City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 8, 2021 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting through internet livestream video via zoom application at 6:00 p.m. on Monday March 8, 2021. Mayor Trae Reed called the meeting to order with the invocation given by Pastor Freddie McCann, New Bethel Baptist 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 (absent), Alice Bridges, Raymond Hatton, Ryan Biles, Kelly Rather, 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. Jeremy Gosdin Economic Dev. Gene Eagle News Media None present Visitors Chris Flores, Trip Denton, Chuck Denton, Deborah Moore, Anna McClung, and Cindy Reaves MINUTES: Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the February 8, 2021 minutes. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Michael Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor Reed asked for acceptance of the March 1,2021 special meeting minutes. Alice Bridges made a motion. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Trip Denton and Mr. Chuck Denton, both from Cellular Data Solutions, were present and spoke about the Wi-Fi solution that they have implemented with the City of Little Rock in their parks. They explained that the free Wi-Fi access also is provided to the residents in the city as well. Some councilmen had some questions regarding this subject. 2022 Executive Board Report – Anna McClung and Chris Flores were present and gave report. Chris Flores mentioned all of the activities that are set in place for the month of March. There will be another cleanup event in March. There will also be an April 10th event, this will be at the LR Zoo and cleanup this area. After the event there will be a ribbon cutting for the Tesla Car area. Page 1 of 4  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 8, 2021 LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY- Deborah Moore was present and provided a Calendar of Monthly Activities. Ms. Moore also gave a report regarding the other activities that has been going on at the library. Economic Development Report: Mr. Gene Eagle was present and gave report. He mentioned the projects going on at the “new” Remington and also the new info regarding Amazon. Mr. Eagle was able to speak with the congressmen regarding the great things that are headed Lonoke’s way. Mayor Reed asked Mr. Eagle what a work shed is. Mr. Eagle was able to explain that this process is to have others available to come to work in Lonoke. Mr. Eagle hopes in the future we will have many workforce opportunities in Lonoke. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Mr. Jeremy Gosdin was present and gave a report. He went over animal rescue and code enforcement issues. He mentioned that the permit activity was slow, he does feel this reason is the weather that Lonoke had in February. Mr. Gosdin did mention that the city is on track for condemnation reports. PUBLIC WORKS (Water & Street/Animal Control)- Mr. Kelley was present and gave report and updates. Mr. Kelley mentioned that he does plan to pursue a place to open up a leaf and limb location to dispose of. He plans to have more information for the council at the next meeting. 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 $8,194.00. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was present and gave report. Mr. Lewis mentioned that there are games being played at the ballpark. He did ask that all councilmen/women get the word out that signups are still going on. Mr. Lewis did mention that the city is preparing for mosquito season. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. He did mention that there will be youth tennis available, soccer, and other games for kids during Spring Break 2021. A. Purchase of Inflatable for Pool Area- Mr. Brown mentioned he would like to purchase an inflatable for the pool. He has two quotes. Once from Commercial Recreation Specialists from Verona, WI for a total of $10,045.71. This is the quote he would like to use. The other quote from Recreonics, Inc. from Louisville, KY is for $11,980.00. Koy Butler made a motion to go with the inflatable pool playground with the less amount. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Justin Whittenburg was present and gave report. No action items. OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: Page 2 of 4  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 8, 2021 A. Resolution 3-1-2021- “A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2020 OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020; APPROPRIATING THE VARIOUS AMOUNTS HEREIN; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” - Treasure Phillip Howell mentioned that the Fire Department and Criminal Justice both seem to be in the red a little, however they are in great shape. Also, the ballpark had a tough 2020 year regarding Covid-19. The City of Lonoke is optimistic that 2021 will help recover 2020. Michael Florence made a motion to put Res. 3-1-2021 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Res. 3-1-2021 in its entirety. Efrem Jones made a motion to accept the 1st reading. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Planning Commission Vacancy- A recommendation was made by the Mayor to appoint Ryan Biles to the Lonoke Planning Commission to replace Adam Justice who resigned last month. Michael Florence made a motion to allow Ryan Biles to serve on this committee. Kelly Rather seconded the motion. Ryan Biles abstained from the vote. Motion carried. C. Parking Study by Crafton Tull- Mayor Reed mention that the public parking spaces is an issue in the city of Lonoke. Mayor feels the city needs to have more parking strips and walking areas. Based on the maps the project would be public parking designation and configuration within public rights of way in downtown Lonoke. Ryan Biles made a motion to go forward with this renovation for $10,000.00. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. D. Ordinance #777- “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF AN INSTALLMENT FINANCING AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE ACQUISITION, PURCHASE AND FINANCING OF CERTAIN ENERGY EFFICIENCY EQUIPMENT AND RELATED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT PURSUANT TO ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT 89; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH; DESIGNATING THE INSTALLMENT FINANCING AGREEMENT AS A QUALIFIED TAX EXEMPT OBLIGATION; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND AUTHORIZING THE TAKING OF ALL OTHER ACTIONS NECESSARY TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS ORDINANCE”- Raymond Hatton made a motion to put Ord. #777 on the floor. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 777 in its entirety. Raymond Hatton made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 777. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried with (8) aye hand votes. Ryan Biles made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried with (8) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 777- title only- 2nd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 777. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (8) hand votes. Ryan Biles made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried with (8) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 777- title only – 3rd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 3rd reading- title only Ordinance No. 777. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (8) aye hand votes. Raymond Hatton made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Suzette Elmore Page 3 of 4  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 8, 2021 seconded the motion. Motion carried with (8) aye hand votes. Michael Florence made a motion to adopt the Emergency Clause. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor Reed mentioned that he hopes to see that the Covid-19 protocols will allow the City Council to start to meeting in person. PAY THE BILLS: Ryan Biles made a motion to pay bills. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN FEBRUARY 2021 City General $53,123.62 Water $51,096.16 Street $16,548.63 Community Center $33,952.39 Retail One Cent $502.84 Criminal Justice $886.95 I.D.C. One Cent $2,000.00 Court Automation $4,960.70 Advertising Promotion $59.35 Tax Clearing Fund $168,177.34 BILLS TO BE PAID IN MARCH 2021 General Fund $11,698.17 Water $16,876.90 Street $14,540.11 Court Automation $607.75 Community Center $1,874.34 Criminal Justice $420.57 Retail One Cent $45.31 ADJOURN: Suzette Elmore made a motion to adjourn. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk Page 4 of 4