FCity to move forward on cloverleaf project
Council passes resolutions to begin condemnation on nuisance properties
The Forrest City City Council voted to accept a proposal for the cloverleaf lighting project.
Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams told the council that in speaking with the low bidder, InLine, LLC, city engineers were able to reduce the price of the initiative bid.
He also told the council that during the process the Arkansas Department of Transportation had stated additional work needed to be done to the clover leaf that far exceeded the expected cost and bond issue.
Williams stated because of those points the original bids were broken down into several different phases to help get the cloverleaf lit.
"Our engineer visited with InLine regarding schedule 1 and they reduced the price to $438,305," said Williams.
He explained that Schedule 1 would be to get power back to the clover leaf with repairs to underground wires and that two other Schedules were planned for the clover leaf to be completed per Arkansas Department of Transportation standards and the new estimate totaled over $800,000.
"I want to go ahead with Schedule 1 and 3 of the proposal," said Williams.
He explained that using the bond issue funding and money from the city's Street Department would complete portions of the clover leaf project that were in the bond issue as well as fix safety issues that were brought to the city's attention that urgently needed repair.
Williams told the council that the city would also be requesting additional funding through the Arkansas Department of Transportation to help.
"Getting the clover leaf lit is important to our sales tax revenue and fixing the safety issue," said Williams.
"What line item would it come out of for the street department?" asked councilman Lowry Astin.
"Street light and expense," replied Williams.
Councilman Chris Oswalt asked why the price for the project was so much higher than the initial study for the bond issue.
"We had a local company give the pricing and during that time they didn't think engineers would be required," said Williams. "Then the Arkansas Department of Transportation required engineers and extra repairs that needed to be done in that area."
Williams said that, combined with costs going up 30 to 40% since 2022 had raised the pricing.
Oswalt expressed concern that other bond issue projects might also exceed expected costs if not moved on quickly.
Williams stated that other projects were not ready to begin work but that the clover leaf project was.
"But this isn't everything that needs to be done," asked Oswalt of Schedule 1 and 3 to which
(Continued from Page 1) Williams replied it would complete the items put in front of voters for the bond issue and that Schedule 2 were items put forward by the Arkansas Department of Transportation to complete.
"And they were understanding of that and were willing to work with us on time," said Williams, who explained further that Schedule 2 items could be planned for later on.
Councilman Danny Capps asked if there was a projected time of completion for the Schedule 1 and 3 phases to which Williams replied once approved and supply lines pending probably by September or October.
When put to vote the council approved unanimously with councilmen Jason Evansingston and Justin Reeves being absent from the meeting.
In other business the council heard third readings on three ordinances requested by auditors that would allow city employees to work in conjunction with other entities.
The first was for Roy Hamilton to function as a city employee and also as CEO and Founder of AR&R Transitional. The second was for Mayor Cedric Williams to function as city mayor as well as co-director of the Rumble on the Ridge Basketball Tournament. Lastly, was an ordinance that would allow for payment of advertising and promotion funds for catering events to Delta Q Restaurant due to councilman Justin Reeves being on the council.
Oswalt questioned why auditors were now requesting the ordinances when prior they were only required when employees were receiving city funds.
Williams expressed he wasn't sure and was just asked to provide the ordinances.
"I don't think it is a good idea for us to overlook other businesses in the area in Forrest City to accommodate a city council member," councilman Marvin Metcalf said of the ordinance concerning Delta Q.
Williams stated that the ordinance didn't give Delta Q the advantage in getting catering jobs but only allowed Forrest City A&P funds to be paid to organizations that used Delta Q to cater.
"To me it just looks bad," said Metcalf.
"Anybody can put an application in," said council member Louise Fields.
"And again this isn't to give advantage of one business over another," said Williams. "This just allows organizations to receive funds from A&P for catering he may be a part of."
When put to votes the Ordinance to allow Williams to work consecutively as codirector for Rumble on the Ridge was adopted unanimously, the ordinance to allow Hamiliton to work with AR&R Transitional was adopted with Capps and Astin voting against and the ordinance allowing for Delta Q was adopted with Metcalf opposing.
The council also passed a resolution to accept USDA Rural Development Community Facility Grant unanimously.
The council also started the condemnation process of several properties in the city.
In other business, Williams told the council that the curfew would end that night and that the 2022 Youth Employment program would be kicking off this week and youth in the program already had several youth going through orientation.