The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on August 3, 2010. 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: Peacock, Hollowell, Shepherd, Twillie, Capps, Oswalt, and Fields. Alderman Jeffers was absent.

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

COMMITTEES

Ball Park Committee
Alderman Twillie stated the park committee met last week. The committee discussed a few issues and discovered that an ordinance has been on the book since 1986. The committee decided to visit with Attorney Cline so he could look at the existing ordinance. The second matter of business discussed was to look at a job description for the assistant park director.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Tractor Trailer Ordinance
Alderman Peacock stated there has been some discussion in the previous council meetings concerning the tractor trailer rigs. He also added he had met with the police chief, fire chief, and public works director concerning this issue. The new ordinance could appease and take care of some of the situations. In R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 no tractor trailer rigs would be allowed to park; just the tractor would be allowed to park off the street, if the owners have the proper parking places. He also said he did not know if Attorney Cline had already put it in ordinance form.

Attorney Cline apologized because he had been on vacation and he had not had the chance to look at the ordinance. He also said he had one comment, he noticed that the ordinance would allow the tractor to be parked in those zones, Alderman Peacock mentioned, off the street. Some sub-division may have regulations that would not allow the tractor in the sub-division, but that is not a city council issue if there is a restricted covenant. Attorney Cline also stated he would have the ordinance ready by the next council meeting.

Maps
Alderman Capps stated he has more deeds to check out and the city owned property map would be in the mayor’s office for reviewing next week. Alderman Capps said after reviewing the map, if there are any questions contact him, he would try to answer them.

Mayor McCoy asked Fire Chief Ruffin if he was still working on the map that pin pointed past fires. Fire Chief Ruffin stated he had the map completed but he needed to get the map enlarged so it could be legible.

NEW BUSINESS

Site Selection Community
Mayor McCoy acknowledged Mike Davis with Entergy. Mr. Davis explained he had visited with Mayor McCoy and the chamber of commerce to discuss the possibility of Forrest City becoming a site selection community. Mr. Davis explained that a site selection community is preparing for possible industrial recruitment activity. He also said on May 27, 2010 he brought the director of customer services and the director of team work Arkansas to Forrest City to sit down with Mayor McCoy to discuss the opportunities for Forrest City. They looked at potential properties for future industrial development sites and infrastructure as well. Mr. Davis said a site consultant would be in from Atlanta tomorrow to visit with the mayor and whomever he chooses and to discuss the six potential sites.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Capps made a motion to pay the street fund bills totaling $7,033.21. Seconded by Alderman Peacock. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $22,762.10. Seconded by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Announcements

Mayor McCoy announced National League of Cities prescription discount drug program meeting to be held on August 11, 2010 at city hall 3:30 p.m.

Mayor McCoy announced a town hall meeting to be held at the Forrest City Civic Center on August 5, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Alderman Shepherd made a motion to adjourn at 6:22 p.m.

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Gordon McCoy, Mayor
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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer