City Council

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 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 January 18, 2018 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Councilman Bolden delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: City Councilman: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT TEN (10) ABSENT (0). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Professional Administrative Consultant Geoffrey Herweg, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Director of Public Works Jim Oakley, Water Department Superintendant Jake Short, Water Department Field Supervisor Sal Pappalardo, Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes, Wastewater Office Manager Kathy Reed, Jeannie Herweg, Commissioner Patrick Thomas, Commissioner John Ferrell, Commissioner Eddie Porter, Commissioner Fred Belote, Chairman Jim Peacock, Glenda Fletcher, Bob Johnson, Johnny Simpson, Lida Feller, Rick Kron, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 21, 2017 and the special City Council meeting of December 26, 2017 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 7 December 2017 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/CODE ENFORCEMENT Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to approve the Regular Monthly Report for December 2017. Code Enforcement for December 2017 Assigned Calls 110 Self-Initiated Calls 229 Follow ups 332 Structures Inspected 0 Meetings/Court Hearings 0 Rentals Inspected 0 Warnings Issued 8 Properties Red Tagged 1 Tickets Issued 0 Search Warrants Served 0 Notice/Letters written 66 Structures Rehabbed 0 Vehicles Tagged 2 Structures Condemned 0 Vehicles Towed 0 Houses Demolished by City 1 Lots posted 0 Houses Demolished by Owner 1 Signs removed 121 Parking Violations 139 Trash cans tagged 0 Grass Letters 0 Basketball Goals 3 Grass Mowed 0 1  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to approve the Regular Monthly Report for December 2017 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the regular monthly report for December 2017 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $182,000.00 and a savings total of $1,788,000.00. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to approve the regular monthly report for December 2017. PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 9 Building Inspections 14 Business Licenses 2 Electrical 26 Plumbing 22 HVACR 17 REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Sansing to approve the regular monthly report for December 2017 and yearly report for 2017. DECEMBER 2017 ADOPTION FEES/FINES $1,460.00 ADOPTION FEES/FINES $58,630.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 18,861.00 TOTALS $1,460.00 TOTALS $77,491.00 ROLL CALL: Councilmen: Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. WATER DEPARTMENT: Annual Report by Water Department Manager Jake Short Jacksonville Water Works had zero water quality violations to report and has once again completed the year within its budget while providing the citizens of Jacksonville with quality water and services that they not only deserve, but have come to expect. The projects completed during 2017 includes the installation of 6,169 linear feet of pipe, 8 additional fire hydrants, 37 valves, and updating 16 existing water services. At the end of 2017 we had 11,262 water meters in the water distribution system which includes 63 new water services. Customer service continues to be a top priority of Jacksonville Water Works staff. We continue to take online payments from our customers through our secure internet site. In the year 2017, we received 17,842 online payments totaling $1,647,255. We continue to receive many positive comments from our customers using this updated service. 2  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. Water Production decreased in 2017. On January 31, 2017 we reached a peak demand for the year of 5.3 million gallons. This is well above the previous year’s peak water flow of 4.9 million gallons which occurred on June 22, 2016. The total water production for the year was 1.08 billion gallons, which was a 5.6% decrease from the previous year. Our average daily water flow for the year was 2.9 million gallons per day. On July 31, 2017, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and Jacksonville Water Works finalized an agreement for the privatization of the water utilities located on Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB). This 50 year contract requires JWW to operate, maintain, repair, upgrade, and improve the LRAFB water system. The LRAFB water distribution system includes 236,416 linear feet (lf) of pipe, 412 hydrants, 3 pump stations, and 1,350,000 gallons of storage. The system provides an average of 450,000 gallons of potable water per day and serves approximately 12,000 people. JWW currently operates and maintains over 1,178,510 lf of water distribution lines, 800 fire hydrants, 7,250,000 gallons of storage capacity, and provides an average of 3,000,000 gallons of potable water per day to the residents of Jacksonville. JWW not only provides reliable water service to a population of over 29,000 people in the Jacksonville area, but also delivers wholesale water to LRAFB and three other wholesale customers. JWW and LRAFB have a long standing history of collaboration and partnership stemming from the relationship formed through the water purchase agreement between the two entities. When first approached about the possibility of privatization in September of 2012, JWW wanted to build on this relationship and enlisted the services of Garver, Tetra Tech, and Wright, Lindsey & Jennings to assist in preparing a proposal for the acquisition of the LRAFB system. After nearly 5 years of negotiations and proposal revisions, a contract is now in place that will benefit both entities for many years into the future. There are many advantages to this contract, but one key benefit to privatization is that by ridding itself of utilities, LRAFB can now focus on its specific mission requirements instead of water system upgrades and repairs. JWW will not only benefit from increased employment and from economies of scale through combined utilization of fixed, general and overhead costs, but it will also gain a closer relationship with the planning and expansion efforts on LRAFB and will be able to integrate planning for both JWW and base customers alike. The full transfer of the LRAFB water system to JWW will take place on May 1, 2018. Currently JWW is in the process of procuring equipment, hiring staff, and working with LRAFB on a joint system inventory to ensure a seamless transition. 3  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. In acquiring these facilities, JWW will continue employing the operations and maintenance methods that have proven successful with Jacksonville’s water distribution system and blend these with procedures familiar to the LRAFB system. JWW is excited about the opportunity to further solidify the partnership between LRAFB and Jacksonville, and looks forward to the benefits all stand to receive. This work was accomplished with a workforce of 31 employees. We currently have 13 employees licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health to properly operate the water system with 2 additional employees currently working toward the completion of their water operator license to further enhance the professionalism of the Jacksonville Water Works staff. We appreciate your confidence and continued support in working with the Jacksonville Water Commission to insure that our City will have a safe and adequate supply of high quality water for the future growth of the Great City of Jacksonville today, tomorrow and for many years to come. WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: Annual Report by Wastewater Utility Manager Wastewater Manager Thea Hughes Manager Hughes introduced Chairman John Ferrell, Vice Chairman Eddie Porter, Secretary Terry Vick and Commissioners Bob Williams and Fred Belote. She then noted that all current and past Sewer Commissioners are listed on page 3 of report. She related that 2017 was their 30-year anniversary for the J. Albert Johnson Wastewater Treatment facility. She offered highlights from her report: Jacksonville’s sewer system consists of approximately 178 miles of sewer line ranging in size from 6 inch to 42 inch and over 3,500 manholes. The system includes 14 pump stations. She then noted that the earliest construction dates back over 60 years. The wastewater utility is broken down into five departments: technical services, treatment, laboratory, collection system, and administration. The Technical Services handles investigation, cleaning and televising, and oversight of all construction. The report for that department is found on pages 4-7. A few of their statistics include:  Cleaned 49 miles of line.  Televised about 9 miles of line.  Inspected 203 services lines and made 2,389 line locates.  Conducted inspections and oversight of all sewer line laid in the city.  Continued to updated our GIS system and database management system. Samples of our mapping data has been included on pages 6 and 7. 4  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. The Treatment & Laboratory departments, which include Pretreatment & Equipment Maintenance, are responsible for operating the treatment plant, running process control tests in the laboratory to ensure we are within permit regulations, assisting our industries with their wastewater treatment, and maintaining and repairing all plant maintenance and vehicles. Their reports are found on pages 8-9. A few of their achievements include:  Completed our 22nd year without an NPDES permit violation.  The plant treated 1.4 billion gallons of water, compared to 1.5 billion last year, and 1.8 billion the previous year. Some of the decrease can be attributed to a decrease in water usage, but the majority comes from the rehabilitation of our main lines which decreases our inflow/infiltration.  Our plant accepted 5.5 million gallons of landfill leachate from Two Pine Landfill, up from 5 million in 2016.  Rainfall for 2017 was 54 inches compared to 49 inches in 2016.  Once again, there were no violations from ADEQ inspections of the plant and solid waste monofill, and no violations of our biomonitoring testing.  We performed 9,521 analytical tests in our laboratory and passed all recertification requirements. The Collection Systems department is responsible for repair and replacement of existing sewer line and manholes, and construction of new lines. Their report is found on pages 10-11. A few highlights are:  Contractors replaced 6478 feet of mainline by pipe bursting.  