96 MAR 07.DOC CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 7, 1996
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 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 7, 1996 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Smith delivered the invocation after
which Mayor Swaim led the standing audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Williamson, Keaton, and Twitty answered ROLL CALL. Alderman Fletcher was absent as well as Alderman Knight who was ill and Alderman
Wilson who was out of town. PRESENT: SEVEN (7), ABSENT: THREE (3). Mayor Swaim answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum expressing appreciation to the audience for their attendance.
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, Personnel Director Michael Beeman, Assistant to the Mayor Mark Powers, City Engineer
Duane Reel, Public Works Coordinator Murice Green, Director of Economic Development Phil Sullivan, Police Chief Larry Hibbs, Chamber of Commerce Director Mickey Anders, Mrs. Judy Swaim,
Mrs. Edith Smith, A P & L representative Mr. Sonny Gault, 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 February 15, 1996 for study and action at the next Regular City Council Meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing, that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 1, 1996 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Regular Monthly Report/February/Animal Control Department
Alderman Lewis moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for the month of February 1996.
Report reflects the following:
CONTRIBUTIONS............................. $ .00
ADOPTION/FINES ............................$ 767.00
SECURITY DEPOSITS..........................$ 225.00
TOTAL..................................... $ 992.00
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 7, 1996
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Williamson, Keaton and Twitty voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT: Report on Street Light Up-Grade
Mayor Swaim related that a good agreement has been arrived at with AP & L regarding street lights around the City.
He said that starting Tuesday, 12 March, a meeting is scheduled during which decisions regarding where the replacement of the present street lights to high pressure sodium will begin.
He said that the lights are brighter for a longer period of time as opposed to the present ones which get dimmer as they get older. He related that it will take several months to complete
the endeavor.
Mayor Swaim recognized Mr. Gault who expressed that first the lights which are out will be replaced after which a plan will be worked out with the City Engineer for the complete change
to sodium lighting. He said that a maintenance schedule will be set up as well.
Mayor Swaim expressed appreciation for the proposed change.
PARKS & REC DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: DISCUSSION: Express bus from Jacksonville to Little Rock
Mayor Swaim related that he has received a positive response from Mr. Keith Jones with regard to CATA bus service for the City of Jacksonville. He said that it may be that a 45 passenger
bus can
pick up persons at the LRAFB and through Jacksonville for transportation to Little Rock in the morning and back in the afternoon.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 7, 1996
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
He pointed out that the estimated annual operating cost for the round trip service is $26,000.00. He related that it appears that the City of Jacksonville can get the bus for $19,500.00
with a fee of $1.00 per trip. He said the City would pay the exact difference between what funds were generated and the operating costs.
He said that he has always had a problem with the City providing a bus for a limited number of people but that there has continually been input regarding the availability of transportation
for the citizens of Jacksonville. He pointed out that it could be profitable for the hotel/motel businesses in Jacksonville mentioning access to and from the arena project.
It was determined that the cost is better than what was presented in 1987.
Mayor Swaim pointed out that he feels the service can be paid for out of the One Cent Sales Tax Funds which would justify the citizens paying for the same.
It was noted that Sherwood and Maumelle have a bus service which they pay for.
Mayor Swaim said that the Board for CATA still has to approve the negotiated price as mentioned above.
Alderman Ray voiced that he would like to see a service three times a day.
Mayor Swaim pointed out that there is flexibility to add more runs as needed.
The general consensus of the City Council was to proceed with negotiations and conduct a telephone survey through the office of the City Clerk regarding the service.
Alderman Keaton expressed concern for the subsidized service.
Mayor Swaim pointed out again that he felt better about providing the service through funding from the One Cent Sales Tax.
He voiced that he has worked to provide a cab service for the City which has not materialized to date.
He announced that there is a tentative agreement for a Department of Human Services to locate in Jacksonville noting concerns of some citizens as to what type of office it would be.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 7, 1996
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
He said that this would be office space to provide full services, food stamps, welfare, or any service that the program offers. He pointed out that many elderly in the City have to
go to North Little Rock at this time to participate in the programs. He said that a full announcement regarding the project is forthcoming.
Mayor Swaim stated that there is a need for "across town" bussing and that he has looked at the possibility of using buses already being used in the Jacksonville Elderly Activities Program
and Pathfinders, adding that they are in use when they would be needed to service the general public. He suggested that City Attorney Bamburg mention to Pathfinders using their busses
during the noon hour at the next Pathfinder Board Meeting.
APPOINTMENTS:
Alderman Knight moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the reappointment of Mr. Ferrell D. Gray to the Jacksonville Housing Authority for a term to expire 3/17/2001. MOTION
CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Swaim introduced Mr. Mark Powers, replacing Mrs. Betty Anderson who did safety and racial harassment training.
He said that the duties of that office have been expanded, that he will be helping with a lot of things, welcoming him on board.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully,
___________________________ ____________________________
Lula M. Leonard MAYOR
City Clerk-Treasurer