05 SEP 01.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
6:00 P.M. – 6:22 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 September 1, 2005 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Howard delivered the invocation
and Mayor Swaim led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty, and Howard answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. Alderman Rinker
arrived at approximately 6:03 p.m. PRESENT nine (9), ABSENT (1).
Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Deputy Clerk Kary Jezwinski, Human Resource Director Charlie Brown, Finance Director Paul Mushrush, City Engineer Jay
Whisker, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Police Chief Robert Baker, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mr. George
Reed, Mr. Larry Dupree, Mr. Larry Smith, interested citizens and members of the press.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 18, 2005 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled 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 4 August 2005 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA:
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION: SECOND READING ORDINANCE 1258 (#20-05)
AND ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING BY THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING NEW PARTITIONS FOR THE JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER’S BANQUET HALL; AND,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to place Ordinance 1258 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard
voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1258.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
6:00 P.M. – 6:22 P.M.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve Ordinance 1258 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and
Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1258 on THIRD and FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher,
Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1258.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that Ordinance 1258 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard
voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE APPROVED, ADOPTED AND NUMBER 1258 THIS 1st DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2005.
PLANNING COMMISSION:
GENERAL: a. DISCUSSION regarding Housing Condemnations
Mayor Swaim noted that Mr. Davidson is not present in the audience, requesting that the item be held until later in the meeting.
b. ORDINANCE 1259 (#21-05)
AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING CURBSIDE RECYCLING CONTAINERS FOR USE IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE’S RECYCLING PROGRAM; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mayor Swaim stated that the ordinance would allow for consistency regarding the purchase of containers.
Public Works Director Jim Oakley concurred, noting that a lengthy search has yielded the present company to be the sole bidder that offers conformity of containers.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud that Ordinance 1259 be placed on FIRST READING.
In response to a question from Alderman Fletcher, Director Oakley stated that when bins were purchased in 1999 the cost was slightly under $4.00 per container, adding that the current
price is close to $6.00. He explained that other comparable bins were priced approximately $9.00 per container.
Mayor Swaim noted that the bins are stackable, making replacement bins compatible with existing bins.
Director Oakley noted that the bins can be hot stamped to match the existing bins, which was not an option with the more expensive bins.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
6:00 P.M. – 6:22 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read Ordinance 1259.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that Ordinance 1259 be APPROVED on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty
and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1259 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher,
Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1259.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to further suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1259 on THIRD and FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray,
Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1259.
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that Ordinance 1259 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Alderman Elliott, Smith, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, Stroud, Twitty and Howard
voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE APPROVED, ADOPTED AND NUMBER 1259 THIS 1ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2005.
c. Connection Assistance for utilities regarding the Worley Place Senior Housing
Alderman Ray related that even with donations from the Federal Government, the project has run short approximately $7,900 regarding monies required to hookup the utilities. He explained
that project coordinators were not aware that the utilities were not built into the estimates. He stated that the City is being asked to provide the monies required to hookup utilities
for the 44 unit senior housing project. He stated and Alderman Howard concurred, that the request would be a worthy investment for the City of Jacksonville.
In response to a question from Alderman Howard, Mayor Swaim related that the monies could be drawn from the Capital Improvement Fund. He explained that the monies would cover the construction
of a 200-foot sewer line and a manhole. He noted that the entire project is estimated at approximately 3.1 million dollars.
Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the expenditure of $7,900.00 for utility connection regarding Worley Place Senior Housing from the Capital Improvement Fund.
MOTION CARRIED.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
6:00 P.M. – 6:22 P.M.
d. RESOLUTION 585 (#6-05)
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT OF OBLIGATION BETWEEN THE JACKSONVILLE WASTEWATER UTILITY AND THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT
OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
City Attorney Bamburg related that Resolution 585 is primarily a housekeeping measure, explaining that every five to six years the City renews a contract that the Wastewater Utility
Commission has established with the Department of Environmental Quality. He stated that the purpose of the contract is to prevent the Wastewater Utility from having to post a performance
bond; explaining that the issue would be that if there were ever any circumstances of remediation or other problems with the plant site, the contract guarantees that the Utility and
the City has the funds to address any issues without a performance bond. He noted that the City had previously executed a contract in 1997, explaining that this contract is a renewal
and update of the amount.
Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to read Resolution 585 (#6-05). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 585 (#6-05).
Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to approve Resolution 585 (#6-05) MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENT(S):
ANNOUNCEMENT(S): CONTINGENCY FUNDS FOR HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUEES
Mayor Swaim related that the City of Jacksonville has a number of families who have evacuated from Hurricane Katrina, explaining that there is a need for assistance. He related that
some families have been staying in local hotels, adding that they are running short of money. He noted donations of food and other necessary items by members of the Community, adding
that a temporary shelter has been donated by Mr. Harold Gwatney, who has agree to furnish the utilities at the shelter. He stated that food has been arranged through the middle of next
week, but added that there may be a need for further assistance. He asked that the City Council consider appropriation of $10,000.00 from the Contingency Fund should the need arise
before the next City Council meeting.
Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to suspend the rules and place the item of business on the agenda.
In response to a question posed by Alderman Smith, Mayor Swaim related that the temporary shelter is the vacant building located behind the Chamber of Commerce.
Alderman Fletcher commended Chamber of Commerce Director Bonita Rownd and local churches for their supporting roles and contributions, adding that he feels the solution should be viewed
as a long-term situation.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
6:00 P.M. – 6:22 P.M.
Mayor Swaim noted that several families have indicated that they do not feel they have anything to return to in New Orleans, and would like to make Jacksonville their new home.
It was noted that a job fair is scheduled tomorrow and that Human Resource Director Charlie Brown would be working to help evacuees find employment.
Mayor Swaim noted that currently the Chamber of Commerce is the contact entity for relief efforts.
At this time, MOTION CARRIED.
Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Howard to approve the appropriation of $10,000.00 as needed for relief assistance for the evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. MOTION CARRIED.
JAMES STREET OVERPASS WIDENING AND THE VANDENBURG INTERSECTION RECONSTRUCTION AND THE CHANGING DIRECTION OF THE ACCESS ROADS.
Mayor Swaim noted that the Highway Department has issued a minute order authorizing them to move forward with the aforementioned projects, which would begin with surveying and right-of-way
acquisition as funds become available. He noted that the study closely reflected public comments derived from the public hearings. He stated that the projects would be a viable improvement
for traffic patterns in those areas.
Mayor Swaim noted that Mr. Davidson has not arrived, it was then noted that Mr. Davidson was left a message on his business answering machine regarding the meeting time.
Alderman Stroud offered photographs of areas downtown, stating that he would like the City Council to tour the City by bus to view various areas requiring attention.
Mayor Swaim stated that in lieu of findings by the BRAC Commission, plans to hire an additional Code Enforcement Office have been delayed for review during the next budget cycle.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Swaim without objection adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:22 p.m.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM
City Clerk-Treasurer