The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on February 5, 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, Capps, Peacock, Fields, Twillie, and Jeffers. Alderman Breeding came in at 6:08 p.m. Alderman Oswalt was absent.

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

State of City Address
Mayor McCoy stated that at the beginning of each year, as mayor, he is required to give a state of the city address. Mayor McCoy began by thanking the city council for the last twelve months with the city. He also said, “It has been exciting and at the same time interesting. His first year as mayor has come and gone quickly.” Mayor McCoy read his state of the city address. (See Attached).

City Water Utility Rates
Mayor McCoy recognized James Beazley, Forrest City Water Superintendent, asking for water rates changes. Mr. Beazley presented two ordinances to the council. He stated the rates could be extended another eighteen months with no changes. Alderman Twillie stated he thought the last time Mr. Beazley came before the council, he had some problems with upgrading. Alderman Twillie wanted to know if the problem, with upgrading, had been considered. Mr. Beazley stated the biggest thing that they were facing in the future was the water lines. The bond issue that they have now will expire in 2012 and their goal is to reach 2012 before they consider a new plant. A lot of maintenance and upgrades have been made on the two plants that they have. They are in the process of drilling two new wells out near Sanyo and their plans are, before the year is over, to build another well southwest near the prison. Their weakness is the sewer system other than that, they are in good shape.

Alderman Peacock asked how they were on fireplugs. Mr. Beazley stated in the past the council has paid for the water lines. The last study that was done by Garver Engineers, recommended about 1.8 million dollars to bring the fire system and plugs up to a certain level.

Attorney Cline read AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 1781 AND FOR OTHER PUROOSES. Sponsored by Alderman Twillie

Alderman Twillie made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Second by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell said No.

Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the second reading. Alderman Twillie made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the third reading. Second by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell said No.

Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Twillie made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Second by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: Alderman Peacock, Twillie, Jeffers, Fields, Capps, and Breeding All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell said No.

Alderman Breeding made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell said No, Alderman Oswalt absent. 6-1-1.

Attorney Cline read AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 1782 TO APPROVE MODIFICATION OF WATER PURCHASE AND SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR THE TOWN OF CALDWELL, THE TOWN OF WIDENER, THE ST. FRANCIS RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION AND THE TOWN OF PALESTINE. Sponsored by Alderman Breeding. Alderman Breeding made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll: All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell said No.

Attorney Cline Read the ordinance for the second reading. Alderman Breeding made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the third reading by title. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell said No.

Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Breeding made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: Alderman Peacock, Twillie, Jeffers, Fields, Capps, and Breeding All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell said No.

Alderman Breeding made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell said No.

A & P Commission
Alderman Hollowell stated the A & P is recommending Ricky Winfrey. Alderman Hollowell made the motion to approve Mr. Winfrey to replace Mark Turner to serve on the A & P Commission. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Don O’Neal Property
Mayor McCoy stated that the council was aware of the Little Rock meeting concerning Don O’Neal situation. He also stated that he thought that they all were in agreement to go on and resolve the matter. Alderman Capps made a motion that the city council resolve
the Don O’Neal issue. Second by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: Alderman Peacock, Twillie, Jeffers, Fields, Hollowell, and Breeding. All Ayes.

Carey Vandiver
Mayor McCoy recognized Carey Vandiver of Store Services to talk about the generator contracts. Mayor McCoy also stated the city has three generators that need to be serviced and he was asking the council to allow Mr. Vandiver to enter into contract with the city to service all three generators. The service contract proposed amount would be $3,100.00.
Mr. Vandiver stated there are three generators: one at the police department, fire department, and the civic center. Mr. Vandiver stated he installed all three generators for backup emergency power. He also stated his company has been servicing the generators ever year. They change the oil, check all belts, change all filters, take a sample of the oil, and send it off for an analysis to see if there is antifreeze in it, and they perform electrical tests. “You have to take care it just like a car, each one of these units would cost $20 or $25 thousand each to replace it” said Mr. Vandiver.

Mayor McCoy stated he wanted the approval of the council to enter into contract with Mr. Vandiver to service the generators. Alderman Peacock made a motion for the city to inter into a service contract with Mr. Vandiver of Store Services. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Resolutions

Mayor McCoy stated he had a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for a grant under the 2007 general improvement grant program to help fund the master study plan of the Highway 1 bypass. He also stated in 2007, he was working with the Corps of Engineers trying to develop a master plan to put infrastructure around Highway 1 bypass. The proposal is $107,300.00. The city’s cost would be 50% $53,650 instead of taking the money out of the city’s treasure he is trying to find other sources.

Attorney Cline read a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor of Forrest City to Apply for an Infrastructure Master Plan Grant.

Mayor McCoy stated what they were applying for is $40,000.00 and the city would be out of $l3, 650.00.

Alderman Capps made a motion to adopt the resolution. Second by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Mayor McCoy stated he has another resolution dealing with condemnation. Senator Jack Crumbly has appropriated money and the resolution has to be passed to receive the money. Attorney Cline read a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor of Forrest City to Apply for a development beautification Grant.

Motion made by Alderman Twillie to adopt the resolution. Second by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Mayor McCoy stated he has a resolution dealing with police equipment, the audio video equipment that had been discussed in 2007; the total cost came to $l65, 000.00. Mayor McCoy also stated they were applying through U.S.D.A. Rural Development for 30% of the cost, which leaves 70% ($ll5, 000.00) for the city to pay.

Attorney Cline read a resolution Authorizing the Mayor of Forrest City to Apply for a Police Equipment Grant.

Alderman Peacock asked were those the same cameras that I-Cop did the presentation on and did they have the new chief’s blessing on this. Mayor McCoy stated, “Yes.”

Alderman Peacock made a motion to adopt the resolution. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Unfinished Business
Alderman Peacock stated there are some issues with the carts at the apartment complex on Washington. Alderman Peacock asked Mayor McCoy to contact the code enforcement officer concerning a nuisance. Mayor McCoy stated that issue had been discussed. Mr. King stated he spoke with the owner. The owner wanted a dumpster, but where they needed to put the dumpster the garbage truck would have to go across the parking lot and the owner did not want them to break up the concrete. In addition, if a dumpster was put near the curb then everyone would throw thrash in it or at it. Mr. King said, “I don’t know the best solution to that, where it needs to be, you would have to go across the parking lot.”

Mayor McCoy said, “Let me visit with the property owner maybe we can come up with some sort of solution.”

Dogs
Alderman Twillie stated according to the newspaper article regarding police going on animal calls, it seems as if it was going to tie up the police department. He did not see how they were going to do policing and handling the dogs at the same time. Police Chief Farmer stated the police department is there for public safety. If there were a public safety issue, they would respond. They are giving the citizens of Forrest City immediate response face to face contact to see what the problem is then they go on to phase II whatever that may be, according to the situation. Chief Farmer also stated stray dogs are not their concern; he would not tie up good police officers for something like that. That is animal control concern. If there is a 911 call concerning stray dogs, they will respond, if there is not a safety problem then animal control is called.

Alderman Capps stated he had a request from a constituent that animal control phone number be published in the local newspaper. Some people do not know to call the police department.

Alderman Peacock asked if the additional animal control officer has been hired as of yet.

Mayor McCoy stated it is hard to fill that vacancy. They have been through many applicants that did not qualify for the job; something in their background caused the city not to hire them.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Hollowell made a motion to pay street fund bills totaling $784.68. Second by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUNDS

Alderman Twillie made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $22,846.94. Second by Alderman Jeffers. AldermanTwillie questioned the Hicks Body Shop invoice. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Alderman Capps made a motion to adjourn at 7:l7 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer