Council approves ward boundaries based on census
City hires contractors to help speed up removal of debris from recent ice storm
The Forrest City City Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance allowing for the redistricting of city wards.
The council previously reviewed the changes that would make sure each city ward is under a 10% population deviation.
According to the ordinance, the change would shift 22 people from Ward 3 to Ward 4 and 213 people from Ward 2 to Ward 1.
The council voted 6-to-0 in favor of the ordinance with council members Jason Evansingston and Marvin Metcalf not in attendance.
An ordinance allowing a city worker to perform work for the city was also adopted.
Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams explained the ordinance is necessary in order to approve a contract with city employee Michael Posey for plumbing and repairs at the police department.
Williams explained that because Posey has a plumbing license and due to a high demand for plumbers, department officials agreed he could make the repairs in a more timely manner.
In other business, the council opened requests for qualifications (RFQs) for transitional services.
Of the two submitted, one was from Linda Clark and the other was from AR&R Transitional Living Services.
The AR&R group was represented at a Dec. 7 city council meeting by Roy and Camille Hamilton of Forrest City, saying they wanted to help people transition into the community after being released from prison.
According to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website, AR&R filed paperwork forming a nonprofit corporation on Dec. 11.
The paperwork lists two city council members – Justin Reeves and Louise Fields – as directors of that organization. Cheyenne Moseley is listed as the incorporator/organizer, and Roy Hamilton, who spoke to the council about AR&R in December, is listed as the CEO. The paperwork also lists the address for the organization as Fayetteville.
"We will review both and come back to the council with a recommendation," said Williams.
Reeves told the council that due to him being listed as a director of AR&R he would recuse from voting on the matter when the time came.
Williams also told the council the city is partnering with local contractors in an effort get the storm debris picked up and taken to the city landfill.
“We have had outside contractors come in and divided the city into four different quadrants with each contractor getting a quadrant," said Williams. "Please talk to residents in your ward to get as much as they can to the curb over the next three weeks."
Williams said after the threeweek period the city would meet again and reassess the need for the contractors.
"Who are our contractors?" asked councilman Chris Oswalt.
Williams said the city is working with Get-R-Done, East Arkansas Tree Trimming, Banks Construction and Frank Douglas Tree Trimming Service.
Oswalt also asked about the costs and if the city would be reimbursed due to the storm.
"We are paying $20 per cubic yard of debris, which is the suggested amount from the OEM (Office of Emergency
Management),” said Williams.
He also explained that he had been in communication with the state OEM office and learned the city would not be receiving any disaster relief funds.
"They didn't feel we had enough debris," said Williams. "So what we are doing is keeping track of different line items to see what we can get. But, as of now, we are paying from the street department funds. After this first week we'll get a good idea of how much we'll get removed."
Williams reminded the council that the annual spring cleanup is scheduled for Saturday.
"We'll have supplies ready for pickup at 8 a.m.," said Williams.
He said the Forrest City School District is also participating in educational events with coordinator and administrative assistant Kinyuana Smith in the form of essays and coloring contests to continue to encourage the next generation to be mindful of littering.
"The first 50 people showing up for supplies will have the option of getting the picker sticks to pick up with," said Williams. "Anybody who needs items before that day please let us know."
Williams also told the council that a traffic light removal study is underway for traffic lights along Washington Street at the Hill and Front streets intersections.
"We will cover the lights for a period of time and give people a chance to comment on them," said Williams, who added the city is following a process suggested by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
Williams also told the council he recently attended a Southern Strong Cities Initiative program in Washington D.C.
"A lot of money is out there for infrastructure, water and such," said Williams, who noted the program is a collaborative effort among Arkansas,
Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi to have local leaders involved and in charge of where federal funds would go as well as offering technical assistance for the funds.
"Good information regarding public safety, housing and infrastructure," said Williams.
Council member Danny Capps asked if ARDOT had responded to lighting issues at the cloverleaf, to which Williams said they received the city's submission and sent an email saying they would reply once it had been reviewed.
Capps also expressed concern about poles damaged during the recent ice storm and cleanup, specifically a pole on Rosser that had to be cut.
"Not sure if it's been replaced yet, but I'd like to get that lit up once again," said Capps.
Williams told the council that the first round of electrical crews worked to restore power.
"Now, the secondary crew of local energy people are cleaning up and repairing items like that," said Williams.
The council agreed to pay bills from general funds in the amount of $27,888.88; street fund for $8,303.48; solid waste fund for $45,846.32 and water department for $79,511.93.