City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 13, 2020 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting through internet livestream video via zoom application at 6:00 p.m. on Monday April 13, 2020. Mayor Trae Reed called the meeting to order with the invocation given by 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, Ryan Biles, Matt Cordell, Michael Florence, 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. News Media Rick Kron, The Leader Visitors Steve Murphy, Randy Mauk, Deborah Moore, Gene Eagle, Cindy Reaves MINUTES Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the March 9, 2020 minutes. Alice Bridges made a Motion to accept the minutes as read. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor Reed asked for the acceptance of the Special meeting minutes from April 3, 2020. Michael Florence made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Matt Cordell seconded the motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Randy Mauk, last chief of police, gave a report in undisclosed location. Mayor Reed asked him to give a report regarding how Covid-19 has impacted his current conditions. Mr. Mauk mentioned that his homecoming has been put on hold. He isn’t sure when he will get to come home. He mentioned he hopes to come home soon. 1 2022 Executive Board Report – Anna McClung was present and gave an update on Lonoke 2022 Report. She presented minutes from the previous committee meetings. PUBLIC WORKS (Water & Street/Animal Control)- Mr. Kelley was present and gave report. Most of the contractors have been put on hold due to Covid-19. The sidewalk project has continued. Mr. Kelley mentioned that he plans to sign off on all the projects before the sidewalk project is complete. A. Approval of Sealed Bids to Sell old water meters: Mr. Kelley had to water meter bids. The first bid from Brian Stevens, Hazlehurst MS. For a total of $3,879.00. The other bed from MermaX Metals, Brooklyn, OH. For a total of $4,000.00. Michael Florence made a motion to accept the higher bid. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. 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 $9,660.00. No action needed. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Nothing to report. Daniel Sallinger has been hired in Mr. Blankenship’s position. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Justin Whittenburg was present and gave report. No action needed. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was present and gave report. Mr. Lewis mentioned how well the concession stand is progressing, the plans should be wrapping up soon. The concession stand is running a little late due to Covid-19. The state commissioner has explained to Mr. Lewis that there will be baseball played regarding the time. Mr. Lewis mentioned he would like to purchase 11,000 gallons of mineral oil for the total of $6,545.00. The purchase is from Rodney Sims. (not sure the name of the co.) Alice Bridges made a motion to purchase to purchase the oil. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. Mr. Brown mentioned to the council that the community center has been closed for the month of March, due to Covid-19. He mentioned that all membership has been frozen and there will be membership credits when they are able to re-open. OLD BUSINESS: A. Update on Franchise Fee Review Contract. Due to Covid-19, this has been put on hold until a later date. 2 NEW BUSINESS: A. Economic Developer Contract- This contract is with Gene Eagle Consulting, LLC. This contract has a 12- month position, Mr. Eagle will give a monthly report, Mr. Eagle will keep up with what others cities has set this position up. Mr. Eagle has several goals set that involves a five-year plan. The city will pay Gene Eagle $12,000.00. Mayor Reed believes this is a great deal for our community. Michael Florence made a motion to accept this contract for services. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. After some discussion, many questions from Suzette Elmore, she mentioned she looks forward to the future and working together with Gene Eagle. Motion carried. Mayor Reed mentioned this is one of the top three approach that he would like to see our community work on. B. Request to Sell Extra Tables and Chairs by sealed bid with min bid of $250.00: Mayor Reed mentioned that the city of Lonoke Water Department is accepting sealed bids on the “lot” of used tables and chairs. The lot includes (35) burgundy fabric stackable chairs, (8) Burgundy fabric desk chairs with arms and (40) 24’x72” Flip Flop tables. Items may be viewed in person by appearing at the city hall in Lonoke. Bids will be opened at 10:30am April 7, 2020 at Lonoke City Hall. Koy Butler made a motion to sell these items. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Kirk Street/S. Center Culverts: Mayor Reed mentioned that this is reference to improvements on Kirk Street and Center Street. Kirk Street would be a total estimated construction cost of $41,600.00. Center Street would be a total estimate cost of $22,970.00. Both of the cost is from Bond Consulting Engineering East, Inc. Marion Ark. The total cost is $64,570.00 which will be paid out of the Water/Sewer Revenue Fund. Matt Cordell asked Mr. Jim Kelley if he would be in on the operation with this issue. Mr. Kelley mentioned that the city does not have the equipment to work this project. Koy Butler made a motion to start the process. Matt Cordell seconded the motion. Motion carried. D. MLRA Contract Renewal: Mayor Reed asked the council to pay the invoice for the metro Little Rock Alliance. The total is $2,563.00. Mayor Reed mentioned this has been a great benefit for Lonoke. Koy Butler made a motion to pay the invoice. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. E. “OTC” (Online Travel Company) Litigation Suit: Thrash Law Firm called Lonoke City and mentioned that the city of Lonoke could have had some money that has been lost, due to the hotels and other travel companies. Ginger Stuart mentioned that this is basically a lawsuit that is spread out throughout Arkansas and Lonoke could benefit. Mayor Reed mentioned that there is no cost to the city. Michael Florence made a motion to go forth with this litigation suit. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. PAY THE BILLS: Matt Cordell made a motion to pay bills. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. 3 BILLS ALREADY PAID IN MARCH 2020 City General $265,853.43 Water $30,383.82 Street $83,609.39 Community Center $19,476.60 Retail One Cent $777,61 Criminal Justice $302.50 BILLS TO BE PAID IN APRIL 2020 General Fund $14,846.79 Water $31,275.12 Street $10,061.50 Court Automation $663.00 Criminal Justice $141.39 Community Center 7,480.75 ADJOURN: Matt Cordell made a motion to adjourn. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk 4