21 NOV 18CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
6:00 P.M. – 6:56 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on November 18, 2021 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Council Member Bolden delivered
the invocation and Mayor Johnson led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Johnson also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT
TEN (8) ABSENT (2). Council Members Smith and Rains were absent.
Others present for the meeting and by Zoom were: City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Human Resources Director
Charlette Nelson, Wastewater General Manager Thea Hughes, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, IT Director Emily Osment, Kirby Miraglia, Jim
Moore, Johnny Simpson, and Leader Newspaper Reporter Rick Kron.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Johnson presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 15, 2021 for approval and/or correction.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Traylor that the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meetings of 15 July 2021 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for October 2021 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $85,000.00
and a savings total of $90,000.00.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the Regular Monthly Report for October 2021 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/CODE ENFORCEMENT
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report as presented for October 2021.
Assigned Calls 85
Self-Initiated Calls 133
Follow ups 179 Structures Inspected 110
Meetings/Court Hearings 1 Rentals Inspected 6
Tickets Issued 6 Properties Red Tagged 2
Three Day Notice 149 Search Warrants Served 0
Seven Day Letter 86 Structures Rehabbed 0
Vehicles Tagged 52 Structures Condemned 0
Vehicles Towed 21 Houses Demolished by City 4
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
6:00 P.M. – 6:56 P.M.
Lots posted 6 Houses Demolished by Owner 0
Signs removed 23 Parking Violations 20
Trash cans tagged 1 Grass Mowed 0
Basketball Goals 2
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve the regular monthly report for October 2021.
ADOPTION FEES/FINES $ 780.00
CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00
TOTALS $ 780.00
ROLL CALL: Council Member: Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 1675 (#25-2021)
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF WASTEWATER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2021, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES, FOR THE PURPOSES OF FINANCING A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS,
BETTERMENTS, AND EXTENSIONS TO THE JACKSONVILLE SEWER SYSTEM; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS; PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO; AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing at approximately 6:02 p.m.
With no one presenting to speak in favor or opposition to Ordinance 1675 (#25-2021), Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing at approximately 6:03 p.m.
Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to place Ordinance 1675 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor,
and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1675.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve Ordinance 1675 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1675 on SECOND READING.
Leigh Ann Biernat with Stephens Inc. related that they served as underwriters for the bond issue. She stated that this Ordinance will allow them to move forward with the issuance of
bonds for the Wastewater Utility, adding that they were offered this morning and the par-amount is $8,150,000.00. She explained that the Ordinance outlines the maturity and the principal
amounts as well as the interest rate. She pointed out that the interest rate is the coupon of the bond, not the yield that the Utility is experiencing. She clarified that the yield
on the bonds range from .3% to 2.25%, the true
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
6:00 P.M. – 6:56 P.M.
interest cost is a 2.15%, so for a 2042 maturity the rate is 2.15%. She
stated that the bonds were very well received in the market, highlighting that the bonds were rated by S&P, the Utility had their rating of A+ affirmed; a very good rating for a Wastewater
Utility. It speaks to the management of the assets and of the people at the Utility. She congratulated them for their rating.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1675 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden,
Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1675 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1675 (#25-2021) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2021.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION: a. ORDINANCE 1676 (#26-2021)
AN ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS (LEE MAC ESTATES; PARCELS LOCATED ON LEE MAC DRIVE); AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 213 AND 238 AND THE LAND USE MAP
OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to place Ordinance 1676 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor,
and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1676.
Council Member Dietz stated that the Ordinance would accommodate the construction of started single-family residences in what is currently a mixed use area.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
6:00 P.M. – 6:56 P.M.
Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve Ordinance 1676 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1676 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL:
Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1676 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden,
Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Sansing moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1676 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1676 (#26-2021) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2021.
b. REPLAT: Lots 12R, 13R, 15R & 16R-A replat of Lot 12, 13, 14, 15, & 16 PH I & II Loop Acres Addition
Council Member Dietz explained that the original plat only had two entrances on Northeastern, and since there was going to be too much congestion, the Planning Commission asked them
to change the development plan from all duplexes to include some single-family residences. He then stated that for safety the Planning Commission requested another ingress and egress,
so they were able to purchase the five remaining lots on Loop Road and are changing the side lots to accommodate the additional access by making smaller lots of the five lots that was
platted years ago. He answered Mayor Johnson that the replat was approved by the Fire Department.
Mayor Johnson clarified that the City Council is accepting the replat because there will be a dedicated street for acceptance.
A brief discussion ensued regarding the mixture of duplexes and single-family percentages.
Council Member Dietz answered Council Member Blevins that this development should not cause any flooding to other areas because they have a new concrete drainage ditch on the north side
that makes the water flow out of the area. He related that the zoning of the property is single-family, the lots are only being downsized.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
6:00 P.M. – 6:56 P.M.
Council Member Sansing noted that the two existing streets are very narrow and would not be able to handle the traffic, thus the need for a third access.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to approve the replat of Lots 12, 13, 14, 15, & 16 PH I & II Loop Acres Addition. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE(S):
GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1679 (#29-2021)
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING PREMIUM PAY FOR CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Mashburn to place Ordinance 1679 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor,
and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1679.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing to approve Ordinance 1679 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1679 on SECOND READING.
Human Resource Director Charlette Nelson informed the City Council that this came from the COVID money; it is a premium payment to where we are able to pay our employees a small bonus
for them working during the COVID time from March 2020 to September 2021. She explained that they would have to have worked a total of 80 hours during that time; and we are able to
give them an extra bonus. She stated that we can not pay over $13.00 an hour and it is capped at 80 hours, so the check comes out to be $1,040.00 before deductions of taxes and APERS
but no LOFI is deducted. She added that the employee names will have to be run through Sam.Gov and if they owe any back taxes or child support or garnishments we have to deduct from
that check. Employees have to sign off on saying they did work those hours and we have to run their name and print where we saw it in Sam and we have to sign off saying we ran their
name through Gov. She added that they also have to print our payroll reports showing that they worked those hours, but we have to get City Council to approve this. She answered Council
Member Traylor that current full-time employees who worked 80 hours between those dates is eligible.
Mayor Johnson noted that it is not for City Attorney Friedman, himself, City Clerk, or any of the Council Members.
Council Member Traylor confirmed with Director Nelson that this is money that can only be used for this purpose.
It was noted that the money would be out before Christmas.
Council Member Twitty noted that Mayor Johnson had just commented that City Attorney Friedman, himself and City Clerk were not eligible.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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6:00 P.M. – 6:56 P.M.
Mayor Johnson corrected that he just found out that they are eligible.
Director Nelson interjected that City Council would have to approve them. She then answered that they can be included.
City Attorney Friedman stated that it is in the attachment, list each Department and why those Departments are included.
Director Nelson acknowledged that those individuals did work through COVID but City Council has to approve that they get the money also. She then answered Council Member Blevins that
this is coming from the 5-million-dollar fund that the City received and it came from a Federal Grant. She then emphasized that it has a lot of stipulations.
ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1679 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden,
Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Mashburn to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1679 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1679 (#29-2021) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2021.
b. ORDINANCE 1677 (#27-2021)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE §§ 3.08.010, 3.08.020, 3.08.025, 3.08.030, 3.08.040, AND 3.08.041 SO AS TO MODIFY COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND PURCHASING PROCEDURES
FOR THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Mashburn to place Ordinance 1677 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor,
and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1677.
A copy of the amended Purchasing Manual was provided to each City Council Member.
City Attorney Friedman explained that Act 435 was adopted by the State Legislature, which amended the minimum amount requiring a bid. She clarified that it raised the price from $25,000.00
to $35,000.00. She noted that it is a stairstep system and each of the steps was bumped up.
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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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Finance Director Cheryl Erkel then answered that it would help save the City money because the City will not have as many bids as with the lower amount and the projects can be started
earlier or equipment can be purchases earlier than have to wait the two weeks that it has to be advertised.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Mashburn to approve Ordinance 1677 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1677 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL:
Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Mashburn to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1677 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden,
Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1677 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Mashburn that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1677 (#27-2021) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2021.
c. ORDINANCE 1678 (#28-2021)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE PURCHASING MANUAL FOR GUIDANCE AND USE BY THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE EMPLOYEES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to place Ordinance 1678 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor,
and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1678.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to approve Ordinance 1678 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES to place Ordinance 1678 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to further SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1678 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden,
Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1678 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Sansing that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Bolden, Blevins, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn,
Traylor, and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1678 (#28-2021) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2021.
d. RESOLUTION 814 (#13-2021)
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR ROCKY BRANCH DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BUILDING RESILIENT INFASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES (BRIC) GRANT FUNDS TO THE STATE
OF ARKANSAS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to read Resolution 814. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 814 (#13-2021).
Public Works Director Jim Oakley explained that the City is asking to apply for a grant to improve the drainage channel, noting that there have been repetitive losses in the Carpenter
Addition over the last several big floods. He stated that the City needs to at least complete the engineering study which would run around 80 thousand dollars; explaining that it is
a 75/25 match grant, unless it qualifies as a low-income area which would mean a 90\10 match grant.
He then addressed Resolution 815 (#14-2021), explaining that the bridge restricts the flow and at times is as much as 4’ under water. He stated that this prevents Police and Fire from
reaching one of the largest subdivisions in Jacksonville; Northlake. He stated that the engineering costs could run up to around $400,000.00; the construction could be as much as 4
million.
Public Works Director Jim Oakley then answered Council Member Traylor that Rocky Branch Creeks actually starts on the Air Base before running past the Carpenter Addition and down to
Lomanco property. He continued saying that the bridge on Main Street needs to be replaced, noting that the Highway Department has put weight restrictions on the bridge, also the restrictions
prevent the ladder truck from crossing because it weighs 82,000 pounds.
Chief Laughy clarified that gross weight is 82,000 but currently they have it slightly over 76,000 pounds.
He stated that the bridge is not critical at this time but it does have weight restrictions and it is old and does need to be replaced. He
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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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stated that in order to improve the drainage there has to be a study, saying that it could be that the Interstate bridges are not adequate either. He added that we would not know without
the study and then follow what is recommended.
Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Bolden to adopt Resolution 814 (#13-2021) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED.
e. RESOLUTION 815 (#14-2021)
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR BAYOU METO BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BUILDING RESILIENT INFASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES (BRIC) GRANT FUNDS TO THE STATE OF
ARKANSAS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Bolden moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to read Resolution 815. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 815 (#14-2021).
A brief discussion occurred in response to a question from Council Member Blevins, Public Works Director Jim Oakley informed the City Council that the 4 million quoted earlier would
be a 75/25 federal FEMA match grant. He then let the City Council know that due to inflation the bridge on Loop Road went from 8 million to 14 million.
Mayor Johnson noted that by the time they finish the study and get around to building it, it could be 7 or 8 years.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Mashburn to adopt Resolution 815 (#14-2021) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED.
f. Citizen request to speak
Council Member Blevins introduced Victoria Shelley to speak to the City Council regarding the Animal Control Department. He related that he first directed her to Chief Hibbs but she
still wanted to address the City Council.
Ms. Shelley stated she has had trouble with the Shelter, saying that she had her animals updated on shots. She stated that she did not want her animals to go to the Shelter. She stated
that she is here to speak for the animals that do not have a voice, adding that she is unaware of how many animals have been destroyed at Jacksonville Animal Shelter. She added that
she has been told that if she brings animals up there, they are going to be put to sleep and it is a no kill shelter. She said no, sir. They are putting these animals to sleep. She
stated that she would like to start a program in the City of Jacksonville, catch up with the times and get this ordinance changed to where you are allowed to have six animals, as long
as you have their vaccines, spay, neutered, and you see a regular vet. She said “I see no problem with that, because there are too many strays running the streets of Jacksonville and
going to this shelter and dying, they don’t deserve that.” She offered that we need to start a foster program for people to be able to help take some weight off of our Shelter, because
they are full. She added
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“I do not know how many animals they have over there right now.” She stated that she does not know what to do but talk to the City Council about this ordinance that needs to be updated
that was written in 1986. She said this is 2021, it is time for Jacksonville to catch up with the rest of the State. She asked that City Council please consider updating that ordinance
and make sure that people who can not afford to get their animal fixed, that we come up with a way to help the disabled and the elderly who have pets that need to have spay, neuter
and shots. She then answered Mayor Johnson that her animals are licensed, then she added that she has to go next week and get the City license from Hedy, saying that she spoke to her
today. She explained that she has animals that she is trying to place because she is over the limit, adding that she is doing her best to find homes for them.
Mayor Johnson questioned if once she gets the license would it remove her citation?
Ms. Shelley answered yes, saying that Hedy called her today and told her that her citation would disappear once she gets the City tags. She assured the Mayor that Hedy did work with
her regarding that. She then explained that someone called and said that she was hoarding animals. She said, no, she is not. She stated that she was reported for feeding strays. She
added that she is not going to lie, if she sees a stray animal and it needs help, she is going to help it. She related that there was a family of six cats, five kittens and one mom,
she explained that she called the Shelter and told them that there were some babies that needs help. She stated that the family who lived there did not abandon these kittens or the
mother cat, these cats do not belong to them. She stated that when she called the Shelter, Ms. Keri told her that if she brings them to the Shelter they are just going to euthanize
them. She stated that she does not agree with that, adding that we need to come together as a community and help the animals that need us. She suggested starting a foster program and
a spay and neuter program and do background checks on the people who want to adopt these animals, like Maumelle. She explained that some of these animals come back to the Shelter and
some of them end up on the streets. She said she does not know, but she just wants the City to hear her.
