04 April 2006 Regular MINUTES OF THE VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD APRIL 17, 2006
The City Council of the City of Van Buren, Arkansas met at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 17, 2006 at City Hall. The
meeting was called to order by Mayor Riggs. On roll call the following Council members answered as their names were
called: Alderman Swaim, Parker, Moore Spoon, Dodd, ancl Sagely. City Attorney Candice Settle and City Clerk
Barbie Curtis were also present. This made a total of nine (9) present. A quorum was declared.
The Invocation was given by Bill Gentry, St. Edwards Hospital.
Next Mayor Rig,,s led the Pledge of Allegiance.
On the agenda next, Mayor Riggs asked to adopt the minutes of the Council Meeting on March 20, 2006.
Alderman Parker made a motion to approve the minutes. Alderman Swaim seconded the motion. On roll call the
following Council members voted aye: Alderman Swaim, Parker, Moore, Spoon, Dodd and Sagely. The following
voted nay: none.
On the agenda next was to consider A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO
ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR PROPERTY INSURANCE. The Clerk read the Resolution in its entirety. Mayor
Ri Gs asked if there was any discussion. There was none. Alderman Swaim seconded by Alderman Dodd moved that
the Resolution be adopted. The question was put by Mayor Riggs on the adoption of the motion and the roll being
called, the following voted aye: Alderman Swaim, Parker, Moore, Spoon, Dodd, and Sagely. And the following voted
nay: none.
The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution adopted and signed the Resolution, which was attested by the City
Clerk and impressed with the seal of the City.
THE RESOLUTION WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER 4-1 -2006
CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. 4 2006
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING TILE MAYOR TO
ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR PROPERTY INSURANCE.
WHEREAS, The Mayor of Van Buren needs to advertise for bids on property
insurance, which expires June 25, 2006.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1: THAT the Mayor is authorized and directed to cause to be drafted
a list of needed insurance.
SECTION 2: THAT after said Iist is prepared and incorporated into a Notice to
bidders, the City Clerk is authorized and directed to advertise for
bids for said insurance.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS I 7 DAY OF APRIL, 2006.
MAY II CHIN RIG
ATTESTED: C---/
CITY CLERIC-TREASURER
On the agenda next was to consider a RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF L S LAWN SERVICE
FOR LAWN MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY PROPERTY. The City Clerk read the Resolution in its entirety.
Mayor Riggs asked if there was any discussion. There was none. Alderman Swaim seconded by Alderman Parker
moved that the Resolution be adopted. The question was put by Mayor Rips on the adoption of the motion and the roll
being_ called the following_ voted aye: Alderman Swaim, Parker Moore, Spoon, Dodd and Sagely. And the following
voted nay: none.
The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution adopted and signed the Resolution, which was attested by the City
Clerk and impressed with the seal of the City.
THE RESOLUTION WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER 4-2 -2006
CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. LE- -2006
A -RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF L S LAWN SERVICE FOR LAWN
MAINTENANCE OF CITY PROPERTY.
WHEREAS, The Mayor has advertised for bids for lawn service for the maintenance of
several city properties; and
NVIIEREAS, That only one bid has been received and it has been opened as advertised;
and
WHEREAS, That the Council recognizes that the bid was made by 1. S Lawn
Service, and that its owner, Wesley Sandlin, Jr., is the son of a city
employee, Wesley Sandlin, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, The Council feels that the bid of L S Lawn Service is a reasonable and
acceptable bid.
NOW, TIIEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS:
SECTION l: THAT the Bid of $900.00 /month by L S Lawn Service is accepted.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 17th DAY OF APRIL, 2006.
Asa-
MAY Sill JOHN r 1
A"TT�ESTED: el-L,'7-
CITY CLERK/TREASURER
On the agenda next was to consider a RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER LNTO A
CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR RENA ROAD WIDENING-PHASE I. The Clerk read the
Resolution in its entirety. Mayor Riggs asked if there was any discussion. Alderman Dodd asked if part of the money
tube used would be Federal money. Mayor Riggs said the contract. would be 20° o local match and the rest would be
Federal. The Engineering would be at the City's cost. Alderman Swaim seconded by Alderman Parker moved that the
Resolution be adopted. The question was put by Mayor Riggs on the adoption of the motion and the roll being called,
the following voted aye: Alderman Swaim, Parker, Moore, Spoon, Dodd, and Sagely. And the following voted nay:
none.
The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution adopted and signed the Resolution, which was attested by the City
Clerk and impressed with the seal of the City.
THE RESOLUTION WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER 4 -3 -2006
CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. 4-3 -2006
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT F012 ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR RENA ROAD
WIDENING —PHASE 1.
WIIEREAS, The City of Van Buren, Arkansas desires to widen and reconstruct
Rena Road and the City is in need of engineering services to
prepare the final plans and specifications for Phase I of the project.
NOW, THEREFORE, I3E IT RESOLVED BY THE CFFY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS:
SECTION I: The Mayor is authorized to enter into a contract with Hawkins
Weir Engineers, Inc. of Van Buren, Arkansas, to provide
engineering services for the final plans and specifications for Rena
Road Widening —Phase 1. Payment for such engineering services
and reimbursable
rt expenses shall not exceed $145,000.00.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS I 1 D Y OF APRIL, 2006.
alw
MAYOR OHN R
ATTESTED:
CITY CLERIC/TREASURER
li
On the agenda next was to consider a RESOLUTION AUTHORIZIiNG APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION
AS PRESERVE AMERICA COVLYLUNITY. The Clerk read the Resolution in its entirety. Mayor Riggs asked if
there was any discussion. Alderman Parker asked if there were restrictions on local building owners. Maryl Koeth
with the A P Commission said this was a program started by Laura Bush. She said they would be working hand and
hand with our Historical District. She said there would be no additional restrictions on the building owners. Alderman
Parker seconded by Alderman Swain moved that the Resolution be adopted. The question was put by Mayor Riggs on
the adoption of the motion and the roll being called, the following voted aye: Alderman Swaim, Parker, Moore, Spoon,
Dodd. and Sagely. And the following voted nay: none.
The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution adopted and signed the Resolution, which was attested by the City
Clerk and impressed with the seal of the City.
THE RESOLUTION WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER 4 -4 -2006
C!i'Y OF VAN ItUREN, ARKANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. 4- -2006
A RESOLU'T'ION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION AS
PRESERVE AMERICA COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, Preserve America is a White House initiative developed in cooperation
with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the U.S. Department
of the Interior, and the U.S. Department of Commerce; and
WIIEREAS, The goals of this initiative include a greater shared knowledge about our
Nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased
local participation in preserving the country's irreplaceable cultural and
natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of
communities; and
WHEREAS, This initiative is compatible with our community's interests and goals
related to historic preservation; and
WHEREAS, Designation as a Preserve America Community will improve our
community's ability to protect and promote its historical resources.
NOV, THEREFORE, BE 11' RESOLVED BY TIIE on COUNCIL OF VAN I3UREN,
ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1: THAT the City of Van Buren will apply for the designation of a Preserve
America Community.
SECTION 2: TIIAT the City of Van Buren will protect and celebrate our heritage, use
our historic assets for economic development and community
revitalization, and encourage people to experience and appreciate local
historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.
PASSED AND APPROVED TIIIS 17111 DAY OF APRIL, 2006.
MAYO N R
ATTESTED:
CITY CLERK /MEASURER
1. ..a .,I, the age was the Financial Statement. Motion was made 1 Alderman Nloore and seconded by Alderman
S\V tnn to appropriate the sum of $936,64.08 to pay expanses and salaries for March 2006, presented by the City
Clerk '1 reasurer. The Council followed with a unanimous vote.
9 -11 -2006 10,48 AM
C I T Y 0 0 VAN B U R E N PAGE: 1 1
TRIAL BALANCE
AS OF: MARCH 31ST, 2006
10 -General Fund SEAR TO DATE
MONTH 10 GATE
ACCT* ACCOUNT NAME
DEBITS CREDITS DEBITS CREDITS
ASSETS
I
200.00
1000 Petty Cash 0.00
1020 Cash in Bank
115,658.35 207,642.75
0
1020.10 Cash in Bank 0.00
k Sales Tax City 0.00
1020.17 New Police D00L
B.00 35,000.00 814,8.44.65
16,960.86 1020.18 Cash in Bank PO Co Tax 119,148.20 1 57 1 26 i
19,551.39 86,314.49
1020_19 Cash in Bank FO Co Tax 117 4 1 8 6 6
5,300.00
1020.20 Cash In Dank erosion Control Jj00°
3,394.17 5-.650 9 2
1020.27 Cash in Bank Levee 0.00
1020.31 Cash in Bank Parks a ReC
500.00 15,540.39 7,203.80
1 L
114 9,017.94 3 1 1 7 9-
1020.51 Cash in Hank Cemetery
1020.91 Cash in Bank Cap Imp
91,114.91 81],595.04
0.00 0.00
1040 Investments 936,645 08
B.BO 0.00
1040.10 Investments Sales Tax city
1040.18 Investments PD Co Tax
a.0a 0.00
1040.19 Investments FD Co Tax
0.00 0.00
1040.27 Investments Levee
0.00 0.00
00 0.00
0.
1040.31 Investments Parks ReC 1
1040 -51 Investments Cemetery
767,758.97
0.00 48,581.40
1040.91 Investments Cap Imp 0.00 000 I.
1040.92 Capital Improvement CD
0.00 0.00
1050 Fixed 850005
0.00 0.00
1051 Accumulated Depreciation
0.00 0.00
1504 Due from Payroll
0.00 0.00 I
1505 Dun From Other Funds
0.00 0.00 I
00 0.25
0.
1520 Due from Street Fund i
1540 Due Pim Library Fund
0.00 0.00
LIABILITIES AND FOND BALANCE
0.00 0.00
I I
2000 Accounts Payable l
2010 Municipal Health Ins. Payable
0.00 0.00
0.00
2030 Colonial Life Payable
°.h0 00
2035 Credit union -Flynt Resource
0.00 0.00
2040 WPFI Payable
0.00 0.00
2050 National Foundation Life Ins.
0.00 35.28
2080 conseco Payable
0.00 0.00
2090 New York Life 108. Payable
0.00 0.00 I
2100 Life Ins. of Georgia Payable
O.UO 0.00
2130 Gdrnislunenl:n Payable
0.00 0.00
2135 R. Allen Trust 8502355610
0.00 0.00
a.00 °.°0
2140 United May 'Payable 250.00
5.00 i
2150 Parks 6 Rcc. P.O.D.
2160 Pre -Paid Legal Services
0.00 0.00
0° 0.00
2110 F.O.P. 1
2175 Van Buren Fire Fighters Union
0.00 0.00
2176 Van Buren Firemen contribution
0.00 0.00
2177 Police Officers Union
°.00 0.00
Next Police, Fire, Building Inspector, District Court and Engineer Reports were presented for filing.
Next was time for miscellaneous and general discussion. Mayor Riggs said they had received a letter from Attorney
Kevin Holmes. The Mayor asked if there was any discussion. Alderman Swaim said if there was no discussion, he
made a motion in the form of a Resolution to reject the settlement offer outlined in Mr. Holmes letter dated April 3,
2006. The letter was addressed to Mike Mosley of the Arkansas Municipal League in North Little Rock. Attorney
Candice Settle said she thought a motion would be sufficient. Mayor Riggs said he thought a motion of the rejection in
the minutes would be sufficient. Alderman Spoon said whatever the Council said was the proper manner. Alderman
Spoon asked where the Municipal League Attorneys stand on this. Attorney Candice Settle said Mr. Mosley said he
wanted to leave that up to the Council. Mr. Mosley said he thought $22,000 was not reasonable and a counter offer
lower than that would probably not be accepted. Mayor Riggs said they had a motion made by Alderman Swaim and it
was seconded by Alderman Parker. The Council followed with a unanimous vote.
Mayor Riggs said the next item to discuss was a Cloverleaf street closing. Attorney Paul Gant spoke on behalf of
J.R. Young and Citizens Bank. Mr. Young and Citizens Bank had filed a petition that part of what once was the
extension of Old Alma Boulevard which for all purposes had been abandoned be closed. Attorney Gant said Mr. Brad
Baldwin City Engineer had a meeting with Mr. Young, Citizens Bank and himself. Attorney Gant said there was a lot
on the table at this time that was very important to the community. Attorney Gant said they had agreed to withhold the
seeking of approval of the petition for a period of sixty (60) days. Attorney Gant said they would withdraw their
petition until the June meeting. Mr. Young said there were a lot of businesses concerned about this area. Mayor Riggs
said they would run it by the Planning Commission. Alderman Swaim said since Mr. Baldwin was already working on
this project he would like to have Mr. Baldwin in conjunction with that starting at 28 Street at Rhodes Chevrolet and
go east to the on ramp at 540 south side of the Highway including the old Wal -Mart parking lot, Mr. Young's property
and etc. and determine what is City easement, Highway Department easement and what is private property easements.
Alderman Swaim said that entire section from McDonald's at the intersection and over could afford to be worked and
reworked properly to handle ingress and egress. Mayor Riggs told City Engineer Brad Baldwin to do whatever it took.
Mayor Riggs said the next item was to discuss contracting with an ambulance service. Mayor Riggs asked
Chief McAdoo to speak. Chief McAdoo said over a month ago they advertised for the ambulance service in the
Arkansas Gazette and the City and Town magazine. He said the add ran for fourteen (14) days in the newspaper and
ran for a month in the City and Town magazine. Chief McAdoo said the Alderman and the City Attorney have packets
to look at. The Fire Chief said they thought they had seven (7) proposals but turned it out to be only four (4). He said
he thought they were four (4) good proposals. Chief McAdoo said he thought it would be something good to look at.
Mayor Riggs said if the Council has any questions they could call Chief McAdoo. Mayor Riggs said that the Firemen
responded to eight hundred fifty (850) to nine hundred (900) calls last year. He said the Firemen were fast responder,
EMT certified. The Mayor said when these firemen go out and they save a life they get nothing. These agreements
include a $50.00 certificate per employee to be paid by the ambulance service. Chief McAdoo said these proposals
were not only for the Fire Department they were for the public also. Mayor Riggs said they had not set a date on this
but he would like to as soon as possible maybe as soon as June. Alderman Swaim said there was a point that he had a
problem with. Alderman Swaim said historically Crawford County had an ambulance contract with Canon that'
expired five (5) years ago. He said they advertised for bids for a five (5) year contract that was awarded to Angel Care.
Alderman Swaim said the contract expires December 31, 2006. The Contract will be negotiated before it expires and
readvertised. He said that was in the process right now. Alderman Swaim said to prevent the County from getting the
contract and continuing as they have in the past ten years, he said now they want to cherry pick. He said they would
take Alma and Van Buren and let the County go. Alderman Swaim said someone out of the area has no service. He
said he did not believe in the City trying to change and ignore the rest of the county. He said not only by cherry
picking it could be used as a conflict of interest. Alderman Swaim said he had a problem with all of this, especially the
`ve are going to take care of us and tough for the rest He said he thought the City could find enough money to pay
the firefighters to maintain their EMT license and keep them updated. Mayor Riggs said Alma already has an exclusive
contract. Mayor Riggs said they could have an emergency run and the only ones to show up maybe the Fire
Department. Mayor Riggs said Alma is the one making the money. He said with this proposal the City of Van Buren
is getting a guarantee of at least two (2) ambulances in the area at all times. Mayor Riggs said he was concerned about
the county also. Mayor Riggs said times were tough but maybe we could find the money for the firemen's training. He
asked Chief McAdoo if the training would cost around $20,000. He said the overtime pay would be an issue.
Chief ivicAdoo said it would cost somewhere around that figure. The Mayor said he thought they should look at the
proposal. Attorney Candice Settle said the reason this all came about was Angel Care wanted an exclusive contract.
She said looking at this they are trying to raise the level of care and get the best we could for everyone. Chief McAdoo
said he thought the service would improve countywide. Alderman Parker asked how many businesses would they be
putting out of business currently serving now. Chief McAdoo said there was only one (1) at this time that was serving
Van Buren. He said when Angel Care wanted an exclusive contract that's when they decided to put the contract up for
bids. Alderman Parker asked if there any other business they would be putting out of business. Attorney Settle said
she thought Alderman Parker was asking if there were any other types of transport whether that be ambulatory or other
transport. Alderman Parker agreed. Attomey Settle said it was within the Council's discretion what limits are placed
on an exclusive contract. Alderman Swaim asked if Attorney Settle was saying the Council could require the
ambulatory service to serve the entire Crawford County. Attomey Settle said no. Chief McAdoo said someone would
have to take the County contract or they would not leave the County un- served. Alderman Swaim said once you have
taken Van Buren and Alma out of the mix, a service in the county couldn't survive. Chief McAdoo said there was
another service that was going around getting exclusive contracts with different cities in the county. Chief McAdoo
asked what kind of game that was. Mayor Riggs said that's where they are at the present they don't have a guarantee
with any of the services. Attomey Settle said there were some problems right now of getting service when they are
called. Attomey Settle said they are not getting good responses. Chief McAdoo said they have nothing at the present
to hold the service to any king of standards. He said where do I go with a complaint. Alderman Swaim said to the
county. Alderman Swaim said he doesn't know what is in the contract. Aldennan Swaim said they would look it over.
Alderman Moore seconded by Alderman Swaim made a motion to adjoum. The Council followed with a unanimous
vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
APPROVED:
ATTESTED: R ttiv
e MAYOR
�,ue
CITY CLERK TREASURER