The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on January 15, 2008. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Alderman Peacock opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered roll call: Mayor McCoy, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline, and City Council Members: Hollowell, Oswalt, Capps, Peacock, Fields, Twillie, and Jeffers. Alderman Breeding was absent.

Alderman Jeffers made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Out of Town Fire and Haz-Mat Fees
Mayor McCoy asked Chief Ruffin to give the council an update on some figures he had put together at the request of Alderman Peacock on out-of-town fires and haz-mat fees. Fire Chief Ruffin stated the city’s cost for eight firefighters at time and a half for three hours would be $345.60. The company’s cost would be $480.00. The two captain’s rate for the same 3 hours would cost the city $111.36 and the company’s cost is $120.00. The two lieutenants for three hours would be $90.90 and the company’s cost would be $120.00. Fire marshal $73.77 and the company’s cost would be $60.00. Code enforcement the city’s cost is $79.71 and the company’s cost is $60.00. Seven volunteer firefighters for the same three hours $24.99 and the company’s cost would be $420.00. Service apparatus $500.00 if the haz-mat truck goes out and $250.00 per hour after the first hour. The city’s cost for the first two hours would be $725.43 and the company is billed $1,200.00, the city net is $534.57.

Alderman Twillie asked Chief Ruffin if he wanted them to help make the decision on the $20.00 or the $25.00 per hour. Twillie also asked the fire chief what was his recommendation. Fire Chief Ruffin recommended the $1000.00 for each pump, $500.00 per hour after the first hour and $25.00 per man-hour on haz-mat. Chief Ruffin also recommended that the out-of-town fire runs stay the same because the insurance companies have a flat rate of $250 or $500.00. Alderman Twillie stated he thought it was settled the last time to leave the homeowners as is. Alderman Oswalt stated the city could be looking at mass amount of money lost, if a lot of equipment is being used. Oswalt also stated he did not see a problem with proposing the $1,000.00 it is a matter of the current ordinance on file, Oswalt also thought it would be good idea to look at the haz-mat part of it. Attorney Cline stated if there are any changes, the ordinance would have to be changed.

Alderman Peacock stated maybe he needed to direct his question to Clerk Cochran, with benefits added what would be the firefighters salary per hour. Chief Ruffin stated he did not see how the company could be charged for the added benefits such as: insurance, worker’s comp, and liability. Alderman Peacock stated he was wondering what it costs per hour for a firefighter. Alderman Peacock further stated there is additional cost that the city is loosing to bring them in on overtime. The other added benefits have to be figured in to get the overall picture. Mayor McCoy stated he would get Alderman Peacock’s questions answered.

Park and Recreation
Mayor McCoy stated charging an entrance fee was also discussed in the committee meeting. Mayor McCoy asked Park Director Kenneth Taylor present the information on
this issue. Mr. Taylor stated he gathered information from surrounding cities. The cities that charge, their economy is much greater than Forrest City’s, they have a lot more revenue coming in. Mr. Taylor also presented league statistics for a four-year period 2003-2007. In 2003, ninety teams registered and 2007 only fifty-eight teams participated. Mr. Taylor stated he thought the timing was wrong to start charging entry fee to the park. Alderman Twillie stated he did not have a problem with putting the fees on hold, he knows the economy is down and some of the children cannot pay registration fees. Mr. Taylor stated churches, individuals, and different organizations donate up to $1,200.00 for children of families with lower income. Alderman Oswalt stated the city could end up loosing money because they would have to hire two extra people to watch the gates.
January l5, 2007 Minutes cont.

Mr. Taylor also stated, not only has Forrest City’s league dropped but all the surrounding cities’ leagues are down. Alderman Peacock asked what is causing low participation, is it something that the city needs to be doing or is it pretty much the economy situation. Mr. Taylor stated he thought it was economy, because the registration fees went from $l5.00 to $20.00; that had an impact on it.

Mayor McCoy asked if the council wanted to table this issue and take a look at it another date. Alderman Twillie suggested tabling it until they can see how this year goes, how many registrations, and how many teams they would have to get someone else to sponsor.
Mr. Taylor also stated it is hard to get sponsors; they are dropping out every year.

Animal Control
Mayor McCoy asked Brook Goodbar, Animal Control Officer, to give the council an update on animal control. Officer Goodbar reported that 286 dogs were euthanized, 48 dogs were returned to the owners, 179 dogs were adopted, 16 dogs went to foster care, and 24 dogs were in the shelter which made a total of 553 that were handled and an average of 55.3 dogs per month. Alderman Oswalt asked if what he read in the newspaper was true. Did the West Helena animal shelter shut down and were some of their dogs transported to Forrest City? Brook stated the humane society took the dogs. Alderman Twillie asked Brook if she has in place a plan to catch dogs that are running loose and for picking up dead carcasses. Twillie also stated he walks every day and there are four or five dogs running loose. Officer Goodbar stated she was in his area today, the only thing she saw was one dead cat, the dead animals are hard to see, and if someone calls, they go and get it immediately. Goodbar also stated as far as the dogs running loose they have many places to run, it is illegal to shoot them and she does not have a tranquilizer gun that has the power to reach them nor a large animal trap, however they both have been ordered. The Humane Society has donated a tranquilizer gun.

Alderman Hollowell asked how is the road kill reported, is it reported by the police department, individuals and what would she suggest. Officer Goodbar stated anyone who sees one just call in and report it.

Presentation
Mayor McCoy presented Leslie McMillin with a plaque for many years of dedicated service with the City of Forrest City from June 11, 1984 to January 2008. Mayor McCoy also stated that McMillin has given him his best and he appreciated the service that he has given the city. McMillin thanked the council and said he has enjoyed working with the employees and has enjoyed his years of service working for the city.

Economic update
Mr. Andre’ Stevens gave the council a progress report on the downtown revitalization project. Alderman Oswalt stated the October 12, 2007 meeting Mr. Stevens suggested to get the public’s opinion by putting an ad in the newspaper asking what downtown is. Oswalt asked Mr. Stevens was he talking about what was going to be designated downtown or their idea of what downtown ought to be. Mr. Sevens stated he was talking about the boundaries and he had a lot of different opinions on what downtown is.

Alderman Oswalt also stated in the November 27, 2007 meeting it was discussed to form a downtown revitalization committee to included business owners, local residents and representative from key entities. Does Main Street Arkansas still have a recommendation on what individuals had to be included on committees? Mr. Stevens stated if they take the Main Street approach then they would have to follow through with their criteria, which have not changed. The criteria is very comprehensive and very strict. Oswalt also asked had the decision been made whether they were looking at a main street program or looking at getting grants. Mr. Stevens stated the idea is to look at the full pool of resources. One resource would not be enough to do the job.

RFQs
Mayor McCoy stated he received five packages of RFQs qualifications:
Grimes consultant Engineers, Little Rock, AR.
Bob J. Beavers, Forrest City
Woods Caradine Architect, Little Rock, AR,
Flowers & Grey Architect, West Memphis, AR
ETC Engineer Architect, Little Rock, AR

2008 Budget
Alderman Twillie stated the budget and finance committee met several times and at this point, the committee recommended a budget for 2008. Alderman Twillie asked Attorney Cline to read the Ordinance. Attorney Cline read AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF FORREST CITY FOR 2008; AND ADOPTING AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE sponsored by Alderman Twillie.

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the second reading. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the third reading. Second by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: All Ayes. Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Second by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: All Ayes

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the 2008 budget. Second by Alderman Fields Roll Call: All Ayes.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay street fund bills totaling $1,740.40. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUNDS

Alderman Capps made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $23,804.95. Second by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Other
Alderman Fields stated anything that is not on the agenda should be addressed the night of the meeting unless it is an absolute emergency. Mayor McCoy replied he agreed.

Animal Control
Alderman Twillie acknowledged Ms. Glenda Wade concerning animal control. Ms. Wade stated she lived in the area of 228 Scott St. She witnessed at least four to six dogs chasing a lady with a child. Ms. Wade stated she then called the police department and they dispatched her to Animal Control Officer Goodbar. Ms. Goodbar stated she was in the country and was busy and told Ms. Wade to call the police department. Ms. Wade stated that was not the first time that had happened. Ms. Wade voiced her concerns, things were out of hand, and something needed to be done. Mayor McCoy stated if Officer Goodbar was on another call the police officer should have responded. Alderman Peacock asked what is the chain of command when it comes to animal control. Mayor McCoy stated animal control is not apart of the police department, they report directly to him. Alderman Fields stated when Ms. Goodbar took the job; the question was asked would the job description change. The answer was no, so many things have changed.

Alderman Fields went on to say her title has changed and dogs can only be picked during certain hours. Mayor McCoy stated the job description did not change, maybe her performance did, but we need to be fair about the situation. Alderman Twillie stated maybe the city need to get Officer Goodbar some help.

Alderman Fields stated Alderman Breeding asked them to check with other cities that have two ambulance services when they go to the municipal league meeting. Alderman Fields also stated she and Alderman Jeffers check with two other people; they said they followed the state rules.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer