City Council

Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting June 12, 2023 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at the multiple building at 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 12, 2023. Mayor Wayne McGee called the meeting to order. The Invocation was given by Raymond Hatton. Deputy City Clerk, Regina Ibbotson, called the roll and declared a quorum. Mayor Wayne McGee City Clerk Jeri Beth Edwards (absent) Treasurer (Vacant) Deputy Clerk Regina Ibbotson Council Members Sean Simpson, Steven Holt, Raymond Hatton, Stan Moran, Wendell Walker, Wendell Moore, Koy Butler(absent), and Jim Ed Ransom 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 Evan Jacobs Community Dev. (Vacant) News Media None present Visitors: Sharon Clark, Kathleen Ashmore, Mike Jones, Jeremy Gosdin, Jim Bailey, Terry Taykowski, Cindy Reaves Minutes: Mayor Wayne McGee asked for the acceptance of the May 8, 2023, minutes. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Public Comment: (None) LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY: Kathleen Ashmore was present and gave a report. A calendar to show the June activities was presented. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Edwards was absent, and Captain Dean White gave the report. A. SRO Contract with LHS for 2023-2024 School Year – Contract renewal with LHS contains only 1 officer for 2023-2024 school year and was presented to council for review. All other parts of the contract remain the same. Sean Simpson made the motion to accept the new SRO contract. Steven Holt seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Quotes to Change Vendor for Outfitting of Dodge Charger – Two quotes were presented: one from Arkansas Valley Communications for $7,449.11 and one from Dana Safety Supply, Inc. for $7,902.00. The lowest quote from ACV is $1,439.57 more than the quote previously approved. (That vendor (10-8 Tactical) has not been able to obtain the needed equipment.) PARKS AND MOSQUITO: Parks Director Evan Jacobs was present and gave a report. He noted that the regular baseball season has wrapped up, and tournaments have begun. Pops on the Prairie planning is still underway. Mosquito trucks are spraying, and a flying of the city is upcoming. Page 1 of 4  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting June 12, 2023 COMMUNITY CENTER: Mike Brown was present and gave report. Mr. Brown mentioned the events for June. Mr. Brown requested that the month-to-month service contract with Lonoke Service Company for the HVAC system at the Community Center be cancelled. With the new units at the Center, he feels that a “per call” billing will be most beneficial monetarily at this time. Wendell Walker made the motion to cancel the contract. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Thomas Stivers was present and gave a report. (Jeremy Gosdin was in attendance to tell the council how much he appreciated the opportunity he was given by the city and that he has taken a position with the City of Little Rock in their Planning Department.) A. Discussion/Decision regarding Condemnation of Property located at 120 E 5th St. – Pictures and property information was presented. Jim Ed Ransom made the motion to move forward with the condemnation process. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Discussion/Decision regarding Condemnation of Property located at 323 England St. - Pictures and property information was presented. Jim Ed Ransom made the motion to move forward with the condemnation process. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Discussion/Decision regarding City Inspection Services Agreement with Jeremy Gosdin – Since Jeremy has taken a job with City of Little Rock, we do not have a certified Building Inspector to handle Residential and Commercial Inspections. There was a discussion about working on a contract for services that went back and forth. Steven Holt made a motion for the mayor to get with Jeremy and move forward with a contract for services. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Whittenburg was present and gave the report. No action items presented. PUBLIC WORKS (WATER AND SEWER): Thomas Stivers was present and gave a report. He noted that the water loss for May was down to 9.69%. A. RESOLUTION 6-1-2023 – “A Resolution Authorizing the City Council to Obligate American Rescue Plan Act Funds for the Repair of the Xtreme Vac Leaf Machine for the Lonoke Public Works Department and Amend the 2023 American Rescue Plan Act Grant Fund Budget” – Wendell Moore made the motion to put Resolution 6-1-2023 on the floor. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Exhibit “A” attached to Resolution 6-1-2023 shows the total cost of $12,446.76 to repair the Xtreme Vac leaf machine with ARPA funds. Exhibit “B” shows the amendment to the ARPA budget reflecting the use of the funds. City Attorney Stuart read the Resolution in its entirety. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to accept Resolution 6-1-2023. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: A. Solar Array Site Production Report- McKinstry provided a Site Production Report. The total estimated savings are as follows. February 2023 $4,893.40 March 2023 $6,759.60 April 2023 $7,327.20 May 2023 $8,514.00 Page 2 of 4  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting June 12, 2023 NEW BUSINESS: A. ORDINANCE 814- “Solid Waste Fees”- There was more discussion this month regarding this ordinance and the fee schedule between the council and the city attorney. This item was once again tabled until next month. B. 2022 ANNUAL ACTUARIAL VALUATION FOR THE LONOKE FIREMAN’S PENSION FUND – This item is presented annually for information to the City Council showing the financial position of the LOCAL Fireman’s Pension Fund. The fund is in great shape as it is over-funded with a 10-year market return of 4.83%. Due to the overfunding, the LOCAL Fireman’s Pension Board has requested a $25 monthly increase that will be approved soon. Steven Holt made the motion to approve the Actuarial Report. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. CARVER ALUMNI USE OF CITY PARK FOR VENDORS/FOOD TRUCKS FOR JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION ON June 17, 2023 – The City was notified of an event to be held on city property that included sales by vendors and food trucks. While the city had no problem with the event being held, the city council must approve any event where items are sold on city property. This in effect would ensure that all vendors were following state and local laws. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to allow the Juneteenth celebration as planned at City Park with the event coordinators ensuring that all vendors were properly licensed. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried. APRROVAL TO PAY BILLS: Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to pay bills. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID IN MAY 2023 City General $113,086.80 Water $24,870.63 Street $11,510.94 Community Center $134,233.21 Retail One Cent $542.14 W-S Revenue $4.00 ARPA Grant Fund $7,068.91 BILLS TO BE PAID JUNE 2023 City General $14,670.59 Community Center $8,382.38 Water $81,119.34 Street $11,912.88 ANNOUNCEMENTS- Mayor McGee noted items below. 1. Planning commission Monthly Meeting on Monday, June 19, 2023, at 6:00 pm. 2. City Hall will be closed on Monday, June 19th, 2023, in observance of Juneteenth. Page 3 of 4  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting June 12, 2023 ADJOURNMENT- Steven Holt made a motion to adjourn. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried. ____________________________ Mayor Wayne McGee Attest: ____________________________ Clerk Page 4 of 4