MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
FORREST CITY CITY COUNCIL
FORREST CITY, ARKANSAS
August 18, 2009
The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session
on August 18, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Alderman Shepherd opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered
roll call: Mayor McCoy, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline, and City
Council Members: Alderman Peacock, Jeffers, Hollowell, Shepherd,
Twillie, Fields, Capps, and Oswalt.
Alderman Shepherd made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous
meeting. Seconded by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: All Ayes.
Committees
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Animal Control
Mayor McCoy stated he thought the meeting between the Forrest City
Humane Society and the Forrest City Animal Control Committee went
well last week. He said there was some good dialogue and he liked
the direction they were going. Mayor McCoy said both parties agreed
that there was a need for another position in the animal control
department. He asked the council if they would allow him to open
a new position in the animal control department.
Alderman Shepherd made a motion to give Mayor McCoy permission
to add an additional position to the animal control department.
Seconded by Alderman Fields. Alderman Hollowell asked if the position
would be full-time or part-time. Mayor McCoy stated the position
could start as part-time, but could go to full-time.
Alderman Fields asked if the new employee’s position would
be to stay and work at the shelter while the other two animal control
officers work the streets. Mayor McCoy said he preferred to wait
until the animal control committee had some discussion about the
position and its duties before he answered any questions. Alderman
Oswalt asked if Mayor McCoy would wait until the committee met before
hiring someone. Mayor McCoy said he would like to go on and hire
someone to try to get some things put in place.
Alderman Peacock asked would the budget allow the additional position.
Mayor McCoy said the budget would have to be amended for the position
and he suggested hiring the new employee at minimum wage of $7.25
per hour with $1 raise after the 90-days probationary period.
Alderman Capps asked was that the recommendation of the committee.
Mayor McCoy said, “This is just one of the things that were
identified at the meeting.” Alderman Peacock said he would
like to have a better job description, whether it would be full-time,
and how much the position paid. After further discussion, Roll Call:
Alderman Peacock, Hollowell, Capps, Shepherd, Fields, and Jeffers
All Ayes. Alderman Twillie Abstained, and Alderman Oswalt said No.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution
Mayor McCoy asked Shane Dallas, St. Francis County Emergency Management
Coordinator to present a resolution to the city council. Mr. Dallas
said in 2000 Congress enacted an act stating that every jurisdiction
would pass a natural hazardous litigation plan. The plan reviews
all the natural hazards that are acceptable in the county, such
as, ice storms, serve weather, and flooding. He also said that they
had been gathering information since 2005; the plan was sent to
FEMA for approval several times, it was sent back each time, the
plan was finally approved. Mr. Dallas also explained that the plan
had been accepted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency pending
the approval of the county, the city government, along with the
school districts, and Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute.
He asked the council to approve the resolution and adopt the plan.
What the resolution does, if adopted, allows the city along to apply
for future litigation grants. Alderman Twillie asked if Forrest
City turned down the resolution, how would it impact the other three
organizations. Mr. Dallas stated from his understanding, if Forrest
City turned down the resolution, the city would not be able to apply
for any of the grants. He also explained that each entity would
apply for its own grants as needed.
Attorney Cline read Resolution Adopting The Natural Hazard Mitigation
Plan For The City of Forrest City In Saint Francis County, Arkarnsas
Sponsored by Alderman Shepherd. Alderman Peacock made the motion
to adopt the resolution. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call:
Alderman Hollowell, Shepherd, Twillie, Fields, Capps, Oswalt, Peacock,
and Jeffers. All Ayes.
Air Evac
Ashley Jones of Air Evac, an air ambulance service in Marianna,
Aransas, presented two plans that would allow city employees to
be members of Air Evac. One is a full covered plan and Ms. Jones
said she and Mayor McCoy had spoken about the second plan, which
would be $10 per city employee per year. The plans would cover the
employees while they were on duty and if an employee had to be airlifted
while on duty, it would save workers comp from having to pay. Alderman
Oswalt stated he thought it would be an added benefit to the city
if they paid the fees for the employees; it would save the city
some money in the long run. Attorney Cline stated that if an employee
is hurt while on duty, workers comp would take care of the expenses.
Mayor McCoy tabled the discussion until he could call the Municipal
League and get some information.
Resolution
Mrs. Janet Duncan, Director of the Forrest City Housing Authority
and Mr. McNeary were present asking the city council to pass a resolution
to allow the Forrest City Housing Authority to purchase vehicles
from the state purchasing plan. It would also allow them to purchase
the vehicle without taking bids.
Attorney Cline read Resolution Authorizing Local Government Cooperative
Purchasing sponsored by Alderman Oswalt. Alderman Shepherd made
the motion to adopt the resolution. Seconded by Alderman Hollowell.
Roll Call: All Ayes.
Dogs
Alderman Hollowell acknowledged Ms. Lynn Petry, who is having problems
with barking dogs. Ms. Petry stated that she lived at 439 N. Forrest
St. She said her neighbor lives south of her at 433 N. Forrest.
The neighbor has four dogs chained to the fence in the backyard.
The dogs bark constantly. She said she has tried to work with the
neighbor and she offered to have the female spaded; the neighbor
stated she wanted the three males fixed as well, Ms. Petry said
she was not going to do that. She said she offered to help fix the
fence so the dogs would not have to be chained. She thought it was
inhumane. Ms. Petry stated she has called Mr. Hamilton several times
and he never showed up. She did speak with Mr. White and he explained
the city ordinance and none of the dogs have city tags or have been
vaccinated.
Alderman Hollowell stated he thought the dogs could be picked
up since the owners were not complying with the city ordinance.
Alderman Twillie stated there were laws already on the books that
need to be enforced. Mayor McCoy said the situation would be looked
into.
STREET FUND BILLS
Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay the street fund bills totaling
$5,215.65. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.
GENERAL FUND BILLS
Alderman Hollowell made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling
$54,374.04. Seconded by Alderman Shepherd. Roll Call: All Ayes.
Announcements
Alderman Oswalt said there are a couple of bad spot on Highway
70 that need to be repaired.
Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. Seconded
by Alderman Shepherd.
.
_______________________
Gordon McCoy, Mayor
____________________________
Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer
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