The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on May 20, 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: Peacock, Fields, Hollowell, Capps, Oswalt, and Twillie. Alderman Breeding came in at 6:05 p.m., Alderman Fields came in at 6:42 p.m., Alderman Oswalt was absent.

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

Committees
Update City Shop Design
Mayor McCoy stated Rodney, of West Memphis, came by the office today, he had with him the city shop design plans and they were almost completed. Rodney hopes that by the end of the month he can give the council a complete set of plans. Mayor McCoy also stated he would let the committee know when the plans were ready.

Unfinished Business

Carroll & Carroll Investments Inc. Re-Zoning
Mayor McCoy stated during the last city council meeting it was determined that an ordinance had to be drawn up concerning Carroll & Carroll Investments Inc. for Re-Zoning. Attorney Cline read An Ordinance For Re-Zoning Property Located At 426 East Cook In The City Of Forrest City, Arkansas From R-2 To C-3 And For Other Purposes. Sponsored by Alderman Capps.

Alderman Hollowell made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: Alderman Hollowell, Jeffers, Peacock, Capps, and Twillie All Ayes. Alderman Fields and Oswalt were absent.

Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the second reading. Alderman Hollowell made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the third reading. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: Alderman Hollowell, Breeding, Peacock, Capps, Twillie, and Jeffers All Ayes. Alderman Fields and Oswalt were absent. Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Hollowell made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: Alderman Hollowell, Breeding, Peacock, Capps, Twillie, and Jeffers All Ayes. Alderman Fields and Oswalt were absent.

Shop House
Mayor McCoy stated an ordinance was drawn up for the sell of the city shop property to Mr. Charles Holland. Attorney Cline read An Ordinance Amending Ordinances No. 1426 And No. 1484, Authorizing Sale of Real Property; Waiving Competitive Bidding; And For Other Purposes. Sponsored by Alderman Twillie. Alderman Twillie made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: Alderman Hollowell, Capps, Jeffers, and Twillie All Ayes. Alderman Breeding and Peacock said No. Alderman Jeffers and Oswalt were absent. Motion failed.

Ball Park Light Pole Update
Alderman Twillie asked Mayor McCoy did he get the information on the light pole specifications. Mayor McCoy stated that Mr. Davis, Entergy representative, was not present and he had not received the information as of yet. Mayor McCoy also stated he hoped the pole would be put up by next week.

New Business

Mayor McCoy commented to Alderman Breeding that he had not seen Attorney Mark Hays who was on the agenda for tonight. Alderman Breeding stated he assumed Mr. Hays was not going to be present. Alderman Breeding commented that he owed the voters of Ward 4 an apology for over looking the filing deadline. He also stated as of January l, 2009 for the next two years he would not be apart of the city council. It was an oversight on his part and he was made aware of the filing deadline two minutes before the deadline by Glenn Shephard, who is running for the position. Alderman Breeding also stated he supported Mr. Shephard wholeheartedly.

Fireworks Ordinance
Mayor McCoy stated he provided the council with the firework ordinance #1411 for discussion because July 4th is approaching fast. Mayor McCoy wanted to know if the council wanted to do what was done last year; popping fireworks from 10:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. July 3rd and July 4th.

Alderman Breeding asked Interim Chief Duch would that be a workable solution if the council voted to do the same as last year. Interim Chief Duch was inaudible.

Attorney Cline stated if there is a law on the books, he is not sure whether a motion of the council can relax that law legally. He also stated if this is going to be an every year type of event, then the ordinance needed to be rewritten or amended. Alderman Twillie stated the ordinance needed to be rewritten to say July 3rd and 4th and also New Years.

Alderman Breeding asked if the council wants to deal with section one of ordinance #1411 the selling of fireworks in the city? Alderman Hollowell stated no. Alderman Twillie stated he would not like the fireworks to be sold in the city because of the danger of storing the fireworks.

Alderman Peacock asked for Fire Chief Ruffin’s opinion if something would happen in the discharging of the fireworks in the city. Chief Ruffin stated legal or illegally if something would happen, the fire department would respond regardless.

After a brief discussion, the city council decision was to allow the popping of fireworks on July 3rd and 4th from 10:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. each day and December 31st starting at 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. on January 1st.

Bypass Annexation
Mayor McCoy recognized Mr. Carey Vandiver to discuss the bypass annexation. Mr. Vandiver stated he and the other property owners along the bypass is developing a petition to petition the City of Forrest City to take the property into the city, there is approximately 2600 acres that runs from the City of Caldwell going south all the way to the railroad track by Highway 70. It would also take in the Cloverleaf at I-40 and the bypass. Mr. Vandiver also stated they were having a meeting at the civic center tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. with all the property owners for further discussion and some of the city and county officials have been invited.

2008 Proposed Police Budget
Mayor McCoy asked Interim Chief Duch to come and present his proposed budget to the city council. Interim Chief Duch stated the proposed amended budget was put into the council’s package for the council to review. Alderman Twillie stated he thought what Interim Chief Duch was asking for was too big and the city does not have a chief of police. If the budget is met, it would be landlocked for the new chief. Alderman Twillie also stated he sees it as putting positions in place before the new chief is hired. Interim Chief Duch stated that it would be the last opportunity for the police department before promotions are made for those changes. Mayor McCoy stated he and Chief Farmer had talked about the promotions before he left. He also stated that there are men who have been with the department for twelve plus years. He saw it as an opportunity to have upward mobility and to create morale within the department.

Alderman Twillie asked Mayor McCoy if Chief Farmer had signed off on all of the promotions before he left. Mayor McCoy stated yes and he also stated that what Interim Chief Duch was presenting tonight had been presented to him by Chief Farmer before he left. Alderman Twillie asked Interim Chief Duch how does the field cost and promotions effect the budget. Interim Chief Duch stated with the proposed changes the police department is saving over $190,000 a year in the budget. Alderman Breeding asked Interim Chief Duch would he be able to maintain the crime rate with the number of officers in the proposal he is asking for. Interim Chief Duch stated that the proposal requests more manpower than what they currently have. Alderman Peacock stated that after looking at the proposal, he did not like the idea of cutting the two officers positions. He also stated as a police commissioner member he would like to set a meeting with Alderman Jeffers, and maybe they could meet with the chief and give him an opportunity to explain his proposal.

Mayor McCoy stated they would table the proposal until the police committee could get together and have a meeting one day next week.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Hollowell made a motion to pay street fund bills totaling $468.85. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Twillie made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $25,439.87. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Mayor McCoy announced Operation Twister exercise to be held June 4, 2008 sponsored by Shane Dallas with the Office of Emergency Management.

Alderman Twillie thanked Mrs. Lynch for getting the councilmember agendas for the Arkansas Municipal League convention June l8-20 2008.

Mayor McCoy stated he had several employees that he would like to give recognition to at some point in time; Johnny Ruffin who has worked for the City of Forrest City over 25 years, Raymond Stewart over 28 years, Derene Cochran 31 years, J.P. Rainey over 31 years, Charles Holland 32 years, and Alvin Heard 36 years.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 6:55 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer