of property to make the subdivision contiguous to the City limits. 3 Mayor Swaim related that the property is not an island it joins Maddox Road past the church. He explained the location of the subdivision and the parcel purchase to make it contiguous to the City of Jacksonville City limits. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 2, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 P.M. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to read Resolution 561 (#6-02). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the Resolution. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to Approve and Adopt Resolution 561 (#6-02). MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Swaim related that the annexation will follow the same procedure as the south annexation, saying that the request will go before the County th Judge on May 9 and then an ordinance will be submitted for approval by the City Council. APPOINTMENTS: Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to approve the reappointment of Curtis Green to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to expire 5/9/2010. Alderman Stroud endorsed the reappointment, saying that he had served with Commissioner Green and feels that he has been an asset to the Parks Commission. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the reappointment of Thad Gray to the Jacksonville Water Commission for a term to expire 4/20/2010. MOTION CARRIED. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: Chief Ruthven updated the City Council, saying that the roof repair previously approved for the Police Department has begun and should be completed in ten to twelve working days. He then referred to the Police Department vision, mission, goals, values, and guiding principles statement provided, pointing out that the document has been finalized and is being provided for their information. He announced that canine Eiko is serving his last day on the force and that his replacement is a canine named Fellow. He stated that the canine and his handler, officer Jim Brady will start work next Tuesday. He related that Eiko will be retired and turned over to Officer Mayberry. He stated that after speaking with Alderman Stroud regarding uniforms and 4 the aspect of how the dark uniform are hot in the summer, he took the suggestion internally within the department and it has been determined th that starting May 19Officers will wear a simple gray polo shirt with an embroidered badge on the front and lettering on the back for summer wear. He displayed a sample of the shirts for Council to view. He then noted that all Officers wear vest and that it will work fine with the new shirts, saying that Officers are being told to order one size up to accommodate the vest. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 2, 2002 7:00 P.M. – 7:28 P.M. He related that selective traffic enforcement at two or three locations in the City will continue, being changed periodically to other locations. He stated that using the sign radar captures the public’s attention regarding speeding through those areas. In response to a question posed by Alderman Stroud, Chief Ruthven stated that moral in the Police Department is extremely high, citing that the shirts and a proposal to go to permanent shifts have helped boost moral. Mayor Swaim related that funds were limited at the time the smaller man- powered radar was purchased and that a larger system that fits on a trailer is being considered for next years budget. He complimented the success of the radar system. RESUME AGENDA: ANNOUNCEMENT: Mayor Swaim announced that the Central Arkansas Water Public Hearing will th be held May 6 2002 at 6:00 p.m. He encouraged the City Council members to attend. He then related that the Arkansas Municipal League’s Annual Convention, will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, June 19- 21, 2002. He asked that members who wish to attend should contact Bertha rd by Friday, May 3 to attend. He encouraged the City Council members to attend the Dedication Ceremony th in honor of Paul Shireman at Dupree Park Field #5 on Saturday, May 4 at 11:15 a.m. Discussion ensued regarding the lighting of the flag poles and Mayor Swaim related that the lights are mounted on a separate pole with the maximum amount of candle power possible. Mayor Swaim asked the City Council members to note that construction for the lighted sign at the corner of Marshall and Main Street has begun and it is hoped the sign will be operational in a few weeks to provide City information for the citizens. He stated that one delay was choosing a location that would be visible from the freeway and Marshall Road and Main Street. 5 ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:28 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 6