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03 JUN 19.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 19, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 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 June 19, 2003 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Howard delivered the invocation and LRAFB Boy Scout Troop 170 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 roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT ten (10), ABSENT (0). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Bobby Bamburg, Deputy Clerk Heather Palermiti, Director of Administration Murice Green, Human Resource Director Charlie Brown, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jimmy Oakley, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Police Chief Ruthven, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Lendy Lewis, Mrs. Glenda Fletcher, Mrs. Sherry Oliver, Mrs. Beverly Elliott, Mr. Tommy Bond, Mr. Larry Smith, interested citizens and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting of June 5, 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 Howard that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 15 May 2003 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the Regular Monthly Animal Control Report for May 2003. Said report reflects: ADOPTION/FINES: $687.00 CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 0.00 TOTAL: $687.00 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for May 2003. Said report reflects the Total Value of Reported Stolen Property $101,364. Total Value of Recovered Stolen Property $39,217 and Total Report Sales $552.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for May 2003 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, which reflects a fire loss of $82,000 and a savings total of $90,000. In response to a question posed by Alderman Fletcher, City Engineer Whisker stated that the City recently sent a clean up letter to the 1 owners of a house that burned on James Street. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 19, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: Request to Accept Bid Backhoe Front End Loader Mayor Swaim related that the bid had been before the City Council on the previous agenda. Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to remove the item of business from being tabled. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Wilson noted that issues regarding parts and service have been resolved. Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to approve the low bid from Rushing & Mason Equipment in the amount of $53,798.00 with funds to be drawn from Budgeted Street Funds. MOTION CARRIED. PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1198 (#6-03) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPER 5.20 TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS FOR TAXIS AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Swaim related that the owners of local taxi-service had approached him with concerns regarding the zone charge of $2.00 being too low. He then answered that most of the owners had recommended $3.00 per zone. Mr. Cory Smotherman owner of Courtesy taxi-service expressed concerns regarding the requirement under Applicant Requirements, saying that the terminology of “no criminal offense history on record” is vague. He related that a bounced check could be considered a criminal offense. He stated that such an offense would not have any implications on the applicant being able to drive a Cab safely. He noted that while the ordinance was based from Conway’s ordinance, Conway has divided the city into much smaller zones. He stated that Jacksonville was being divided into four zones, adding that a trip across town may only be $3.00. He added that right now the taxi companies are charging a flat rate of $4.00 anywhere in the City limits for one person. City Attorney Bamburg stated that as written with the two-dollar basic 2 charge it would be $3.50 if the Cab traveled through all four zones, if the rate is changed to $3.00 it would be $4.50. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 19, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. Discussion ensued how far the zones transverse across the City. Mr. Smotherman stated that Conway had split their zones by starting with a center point of town and placed concentric circles versus having large squared zones, which guarantees at least two or three zones to go across town. Alderman Wilson stated that if the proposed zoning does not generate as much revenue as the present situation, zoning may need to be reconfigured. Mr. Smotherman suggested that the ordinance also reflect metered cabs, which will eventually be used by all cabs. Mayor Swaim pointed out that at such time as the cabs to upgrade to meters, the City would be willing to amend the ordinance. Discussion ensued and Mr. Smotherman stated that a $3.00 charge per zone would be more agreeable. He stated that the companies do not make much of a profit as is. He suggested that the zones be reconfigured; pointing out that each zone in Conway is a little less than a square mile. Discussion ensued regarding the type and destinations of most runs, Mr. Smotherman then answered that extra passengers are charged $1.00 per person and that children are free. He added that there is no charge for luggage. In response to a question posed by Alderman Wilson regarding costs for a trip to the Airport, Mr. Smotherman stated that flat rates are charged for most all trips. He stated that longer trip to unfamiliar territory is clocked off by the odometer and charged by the mile. Mayor Swaim stated that the City would be interested in reviewing a rate schedule from the companies for future consideration. Mr. Don Pierce representative for D.J. Cab Company stated that they mostly agree with Mr. Smotherman, adding that the only difference regarding rates is that they charge $4.00 per city, or city to city. He clarified that a trip from Jacksonville to Sherwood would be $8.00. He stated that by running off a flat rate of $4.00 in the City limits their company had suffered a loss last month. He stated that the main reason is that business insurance is costly. He stated that his monthly insurance rate is $1,194.00 for two vehicles, which does not include car maintenance, gas, and drivers. He added that his company employs six drivers and currently all six drivers are making below minimum wage. 3 Mayor Swaim pointed out that pricing is based on competition. Mr. Pierce stated that they would like to increase the flat rate charge to $5.00, to help the companies operate with a profit. He went on to explain issues regarding higher insurance prices since 9-11. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 19, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. Mr. Myron Robert of Discount Taxi stated that he would like to do away with zones, pointing out that all three taxi companies are currently running the City off the one price flat rate. He stated that his flat rate is $3.00 with no charge for extra passengers or luggage. He stated that he is able to make it even with insurance at $6,000 per vehicle. He stated that rates have to be higher than the proposed $2.00, saying that all the companies would go out of business. He then explained that he had tried meters, saying that customers are scared of meters. He stated that meter rates would actually go higher than even a $4.00 rate in most cases. He stated for that reason he has removed the meters from his cabs, adding that customers would rather have flat rates. He then expressed concern for the operation hours of seven days per week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. as proposed in the ordinance. He explained that he is the only driver presently working from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and uses Sunday to perform maintenance on his vehicles. He stated that he keeps his Cab in good repair. He stated that he was afraid the requirement might affect him, asking the City Council to allow him to work six instead of seven days. Mayor Swaim asked that the cab companies meet and prepare a proposal regarding zones and/or flat rates for the City Council before the next regularly scheduled meeting for consideration before passing the ordinance. Alderman Wilson offered that the hour situation may need consideration, pointing out that others may also want to operate six instead of seven days per week, adding that as long as service is available seven days a week the objective of providing responsive service to the community has been achieved. He suggested that the cab companies work with the City Attorney Bamburg to address operation issues. b. Renew Service Contract with Jacksonville Senior Center regarding the Jacksonville Elderly Activities Program Mayor Swaim related that the auditor has pointed out that it is time for the City to renew its contract to provide funds to the Elderly Activity Center. He reviewed that the previous contract had an expiration time and that the new Contract would allow for an extension without a new agreement. City Attorney Bamburg stated that the budget automatically provides for funds to be transferred to the Senior Citizens Center annually instead of renewing the contract for that calendar year. He stated that any other 4 modifications would be brought to the City Council. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk renew the Contract Agreement for services between the City and the Jacksonville Senior Citizen Center for $50,000.00. MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 19, 2003 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. Alderman Stroud requested an update regarding progress with the County to standardize the process for filing of liens. City Attorney Bamburg related Sherwood and North Little Rock have developed a system along with Jacksonville, which will be presented to Little Rock. He added that Debra Buckner has stated that she would work with the cities regarding implementation. ADDITION TO THE AGENDA: FINAL PLAT Lot 4 & 5 Wayne Rogers Duplex Subdivision Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to suspend the rules and place the Final Plat of Lot 4 & 5 of the Wayne Rogers Duplex Subdivision on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Swaim related that the subdivision is not in the City limits but is within the City’s planning jurisdiction. City Engineer Whisker related that lots 4 & 5 are the last lots of a five-acre tract at the corner of Republican and Arrington Road. He stated that the subdivision consists of five lots developed for duplexes. Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to Approve the Final Plat 4 & 5 of the Wayne Rogers Duplex Subdivision. MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENT(S): ANNOUNCEMENT(S): ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:24 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 5 6