City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 9, 2021 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at Lonoke City Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Monday August 9, 2021. Mayor Trae Reed called the meeting to order with the invocation given by Pastor Jimmy Wallace, retired pastor LBC. 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 (absent), Alice Bridges (absent), Raymond Hatton, Ryan Biles, 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 (absent) Evan Jacobs was present Community Dev. Jeremy Gosdin Economic Dev. Gene Eagle News Media Rick Kron Visitors: Rachel Whittenburg, Jacob Whittenburg, Jim Von Tungeln, Bill Coley, Mike Jones, Will Whitaker, Chad Shafer, Tanner Shafer, Eddie Stivers, Robert Pack, Walker Bevill, Jared Skillern, Adam Starks, Tanner Starks, Trace Starks, Ashley Starks, Tucker Starks, Mitch Lewis, Karen Dill, Jay Cheshire, Aaron Ruby, Becky Bransford-Paxton, Bill Paxton and Cindy Reaves MINUTES: Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the July 12th minutes. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor asked for acceptance of the public hearing meeting minutes on July 12th. Koy Butler Made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion carried. Mayor asked for the acceptance of the July 12th public hearing minutes. Mayor asked for the acceptance of the July 22nd Condemnation minutes. Raymond Hatton made a motion to accept the minutes. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Awards for Meritorious Service by Mayor Reed. Mayor Reed explained to the council that on July 12th, 2021 a child was stuck in a culvert underwater with many first responders and a citizen Adam Starks were able to rescue the child. Awards were given for their help. 2022 Executive Board Report – Anna McClung was present and gave report. LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY- no action Page 1 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 9, 2021 Economic Development Report: Mr. Gene Eagle was present and gave report. Mr. Eagle introduced Mr. Jay Cheshire from the Little Rock Chamber. Mr. Cheshire does believe that he will help Lonoke and the real estate. Mr. Cheshire is here to explain that the City of Lonoke cannot grow unless there is necessary infrastructure and also mitigating certain risk. Mr. Cheshire would like to see the City of Lonoke and the LR chamber come together and work together. PUBLIC WORKS (Water & Street/Animal Control)- Mr. Kelley was present and gave report and updates. 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 $11,002.00. A. Tele-Coin Contract for Commissary Sales- Chief Edwards asked for the council to approve a contract with Tele-Con. The PD does get a 15% commission for taking part of this contract. Koy Butler made a motion to approve the 4-year contract. Michael Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was absent. Evan Jacobs gave a report regarding mosquitos. Also, Mr. Jacobs mentioned fall ball, soccer and softball signups going on. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Justin Whittenburg was present and gave report. Mr. Whittenburg introduced Sparky to the council. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. He mentioned the events in August are Baptist Health checks, Sr. 101. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Mr. Jeremy Gosdin was present and gave report. A. Quotes to replace dart gun for Animal Control- A quote from Pneu-Dart, Williamsport, PA for $2,220.4. A quote from Heritage Animal Health, Hawarden, IA for $2,221.05. A quote from Animal Care Equipment and Services, LLC Broomfield, CO for $2,254.20. Koy Butler made a motion to approve the quote from Pneu-Dart. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: (None) NEW BUSINESS: A. 6-Month Budget numbers- Mayor Reed mentioned that the budget numbers are in good condition. He did mention that the water loss is the main focus that the council needs to focus on. Ryan Biles made a motion to approve the 6-month budget numbers. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Revival Architecture Contract – Phase 2 and 3 for depot- Mr. Aaron Ruby, Revival Architecture was present and gave a report regarding the contract for the depot. Mayor Reed mentioned that the contract needs to be updated and would like the council to enter into phase 2 and 3 with Revival Page 2 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 9, 2021 Architecture. Koy Butler made amotion to approve the contract. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Resolution 8-1-2021- “A Resolution to Repeal the Party Primary for Municipal Elections”- Koy Butler made a motion to put Res. 8-1-2021 on the floor. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Res. 8-1-2021 and its entirety. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the 1st reading. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed Motion carried. D. Ordinance #780- “An Ordinance to Repeal Ord 732 regarding the filing of petitions for nomination as Independent Candidates for Municipal Office” Koy Butler made a motion to put Ord. #780 on the floor. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 780 in its entirety. Raymond Hatton made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.780. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 780- title only- 2nd reading. Ryan Biles made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 780. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 780- title only – 3rd reading. Ryan Biles made the motion to accept the 3rd reading- title only Ordinance No. 780. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye hand votes. Michael Florence made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye hand votes. Koy Butler made a motion to adopt the Emergency Clause. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. E. Ordinance # 781 “An Ordinance Amending the UDC – Adding Community Gardens and Solar Panel guidelines”. Koy Butler made a motion to put Ord. #781 on the floor. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 781 in its entirety. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.780. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 781- title only- 2nd reading. Ryan Biles made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 781. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 781- title only – 3rd reading. Ryan Biles made the motion to accept the 3rd reading- title only Ordinance No. 781. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye hand votes. Raymond Hatton made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried with (5) aye hand votes. Ryan Biles made a motion to adopt the Emergency Clause. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Page 3 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 9, 2021 F. New Ordinances The council instructed Ginger Stuart to construct ordinances for Speed Humps, Street Lighting, Mobile Vendors and to amend ordinance 581 to include a 150’ Grass Buffer. These will be brought to the September meeting. G. Alderman Vacancy Ward 1- (Executive Session) City Council requested an executive session to review and consider the candidates requesting to fill the Ward 1 vacancy. When the council returned to regular session, the mayor made the announcement that the action taken during the executive session was that Gib Richardson was chosen to be the new alderman fulfilling the remainder of the term for Ward 1. Announcements- Bill Paxton was present and gave the council so great insight regarding what he and his wife feel they can bring to Lonoke. Mr. Paxton mentioned he like to ride and walk daily all or parts of the paved trail on the old railroad bed between Lonoke Storage and the National Guard Armory. He and his wife Becky are dedicated to public service. They would like to do something such as a volunteer to adopt the trail for little cleanup. This cleanup would include the trail and surrounding area, and include the north shoulder of Highway 70. The Paxton’s would like to contribute to future management and development by providing planning and other Mr. Paxton wants the blessing for approval from the council to help and volunteer. PAY THE BILLS: Koy Butler made a motion to pay bills. Michael Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN JULY 2021 City General $61,050.48 Water $30,565.15 Street $17,272.13 Community Center $37,788.05 Retail One Cent $776.21 Criminal Justice $810.08 Tax Clearing Fund $454,371.28 IDC One Cent $109.99 BILLS TO BE PAID IN AUGUST 2021 General Fund $17,774.60 Water $13,351.33 Street $15,813.31 Court Automation $386.75 Community Center $4,188.59 Criminal Justice $170.59 Page 4 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 9, 2021 ADJOURN: Ryan Biles made a motion to adjourn. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk Page 5 of 5