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03 APR 03.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 3, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 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 April 3, 2003 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Smith 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, Fletcher, and Twitty answered roll call. Vice Mayor Howard also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT six (6), ABSENT (3). Mayor Swaim was attending a National League of Cities Congressional Conference in Washington D.C. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Bobby Bamburg, Deputy Clerk Heather Palermiti, Director of Administration Murice Green, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jimmy Oakley, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Police Chief Ruthven, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Mrs. Glenda Fletcher, Ms. Roberta Bonham, Mr. Leroy Akridge, 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 March 20, 2003 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 Lewis that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 6 March 2003 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to approve the Regular Monthly Report for March 2003. Said report reflects: PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED Building Permits 34 Building Inspections 57 Business License 18 HVACR 26 Electrical 71 Plumbing 67 UNSIGHTLY & UNSANITARY VEHICLES Grass Letters 0 Notice of Noncompliance 23 Property Mowed 0 Towed 3 Trash Letters 39 Trash Removal 0 CONDEMNATIONS Cost for March $ .00 Structural Maint. Letters 0 Structural Repairs Made 0 Demolitions 0 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Fletcher, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 3, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: Fire and Police Department Chaplainry Programs Chief Vanderhoof introduced Fire Department Captain Joe Bratton and Police Department Captain Charles Jenkins as Chaplains for the Fire and Police Departments. Captain Joe Bratton related that he and Captain Jenkins provide mutual support in the public safety realm. He related that the Chaplin Program was first instituted in 1995, adding that he was appointed by Chief Ezell as Chaplain. He stated that the program has developed as a comprehensive pastoral care program that serves the Fire Department, other Departments and the Community at large regarding emergency situations. He then related on going efforts to establish and maintain Chaplainry Programs across Arkansas as a support network regarding large scale disasters. He noted that currently there are approximately fifteen to twenty-five Programs in the State. He presented an overview of Internal Services, pointing out that the Chaplain Program offers pastoral care, critical incident stress management and referral services when necessary. He related that as Chaplain he strives to provide encouragement for those in need and provide pre-incident education and post-incident stress management support in a structured environment. He related that family support is also a part of the Internal Services regarding the development and support of the family network through classes and communication opportunities. He stated that a Fire Department family network developed with the wives is currently hosting a spaghetti supper to raise scholarship funds in honor of Mathew Allen. He stated that the Chaplain Program offers a non-sectarian bible study, chapel service on Sunday morning for those wishing to attend. He then reviewed the External Services provided by the Program which include victim and family assistance for those who are suffering from the effect of loss related to an incident that the Fire Department has responded to. He then added that he acts as the liaison person regarding agencies that are available and provide housing for displaced families, as well as assist the Police Department with death and injury notifications. He added that he assist with grief information provided in booklet form for families regarding necessary information and telephone numbers during the time of loss. He reviewed his City-wide involvement and coordinating efforts with the Police Chaplin in new officer orientation regarding CPR classes and Fire Department familiarization. He stated that he and the Police Chaplain provide back-up services for each Department. Police Chaplin Charles Jenkins related that the Police Chaplin Program is still in its infancy, saying that the program was re-instituted in April of 2003 by Chief Ruthven. He related that at that time he was appointed 2 Department Chaplin. He stated that there are five associate Chaplains, Jerry Strickland of the New Hope Apostolic Church, Dale Johnson of Second CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 3, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. Baptist Church, Kelvin Amerine of Evangelistic Ministries, Martha Boyd of First United Methodist Church and Brent Welch of Grace Community Church. He stated that the Program provides a weekly devotional to Department members wishing to participate as an encouragement tool. He related that the Police Department works closely with the Fire Department in pursuit of the mutual goal of meeting the moral, spiritual, and religious needs of the men and women of those Departments without attempting to evangelize, proselytize, or criticize. He related that as Police Chaplain he strives to be a close friend, provide support and resource to the personnel of the Department. He related that some of the goals addressed by the program are to provide comfort to victims and their families, as well as officers involved in at the scene traumatic accidents. He noted a recent accident involving the injury of Police Officer James Jeter who was struck by an out of control vehicle on the Interstate. He stated that the program also provides incident stress debriefing for officers, death or serious injury notifications, follow up assistance to victims of crisis furnishing referral/resource assistance and counsel Police personnel. He related that the Police Department Chaplain makes themselves available to families of officers in traumatic situations, visit sick or injured Department employees, and are available to conduct invocations at City functions. He reviewed the qualifications for the Associate Chaplain Program, saying that to begin a person must be of a high moral character. He stated that the program exists as a resource for the officers, their families and the City. POLICE DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: Engineering Projects Update City Engineer Whisker related that a number of the existing road projects are expected to be completed or well underway by mid-summer, mentioning Mulberry Street, the relocation of Stanphil Road, the overlay program with a list to be provided to City Council in the coming weeks. He added that striping will follow, and explained that streets planned for future overlay may not be striped until the overlay has been completed. He stated that there are plans to widen the turn at Marshall Road for cars going southbound to make a left turn onto General Samuels. He related that there are several drainage projects underway, saying that many will be completed through the summer. He stated that the Railroad Overpass is th scheduled to be completed April 17, adding that a ceremony is planned for the event. He stated that the striping for the overpass has been 3 completed and that traffic signals are currently in flash with only minor details left to be completed. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 3, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. In response to a question posed by Alderman Sansing, City Engineer Whisker responded that he was not aware of a firm date regarding the Graham Road crossing closure. Alderman Sansing questioned if the closing was considered temporary while information is complied regarding the need to remain closed or reopen. City Engineer Whisker stated that he is not aware of the status pending information once the street is closed. Discussion ensued regarding original intent by the Railroad concerning the Graham Road crossing. In response to a question posed by Alderman Fletcher, City Engineer Whisker stated that an ingress/egress north of the new developed shopping center adjacent to Wal-Mart, is an out-parcel of the new developed and would have a right turn in and right turn out only. He then answered that he has not received further word from the Arkansas Highway Department regarding any plans for the widening of the James Street bridge. APPOINTMENT(S): SEWER COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to approve the reappointment of Mrs. Joan Zumwalt to the Sewer Commission for a term to expire 04/20/2008. MOTION CARRIED. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION APPOINTMENT Alderman Smith stated that appointee Jim Hurley is a resident of Jacksonville and is employed as the District Manager for Wendy’s. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the appointment of Mr. Jim Hurley to the Advertising and Promotion Commission for a term to expire 03/31/2007. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Public Works Director Jim Oakley announced that the Chamber of Commerce is hosting the “Pick-up Jacksonville” event Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. followed by a free lunch served at the Chamber of Commerce building at 1:00 p.m. Alderman Fletcher commended the spirit of cooperation between the Fire and the Police Department. He expressed appreciation on behalf of JoAnn Williamson regarding the Chaplain support provided when formal Alderman Joe Williams passed. He went on to express his appreciation, saying that he is sure everyone in the City feels the same. 4 Vice Mayor Howard echoed those sentiments and thanked both Departments for their presentations. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 3, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:16 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Mayor Howard without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:16 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 5