City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 9, 2020 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting in the administration room of City Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Monday March 9, 2020. Mayor Trae Reed called the meeting to order with the invocation given by Pastor Don Bailey, Cross Covenant Church. 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, Ryan Biles, Matt Cordell, Michael Florence (absent), Koy Butler, and Suzette Elmore City Attorney Ginger Stuart Police Chief Matt Edwards W/S/S Supt. Jim Kelley C.C. Director Mike Brown Fire Dept. Justin Wittenberg Parks Director Roy Don Lewis Community Dev. Bill Blankenship News Media Rick Kron, The Leader Visitors Jeff Lingo, Jacob Taylor, Gina Wiertelak, Jim Wiertelak, Darrell Cox, Thomas Cunningham, Gary Padget, Wendell Moore, Anna McClung, Jim Bailey, Deborah Moore, John Tackett, Russell Ivy, Lynanne Ivy, Karen Dill, Gene Eagle, Mike Jones, Gary Elmore, Don Bailey and Cindy Reaves MINUTES: Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the February 10th. Efrem Jones made a Motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Jeff Lingo and Jacob Taylor were present to discuss concerns regarding the new city Sidewalks. They talked about the drainage being very poor, communication, and contingency plan. Mr. Jeff Lingo, lives on Lincoln Street. Mr. Lingo gave a presentation regarding the sidewalk’s in town. First, he wanted to explain he was not at the council meeting to bash anything the city has done. He would like the city of Lonoke to express when they plan to work on the property. Mr. Lingo had slide/pictures showing the drainage issue. He explained to the council he has put several thousands of dollars into the issue, he doesn’t want to continue to do so while the drainage is an issue on his property. After he has done research, he would hope that the culverts can have more maintenance. His expectation is for his Page 1 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 9, 2020 property to look just as, or better than before the project started. Also, he mentioned yards leveled and sodded, along with the drain issues fixed or much improved. Also, he would like any issues with sidewalks cracking, or trees dying due to roots being cut. Mr. Lingo believes if there were more communication regarding the projects. Mayor Reed thanked Mr. Lingo and told him he would get back with him through an email. Mayor Reed mentioned that the city can do a better job on communication with property owners. Mayor Reed mentioned that the water department plans to have a “mass text” messaging system to get communication out to property owners. 2022 Executive Board Report – Anna McClung was present and gave an update on Lonoke 2022 Report. She presented minutes from the previous committee meetings. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Matt Edwards was present and gave report. Chief Edwards mentioned that the total billed to immigration and Probation/Parole was a total of $10,380.00. Chief Edwards mentioned That the radars have come in and being installed. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Mr. Bill Blankenship was present and gave a report. He mentioned that three unsafe notices were posted on homes and letter sent out to the property owners at 318 England Street; 719 S. Center, and 317 Harrison. Mr. Blankenship mentioned that these property owners have until March 15th to respond or the city will continue with the condemnation process. Mr. Blankenship also mentioned there were also 5 (five) certificates of occupancy that have been issued. Mr. Blankenship also mentioned that Access Medical plans have been approved and construction should begin within the next 30 days. Mr. Blankenship also went over the animal control report. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Justin Whittenburg was present and gave report. Mayor Reed mentioned that Mr. Whittenburg is planning to do an education regarding the coronavirus. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was present and gave report. Mr. Lewis mentioned how well the concession stand is progressing. Mr. Lewis had a proposal for the Lonoke Ballpark and Concession & Restrooms, from Key Builders, Inc. out of Cabot, Ar. The proposal is to add approximately 1,784 square feet of concrete sidewalk. The total additional cost is $9,993.95. Mr. Lewis mentioned he would like to do this, for elderly and handicap to get around easier. Efrem Jones made a motion to add this to the ballpark. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. Activities going on this month Health Checks from Baptist Health, Drivers Tests, Pickleball instruction class. Mr. Brown also mentioned he plans to start up a golf program. Also, Mr. Brown mentioned some activities going on for spring break, which includes swim lessons, basketball camps and a movie day. Suzette Elmore wanted to let Mr. Brown know that he has done an outstanding job getting children and families involved. Mayor Reed has explained to the council that the pool pac will be tabled, until the city has more information regarding the project. Page 2 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 9, 2020 PUBLIC WORKS (Water & Street/Animal Control)- Mr. Kelley was present and gave report. Mr. Kelley wanted to thank Mr. Lingo for coming to the council and giving his concerns regarding the sidewalk and drainage issues. A. Purchase of Bed for New Work Truck- Mr. Kelley had 3 (three) quotes for the purchase of a new utility bed for the truck. A state bid for $6,950.00. This bid is from Steve Landers CDJ Ram Toyota Kia. A quote from Arrowhead Truck Equipment from Bixby, OK. for a total of $8,160.00. Another bid from Silver Moon Trailers from Jonesboro, Ar. for a total of $7,270.00. Raymond Hatton made a motion to purchase the bed from Steve Landers. Matt Cordell seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Request to sell old water meters by Sealed bid- Mr. Kelley would like to start a seal bid process on old water meters. Koy Butler made a motion to go forth with the sealed bids. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Approval of Change order #3- Diamond Construction Co., Sewer Phase II, Schedule A- Bond Consulting Engineers East, Inc. from Marion, Ar. gave a change order for the contractor Diamond Construction Co. to reconcile bid items in contract. The cost will be $ 205,698.68. Ryan Biles made a motion to accept the change order. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Ryan Biles mentioned there have been several change orders for this project. Mr. Kelly mentioned that there have been added costs, and some costs that were not used. This was the difference. No other discussion needed. Motion carried. BUDGET AND FINANCE – Treasure Phillip Howell was present and gave a report. A. Resolution No. 3-1-2020: A resolution amending the 2019 operating budget for the fiscal year 2019; Appropriating the various amounts herein; and for other purposes Efrem Jones made a motion to put Res. 3-1-2020 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read the resolution and its entirety. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the 1st reading. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: No old business NEW BUSINESS: A. Economic Developer Contract- A contract that the city of Lonoke will enter into an agreement with Gene Eagle Consulting LLC to provide economic development consulting services and help with projects. Mayor Reed asked the council to bring this forth the council until April. B. Ordinance # 760- “Approval for Grumpy Rabbit Private Club License”- Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ordinance #760 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read the ordinance and its entirety. Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ord. #760 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 760 in its entirety. Suzette Elmore made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 760. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Ryan Biles abstained himself from the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand Page 3 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 9, 2020 votes. Suzette Elmore made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Ryan Biles abstained himself from the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 760- title only- 2nd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 760. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Ryan Biles abstained himself from the motion. Motion carried with (6) hand votes. Efrem Jones made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Ryan Biles abstained himself from the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 760- title only – 3rd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 3rd reading- title only Ordinance No. 760. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Ryan Biles abstained himself from the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Efrem Jones made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Ryan Biles abstained himself from the motion. Motion carried. Koy Butler made a motion to adopt an emergency clause. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ryan Biles abstained from the motion. C. Ordinance #761- “S/T Financing thru FSB for Concession Stand”- An Ordinance Authorizing the city of Lonoke, Ar. to obtain financing from FSB for the completion of the restrooms and concessions- Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ordinance #761 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read the ordinance and its entirety. Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ord. #761 on the floor. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 761 in its entirety. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 761. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Efrem Jones made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Ryan Biles abstained himself from the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 759- title only- 2nd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 761. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) hand votes. Efrem Jones made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 761- title only – 3rd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 3rd reading- title only Ordinance No. 761. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Ryan Biles made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. D. Resolution 3-2-2020- “Resolution of support for Main Street Arkansas Program”- Koy Butler made a motion to put Res. 3-2-2020 on the floor. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. Koy Butler Made a motion to accept the 1st reading. Efrem Jones Seconded the motion. Motion carried. E. Request of Sell Extra Tables and Chairs by sealed bid- Mayor Reed is asking to sell 40 or 45 tables. and several chairs. Mayor mentioned that the city does not have any use for them. Mayor Reed asked for the sealed bid. Matt Cordell made a motion to have the bid process starts. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. F. Ordinance 762- “Ordinance Establishing a Video service fee”- Koy Butler made a motion to put Ordinance 762 on the floor. Matt Cordell seconded the motion. Motion carried. Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ord. #762 on the floor. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart Page 4 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 9, 2020 read Ordinance No. 762 in its entirety. Matt Cordell made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 762. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 762- title only- 2nd reading. Matt Cordell made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 762. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 762- title only – 3rd reading. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 3rd reading- title only Ordinance No. 762. Raymond seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. PAY THE BILLS: Koy Butler made a motion to pay bills. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor Reed mentioned that April 1st, 2020 is census day. He encouraged everyone in the community to reach out and express the importance of the census. Gina W. was present and mentioned she has boards of the upcoming restaurant available for the council and public to take a look at. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN FEBRUARY 2020 City General $92,388.67 Water $41,699.19 Street $100,339.71 Community Center $19,207.00 Retail One Cent $964.51 Criminal Justice $1,372.23 Water/Sewer Revenue $4.00 Court Automation $5,546.80 BILLS TO BE PAID IN MARCH 2020 General Fund $265,936.77 Water $19,590.95 Street $12,398.35 Court Automation $663.00 Page 5 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 9, 2020 Criminal Justice $498.12 Community Center 7,733.42 ADJOURN: Suzette Elmore made a motion to adjourn. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk Page 6 of 6