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95 APR 20.doc CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 20, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on April 20, 1995 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Fletcher delivered the invocation after which Mayor Swaim led the standing audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton answered ROLL CALL: Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. He expressed appreciation for those in attendance. Others present for the meeting were: Mayoral Aide Michael Beeman, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, City Engineer Duane Reel, Public Works Director Skip Spears, Police Chief Larry Hibbs, Fire Chief Rick Ezell, CDBG Director Tony Ply, Economic Director Phil Sullivan, Industrial Specialist Jerry Hasell, Chamber of Commerce Director Mickey Anders, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. D.D. Hibbs, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mrs. Sandra Sansing, other city employees, interested citizens and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 6, 1995 for study and action at the next Regular City Council Meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 16, 1995 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: Regular Monthly Reports were submitted by: Police Department, Fire Department, Recycling, and CDBG Department. POLICE DEPARTMENT: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH 1995 Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular Monthly Report of the Jacksonville Police Department for the month of March be APPROVED. Said report reflects: Computer Collections, $63,246.63, Miscellaneous Payments $1,044.50, Report Copies $284.00 for a total Collections of $64,575.13 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 20, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. FIRE DEPARTMENT: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH 1995 Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular Monthly Report for the month of March 1995, of the Jacksonville Fire Department be APPROVED. (Said report reflects an estimated fire loss of $65,000.00) ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton voted AYE. NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED. QUARTERLY RECYCLING REPORT: 1ST QTR. 1995 Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the quarterly recycling report be APPROVED. Said report reflects the following for the 1st quarter of 1995. Sale of Alum. cans, Paper (Newspaper, Computer, White, Mixed), Cardboard, Scrap Metal, Plastic #1, Plastic #2 was $ 16,483.12; total Lbs. collected for sale 341,300 lbs. Ground Yard Waste 6,678 Cubic Yards. Number of people through Recycling center 2,235. Public Works Director Skip Spears offered a comparison from the recycling report stating that there has been a 20% increase in the pounds collected this quarter over the same quarter last year with a 235% increase in price for the sale of those materials. He then agreed with Mayor Swaim who related that he is under the impression that the price increases will not remain this high for an extended period of time. He related that prices are very dependent on the economic forces around the world, adding that because it cannot be predicted in long terms, it is not very helpful in providing funding for planned Sanitation Department projects. Mayor Swaim commended Mr. Spears for his efforts in recycling such as load co-oping which enables him to get the best prices available. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. CDBG: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/MARCH 1995 Alderman Sansing moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular Monthly Report for March 1995, of the Community Development Department be APPROVED. Said report reflects: CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 20, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. Informal Meetings ................................... 5 Conducted Seminar ................................... 1 Rehab: a. Letters to prospective applicants .............. 2 b. Applications received .......................... 3 c. Bids advertised ................................ 1 d. Work write-ups & estimates ..................... 2 e. Pre-construction conferences ................... 2 f. Appraisals & Environmental reviews ............. 3 g. Interim Inspections ............................ 24 h. Final Inspections .............................. 1 i. Emergency Inspection ........................... 3 j. Partial payments ............................... 1 k. Project Close-outs ............................. 2 l. Warranty Repairs ............................... 2 Public Works: a. Bids Received .................................. 1 b. Interim Inspections ............................ 15 c. HUD Meetings ................................... 1 d. Project Close-out .............................. 0 e. Contract Awarded ............................... 0 ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Knight, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Fletcher, Williamson, and Keaton voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: PARKS & REC DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. Request to Accept Bid: Telecommunications System CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 20, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. Mayor Swaim related that the telephone system at City Hall is antiquated and it has become increasingly difficult to find parts. He then related that two years ago the telephone company suggested changing for that reason. He related that the low bid offered by BCS is the same system now being used by the Parks and Recreation Department which has proven to be satisfactory. Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the low bid from BCS in the amount of $14,173.91 budgeted funds from line item City Hall Expense. MOTION CARRIED. b. PRESENTATION: River Project given by Judge Villines. Mayor Swaim introduced County Judge Buddy Villines to discuss a River Project for consideration by the public. Judge Villines related that when cities work together on projects all the citizens benefit. He mentioned joint efforts with the County Jail Facility, communication improvement efforts for Police Departments, and the Solid Waste Management Programs which have enjoyed success. He related that because of competition changes in the world, major market places will be the identified areas in the future not cities or counties. He encouraged the reading of a book written by Neal Pierce entitled Citistates. He stated that economic issues are the concern of the area and not just one community. He related that after analyzing the industry which involves sports, entertainment, concerts, big shows and conventions it was discovered that the industry employees are spread throughout the county. He related that after a review of the area by he and the Mayors of Little Rock and North Little Rock recommendations for War Memorial Stadium, Barton Coliseum, State House Convention Center and an arena were formulated. He then pointed out that state legislation which puts money back into state owned facilities has already dealt with War Memorial and Barton Coliseum. He related that the State House Convention Center and an arena is the focus of the River Front Project. He related that the project will create an environment which people will be drawn to. He stated that he feels it is a project that everyone in the county would want to be a part of. He related that there are several ideas under consideration such as negotiations with Union Pacific Railroad to secure the bridge to develop a tramway of older railway cars as an attraction, and circular walkways on bridges. He related that getting the most out of the river setting on both sides of the river is key. He added that it was concluded that a downtown arena would be a better location than one in the suburbs, CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 20, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. because facilities in the outlining area did not stimulate further development, adding that the trend of construction has returned to the core of an area. He cited the project developed in the Cleveland area as an example, pointing out that downtown construction generally stimulates other economy in the area. He related that the north shore is the target site because the south shore of the river already has plans to develop a cultural and entertainment district, which will host the central library system, farmers market, and the museum of science and history; adding that they are already funded for these projects. He related that the north and south shore are working together to collate their efforts for maximum benefit on both sides of the river, adding that is basically how the plan came together. He stated that with regard to the state owned facilities (War Memorial and Barton Coliseum) a plan for revenue sharing taxes was negotiated. He said that arguments have been raised as to who should carry the majority of responsibility state, local business or regional area depending on ownership and profitability. He then related that financing would be a twenty million dollar contribution from the state over a four year period, the private sector would contribute ten million and the one year one cent sales tax would generate forty-five million for a total of seventy-five million for construction and linking both sides of the river. He related that he is talking with the various city councils in a grass roots campaign to help ensure success for the project. He related he has been pleased with the response from city council and quorum court members. He related that later in the summer there would be an election for the one year one cent issue. He pointed out what the parameters of the project would be and presented a rendition of the completed project, relating that a deck would be built to handle parking and informed the Council of the different accesses to and from the project that would handle traffic flow. He stated that conceptually the rendition gives an idea of how the boat traffic will be improved along with ideas for the bridges in the area. He then stated that the capacity for the arena would be between fifteen and twenty thousand depending on cost variables, relating that the facility will be able to handle concerts, basketball games and large meetings. He stated that it would be an additional cost to set up for ice hockey or exhibition space because of special wiring under the floor with wider door to accommodate trucks. He stated that the goal is twenty thousand seat capacity. He related that at the end of May there would be a meeting involving regional councils to officially set the project into motion, pointing out that the key to success is to have everyone involved and committed; adding that he would be asking the City Council to approve a Resolution of support in the future. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 20, 1995 7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. Alderman Fletcher questioned the safety factor for citizens who do not like to go into Little Rock. Judge Villains related that there was the same reaction in other cities that have completed the same type of projects and it has been something that the citizens have been proud of, adding that sometimes the perception of safety is more of a concern than a real issue. He assured Alderman Fletcher there would be adequate security. Alderman Ray related that he works in the area of the proposed project and that crime rate is 0.3 for the area, adding that security is good. Judge Villains related that other communities are willing to make the investment which would bring similar projects to their area. He related that we (the area) will loose the opportunity to compete with other areas without a commitment to work together. He stated that this project can bring FCC basketball, Razorback basketball, and NCAA tournaments into the area. He stated that "there is a multitude of reasons to be for it, granted there are some reasons and concerns that people might vote against it; but I hope we really look at it hard and see that ultimately it will be good for all of us." Discussion ensued as to the turnover of the tourist dollar and the different activities that will bring those dollars in and the different surrounding areas that will receive benefit from them. APPOINTMENTS: WASTEWATER COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Knight to approve the Wastewater Commission re-appointment of J.C.George for a term to expire 4/20/2000. ANNOUNCEMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m. Respectfully, ___________________________ ____________________________ Lula M. Leonard MAYOR City Clerk-Treasurer