Inspected 531 manholes with 91 receiving some type of repair.  Performed 10 street cuts.  48% of all ML customer service calls were related to grease blockages. The Administration department handles financial management, personnel, purchasing, and clerical support. Their report is found on pages 12-14. Some of administration’s focus in 2017 was:  We received a perfect independent financial audit again in 2017.  Overall operating revenue was up slightly by .58%, but sewer use fees were down due to a decline in water usage which has been trending over the past few years.  Continued to mail post cards encouraging residents to “can the grease” and “shut the lid on wipes”. Awards & Achievements in 2017:  David Maxwell received the 2017 Dick Morris Employee Excellence Award.  Alecia Patton was inducted into the Arkansas Select Society for Sanitary Sludge Shovelers.  Thea Hughes received the AWEA Jim Bailey Educator of the Year award and WEF’s HOD Volunteer award. 5  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. Employee Licenses & Certifications:  Utility employees hold the following licenses: CDL License 15 Coll Sys I certification 1 Coll Sys II certification 7 Plumbing Inspector 7 Solid Waste 4 Wastewater I 7 Wastewater II 2 Wastewater III 7 Wastewater IV 8 Mayor Fletcher thanked both Commissions for their hard work and success. FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1579 (#01-2018) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING JMC § 2.26.020(JACKSONVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION); PROVIDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS AND REQUIREMENTS THEREOF; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Councilman Mashburn explained that the amendment to the original ordinance passed in 2016 is under membership and terms of office, we are deleting one sentence. She read that the sentence “And shall include at least one person who owns property within the proposed Historical District.” She stated that this will allow for anyone in the City of Jacksonville to be on the Commission without that restriction. She then answered that there are five members on the Committee that oversees the Historical District and there are fifteen on the Board of Directors with 32 total members. Councilman Bolden moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to place Ordinance 1579 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Bolden, Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1579. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to APPROVE Ordinance 1579 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND the rules and place Ordinance 1579 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1579. 6  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to further suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1579 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1579. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing that Ordinance 1579 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Councilmen Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCE 1579 (#01-2018) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF JANUARY, 2018. b. ORDINANCE 1580 (#02-2018) AN ORDINANCE CREATING JMC § 9.20 (ALCOHOL SALES BY THE DRINK) AND JMC § 18.23.050(f) (PERMISSIBLE USES – MIXED USE ZONE); AMENDING JMC § 3.04.010 (PERMIT FEE REQUIREMENT), JMC § 18.44.020 (PERMITTED USES - C-2), JMC § 18.48.020 (PERMITTED USES - C-3), JMC § 18.52.020 (PERMITED USES - C-4), JMC § 18.54.020 (PERMITTED USES - C-5), AND JMC § 18.56.020 (PERMITTED USES - M- 1); PROVIDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS AND REQUIREMENTS THEREOF FOR ALCOHOL SALES BY THE DRINK; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. City Attorney Bamburg stated following the election in November and the certification by the Election Commission with a waiting period for any challenge, this ordinance is required to setup how alcohol sales by the drink will take place in certain zoning classifications. It will change the In Lieu taxes that we collect from private clubs to an equal tax to those that will sell under a private license. He surmised that some restaurants currently under private club status would in all likelihood change to a public license. He explained that restaurants would make submission to ABC for authorization, the same as any other entity wanting to sell alcohol. He stated the ordinance mandates that those steps still have to be observed. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman McCleary to place Ordinance 1580 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1580. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to APPROVE Ordinance 1580 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND the rules and place Ordinance 1580 on SECOND READING. Councilman Traylor questioned since the ordinance was made available at meeting, could they continue the readings at the next City Council meeting, offering the City Council an opportunity to read through the Ordinance. Mayor Fletcher stated that the Ordinance could still be passed a couple of readings and then bring it back to the next City Council meeting. He added that he is not aware of any emergency regarding the Ordinance. 7  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. Councilman Collins referred to Section One, the last sentence, saying that he thought the percentage for onsite prepared foods was 70% not 60% as indicated. City Attorney Bamburg stated that he is unaware of where the 70% suggestion came from, saying that he and Finance Director Cheryl Erkel found that the sales of either a chain or private restaurant with alcohol sales now; their range of percentage of their alcohol related sales versus their food sales are anywhere in the range of 11 to 13% of their gross revenues. He added that it is nowhere near the level of what 60% would give. He advised the City Council of their authority to amend the Ordinance if desired. Councilman Collins stated that he believes the ballot was 70%, adding that he would like to have time to review that and come back for the last reading at the next City Council meeting. Discussion ensued and City Attorney Bamburg noted that when the restaurants make their change from private club to publicly licensed there will be little to no change for most customers. He added that some restaurants may put up a sign because they will be mandated by ABC to address processes to make that change. He stated that the only real change will be more restaurants coming in to get a public license but now that the law has changed not only do they have to have approval from ABC but they also have to have approval from the cities. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. Councilman Bolden and Traylor voted NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1580. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Collins to table Ordinance 1580 until the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Bolden, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. c. STATE OF THE CITY by Mayor Fletcher By law, it is the Mayor’s responsibility to give a State of the City every year. It causes one to stop a busy schedule and spend considerable time to both reflect on the past year, but also to look to the future. So many times, we can get caught up in particular issues t h a t it robs us of the success that so many have worked hard to make happen. After much reflection, I have come away with the sense that we are truly a blessed community. Even with all the great things that happen within our City on a day to day basis, we are and will remain poised for greater accomplishments in spite of some occasional setbacks. One good thing that has helped me in my 38 years experience as an elected official in Jacksonville, is seeing how when we weather a storm, we come out a stronger city time after time. 8  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. Just from reading the supporting documentation of the different departments and entities of the City of Jacksonville, one can’t help but be highly impressed. Our employees are working hard every day to keep the City moving and going forward. It is easy for the average citizen to take for granted the continuing dedication our employees put forth to make Jacksonville a seamless city because it does work so well. Generally, it’s when things don’t work well that people stop and notice. I am very grateful for such a professional and dedicated team as we all strive to make Jacksonville a great pla ce to call home. One trademark of a great city is the health of the economy, which is easily seen through new construction. Building permits issued in 2017 say construction is alive and well. Total permits issued were worth $97,881,742, with the lion share being in schools and new commercial, however; housing is still on the rise with projected needs growing even more so. Sig Sauer, a gun and ammunition manufacturer opened its doors early summer to produce high quality ammunition. Such a promising industry and plenty of room for expansion, it appears to be a bright future for both the City and Sig Sauer. I am also proud of the fact that one of our own homegrown products, Steve Pawloski, relocated his business, Arkansas Office Products, to Jacksonville. This highly successful business is a great addition to our industrial park as well as our community. The estimated total value of Little Rock Air Force Base was reported in the FY2016 economic impact as 469.2 million dollars and has consistently held steady over the years. This past year, the base saw a huge turnover in leadership, as it routinely does every couple years. I also saw yet another sign of the strengthening relationship between the City and the Base with the signing of the privatization contract of the water utility on Little Rock Air Force Base. This important agreement between the B ase and Jacksonville Water had been almost 5 years in the making. 2017 also brought our last C-130J, taking the total to 41 for Little Rock. 2017 was the year Jacksonville found itself sandwiched by 2 major highway projects: Redmond Road/Main Street to the south and to the north, Vandenberg to the Highway 5 exit. Plans were also being revealed concerning Project 604, which is the stretch between the 2 existing projects. Jacksonville can look forward to major highway widening and improvements at least for the next 4 to 5 years. This past year, it was announced by Arkansas Department of Transportation that Highway 67/167 will become I-57 and when completed will run into Missouri, connecting into Illinois. This will increase more major traffic through Jacksonville, thus creating new economic opportunities for our City in attracting businesses that in the past showed no interest. Through the support of our residents in 2016, the 7.6 millage increase, along with 28 million dollars in state aid, has allowed the school district to be able to being construction of a new high school at a cost of 66 million dollars and a new elementary school at a cost of 16.5 million. Construction has also begun on the new Bobby Lester Elementary this past year and it is estimated to open its doors this fall to approximately 650 9  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. students. The new high school will go vertical in a few weeks and as it is stamped into the skyline of our great city, it will announce that high quality education has arrived even though the system is into its second year. The City, through Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council is going after a $300,000 CyberSecurity grant that through our new school district and ASU-Beebe at the University Center, our students would be on the cutting edge by advancing them for a long term career in this up and coming field. Go Titans! Also this year, the School Board prepared plans for a new middle school along with another elementary school at a cost of 41 million dollars with estimated construction to begin possibly 2021 or 2022. Superintendent Bryan Duffie took over the helm after the retirement of Tony Wood, who led the new School District in becoming firmly established from its infancy. Education continues to be on solid ground under new leadership of Dr. Duffie and his team of administrative staff, teachers and support personnel. The first year culminated with Jacksonville High School graduating its first graduating class under JNPSD this past May. The City of Jacksonville has been experiencing tight revenues and in some cases, shrinking revenues that it counted on heavily in the past. Surrounding cities throughout the State this past November passed additional sales tax to address growing needs and dwindling funds. North Little Rock passed an additional tax this past August. Many cities have to dip into their reserves to balance their budgets. Even the corporate world is finding tough times – just last week, one of the largest employers in the State with almost 11,000 employees laid off or eliminated positions of over 600 due to deficits of over 73 million dollars. What should concern cities is the growing business of E-Commerce and its effects not just on city sales tax but to the brick and mortar businesses which, in the past, the main concern was the small “mom and pop shops” but now it has even greater affect on large national chains as they are announcing, on regular basis, closing of their stores. Ultimately, the even larger concern is the number of people that become unemployed and the difficulty of gaining new employment. Cities will have to address these issues in the near future. We will need a more stable source of revenue stream to run and operate the functions of a healthy city. This past budget process should never become an issue of having to choose between public safety and quality of life. They are both important and vital to a growing city and without growth, no city has a future. Mayor Joe Smith said in a recent Arkansas Business article when asked basically, “how do communities lure the new generation?” he replied, “The kids today, they decide where they want to live first and then move there and find a job. That’s why you have to spend so much time and effort making our cities a place that these kids want to come.” Rick Elumbaugh, Mayor of Batesville, also added, “The top of our economic development list now is quality of life and quality of place. We have to create those places if we want to keep our kids and our grandchildren in our communities”. Let me just say that public safety and quality of life are linked together – you can’t have 10  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. one without having an effect on the other. T he issue of future stable revenue source, I believe we have a unique opportunity with proper planning, implementation and marketing to broaden our tax base. By taking advantage of our strong industrial community along with Little Rock Air Force Base’s economic impact, that makes Jacksonville very attractive to potential businesses and expansions. However, I still believe Congress needs to address the deteriorating business landscape and help create a marketplace fair to everyone. Early in the year, we saw the retirement of Kenny Boyd as Police Chief and after a search that saw more than 30 applicants from 8 states, Deputy Chief Geoffrey Herweg of Lovington, New Mexico, was chosen as the new Police Chief for the City of Jacksonville. Thanks to the devotion of so many within the Department, who are faithfully performing their duties as we all await a decision that lies within the court’s hands when it should have remained in ours, the