|
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on August 4, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 6:00p.m. Alderman Capps opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered roll call: Mayor McCoy, Finance Clerk Whitby, Attorney Cline, and City Council Members: Alderman Hollowell, Shepherd, Peacock, Capps, Jeffers, Twillie, and Oswalt. Alderman Fields came in at 6:07p.m. Alderman Jeffers made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous
meeting. CommitteesPlanning Commission Kenny Fletcher approached the council with the new map in hand advising that he is very impressed the color and shades that define the different zones on the map are more detailed. Councilman Capps advised that the planning commission voted unanimously to adopt the map and asked that the city council to adopt the map as the official zoning maps for the city. Councilman Twillie asked Mr. Fletcher to point out two or three things that make the map better. Mr. Fletcher advised that the map itself is not different that the color shades are more defined the previous map which had similar color codes and you could not tell the difference in the colors which defined the different zones. Mr. Fletcher advised the Council that the By-pass annexation is also on the updated map. The map is up to date with all zonings and rezoning ordinance changes provided by the City Clerk. Mayor McCoy asked if the land use was on the map. Alderman Capps advised “No we will have to do our Land Use Plan again that all existing land has been included in the annexations with the exception of land on Highway 1 south.” Capps advised that “This is the first time that all of the annexation ordinances were applied to the map and right now it is up to dated as it can get.” Capps advised that we haven’t in the pass put the changes on it. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve this map. Alderman Peacock asked do we need to vote on this tonight. Alderman Capps advised yes. The Council had a discussion and the only change is to have the date approved placed on the map. After a brief discussion Alderman Capps asked the council to adopt the map as the Official Zoning Map for Forrest City. A motion was made by Alderman Peacock and seconded by Alderman Shepherd that the Zoning Map be approved as the official map of the City. All: Ayes Mayor McCoy asked if the Planning Commission Minutes needed to be approved Alderman Capps advised that they would be at the next planning commission meeting. Unfinished BusinessNone New BusinessRecognition of a Promotion at the Forrest City Police Department Bid Opening New Chipper Bid presented: Henard Utility Products -Searcy representative in the audience bid amount $39,061.24 Bid presented: Vermeer Midsouth, Inc.-Jonesboro representative in the audience bid amount $35,425.00 Alderman Capps asked if the city included anything about delivery in the specifications. Mayor McCoy advised that he did not think that we did. The only inclusion was that shipping and taxes be added in their bids. Representative for Vermeer advised that if he could have an approval on the bid, and be provided with a signed copy his equipment could be delivered tomorrow afternoon. Mayor McCoy asked Public Works Director Floyd Patton to take the bid presented by Vermeer to check it against the specs and if it is to our Specifications then we would accept the bid. Schedule a Date for Bond Issue Public Hearing Discussion on Pest Control Ordinance 1777 Alderman Shepherd supports the commercial areas being added to the ordinance, and the council want individuals to mow and cleanup their own lots so that the City could focus on city work. He advised that other cities send out notices once a year instead of the method that we have of mailing notices. After a lengthy discussion concerning Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Undeveloped and Undefined lands the Mayor asked that a 30 day campaign to enforce the ordinances that are already on the books concerning trash can, paper and trash on the streets be enforced. The Mayor asked the citizens to take pride in their property and businesses as well. Humane Society Mayor McCoy requested Mayor Pro-Tem Twillie set in for him. The Mayor stated that we don’t know when the Animal control officer situation would be cleared up that is important first and foremost. He agreed with Attorney Cline saying that we don’t know what’s going to happen to our employee that he would love to see something come out of this not just how we are going to function with the humane society. Alderman Twillie wanted to know how we could negotiate when we don’t know who the owner of the property is. “The property is still a legal matter”. He said the first thing is to establish who the owner is then talk about the administration. Alderman Twillie agreed to stand in for the Mayor. Attorney Cline advised that he would set in at the meeting also. A committee of Alderman Oswalt, Shepherd and Twillie was formed to meet with The Humane Society. Alderman Shepherd stated that he believed that they can have some positive discussion and get these matters resolved. Attorney Cline will set up the meeting as soon as possible.
Street Fund Bills in the amount of $2, 934.31 was approved upon a motion made by Alderman Shepherd, seconded by Alderman Capps. All: Aye A letter listing street lights that are out and need to be serviced was presented to Mike Davis of Entergy. Alderman Shepherd asked Mr. Davis how long it takes to get lights restored and was advised that it takes just a few days. Alderman Shepherd had an additional list that needed to be added some of which he had reported in February still have not been fixed at this time. Mr. Davis advised that in some instances the street lights were being vandalized right after being repaired.
None
___________________________ ___________________________ |
