City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 14, 2021 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at Lonoke City Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Monday June 14, 2021. 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 Deputy Clerk Regina Ibbotson Council Members Efrem Jones, Alice Bridges, Raymond Hatton, Ryan Biles, Kelly Rather, Michael Florence, Koy Butler (late), 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 (absent) Economic Dev. Gene Eagle News Media Rick Kron Visitors Joyce Jones, Anna McClung, Evan Jacobs, Val Turner, Wayne Rathbun, Deborah Moore, Mildred Brown, Fredrick Roberts and Cindy Reaves MINUTES Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the May 10th minutes. Efrem Jones made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Kelly Rather seconded the motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Joyce Jones was present; she is concerned with the continued mosquito problem in the City of Lonoke, she is concerned the water drainage problems are the cause. She does realize that some of the ditches are possibly in the county. She would like to see the county and see come together and work on a solution. Raymond Hatton spoke up and gave an explanation. Mayor mentioned that the city has hired a firm to look into mosquitos. Mayor explained there will be a working session regarding this problem on Thursday night June 17th. 2022 Executive Board Report – Anna McClung was present and gave report. Economic Development Report: Mr. Gene Eagle was present and gave report. Koy Butler joined the meeting. LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY- Deborah Moore was present and gave the council a calendar of Monthly Activities for the month. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT- Gene Eagle was present and gave a report. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was present and gave report. Mr. Lewis announced Evan Jacobs as his new assistance. Mr. Jacobs explained that he is working on July 2nd activities. Mr. Lewis mentioned that the ballpark is doing great. A. Larvicide Bids- Roy Don Lewis had a bid sheet. The two bidders are Veresis, Dallas TX for $35,066.07. The other bid from Clarke Mosquito, St. Charles IL for $35,066.07. Michael Florence made a motion to go with Clarke Mosquito. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Source well Quote for Kubota UTV for Mosquito- The total cost is $11,922.18. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the bid. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. City Hall Sign- Mr. Lewis mentioned that he had two quotes to have the pole put in concrete in the ground and run electricity, this is for the old city hall neon sign. Justice Electric Service gave a quote for $6,480.00. Another quote from Zach Eaves and Matt Short to do the same thing for $5,700.00. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the low bid with Zach Eaves and Matt Short. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Justin Whittenburg was present and gave report. A. Quote to outfit new fire chief’s vehicle- Mr. Whittenburg had 2 quotes. One from Arkansas Valley Communications for a total of $10,833.57. The other quote from Dana Safety Supply, Inc. for a total of $10,442.00. Koy Butler made a motion to go with Dana Safety Supply, Inc. Kelly Rather seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. HE mentioned the events in July were a ping pong tournament, tennis clinic, swim lessons, also covid vaccinations. A. Quotes for purchase of New Floor Cleaning Machine- The cleaner he has now continues to break and he would like to purchase a new cleaner instead of spending money to continue to get the present on fixed. Brown Janitor Supply quoted $4,143.75. Myers Chemical quoted $5,020.52. Tennant Company quoted $4939.00. Brown Janitors Supply has the low quote of $4,143.75. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the low bid from Brown’s Janitors Supply. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Mr. Jeremy Gosdin was absent. No action needed. PUBLIC WORKS (Water & Street/Animal Control)- Mr. Kelley was present and gave report and updates. No Action needed. 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 $11,948.00. A. SRO Contract Approval for 2021-2022 School Year- Chief Edwards would like for the council to approve the contract. Efrem Jones made a motion to accept the contract. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Fixed Assets to be auctioned off- Chief Edwards had a list for approval to sell property owned by the City of Lonoke, Police Department. Chief Edwards told the council these items would be sold through Govdeals.com and an accurate inventory of items will be provided to the council when sold. Koy Butler made a motion to start the process to sell the city property. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. OLD BUISNESS: no old business NEW BUISNESS: A. Local Fireman’s Pension Actuary Report- The council had the chance to look over the 2020 actuarial evaluation done by Osborn, Carreiro, and Associates, Inc. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the evaluation. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Arkansas Festival Events Association Membership- Michael Florence mentioned that he thinks being a part of this organization. There is an annual membership of $160.00. Ryan Biles made a motion for the expenditure. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Resolution 6-1-2021- “A Resolution to set a date for a public hearing on a petition to vacate an alley”- Raymond Hatton made a motion to put Res. 6-1-2021 on the floor. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Res. 6-1-2021 and its entirety. Michael Florence made a motion to accept the 1st reading. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. D. Resolution 6-2-2021- “A Resolution to set a date for a public hearing on a petition to vacate a portion of a street”- Efrem Jones made a motion to put Res. 6-2-2021 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Res. 6-2-2021 and its entirety. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the 1st reading. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. PAY THE BILLS: Koy Butler made a motion to pay bills. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN MAY 2021 City General $91,905.14 Water $338,699.72 Street $20,531.03 Community Center $11,142.81 Retail One Cent $27,376.93 Criminal Justice $1,538.01 Advertising Promotion $6.45 Court Automation $934.08 Tax Clearing Fund $1,541.47 BILLS TO BE PAID IN JUNE 2021 General Fund $39,112.36 Water $37,536.33 Street $7,180.94 Court Automation $704.45 Community Center $6,160.39 Criminal Justice $500.70 Retail One Cent $88.40 ADJOURN: Efrem Jones made a motion to adjourn. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk