City Council

Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting December 9, 2024 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at the multiple building at 6:00 p.m. Monday December 9, 2024. Mayor Wayne McGee called the meeting to order with the Invocation was given by Pastor Arthur Terry. City Clerk, Jeribeth Edwards called the roll and declared a quorum. Mayor Wayne McGee City Clerk Jeribeth Edwards Treasure (Vacant) Deputy Clerk Regina Ibbotson Council Members Sean Simpson, Steven Holt, Raymond Hatton, Stan Moran, Wendell Walker, Wendell Moore, Shane Hamilton, and Jim Ed Ranson City Attorney Ginger Stuart Police Chief Keith Graham W/S/S Supt. Robert Sullivan C.C. Director Mike Brown Fire Dept. Justin Whittenburg Parks Director Evan Jacobs Community Dev. (Vacant) News Media none Visitors: Rachel Whittenburg, D. Allison, Mildred and Mike Jones, Wayne Rathbun and Cindy Reaves Minutes: Mayor Wayne McGee asked for the acceptance of November 12th minutes. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Public Comment – A. Jay Greiner, TC Works- A proposal to run Fiber Internet to homes in Lonoke. Mr. Greiner mentioned that his company would like to offer fiber internet to Lonoke. Mr. Greiner explained the company would need a small piece of land to put a cabinet for a hub, 10-foot x 15 foot. After some discussion Sean Simpson made a motion to enter into an agreement with TC Works for fiber. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried. The City will reach out to Greg Fender with Local Government Services to get him started on this agreement and land lease. B. James and Penelope Shepard- Tax Lien applied to property. This property was condemned in November 2022 and razed in December 2022. Lien resolution passed 5-1-2023. Mrs. Shepard explained to the council that she would like to have her property taxes separate from the lien. Ginger Stuart mentioned that the city has no ability to change anything once the tax lien has been placed. LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY: A calendar to show the December activities was presented. BUDGET INFORMATION: A. Proposed 2025 Operating Budget Numbers- Mayor McGee mentioned these numbers will be finalized in January. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to pass the preliminary budget. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried. Page 1 of 3  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting December 9, 2024 FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Whittenburg was present and gave the report. A. Goodyear quote for new tires for unit #5- A quote from Goodyear Auto Service Centers for $3,721.46. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to purchase the tires. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC WORKS (WATER AND SEWER): Robert Sullivan was present and gave a report. A. Approval of 2025 preventative maintenance on the generators for the water and sewer department with Powerhouse Electric, Inc. The total for (4) $7,140.00 Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to approve the maintenance on the generators. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Keith Graham was present and gave the report. A. Approval to dispose of items listed on destruction order- Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to approve the destruction order. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Approval to use Carfax for police to provide accident reports for the PD- Wendell Walker made a motion to approve. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. PARKS AND MOSQUITO: Mr. Evan Jacobs was present and gave the report. A. Ordinance 820- “An ordinance to waive the requirement of competitive bidding for the procurement of chemicals for spraying mosquitoes by the city of Lonoke- Wendell Moore made a motion to put Ord. 820 on the floor. Sean Simpson seconded the motion. Jim Ed Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance 820 and its entirety. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to accept 1st reading. Sean Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Wendell Moore made a motion to suspend rules-2nd reading. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Ginger Stuart read the title only. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to accept 2nd reading title only. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to suspend rules- 3rd reading. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Carried with 8 voice votes. Ginger Stuart read title only- 3rd reading. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to accept 3rd reading title only. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to adopt. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to adopt an emergency clause. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. The events going on are youth Basketball and Baptist Health Checks. A. Proposals to install high-low drinking fountain with bottle filler- An estimate from Benjamin Franklin for $3,716.17. A Quote from Diamond State Mechanical and Electrical for $5,126.46. Wendell Moore made a motion to approve Benjamin Franklin. Sean Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried. OLD BUISNESS: A. Solar Array Site Production Report- McKinstry provided a Site Production Report. No action needed. B. Bid tabulations for demolition of two condemned properties- No bids received. Page 2 of 3  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting December 9, 2024 NEW BUSINESS: A. Request council approval on hiring a new deputy court clerk, Michelle Null- Wendell Walker made a motion to approve the hiring. Wendell Moore seconded the motion. Motion carried. APRROVAL TO PAY BILLS: Wendell Moore made a motion to pay bills. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID In DECEMBER 2024 City General $58,632.24 Water $10,449.95 Street $83,267.10 Community Center $16,053.84 Retail One Cent $771.22 Court Automation $488.40 Water/Sewer $2.00 ARPA Grant $10,495.98 Tax Clearing Fund $111,278.76 BILLS TO BE PAID DECEMBER 2024 City General $11,074.73 Community Center $5,901.44 Water $13,719.75 Street $13,977.08 ANNOUNCEMENTS- The planning commission meeting scheduled for Monday; Dec. 16th has been cancelled. ADJOURNMENT- Sean Simpson made a motion to adjourn. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried. ____________________________ Mayor Wayne McGee Attest: ____________________________ Clerk Page 3 of 3