The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on February 19, 2008. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Alderman Capps opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered roll call: Mayor McCoy, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline, and City Council Members: Hollowell, Capps, Peacock, Oswalt, Fields, and Jeffers. Alderman Twillie came in at 6:10 p.m. Alderman Breeding was absent.

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

Mayor McCoy recognized Mr. Stanley Hurst. Mr. Hurst stated he was there to present a petition to rename the Forrest City Multi Purpose & Wellness Center after the former mayor Larry S. Bryant. He also stated he felt that Mr. Bryant fought hard to get the center built and furnished. It was a success. Mr. Hurst also stated that Mr. Bryant served two terms as mayor and he felt something should be done in recognition of him. The petition had 325 names and there were other petitions that had not been turned in. Alderman Fields stated she had spoken with the municipal league attorney and he stated it was up to the decision of the council.

Alderman Oswalt asked was there a state law that stated city buildings could not be named after individuals. Attorney Cline stated he did not know, however if it is the will of the council to do it, he would look into it and get back with them at the next council meeting. Alderman Fields stated she spoke with Attorney Mark Hays and he stated it is up to the city council. Alderman Peacock asked Mr. Hurst to give him justification why the facility should be named after Mr. Bryant. Mr. Hurst stated Mr. Bryant came up with the idea to build the center and he fought hard for the center. Why should it be named after someone else? Alderman Capps stated that they were not looking to name it after anyone else. Capps also stated when they get to the point were they wanted to name it after someone Mr. Bryant’s name would be considered.

Mr. Hurst stated he was asking, he was not trying to force anything. Mr. Hurst also stated give him a reason why it should not be. Alderman Peacock stated, “Timing and former mayor Larry Bryant got, hopefully, a lot more years with us. And hopefully he’ll do better things and I think you have to be a little bit cautious, the bottom line is hopefully he got a lot more years to weather.” Alderman Peacock also stated, as a municipality, the council needs to be careful naming buildings after individuals. He also stated that Larry Bryant was not the only one who fought for the building.

Alderman Capps asked Mr. Hurst if he took it upon himself to do the request or did Mr. Bryant ask him too. Mr. Hurst replied Mr. Bryant had nothing to do with it. Alderman Twillie stated he did not have a problem with naming the building after Mr. Bryant, but he had reservations about the other family members. He was concerned about the family members trying to get a free ride, referring to the lifetime memberships. Mr. Hurst stated they would just go with naming the building and leaving the other part of the petition off. Alderman Fields read the petition (see attached). Attorney Cline stated the petition did not have any bearing on the motion that the council decided to make, the petition is just there to encourage. Alderman Fields made a motion to rename the Multi-Purpose & Wellness Center to Larry S. Bryant Multi-Purpose & Wellness Center. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: Alderman Peacock, Jeffers, Twillie, Fields, and Oswalt All Yeas. Alderman Hollowell and Capps said Nays. Alderman Breeding was absent.

Skateboard Park
Mayor McCoy stated hopefully they are about to start construction on the skateboard park at the complex. Mayor McCoy also stated he was requesting permission to bid for a skateboard park grant. Alderman Oswalt asked where exactly the skate park would be. Mayor McCoy stated it will be east of the complex but he would check to make sure and get back with the council.

Personnel Committee
Mayor McCoy stated the council has not had a personnel committee meeting this year and there were some unfinished business in 2007 that need to be addressed. He also
stated he would like the council to look at a possible meeting date. In addition, he wants the council to take a good look at the personnel policy and Attorney Cline to look at the Municipal League’s policy. The department heads have some issues with the way the current policy is written. Alderman Peacock asked if some of the concerned issues could be highlighted and shared with them prior to the meeting.

The personnel committee meeting was set for March 11, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

Staggered Terms
Mayor McCoy stated the council might want to revisit the staggered terms this year and consider getting it on the November ballot. Attorney Cline stated an ordinance has to be passed to put it on the November ballot. If it passed in November 2008, it would be effective in 2010. In 2008 everyone would run for 2-year terms and in 2010 two would run for 2-year terms and two would run for 4-year terms.

Retreat date
Mayor McCoy asked the council to start thinking about a retreat date.

Scrape Metal
Alderman Oswalt stated he had some concerns from people that lived on West Broadway about scrape metal that is being brought through town and delivered to a place that is not in the city’s limit. The citizens have concerns about the loads of scrape metal being unsafe and one person stated a big piece of metal fell off the trailer. Alderman Oswalt asked Chief Farmer to look into the situation. Chief Farmer stated he would check the laws and look into the situation.

Dogs
Alderman Twillie stated today he went into a business and several citizens mentioned their concerns about stray dogs running loose. Mayor McCoy announced that Demetrius Tyler was hired today to fill the vacant animal control position. I hope that the dog situation will get under control.

Cloverleaf
Scott Carroll presented his final presentation on the Cloverleaf. Mr. Carroll stated he came before the council in November 2007. The council sent him back to the A & P Commission for donation. A & P gave $3,000.00 on the project and he was here tonight asking the council to give $7,000.00. He also stated that he had spoke with Judge Hughes and the county pledged labor and equipment. Ms. Hazel Gorman with Master Gardeners stated she would supervise the planting of the crepe myrtles free of charge. After some discussion, Alderman Hollowell made a motion to give $5,000.00 for the Cloverleaf project. Seconded by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: All Ayes.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Hollowell made a motion to pay street fund bills totaling $1,194.95. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUNDS

Alderman Jeffers made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $25,662.32. Seconded by Alderman Oswalt. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer