The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on March 4, 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: Peacock, Jeffers, Fields, Hollowell, Capps, and Oswalt. Alderman Twillie came in at 6:03 p.m. Alderman Breeding was absent.

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

Committees
none

City Seal Contest
Mayor McCoy stated in November or December 2007 the city council sponsored a city seal contest. The high school and the public participated in the event. Mayor McCoy also stated he was happy to announce and present to the city council the winner of the contest, Ms. Margy Cannon. Mayor McCoy also stated she had brought with her a demonstration of what the seal would look like. Ms. Cannon commended Mr. Green as being the artist; Mayor McCoy, Willie Smith and Dr. Wayne Jones also helped with getting the seal done. Ms. Cannon went on to give the history of the drawings placed on the seal. The reason there is a Forrest City, is because of the railroad tracks going through the ridge. She also spoke on the industries, recreations, and the colors in the seal.

Mayor McCoy also stated there were nearly a 150 entries and many of the drawings had the jewel or diamond because Forrest City is considered to be the jewel of the delta. He stated that Ms. Cannon and the committee did a good job and from this point, with the approval of the council, he would get the official seal done.

Skateboard Park
Mayor McCoy stated at the last council meeting the location of the skateboard park was discussed. Mayor McCoy stated he went out and visited with Mr. Taylor and Mr. Taylor stated that there is not a problem with the location for the skateboard park and the splash pad. Alderman Twillie asked what about the fence. Mayor McCoy stated the splash pad comes with a manufacturing fence around it, the skateboard park will not. Mayor McCoy also stated he knows there was some discussion about the city putting a fence between the city’s property and the church. Alderman Twillie stated he sees a lot of people walking across the church’s property at all times, even during their church services. Alderman Twillie also stated it might not be the city’s total responsibility; maybe the city can work something out with the church. Mayor McCoy stated he would pay the church a visit and see if he could compromise with them; he did not think it was solely the city’s responsibility.

Alderman Oswalt stated he disagreed, the council needed to be good neighbors. He has seen people crossing church’s property and a car bumped the gate and drove across the church’s yard to unload items at the pavilion. The people who are renting the pavilions are also using the church’s utility and water. Alderman Oswalt stated he thinks the council is making a bigger mess by putting the skateboard park in that spot. In addition, it is not a question of who was there first, the Multi Purpose building or the church. Alderman Oswalt said, “We are causing the problem for the church.” He feels it is the council’s responsibility to put up a fence. Mayor McCoy stated he did not see the skateboard park being a problem and it would be seasonal. Mayor McCoy said, “Even if we did put a fence up, we cannot control the public.” Alderman Fields asked had he looked at another location for the park. Mayor McCoy stated it would cost more money to run water to the project if they moved it to another location. He also stated he did not mind putting up the fence if it was the council’s wishes. Alderman Twillie stated he thought it would be a problem also. Alderman Twillie feels that the council should look at putting the skate park north of the Multi Purpose building. Mayor McCoy asked what type of fence the council should consider putting up. Alderman Oswalt stated he did not think the council needs to decide what type of fence until Mayor McCoy talked to the pastor of the church.

Mayor McCoy stated if the city is spending the money, he was not going to let the church decide how much is spent, but he would agree to put up a fence. Alderman Oswalt asked how much it was going to cost to do the skateboard park. Mayor McCoy stated it is a 50/50 matching grant; the city’s portion is around $72,000.00. That is for the whole project, the skateboard park, flash pad, and renovation of the restrooms. Alderman Twillie stated if possible the city needs to put up a fence five or six feet tall to make it hard to climb, maybe put barbwire on top. Alderman Twillie also agreed with Alderman Oswalt, “We need to be good neighbors.”

Mayor McCoy requested permission from the council to bid for the skateboard park and he also stated he would put up the fence. Alderman Oswalt asked Mayor McCoy would he pay 100% for the fence, if not he would vote no. Mayor McCoy stated yes he would do an adequate fence. Alderman Capps asked if fencing around recreation facilities are regulated or have guidelines. Alderman Twillie made the motion to let Mayor McCoy bid out the skate park grant. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

New Business

Utility
Mayor McCoy stated he had been in constant contact with Larry Chisenhall, out of Little Rock, and with the discretion and the approval of the council, Mayor McCoy and Chisenhall decided to enter into a contract with one of the utility companies.

Condemnations
Code Enforcement officer Fletcher stated he had the 2nd phase of the condemnations. All of those letters went out back in November. The letters were sent certified, the people that the city could not contact were returned. Mr. Fletcher consulted Attorney Cline to run an ad in the paper for the property owners to be heard tonight on the condemnation properties. Mayor McCoy asked if there were any owners in the audience to contest the condemnation list. No one was recognized. Alderman Twillie made a motion to adopt the resolution. Seconded by Alderman Oswalt. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Staggered Terms
Mayor McCoy stated at the last meeting staggered terms were discussed. There is an ordinance to be read and a sponsor is needed. Alderman Jeffers stated she would sponsor the ordinance. Attorney Cline read AN ORDINANCE REFERRING TO THE CITIZENS OF FORREST CITY THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THEY WISH TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CITY ALDERMEN FROM A TWO-YEAR TERM TO A FOUR-YEAR STAGGERED TERM PURSUANT TO ARKANSAS LAW.

Announcements

Mayor McCoy stated, as discussed previously, the $40,000 grant came in to purchase audio/video equipment and he commented that he really appreciated Mr. Houston for his hard work and assistance with the grant. Mayor McCoy requested permission to bid out the audio/video equipment for the police cars. Alderman Oswalt stated he thought it was only one company that handled that kind of equipment, “I-Cop.” Mayor McCoy stated it has been recommended to bid it out. Attorney Cline stated it could be bided out or an ordinance passed waving requirements to bid. Attorney Cline also stated with drafting bid specifications you have to be careful to make sure you are getting what you want. Mayor McCoy stated that the $40,000.00 grant has already been rewarded. Mr. Houston stated that USDA requires that it be bided out. Alderman Peacock made the motion to allow Mayor McCoy to bid for video/audio equipment for the police cars. Seconded by Alderman Hollowell. Roll Call: All Ayes

RFQs for the City Shop
Mayor McCoy stated he received architect RFQs from four for RFQs for the city shop. He asks the council to give him permission to chose an architect and negotiate a contract. Alderman Oswalt stated in the past the decisions were made by the mayor. Attorney Cline stated they wanted to make sure that all council members agreed. Alderman Peacock asked would the architect be open to all projects if needed. Mayor McCoy said, “He would be.”

Alderman Jeffers asked if the same architect could design the sign for the name change for the Multi Purpose building. Mayor McCoy stated that definitely would be looked into.

Street Signs
Alderman Fields stated she received a letter on January 24, 2008 talking about the street signs on Washington and Broadway. The letter was received from a citizen talking about large overhead signs going all directions north and south, east and west; and also concerned about the numbers on the houses. Alderman Fields stated if a citizen takes the time to write a letter she feels that the council should take time to discuss the matter. Mayor McCoy stated the individual that wrote the letter, Mr. Paige, came by and talked with him. They discussed the numbering on the houses not being able to be seen from the streets. Mayor McCoy stated as far as the signs, they are part of the downtown revitalization and all of it would be addressed.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Fields made a motion to pay street fund bills totaling $9,343.59. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Peacock made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $54,263.00. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Mayor McCoy asked the council if a motion needed to be made to adopt the new city seal. Attorney Cline stated that would be a good idea. Alderman Capps made a motion that the city accept the city seal that was presented by Ms. Margie Cannon as the official city seal of the City of Forrest City. Seconded by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: All Ayes

Mayor McCoy reminded the council of the personal policy meeting on March 11, 2008 at city hall at 5:00 p.m.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer