The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on October 7, 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, Peacock, Breeding, Capps, Oswalt, and Twillie. Alderman Fields came in at 6:07 p.m. Alderman Jeffers was absent.

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

Committees

Park Committee
Alderman Twillie stated the recreation committee met for about four or five hours; they have some made progress on some of the request that were discussed during the community meeting. The committee needs to have another meeting to finalize everything and the committee will be ready to report to the city council.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Waymon Tucker presented the city council with information from the Census Bureau. He stated that many people thought that census are only done every 10 years. There are about 25 different kinds of surveys; some are being done monthly, yearly, every five-year, and the 10-year survey. Everyone is required by law to participate in the American Community Survey. The results from the ACS survey data are used by federal, state, local, and tribal governments to make decisions and to develop programs that will provide health care, education, and transportation services that affect you and the community. The current population survey (CPS) is done every month. The information is collected for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which provides vital up-to-date estimates of the number of people working, the number who are unemployed, and many other related facts. The CPS survey also determines the money received for turnback. Mayor McCoy asked when was the last time a full survey was done for Forrest City. Mr. Tucker stated the 10-year survey in 2000. Mayor McCoy asked Mr. Tucker if he thought Forrest City’s population has increased from l4,774. Mayor McCoy also stated he was concerned about an accurate number because it determines the state turnback money. Mr. Tucker stated, he did not know but all information could be looked up on the website www.census.gov.

Alderman Hollowell stated he did some checking on the census and the only number Little Rock is going to recognized is the 2000 census unless a complete total recount is done.

Code of Ordinances

Chief Ruffin presented to the city council the Arkansas Fire Prevention code. Chief Ruffin stated that is was very important to adopt the code for the health and safety of the citizens of City of Forrest City. The state of Arkansas has adopted the 2007 codes, which are the latest codes, and it will help the ISO rating for the city. Attorney Cline read An Ordinance Adopting The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2007 Edition; Repealing Ordinance NO. 1749; And Adopting An Emergency Clause. Sponsored by Alderman Breeding. Alderman Twillie made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Seconded by Alderman Breeding. Roll Call: All Ayes. 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. Seconded by Alderman Breeding. Roll Call: All Ayes. Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Twillie.

Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Code Enforcement Officer Fletcher presented to the city council the 2008 National Electric Code, he stated that every three or four years the codes are updated and the ordinance needed to be adopted alone with the 2006 Arkansas State Fuel Gas Code and the 2006 Arkansas State Plumbing Code. Alderman Oswalt asked if he had a question concerning maintenance of electrical wiring could he find the answer in the electrical codes. Mr. Fletcher said, “Exactly.” Alderman Peacock asked if the electrical code requires a master electrician to do the inspections. To his memory, the last electrical code adopted required a master electrician. Mr. Fletcher stated that was something that Mr. Crossen injected into the ordinance because he had his master electrician’s license. Mr. Fletcher also stated the only license he is required to have through the state of Arkansas is his mechanical code license and his plumbing inspector license, which he has. Attorney Cline stated this ordinance is replacing the old edition and the codes of ordinances are on file in the city clerk’s office.

Attorney Cline read An Ordinance Providing For The Adoption By Reference Of The 2008 National Electrical Code; Repealing Ordinance No. 1784; Declaring An Emergency; And For Other Purposes. Sponsored by Alderman Breeding.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes. 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. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes. Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Twillie made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Twillie made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Mayor McCoy asked Code Enforcement Officer Fletcher why were the council adopting the 2006 gas codes. Mr. Fletcher stated it is a new book but it is in reference with the Arkansas Plumbing Code. Attorney read An Ordinance Providing For The Adoption By Reference Of The Arkansas State Fuel Gas Code, 2006 Edition; Declaring An Emergency; 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: All Ayes. 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. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes. Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Alderman Oswalt questioned the plumbing code ordinance section 1: all plumbing installed, altered, or repaired within or without the City of Forrest City wherever water and/or sewage service originating from the municipal water and/or sewer system is furnished. Does that mean anywhere that the city supplies water, even the incorporate areas outside the city limits? Mr. Fletcher stated the way he understood it, is anything in the incorporate limits of Forrest City what he has jurisdiction over. When it gets outside of the city that is when the state comes in. Alderman Oswalt asked if the wording with or without is a state requirement for the ordinance. Attorney Cline stated that is the way the ordinances have been written for passed versions. That is a question that probably needs to be addressed by Mr. Beazley. After further discussion

Attorney Cline read An Ordinance Providing For Adoption By Reference of 2006 Arkansas State Plumbing Code; Repealing Ordinance No. 1785; Declaring An Emergency And For Other Related Purposes. Sponsored by Alderman Capps. Alderman Capps made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes. Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the second reading. Alderman Capps made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the third reading. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes. Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Capps made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Breeding. Roll Call: Ayes. Alderman Fields made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Seconded by Alderman Hollowell. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Condemnation Update
Code Enforcement Officer Fletcher stated he had submitted a list of houses earlier in the year to Brickey’s Prison for condemnation. The prison is currently here, there are about eleven houses that are on the condemnation list, if the houses test negative for asbestos the prison will tear them. The city is basically getting free labor for the provision of lunch and rest room facility for the men and dumpster fees. That will be the only expenses the city will have in the houses. The six houses that he is submitting tonight for bid are hot for asbestos. When the houses are hot for asbestos ADHE gets involved and there is a procedure required by ADHE. A license contractor has to come in and remove the asbestos then the house can be torn down. Mr. Fletcher also stated he has a total of 34 houses to be condemned. He is asking permission to bid the six houses that are one the list to get an estimate on what it would cost to tear the others down. It looks like it is 50% with asbestos and those houses will cost more to tear down. Alderman Twillie asked if the contractors would come in and remove the asbestos from the houses. Mr. Fletcher stated the contractors could remove the asbestos or just tear the house down; the price would be similar.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to grant permission to bid the six houses on the list presented. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Alderman Oswalt asked if it would be the same procedure to condemn a house that has been burned to the ground. Mr. Fletcher stated yes, a burned out would be treated the same because the city wants the lot cleared off. Mr. Fletcher also stated that 11 or 12 property owners purchased building permits, the 120-day window has expired for the permits, and he would address those houses later.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay Street Fund Bills totaling $13,061.00. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Hollowell made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $51,005.33. Seconded by Alderman Breeding. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Personnel Committee meeting October l4, 2008 at 5:p.m.

The November 4, 2008 city council meeting was moved to November 6, 2008.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 7:00 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer