08 APR 03.doc
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 3, 2008
7:00 P.M. – 7:15 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 April 3, 2008 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, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker,
Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also
answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT TEN (10), ABSENT (0).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Deputy
City Clerk Lynette Culpepper, Director of Administration Jay Whisker,
Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Human Resource Director Jill
Fourqurean, Fire Battalion Chief Kendall Snyder, CDBG Director Theresa
Watson, Interim Police Chief Kenny Boyd, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Police Chief
Gary Sipes, City Planner Chip McCulley, interested citizens and members
of the press.
DEVIATION IN AGENDA: Introduction of new personnel
Mayor Swaim introduced Mr. Chip McCulley, hired as the new City Planner.
City Planner McCulley related that he is originally from Paragould,
Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas. He related that he had
worked on the Clinton Presidential Library through its development;
afterward moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma and becoming the City Planner for the
northern suburb Owasso, Oklahoma. He stated that he met his wife in
Oklahoma and started his family. He then related that through his wife’s
employment they had an opportunity to move back to Arkansas. He stated
that he is very excited about working for the City and is looking forward
to working with everyone.
Mayor Swaim introduced Interim Police Chief Kenny Boyd, expressing his
appreciation for his service to the Department during the selection
process for the new Police Chief.
Mayor Swaim introduced new Police Chief Gary Sipes and his wife.
Police Chief Sipes stated that Jacksonville has been a part of his family
for 30 plus years. He introduced his wife, saying that they have three
sons who graduated from Jacksonville. He related that his first job at
18 was with the North Little Rock Police Department where he stayed until
his retirement in 1999, taking over the Code Enforcement Department as
Director until he got the opportunity to be the Police Chief for Benton.
He stated that he is blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve
the City of Jacksonville as Police Chief and is looking forward to
beginning his tenure.
RESUME AGENDA
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 3, 2008
7:00 P.M. – 7:15 P.M.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of
March 20, 2008 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly
scheduled City Council meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman McCleary that the minutes of
the Regular City Council Meeting of 6 March 2008 be APPROVED. MOTION
CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT: Request to Accept Bid for backup power generators
Mayor Swaim stated that the low bid is the recommended bid and that it
does meet specifications.
Battalion Chief Kendall Snyder concurred that the low bidder is
acceptable and did meet specifications.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to accept the low bid
from NorthSide Power & Electric in the amount of $31,599.20 with funds to
be drawn from the budgeted Fire Department Equipment funds. MOTION
CARRIED.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION: FINAL PLAT Bowen Subdivision
Acting City Engineer Whisker explained that the Bowen Subdivision was a
large tract on James Street that is being subdivided into two lots,
explaining that there are two houses on the lot and the owner is
proposing to sell one of the houses. He stated that this would require
platting the property, pointing out that the sewer was split for the
houses.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the Final
Plat of Bowen Subdivision. MOTION CARRIED.
GENERAL: REPORT Pulaski County Treasurer Debra Buckner
Mayor Swaim related that the report from Pulaski County Treasurer Debra
Buckner is being deferred to the next regularly scheduled City Council
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meeting April 17. He reminded the City Council that the next meeting
would begin at 7:30 p.m. to allow attendance of the Annual Police
Department Banquet beginning at 6:00 p.m.
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CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 3, 2008
7:00 P.M. – 7:15 P.M.
APPOINTMENT(S): SEWER COMMISSION
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the
reappointment of Ms. Joan Zumwalt for a term to expire 4/20/2013.
ANNOUNCEMENT(S): Mayor Swaim announced that the annual Citywide Cleanup
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will be held Saturday April 5 starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Chamber of
Commerce and that the Two Pine Landfill informational meeting will be
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held April 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Community Center.
He noted that applications for the summer Municipal League meeting are
available in the magazine, adding that Council members interested in
attending can contact his office.
Alderman Stroud expressed appreciation to Alderman Howard, Elliott, and
Fletcher for their participation in the recent Gravel Ridge annexation
effort.
Following brief comments it was the consensus of the City Council to
research smaller chairs for City Council members.
Mayor Swaim noted that it has been difficult to find chairs that fit
behind the dais, but offered to research options.
Alderman Fletcher expressed concerns regarding the sharp turn on West
Main, noting that a number of vehicles have had to be towed after failing
to navigate the turn. He questioned the implementation of rumble strips
to pre-warn motorist of the impending turn.
Public Works Director Jim Oakley stated that he is researching that
option for the second curve area in the vicinity of Emma.
Mayor Swaim related longtime efforts by the City to straighten Main
Street, pointing out that the City now has $1,000,000.00 that had been
earmarked for improvements to the Gravel Ridge area if annexed, which
could now be made available for efforts to purchase property and
straighten Main Street. He added that the City would research remedies
for the curve, explaining that efforts to remove the 90° curve through
Mr. Suka’s property have not been successful.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at
approximately 7:15 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM
City Clerk-Treasurer
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