01 JAN 04.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY
Mayor Swaim announced that Justice of the Peace Dennis Sobba was present to officiate an "Oath of Office Ceremony". Mr. Sobba administered oaths to re-elected and newly elected Aldermen.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on January 4, 2001 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Stroud delivered the invocation
and Mayor Swaim led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher Stroud, Twitty and Howard answered. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT ten (10),
ABSENT (0).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert E. Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Melanie Green, Director of Administration Murice Green, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Finance Director
Paul Mushrush, Purchasing Agent C.J. Brown, Police Chief Hibbs, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Deputy of Public Works Jimmy Oakley, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Parks Assistant
Administrator Patty Walker, Fireman Bill Plunk, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Helen Stroud, Mrs. DeDe Hibbs, Mrs. Addie Gibson, Mr. Tommy Dupree, Mrs. Sandra Sansing,
Mrs. Lendy Lewis, Jacksonville Patriot Reporter Peggy Koury, Leader Newspaper Reporter Rick Kron, and interested citizens.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of December 21, 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 Howard that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 7 December 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 December 2000 and the Annual Report. Report reflects the following:
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
DECEMBER:
REVENUES……………………………………………$ 325.00
CONTRIBUTIONS………………………………$ .00
ADOPTIONS/FINES…………………………$ 325.00
TOTAL……………………………………………………$ 325.00
ANNUAL FOR 2000:
REVENUES……………………………………………$ 6,660.50
CONTRIBUTIONS………………………………$ .00
ADOPTIONS/FINES…………………………$ 6,660.50
TOTAL……………………………………………………$ 6,660.50
Mr. Green related that December experienced over 50% adoption rate for the animals received by the Shelter during the month, and a 30% overall adoption rate increase from last year.
ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. (0) voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT:
GENERAL: Executive Summary And Capital Projects Plan
Mayor Swaim presented a report of the 2001 Capital Projects Fund regarding dedicated reserve funds. He pointed out that a significant portion of the funds are not available to the General
Fund; explaining that $706,841 is designated for Industrial Development pointing out that it is tied to the donation of the Franklin Electric Building under the condition that sale proceeds
be used for Industrial Parks or to promote industry. He stated that although listed it is not a general fund expenditure, adding that the amount has grown from 500,000 through buying
and selling property over the years. He stated that a gas line was recently run on part of the property to enhance the sale price. He stated that those funds are administered by the
Chamber Foundation as authorized in contract by the City Council. He noted that $250,000 has been set aside for the Animal Shelter project and pointed out that the Capital Construction
Fund includes improvements to the firing range, awning replacement at the Police Department, a
bicycle storage area, and roofing for the library.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
He stated that $80,400 of capital improvement funds went into this year’s budget. He then pointed out dedicated funds regarding matching funds for the overpass at approximately $716,000,
extension of Second Street is estimated at $500,000, adding that other funds are dedicated to projects previously approved by Council.
In response to a question from Alderman Wilson, Mayor Swaim related that Bond Engineering has completed preliminary plans for the Second Street Reconstruction project, adding that those
plans have been submitted to the Highway Department. He then related that there was $25,000 available for the preliminary engineering work but it tied the City to Federal regulations
including a environmental impact study and other regulations. He pointed out that by changing the scope of the project, the City more than saved the $25,000 in grant funding.
Discussion ensued and it was related that the project is scheduled to tie into Hwy 161 at the Bailey Street intersection. Mayor Swaim stated that less had been budgeted, and that after
a meeting with the Highway Department regarding street acceptance, the City’s proposal is to trade the improvements on Second Street and Hwy 161 over State required improvements from
Main Street over to North First Street. He related that the City increased the amount by estimating cost to make those improvements that the Highway Department required on that section
before they would take it into the State Highway system.
Alderman Fletcher questioned a traffic pattern study, mentioning concerns for the James Street area. He suggested that the Street Department Committee host a public hearing to vent
frustrations and prioritize counts and patterns. He added that he understood part of the problem is that a majority of the property is located on State rights-of-way.
Mayor Swaim agreed, pointing out that the entire intersection at James Street is State right-of-way. He then pointed out that T.P. White, John Harden, and the overpass intersections
are actually State roads. He related that the City proposed to the Highway Department that James Street become a three-lane street with a right-turn lane at the north end, adding that
the proposal was rejected. He stated that the Highway Department feels that the only way to improve that situation is to widen the bridge, and the Highway Department is not prepared
to incur that cost. He offered that the City has the capability to perform a traffic count, and has done so in many different areas over the years. He then stated that the City would
be glad to perform a City wide traffic plan if
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
possible or if needed hire a consultant to develop a traffic pattern plan. He stated that he was surprised and pleased regarding how well the traffic flowed in the Wal-Mart area despite
the location change, adding that it is no more congested than it was when Wal-Mart was located on the other side of the freeway. He mentioned optional traffic avenues to improve the
James Street situation. He then related that the State Highway Department is proposing to change access roads from McCain Mall through Sherwood to one-lane roads. He stated that part
of the Highway Departments overall objectives is to change all access roads into one-lane roads in the future. He acknowledge a slow down of traffic at James Street and its inconvenience,
adding that there are other areas more congested. He stated that the City is attracting more traffic into town because of local businesses and the Highway Committee needs to review
that.
Alderman Wilson pointed out a potentially dangerous situation regarding northbound vehicles exiting off Hwy 167 at the Vandenburg exit and stacking up back to the freeway.
Mayor Swaim stated that he is familiar with that situation, saying that a lot of North Pulaski County uses North First Street to enter on the freeway, which causes problems at the exit
in the afternoon. He then stated that, however the Highway Department has moved the widening of Graham Road to four-lanes up on the list. He related that the City had been concerned
that this improvement would take a number of years before it caught the attention of the Highway Department, adding that the first stage should begin this year.
Mayor Swaim encouraged Council to study the report and breakdowns regarding Sales Tax revenues and General Fund expenditures, pointing out that Public Safety and Public Works receives
the largest amount. He stated that those areas should be of interest and he hopes that Council can utilize the document regarding citizen questions throughout the year concerning the
budget or allocated funding.
Mayor Swaim related that there are additional drainage projects not yet at a stage that would warrant listing, adding that drainage improvements have come a long way with many more projects
to come. He stated that it would have taken five pages to list all drainage concerns, pointing out there are a few projects that need to be addressed, adding that the City is now using
corrugated pipe for underground ditches which last longer than the metal piping.
Mayor Swaim commended Mr. Mushrush’s efforts, saying that the objective is to make it easy for anyone to obtain budget
information. He then complimented the detailed budget.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Lewis to approve the Executive Summary and Capital Projects Plan for 2001. MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS:
Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve the reappointment of Lester Piggee to serve on the Planning Commission for a term to expire 01/01/2004; and to approve the
appointment of Mark Perry to serve on the Planning Commission for a term to expire 01/01/2004. MOTION CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Swaim related that information regarding the west and south proposed annexations will be available at the public hearing to be held January 8 6:00 p.m., at City Hall.
He then related that progress is on going but slow from the storm clean up, adding that there are still limbs all over town. He related that the City is attempting to estimate costs
as requested by FHMA, adding that at last count there have been 365 loads for disposal. He stated that the City is hauling limbs on a daily basis and is setting up more equipment to
increase that ability. He related that because of the massive amount the City is unable to grind the material, adding that it is being burned in a pit. He related that one problem causing
a slow down is that there are very few areas in the City that are remote enough to continue the flow of heavy equipment in and out of as the ground thaws and becomes soft and muddy.
He stated that this will lengthen the time required to complete clean-up operations. He related that efforts to rent additional equipment from suppliers or borrowing other cities
equipment that did not suffer the amount of damage Jacksonville did. He related that the City is proceeding with the clean-up rather than the option of stopping and waiting for FHMA
approval for contracted help. He related that he knows the citizens want to see progress being made, so the City will continue to move limbs from residences.
Alderman Smith suggested the City forward a letter of appreciation to Entergy for its responsiveness during the storms.
Mayor Swaim stated that he, as well as other mayors and judges met to discuss Certificates of Appreciation, adding that he is very appreciative of those efforts because Jacksonville
was able to be back on line faster than other areas.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2001
7:00 P.M. – 7:34 P.M.
Alderman Wilson recognized efforts by Mayor Swaim and City employees, adding that it was very helpful that the City worked with Entergy to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
He then pointed out that when it snow the City employees were back on duty salting and sanding the roads.
Mayor Swaim pointed out that most of the City street crew worked the majority of Christmas Day to salt and sand the streets, he also noted the Police and Fire who normally have to work
on holidays.
Alderman Ray noted that the Community Center offered itself as an emergency shelter for those without electricity and was deemed successful and appreciated.
Mayor Swaim announced that City Hall will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday January 15, 2001.
It was noted that the Animal Shelter meeting will be held Thursday January 11th at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Swaim related a letter from elderly resident unable to clean the limbs from her back yard and explained that he felt sure that are civic organizations to help, adding that more
information will be obtained regarding those organizations.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM
City Clerk-Treasurer