The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on January 3, 2008. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Alderman Twillie opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered roll call: Mayor McCoy, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline, and City Council Members: Breeding, Hollowell, Oswalt, Capps, Peacock, and Twillie. Alderman Fields and Jeffers came in at 6:10 p.m.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Second by Alderman Hollowell. Alderman Oswalt Made a Correction to the previous minutes it should have read there is no representative from Ward 2 instead of Ward 3 on the airport committee. Roll Call: All Ayes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

Unfinished Business

RFQ
Mayor McCoy requested permission to publish a notice for RFQ’s for an architect. Alderman Peacock asked Mayor McCoy is he requesting RFQ’s especially for the one project, the city shop. Mayor McCoy stated he was requesting an architect because the discussion was to get one on board.

Alderman Peacock made the motion to give Mayor McCoy permission to request RFQs for an architect. Second by Alderman Breeding. Roll Call: ayes.

New Business

Mayor McCoy recognized Attorney Jim Miller, who represented Alderman Breeding during the A & P court hearing was present requesting the city council to pay the legal fees for Alderman Breeding. Attorney Miller presented copies of the billing statement to the city council. Attorney Miller stated he sent a copy of the invoice to Mayor McCoy requesting payment. He also stated Attorney Cline called and told him that he needed to come and present the invoice for payment to the city council. Attorney Miller also stated after the resolution passed Alderman Breeding warned the council that they could be sued because the city council did not allow due process. The city council has a propensity, going back to the Meadowbrook Subdivision lawsuit, in which Mr. Breeding stated the council did not have any reason not to approve the subdivision because they had met all of the requirements. That lawsuit, in turn caused the city over $750,000.00 He also expressed that Alderman Breeding felt that he was not being adequately represented. Attorney Cline asked Attorney Miller was Alderman Breeding sued individually. Attorney Miller stated he was sued in his judicial capacity.

Alderman Oswalt asked Attorney Cline at any point in time during the A & P situation, did he tell them the ordinance that was passed was not a legal and binding ordinance and they would be sued if passed. Attorney Cline stated the only thing he recalled saying was he advised them to move more carefully because there were always consequences. Alderman Twillie stated as far as he was concerned, the person who hired the attorney, should pay him.

Planning Commission
Mayor McCoy stated that Bill Davis’s term expired on December 3l, 2007 on the Forrest City Planning Commission and Mr. Davis requested to be re-appointed.

Alderman Oswalt made the motion to reappoint Bill Davis back to the position on the Forrest City Planning Commission. Second by Alderman Breeding. Roll: All Ayes.

Water Commission
Mayor McCoy stated there is one person’s term that is about to expire and one is going to resign because of health reasons on the Forrest City Water Commission. Alderman Breeding stated that Mr. Bob Holland called Alderman Oswalt and himself and informed them that he would be resigning effective immediately due to health reasons. Mr. Holland asked that the council look for someone in Ward 2 to replace him. Alderman Breeding also stated he had talked to Rujay Burke and he has agreed to serve on the water commission, if it is the wish of the city council. Mayor McCoy also stated Michael Jeffers needed to be re-appointed.

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to re-appoint Michael Jeffers to the Forrest City Water Commission. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to appoint Rujay Burke to fill Bob Holland’s remaining term on the Forrest City Water Commission. Second by Alderman Breeding. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Mayor McCoy reminded the council of the Arkansas Municipal League Winter conference January 9-ll, 2008.

Mayor McCoy announced that Margie Cannon was the winner of the city seal contest. The drawing will be presented to the council at a later council meeting.

Mayor McCoy requested the council to identify a date for the last budget meeting. The meeting was scheduled for January 8, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Mayor McCoy announced the Forrest City Chamber banquet will be held January 24, 2008 at the Forrest City Civic Center at 6:00 p.m. Individual tickets are $20.00 and corporate tables are $250.00.

Ambulance Services
Alderman Breeding stated he would like everyone to be aware of the situations with the ambulance services and while at the winter conference talk with some of their constituents from other communities on how they handle the ambulance services concerns. What is available, how they are being run, and how they are being overseen. Other communities throughout the state have commissions to oversee the services and they require certain standards. They all have state standards but the cities can put stronger standards on ambulance services if they choose. Mayor McCoy stated name some points that need to be identified.

Alderman Breeding answered response time, equipment on the scene, and the ability to handle the scene once they get there are some of the things that have been brought to his attention by police officers, firefighters, other ambulance providers, and doctors.

Alderman Oswalt asked Alderman Peacock if he still had copies, of the ambulance service requirements, from Searcy and Jonesboro. He knew those two cities had requirements for ambulance services. Alderman Breeding stated he thought while at the winter conference that it would be a great idea to check with some of the other city officials about how they handle their ambulance services. Alderman Oswalt stated it is something in the municipal league handbook that especially talks about emergency services, what cities are allowed to do; the state is taking care of that.

Alderman Twillie stated he had not received any complaints he has received positive comments only. Alderman Twillie also asked if the state requirements are too low for Forrest City. Alderman Breeding stated, not so much that the state requirements maybe to low, they are not inspected enough. They need someone in this area, such as a board or a commission to make sure that they are adhering to the state requirements. Mayor McCoy asked are they talking about any ambulance service in particularly. Alderman Breeding stated complaints on both services. Alderman Oswalt stated Alderman Breeding maybe coming from the instance that yes, there are a state requirements for ambulance services, but the council may want to set the bar higher. Mayor McCoy stated he had not heard of any complaints, he also stated the council needs to make sure what they hear are legitimate complaints and not people trying to falsely label someone.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Peacock made a motion to pay street fund bills totaling $8,677.70. Second by Alderman Breeding. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUNDS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $33,863.61 Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Mayor McCoy made a motion to adjourn at 6:30 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor

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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer