The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on January 5, 2010. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Alderman Capps opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered roll call: Mayor McCoy, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline and City Council Members: Alderman Peacock, Hollowell, Shepherd, Capps, Fields, Jeffers, and Oswalt. Alderman Twillie was absent.

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

Committees

Alderman Peacock reported that the police committee met and discussed a couple of issues. He also stated the city and county worked out the issues concerning the inmates. Alderman Peacock made a motion to adopt the agreement between the city and county dealing with the inmates. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Animal Control Ordinance
Alderman Shepherd asked Attorney Cline to do the first reading of the ordinance. Alderman Hollowell asked if any of the other council members had a problem with the ordinance. Alderman Shepherd stated the council had three months or longer to look over the ordinance and he felt like it was time to move forward with the ordinance. Alderman Jeffers stated she did not think the ordinance could be enforced. Alderman Capps stated his questions had been answered and he did not have any problems with the ordinance. Alderman Fields stated she had a question from page 5 paragraph B. She questioned where would the dogs be kept once they were turned over to the Forrest City Humane Society. Alderman Shepherd stated it was not the city’s issue. Alderman Peacock stated he thought the city council needed to wait until the lawsuit was settled and then deal with the ordinance.
Alderman Hollowell asked Attorney Cline when he anticipated a court date. Attorney Cline stated due to a chain of events there is still no court date set. Attorney Cline also stated he thought at best, they were looking at early spring or late summer on getting in court.

Alderman Shepherd stated he had presented the ordinance to the council and it was up to the council to vote it up or down Alderman Fields stated Alderman Shepherd did give them a complete ordinance, but if the ordinances on the books had been enforced they would not have a lot of the problems that they were having. She also said the dog situation has gotten a lot better; she was not getting as many calls about the dogs. Alderman Fields also said she did not see a need to hurry and pass the ordinance. Alderman Oswalt stated the majority of the council had questions about the ordinance, and what he was hearing tonight, if it was the final reading of the ordinance, he did not see the majority of the council passing the ordinance. Alderman Shepherd stated he was doing what he was elected to do. The majority of the council said Alderman Shepherd had done a good job on the ordinance, but it did not need to be read tonight. The ordinance was put off until a later date.

New Business

Water Commission
Alderman Shepherd made a motion to re-appoint Kenneth Bokker back to the water commission. Seconded by Alderman Oswalt. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Planning Commission
Alderman Fields stated the council needed to find a replacement for Commissioner Willie Whitley. Mayor McCoy stated that would be something that the Chairman and the planning commission body needed to do. Alderman Capps stated the planning commission would review any recommendations.

Library Commission
Alderman Oswalt made a motion to re-appoint Lindsay Hodges back to the library board. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Mosquito Control Aerial Spraying
Mayor McCoy recognized Bill Alexander, representative of Advanced Mosquito Control, to make a presentation to the city council. Mr. Alexander stated the company has been in business for seven years. He also stated they spray several areas around the state of Arkansas. He said the company has a good safety record and they were more regulated than airlines because they were flying low, at night, over populated areas dispensing chemicals. Mr. Alexander also said the cost would be in the area of 95 cents an acre for flying, if the city wanted the company to purchase the chemicals, it would be an additional 30 cents to 50 cents for chemicals. Mr. Alexander stated he would be glad to come back before the council and make a more detailed presentation.

2010 Budget
Alderman Oswalt stated after looking at revenues received, the majority of the committee felt comfortable giving a 3% raise instead of the 5% he recommended. The total general fund budget came to $7.5 million and after adding the additional income for the month of December; the total budget came to $8.7 million. Alderman Shepherd asked if the figure would include the upgraded equipment for the multi-purpose center. Mayor McCoy stated he went back and added under capital expenditures 4-treadmills and 2-incumbent bikes.

Alderman Peacock asked Mayor McCoy if he added more money in the street fund budget to take care of the streets. Mayor McCoy stated he did and has already scheduled several ditches to be dug out.
Attorney Cline read an Ordinance Authorizing And Adopting A Budget For The City Of Forrest City For 2010 And Adopting An Emergency Clause sponsored by Alderman Oswalt.

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the second reading. Seconded by Alderman Shepherd. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the second reading. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for the third reading. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Attorney Cline read the ordinance for the third reading. Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by Alderman Shepherd. Roll Call: Alderman Peacock, Hollowell
Alderman Oswalt made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Seconded by Alderman Shepherd. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Resolution
Mayor McCoy asked the council to sponsor a resolution that would allow the city to apply for a grant to put lights around the walking track at the multi-purpose center. Alderman Peacock asked would it be matching funds. Mayor McCoy stated it would be 100% funding. Attorney Cline read Resolution for General Improvement Funds through the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Programs. Alderman Peacock made a motion to adopt the resolution. Seconded by Alderman Shepherd. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Repower America
Alderman Fields recognized Maverick Roberts with Repower America, Little Rock Arkansas. Mr. Roberts made a presentation on clean energy legislation. He also presented the council with a draft of a resolution to look over and to consider adopting at a later date: in which Forrest City would go on record supporting clean energy legislation. Mr. Roberts also said he would like to come back before the council on February 2, 2010 to present the resolution.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Fields made a motion to pay the street fund bills totaling $640.05. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS
Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $6,749. Seconded by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Arkansas Municipal League Conference January 13-15, 2010

Mayor McCoy announced he was going to invite Gregg Fender with the cable company to come February 2, 2010 to come and speak to the council.

Mike Davis with Entergy gave the council an update on street light repair.

Alderman Oswalt stated the council advisory commissions needed to be updated and Alderman Twillie needed to stay on as Mayor Pro Tem. Alderman Oswalt requested certificates for the street department.

Alderman Capps stated he would like to see the traffic light lens and bulbs updated to the correct standards. Public Works Director Patton stated he was working on getting the traffic lights updated.

Alderman Shepherd made a motion to adjourn at 7:20 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor

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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer