City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 11, 2022 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at the municipal building at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2022. Mayor Trae Reed called the meeting to order with the invocation given Pastor Byron Calhoun. 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, Raymond Hatton, Ryan Biles, Gib Richardson (absent), Michael Florence, 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 Wittenberg Parks Director Roy Don Lewis Community Dev. Jeremy Gosdin Economic Dev. Gene Eagle News Media absent Visitors Byron Calhoun, Karen Dill, Hannah Harris, Craig Wilson, Ashley Reed, Wayne Rathbun, Aaron Ruby, Mike Jones, Kathleen Ashmore, Veronica Lilly, and Cindy Reaves MINUTES: Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the March 14,2022 regular meeting minutes. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor Reed asked for acceptance of the March 17th special minutes. Koy Butler made a motion to accept. 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. Page 1 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 11, 2022 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 thanked everyone on the council to fund the infrastructure program. Mr. Eagle mentioned there are several businesses in the works and he has plans to meet with the prospects soon. He also mentioned that the new owners with Remington have come on board to take part in the new business academy in Lonoke. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Mr. Jeremy Gosdin was present and gave report. A. 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”. Koy Butler made a motion to put Ord. #789 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 789 in its entirety. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.789. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Mike Florence made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 789- title only- 2nd reading. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 789. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) hand votes. Mike Florence made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 789- title only – 3rd reading. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 3rd reading-title only Ordinance No. 789. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Mike Florence made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Mike Florence made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Koy Butler seconded the motion carried. Motion carried. B. Ordinance #792- “An ordinance amending the Lonoke Unified Dev. Code- Koy Butler made a motion to put Ord. #792 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 792 in its entirety. Ryan Biles made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.792. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Mike Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 792- title only- 2nd reading. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 792. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Mike Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 792- title only – 3rd reading. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 3rd reading-title only Ordinance No. 792. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Ryan Biles made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Mike Florence made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Koy Butler seconded the motion carried. Motion carried. Page 2 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 11, 2022 FIRE DEPARTMENT: Justin Whittenburg was present and gave report. No Action needed. PUBLIC WORKS (Water & Street/Animal Control)- Mr. Thomas Stivers were present and gave report and updates. A. Chipper Truck Proposal- A proposal from Smart Ford in Malvern, Ar. for an F-550 cab and chassis truck to replace the chipper truck for $66,686.00. This process will require an ordinance to waive bids once the conversion is complete and the price is finalized. This truck would have to be financed through a bank which will also require an acceptance of rates and an ordinance for short-term financing. Alice Bridges made a motion to approve the quote presented and move forward with the process. Mike Florence 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 $4,320.00. A. Chief Edwards informed the council that Caption Holt has announced his retirement and his last day with the LPD will be April 14th, 2022. He has served the City of Lonoke for almost 22 years. Chief Edwards requested that the council allow him to keep his duty weapon, a Glock model 30 serial number BCUR738, as a thank you to the city. Koy Butler made a motion to gift the gun to Caption Holt. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Updated information regarding “Lea” and recommendations- During the finalization of Lea between the City and the County of Lonoke, the LCSO has discovered that Lea has heart worms. Since the approval of the sale, Lea has been with the LCSO handler for a bonding period until the sale was final. The handler took Lea to Dr. Durham where it was discovered she had heartworms. Chief Edwards has been in contact with the Sheriff and has advised that he would not be allowed to purchase Lea with her condition. Chief Edwards’ went over options regarding Lea. Chief feels that the city should pay for her care plan which will not be over $1,000.00, then donate Lea to the LCSO, she will be able to work “light duty”. Koy Butler made a motion to get the treatment she needs and donate Lea to the LCSO. Mike Florence seconded the motion. Motion carried. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was present and gave report. No action needed. COMMUNITY CENTER- Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. Mr. Brown mentioned all the events taking place. He also mentioned that the 20- year “reunion” of the Community Center is coming up and they plan to have a ceremony for this amazing event. A. Purchase of PEM Matting for Pool Deck- Mr. Brown mentioned that there needs to be some pool matting purchased. He had a quote from Clarity Pools for a total of $7,201.95. Alice Bridges made a motion to approve the purchase of the matting. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. Page 3 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 11, 2022 OLD BUSINESS: A. Ordinance 793- “An Ordinance Authorizing a first amendment to installment financing agreement; Authorizing a first amendment to escrow agreement, etc.”- Suzette Elmore made a motion to put Ord. #793 on the floor. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 793 in its entirety. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.793. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 793- title only- 2nd reading. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 793. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading- title only. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 793- title only – 3rd reading. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 3rd reading- title only Ordinance No. 793. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Mike Florence made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Mike Florence made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Koy Butler seconded the motion carried. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: A. Removal of fixed Assets- Koy Butler made a motion to remove the fixed assets. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Rocking Chair purchase- A proposal for 65 rocking chairs from Amish Yard with tax, the Black is $12,204.17. White is $14,044.00. Polywood with tax Black is $13,412.69. White is $15,396.81. The money to purchase these rocking chairs is from Downtown Retail Economic Fund. Alice Bridges and Suzette Elmore mentioned that is a lot of money to spend on chairs when there are other things that could be purchased. Ryan Biles made a motion to purchase the Black rocking chairs. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Ryan Biles retracted his motion due to weather coming. This item was tabled until next meeting. C. Ordinance 794 “An Ordinance to amend ordinances 479 and 499 setting the limits for the recording of fixed assets for the city of Lonoke”- Ryan Biles made a motion to put Ord. #794 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 794 in its entirety. Koy Butler made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.794. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Raymond Hatton made the motion to suspend the rules- 2nd reading- title only. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 794- title only- 2nd reading. Raymond Hatton made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 794. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) hand votes. Koy Butler made the motion to suspend the rules-3rd reading-title only. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye voice votes. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance No. 794- title only – 3rd reading. Raymond Hatton made the motion to accept the 3rd reading- Page 4 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 11, 2022 title only Ordinance No. 794. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. Raymond Hatton made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried with (6) aye hand votes. D. Remainder of Depot Repairs- (AHPP Grant) Historic Works, LLC has given the council a proposal for completing the interior repair items for the Depot Grant project. The total cost is $11,241.00. Koy Butler made a motion to complete the project. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. A. Suzette Elmore, the president of the chamber, mentioned that the exterior grounds need a great amount of work on the outside of the depot. She went through all the things that need complete. Ginger Stuart went over the lease and management Agreement. Ginger Stuart mentioned that most everything that has been asked of the city to do for maintenance is considered daily maintenance in the agreement for the chamber. Mrs. Elmore mentioned that she feels that the city should look at the contract and possibly change some things. Mayor Reed proposed that the chamber requests new terms to a contract and bring it to the council. Mayor Reed mentioned that he wants the city council and the chamber of commerce to work together and we can re-group in the future. E. Treasurer Appointment- Mayor Reed asked the council to approve Craig Blackard to become the new city treasurer for the remainder of the term. Koy Butler made a motion to approve Mr. Blackard as the new treasurer. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. F. Fuel Surcharge Request on Garbage Services- Wayne Rathbun of Green Environmental was present and had a proposal regarding the fuel adjustment. He is asking the City of Lonoke to increase the rate from $13.15 to $13.96 due to the cost of diesel. Koy Butler asked if the city is allowed to change the increase with the contract. Ginger mentioned that the City of Lonoke should propose a new ordinance. After some discussion the council decided to add the ordinance to the special meeting on the same date as the condemnation meeting. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the decision. Suzette Elmore seconded the motion. Motion carried. PAY THE BILLS: Koy Butler made a motion to pay bills. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN MARCH 2022 City General $93,836.49 Water $42,360.38 Street $14,540.23 Community Center $19,375.88 Retail One Cent $996.70 Criminal Justice $1,294.20 I.D.C One Cent $4,385.00 Water/Sewer Revenue $2.00 Page 5 of 6  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 11, 2022 BILLS TO BE PAID APRIL 2022 General Fund $13,376.90 Water $40,235.61 Street $20,137.50 Court Automation $388.50 Community Center $8,481.22 Criminal Justice $565.40 Retail One Cent $4,800.00 ADJOURN: Koy Butler made a motion to adjourn. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk Page 6 of 6