The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on February 2, 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, Twillie, Fields, Capps, and Oswalt. Alderman Jeffers was absent.

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

Committees

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Motel Tax Rate Increase
Mayor McCoy stated at the last council meeting the council instructed him to find out more about the motel taxes. He also stated he had visited with Attorney Cline and Alderman Shepherd. Mayor McCoy asked Alderman Shepherd to explain the information to the council. Alderman Shepherd discussed the possibility of having the motel tax increased as A & P tax or a city wide tax. If it was passed as an A & P tax it would not affect the citizens of Forrest City, it would only affect the people passing through the city. He also stated he would like to negotiate with the A & P Commission to have them set up a separate fund for economic development. Alderman Twillie stated if it is possible it would be best for the city to handle its own money. Attorney Cline stated the only way the city could assess a tax is if it were a state statue. The only statue he is aware of is through the A & P Commission. Alderman Shepherd stated if the A & P Commission collects the money it would be set aside for taking care of facilities such as the civic center and the multi purpose center. Attorney Cline stated the money has to promote Forrest City. Mayor McCoy stated based on what Alderman Twillie stated; he would rather see the city handle the money, how would the city go about doing that. Alderman Capps asked if the A & P Commission could be abolished. Alderman Oswalt then stated that the tax would be also abolished. Alderman Shepherd stated that Forrest City has been collecting 1 percent taxes for years it is time to look at the tax and increase it if they can. Alderman Fields stated she felt that a raise in the taxes would not be a problem; the problem would be to get the A & P Commission to allocate the money where it needed to go. Alderman Peacock inquired about the next move. Alderman Oswalt stated that the A & P ordinance had to be amended once the tax was voted on.
Alderman Twillie asked Attorney Cline who is supposed to make the decision to raise the A & P taxes. Attorney Cline stated the city council would make that decision.

Police Promotion
Mayor McCoy and Chief Duch recognized Eric McCoy’s promotion as corporal on January 27, 2010.

New Business

Community Service Work Patrol
Alderman Fields stated she had received a few calls from the citizens stating they did not want the community service workers working in their neighborhoods. Alderman Fields also said that she thought they were supposed to clean the intersections and main streets. Mayor McCoy stated the community service workers pickup everywhere. Alderman Fields stated the callers said they thought they were convicts because they were wearing orange vests and they thought they were scouting out their homes. Chief Duch stated that the community service workers were not felons or sex fenders they are working off fines from traffic tickets, hot checks, and misdemeanor offenses only. Chief Duch also stated they wear the orange vest for safety purposes. He also said he had received several calls from the citizens stating that they thought it was wonderful that they were cleaning up the neighborhoods.
Alderman Oswalt stated it is an added benefit to the city because the community service workers do not stay in jail and the city does not have to feed them.

STREET FUND BILLS
Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay the street fund bills totaling $3,716.92. Seconded by Alderman Fields. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS
Alderman Peacock made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $19,989.27. Seconded by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements
Mayor McCoy gave the council lottery information for their viewing.

Mayor McCoy announced that Gregg Fender with the cable company would be here on February 16, 2010 to speak to the council.

Mayor McCoy asked the council to think about the mosquito control spraying.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 6:45 p.m.

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