The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on December 15, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Alderman Fields opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered roll call: Mayor McCoy, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline and City Council Members: Alderman Peacock, Hollowell, Shepherd, Twillie, Fields, Capps, and Oswalt. Alderman Jeffers came at 6:05 p.m.

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

Committees

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

New Business

Civic Center
Mayor McCoy thanked Alderman Hollowell, Twillie, and the A & P Commissioners for supporting the renovation work at the civic center. Mayor McCoy requested that the council allow him to bid out the items that need repairing. Alderman Oswalt stated he noticed in the bid packet the ceiling tiles were among the items that needed repairing, he asked if the tile had not already been repaired. Mayor McCoy stated they were not going to do the entire building, just the old part. Alderman Hollowell made the motion to allow Mayor McCoy to bid out the civic center renovations. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Civic Center Stage Repair
Mayor McCoy stated in 2008 when the capital expenditure list was put together the civic center stage was in need of repair. He asked the council permission to allow him to bid out the civic center stage for repair. Alderman Shepherd made a motion to allow Mayor McCoy bid out the civic center stage repairs. Seconded by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Civic Center Proposed Rate Increase
Mayor McCoy stated there is a large disparity between the civic center income and the expenditures. He also stated he presented it to the civic center commission and they recommended a 25% rate increase across the board in hopes that it would generate another $18,000 based on current usage. Mayor McCoy stated that the civic center commissioners were going to make the proposal tonight, but were not present. He also stated he was presenting the civic center proposal on behalf of the civic center commissioners that the council would allow a 25% rate increase. Alderman Shepherd asked how it would impact the rentals if the rates were raised 25%. Mayor McCoy stated there is no way he would know, he was hoping that the rentals would remain the same, he also said the increase would almost put it back to the original rates before the decrease was done.

Alderman Jeffers asked if this issue could be tabled until someone from the civic center commission could come and present the proposal to the council. Mayor McCoy stated he was hoping to have the increase in place by January l, 2010, but it could certainly be tabled until then.

Alderman Oswalt stated he did not see a need to increase the civic center rates. He also said if the civic center operated on rentals alone they would have an issue. But the civic center operates just like the other city buildings it operates from the general fund from the different city taxes. Mayor McCoy stated the rates were decreased and he was trying to get the rates back where they were. Alderman Hollowell asked were they looking at increasing the multipurpose rates. Mayor McCoy said no, the multipurpose has generated a little over a $100,000 and the rates were increased last year. Mayor Coy also stated every building that the city owned would never become self sufficient but he was in hope that the buildings generate enough money to help cover their expenses.

After some discussion Alderman Peacock stated he felt like Alderman Jeffers, he would like for the civic center commissioners to present their proposal to get some clarity. Alderman Oswalt stated he would like to see a new rate sheet before the proposal is voted on. Alderman Fields asked were there some type of repairs done on the civic center the reason the expenditures were so much more than the income. Mayor McCoy said yes, any kind of repairs would come out of the expense line. Alderman Fields also said the council has to realize that the civic center is built and the upkeep is from the tax payers’ dollars.

Alderman Twillie stated if a mistake was made just change it back and not use percentages; a 25% increase sounds like a lot. The council agreed to table the civic center proposal upon the recommendation of Alderman Jeffers. Mayor McCoy agreed, and said it would give the civic center commissioners time to put the set rates on the proposal.

Cable Franchise Agreement
Mayor McCoy stated he provided the council with the cable franchise agreement information that Greg Fender was working on. He also said Mr. Fender was looking for a date to come before the council to discuss the franchise agreement.

STREET FUND BILLS
Alderman Fields made a motion to pay the street fund bills totaling $9,020.78. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS
Alderman Capps made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $27,994.48. Seconded by Alderman Hollowell. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Budget meeting was schedule for Monday December 28, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

Arkansas Municipal League Conference January 13-15, 2010

Alderman Capps made a motion to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Seconded by Alderman Fields.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor

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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer