City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES December 9, 2019 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting in the administration room of City Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Monday December 9, 2019. Mayor Trae Reed called the meeting to order with the invocation given by Pastor Efrem Jones City Clerk, Jeribeth Edwards to call the roll. City Clerk Jeribeth Edwards called the roll and declared a quorum. Mayor Trae Reed City Clerk Jeribeth Edwards Treasurer Phillip Howell Deputy Clerk Regina Ibbotson Council Members Efrem Jones, Alice Bridges, Raymond Hatton (absent), Ryan Biles, Matt Cordell, Michael Florence, Koy Butler, and Suzette Elmore City Attorney Ginger Stuart Police Chief Steven Holt W/S/S Supt. Jim Kelley C.C. Director Mike Brown (Absent) Fire Dept. Justin Wittenberg Parks Director Roy Don Lewis News Media Rick Kron, The Leader Visitors Anna McClung, Gina Weirtelak, Deborah Moore, Jay Holstead, Jim Weirtelak, Grace Kenzel, Christy Kenzel, Neil Kenzel, James Bryant, Evelyn Bryant, Deloris Allison, Deborah Moore and Cindy Reaves MINUTES: Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the November 12, 2019 meeting minutes as recorded. Efrem Jones Made a Motion to accept the minutes as read. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. 2022 Executive Board Report – Anna McClung was present and gave an update on Lonoke 2022 Report. She presented minutes from the previous committee meetings. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Justin Whittenburg was present and gave report. Mr. Whittenburg needed no action from the council. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was present and gave report. Mr. Lewis mentioned that all the Christmas lights are out and going strong. Mr. Lewis asked for $6,700.00 for an electrical panel system for new concession stand. Efrem Jones made a motion to preapprove the power system. Koy Butler second the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Lewis also asked for $4,891.67. There were some wires that were hit and needed to be re‐routed. He went with the lowest bid with Nickleson Electric. 1  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES December 9, 2019 COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was absent, Mayor gave report. Coming events are Baptist Health will be out doing health checks. Driving tests, Mid‐season basketball league, and driver’s test are the events going on for the month. Mr. Brown wanted to make know of some expenses to note, the LCC paid for the lawnmower from Ag Heritage for $13,442.00. Also, the LCC had a boiler repaired. No action required from the council. Mr. Brown also mentioned that the Community Center has been asked to host a major swim meet in the future. PUBLIC WORKS (Water & Street/Animal Control)‐ Mr. Jim Kelley was present and gave report. A. Update on Water/Sewer Bond Projects: Mr. Kelley asked to revise the overall sewer and Water project costs. The reason for the increases is due to miscalculations in some of the estimated quantities or adding work in the field in Phase I. The revised project costs have increased in the amount of $410,000.00. After some questions from the council Koy Butler made the motion to pay the increases amount. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Caption Steven Holt was present and gave report. Mr. Holt mentioned that the total billed to immigration and Probation/Parole was a total of $8,880.00. Preliminary 2020 Budget: ‐ Treasure Phillip Howell was present and gave a report. Matt Cordell made a motion to accept the preliminary budget. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. OLD BUISNESS: A. Dr. Holmes Office Bid Results: Mayor Reed asked to accept the bid from Lee Holmes from Fayetteville, Ar. for the amount of $10,000.00. Suzette Elmore gave some insight on what Mr. Holmes plans to do with the home. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the bid. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: A. ESCO‐RFQ Request‐ Mayor asked to put out an RFQ for ESCO/EPC ‐ Motion was made by Ryan and seconded by Michael Florence to put out an RFQ for an ESCO/EPC. Motion carried. B. Resolution 12‐1‐2019: “A Resolution Expressing the Willingness of the City of Lonoke to Utilize Federal Aid Transportation Alternatives Program Funds”‐ This grant will cover a sidewalk extension on the east side of Lincoln Street from Palm to Woodlawn. Ryan Biles made a motion to put Res. 12‐1‐2019 on the table. Michael Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Resolution 12‐ 1‐2019 in its entirety. Michael Florence made a motion to accept 1st reading. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with a (7) hand vote. C. Resolution 12‐2‐2019: “A Resolution Supporting the House Joint Resolution 1018 of 2019 Proposing an Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Continue a Levy of One‐Half percent for state Highways…”‐ Efrem Jones made a motion to put Res. 12‐2‐2019 on the table. Michael Florence seconded 2  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES December 9, 2019 the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Resolution 12‐2‐2019 in its entirety. Efrem Jones made a motion to accept 1st reading. Michael Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried with a (7) hand vote. D. Ordinance 756‐ “An Ordinance to Amend the Personnel Handbook”‐ Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ord. #756 on the floor. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 756 in its entirety. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 756. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Michael Florence made the motion to suspend the rules‐ 2nd reading‐ title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 756‐ title only‐ 2nd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 2nd reading‐title only‐ of Ordinance No. 756. Matt Cordell seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) hand votes. Michael Florence made the motion to suspend the rules‐3rd reading‐title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 756‐ title only – 3rd reading. Michael Florence made the motion to accept the 3rd reading‐ title only Ordinance No. 756. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Michael Florence made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. E. Ordinance 757‐ “An Ordinance to Regulate Domesticated and Feral Cats” Great discussion regarding regulating both domesticated and feral cats, Mrs. Christy Kenzel was present and gave great insight on the issue. Ginger Stuart gave her input as well. After some discussion among the council Mayor asked the council to do some research regarding the issue. The council will report back next meeting. F. Trash Can Proposal‐ Alice Bridges has done some research on the proposed trash can ordinance. The council discussed the issue and it was decided to be tabled. G. Ordinance 758 ‐ Waive Bids on Purchase of Mosquito Chemicals”‐ Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ord. #758 on the floor. Michael Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 758 in its entirety. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 758. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules‐ 2nd reading‐ title only. Michael Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 758‐ title only‐ 2nd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 2nd reading‐title only‐ of Ordinance No. 758. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules‐3rd reading‐ title only. Michael Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 758‐ title only – 3rd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 3rd reading‐ title only Ordinance No. 758. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Michael Florence made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Efrem Jones made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Koy Butler seconded. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. 3  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES December 9, 2019 H. Condemnation Meeting Information‐ Mayor Reed is requesting that the council meet quarterly in 2020 to review properties for the condemnation process. The tentative dates are as follows. Thursday January 16, 2020 at 6; April 16, 2020 at 6; July 16, 2020 at 6; October 15, 2020 at 6:00. PAY THE BILLS: Matt Cordell made a motion to pay bills. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN NOVEMBER 2019 City General $40,115.43 Water $25,325.80 Street $30,056.51 Community Center $29,884.71 Retail One Cent $9,063.45 Criminal Justice $1,286.73 2003 Revenue Bond $60,135.00 BILLS TO BE PAID IN DECEMBER 2019 General Fund $15,051.08 Water $25,118.20 Street $4,244.56 Community Center $5,220.08 Court Automation $773.50 Criminal Justice $106.04 ADJOURN: Efrem Jones made a motion to adjourn. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk 4