City Council

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 21, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:18 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 June 21, 2018 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Mayor Fletcher delivered the invocation and led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: City Councilman: Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT (1). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, Program and Economic Development Director Robert Price, Planning Commission Chairman Jim Moore, Planning Commissioner Patrick Thomas, Glenda Fletcher, Addie Gibson, Lida Feller, John Donnelly, Kimberly Lett, Rick Kron, Johnny Simpson, DeDe and Larry Hibbs, Rhlonda Robinson, Brian Bennett with Verizon, Bob and Laura Johnson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 7, 2018 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 Traylor that the minutes of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of 17 May 2018 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to approve the regular monthly report for May 2018 regarding annual crime statistical comparisons. REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FIRE DEPARTMENT Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to approve the regular monthly report for May 2018 from the Jacksonville Fire Department, reflecting a fire loss of $28,500.00 and a savings total of $451,500.00. REGULAR MONTH REPORT/ANIMAL CONTROL Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing to approve the regular monthly report for May 2018. ADOPTION FEES/FINES $1,525.00 CONTRIBUTIONS 0.00 TOTALS $1,525.00 ROLL CALL: Councilmen: Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. 1  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 21, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:18 P.M. WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. Request to approve CDBG 2018 Annual Action Plan CDBG Director Theresa Watson related a proposed change in our rehab program. She explained that CDBG has repayable loans and forgivable loans, adding the repayable loans will be discontinued because they are hard to service. She related that she has checked with other entitlement cities and no one offers repayable loans anymore. She then explained that a third of the participants are good payers and a third that are not. She related that the new guidelines would also limit the type of work done, noting they will continue offering roof repair, HVAC, sewer and water lines, and handicap accessibility work. Councilman Traylor confirmed that all future loans would not be paid back. Director Watson agreed, noting that it would start at the beginning of 2018. Councilman Sansing noted that the proposed maximum amounts are dropping from $7,500.00 to $6,000.00 forgivable, asking if these amounts are based on the past experience of not needing the full $7,500.00. Director Watson stated the amount is because they are limited on what can be done as far as the scope of work. She continued saying that $6,000.00 would cover new HVAC, new roofs, and handicap accessible; such as ramps and bathroom conversions. In response to a question from Councilman Traylor, Director Watson answered that the difference between a forgivable and repayable loan is if a project is a total forgivable or they have a combination of a forgivable/payable loan. She continued saying that the forgivable loan is not paid back and there is an agreement over a time period usually one to four years that they will live in the principal residence and over time the loan is forgiven, however if they decide to sale their house or rent their house, what portion of time they did not satisfy the agreement they have to pay it back. She stated the other loan is a repayable loan, which is zero to five percent interest that is charged based on income. Director Watson agreed with Councilman Sansing that the very low incomes are the people who will receive the forgivable loans. She continued saying that this is only on the rehab program and all other services will still serve the very low to moderate income. 2  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 21, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:18 P.M. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman McCleary to approve the annual CDBG 2018 Annual Action Plan as presented. MOTION CARRIED. b. ORDINANCE 1586 (#08-2018) A ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR FIBER OPTIC CABLE, DATA MANAGEMEN, DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICES, AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY WITH MCIMETRO ACCESS TRANSMISSION SERVICES CORP., D/B/A VERIZON ACCESS TRANSMISSION SERVICES, A SUBSIDIARY OF VERIZON, A DELAWARE CORPORATIO; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Fletcher recognized Brian Bennett, a representative from Verizon; pointing out that this is another opportunity for a franchise. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Elliott to place Ordinance 1586 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1586. Councilman Sansing moved, seconded by Councilman Ray to APPROVE Ordinance 1586 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND the rules and place Ordinance 1586 on SECOND READING. In response to a question from Councilman Traylor, Verizon Representative Brian Bennett stated that inside Central Arkansas from Jacksonville to Benton there is an expansion regarding the existing fiber optic network that will better serve businesses, cell sites, and hopefully one day serve government entities in a way that creates a product called “smart cities”, which is an enhancement to emergency services and city infrastructure. He continued saying for the City of Jacksonville; Verizon is looking to replace roughly 18.2 miles of fiber both buried and aerial in the public rights-of-way. He noted no new buildings or wireless infrastructure would be built, because the wireless is a separate entity. He related that the final network design is still pending, but they would be reaching out as far as Rixey Road and back through Main Street near the new High School, then coming down West Main and reaching out towards the Little Rock Air Force Base and then going onto the Air Base. He related that their planning unit has identified approximately 536 businesses within the City of Jacksonville that could potentially obtain service with voice and data communication services; in addition to servicing their six existing cell sites within the City limits. He noted at this time they are not planning to service any residential customers. In response to a question from Councilman Collins; City Attorney Bamburg said the 4.25% annual franchise fee will pay in the same manner that Ritter, Comcast, Windstream and the other franchisees pay, which is mandated by Federal Law. However, the gross revenue was undeterminable at this time. 3  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 21, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:18 P.M. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. Councilman McCleary abstained. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1586. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Elliott to further suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1586 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. Councilman McCleary abstained. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1586. Councilman Ray moved, seconded by Councilman Sansing that Ordinance 1586 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Councilman Elliott, Sansing, Ray, Mashburn, Traylor, Twitty, Smith, and Collins voted AYE. Councilman McCleary abstained. MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCE 1586 (#08-2018) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 21st DAY OF JUNE, 2018 APPOINTMENTS: ANNOUNCMENTS: Mayor Fletcher announced that today Supreme Court ruled in favor of South Dakota regarding the Wayfair decision. He stated this is great news with great opportunities for cities. He added that now we have to work with the Legislature and hopefully the Governor will call a special session, making it easier on cities and counties when doing budgets. He stated that if everyone is planning to discharge fireworks you need to go to Fire Department to qualify for a permit. He then reminded everyone that the Big Bang on the Range will be held on July 4, 2018. He then announced that the Five-Points Event was a huge success, thanking everyone who worked so hard to realize that success. Councilman Collins suggested that for all future festivals, the City have electricity available, noting the noise issue with the generators. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:18 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 4