elected officials. Many times, we associate leadership with rank and titles, however; some of the greatest leadership I have seen was when three officers took the lead when the tradition of Shop with a Cop was in jeopardy of not happening, they stepped up and in 3 weeks, raised nearly $10,000 and served approximately 100 children. I realized true leadership lies in the heart. I would like to recognize Bobby Bamburg, who has a difficult job as City Attorney, and agreed to serve our City in an additional capacity as Interim Director of the Police Department. His abilities and understanding are proving to be vital in helping the Department become more efficient. The work he has been performing is the work any Fortune 500 company would appreciate as vital and effective. It is hard to believe how time flies! As I recall, it has been two years since I first spoke with Dr. Bob Price, who asked me about my vision concerning downtown, since the new School District chose the site on Main Street for the new High School. After a two hour meeting, Dr. Price agreed to help by taking on a very important part of this administration by becoming our Director of Downtown Planning & Development. A group of business leaders formed the Steering Committee for Downtown Planning & Development consisting of Mayor Gary Fletcher, Dr. Robert D. Price, PhD, Mike Wilson, Thad Gray, Phyllis Stewart, Wally Nixon, Theresa Watson, Jim Peacock, Gene Adams, Barbara Mashburn, John Gwatney and Michelle Lewis, who devoted hundreds of hours faithfully to this process. Out of this work with various meetings and presentations, the City Council passed a resolution of support this past October. A Master Plan of over 150 pages was developed from this, with 13 initiatives. The first was economic impact of drink by the glass and the ability to bring revitalization to downtown with restaurants, a cornerstone as witnessed by other cities with similar efforts. Another area of the 13 points was a c h i e v e m e n t o f t h e downtown, high speed internet Wi-Fi system, thanks to First Arkansas Bank & Trust. StudioMAIN, a non-profit organization consisting of area design engineers and architects took on Jacksonville and designed a valuable roadmap and scheme to help promote and sell the future Jacksonville to property owners, as well as investors looking for great investment opportunities. 11  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. Also, Main Street Arkansas has made and will continue to make major contributions toward our new development. Unlike master plans of the past, that once passed and now sit on a shelf, this one has not only the vision in place, but the passion and leadership to bring it about to build a city of the future. Legislation was passed and signed by the Governor last spring, setting up a joint campaign of Jacksonville/Sherwood to get the local residents through an election November 4 to remove a barrier that prohibited restaurants from locating in our City due to being dry since mid-50s. Passing by nearly 85%, Jacksonville can now compete on a level playing field, as it works to recruit nice family restaurants. This vote was for onsite sales only. I want to say thanks to my Directors & their staff as they put forth great effort daily to keep our City running in the effective way that it does. I hear constantly how impressed citizens, as well as visitors are, by this and it certainly makes me proud. Volunteers continue to truly enhance the quality of our commissions and civic organizations that add so much to the community that there is no way a city could afford to pay for all they do. To my council, who by and large has been supportive as we strive to overcome obstacles to push our City forward, I would like to say how much I appreciate you. 2017 brought about a retirement of someone who was a big part of my administration, who served me and the C ity faithfully, and that was Director of Administration Jim Durham. His accomplishments and dedication to this City will never truly be realized, but I can tell you Jacksonville is better for his 8 years of service to our City and to the Mayor’s Office. Last, but not least, to the great people of Jacksonville, a big thank you for your trust and faith in all of our endeavors. We have been an aggressive city, never satisfied with complacency. It should be noted that to be in that mode, one must always strive to push the envelope. Sometimes, that effort is met with success and sometimes with failure. The fear of failure should never be a reason to stop or not even try. I’m reminded of these words by President Theodore Roosevelt: ”It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who sends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” This is the State of the City, I want to thank you and may God bless Jacksonville. 12  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 18, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:48 P.M. APPOINTMENTS: ANNOUNCMENTS: Mayor Fletcher announced that the Senior Center Fundraiser, “A Taste of New Orleans” is being held February 1, 2018 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Community Center ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:48 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 13