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05 JUN 02.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 2, 2005 7:00 P.M. – 7:19 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 2, 2005 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Howard 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, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT nine (9), ABSENT (1). Aldermen Ray was absent. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Deputy Clerk Tawnya Johnson, Human Resource Director Charlie Brown, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Police Chief Robert Baker, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, CDBG Business Incubator Specialist Richard Sprow, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Lendy Lewis, Mr. Larry Dupree, Mr. George Reed, 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 May 19, 2005 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 May 5, 2005 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: Presentation of the 2005 Street Overlay Program Mayor Swaim noted that the list is a preliminary list presentation of the streets being proposed in the 2005 list. He asked that the City Council review the list for recommendations. SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: FINAL PLAT Clover Ridge PH II In response to a question from Mayor Swaim, City Engineer Whisker stated that the requirements were met and the Planning Commission approved the recommendation without stipulation. 1 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 2, 2005 7:00 P.M. – 7:19 P.M. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the Final Plat of the Clover Ridge Subdivision PH II as recommended. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: a. Request to Accept Bid for Christmas decorations Mayor Swaim noted that funds were donated and other funds were reserved for the purchase of Christmas decorations, adding that some decorations were purchased last year. He stated that the bid represents the second phase regarding expenditure of dedicated funds for the purchase of City Christmas decorations. He related that the low bidder is the same company awarded the previous bid. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to accept the low bid from Evangeline Specialties Company in the amount of $11,588.30. MOTION CARRIED. b. Request to Accept Bid for Roosevelt Road Sidewalks and Handicap Ramps Mayor Swaim explained that the project was a result of residents parking across the sidewalks, adding that funds from CDBG were provided to reconstruct driveways to help alleviate parking on the street and sidewalks. He added that the requirement of handicap ramps is the second phase of the project. He then answered that the ramps would be placed at intersections requiring curb cuts and truncated domes. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to accept the low in the amount of $37,700.00 from JCI Construction. Alderman Stroud questioned the long-range plan for Sunnyside, explaining that he had recently read an article regarding tax write-offs for investors to revitalized areas. Mayor Swaim related that he is familiar with similar programs, explaining that the difficulty is in locating developers interested in investment of such a project. He related that several apartment complexes recently developed have a similar situation, differing in that the developer does not have to own the development to receive a tax break for building the complex. He stated that a major renovation to the Sunnyside area would be greatly welcomed but added that all programs that have been researched require a public-private partnership. He stated that the while the tax credits can be attractive; it would require a bigger company willing to make a large investment to qualify for those credits. Alderman Stroud acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, which he stated adds to the frustration of finding a solution. Mayor Swaim stated that the City consistently researches avenues to further improvements in the Sunnyside Addition, pointing out that CDBG is currently expending monies in the area. He then noted improvements to 2 the infrastructure such as the water system and now the sidewalk project. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 2, 2005 7:00 P.M. – 7:19 P.M. He related that under the proposed federal budget most of the programs that could help cities in this area are being completely or partially cut from the budget. He concluded saying that the City will continue search for solutions. Alderman Lewis noted the importance of supporting the legislators that are supporting continued programs and funding for CDBG. Mayor Swaim noted that the CDBG Department has taken on a major project by renovating several homes in Sunnyside under the Home Program. He ascertained that twenty-seven (27) homes are being included in a two-year period under that program and that another application would be prepared as soon as homes are completed. He pointed out that part of the problem is the difficulty of obtaining interested contractors to work on renovation projects rather than new home construction. He added that currently Director Watson only has two contractors that normally bid on home rehab projects. He noted that the renovation amount is a maximum of $25,000.00 and so far, all houses proposed have come in at that amount. In response to a question from Alderman Howard, Mayor Swaim related that there are approximately 380 lots in the Sunnyside Addition. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENT(S): JACKSONVILLE WATER COMMISSION Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to reappoint Mr. Jim Peacock to the Jacksonville Water Commission for a term to expire 04/21/2013. MOTION CARRIED. ADDITION TO AGENDA: Request to Accept Bid for Police Department Air-conditioning/Heating Unit Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to suspend the rules and the request to accept bid on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the low bid of $10,900.25 from Jacksonville Heating and Air. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Swaim noted that funds would be drawn from operation and maintenance funds for the Department and amendment of the budget would be deferred unless it is determined to be necessary later. Request to approve expenditure for a security system for the Splash Zone aquatic area. Mayor Swaim presented a quote in the amount of $1,825.00, explaining that the system is the same monitored system used at the Library. He stated that monitoring cost would be approximately $360.00 annually and would be 3 contracted through the Alarm T Systems Company. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 2, 2005 7:00 P.M. – 7:19 P.M. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to suspend the rules and place the question of expenditure for an alarm system on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the expenditure of $1,825.00 for an alarm system for the Splash Zone Aquatics Park. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Swaim noted that funds would be drawn from the Capital Improvements Fund. Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs announced that the Splash Zone ribbon cutting is scheduled for tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. with the official th opening to be June 11. He noted a delay regarding pool equipment delivery. Mayor Swaim stated that safety is the main objective regarding the delayed opening, noting that technically the zero depth and lap pools could be opened but there would still be construction equipment on site finishing the remainder of the project. Discussion ensued regarding the greenery aesthetics of the project. Mayor Swaim encouraged everyone to attend the ribbon cutting for Splash Zone. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:19 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 4