City Council

Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting October 13, 2025 The Lonoke City Council held a city council meeting at the multiple building at 6:00 p.m. Monday October 13, 2025. Mayor Wayne McGee called the meeting to order with the Invocation was given by Pastor Terral Neeley, New Testament Missionary Baptist. 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, Wendell Walker, Jane Derning, Dale Carothers, Shane Hamilton, and Jim Ed Ransom 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 (absent) Community Dev. (Vacant) News Media none Visitors: Rachel Whittenburg, Wayne Rathburn, Lila McKewen Minutes: Mayor Wayne McGee asked for the acceptance of September 8th regular Meeting minutes. Sean Simpson made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried. Public Comment – A. Lila McKewen- Ms. McKewen was present and requested for Police Take Home Vehicles for all officers. Ms. McKewen mentioned that not having a take home vehicle slows the response time. LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY: A calendar to show the October activities was presented. BUDGET/FINANCE- A. 3rd Quarter Budget Numbers- Jane Derning made a motion to approve the budget numbers. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Whittenburg was present and gave the report. PUBLIC WORKS (WATER AND SEWER): Anthony Smith was present and gave report. A. Quotes for Well fence repair at ballpark- A quote for Bill’s Fence Proposal for $6,836.00, a quote from Ingle Fence for $6,965.60, a quote from Bee’s Fencing and Decks for $7,068.00. These quotes do not have taxes added. Wendell Walker made a motion to approve Bill’s Fence for $6,836.00. Jane Derning seconded the motion. Motion carried. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Keith Graham was present and gave the report. Chief Graham asked to implement the policy to allow the officers to take service vehicles home. This subject was tabled. Page 1 of 3  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting October 13, 2025 PARKS AND MOSQUITO: Director Johnathan Curry was absent, and Mayor McGee gave report. COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Mike Brown was present and gave report. The events going on are Baptist Health Checks, Basketball signups, UAMS Mammo Van. 1. Mr. Brown explained he needed to replace two condenser fan motors on the pool pak. Quote 1- Powers $15,420.23 Quote 2- Lonoke Service Co. for $15,519.51. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to approve the Lonoke Service Co. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. 2. Pickleball Court- Mayor McGee mentioned he plans to apply for a grant to get a pickleball court. After some discussion, Mayor McGee will get more information. OLD BUISNESS: A. Solar Array Site Production report- no action B. Bids received for demolition of two properties condemned on Nov. 12, 2024- Bids are as follows 120 E. 5th Street- Ouachita Landworks $15,066.00, Born to Build 16,950.00. 323 England Street Ouachita Landworks 7,344.00, Born to Build $9,950.00. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to refuse the bids. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to allow the city to demolish the properties themselves, $12,000.00. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Approval of final draft of Mallard Point Water Line Easement- Ginger Stuart explained the easement draft. Sean Simpson made a motion to approve the easement. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: A. Ordinance 827- “Local Fireman’s Plan consolidation with agreement for services”- Jane Derning made a motion to put Ord. 827 on the floor. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ginger Stuart read Ordinance 827 and its entirety. Jane Derning made a motion to accept the 1st reading. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Jane Derning to suspend rules-2nd reading. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Ginger Stuart read the title only. Jane Derning made a motion to accept the 2nd reading title only. Sean Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Jane Derning made a motion to suspend rules- 3rd reading. Wendell Walker seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 voice votes. Ginger Stuart read title only- 3rd reading. Jane Derning made a motion to accept the 3rd reading title only. Sean Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried with 8 hand votes. Jane Derning made a motion to adopt. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried with 6 hand votes. Jane Derning made a motion to adopt emergency clause. Sean Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Agreement for legal services with Wright, Lindsey and Jennings for water aerator grant project- Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to approve legal services. Dale Carothers seconded the motion. Motion carried. C. Approval of 2025 millage certification for Lonoke County- Approval of 2024 millage certification for Lonoke Co.- This action would continue collection of the current millage; the City of Lonoke cannot raise without a vote of the people but can lower by a vote of the council. Page 2 of 3  Lonoke City Council Lonoke City Council Meeting October 13, 2025 Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to approve current millage rate. Sean Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried. D. Proposed Water/Sewer rate increases to get into compliance with Act 605 of 2021- These increases are necessary for the City to be eligible to receive any water/sewer grants or financial assistance. No action. APRROVAL TO PAY BILLS: Jim Ed Ransom made a motion to pay bills. Raymond Hatton seconded the motion. Motion carried. BILLS ALREADY PAID In SEPTEMBER 2025 City General $85,272.74 Water $34,840.03 Street $37,582.61 Community Center $15,808.32 Retail One Cent $576.19 Court Automation $527.26 Local Fire Pension $859.30 Tax Clearing $55.82 BILLS TO BE PAID OCTOBER 2025 City General $14,590.01 Community Center $3,413.40 Water $21,308.69 Street $19,248.00 ANNOUNCEMENTS- A. The Planning commission at 6PM will have its October meeting on October 20th at 6pm. ADJOURNMENT- Jane Derning made a motion to adjourn. Jim Ed Ransom seconded the motion. Motion carried. ____________________________ Mayor Wayne McGee Attest: ____________________________ City Clerk Page 3 of 3