98 MAR 19.DOC CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 19, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:50 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 19, 1998 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: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Alderman Ray arrived at approximately 7:09 p.m. PRESENT TEN
(10), ABSENT (0). Mayor Swaim answered ROLL CALL and declared a quorum. He expressed appreciation to the audience for their presence.
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Susan Davitt, Director of Human Resources Steve Ward, City Engineer Duane Reel, Public Works
Director Murice Green, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, Police Chief Larry Hibbs, Chamber of Commerce Director Mickey Anders and Members from the AmeriCorps group, Mrs. Robert Lewis,
Mr. Larry Hampshire, Mrs. DeDe Hibbs, 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 March 5, 1998 for study and action at the next Regular City Council Meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Howard that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of February 18, 1998 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the Regular Monthly Report for February of the Jacksonville Police
Department be APPROVED. Said report reflects: Fine Settlements, $ 65,012.33, Miscellaneous Payments $ 387.00 Report Sales $ 271.00 for a total Collections of $ 65,670.33. ROLL CALL:
Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Wilson, Fletcher, Williamson, Keaton and Howard voted AYE, NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED.
REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Williamson that the Regular Monthly Report for February of the Jacksonville Fire
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 19, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M.
Department be APPROVED. (Said report reflects an estimated fire loss of $ 2,100.00 for the month of February.) ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Wilson, Fletcher,
Williamson, Keaton and Howard voted AYE. NAY 0. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT: a. Request to Accept Bid/1998 Asphalt Overlay Program
Mayor Swaim related that bids for the list of proposed streets has opened, adding that he is pleased the bids are lower in cold milling this year and that the decision to postpone some
of the work has paid off in dollars saved. He noted the significant difference from last years bid of $4.50 per square yard as compared to this years bid of $1.25 for the same. He pointed
out that the recommended low bidder is Cranford Construction Company.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to accept the low bid of $28.98 a ton and $1.25 per square yard on cold milling
from Cranford Construction Company. MOTION CARRIED.
(Funds drawn from Street Department line item for asphalt work)
In response to a question posed by Alderman Wilson, City Engineer Reel related that weather permitting they are ready to begin work. He related that the access into the ball fields will
be completed first so as to accommodate the approaching baseball and softball season.
Loop Road Update: Mayor Swaim related that most of the drainage work has been completed except for a drop inlet for the middle of the street and overlay. He stated that he was not
certain the project would meet completion date, adding that the City will press for liquidated damages if not completed on time.
b. Request to Accept Bid for Street Sweeper
Public Works Director Murice Green related that the recommendation is for the low bidder Dealers Truck Equipment in the amount of $81,551.00 for a Swartz model A-6000. He pointed out
an $18,000.00 dollar difference between low bidder and next to low bidder (not including a $15,000.00 trade in allowance) River City Hydraulics. He related that the Tempo currently
being used has provided good service and that in review with other municipalities and the Hwy Department the Swartz A-6000 and the Tempo have been operationally
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 19, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M.
comparable, adding that only the City of Hattisburg, Mississippi has reported any problems which they have attributed to wear from sand conditions. He related that there was only one
minor spec not met regarding a fan (the blower suction portion of the sweeper), pointing out the City had requested an abrasive type rubber coated fan but that the Swartz A-6000 offers
a wear resistance stainless steel blade. He stated that dealer support was reportedly good. He informed the Council that the remaining bids were on two and three year old demonstration
models. He related that he hoped to sell the sweeper currently owned by the City for between ten and twenty thousand dollars.
Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to accept the low bid from Dealers Truck Equipment in the amount of $81,551.00. (Funds drawn from budgeted Street Department Equipment)
In response to a question posed by Alderman Wilson, Mr. Green concurred that two bids were submitted by Dealers Truck Equipment one for the Swartz A-6000 and a Swartz 7000 which was
also a demonstration sweeper.
At this time the MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Swaim related that the City of Marianna is interested in purchasing the sweeper currently used by the City, explaining that closer to time of delivery the City of Jacksonville
would advertise for sealed bids. He then related that other municipalities would be notified through the Arkansas Municipal League. He asked for a minimum bid of ten thousand dollars.
In response to a question posed by Alderman Ray, Mr. Green related that while the street sweeper has the capability to vacuum leaves from ditches the Leaf Vac recently purchased by the
City is preferred for that duty.
PARKS & REC DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: Appropriation for AmeriCorps
Mayor Swaim related that Jacksonville has been very fortunate over the past three years to have groups of young people through the federal program AmeriCorps. He pointed out their good
work in helping clean up areas in the City of Jacksonville and painting the Elderly Activities building. He also related that the group works with the Care Channel, the Elderly Activities
Center, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Boys and Girls Club. He then explained that
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 19, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M.
one of the problems experienced by the group is housing expense in the Jacksonville area and related efforts to find ways to house the group at a better price. He pointed out that housing
at Camp Robinson is without kitchen facilities which also increases their meals expense. He encouraged the Council to appropriate a $2,000.00 dollar subsidy to assist, adding that Jacksonville
benefits from having the group here.
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to appropriate $2,000.00 to help subsidize the AmeriCorps group.
Chamber of Commerce Director Mr. Anders introduced the group to the City Council.
Mayor Swaim noted that funds are to be drawn from fund balance.
At this time the MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS: CIVIL SERVICE Clark Hastings and Jim Durham terms expire 4/1/1998
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to reappoint Mr. Clark Hastings and Mr. Jim Durham to the Civil Service Commission with terms to expire 04/01/2004. MOTION CARRIED.
JACKSONVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY Reappointment of Ms. Judith L. Conway
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the reappointment of Ms. Judith L. Conway for a term to expire 03/01/2003. MOTION CARRIED.
DEVIATION IN AGENDA:
At 7:18 p.m. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Fletcher to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel. MOTION CARRIED.
At 7:35 p.m. Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to reconvene from executive session. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Swaim stated that no action was taken in executive session and that no motion is forthcoming.
Mayor Swaim requested volunteers to serve on a personnel committee with himself. Alderman Williamson and Howard volunteered to serve.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 19, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M.
FINANCE REPORT:
Mayor Swaim related that there are no major concerns regarding Sales Tax adding that while it was slightly short, it should average out unless there is a down turn in the economy. He
stated that at this point in time income will balance out and expenditures are on line as projected.
FIRE CHIEF RESIGNATION:
Mayor Swaim related that under State law the positions for Police and Fire Chief in cities of the first class are hired and dismissed by the mayor, referring to a policy change in legislative
session two years earlier. He related that the Human Resource Director Steve Ward has advertised for application of the Fire Chief's position in the paper. Regarding time frame concerns,
Mayor Swaim related that resumes will be accepted for captain or above adding that he would like to be able to hire from within. Mayor Swaim expressed regret on behalf of the City in
loosing the Chief.
POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY UPDATES:
Chief Hibbs related that the Police Department does monitor changes in court decisions that affect liability associated activities such as with pursuits. He related liability issues
were discussed at a recent meeting with Colonel Bailey and the Police Chiefs in the Pulaski County area. He referred to cases now before the Supreme Court that are awaiting a ruling
to see how any change needs to be addressed regarding current policy. He then related the difficulty in a standardized pursuit policy because of the variations of each entity and other
factors such as population and traffic. He related that the City of Jacksonville stresses and trains for safety regarding pursuits issues. He related that policy update occurs as new
factors become available.
NOISE ORDINANCE:
Chief Hibbs related that the noise ordinance is enforced with the State disorderly conduct statute citing the difficulty to utilize the decimal level referred to in the noise ordinance
when obtaining a reading for court presentation.
RIGHT TURN LANE AT MAIN AND MAIN STREET EXIT INTERSECTION:
Mayor Swaim asked for clarification regarding the right turn at the intersection of Main and Main Street Exit. He said that it is his understanding that it is being used as a right
turn lane without an arrow indicating such.
Chief Hibbs related that it is his understanding that the Hwy Department has painted a turn lane at that location but concurred it does not have an arrow.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 19, 1998
7:00 P.M. - 7:50 P.M.
Mayor Swaim related that it was proposed to the Hwy Department that the City be allowed to place a straight across and right turn arrow, asking the Chief if this would present any problems
regarding traffic flow.
Chief Hibbs related that if there is a right lane turn it should have a right turn arrow while the left lane should have a straight ahead and left turn arrow.
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE:
Alderman Elliott commended the Mayor regarding his many hours and hard work with the Arkansas Municipal League and the National League of Cities which has been of great benefit to the
City of Jacksonville. He related that as Chairman of the Small Cities Committee people are familiar with the Mayor anywhere in Arkansas or the Nation and carries a good reputation throughout
the Country.
Alderman Elliott then related that courtesy of Mayor Swaim a group of representatives consisting of thirty-five to fifty mayors will visit Jacksonville in July for a meeting of the
Small Cities Committee. He pointed out the good publicity this will bring into the City of Jacksonville.
Alderman Lewis related that he enjoyed the National League of Cities Conference and found it to be highly educational, recommending that other Alderman attend. He related the usefulness
of networking with other small cities and previewing desired legislation on different governmental levels.
Alderman Elliott highlighted several pressing issues for cities such as the internet tax, the takings, and various bills. He related that the NLC adopted a five point agenda and in
force presented it to Capital Hill, meeting with senators and representatives to stress those issues. He related there were excellent speakers, updates on bills and beneficial information
exchange in meetings with the congressmen.
Mayor Swaim encouraged readership of the Nations Business Weekly which featured highlights from the recent National League of Cities Conference meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully,
___________________________ ____________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR
Deputy City Clerk