City Council

Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting August 11, 2025 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at the municipal building at 6:00 p.m. Monday August 11, 2025. Mayor Wayne McGee called the meeting to order with the Invocation was given by Pastor Jason Dorsey, Lonoke Assembly of God. City Clerk, Jeribeth Edwards called the roll and declared a quorum. Mayor Wayne McGee City Clerk Jeribeth Edwards Treasurer (Vacant) Deputy Clerk Regina Ibbotson Council Members Sean Simpson, Raymond Hatton, Stan Moran (Absent), Wendell Walker, Jane Derning, Dale Carothers, Shane Hamilton, and Jim Ed Ransom City Attorney Ginger Stuart Police Chief Keith Graham W/S/S Supt. (Vacant) C.C. Director Mike Brown Fire Dept. Justin Whittenburg Parks Director Jonathan Curry Community Dev. (Vacant) News Media none Visitors: Rachel Whittenburg, Mike and Mildred Jones, Brent Bunch, Bob Pack, Jim Bailey, Gary James, Karen James, Tory Bradley, Bill Paxton, and Cindy Reaves Minutes: Mayor Wayne McGee asked for the acceptance of July 14th regular Meeting minutes. Sean Simpson made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Public Comment – Terry Taykowski was present to discuss leaf and limb program. He also mentioned the council should revamp the way they allow “public comment”. LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY: A calendar to show the August activities was presented. BUDGET/FINANCE- A. 2nd Quarter Budget Comparisons- Mayor McGee went over the report. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to accept the comparisons. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. (Jim Ed Ransom exited the meeting) B. Discussion regarding salary increases- Mayor McGee mentioned that going forward, he would like department heads to recommend raises based on evaluations. Jane Derning made a motion to accept the new salary increases, to cap some department head salaries at $55K if no licenses are required, and to cap the salaries of Regina Ibbotson and Cindy Reaves because both had recently received a raise that she felt was higher than it should have been. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Hiring a new Sewer Consultant- Jane Derning made a motion to hire Brent Kirkendoll, as contract labor for $2000 per month. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Keith Graham was present and gave the report. Page 1 of 3  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting August 11, 2025 A. Quote for items for E-Crash Grant- An estimate to purchase 15 Panasonic Laptops from Turn-Key Mobile, Inc., Jefferson City Missouri for a total of $107,545.80. This is a state contract. Sean Simpson made a motion to approve the state contract purchase. Shane Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. JAIL - Wendell Walker asked Chief Graham questions regarding the jail opening and the jail becoming a brief time holding facility. PARKS AND MOSQUITO: Director Johnathan Curry was present and gave report. A. Quote for Concrete repairs at Waggoner Park- A quote from Reginald Wilkerson Sr. to fix the issues for $1,550.00. Shane Hamilton made a motion to approve the concrete work. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Quote for steel railing repairs at Waggoner Park- An estimate from Zach Eaves Custom Shop to replace damaged section of railing around playground. Everything but painting included in the estimate on $4,536.00. Shane Hamilton made a motion to approve the railing work. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. The events going on are Baptist Health Checks. Mr. Brown spoke of an event that will be held on October 3rd. This is a Sr. Citizen Fair. Mayor McGee mentioned he plans to apply for a grant for a Splash Pad that will be built at the Community Center. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Whittenburg was present and gave the report. 1. Quote to repair engine 4- An estimate for Engine 4 to be repaired from Siddons-Martin Emergency Group for a total of $5,069.72. This is to service the pump and the engine. Wendell Walker made a motion to have Engine 4 repaired. Jane Derning seconded the motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC WORKS (WATER AND SEWER): Mayor McGee gave a report. (Jim Ed Ransom re-entered meeting) A. Resolution 8-1-2025- “A Resolution designating and authorizing the mayor and city clerk or deputy clerk of the Lonoke Water System to execute certain documents in connection with funding administered by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission”- Sean Simpson made a motion to put Res 8-1-2025 on the table. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor Wayne McGee read Resolution 8-1-2025 and its entirety. Janie Derning made a motion to accept 1st reading. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Acceptance of Easement for 12’’ water line upgrade at Mallard Point- Ginger Stuart mentioned to the council that the agreement from the landowner needs to be investigated due to minor corrections. The council decided to table this item until corrected. C. Quote from UniFirst for New Uniform Contract- The estimated total cost for the program will be $58,034.60 for 5 years. Sean Simpson made a motion to accept the contract. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS : A. Solar Array Site Production report (for July 2025)- no action Page 2 of 3  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting August 11, 2025 NEW BUSINESS: A. Bid Received from Natural State Tree Service for Leaf and Limb Removal- Jane Derning made a motion to accept the bid and allow Ginger Stuart to work on an Ordinance for the new contract. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried. APRROVAL TO PAY BILLS: Jane Derning made a motion to pay bills. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID In JULY 2025 City General $46,146.43 Water $23,709.96 Street $28,109.63 Community Center $15,735.92 Retail One Cent $190.01 Tax Clearing Fund $62.13 Court Automation $5,134.91 Criminal Justice $151.80 Water/Sewer Rev. $6.00 BILLS TO BE PAID AUGUST 2025 City General $30,539.17 Community Center $2,316.80 Water $16,472.42 Street $13,886.94 ANNOUNCEMENTS- A. The Planning Commission will have its meeting on August 18th at 6pm B. The City of Lonoke will close on Sept 1st in observance of Labor Day. ADJOURNMENT- Janie Derning made a motion to adjourn. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. ____________________________ Mayor Wayne McGee Attest: ____________________________ Clerk Page 3 of 3