The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on November 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, and City Council Members: Alderman Peacock, Hollowell, Jeffers, Shepherd, Fields, Capps, Twillie and Oswalt. Attorney Cline was absent.

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


Committees

Police Committee
Mayor McCoy stated they would discuss the prisoner proposal later when the committee meets again. Alderman Peacock stated as a police committee member he appreciated Chief Duch and the committee on their efforts.

Animal Control Committee
Alderman Oswalt stated he met with the humane society; Alderman Shepherd was not able to attend the meeting. He said they did not discuss who owned the building, but they discussed standard operating procedures. Alderman Oswalt also stated he would like for the council, the animal control committee, and human society to get together and merge all their information together and come up with a solution. He also mentioned putting up a security camera, which can be logged on off site, at the city’s expense. The camera could be placed in the office but not in the kennel area.

Alderman Shepherd stated he spoke with animal control with the City of Conway and they do have security cameras but they do not allow picture taking in the kennel area. Mayor McCoy stated he wanted the council to understand that Attorney Cline has filed paper work with the court system and they needed to let the judge make a decision.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Budget committee
Budget committee meeting was set for Thursday, November l2, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

Animal Control Ordinance
Alderman Shepherd stated he presented the council with the new proposed animal control ordinance at the last meeting and he wanted to know if all the council members had time to look over the ordinance and he would try to answer any questions. Alderman shepherd stated he did talk with the City of Conway and they do have a standard operating procedure in place. He also stated the City of Conway was going to send the information to him. Alderman Shepherd said the City of Conway uses a bark collar; it shocks the dog when it barks.

Alderman Fields asked was it not cruelty to the animal. Alderman Shepherd stated no, the collars are used as a training device. Alderman Capps asked about property damage figures. Alderman Shepherd stated it was in the ordinance.

Alderman Oswalt stated he looked at other city ordinances, if an animal is vicious, diseased, sick, or injured it could be euthanized before the five-day period; this statement should be put into the ordinance to protect the city. Alderman Shepherd stated that would not be a problem. Mayor McCoy stated in same section page 5, would they be regulating cats. Alderman Shepherd stated it would be next to impossible to keep a cat enclosed. Alderman Hollowell asked if the new changes could be highlighted so he would know what they were. Alderman Shepherd said he could do that. After further discussion, Alderman Shepherd asked that the ordinance be put back on the agenda for the first reading at the next council meeting.

Alderman Peacock stated since Alderman Shepherd had visited with other cities’ animal control directors, he wanted to know if Forrest City’s Animal Control Officer had been given a copy of the ordinance and did Mr. Hamilton have any input on the ordinance. Alderman Shepherd stated he gave a copy to Mayor McCoy to give Mr. Hamilton and he had not been contacted by him; he assumed everything was alright.

New Business

Financial Institution Bid- Fire Truck
Mayor McCoy stated at the last council meeting Chief Ruffin received bids for a new fire truck. He also stated that he thought that he and Chief Ruffin had found an institution to finance the truck. Attorney Cline advised the council that it would be better to bid it out to other financial institutions for competitive bidding. Mayor McCoy stated Chief Ruffin would have the down payment of $100,000 paid from Act 833 fund. The balance of $124,980 would be put out for bid. Alderman Hollowell asked if the city had the money in the general fund to pay for the truck. Mayor McCoy stated yes, but he wanted to allow Chief Ruffin to take action on his presentation. Alderman Oswalt asked if the money could be borrowed from the General Fund and paid back from Act 833 in the same installments. Chief Ruffin stated he would check with the state director to see if the money could be handled that way. After further discussion, Alderman Capps made a motion to allow Mayor McCoy to advertise for bids from invitations from financial institutions to finance the remaining balance on the new fire truck. Second Alderman Oswalt. Roll Call: Alderman Peacock, Jeffers, Hollowell, Shepherd, Twillie, Fields, Capps, and Oswalt all Ayes

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Peacock made a motion to pay the street fund bills totaling $5,712.01. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Alderman Peacock asked what the city is doing with the waste oil. Public Works Director Patton stated the city had a big tank that the oil is poured into and King’s Disposal or a company out of Memphis picks it up. Alderman Peacock stated he would like for the city to possibly look into another heating source for the city shop. He also said the city could utilize the old oil just as well as the next person to save on the utility bills.
Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $28,937.54. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements
Grant workshop November 13, 2009 at the civic center 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Alderman Shepherd made a motion to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Seconded by Alderman Peacock.

. _______________________
Gordon McCoy, Mayor
____________________________
Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer