City Council

Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting September 8, 2025 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at the multiple building at 6:00 p.m. Monday September 8, 2025. Mayor Wayne McGee called the meeting to order with the Invocation was given by Youth Pastor Benjamin Carpenter, Lonoke Baptist Church. 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 (Absent), Raymond Hatton, Stan Moran (Absent), Wendell Walker, Jane Derning, Dale Carothers, Shane Hamilton, and Jim Ed Ransom (Absent) City Attorney Ginger Stuart Police Chief Keith Graham W/S/S Supt. Anthony Smith C.C. Director Mike Brown Fire Dept. Justin Whittenburg Parks Director Jonathan Curry Community Dev. (Vacant) News Media none Visitors: Rachel Whittenburg, Katie Beth Whittenburg, Jlynn Hood, Vonda Evans, Karen James, and Cindy Reaves Minutes: Mayor Wayne McGee asked for the acceptance of August 11th regular Meeting minutes. Jane Derning made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. Public Comment – A. JLynn Hood- Ms. Hood was present and wanted to introduce herself, she is with Palliative Community Resources and Hospice Home care. B. Cindy Reaves- Ms. Reaves was present and had comments regarding the discussion on salaries that was discussed in August. LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY: A calendar to show the September activities was presented. BUDGET/FINANCE- A. Salary discussion- Mayor McGee mentioned that the fire chief’s salary needs to increase $97.00 per month. Wendell Walker made a motion to approve the increase. Jane Derning seconded the motion. Motion carried. Page 1 of 3  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting September 8, 2025 PUBLIC WORKS (WATER AND SEWER): Anthony Smith was present and gave report. A. Quote from Powers Truck to repair Boom on Grapple Truck- An estimate from Powers, Little Rock, Ar. For $7,203.01. Wendell Walker made a motion to approve the repair the grapple truck. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Keith Graham was present and gave the report. A. Quote for Axon Tasers and Equipment- An estimate is for fifteen (15) tasers and training. Shane Hamilton made the motion to enter a 5-year contract, November 2025 will be $8,690.49 and then a yearly cost. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. PARKS AND MOSQUITO: Director Johnathan Curry was present and gave report. A. Quote from Athletic Field Service of Arkansas for field maintenance- Mr. Curry asked the council to allow Fraise mowing of the High School baseball fields and the Youth baseball fields. The total is $10,878.00. Wendell Walker made a motion to approve the 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 and Sr. Citizen fair Oct. 3rd FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Whittenburg was present and gave the report. OLD BUISNESS A. Solar Array Site Production report- no action B. Ordinance 826- “An Ordinance granting the sole and exclusive franchise, license and privilege to natural state tree service, Inc.”- Jane Derning made a motion to put Ord. 826 on the floor. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance 826 and its entirety. Jane Derning made a motion to accept the 1st reading. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 hand votes. Jane Derning to suspend rules-2nd reading. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 hand votes. Ginger Stuart read the title only. Jane Derning made a motion to accept the 2nd reading title only. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 hand votes. Jane Derning made a motion to suspend rules- 3rd reading. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 voice votes. Ginger Stuart read title only- 3rd reading. Jane Derning made a motion to accept the 3rd reading title only. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 hand votes. Jane Derning made a motion to adopt. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 hand votes. Jane Derning made a motion to adopt emergency clause. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Acceptance of Easement for 12” water line upgrade at Mallard Point- Jane Derning made a motion to allow the mayor to execute an easement for the water lines to be installed on the old Mallard Pointe area without any indemnity provisions that the current draft of the easement contains. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. Page 2 of 3  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting September 8, 2025 NEW BUSINESS: A. Bids received for demolition of two properties condemned on Nov. 12, 2024- Ouachita Landworks Malvern, AR $22,410.00. Born to Build Maumelle, AR for $26,900.00. Vonda Evans was present and explained the options to the council. After some discussion. Wendell Walker made a motion to table until next meeting. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. APRROVAL TO PAY BILLS: Jane Derning made a motion to pay bills. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID In AUGUST 2025 City General $116,924.85 Water $24,869.46 Street $33,681.53 Community Center $68,195.61 Retail One Cent $915.35 Court Automation $1,054.52 Criminal Justice $182.16 BILLS TO BE PAID SEPTEMBER 2025 City General $12,871.09 Community Center $4,034.76 Water $19,363.11 Street $8,475.38 ANNOUNCEMENTS- A. The Planning Commission will meet on Monday, September 22nd at 6pm. A public hearing will be held at the beginning of the meeting concerning a proposed project in the Center Street Overlay District. ADJOURNMENT- Dale Carothers made a motion to adjourn. Jane Derning seconded the motion. Motion carried. ____________________________ Mayor Wayne McGee Attest: ____________________________ Page 3 of 3