The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on April l, 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: Breeding Peacock, Jeffers, Fields, Hollowell, Capps, and Oswalt. Alderman Twillie came in at 6:10 p.m.

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

Committees
Mayor McCoy asked the council to look at the draft of the city shop plans. He also asked the council for permission to proceed and have the final plans drawn up. Alderman Peacock made a motion to allow the mayor to proceed with the final draft and bid for the city shop renovations. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Unfinished

Staggered Terms Ordinance
Attorney Cline read for the 3rd reading 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. Sponsored by Alderman Jeffers. Alderman Jeffers made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: Alderman Breeding, Fields, Hollowell, Jeffers, Peacock, Capps, and Twillie. Alderman Oswalt Abstained due to being on the election commission.

New Business

City Shop House Survey
Mayor McCoy asked the council to look at the survey he had done on the city shop house property where Mr. Charles Holland currently resides. He also stated he would like to have an appraisal done and permission from the council to sell the property at appraisal value to Mr. Holland. Alderman Hollowell asked if the lots were 18, 19, 20, and 2l and if the property was adjoining the city shop. Mayor McCoy said, “Yes” the shop is on the north side. Alderman Hollowell asked if the city would ever need that property. Public Works Director Patton stated that Mr. Holland had lived there for about 30 years and he did not think the city would ever need that piece of property.

Alderman Breeding asked Attorney Cline could the property legally be sold to Mr. Holland after it is appraised without offering it to the general public. Attorney Cline stated he did not know how they would go about offering it to the public if you have 500 people to come in and offer the same price based on the appraisal value. He also stated he did not know the issue would come up tonight; he did not do any research. Attorney Cline also stated he thought you would have to bid it out to sell the property. Alderman Oswalt asked if the property could be sold to whomever. Attorney Cline stated as long as you get fair market value for the property, he does not know of any reason why it could not be sold.

Alderman Breeding stated let Attorney Cline do the research and the city may not have to pay for an appraisal. Alderman Peacock stated the council could go ahead and give the mayor permission to get the appraisal, even though they may not need one. Mayor McCoy asked after the research, if it is required, is the council giving him permission to get the appraisal.

Alderman Peacock made the motion to give Mayor McCoy permission to get an appraisal on the shop house property if needed. Seconded by Alderman Hollowell. Roll Call: All Ayes.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay street fund bills totaling $6,308.82. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Hollowell made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $10,519.98. Seconded by Alderman Breeding. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Ballpark Bids
Mayor McCoy asked the council members to be present on April l5, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. The engineer from Little Rock will be here to open the ballpark bids.

Unfinished Business

Utility
Mayor McCoy asked the council would it be all right to have a special called meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. to meet one more time concerning the utility before he moves forward with the energy proceedings. Alderman Twillie stated it could be discussed tonight. Mayor McCoy stated since the last council meeting, he has had some discussion with a few of the council members who have since changed their minds about a few things. He also stated he did not feel comfortable spending $80, 0000.00 of the taxpayers’ money when the council cannot agree. If the council is unsure about moving forward, he recommended that the council would allow Attorney Cline, Larry Chisenhall and himself to negotiate a new contract with Entergy. Alderman Jeffers stated it has been talked about, they voted it down then they voted it up and now they are going over it again. Alderman Peacock stated he did not care what utility company it is, until an RFQ request is done, the city does not have to spend all of that money, until a formal request is provided from the entities that are willing to supply Forrest City, the city will never know. Until there is not a monopoly on the utility services, you cannot look at getting a better rate or service.

Alderman Twillie stated they have voted and that is the way it is right now. Whoever wants to change their mind, can appeal to the council on their ideas. Once the information is established, they can vote to resend the motion.

Alderman Breeding stated the council was trying to make a decision about a matter they did not have enough knowledge about that would affect the city for the next fifty years; they should refer to someone who knows more about the situation. He also stated that was his argument at the last meeting when he voted on it and it is still his argument today. Mayor McCoy stated the council owes it to each other to be honest and open about their decisions. Mayor McCoy also stated he could not do the things that the council was asking him to do, if he was not comfortable with the decisions being made. He also stated he would not jump up and call Larry Chisenhall to spend $80,000 of the taxpayer’s money, even though the council has told him to. Alderman Peacock asked if he had a recommendation. Mayor McCoy stated he never had a constituent to come to him with a complaint about Entergy. This situation started with the $51,000 Entergy contract. Alderman Twillie asked Attorney Cline if the situation could be handled the way Alderman Peacock was saying.

Attorney Cline stated the Public Service Commission with input from the utility companies sets electric rates and they are set for a wide service area. He also stated he did not believe any utility company would say they could bid a rate for the city of Forrest City and a different rate for other cities. Alderman Oswalt stated the council was not talking about every ratepayer in the confinement of the city limits. This applies to the original area. If the council chooses to switch or stay with the contract, Woodruff would provide what they provide as what Entergy provides. Alderman Fields stated the council member that received new information should share with the rest of the council. Alderman Hollowell stated it looks like someone in Little Rock could come and compare rates. He did not think the city needed to hire someone from Boston to compare rates at $450/hour. After more discussion, Mayor McCoy stated he would move forward.

Alderman Twillie commented on how nice the men’s room looked. Alderman Oswalt asked would the pictures of the former mayors be put back on the wall. Mayor McCoy stated he was trying to figure out a way to mount them in the council room.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 6:57 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer