07 MAR 15.doc
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 15, 2007
7:00 P.M. – 7:18 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 15, 2007 at the regular meeting place of the Council.
Mayor Swaim delivered the invocation and Alderman Fletcher led a standing
audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Rinker, Fletcher,
Stroud, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL
declaring a quorum. PRESENT eight (8), ABSENT (2). Aldermen Twitty and
Ray were absent.
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Deputy
Clerk Linda Dulaney, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Public Works
Director Jim Oakley, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Police
Chief Robert Baker, CDBG Director Teresa Watson, Mrs. Addie Gibson, Mr.
Daniel Gray, 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
March 1, 2007 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 February 2007 be APPROVED. MOTION
CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to approve the
Regular Monthly Report for February 2007. Said report reflects the Total
Value of Reported Stolen Property $29,757. Total Value of Recovered
Stolen Property $22,556 and Total Report Sales $832.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to approve the
Regular Monthly Report for February 2007. Said report reflects:
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PREFORMED
Building Permits 21 Building Inspections 67
Business License 18 HVACR 27
Electrical 75
Plumbing 74
UNSIGHTLY & UNSANITARY VEHICLES
Grass Letters 0 Notice of Noncompliance 27
Property Mowed 0 Towed 3
Trash Letters 154 CONDEMNATIONS
Trash Removal 20 Structural Maint. Letters 0
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Property Maint. Letters 5 Structural Repairs Made 0
Costs $1,921.42 Demolitions 0
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 15, 2007
7:00 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to approve the
Regular Monthly Report for February 2007 from the Jacksonville Fire
Department, which reflects a fire loss of $1,200 and a savings total of
$0.00.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary to approve the
Regular Monthly Animal Control Report for January and February 2007.
Said report reflects:
JANUARY FEBRUARY
ADOPTION/FINES: $1,930.00 ADOPTION/FINES: $2,480.00
CONTRIBUTIONS: $ .00 CONTRIBUTIONS: $ 168.85
TOTAL: $1,930.00 TOTAL: $2,648.85
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Rinker, Fletcher,
Stroud, and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: a. Set Public Hearing for condemnation proceedings for April
19, 2007
Mayor Swaim related that annually a list is prepared regarding houses
considered for condemnation based on their condition, explaining that
efforts are made to help the homeowner identify Code violations to bring
the home back into Code. He stated that if efforts are unsuccessful then
the homes are moved forward in the condemnation process.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to set a public
hearing April 19, 2007 at 7:10 p.m. regarding condemnation proceedings.
MOTION CARRIED.
b. Set Public Hearing for abandoning railroad crossing on Center Street
near Graham Road for April 5, 2007
Mayor Swaim related that the crossing has been closed for approximately 4
years. He added that originally, the railroad took out the crossing but
he had asked the railroad to put the crossing back pending determinations
regarding emergency situations. He stated that the public hearing would
be to address the crossing only not the road right-of-way, explaining
that the City would continue to maintain the road right-of-way. He
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stated that the request comes from the railroad because they are still
using the arms and blowing the whistle. He added that there have been
numerous complaints regarding the train whistle being blown when the
crossing is closed. He stated that when the crossing is abandoned the
railroad will take the arms down and stop blowing the whistle.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 15, 2007
7:00 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
In response to a question posed by Alderman Sansing, Mayor Swaim stated
that even if the arms are taken down he is not sure if there were a
condition sometime in the future that would demonstrate the need for a
crossing and that it was not a safety hazard. He stated that the dilemma
with the intersection was that 4 million dollars was spent building the
overpass because it was a dangerous crossing but 200 yards away there was
another intersection that was just as dangerous. He stated that the
agreement was that both intersections would be closed.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to set a public hearing
April 5, 2007 at 7:10 p.m. regarding abandoning a railroad crossing on
Center Street. MOTION CARRIED.
c. Request start-up funds for the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Program
Mayor Swaim related that the City had helped with funding to obtain the
designation for Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, adding that the organization
is working diligently on projects to help Jacksonville. He stated that
if approved, City Attorney Bamburg would prepare an agreement that would
allow the City to contract with the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful
organization for certain events during the year.
Alderman Stroud stated that the Keep America or Jacksonville Beautiful
organization can give back seven dollars in benefits for every dollar
invested. He introduced Mr. Daniel Gray, Chairman of the finance
committee for Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, adding that they are
requesting $2,500.00 for start-up funding.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve
appropriation of $2,500.00 for start-up funds for the Keep Jacksonville
Beautiful Program with funds to be drawn from the Contingency Fund.
MOTION CARRIED.
DEVIATION IN AGENDA:
APPOINTMENT(S): ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMISSION
Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to approve the
reappointments of Mayor Tommy Swaim and Jim Hurley to a second-four year
term to expire 3-21-2011. MOTION CARRIED.
RESUME AGENDA:
d. Request approval of the 2006 CDBG CAPER Report
Mayor Swaim related that the City has received notice that funding for
the 2007 budget year has been approved. He stated that the amount is
approximately $279,496.00.
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Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the 2006
CDBG CAPER Report as submitted. MOTION CARRIED.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 15, 2007
7:00 P.M. – 7:18 P.M.
ANNOUNCEMENT(S):
Alderman Elliott related future difficulties for cities to obtain federal
funding for CDBG, transportation, and the COPS programs. He stated that
funding is a major issue in Washington, D.C. right now, relating that
Mike Ross had pointed out that approximately 12 million dollars an hour
is being spent in Iraq. He stated that other issues such as predatory
lending and hidden credit card fees have been identified as major
problems across the Country. He identified efforts to protect rights-of-
way and franchising fees regarding telecommunication issues. He noted
that there was a lot of discussion regarding FEMA’s lack of response to
the tornado in Dumas, Arkansas.
Mayor Swaim stated that early in the funding process, he had learned that
funds for CDBG were possibly going to be cut by 20%. He stated that if
that had occurred that would have been approximately $60,000 from
Jacksonville’s CDBG funding. He stated that it would down grade
Jacksonville from being a city that is automatically funded and
Jacksonville would have to compete on a project-by-project basis for
funding. He stated that the standard procedure for an “Entitlement City”
is $50,000 or more, adding that Jacksonville was able to obtain that
status in the 70’s and has enjoyed that entitlement status since that
time without competition. He stated that if Jacksonville looses its
status as an Entitlement City, a grant writer would become necessary to
be able to compete. He stated that given the salary for a grant writer
it would not be feasible. He stated that in order to continue the CDBG
program the funding needs to remain at least where it is currently.
CDBG Director Theresa Watson related potential anticipation regarding
possible State funding in order for cities to maintain Entitlement
status. She related however that there is unfavorable opposition to the
proposal.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at
approximately 7:18 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM
City Clerk-Treasurer
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