07 MAR 15.docCITY 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
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 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.
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