98 JUL 16.DOC CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DR.
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on July 16, 1998 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Lewis delivered the invocation after
which Vice Mayor Gary Fletcher led the standing audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Vice Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum.
Mayor Swaim was absent due to a National League of Cities Small Cities Steering Committee Meeting with Mayors representing twenty-five States across the U.S. PRESENT ten (10), ABSENT
(0).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, City Engineer Duane Reel, Public Works Director Murice Green, Police Chief Larry
Hibbs, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, OECD Director Frank Rowland, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Mrs. Dee Dee Hibbs, Mrs. Edith Smith, interested citizens and members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Vice Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 2, 1998 for approval and/or correction 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 4 June 1998 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the Regular Monthly Report for June of the Jacksonville Fire Department be APPROVED. (Said report reflects an estimated fire
loss of $137,450.00 for the month of June.) ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton and Howard voted AYE. NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL DEPT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for June.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
Report reflects the following:
REVENUES:................................. $ 841.00
CONTRIBUTIONS:.............................$ 5.00
ADOPTIONS AND FINES........................$ 836.00
TOTAL..................................... $ 841.00
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton and Howard voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/OECD
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the Regular Monthly Report for June, of Economic and Community Development Department be approved. Said report reflects:
JUNE YR-TO DATE
CD Public Improvement Projects:
a. Projects Bid ............................... 0 1
b. Pre-construction Conference ................ 0 2
c. Interim Inspection ......................... 6 17
d. Project Close-out .......................... 0 2
Homebuyer Assistance Grants (HAG):
Applications received ......................... 2 6
Approval Pending .............................. 1 N/A
Grants Approved ............................... 1 4
Housing Rehabilitation:
a. Letters to prospective applicants .......... 0 31
b. Applications received ...................... 2 10
c. Work write-up & cost estimate .............. 5 16
d. Bids Advertised ............................ 6 18*
e. Project Starts ............................. 4 13
f. Interim inspections ........................ 42 92
g. Project Close-outs ......................... 1 9
h. Emergency Inspection/Worked ................ 1/0 2/1
i. Warranty Repairs ........................... 2 3
j. Disability Access (program add 3/98)........ 2 3
k. Care with Color (program add 4/98).......... 2 3
*includes redo
MEETINGS:
Informational Meetings (OE/CD) ................ 4/6 20/25
Public Meeting (OE/CD) ........................ 0/2 0/6
Conferences/Seminars/Training (OE/CD) ......... 0/1 0/6
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard, voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: DISCUSSION Starting Salaries for Elected Officials
Alderman Williamson related that a committee reviewing elected officials starting salaries is suggesting $45,000.00 for the position of Mayor, $36,000.00 for the City Attorney, and $25,000.00
for the City Clerk. He pointed out that currently the Mayor's salary is $55,685.00, City Attorney is $41,225.00, and City Clerk is $34,955.00.
In response to a comment made by Alderman Wilson, Alderman Williamson concurred that based on experience the starting salary could be changed.
Alderman Williamson related that current salaries have been built up through the years as a result of annual cost of living increases. In response to a query from Alderman Williamson,
City Clerk Lu Hawkins related that she has been City Clerk about seventeen years. He then related that all three positions are being challenged and that somebody coming into one of
those positions should not make the same salary that it took others years to build. He stated that a starting salary needs to be set for the three positions.
Alderman Sansing agreed, saying that evaluation can determine if a salary requires an advancement.
After a brief discussion regarding the committee recommendation, City Attorney Bamburg suggested that this be addressed in the budget ordinance at the end of the year. It was then questioned
if it would have to be addressed again when the next budget ordinance was passed. City Attorney Bamburg questioned if the intent of Council is to set a separate designated minimum for
the positions. It was noted that the Consensus of Council is to set a beginning salary. City Attorney Bamburg related that because the positions are elected it will need to be set by
ordinance, adding that adjustments to those salaries in the future will also need to be addressed by ordinance.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the City Attorney prepare an ordinance establishing a minimum salary of $45,000.00 for the Mayor, 36,000.00 for City Attorney,
and $25,000.00 for City Clerk. MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
UPDATES:
PAVING PROGRAM:
City Engineer Reel informed the Council that the paving program is 50% complete, adding that rains have slowed progress on the parking lot for the soccer fields. Alderman Ray complimented
the stripping work performed.
It was questioned whether the County had begun taking bids for the repaving of Southeastern.
In response to a query from Alderman Keaton, City Engineer Reel related that the compacting and sealing of the Park roads has worked out very well and will hopefully be finished in about
a week.
911 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM:
Chief Hibbs related that the recent lightning strike to the 911 facility completely knocked the system out of commission temporarily. He related that the damage is being assessed and
that some of the equipment has been sent for repair. He related that Motorola was very prompt and responded immediately. He stated that while the base station lost communication the
units did not. He said that Motorola had the station back up very shortly on a temporary basis and completely on line with full service the following day. He related that fortunately
with the Southwestern Bell circuit system the emergency calls were able to be transferred through Pulaski County who answered and relayed back to the Police Department involving very
little delay time. He stated that they are waiting on the repair assessment. He speculated that the repairs maybe in the neighborhood of ten thousand dollars depending on the extent
of damage to the program boards.
In discussion regarding surge protection, it was noted that the lightning did get into the building through a path of least resistance, adding that the damage could have been greater
if not for the Halo system. He stated that even with the Halo system there is nothing that can protect 100% from a direct lightning strike.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 16, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:25 P.M.
Chief Vanderhoof commended the Police and Fire Department in keeping all services available for the citizens of Jacksonville. He stated that considering the damage everything went
well.
In response to a question posed by Alderman Williamson, Chief Hibbs related that the equipment room has a halo system for lightning protection. He related that no one was hurt, however,
lightning burned boards inside the computers located inside the Communication Building but did not burn any other equipment. He stated that it defies explanation.
In addressing other concerns, Chief Hibbs related that the insurance company has been notified and the adjustor is now working on it. He stated that in the assessment it will be determined
if the system was set up properly and where the final responsibility belongs.
Chief Hibbs related excellent efforts by Grace Communications who is the local service representative for Motorola, including having new computer boards flown in from Chicago immediately.
Discussion ensued as to purchasing spare parts for inventory.
Alderman Ray complimented both Chiefs for a job well done in keeping things going.
ADJOURNMENT:
Vice Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully,
___________________________ ____________________________
Lula M. Hawkins MAYOR
City Clerk-Treasurer
____________________________
Susan L. Davitt
Deputy City Clerk