Derene Cochran

The Forrest City City Council convened a special meeting to open bids for construction on city buildings damaged during the April storm. Bids were received from Drummond Roofing and N & J Roofing, LLC for various city properties, including the New Police Station, Old City Hall, Animal Shelter, Senior Citizen center, Old Police Station, and others. All bids were reviewed, and a decision was scheduled to be made later.

The council discussed an ordinance to reduce false alarms, an ordinance establishing the Forrest City Fire Department as jurisdiction for the Forrest City District Court, and a mobile food vendors ordinance. They also discussed a future ordinance on street, alleys, gutters, ditches, debris, household appliances, furniture, and grass. Permission was requested to sell old equipment at auction. A resolution related to flood grant money was discussed and adopted. The council approved and paid the General Fund, Street Fund, Solid Waste Fund, and Forrest City Water Utility bills. Announcements included updates on burn permits, a grant for interstate LED lights, trash responsibility, FEMA inspection of bridges, and ditch digging plans.

The meeting included discussion of an asphalt/sealer bid and a pool filtration bid. The council discussed a plan to clean up the city, including setting guidelines for junk pickup and addressing the issue of grass clippings in storm drains. Concerns were raised about tractor trailers parked in neighborhoods and their impact on city streets. The council also discussed the purchase of a service truck, general fund bills, street fund bills, solid waste fund bills, and Forrest City Water Utility bills. Announcements were made regarding the completion of restrooms, the arrival of a new fire truck, and ongoing demolitions of houses.

The council meeting addressed concerns about inspection procedures for businesses, with discussions on ensuring a uniform process. The third reading of ordinances related to false alarms and establishing the Forrest City Fire Department's jurisdiction was tabled. A zoning variance for a commercial business in a residential area was discussed, as well as a variance request from Silicon Ranch for a project involving infrastructure upgrades and community investments. The council also reviewed and discussed a mobile food vendors ordinance and permit application. Additionally, the State Legislative Audit report was received, and resolutions were adopted for declaring certain properties as public nuisances. The council approved general fund, street fund, solid waste fund, and water utility bills. Announcements included the financing of a new garbage truck and the hiring of new city employees.

The meeting included discussions on the Watershed Improvement Project and an address from the Executive Director of the Arkansas Black Mayors Association. The council reviewed an ordinance to reduce false alarms and another establishing the Forrest City Fire Department as jurisdiction for the Forrest City District Court. A resolution for the expenditure of funds to repair a Water Department sewer was discussed, along with permission to advertise for bids to repair storm-damaged roofs at the Water Department and other city buildings. The council also approved and paid bills for the General Fund, Street Fund, Solid Waste Fund, and Forrest City Water Utility. Announcements included updates on class reunions, the Hall of Fame ceremony, garbage cart placement, upcoming financial reports, and FEMA's assessment of damages.