Council majority finishes required Act 605 training
City approves bid for artificial turf on three baseball fields at Complex
Six of the city’s eight council members have completed the required Act 605 training, it was reported during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Local resident Tracy Haggins, who was on the agenda to address the group, asked that the council be more diligent in receiving training in the future, especially when it deals with the city’s ability to receive funding.
"I reached out to you guys several times to see why hadn't the training been received before the Dec. 31, 2022 deadline," she said during the two minutes she was allowed to speak. "That is $3.1 million. We have several residents here that live in poverty."
Haggins went on to say that the loss funding could impede city projects such as the water softening system which would cause residents to potentially have to replace items such as dishwashers, laundry machines and hot water tanks that many cannot afford.
"That's not fair to us to not take this training in a timely manner," said Haggins.
Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant told Haggins that all but two council members had now received the required training.
It was noted in previous council meetings that at least half of the council had to complete the training in order for the city’s water department to remain in compliance.
"Ok, but during the city council meeting on Jan. 3, you said we had missed out on money before," responded Haggins. "We just want to make sure, as citizens, we don't do that again and they need to be held accountable. The deadline was Dec. 31, 2022. It was not today. From my understanding from Mrs. Derene (Cochran), a lot of them completed it today. That is over 30 days after the deadline and that is unacceptable to the citizens."
Haggins said if the city had lost the money tied in to being in compliance with Act 605 it would be devastating to the community and costs to residents would increase to make up for the lost revenue.
"We are in 33% poverty here," explained Haggins. "The state of Arkansas is 15%, we are double. That is unacceptable. We just want to make sure that doesn't happen again.”
Bryant revealed after the meeting adjourned that council members Louise Fields and Danny Capps had not received the training.
Capps commented after the council meeting he had not been able to take the training due to conflicting work schedules. Fields said she had been unable to complete it due to illness.
"You'll probably want to sign up for the online training coming up," Bryant told Capps. "That one would probably be best for you.”
During the mayor's update, Bryant said that now that the council has overcome the "hurdle of the Act 605" training they would need to consider the next step.
Bryant presented the council with a letter from water department manager Edward Gregory, saying the city is required to complete a rate study a minimum of every five years and prior to any major development project that exceeds 20% of the gross revenues of the provider for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
The letter also shows that Act 605 requires a list of entities to conduct rate studies for water service providers and that the council's current approved engineering firm is not on the Arkansas Natural Resources approved rate study list.
"Look over it, it is something we will have to do," said Bryant. "This is part of 605, it has been coming since 2012."
Gregory asked that the council give him permission to seek qualifications for engineering services that meet Act 605 requirements for rate studies due to the department seeking grant funding that exceeds over 20% of the gross revenues of the agency.
No action was taken on the information.
Bryant also updated the council on water department problems.
"I need to spend $476,350 for the lift station pump assembly," said Bryant.
"This is the last diesel lift station we have," Gregory added. "All the city sewer comes to it and it is pumped onto the treatment plant."
Gregory explained the station has three large pumps in it that the department has been fighting to keep repaired over the last two years.
"We had two that we sent off to try to have rebuilt that can't be repaired anymore," said Gregory. "We already had one ordered last year but received notification earlier this month that it will be four more weeks until we get it."
Gregory said it would leave the department with one brand new pump, one in good condition and one, that is "pieced out" and operable but should work.
"But we are left with no backup. This is the request to purchase that unit." said Gregory.
He explained the department would eventually have four pumps.
“Without these pumps running, when we have rain events, we can't move the water out and then it backs up into the system," said Gregory.
Capps asked what the maintenance had been over the last three years for the pumps, to which Gregory answered $60,000 to $70,000.
Gregory said if the purchase is approved the city would then have two new pumps and two good pumps to keep the station running properly.
Bryant stressed the timelines of the purchase due to problems with supply chains.
"Have we always just operated off of four pumps?" asked council member Cornescha Wright.
Gregory explained the station operates two pumps at a time with the other two as backups for when the pumps need to be switched out for repairs.
The council voted unanimously to purchase the pump for the lift station.
Also during the meeting, the council approved bids on artificial turf for three baseball fields instead of the original four.
Bryant told the council the bids are from Nationwide Turf and Sprinturf.
"One is going to do the dirt work and one is going to do the turf and drainage and everything," said Bryant. "It came out to $901,520. We get a deduction of $91,700 from Nationwide Turf and a deduction of $52,410 from Sprint."
Bryant said it would leave the city $144,110 to put towards pavilions and other things at the complex.
"How many fields are we talking about?" asked Capps. "Three," replied Bryant.
"In lieu of four?" asked Capps, to which Bryant replied yes, adding that the city will also be reworking grass turf and seeding on other fields as well.
"How many is required for tournaments do you know?" asked Capps.
"I have no idea," replied Bryant. "We used to have to have eight, then we went down to four. We'll be able to play four on one side and have turf on the other side."
Bryant also mentioned the public schools wanted access to softball and baseball sides as well.
"We are trying to make it so we can bring baseball back," said Bryant.
Capps expressed concern of only having three synthetic turf fields instead of four and the possible cancellations of tournaments due to weather conditions if the city was required to have four.
"We have seven fields," said Bryant."
"I know, but when it rains, it was the whole idea of the turf, to save on mowing and still have tournaments after a lot of rain," said Capps.
"I don't believe that is necessary, but it could be," replied Bryant.
Astin also expressed concern on grass infields interferring with softball.
"They've changed that," said councilman Jim Bailey.
"I just want to give y'all the information so can finish up on making sure the bid has been accepted," said Bryant. "Can I get a motion to accept?"
Capps questioned who the engineer was for the project to make sure the drainage of the fields is correct. Bryant said he didn't know off hand but he would look it up.
"In accepting these bids, will this allow us to get started to have these fields done by spring?" asked councilman Justin Reeves.
Bryant explained the construction would not begin until after spring to make sure weather didn't interfere with the project for the best outcome.
"We'll be ready for next spring with no problem," said Bryant.
When put to vote, the council voted unanimously to accept the bid.
Bryant also reported the city would be moving forward on new garbage truck leases but had been having issues trying to get the interest rate lowered. "It does not look favorable with interest rates going up," he said.
In other business, the council appointed Karen Hodges and Evelyn Smith as new library board members and reappointed Jeanette Jenkins to her position on the board as well.
"Hodges will replace Briuana Green, who moved to Memphis, and Smith will replace Mrs. Judy Sweet, who is stepping down from the board," said Bryant.
The board also heard the library's yearly report.
"It is pretty self explanatory but I can answer any questions," library director Arlisa Harris told the council.
The only question came from Capps who asked about the Traveller's Database.
"It is a database that the State of Arkansas Libraries have for access for the whole state," explained Harris. "Any person who lives in Arkansas can access the database. It has 82 databases. Some of them are genealogy and others provide other information. It is quite a bit. You just have to be a citizen of Arkansas to access it."
The council also voted unanimously to approve bill payments out of general funds in the amount of $34,761.26; street funds for $39,903.32; solid waste funds for $20,776.77 and water funds for $159,779.34.
The only question was about a payment from the water department to the Arkansas Municipal League for $65,933.30, which Bryant said was for property insurance.