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01 MAY 17.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 17, 2001 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 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 May 17, 2001 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Mayor Swaim delivered the invocation and Directors Glen Lane and Donna House along with Our Club members led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. Director Glen Lane introduced Assistant Director LaTonja Glen, Our Club members Tammy Creer, Alicia Greene, Shanita Johnson, Desmond Butler, Joseph Everitt, Mark Gadsden, and Antonio Washington. He related that there are 20 participants in the program and that some of the many activities is focusing on homework after school, social skills, and appropriate language. He stated that it has been challenging but also rewarding. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Stroud, Twitty and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT nine (9), ABSENT (1). 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, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, CDBG Director Teresa Watson, Public Works Director Jimmy Oakley, Police Chief Hibbs, Fire Chief Vanderhoof, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Parks Assistant Administrator Patty Walker, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Deanna Carpenter and Baby Emma Carpenter, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mrs. DeDe Hibbs, Mrs. Addie Gibson, and interested citizens. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 3, 2001 for approval and/or correction at the next Regular City Council Meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 19 April 2001 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve the Regular Monthly Report for April, which reflects a fire loss of $12,500.00, and a Savings Total of $96,000.00. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 17, 2001 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Lewis, Sansing, Ray, Wilson, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard voted AYE. (0) voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: DEVIATION IN AGENDA: GENERAL: a. DISCUSSION Adjustment to Budget/increased fuel costs Alderman Wilson related that effects regarding high fuel prices should be addressed to assure the citizens that necessary public services will not suffer as a result. He went on to say that he is confident that the Mayor and Finance Director have addresses not only this issue but also other costs regarding higher utilities. Mayor Swaim related that when the 2001 budget was prepared projections regarding increased fuel costs were taken into consideration, adding that fuel cost have risen higher than could have been predicted. He related that percentage predictions were budgeted and as such the January through March period has been excellent regarding projections. He commended the Department Heads for monitoring fuel expenditures, but added that higher gas prices are expected. Finance Director Mushrush mentioned the higher fuel cost on the West Coast, adding that it is hoped the central area will not see those increases. He related that line items in the Interim Financial Report were collapsed into a fund level basis to provide a clearer picture of activity within each of the operating segments of the General, Street, and Sanitation Funds. He pointed out that the General Fund gas usage would normally be at 75%, but is actually at 77.66%. He stated that the increase in fuel cost was anticipated during the budgetary process, adding a 42% change from the actual 2000 cost to the 2001 budget was estimated. He stated that this should provide well for the anticipated cost increases. He related that levels in the Street and Sanitation Funds are higher because of the FHMA related activity. He stated that he does not perceive a problem, pointing out that working through the worse case scenario based fuel costs came over budget somewhere between $15,100 to $18,700 for the line item vehicle, gas, and oil. He then noted that the aggregate budget for that line item is $150,000 across all funds. He related two areas that may create CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 17, 2001 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. concern later are gas heating and electricity, adding that a fairly strong deficit is perceived. He related that he has not calculated the outcome because of unstable factors regarding changes in temperature and seasons. He related that the aggregate budget across all funds for gas heating (natural gas) is $86,000 with an anticipated 30% increase. He stated that it will not be significant but will probably be over budget. He then related efforts to conserve electricity because factors are still uncertain regarding prices. Alderman Elliott related that Entergy is predicting an 8% increase for the remaining year due to fuel adjustments. Mr. Mushrush related that the General Fund expense for electricity is approximately $195,000, adding that a $20,000 difference could arise. He then stated that there is a total budget of approximately 15 million across all funds. He stated that a plus to the situation is that Department Heads are aware of circumstances and have cut expenditures. Mayor Swaim reiterated that police patrol, or firefighter training and service has not been compromised. He stated that the City is being conservative but not limiting service. Alderman Wilson stated that it inspires confidence that the Mayor, Finance Director, and Department Heads are addressing these issues. He stated that it is important to communicate to the public that the City is planning appropriately. The consensus of the City Council was to continue with the consolidated format for the monthly Financial Reports. RESUME AGENDA: PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: Request to Accept bid for Playground Safety Surface Mayor Swaim related that three bids were received and that the company used in the past was A&M Rubber Technology, adding that the difference in that and the lowest bid from Kirkpatrick is $100.00. He recognized Parks & Recreation Director George Biggs for recommendation. Mr. Biggs related that his recommendation is to award the bid to Kirkpatrick Rubber Company because A&M checked “no” under the specification to certify that the surface meets the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 17, 2001 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. Discussion ensued regarding the disparity of the third bid received at $90,642 and Mr. Biggs related that he believed it was the material fibar, which is connected and molded together. He stated that hopefully fibar will be used at the Park in Northlake because of the smaller square footage. He related that it was not feasible for Johnson Park because of the large square footage. Alderman Wilson moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to accept the lowest bid from Kirkpatrick Rubber Company in the amount of $26,656. MOTION CARRIED. Funds to be drawn from the Park Budget. Mr. Biggs then recognized Donna & Donald Hassen who he said are not only accompanying the children in the Our Club program but are also teaching the children twice weekly about local government and parliamentary procedure. b. PRESENTATION of Draft Ordinance regarding Code Enforcement Cleanup issues City Attorney Bamburg related that the committee had met to gather material and that the City Engineer’s Office has been very helpful in putting the material in written format. He related that he has been going through the material for the last few days and while he was hoping to have it completed for presentation, there are some areas that still need to be addressed regarding language. He stated that he has requested further information from the City Attorney’s office in Little Rock. He apologized, saying that when a draft of the ordinance is completed he will be forwarding that to the Council for consideration prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting in June. He related that his understanding from previous conversations with Alderman Stroud is to have the ordinance reading for the first reading at the next meeting. Mayor Swaim related that he had received letters from citizens in strong support of the ordinance regarding efforts to get residential areas clean. Alderman Stroud agreed that there has been a lot of citizen support generated with letters and telephone calls. He expressed disappointment in not having the ordinance available, adding that the committee took applicable considerations from the Sherwood and North Little Rock ordinances into the incorporation of Jacksonville’s ordinance. He related that the committee has worked very hard to bring forth an ordinance that will be good for Jacksonville and hopefully reverse the present trend. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 17, 2001 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. ADDITION TO THE AGENDA: Mayor Swaim explained that the City Council passed a Resolution in February authorizing the preliminary engineering for the widening of Graham Road to four-lanes. He stated that the Highway Department has accepted the request and has now asked that the City forward the first matching funds towards the engineering costs. He noted that funds are set aside in Capital Improvement, adding that the request for $35,000 will allow work to being on the project. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to suspend the rules and place the request for matching funds regarding the widening of Graham Road on the agenda. Mayor Swaim related that the item of business is Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department job # 061026, the widening of Graham Road to four-lanes. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Lewis moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to authorized the expenditure of $35,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund regarding the widening of Graham Road. Mayor Swaim related that the project will encompass Loop Road to Oak Street and will complete the connection of widening to the downtown area once the Overpass Project is completed. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCEMENTS: NEW AREA CODE PROPOSAL Mayor Swaim related that the Public Service Commission has scheduled a special meeting for 9:30 a.m., June 26th at 1000 Center Street in Little Rock. He stated that they are hosting a public hearing regarding a proposal to add another area code in the State and that the proposal would require a ten-digit dial for all local calls. He related that the Municipal League has not yet had an opportunity to address the proposal. VENDORS Mayor Swaim related an ongoing struggle with street vendors that sell products available in local stores, citing a recent incident regarding a vendor selling one-dozen roses for $4.95. He related that local florist complained that they could not compete. He pointed out efforts by the City regarding proper tax ID, businesses licensing and posting of a bond. He mentioned last years vendors committee and asked the City Council to consider resolution. He CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 17, 2001 7:00 P.M. – 7:35 P.M. pointed out that vendors make it difficult for local business to compete regarding overhead expenses. He related the need for a stern ordinance, adding that under the current ordinance the City can require a bond, State tax ID, and City business license when they obtain permission from the property owner to set up. Alderman Wilson suggested that the committee along with local business people from the community meet to discuss a solution in fairness to all concerned. Alderman Smith agreed saying he understands the reason for the complaints, adding that the committee favored a farmers market. He noted the unattractive setup appearance by some vendors. Alderman Twitty pointed out that the vendors are not helping the City of Jacksonville regarding captured revenue that would benefit City operations. She supported reforming the committee. Alderman Ray related that a main concern of the committee was the senior citizen farmers market, so the committee focused on a business license operating vendors. Discussion ensued as to exceptions and guidance from Metroplan and the consensus of the City Council was to reconvene the committee. APPOINTMENTS: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the reappointment of Marcia Dornblaser and John Fortenbury for a term to expire May 9, 2006. Mayor Swaim announced that a new code enforcement officer has been hired and is currently in training. Alderman Wilson commended the Mayor, Director Biggs and the Community Center staff for their assistance in a very successful Business Expo, adding that it reflects well for the community. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:35 p.m. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer