City Council

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 6, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:14 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on March 6, 2025 at their regular meeting place. Council Member Ray delivered the invocation and Mayor Elmore led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” ROLL CALL: City Council Members: Dietz, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT ONE (1). Council Member Ruple was absent. Others present for the meeting were: HR Director Charlette Nelson, Finance Director Laura Collie, CDBG Director Michelle Spencer, Director of Engineering and Public Works Adam Whitlow, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, IT Director Brian Harvey, Water Department Superintendent Jake Short, and Kathy Perez. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 20, 2025 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 6, 2025 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FEBRUARY PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 16 Building Inspections 38 Business License Electrical 65 Plumbing 80 HVACR 34 WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): GENERAL: ORDINANCE 1775 (#04-2025) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR FIBER OPTIC, DATA MANAGEMENT, DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICES, AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY WITH UNITI FIBER LLC; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 1  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 6, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:14 P.M. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to place Ordinance 1775 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1775. Mayor Elmore stated this ordinance is from the last meeting, noting there was some confusion, but Director Whitlow provided information to help clarify. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE Ordinance 1775 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1775 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCleary ABSTAINING. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE Ordinance 1775 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1775 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCleary ABSTAINING. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1775 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCleary ABSTAINING. ORDINANCE 1775 (#04-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 6TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025. APPOINTMENTS: WATER COMMISSION Council Member LaBron moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to approve the appointment of Dr. James E. Bolden III to the unexpired term of James Peacock set to expire 04-20-2029. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCleary, LaBron, and Moss voted AYE. MOTION FAILED with Council Member McCoy, Ray, Twitty, and Mimms voting NAY, Council Member Kinman ABSTAINING, and Mayor Elmore choosing not to vote. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to approve the reappointment of Joy Kinman for a term to expire 04-20-2033. MOTION CARRIED. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member LaBron thanked Director House and his department for quickly cleaning graffiti off of park signs. Council Member McCleary recalled the Autism Awareness Tournament occurring the previous weekend. 2  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 6, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:14 P.M. Director House related there were 90 teams from all over the Country, 50 professional softball players, and 10 bat company owners. He explained there were pros and owners from Seattle, Washington, South Florida, and Canada. He confirmed all of the proceeds benefit Pathfinders. He explained that it started Friday night with wrestling, while softball was played Friday night around the clock and he did not leave until 1:00 a.m. Monday morning. Council Member Twitty thanked Parks and Recreation employee Morgan Allen for being a big part of the Department and assisting with the event. Mayor Elmore reminded Council of an invitation to walk-through the Nixon property on Graham Road tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. He related that First Friday Breakfast at the Chamber of Commerce is also tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:14 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE City Clerk-Treasurer 3