Council Member Blevins stated that after Ms. Shelley contacted him, he looked into this a little bit, explaining that he even contacted Chief Hibbs about this. He related that he was
under the impression for the longest time that our Shelter was a no kill shelter, which meant that they only euthanized in the event that the animal was not going to live very long
anyway or was in pain or along those lines, that they did not kill just to make room. She added that he is now finding out that there were some links to other pages that were not necessarily
the pages that they needed to go to, that were places that seemingly seemed like they were the Jacksonville Animal Shelter but were not the Animal Shelter as an entity but was a non-profit
that was acting out of the Animal Shelter that said that they were a no kill, whereas in reality the Animal Shelter said that they were a low kill shelter. He stated that there is
a huge difference between low kill and no kill. He
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stated that he believes there was just a lot of misinformation because he thought Jacksonville was a no kill shelter. He then noted that the consent agenda Animal Control report showed
that seven cats were put down last month as opposed to only one dog. He noted that most of the donations online are dog based, saying that he feels Ms. Shelley’s concerns are just,
adding that he is not sure what the City can do other than try to make it more comfortable for cats. He noted that there are probably more cats than there are dogs running around in
the City. He stated that there are a lot of animals getting put down and we should be looking at a way to rehome them, if we are only putting them down because we do not have room.
Mayor Johnson related to Ms. Shelley that he appreciates her concern and compassion.
City Owned Lots in Sunnyside Addition
Council Member Dietz provided a list of the lots owned by the City in the Sunnyside Addition, saying that the City should begin to focus on selling those lots so that they are not a
maintenance issue for the City. He stated that the saved funds could better be used in upgrading downtown.
Council Member Blevins stated that he has notice that other cities have decided how they are going to spend the COVID funds, adding that the only expenditure approved by the City Council
has been the Premium Pay that was given tonight. He asked if City of Jacksonville has any meetings planned to discuss the expenditure of these funds.
Mayor Johnson explained that one of the items is Lost Revenues, and the City of Jacksonville has actually not lost any revenues so we cannot use that money to replace revenues that we
did not lose. He stated that other cities such as North Little Rock lost revenues on the Arena because of the cancellation of holding concerts. He stated that the Federal Government
is still changing the rules, adding that the City Council will be involved and no money will be spent without City Council approval. He stated that it will be sometime next year when
we decide the things that we can do, adding that the City got half of the money now and the other half will be next year.
City Attorney Friedman concurred that the regulations are very strict. She explained that cities have broad discretion in a sense but loop holes you have to follow in order to spend
the money correctly is a process. She noted that Little Rock’s Ordinance for Premium Pay was 13 pages because they had so many other things that they could include.
Mayor Johnson asked Finance Director Cheryl Erkel to comment on the ARP Funds.
Finance Director Cheryl Erkel stated that in January she is going to start looking closer into what the City is actually able to spend the Funds on. She stated that she would get a
list with the City Council’s input into their priorities. She corrected that while she had said January it might actually
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be February, surmising that it would be at the first of next year that she would have time to put her attention into that because the budget will be over by then.
In response to a question from Council Member Traylor, Mayor Johnson answered that this is a different pot of money, and the funds spent for building upgrades was CARES Act Funds. He
then clarified that these funds are the American Recovery Plan funds, adding that there would be a third pot of money coming that will probably confuse everyone.
DAV Office space
Council Member Bolden reminded the City Council that Jacksonville has a DAV office. He stated that helping veterans is a hard job, explaining that the space at Old City Hall is limited.
He stated that we really need to find them somewhere with more space. He stated that there is a flood of veterans that are coming in and they need a place with more room to counsel
these veterans. He noted that the Jacksonville office services Cabot and all the surrounding areas. He stated that it needs to be put on the priority list so that we find them a place
within the next 30 days that is bigger. He mentioned expanding the existing building. He stated that he has tried to handle it in other ways but it seems as though it is not coming
forward as it needs to. He reiterated that they are struggling and we have a lot of veterans that need our help. He clarified that they need private rooms for consultations.
APPOINTMENTS:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Johnson announced that the Christmas Parade would be held December 4th, starting at 3:00 p.m. on Main Street. A tree lighting ceremony at the Chamber will follow
the Parade.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:56 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
_________________________ __________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR BOB JOHNSON
City Clerk-Treasurer