City Council

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE RESCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 22, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a rescheduled session on May 22, 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, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT NINE (9) ABSENT ONE (1). Council Member Moss was absent. Others present for the meeting were: Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Assistant Fire Chief Dewan Laws, Human Resource Director Charlette Nelson, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, IT Director Brian Harvey, Morgan Allen, and Wyatt Elmore. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 1, 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 Ray that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of April 17, 2025 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member McCoy noted a correction on the bottom of page 35 of the agenda where the total investments held at First Arkansas and Bank of the Ozarks are swapped. When Council Member Twitty requested, Finance Director Laura Collie related that she would have to go back and reevaluate it; she cannot confirm it just standing here. She noted Council Member McCoy could be correct, but she cannot confirm those numbers are exact without going back and refiguring it herself. She stated it would appear that it is swapped. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/APRIL PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 16 Building 60 Business License 1 Electrical 81 Plumbing 69 HVACR 73 FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/APRIL Estimated fire loss for the month: $ 14,500.00 Savings total for the month: $ 1,432,500.00 1  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE RESCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 22, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/APRIL Topic 2025 2024 2025 2024 Total Complaint Calls 3042 2763 Homicide Reported 0 0 Theft Reported 39 59 Homicide Cleared 0 0 Theft Cleared 30 47 Rape/Sex Assault Reported 3 1 Vehicle Theft Reported 6 11 Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 5 7 Vehicle Theft Cleared 4 3 Robbery Reported 3 3 Felony Cases Reported 83 122 Robbery Cleared 3 3 Felony Cases Closed 132 129 Felony Assaults Reported 18 17 Misd Cases Reported 270 267 Felony Assaults Cleared 18 18 Misd Cases Closed 190 218 Burglary Reported 4 8 Burglary Cleared 3 5 CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/APRIL Assigned Calls 88 Demolition by City 0 Self-Initiated Calls 255 Demolition by Owner 3 Follow Up Inspections 522 Parking Violations 4 Complied after Notice 136 Garbage Cans Tagged 0 Three Day Notice 38 Basketball Goals 2 Seven Day Letter 332 Structures Inspected 865 Citation Letters Mailed 21 Apartment Complexes Inspected 2 Citations Issued 6 Red Tags Issued 3 Vehicles Tagged 30 Search Warrants 0 Vehicles Towed 5 Grass Mowed 0 Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Signs Removed 3 Structures Condemned 0 Shopping Carts 0 Structures Rehabbed 2 ANIMAL SERVICES REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/APRIL ADOPTION FEES $ 1,210.00 SPAY/NEUTER FOR ADOPTED DOGS 1,210.00 Paid by the City of Jacksonville 1,210.00 Best Friends Animal Rescue Grant - Paid for by Best Friends - FINES 1,687.36 CONTRIBUTIONS 2,175.40 TOTAL $ 3,862.76 FINANCE DEPARTMENT INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT/APRIL Total Revenues Total Expenditures General Fund $ 4,581,291 $ 7,802,354 Street Fund $ 929,784 $ 533,764 Sanitation Services Fund $ 406,569 $ 709,920 AG&F Shooting Sports Complex $ 98,228 $ 129,121 EMS Fund $ 811,337 $ 909,437 WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: 2  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE RESCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 22, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: Request to accept bid: 2025 Asphalt Overlay Program City Engineer Adam Whitlow recommended approval of the low bid from CK Asphalt. He provided information regarding the streets allocated, along with an anticipated adjustment. He related the anticipated expenditures are $449,960.32, but he cannot do a change order until the City awards the contract. He mentioned for future use, a company did an evaluation on the City streets and gave a conditions index. He explained how it is color coded with red, yellow, and green, and is tied to a data spreadsheet. He brought up using this data to form a five year overlay program in the future. He noted the Community Center was pulled off the list and is part of his anticipated adjustment, while also converting some street seal treatments to full overlays to meet budget. He confirmed there was $475,000.00 allocated to asphalt overlay for the year, and since some has been expended, he estimated $450,000.00 for the planned streets. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCoy to accept the low bid of $504,208.18 from CK Asphalt for the 2025 Asphalt Overlay Program. MOTION CARRIED. SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: ORDINANCE 1787 (#16-2025) AN ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS (PARCEL LOCATED AT 624 SOUTH SPRING STREET); AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 213 AND 238 AND THE LAND USE MAP OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to place Ordinance 1787 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. City Attorney Friedman pointed out the title declares an emergency, but there is no emergency clause, so if approved, she will provide City Clerk Davitt an updated ordinance removing it. She then read the heading of Ordinance 1787. Council Member McCleary moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to APPROVE Ordinance 1787 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1787 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1787 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1787 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. 3  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE RESCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 22, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1787 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCE 1787 (#16-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 22ND DAY OF MAY, 2025. COMMITTEE(S): GENERAL: ORDINANCE 1788 (#17-2025) AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FENCING WITHIN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, CREATING JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODES 8.05.011, 8.05.035-08.05.050; AND AMENDING JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL CODES 8.05.011, 8.05.020, 8.05.030, AND 18.32.140 AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to place Ordinance 1788 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1788. Engineer Whitlow mentioned currently not having a way to regulate fences, noting it is difficult when there is no permitting process. He confirmed this is for residential properties only and addresses front yard fencing being no more than four feet in height and more ornamental than anything. He explained it sets fence height to six feet for rear and side yards, restricts gates across driveways, and notes there can be additional restrictions due to covenants, utility service agreements, etc. He added that it addresses placement over easements, providing access to them, and sets location requirements. He brought up issues where people set the fence back, do not give themselves access to easements, and then expect the City to maintain it. He confirmed fences cannot impede the flow of water or interfere with normal collection of garbage, yard waste, or bulky items. He detailed that citizens would have to provide plans and specifications to the Public Works Department, along with a $10.00 permit fee, unless it is reviewed in conjunction with a building permit. When a citizen in the audience inquired, he replied that a permit is required for modifications or new fencing, but he does not consider a repair a modification if the location or character is not being changed. He confirmed the ordinance is not retroactive, so it does not affect existing fences. He clarified that any material not otherwise used by the fencing industry is not allowed, but with any extenuating circumstances, they can come to the Board of Adjustment to plead their case. Council Member Ruple shared his concern for the extra steps this would be for citizens. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE Ordinance 1788 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1788 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member Ruple voting NAY. 4  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE RESCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 22, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1788 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1788 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member Ruple voting NAY. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1788 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member Ruple voting NAY. ORDINANCE 1788 (#17-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 22ND DAY OF MAY, 2025. APPOINTMENTS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Ruple recalled having house fires in Ward 1 that mostly occurred due to fireplace chimneys. He encouraged citizens to have their fireplaces properly cleaned to avoid the further loss of lives and properties. He also told how a lightning strike caused a wire to catch fire during rain, which would have caused the connected vacant home to burn. He thanked Fire Marshal Mike Williams for his knowledge and the Fire Department for doing a great job. Council Member McCoy thanked the Fire and Police Departments for their participation in the health and wellness community event held last Saturday. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE City Clerk-Treasurer 5