The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on March 17, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Alderman Peacock opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered roll call: Mayor Pro Tem, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline, and City Council Members: Peacock, Jeffers, Shepherd, Fields, Capps, and Oswalt. Mayor McCoy and Alderman Hollowell were absent.

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


Committees

Alderman Peacock asked for a progress report on the city shop at the next council meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Airport Lease
Attorney Cline stated he spoke with Gil Gilbreath, General Manager of Hutcherson Flying Service and Mr. Leslie; their positions were, they had exercised their right of renewal and had paid the renewal fee of $1.00 per year and according the renewal option the lease would run until December 2012. Central Arkansas Turbines lease goes through the lease that the city had with Memphis Soaring Society that went back to 1992. This was a 10-years lease with the option to renew. The lease was exercised and it goes until August 2012, in 2002 Memphis Soaring Society decided to get out and the Central Arkansas Turbines approached the airport commission and received the approval to assume the Memphis Soaring Society lease, which was done in August 2002, and it will carry them until 2012. Mayor Pro Tem Twillie asked if the Memphis Soaring Society was sub-leasing the airport. Attorney Cline stated they were leasing from the city a different hanger, a different piece of property within the airport.

Alderman Capps asked what is the city’s responsibility on the lease if the airport was sold before 20l2. Attorney Cline stated Hutcherson’s lease specifically talks about, if the airport is sold then that lease becomes terminated. The Central Arkansas Turbines lease goes back to 1992 and in that lease; it did not mentioned the selling of the airport. Normally, when property is sold, the buyer of the property would have to honor the lease until August 2012.

NEW BUSINESS

Alcohol Law Change
Chief Duch informed the council on the new alcohol law changed on March 3, 2009. Therefore, the city council could determine if the new law would affect city ordinances. Chief Duch also stated the change in the law allows businesses to operate and sell alcoholic beverages on premises consumption only from 10:00 a.m. until midnight on Sundays. There is a petition in the state law that allows the city or county to hold an election for a vote by the people to see if they want to allow the sale of alcohol beverages for off premises consumption such as liquor stores and other businesses. Alderman Capps asked what the restrictions on private clubs are. Chief Duch stated there are two separate classes of private club licenses. Every club has the same class in Forrest City; they can open from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. the next morning. If alcohol is sold after those hours then that business is in violation of city’s ordinance.

Ordinance to Amend 2008 Budget
Attorney Cline read an Ordinance To Amend The 2008 City Budget. Sponsored by Alderman Fields. Alderman Oswalt stated there where some errors in the LOPFI fund and the library fund income. Alderman Capps asked how are the runway lights and the beacon lights paid at the airport. Clerk Cochran stated there is an expenditure line item in the budget for the airport. Mayor Pro Tem Twillie asked the council to look over the budget and if there were other errors to let the mayor’s office know in time before the next meeting. The ordinance was table until the next meeting.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Capps made a motion to pay the street fund bills totaling $15,441.22. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $48,936.88. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Mayor Pro Tem Twillie reminded the council of Crosswords Coalition Legislative update meeting at 3:p.m. on Wednesday, March 18th at the Technology Center, 1790 N. Falls Blvd., Wynne, AR.

Mayor Pro Tem Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 6:20 p.m. Seconded by Alderman Shephered.

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Cecil Twille, Mayor Pro Tem

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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer