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00 NOV 16.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. – 7:32 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 November 16, 2000 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Fletcher delivered the invocation and Mayor Swaim led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Smith, Lewis, Gentry, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Twitty, and Howard answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT eight (8), ABSENT (2). Alderman Elliott and Williamson were absent. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Melanie Green, Director of Administration Murice Green, Human Resource Director Dennis Foor, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Police Chief Hibbs, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Purchasing Agent C.J. Brown, CDBG Director Teresa Watson, Mrs. Lendy Lewis, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mrs. Paulette Howard, Mrs. DeDe Hibbs, Mr. Tommy Dupree, Mr. Jack Danielson, Parks and Recreation Administration Manager Patty Walker, Mr. Terry Sansing, Jacksonville Patriot Reporter Peggy Koury, Leader Reporter Rick Kron, and interested citizens. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 2, 2000 for approval and/or correction at the next Regular City Council Meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Gentry that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 19 October 2000 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to APPROVE the monthly Animal Control Report for October 2000. Report reflects the following: REVENUES……………………………………………$ 555.00 CONTRIBUTIONS………………………………$ 0.00 ADOPTIONS/FINES…………………………$ 555.00 TOTAL……………………………………………………$ 555.00 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. – 7:32 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the Regular Monthly Report for October from the Jacksonville Police Department be APPROVED. Said report reflects; Total value of reported Stolen Property $128,781.00, Total value of Recovered Stolen Property $63,366.00, and Total Report Sales $287.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the Regular Monthly Report for October from the Jacksonville Fire Department, which reflects a fire loss of $133,300.00, and a Savings Total of $238,000.00. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Smith, Lewis, Gentry, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. Motion received (8) AYE. (0) NAY. MOTION CARRIED. DEVIATION IN AGENDA: RESOLUTION 539 (#15-2000) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, CERTIFYING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF BUSINESS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ADVANTAGE ARKANSAS PROGRAM (ALSO KNOWN AS THE ARKANSAS ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM-ACT 947 OF 1993 AS AMENDED); AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Swaim related that rules be suspended and Resolution 539 be placed on the agenda for consideration. He related that a new industry has relocated to Jacksonville and has requested an Enterprise Zone Resolution regarding incentives and tax credits. Alderman Gentry moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to suspend the rules and place Resolution 539 on the agenda. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Smith, Lewis, Gentry, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. Motion received (8) AYE. (0) NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Gentry moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to read Resolution 539. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the Resolution. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. – 7:32 P.M. Mayor Swaim explained that the tax refunds/credits are tied to purchases of new equipment or construction with some incentives regarding the hiring of employees in the State. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve Resolution 539. MOTION CARRIED. RESUME AGENDA: GENERAL: a. REQUEST FOR MATCHING GRANT FUNDS/REED’S BRIDGE BATTLEFIELD PROPERTY Alderman Howard related that the Reed’s Bridge Society has an opportunity to apply for matching grant funds and that the land is located near property already acquired. He related that the property consists of 1.78 acres and would be a $20,000 matching grant. He invited Mr. Jack Danielson to address the Council. Mr. Danielson related they received a notification from the Department of Interior/National Park Service that in 1998 Congress appropriated eight million dollars to assist State and local entities in the purchase of lands dealing with Civil War Battlefields. He stated that the fund still has one million dollars available. He related that Reed’s Bridge Society was advised by the Little Rock Department of Arkansas Heritage that the Parks Service prefers to grant those monies to Cities as opposed to individual groups. He related that the Society has worked with Mayor Swaim regarding matching funds, explaining that the Federal grant will furnish 1/3 (approximately $20,000) of the total cost. He then related that the Reed’s Bridge Society is also requesting a $20,000 contribution from the City of Jacksonville and the remainder would be donated through efforts by the Society. He related that the property has been purchased and is being secured by a note signed by five members of the Society. Alderman Wilson question if it is the intention of the Society to acquire property on the west side of Hwy 161 to Bayou Meto. Mr. Danielson referred to a map provided to Council and stated that it shows the core area as determined by Historians regarding major activity of the Battle at Reed’s Bridge, the seven acres already acquired, and the proposed 1.78 acres. He related that the goal of the Society regarding the Battlefield is to have as much property inside the 530 acres as possible and have it held in such a way that it can be used by the public for observation. He related that CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. – 7:32 P.M. a portion of the property is located in Dupree Park and that the Wastewater Treatment Plant is inside the core area along with numerous pipeline crossings, right-of-ways and easements. He pointed out that a lot of the property held and additional property located in the floodplain will not be developed, adding that the Society is not intending to purchase all of the property but will capitalize on the fact that a lot of it is already in public use and will not be developed. He stated that they do intend as property becomes available to make an offer to purchase. Alderman Ray stated that he believes that the preservation of the Reed’s Bridge Society is doing a very good job, and is receiving recognition in Jacksonville. He related that while he is not a Historic Civil War buff, he has become interested enough to learn that when the Little Rock Campaign came across Clarendon, down through Helena and through DeValls Bluff there was an all black fort there and that a lot of black soldiers served in the Little Rock Campaign. He stated that he went to the site and found it very interesting, adding that it is surprising the number of people who stop along the road to look at the site. He related a debate regarding historic sites, mentioning the Jenkins ferry and it value as a historical site. Mr. Danielson pointed out a place on site for people to sign in and noted that without advertisement there have been visitors from twenty-five Arkansas communities and seven different states that have signed in. He stated that in looking at the sign in sheet there has been a minimum of one person per day to sign in, adding that it is guessed that one out of every four or five do sign that they have visited the site. Alderman Howard moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the request of $20,000 in matching funds to purchase 1.78 acres of Civil War property. Mayor Swaim related that the funds would need to be drawn from the Sales Tax fund, adding the requirement would be that the property be titled to the City of Jacksonville as City owned property. He related that there would be a lease back agreement as executed previously regarding Battlefield property already purchased. In response to a question from Alderman Wilson, Mayor Swaim related that the City invested $25,000 in the original seven-acre purchase. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. – 7:32 P.M. Alderman Wilson explained that because his brother is involved in the project he feels he should abstain from voting. He then spoke of reservations regarding the purchase of property some distance from the site, adding that if it were contiguous it would be easier to consider but there is a concern if it can ever become contiguous. MOTION CARRIED with Alderman Wilson abstaining. b. Presentation of Preliminary 2001 Budget Mayor Swaim related that the budget has been analyzed in-depth, with emphasis regarding all expenditure request through budget meetings with department heads. He related that the goal is to maintain a balanced budget with some funds set aside for Capital Improvements and Capital Equipment purchases. He projected that the budget would be completed in three to five days excluding printing, which would take an additional couple of days. He related that there has been a lot of hard work on the budget, focusing on the maximum benefit from the taxpayers dollars; which is difficult given the request for legitimate items that need to be in the budget. He warned against obligation for future years without enough money to meet commitments on an on-going annual basis. He stated that the budget process has been diligent regarding cuts and the goal to balance the budget. He apologized for the delay. In response to a question from Alderman Wilson, Mayor Swaim related that there is some increase in revenue figures for the budget, mentioning a fund balance from the previous year of $600,000. He estimated that income is projected at $10,339,000 for 2001. He related that the growth in revenue is from Sales Tax, adding that there has been caution because of the economy and the presidential election, also the census had to be considered regarding income because of growth within the County. He related that these factors have contributed to the delay in budget presentation. He mentioned sales tax revenue regarding Wal-Mart, with some increase from the County. It was noted that upon completion a copy of the budget would be delivered to Council members. Mayor Swaim then related that the salary scheduled approved last year is not delaying the budget presentation. He stated that the salaries are set, adding that there is deliberation regarding line item purchases, capital outlay. He pointed out that there are major fund projects currently being worked on that need to be funded for completion. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. – 7:32 P.M. Discussion ensued regarding Alltel’s contribution to any increase in revenues for the City Sales Tax since opening and Mayor Swaim stated that he was not sure of exactly figures but did point out that Jacksonville receives 0834% of collected revenues. He stated that while the figures are not astronomical, it is growing as the events become more popular. He pointed out that football, hockey and basketball are providing a consistent use of the arena, and the concerts have brought big spikes in income revenues for the arena. Alderman Wilson thanked Mayor Swaim, Paul Mushrush and all department heads on behalf of the entire Council for the hard work regarding this years budget, adding that one of the main reason our City is on a solid financial footing is good financial fund management. He stated that it starts with good budget exercises to develop the basis of financial benefits. Alderman Ray stated that Jacksonville’s financial position has provided boastful opportunity at Municipal League meetings. Alderman Smith pointed out that there are many cities and mayors who have expressed interest in Jacksonville’s financial success. He attributed that success to a very progressive Mayor and City Council along with other leaders in the City. Mayor Swaim related that an ordinance was passed adjusting the franchise fee for GTE and they were contacted regarding the new fee schedule, however GTE continued to collect the larger franchise fee which it remitted to the City. He stated that he wanted to make Council aware that after preliminary calculations based on the number of months GTE charged the old rate it averages approximately $15.00 per individual cost for a single-family phone line. He related that customers would need to bring their past phone bills for those months to City Hall as a system of refund to the taxpayers. He stated that while it is not a lot of money, by law the City was not suppose to receive that money and GTE was not suppose to collect that amount. He related that approximately $110,000 has been set aside in the 2001 budget to refund the public. He related that a process will be established with a more definite number and presented in the near future during a Council meeting for the press to publish. Discussion ensued as to the process being centered around presentation of the past telephone bills for refund. Mayor Swaim stated that the charge is based on the total cost, so the telephone bills are the only way to actually figure the tax refund. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. – 7:32 P.M. He related that when the use tax was collected in error in Pulaski County the Judge in the case decreed refund in the same manner as with Saline County for monies collected to build a water improvement district. He related that these monies collected by GTE in error continued even after GTE was notified of the new franchise rate. He then stated there was several efforts to correct the matter with GTE and it was finally corrected when Century Tel became the new phone company. He related that during the time the ordinance was passed and GTE was notified they were in the process of selling to Century Tel and the new rate was never enacted. He stated that it is only fair that the citizens overcharged be refunded their money even if it is only $5.00. Discussion ensued as to the ability to acquire past bill from GTE to collect. Mayor Swaim related that the ordinance was passed February 20 so months involved were starting in March forward. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Swaim announced that City Hall would be closed November 23rd and 24th for the Thanksgiving Holidays. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:32 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer