The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on October 21, 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, Peacock, Fields, Breeding, Capps, Oswalt, and Jeffers. Alderman Twillie was absent.

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

Committees

Personnel Policy Committee
Alderman Oswalt stated he, Alderman Twillie, and the mayor met with the department heads on October 20, 2008 and discussed the new sick policy resolution. The way the policy was written the good employees were penalized along with the employees that were abusing the policy. Alderman Oswalt also stated he had spoken with several of the employees and they stated they were being forced to miss the second and third sick day for them to receive any pay for sick time. Alderman Oswalt asked the personnel committee to rescind resolution # 859 and continue using the previous resolution.

Attorney Cline read Resolution Rescinding Resolution No. 859; And For Other Purposes. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the resolution. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Laney Street House Bids
Mayor McCoy stated the Laney Street House was put out for bids; the city did not receive a bid. The council suggested re-bidding the Laney Street House.

City Shop Update
Mayor McCoy stated the bids came in for the city shop; Murdock Enterprise bid was the lowest bid at $165,000. It was decided that Murdock would be the contractor. Mayor McCoy also stated that Murdock is waiting on the decision of the council on how to appropriate the funds to start the project. He also stated they had 45 days to start on the project and Mr. Murdock stated he was willing to extend the days to give the council an opportunity to look at the budget.

Alderman Fields asked if Mr. Murdock would be the contractor to put the name on the Multi Purpose Center. Mayor McCoy stated the price for the Multi Purpose Center project would be very low, a contractor is expected to come in this week with some drawings for the Multi Purpose Center and to put the pictures back on the wall in the city hall.

Regional Airport
Mayor McCoy stated that a representative from the regional airport came by to talk about the mortgaging of the Forrest City Airport. Mayor McCoy asked Attorney Cline to explain more in detail since he had been in constant contact with Attorney Hicky. Attorney Cline stated in a recent meeting, the council voted to allow the city to mortgage the Forrest City Airport to secure a temporary line of credit for the Regional Airport to secure bridge funding until they get their permanent money in from the state and federal. The problem is under the Arkansas Constitution it says the city cannot lend its credit to someone else. By allowing a mortgage on the city’s property to secure a debt, which is owned by someone else, the city would be lending its credit. Attorney Cline also stated that was his opinion and it is backed up by the Supreme Court decisions and the Attorney General’s opinion. He also stated he had visited back and forth with Attorney Hicky and Attorney Hicky does not disagree. He suggested to Attorney Hicky that he find another way to accomplish what was needed other than mortgaging the city’s property to secure the Regional Airport’s debt.

Alderman Hollowell asked if there are other options. Attorney Cline stated he did not know, but he was sure there are, he had not heard back from Attorney Hicky.

NEW BUSINESS

Housing Authority Commission Board
Mayor McCoy read a letter from Ms. Janet Duncan of the Forrest City Housing Authority requesting the council’s permission to re-appoint Mrs. Debbie Jackson to serve another five-year term. According to the letter, the board decided to ask for her reappointment during their September 29, 2008 board meeting. Alderman Breeding made a motion to approve the Forrest City Housing Authority’s request. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Police Promotion
Mayor McCoy introduced Ms. Marilyn Nobles to the city council. Ms. Nobles has been with the Forrest City Police Department for nine years. Mayor McCoy also stated out of all the ladies that had been employed with the police department, Ms. Nobles is the first to be promoted to the rank of sergeant. Mayor McCoy also stated that he appreciated Ms. Nobles for all of her hard work.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Breeding made a motion to pay Street Fund Bills totaling $1,945.72. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $27,830.95. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Budget meeting Monday October 27, 2008 at 5:p.m.

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

Alderman Hollowell made a motion to adjourn at 6.20 p.m. Seconded by Alderman Peacock.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer