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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
FORREST CITY CITY COUNCIL
FORREST CITY, ARKANSAS
February 3, 2009
The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session
on February 3, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Alderman Twillie opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered
roll call: Mayor McCoy, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline, and City
Council Members: Hollowell, Peacock, Shepherd, Twillie Fields, Capps,
and Jeffers. Alderman Oswalt was absent.
Alderman Hollowell made a motion to approve the minutes of the
previous meeting. Seconded by Alderman Shepherd. Roll Call: All
Ayes.
Committees
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Airport Commission
Attorney Cline read for the second reading an Ordinance Repealing
Ordinance No. 814; Dissolving And Terminating The Forrest City Municipal
Airport Commission; And for Other Purposes. Sponsored by Alderman
Hollowell. Alderman Twillie asked who would make management decisions
if the airport commission were dissolved. Mayor McCoy stated he
felt that it was a none functional committee but Gil Gilbreath would
still run the airport. If any major decisions were needed governing
the airport, the decisions would fall under the authority of the
city council. Alderman Twillie stated he did not think the council
should move on the decision of terminating the airport commission
until all questions were answered. Mayor McCoy said he would look
into the situation and try to answer all questions before the next
council meeting.
Larry S. Bryant Multi Purpose Sign
Alderman Fields stated that the Larry S. Bryant Multi Purpose committee
(Alderman Fields and Jeffers) would like to rescind the decision
made in November 2008, to put the freestanding sign up, and put
forth another motion to put the letters on the building. Alderman
Peacock asked what was the council looking at cost wise. Alderman
Fields stated the freestanding sign was $1,437 with $600 installation.
The cost of the lettering on the building is $1,900 with estimated
$1,600 for installation.
Alderman Jeffers made a motion to rescind the previous motion for
the freestanding sign. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call:
All Ayes.
Alderman Jeffers made a motion to accept the recommendation of
the architect, Rodney Garey, for the new sign of the letters on
the building. Seconded by Alderman Fields. Alderman Capps asked
the amount of the previous sign that was approved by the council;
and the amount of the new proposal. Mayor McCoy stated the original
amount was $l,437 the new proposal $l,998 the estimated installation
cost is a little over $1,600. Alderman Hollowell asked if the new
sign met the approval of the people that were dissatisfied with
the previous sign. Alderman Fields said the spokesperson for the
committee had not voiced dissatisfaction with the new sign. After
more discussion the council voted. Roll Call: Hollowell, Peacock,
Shepherd, Twillie, Fields, Capps, and Jeffers. All Ayes.
NEW BUSINESS
City Seal
Mayor McCoy unveiled the new city seal and introduced to the public
the committee members for the designing of the city’s seal,
Margie Cannon-Historian, Mr. Johnny Green-Artist, and committee
member Willie Smith.
By-Pass Feasibility Study
Mayor McCoy introduced Chris Wilbourn, Project Manager and John
Hotho, Assistant Project Manager of Garver and Garver Engineers
to present the study of the by-pass. He also introduced his special
guest, Frank Bateman-Representative of Senator Pryor’s office,
Raymond Frazier-Representative of Senator Lincoln’s office,
Steve Edwards-Representative of Arkansas Economics Development Commission,
and Diane Norman-Representative of East Arkansas Planning and Development
District. He also introduced the Forrest City Water Commissioners,
James Beazley, Rujay Burks, Michael Jeffers, and Jimmy King.
Mr. Hotho stated that they did many studies for different entities
especially the Corps of Engineers. He also stated the by-pass study
was divided into four studies but the study was based upon three
things #1. What was needed to bring more people into the areas,
#2. Water supply, and #3. Sewer and drainage lines and to set guidelines
for the culverts. Mr. Hotho stated a lot of the information was
taken from the highway department. Alderman Twillie asked if they
were aware of the flooding problems in that area before the study
was done. John said they were aware of the flooding, but there were
no floods control plans, because the plans may interfere with the
development. The flooding would be dealt with as thing progresses.
After a long discussion of questions and answers, Mayor McCoy stated
that there would be more meetings and studies on the project.
Commission Appointments
Advertising and Promotion Commission
Alderman Twillie made the motion to re-appoint Larry Freeman and
Y.K. Patel to the Advertising and Promotion Commission. Seconded
by Alderman Shepherd. Roll Call: All Ayes. Alderman Hollowell stated
Mrs. Judy Sweet resigned her position; she needed to be replaced.
Civic Center Commission
Alderman Shepherd made a motion to re-appoint Ms. Chaney Murray
to the Forrest City Civic Center Commission. Seconded by Alderman
Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes
Mayor McCoy stated Alderman Shepherd resigned his position on the
civic center commission on the first of the year, when he became
council member, and Mrs. Gwen Lofton resigned her position. Alderman
Shepherd made a motion to appoint Mr. Fred Houston and Ms. Joan
Digatona to the Forrest City Civic Center Commission. Seconded by
Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes
Library Commission
Alderman Hollowell made a motion to re-appoint Attorney Brad Beavers
back to the Forrest City Library Commission. Seconded by Alderman
Shepherd. Roll Call: All Ayes
Pothole Patch Ordinance
Mayor McCoy stated the city is in bad need of another pothole patch.
Public Works Director Patton had checked with Little Rock Equipment
Sales, the company offered a price of $6,871.58. He asked the council
to waive the bid requirement.
Attorney Cline read An Ordinance `to waive requirement of Competitive
Bidding; Declaring An Exceptional Circumstance; Authorizing Purchase
of Equipment; And Declaring An Emergency. Sponsored by Alderman
Shepherd. Alderman Fields made a motion to suspend the rules and
read the ordinance for the second reading. Seconded by Alderman
Shepherd. Roll Call: All Ayes
Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the second reading by title
sub-sections only. Alderman Fields made a motion to suspend the
rules and read the ordinance for the third reading. Seconded by
Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes
Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading by title
and sub-sections only. Alderman Fields made the motion to adopt
the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Shepherd. Roll Call: All Ayes.
Alderman Twillie made the motion to adopt the emergency clause.
Seconded by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: All Ayes.
Recreation Fees Proposal
Mayor McCoy stated at the request of one of the committee members,
the recreation fees proposal will be tabled for further discussion.
STREET FUND BILLS
Alderman Capps made a motion to pay the street fund bills totaling
$4,479.85. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.
GENERAL FUND BILLS
Alderman Shepherd made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling
$18,279.74. Seconded by Alderman Hollowell. Roll Call: All Ayes.
Announcements
Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 7:41 p.m.
_______________________
Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer
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