05 JUN 14.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 14, 2005
7:00 P.M. – 7:14 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 14, 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, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT nine
(9), ABSENT (1). Aldermen Twitty was absent.
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Fire Battalion Chief Joe Bratton,
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. 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 2, 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 19, 2005 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to approve the Regular Monthly Animal Control Report for May 2005. Said report reflects:
ADOPTION/FINES: $733.40
CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 0.00
TOTAL: $733.40
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to approve the Regular Monthly Report for May 2005. Said report reflects:
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED
Building Permits 26 Building Inspections 84
Business License 13 HVACR 74
Electrical 96
Plumbing 36
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 14, 2005
7:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
UNSIGHTLY & UNSANITARY VEHICLES
Grass Letters 252 Notice of Noncompliance 28
Property Mowed 23 Towed 0
Trash Letters 84
Trash Removal 7 CONDEMNATIONS
Cost for March $1,093.88 Structural Maint. Letters 17
Structural Repairs Made 0
Demolitions 0
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to approve the Regular Monthly Report for May 2005 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, which reflects a fire loss of $63,500 and
a savings total of $135,000.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT: Fire SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant Application (FEMA)
Chief Vanderhoof related that that the Fire Department has received fire grants through FEMA over the past few years, adding that FEMA recognized through First Responders that fire departments
needed extra personnel and created the SAFER Act. He explained that the Act allows fire departments across the Country to apply for firemen, adding that the Jacksonville Fire Department
is applying for three positions. He submitted written justification and expenses for the three positions, saying that the Fire Department has not added any personnel since the 1990’s.
He noted that the run volume has almost doubled since that time. He stated that this would be a good opportunity for Jacksonville to add three positions with Federal assistance for
the first 4 years of their employment.
Chief Vanderhoof agreed with Alderman Elliott that the additional positions would aid in annexations for the City. He then added that the Fire Department is still working on the FBA
17-10, which is a 4-man engine company, adding that this would be a step in that direction. He related that the ambulance response runs are over 200 monthly, adding that with additional
runs the Fire Department is seeing an increase in rescue runs. He explained that the rescue runs involve a rescue truck for the purpose of extricating a driver from his vehicle, further
explaining that currently two individuals are pulled from the ladder truck for rescue operation response.
Mayor Swaim noted that the standard for 4-man fire companies was passed two years ago and Chief Vanderhoof explained that currently the Jacksonville Fire Department is running 3-man
companies. He went on to explain that due to vacations or illnesses a 3-man company is being run
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 14, 2005
7:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
68% of the time, leaving a 2-man company the remainder of the time. He explained that during a house fire there has to be an engineer to handle the pump, which only leaves one firefighter
to fight the fire before additional help can arrive.
Mayor Swaim stated that the public should not be alarmed, explaining that the City responds with two engine companies to every fire.
Chief Vanderhoof agreed, saying that currently on a structure fire, two engine trucks, a ladder truck, and a Battalion Fire Chief are sent in response. He stated that the response time
is approximately three minutes, adding that help arrives within one minute.
Mayor Swaim stated that the teams respond from different locations, which is the reason for separate time arrival.
Chief Vanderhoof explained that there are four fire stations strategically located across Jacksonville. He stated that each location has its own districts and a supporting location
will also response to aid in firefighting.
In response to a question posed by Alderman Elliott, Chief Vanderhoof related that current staffing consists of three men at Fire Station #3, three men at Station #4, four men at Station
#2, and eight men with a Battalion Chief at Fire Station #1. He noted that the ambulance staffing is the same, with two ambulances that respond to two districts each.
Alderman Stroud noted that the Planning Commission has recently approved several preliminary plats involving the west side of town, along with the large subdivision that is beginning
to develop. He stated that the City may need to consider putting a sub-station in the west part of town. He supported costs associated with the SAFER grant.
Chief Vanderhoof related that the Federal grant would pay 90% the first year, then 80% the following year, 50% the third year and 30% the final year.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to approve the application for the SAFER grant from FEMA.
Mayor Swaim related that budget cost the first year would only be $11,000.00, adding that by the fifth year budget cost would be approximately $100,000.00. It was noted that the Fire
Department would not need to purchase fire trucks or ambulances and that some of those funds could be used to cover the grant match.
Chief Vanderhoof did note that he is researching the possibility of renovating Station #3 at Toneyville in anticipation of future annexation past Maddox Road to Highway 107.
Discussion ensued regarding the nationwide response to the grant for all eligible fire departments.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 14, 2005
7:00 P.M. – 7:14 P.M.
Finance Director Paul Mushrush related that Jacksonville is ideally suited to meet all the criteria outlined in the grant application because of the way Jacksonville is structured.
He noted that the guidelines under the FEMA grant are slightly more restrictive than the Police’s grant for the DARE program. He noted that under FEMA guidelines the salary structure
is different, pointing out that the 90% match does not cover 90% of cost for a first year firefighter.
At this time, MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: RESOLUTION 582 (#3-05)
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND AUTHORIZING A MODIFICATION OF THE ACCOUNTING METHOD FOR THE JACKSONVILLE POLICE LOCAL PENSION FUND; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mayor Swaim noted that Resolution 582 is being removed from the agenda.
Alderman Smith explained that the financial advisor for the Police Pension Fund was not able to attend and the item would be rescheduled for the regularly scheduled July 7th City Council
meeting.
APPOINTMENT(S):
ANNOUNCEMENT(S): UALR Study
Mayor Swaim noted that each City Council member had been provided a preliminary copy of a study being conducted, he asked that City Council members take time to participate in the study.
Alderman Smith announced that the Library millage would be considered in the special upcoming election of July 5th, asking everyone to vote.
Mayor Swaim announced that the annual Independence Day celebration would be held July 1st at the High School stadium, saying that everyone is invited and he would encourage everyone
to attend.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM
City Clerk-Treasurer