The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on November 18, 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, Fields, Capps, Oswalt, Twillie, and Jeffers.

Alderman Jeffers made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Breeding abstained due to being absent.

Committees

Budget Committee
Alderman Twillie commented on the economic crisis and the Christmas bonuses. He hoped that the council agreed with his decision regarding the bonuses. He trusts that the recipients understand that the economic tough times do not stop only at residential places but businesses as well. Alderman Twillie also stated he hoped that the employees would try to spend the money locally and not take it out of the city.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to give the full-time employees a $1,000.00 bonus; those persons with over 60 days of sick time in the bank, the city will buy back up to ten days. He stated he would like the money to be paid by November 26, 2008. The part-time workers will get half and the employees who have not been there for a year, their bonuses would be pro-rated. Alderman Fields asked about the employees who had been laid off. Alderman Twillie assumed that the laid off employees would get prorated for the time that they had. Motion Seconded by Alderman Fields. The council had a brief discussion over laid off employees receiving Christmas bonuses. It was determined that the laid off employees would not receive the bonus. Roll Call: Alderman Peacock, Jeffers, Hollowell, Breeding, Twillie, Capps, and Oswalt all Ayes. Alderman Fields said No. 7-1

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Multi-Purpose Center Name Change
Alderman Jeffers stated the Multi-Purpose Center Committee met and discussed the sign for renaming the building in honor of the former mayor, Larry S. Bryant. Alderman Jeffers turned the floor over to Alderman Fields for further discussion. Alderman Fields stated the contractor said it would not be appropriate to put the name on the building because of the ridges. The committee decided to go with a free standing sign that would be placed in front of the building and it would read Larry S. Bryant Multi-Purpose Wellness Center. Alderman Fields made a motion that the council accepts the recommendation of the committee for the free standing sign. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Mayor McCoy stated that Rodney had already started to work on the sign. He stated the sign should arrive in the next couple of weeks, the cost of the sign is $l,437.00. Alderman Fields stated that the committee would like to have a ceremony when the sign is unveiled.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Hollowell made a motion to pay Street Fund Bills totaling $904.20. Seconded by Alderman Hollowell. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS
Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $16,575.47. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements
None

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 6.20 p.m. Seconded by Alderman Fields.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer