City Council

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:49 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on August 21, 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, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT TEN (10) ABSENT ZERO (0). Others present for the meeting were: Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Parks & Rec Director Kevin House, Finance Director Laura Collie, Director of Engineering & Public Works Adam Whitlow, HR Director Charlette Nelson, IT Director Brian Harvey, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, Officer Jacob Blackmon, Water Department Superintendent Jake Short, Gary Brockinton, Morgan Allen, Bonnie Skinner, Kyoko Provencio, Wyatt Elmore, Barry Jefferson, Reginald Ford, Larry Wilson, and Roger Sundermeier. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 7, 2025 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member McCleary moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 17, 2025 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Mimms to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JULY PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED Building Permits 24 Building 41 Business License 5 Electrical 39 Plumbing 42 HVACR 32 FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JULY Estimated fire loss for the month: $ 219,000.00 Savings total for the month: $ 6,000.00 POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JULY Topic 2025 2024 2025 2024 Total Complaint Calls 3100 3146 Homicide Reported 1 0 Theft Reported 63 84 Homicide Cleared 1 0 Theft Cleared 26 71 Rape/Sex Assault Reported 3 0 Vehicle Theft Reported 11 18 Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 4 0 Vehicle Theft Cleared 2 12 Robbery Reported 3 2 Felony Cases Reported 139 136 Robbery Cleared 1 3 Felony Cases Closed 132 142 1  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:49 P.M. Felony Assaults Reported 13 12 Misd Cases Reported 262 270 Felony Assaults Cleared 12 13 Misd Cases Closed 225 227 Burglary Reported 17 13 Burglary Cleared 7 6 CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JULY Assigned Calls 94 Demolition by City 0 Self-Initiated Calls 207 Demolition by Owner 1 Follow Up Inspections 571 Parking Violations 1 Complied after Notice 133 Garbage Cans Tagged 2 Three Day Notice 11 Basketball Goals 0 Seven Day Letter 360 Structures Inspected 872 Citation Letters Mailed 34 Apartment Complexes Inspected 16 Citations Issued 12 Red Tags Issued 31 Vehicles Tagged 17 Search Warrants 0 Vehicles Towed 6 Grass Mowed 141 Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Signs Removed 7 Structures Condemned 0 Shopping Carts 9 Structures Rehabbed 0 ANIMAL SERVICES REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/JULY ADOPTION FEES $ 3,245.00 SPAY/NEUTER FOR ADOPTED DOGS 3,245.00 Paid by the City of Jacksonville 3,245.00 Best Friends Animal Rescue Grant - Paid for by Best Friends - FINES 1,016.79 CONTRIBUTIONS 1,721.96 TOTAL $ 2,738.75 FINANCE DEPARTMENT INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT/JULY Total Revenues Total Expenditures General Fund $ 12,344,272 $ 15,961,725 Street Fund $ 1,648,618 $ 1,015,493 Sanitation Services Fund $ 734,827 $ 1,291,775 AG&F Shooting Sports Complex $ 277,042 $ 268,659 EMS Fund $ 1,476,189 $ 1,646,384 WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: COMMITTEE(S): 2  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:49 P.M. GENERAL: a. ORDINANCE 1794 (#23-2025) AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF VARIOUS COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to place Ordinance 1794 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1794. Council Member McCoy mentioned individuals serving on boards and commissions without proper Council authorization, noting this ordinance cannot be retroactive. She brought up concerns regarding how it is written since she does not believe it addresses the real issue. She asked in advance that it be revised or removed from the agenda so it can be clarified. She is not opposed to citizens serving in good faith, but is opposed to approving an ordinance that lacks clarity, ignores decades of unauthorized service, and confuses the real legal question. City Attorney Friedman clarified it states the City will continue to do business with First Arkansas Bank & Trust and allow those executives to serve as commissioners. Council Member Kinman related that Larry Wilson has served on the Water Commission for 21 years and Roger Sundermeier has been on the Advertising & Promotion Commission for approximately 5 years. She asked why is this coming up now? Council Member McCoy responded a recent discovery was printed in the Leader Newspaper about individuals serving illegally, and Municipal League confirmed. Mayor Elmore clarified that this came from a Freedom of Information Act request by the Leader. Council Member Kinman listed different ways First Arkansas Bank has helped and benefitted the City in the past. Council Member McCoy stated this is to ensure we are in compliance and have it in place to protect the City. City Attorney Friedman confirmed Council can verify prior decisions made by these commissions. She explained in order for someone to challenge them, they would have to show the decision somehow benefitted one of these individuals personally or professionally. She pointed out there are no decisions she is aware of that would reflect that, so this is basically administrative. Council Member Ruple stated individuals recommended for appointments must get Council approval. He requested clarification of the difference. 3  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:49 P.M. City Attorney Friedman replied since they are executives at the bank where these commissions do business, there needs to be an ordinance reiterating Council’s approval. Mayor Elmore recalled a similar ordinance passed in 1981 allowing council members and mayor to do business with the City. He confirmed they consider these individuals public officials since they serve on public commissions. He concluded that this ordinance was written by the City Attorney and she would have to defend it, therefore, we are going with her recommendation. Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to APPROVE Ordinance 1794 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1794 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCleary and McCoy voting NAY. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE Ordinance 1794 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1794 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCleary and McCoy voting NAY. Council Member Moss reminded Council this is individual-specific and not a “catch all” ordinance. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1794 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCleary and McCoy voting NAY. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED with Council Member McCleary and McCoy voting NAY. ORDINANCE 1794 (#23-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 21ST DAY OF AUGUST, 2025. b. Update by Director of Economic Development Robert Birch Director Birch noted laws regarding the previous ordinance have gotten missed in a lot of cities and they do exactly what was done tonight; rectify the challenge and move forward. Regarding economic development, he has been working on a benchmark study using Placer.ai to get a clear picture of where we are as a city, how we stack up, and where we need to go. He confirmed this report will be posted online so citizens can read it. He related over the last year, the City has had 3.2 million visits with 1 million unique visitors and 60% of that traffic came from outside city limits. He told how two retailers are currently working on leases, noting citizens will be very happy with them. He shared in the last two weeks, there were two restaurants opened and another one is coming soon. He mentioned speaking to a coffee company three to five times a week to recruit them and find the right location. He 4  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:49 P.M. stated Jacksonville’s household earnings are between $50,000-$75,000, which is good to attract retail, family service, and restaurants. He listed retail gaps needing filled are grocery, sit down restaurants, clothing, and family entertainment, but a lot of retailers are looking for second generation buildings they do not have to build from the ground up. He mentioned with Bargain Hunt, Discount Bins, and Dirt Cheap moving, we have three attractive spaces. He explained needing to support our anchors, which are Walmart, Lowes, and the Main Street area. He brought up benchmarks, then congratulated Police Chief Hibbs on his recruitment of officers, since it impacts the City’s ability to attract businesses, and also the Fire Department and EMS. He told how the hospital is growing, we have urgent care clinics, and meet the number of pharmacies needed. He confirmed the school district is going in the right direction and we have buildings, students, and faculty to be proud of. We could use another branch to the library and public transportation, but we boast one of the best Parks & Rec Departments in the State since the benchmark is 8-12 parks and we have 14, plus a community center, Splash Zone, and more. He brought up apartment complexes and how he and Mayor Elmore met with a group looking to invest in some to make them more upscale in order to attract young Air Force members and families. He explained that we need another grocery store to push Kroger to be better and give our residents more choices. He will be focused on increasing Police staffing, recruiting a grocery store, growing apparel and discount retail options, and exploring public transportation solutions. He shared that there was an addition to Placer.ai that gives access to all contacts for franchises and corporate offices. He lastly brought up that two businesses are waiting for Gray Township to be released and the City is actively trying to find ways around it. He noted the reason it is important is not because we want alcohol everywhere, but it would give another revenue stream to businesses. He confirmed there are no more permits available for liquor stores in the County, but this would allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine, which would increase their margins. He urged officials and citizens to focus on infrastructure and roads and to clean up as much as possible because that is what will drive the City into the next era. Council Member Ruple mentioned liquor store permits are able to be moved from one storefront to another, but if a permitholder fails to keep it registered, it could either be “washed” or go up for bid. He suggested Council keep in mind that it is prohibited to sell beer and wine within 100 feet of schools, churches, or daycares, so Kum & Go and other businesses in proximity to those locations would not be able to. He agreed it would be very beneficial for sales to be allowed in Kroger and Walmart. Council Member Dietz brought up new homes being built and how home ownership increases tax revenue. APPOINTMENTS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Elmore related that a citizen has requested to make comment before Council. 5  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2025 6:00 P.M. – 6:49 P.M. Citizen Suzette Shambley of 5205 Rope Trail related that she been a resident of Jacksonville for 14 years and Arkansas for 22 years. She noted she is a veteran, a 28 year federal service worker, a registered and active voter, and a NAACP member. She shared her experience with her Council representative that occurred directly after the August 7th City Council meeting. She stated: “the statement was not only disrespectful, but racially insensitive, dismissive, and deeply rooted in the imagery that’s attached to historical racism, injustices, and generational struggles that my black community has endured.” She requested a public apology. Council Member Kinman related she was that council person, but there are two sides to every story. She confirmed it was not meant to diminish Ms. Shambley in any way and she is sorry she felt that way. She reiterated that she was that person, she meant no harm by it, it got a little heated, and she was a little scared. ANNOUNCEMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:49 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE City Clerk-Treasurer 6