City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2022 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at the multiple building at 6:00 p.m. on Monday March 14, 2022. Mayor Trae Reed called the meeting to order with the invocation given Pastor Freddie McCann. 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, Gib Richardson, Michael Florence (absent), Koy Butler, and Suzette Elmore City Attorney Ginger Stuart Police Chief Matt Edwards W/S/S Supt. Thomas Stivers C.C. Director Mike Brown Fire Dept. Justin Whittenburg Parks Director Roy Don Lewis Community Dev. Jeremy Gosdin Economic Dev. Gene Eagle News Media absent Visitors Tasha Terry, Austin Petty, Jay Whisker, Freddie McCann, Hannah Harris, Walter Willis, Wayne Rathbun, Alyssa Frisby, Mildred Jones, Mike Jones, Evelyn Bryant, Kathleen Ashmore and Cindy Reaves MINUTES: Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the February 14,2022 regular meeting minutes. Efrem Jones made A motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton Seconded the motion. Motion carried. 2022 Executive Board Report – Alyssa Frisby was present and gave report. Mrs. Frisby explained the events in 2022. Founders Day on 501 Day- Sunday May 1st LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY- Kathleen Ashmore was present and explained all the events for the library system. Calendar of Activities Included. Economic Development Report: Mr. Gene Eagle was present and gave report. Mr. Eagle went explained that there have been some planning grants that have come up and this will bring in experts to help Lonoke grow. Page 1 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2022 COMMUNITY CENTER- Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. A. Purchase of Lift Chair for Pool- Mr. Brown asked to purchase a lift chair and installation for the pool from Clarity Pools for a total of $6,689.16. Koy Butler made a motion to purchase the chair. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Mr. Jeremy Gosdin was present and gave report. A. Mr. Gosdin had an update from the property owner for 216 Frank T Bunton. The owner feels at this time there has a lot accomplished and continues to do the work needed. B. Ordinance #789- “An ordinance to amend ordinance 400 to allow microchipping as an Alternative to have city licenses for dogs and cats, amending ord. 679 to change animal licensing fee, requiring all dogs and cats that are adopted or reclaimed to be microchipped or licensed”. (After some discussion the Ordinance has been deferred until next month) FIRE DEPARTMENT: Justin Whittenburg was present and gave report. PUBLIC WORKS (Water & Street/Animal Control)- Mr. Thomas Stivers were present and gave report and updates. A. Repair/Purchase of Pump at Rosemary Lift Station- 1.) Water Plant- One of the pumps at the water plant was repaired by Tencarva at a cost of approximately $6,500.00. 2.) Rosemary Lift Station- The generator at the Lift Station on Rosemary was not working properly and repairs are finished by Caterpillar at a cost of approximately $4,500.00. 3.) Rosemary Lift Station- Mr. Stivers mentioned that the Rosemary Lift Station pumps need repaired or replaced. The cost to repair is $5,629.04. The cost to replace the pump has been quoted by Tencarva for a total of $9,972.24. Suzette Elmore made a motion to replace a new pump. 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 Probation/Parole was a total of $4,704. A. Cars- Chief Edwards informed the council that the cars that were ordered a few months ago have arrived. Chief Edwards mentioned that the Police Department is still waiting on the equipment to be shipped. B. Kenwood Radios- Chief Edwards asked to purchase 4 handheld radios and 4 mobile radios (in car). He mentioned that there are problems with the radio’s the police department has presently. He received a quote from Smith two-way radio for $19,186.71. Koy Butler made a motion to purchase the items. Efrem Jones seconded. C. Bill of Sale for “Lea” - Chief Edwards also has enclosed a contract with the Lonoke County SO in reference to the sale of K-9 Lea. The contract is for $7,500.00. Efrem Jones made a motion to sale K- 9 Lea to the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Dept. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Page 2 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2022 D. Koy Butler mentioned to Chief Edwards regarding the equipment that is required to be used for a K-9. Chief Edwards mentioned that he would be welcomed to sell the equipment due to the fact the city may not have a K-9 unit in the near future. The mayor asked the council to allow Matt to explore options and present options for a future meeting. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was present and gave report. A. Approval of Additional Mosquito Truck Fees - Mr. Lewis mentioned that the truck that was originally voted in Feb. 2022 for $22,620.00 is no longer available. Mr. Lewis mentioned that the vendor did have a vehicle on the lot that has additional features that would push the cost above the approved amount. Mr. Lewis is asking the council to approve an additional $1,270.00 that covers the power windows/door locks and $350 for the towing package. The total price increase is $1,620.00. Koy Butler made a motion to increase the cost for the truck. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: A. FEMA Drainage Study Update- Jay Whisker and Austin Petty with McClelland Engineers were present and gave an extensive report. Thomas Stivers was able to help the council with what needs to happen in order. Ryan Biles mentioned that with the precise information that has been given to the council, there should be a good way for the city of Lonoke to work through and understand what part of the city needs to be worked on first. The city of Lonoke is flat and has a lot of water that doesn’t leave the city quick. Mr. Petty explained that the city has a lot of work to complete for this problem to resolve. Jay Whisker mentioned that the city of Lonoke can possibly work getting grants. B. Solar Project Update- Walter Wills from McKinstry was present and gave a presentation. Mr. Wills mentioned that there is a possibly better way to get the solar panels on the ground south of the Community Center. Mr. Wills asked the council to switch from the 537 kW-DC (original design to the 621 kW-DC Increased Design. This change would subsidize the City for the lost savings due to the inability to get the VFD portion of the project to work correctly on the lift stations. Gib Richardson made a motion to accept the change the design. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Wills gave the council some options regarding the utility interconnection point. Option #1 Running overhead lines all the way to the array, mounting the Transformers on the pole and then running underground to the solar contractor provided CT cabinet. Option #2 Utility interconnection to be run underground the entire distance. This will provide better aesthetics with cleaner viewsheds, lower impact on recreation/events, resiliency and space utilization. This would be an added cost of $33,186.00. Option #3, run overhead until about 50’ from the solar array and drop down underground to new pad mount Transformer. The added cost is $10,234. Gib Richardson made a motion to approve option 2. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Koy Butler, Suzette Elmore, Efrem Jones, Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion did not pass. Ryan Biles made a motion to move to do some further study to utilize Hwy. 70 underground. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried. Page 3 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2022 C. RFP Response for Grant Admin Services for ARPA Grant Funds- CAPDD was on the only entity to present a proposal to be the grant administrator at a cost of no more than $18,000. Ryan Biles made a motion to pass. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried. D. Answer provided by ARML regarding use of W/S funds to other uses- no action taken NEW BUSINESS: A. Resolution 3-1-2022- Amend Final Operating Budget- Koy Butler made a motion to put the Res. On the floor. Ginger Stuart read the Resolution and its entirety. Efrem Jones made a motion to accept the first reading. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Raymond Hatton opposed. B. Ordinance 790- “An Ordinance Amending ordinances 267 and 555 allowing a city official to conduct business with the city”- Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ord. #790 on the floor. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 790 in its entirety. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.790. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed. 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. Motion carried with (7) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 790- title only- 2nd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 790. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) hand votes. Efrem Jones made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 790- title only – 3rd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 3rd reading-title only Ordinance No. 790. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Efrem Jones made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Efrem Jones made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Koy Butler seconded the motion carried. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried. C. Ordinance 791 “An ordinance Amending Ordinances 267 and 555 Allowing a city Official to conduct business with the city”- Efrem Jones made a motion to put Ord. #791 on the floor. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 791 in its entirety. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.791. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed. 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. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 791- title only- 2nd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 791. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) hand votes. Efrem Jones made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 791- title only – 3rd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 3rd reading-title only Ordinance No. 791. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Efrem Jones made a motion to adopt the Page 4 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2022 ordinance. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Efrem Jones made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Alice Bridges seconded the motion carried. Raymond Hatton opposed. Motion carried. D. Removal of fixed assets- Koy Butler made the motion to remove the fixed assets. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. PAY THE BILLS: Koy Butler made a motion to pay bills. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN FEBRUARY 2022 City General $126,774.89 Water $33,132.14 Street $34,582.34 Community Center $16,392.96 Retail One Cent $7,803.43 Criminal Justice $1,002.58 I.D.C One Cent $3,934.00 Water/Sewer Revenue $34,201.23 Advertising Promotion $14.18 BILLS TO BE PAID MARCH 2022 General Fund $30,329.21 Water $2,860.53 Street $10,51.57 Court Automation $388,50 Community Center $2,928.46 Criminal Justice $622.36 American Rescue Plan $606.02 ADJOURN: Koy Butler made a motion to adjourn. Gib Richardson seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk Page 5 of 5