City Council

CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 21, 2022 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at the multiple building at 6:00 p.m. on Monday May 9, 2022. Mayor Trae Reed called the meeting to order with the invocation given Efrem Jones. City Clerk Jeribeth Edwards called the roll and declared a quorum. Mayor Trae Reed City Clerk Jeribeth Edwards Treasurer Craig Blackard (absent) Deputy Clerk Regina Ibbotson Council Members Efrem Jones, Alice Bridges, Raymond Hatton, Ryan Biles (late), Gib Richardson, Michael Florence (absent), Koy Butler, and Suzette Elmore City Attorney Ginger Stuart (absent) 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 Rick Kron Visitors Karen Dill, Colley Burrow, Broderick Moore, Brandon Fertic, and Chris Flores MINUTES: Mayor Trae Reed asked for acceptance of the May 9th, 2022 regular meeting minutes. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT- Memorial Tree in Honor of Peggy Anderson- Mrs. Alice Bridges mentioned that the Lonoke Book Club would like to plant a Japanese Maple Tree as a memorial for Ms. Anderson. Ms. Anderson worked hard for the beautification committee in Lonoke. Mrs. Alice Bridges asked the council to approve the planting of the tree. Mr. Koy Butler asked where it would be planted. Roy Don Lewis explained the tree would be planted at the Lonoke City Park. Efrem Jones made a motion to allow the tree to be planted. Gib Richardson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 2022 Executive Board Report – Alyssa Frisby was present and gave report. Mrs. Frisby explained the events in 2022. LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY- Calendar of Activities Included. Page 1 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 21, 2022 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Mr. Gene Eagle was present and gave report. PARKS/MOSQUITO: Mr. Roy Don Lewis was present and gave report. Mr. Lewis mentioned the importance of top dressing all the fields at the ball park. Gib Richardson mentioned that the City of Lonoke hosts many events at the City Park. He would like the council to look into installing bathrooms. Roy Don Lewis mentioned there are pros and cons regarding this. There will be more discussion at a later date. COMMUNITY CENTER- Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. He mentioned a paintball event, Baptist health checks, and kids swimming lessons. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Mr. Jeremy Gosdin was present and gave report. A. Proposed Changes to vicious dog ordinance- Jeremy Gosdin explained to the council that there has been raised concern regarding the City of Lonoke’s law regarding Pit Bulls. Ginger Stuart and Mayor Reed have put together a preliminary ordinance to allow “vicious dogs” in the city. Mr. Gosdin asked the council if there are any questions regarding this issue. B. Animal Control Position Vacant - Mr. Gosdin mentioned that the animal control officer position is open. C. Conditional Use Permit for 5th & Wright St. - Mr. Gosdin mentioned that he would like the council to approve a conditional use permit for 5th and Wright St. Alice Bridges made a motion to approve the permit. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. 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. ORDINANCE 797- “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO 559 REGARDING FEES CHARGED FOR GARBAGE AND WASTE REMOVAL, DISPOSAL AND DELIVERY NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THE CITY’S WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR, CLARIFYING WHAT MATERIALS MAY BE DUMPED; FOR OTHER MATTERS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”- Koy Butler made a motion to put Ord. #797 on the floor. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. Jeribeth Edwards read Ordinance No. 797 in its entirety. (Ryan Biles joined the meeting during the 1st reading.) Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 1st reading of Ordinance No.797. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) 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. Jeribeth Edwards read Ordinance No. 797- title only- 2nd reading. Efrem Jones made the motion to accept the 2nd reading-title only- of Ordinance No. 797. 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. Jeribeth Edwards read Ordinance No. 796- title only – 3rd reading. Efrem Jones made Page 2 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 21, 2022 the motion to accept the 3rd reading-title only Ordinance No. 797. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Efrem Jones made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Gib Richardson seconded the motion. Motion carried with (7) aye hand votes. Gib Richardson made a motion to adopt the emergency clause. Efrem Jones seconded the motion carried. Motion carried. B. Approval of Invoice for Justice Electric- This is a 3 phase 480 high voltage meter loop power pole panel for MCC for aerator for sewer pond. The cost is $4,690.00. Justice Electric Services, LLC Lonoke Ar. Efrem Jones made a motion to purchase the electric service for the aerator. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Bids for Street Improvements 2022- There were two bids received and the low bidder was Cranford Construction Company for the amount of $358,700.00. The other bid was from Redstone Construction Group, Inc. for $398,600.00. Bond Engineering Co. recommends the city to accept this bid. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the bid. Gib Richardson 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 $1,248.00. A. 2022-23 SRO Contract with Lonoke Public Schools- Efrem Jones made a motion to approve the 2022-2023 SRO contract. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT- A. Local Fireman’s Pension Valuation FYE 12/31/2021- The council reviewed the actuarial valuation presented. No action needed. OLD BUSINESS: - None presented NEW BUSINESS: A. Fennell Purifoy Entryway Sign Project Drawings- Mr. Colley Burrow, Fennell Purifoy, was present and explained the project. He mentioned that he is working on a cost estimate for the project. Mr. Burrow mentioned there will be five locations for the signs. (1.) Hwy.31- McDonalds (2.) Hwy, 70- Triangle (3.) Hwy 70-ballpark (4.) Hwy 89- intersection (5.) Hwy. 31- replace the existing location Mr. Gib Richardson mentioned that he would possibly like to see a sign placed going east bound. The council discussed moving one location. Mrs. Suzette Elmore mentioned that she feels the signs should read “Welcome to Lonoke” instead of only “Lonoke”. With some discussion, Ryan Biles will work with Fennell Purifoy on graphics for the signs. B. Resolution 6-1-2022- Federal Aid Project Resolution- Efrem Jones made a motion to put the Res. 6-1-2022 On the floor. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Jeribeth Page 3 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 21, 2022 Edwards read the resolution and its entirety. Efrem Jones made a motion to accept the first reading. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Admin Services Agreement w/CAPDD for 2022-23 TAP Grant- Koy Butler made the motion to accept the contract as written. Alice Bridges seconded the motion. Motion carried. D. Fixed Assets to be removed- Koy Butler made a motion to remove the fixed assets on the fixed asset sheet. Gib Richardson seconded the motion. Motion carried. E. Resolution 6-2-2022- “Support and Authorization for Entergy EV Grant”- Efrem Jones made a motion to put the Res. 6-2-2022 On the floor. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Jeribeth Edwards read the resolution and its entirety. Ryan Biles made a motion to accept the first reading. Koy Butler seconded the motion. Motion carried. F. Resolution 6-3-2022- “Obligating ARPA and DPS Grant Funds for Police Dept.”- Koy Butler made a motion to put the Res. 6-3-2022 On the floor. Ryan Biles seconded the motion. Motion carried. Jeribeth Edwards read the resolution and its entirety. Koy Butler made a motion to accept the first reading. Efrem Jones seconded the motion. Motion carried. PAY THE BILLS: Koy Butler made a motion to pay bills. Gib Richardson seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN MAY 2022 City General $93,134.69 Water $119,305.89 Street $69,621.08 Community Center $50,225.48 Retail One Cent $23,138.77 Criminal Justice $395.10 2003 Revenue Bond $7,381.50 Local Fire Pension Fund $1400.00 BILLS TO BE PAID JUNE 2022 General Fund $15,296.12 Water $48,086.29 Street $9,028.29 Court Automation $388.50 Community Center $1,973.11 Retail One Cent $159.71 Page 4 of 5  CITY OF LONOKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 21, 2022 ANNOUNCEMENTS- A. HomeServe Acquisition- Mayor Reed mentioned the Acquisition for informational use only. B. ARDOT Participation on Hwy. 70 Traffic/Transportation Project- AR Dot is asking the City of Lonoke to have a representative for Lonoke City. Ryan Biles mentioned he would serve as a representative for the City of Lonoke. ADJOURN: Koy Butler made a motion to adjourn. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. _____________________________________ Mayor Henry F Reed III Attest: _________________________________ City Clerk Page 5 of 5