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06 MAR 16.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2006 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 March 16, 2006 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, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT nine (9), ABSENT (1). Aldermen Lewis was absent. Others present for the meeting were: Deputy Clerk Kary Jezwinski, Human Resource Director Charlie Brown, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Battalion Chief Joe Bratton, Police Chief Robert Baker, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mr. Larry Smith, interested citizens and members of the press. Mayor Swaim noted that City Attorney Bamburg was standing in as Municipal Judge for Judge Batton and would not be present for the City Council meeting. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 2, 2006 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 16 February 2006 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2006. Said report reflects: PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED Building Permits 15 Building Inspections 99 Business License 16 HVACR 49 Electrical 107 Plumbing 109 UNSIGHTLY & UNSANITARY VEHICLES Grass Letters 148 Notice of Noncompliance 18 Property Mowed 0 Towed 1 Trash Letters 59 Trash Removal 1 CONDEMNATIONS Property Maint. Letters 10 Structural Maint. Letters 0 Cost $ .00 Structural Repairs Made 0 1 Demolitions 0 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2006. Said report reflects the Total Value of Reported Stolen Property $100,518. Total Value of Recovered Stolen Property $45,181 and Total Report Sales $1,258.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2006 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, which reflects a fire loss of $30,000 and a savings total of $10,000. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/STREET DEPARTMENT ROAD AND DRAINAGE BEAUTIFICATION Asphalt Shims 1 Bags/Litter 181 Storm Drain Inlets cleaned 17 Used Tires Picked-up 9 Storm Drain Culverts cleaned 2 #of Islands Bagged 7 Open ditches cleaned 6 #of Yards Bagged 8 Potholes repaired 22 Miles of right-of-way Utility cuts repaired 7 Bagged 1.5 mi Shoulder repair none #of trees, Flowers, Shrubs R-O-W cleaned/street sweeper 250 mi planted none Culverts Installed 130 ft #of community service workers 11/225hrs. Drain Inlet Boxes repaired 4 #of seasonal workers none Curb & Gutter replaced 0 Ditch Work 1 Sidewalk repaired none Trim Trees 1 location Asphalt Milling locations none Base Failure Repair 3 Miles of R-O-W mowed 0 mi SIGNS & SIGNAL Signs Installed 34 Sign Post Installed 12 Signs Fabricated 30 Hot Tape Installed none Signal Maintenance 3.5 CITY MECHANIC DEPARTMENTAL VEHICLE REPAIRS Animal Control 0.00 Garbage 1,526.56 Engineering 229.22 Trash 24.06 Fire Department 381.61 Recycling 1,807.43 Parks & Recreation 706.46 Street 3,906.86 Police Department 4,191.98 Beautification 192.03 Water Department 72.36 TOTALS $14,566.21 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/SANITATION DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the Regular Monthly Report for February 2006. GARBAGE TRASH Tons taken to Landfill 458 Cubic Yards Collected 1,581 Tipping fees $ 8,088.00 Cubic Yards Mulched 800 BULKY ITEMS Tons taken to Landfill 39 2 Tipping fees $ 1,685.00 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. RECYCLING Curbside pick-ups 2,984 Drive-thru Customers 458 Tires Collected 1,258 Estimated Revenue Paper, Plastic, Aluminum $ 7,927.30 REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the Regular Monthly Animal Control Report for February 2006. Said report reflects: ADOPTION/FINES: $712.00 CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 25.00 TOTAL: $737.00 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: Proposed Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Mayor Swaim related that recently the Police Department was awarded an equipment grant, explaining that part of the grant acceptance requires that equipment items to be purchased be brought before the City Council. Police Chief Baker related that the items for purchase are one (1) thermal Imaging device which will later be demonstrated by the Fire Department, two (2) workstation computers systems to be installed in the new briefing room and the COP Unit, eight (8) metal storage shelves used in the evidence locker room, presentation coins representative of the Jacksonville Police Department and presentation pins representative of the Jacksonville Police Department. He stated that the total cost was $17,531.00 and the grant award was for $17,531.11. In response to a question posed by Alderman Stroud, Chief Baker surmised that the Fire Department would use the thermal imaging devices to identify hot spots and victim rescue; further explaining that the Police will use them for search and goes, which require searches in wooded areas or in attics within a residence. Mayor Swaim noted that the equipment would easily detect body heat in police search situations. Chief Baker stated that currently the only recourse is the use of police canines, further expressing his reluctance to send a canine into an attic situation. 3 In response to a question posed by Alderman Twitty, Chief Baker stated that it was his understanding from the newspapers that the pit bull responsible for killing two other dogs would be euthanized. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. Public Works Director Jim Oakley clarified that the pit bull has been confiscated and is currently being held at the City Animal Shelter, adding that the matter will go before the Judge with the recommendation for euthanasia. Discussion ensued regarding an unrelated bite case where the dog has not yet been apprehended. In response to a question posed by Alderman Twitty, Public Works Director Jim Oakley concurred that the pit bull had been involved in a prior attack in November and had been declared vicious by the Animal Control Department. Alderman Twitty suggested that a stiff fine be placed on owners of dogs declared vicious to help deter animals from getting out to do additional harm. Mayor Swaim related that currently there is a committee proposing new legislation for the City Council to adopt. Alderman Fletcher apologized for the delay in bringing an ordinance to the City Council, explaining that the Committee has examined similar ordinances from around the Country and the ordinance used by Little Rock seems to be more user friendly. He went on to explain that the Animal Control staff then took the ordinance for final touches before passing the ordinance to City Attorney Bamburg for drafting. He stated that City Attorney Bamburg now has the ordinance and would be presenting a draft to the Committee shortly. He related unforeseen delays given the holidays and the Judge’s recent heart attack regarding City Attorney Bamburg availability. Public Works Director Oakley noted that the pit bull in question actually chewed through a chain link fence to get out before attacking. Alderman Twitty stressed the seriousness of a vicious animal getting out, noting a worst tragedy if it had been a child instead of two other dogs. She further observed that many of the vicious animals identified by Animal Control seem to be pit bulls. Public Works Director Jim Oakley noted that pit bulls are animal aggressive. Discussion ensued regarding considerations by the City Council to ban pit 4 bulls. Public Works Director Jim Oakley stated that it could possibly be proposed in the new ordinance that pit bulls be banned. He then noted further provisions for dogs being declared vicious and dangerous. Alderman Stroud stated that he would like to see a draft ordinance within 30-days, adding that the number one priority for the City Council is to protect the citizens. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. Alderman Fletcher stated that the problem is larger than bad dogs, its bad pet owners. He stated that he would work toward having the ordinance back to the City Council within 30-days. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve grant expenditures as submitted. MOTION CARRIED. STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: a. FINAL PLAT Bevcook Addition City Engineer Whisker stated that the owners are making two lots from one large lot in order to build another house. He stated that the property owners have also stated that they would tear down the older home when the new home is finished. In response to a question posed by Mayor Swaim, City Engineer Whisker stated that there was no opposition during the Planning Commission meeting. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the Final Plat of the Bevcook Addition as recommended. MOTION CARRIED. b. FINAL PLAT CenturyTel Addition City Engineer Whisker related that CenturyTel is proposing to add on to the existing building, which is currently on a metes and bounds property description. He stated that he had asked CenturyTel to plat the property, adding that 15’ of right-of-way has been dedicated to the City. He noted that with the additional right-of-way it would provide for 40’ of right-of-way on the north side of Main Street. He then noted that CenturyTel has also bonded for the sidewalk improvements. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Final Plat of the CenturyTel Addition. MOTION CARRIED. c. CDBG Annual CAPR Report Mayor Swaim related that he and Alderman Elliott just returned from Washington D.C. and that the CDBG program was the most significant item being lobbied on Capital Hill. 5 Discussion ensued regarding the proposed funding cuts to the CDBG programs of approximately 1 billion dollars, and Mayor Swaim noted that cuts are proposed to be on a percentage basis. CDBG Director Theresa Watson noted a change of $3,600.00 that was added to City Funds, which changed the percentage favorably. She related that they experienced an expected 2.2% decrease in funds. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. Mayor Swaim related that the CDBG program is a base station for other grants awarded to the City. He noted that the program receives home funding, asking Director Watson to brief the City Council regarding current projects. Director Watson stated that the current report reflects that the CDBG Department has completed five (5) projects from a grant with eleven (11) listed projects. She updated that actually all but three (3) have been completed and currently two (2) of those are nearing completion. She added that an application for fifteen (15) additional projects was submitted approximately two weeks ago. She stated that while she is allowed to submit 4 applications with 16 projects per application, she is having difficulty locating contractors willing to do rehab work instead of new home construction. She stated that once the grant is awarded there is a 2-year time limit to complete the project. Mayor Swaim noted that while the CDBG program receives approximately $300,000 annually, it spends a lot more given the grants received. Director Watson noted that the program is expected to receive $285,000 this year but in past years has received over $300,000. Mayor Swaim stated that a 20% cut had been proposed for 2007. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to approve the 2006 Annual CAPR Report as submitted. MOTION CARRIED. GENERAL: APPOINTMENT(S): HEALTH CARE FACILITIES BOARD Mayor Swaim noted that reactivation of the Healthcare Facilities Board would enable the Pathfinder organization to apply for grants and for that reason Pathfinders has asked that the City Council reactivate the Board. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to reactivate and appoint Pat O’Brien for a term to expire 11/16/2007, Tom Brancheau for a term to expire 11/16/2008, Joey Price for a term to expire 11/16/2009, Vicky Evans for a term to expire 11/16/2010, and Cindy Elia for a term to 6 expire 11/16/2011. PRESENTATION: Battalion Chief Joe Bratton demonstrated two thermal imagining devices for the City Council. He noted that the imager is used to distinguish between temperatures, adding that the device is capable of distinguishing between as little as 1 degree. He stated that the Fire Department was able to obtain 4 devices, one for each engine company. Mayor Swaim noted that the main function of the imager is to locate victims before the fire has had a chance to reach them. Chief Bratton noted that there are multiple uses, noting that it would also allow firefighters to locate hot spots on a fire scene. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 16, 2006 7:00 P.M. – 7:24 P.M. In response to a question posed by Alderman Stroud, Chief Bratton noted that the imager is capable of distinguishing temperatures at great distances. Chief Bratton thanked the City Council for the matching funds, which enabled the Fire Department to purchase the thermal imagers. Mayor Swaim noted the advancement in technology for firefighters and police, which aid in their effectiveness to perform their jobs. Alderman Stroud introduced an item for consideration to the City Council, explaining that because of the difficulty and expense in condemning property he feels it might be effective to identify those properties that need immediate attention and flag them with a sign stating that the property is being considered to condemnation. He stated that his desire would be to speed the repair and improvement process. He offered that the suggestion could be worked as a test pilot program to gauge the effectiveness. Mayor Swaim explained that in order to implement the program, City Engineer Whisker would need to meet with City Attorney Bamburg to identify at what stage of condemnation a sign can be placed on the property. Alderman Howard stated that he understood this to be a tool being used by North Little Rock, adding his support for the concept. ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Public Works Director Jim Oakley announced that the Chamber of Commerce would be hosting its “Clean-up Jacksonville” campaign April 1, 2006, encouraging everyone to participate. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:24 p.m. Respectfully, 7 ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer 8