20 MAY 21CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 21, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 6:18 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 May 21, 2020 at the regular meeting place of the City Council.
ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Johnson also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum.
PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT (0) ONE SEAT VACANT.
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, Public Works Director Jim Oakley. There were no members of the press present.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Johnson presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 23, 2020 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Sipes that the minutes of the regular scheduled City Council meeting of 2 April 2020 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the Regular Monthly Report for April 2020 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for April 2020 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $81,500.00
and a savings total of $900,500.00.
REGULAR MONTHLY/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for April 2020.
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 25 Building Inspections 26
Business Licenses Electrical 39 Plumbing 36
HVACR 19
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for April 2020.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $ 885.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00
TOTALS $ 885.00
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 21, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 6:18 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Council Member: Bolden, Sipes, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
COMMITTEE(S): a. Used Car Lot Committee (Council Member Mashburn)
No committee report to present.
b. Committee for Stonewall bike lanes (Council Member Bolden)
Council Member Bolden requested that the Committee for Stonewall bike lanes be dissolved. It was the consensus of the City Council to dissolve the Committee.
GENERAL: a. PUBLIC HEARING
CDBG Substantial Amendment to the FY 2016-2020 Consolidated Plan FY 2020 Action Plan & Revised Citizen Participation Plan
Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing at approximately 6:05 p.m.
No input was submitted by the public
Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing at approximately 6:07 p.m.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to approve the Amendment as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
b. PUBLIC HEARING
CDBG Approving the 2020 Action Plan
Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing at approximately 6:07 p.m.
No input was submitted by the public
Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing at approximately 6:09 p.m.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Sipes to adopt the plan as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
c. RESOLUTION 793 (#4-2020)
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION TO THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS HERITAGE AND TOURISM FOR ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 21, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 6:18 P.M.
Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Collins to read Resolution 793 (#4-2020). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 793.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to adopt Resolution 793 (#4-2020) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED.
d. RESOLUTION 794 (#5-2020)
A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND SUPPORTING COACH VIC JOYNER, THE 5A CENTRAL COACH OF THE YEAR, AND THE 2020 5A CHAMPION (5A) BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM OF JACKSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL; AND, FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Collins to read Resolution 794 (#5-2020). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 794.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to adopt Resolution 794 (#5-2020) in its entirety.
Mayor Johnson stated that when it is possible he is going to ask the Coach and team to attend a City Council meeting so they can be congratulated in person.
At this time, MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing to approve the appointment of Kevin McCleary for a term to expire 05/09/2025. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor to approve the reappointment of Travis Hooper for a term to expire 05/09/2024. MOTION CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Bolden addressed his fellow Council Members and the public saying that if anyone impacted by the pandemic has been personally affected, he and the other
members reach out in support, speaking hope over anyone affected, emphasizing that they do care. He then expressed gratitude to the City employees and responders, as well as the healthcare
workers and other frontline heroes that are working tirelessly to take care of our great citizens of Jacksonville. He then stated that as many of City parks and offices prepare to
begin opening, we want to let you know that we are committed to being here for our citizens. He stated that it is hoped that with these openings everyone will adhere to CDC recommendations,
adding that we need everyone to follow the Nation’s Coronavirus guidelines regarding washing hands, the use of facemask, and social distancing. He asked that when citizens are using
the City parks that they submit to the directives from City employees regarding safety measures. He stated that we will get
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 21, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 6:18 P.M.
through these uncertain times and we will emerge stronger, a stronger Jacksonville together. He asked that everyone stay motivated and look forward to the future.
Public Comments:
Mayor Johnson stated that there have been some public comments. He stated that a Mr. John Ross on T.P. White says that he would like to see Council Member Sipes resign. He then stated
that Brian Blevins wrote a very long email, adding that he is not going to rehash what has already been gone over. He related that the meeting of August 15th has gone to the prosecutor
and been handled. He stated that Council Member Mary Twitty and City Clerk Susan Davitt were found to have no part in that. He stated that he is not going to discuss that any further
but he is asking that Council Member Sipes resign his position. Patrick Thomas also asked for his resignation. Michael Scroggins and his wife asked also for Council Member Sipes to
resign. Mr. Marcus T. Jones also asked for resignation and Mr. David Ryan.
Mayor Johnson stated that this public forum is not to call names and bash people, it is for the City Council to hear from the public regarding things we may not be aware of, such as
when the gentleman that came before us regarding the barking dogs’ situation. He added that this forum is for situations such as drainage problems that you may have and are not sure
what to do or how to get it fixed or if you are for or against an item of business that is being proposed to the City Council. He reiterated that this is not a place to come and belittle
or bash someone and certainly do not accuse someone of being guilty until the courts do it because we are not a jury.
He then quoted Arkansas Statute §14-42-119, saying that if anyone is unhappy with an elected official from the Governor on down; noting recalls in other states, you will need to have
a petition with 25% of the qualified voters to sign and turn it into the City Clerk. It is to be filed no more than 90 days and no less than 7 days prior to the next General Election
which is in November. This is not the forum to do that.
Council Member Sipes addressed his fellow Council Members, saying that he encourages an investigation, adding that he is not going to resign because of the slanderous newspaper articles
that are not true. He stated that this is the most ridiculous thing he has ever seen. He added that in his 40 years, he has always been professional, saying that he cannot believe
a newspaper can do what they are doing to individuals. He encouraged Mayor Johnson to push hard to get an investigation and not only an investigation but an audit for the whole City.
Mayor Johnson stated that they will not do an audit for the whole City because we have already paid for one, adding that he has asked them to do one last January. He stated that we
need to hold judgements until an investigation is completed, adding that the will not discuss this matter as long as the investigation is being conducted.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 21, 2020
6:00 P.M. – 6:18 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:18 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR BOB JOHNSON
City Clerk-Treasurer