title
Minutes for the special called Finance Committee meeting on May 2, 2006.
body
Finance & Administration Committee Minutes
Special called meeting
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
2:00 p.m.
Members Present were: Darrel Dover, Alec Farmer, Jim Hargis and John Street. Councilman Harold Perrin and Councilwoman Ann Williams were unable to attend.
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE
Councilman Farmer explained Councilman Perrin was going to be chairman temporarily and now he was willing to resume his position as chairman of the committee. Councilman Street motioned, seconded by Councilman Dover, for Councilman Farmer to resume chairman position of the Finance committee.
INTERNAL AUDITOR INTERVIEWS
Mr. Archie Willis from Memphis, Tennessee, was interviewed. Mr. Mike McGee was scheduled to be interviewed, but asked to reschedule due to an illness.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Ordinance to create positions to temporarily replace the city workers called to military duty: Ms. Suzanne Hackney explained positions will need to be created so the City can hire people to work for the city workers who have been activated to military duty. She added it will be explained to those hired the City will try to work them in full-time after the workers return from military duty, but nothing will be guaranteed. It was explained money will not be appropriated, but the positions will need to be created and added to the budget. Councilman Dover motioned, seconded by Councilman Street, to approve the ordinance and place it on the agenda for the May 2nd Council meeting. All voted aye.
Discipline for department heads: Chairman Farmer questioned what the different levels of discipline are for city workers. Ms. Hackney explained the process starts with verbal discipline, then a written reprimand, followed by possible suspension and firing. It was questioned what powers the Council had concerning department heads who do not meet deadlines and force situations where special meetings have to be called often. Ms. Hackney stated the Mayor would need to take care of it because the department heads work for the Mayor. Discussion was held regarding action by the Council when deadlines and procedures are not followed. City Clerk Donna Jackson stated the Council is responsible for setting policy, so the Council could make a policy requiring certain disciplinary steps be taken in that particular situation. Councilman Street added there are some situations, like in the Street Department, where special meetings may need to be called. Discussion was then held regarding Springbrook.
It was questioned what would need to be done concerning the ordinance relating to the proposed convention center that were passed by the Council and will be on the ballot in June. It was explained the Council would need to vote for reconsideration of the ordinance and then it will be placed on the next agenda. It was also explained the ordinances would still be on the ballot in June because they cannot be pulled, but the votes would not count.
FINANCE
Firefighter’s old pension plan: Mr. Herbert Wicker explained he spoke with Councilman Perrin and Councilman Perrin suggested he attend the meeting to present the committee with some facts and figures regarding the pension plan. Chairman Farmer stated that because there is some question as to how the City has handled the pension plan in the past, the City is exposed to a potential lawsuit unless everyone involved with the pension plan signs a waiver saying they will not sue the City. It was suggested for the City to have a “friendly lawsuit” so the court can tell the City what to do and the City will be legally covered. It was questioned whether Amendment 59 had anything to do with the cut in millage in 1980. Mr. Wicker stated they do not think Amendment 59 was involved. Discussion was held regarding the cut in millage in 1980. Ms. Deloris Wicker stated in 2004 the half a mill generated $342,499.03. It was questioned how much the City paid in. Mr. Wick explained the mill had an excess of money and that excess should’ve been spent on the firefighter’s fund, not put back into the general account. Mr. Brian Wadley stated they have been having a problem getting legal advice from Attorney Ralph Ohm and City Attorney Phillip Crego. It was questioned what would happen to make the millage change. Ms. Jackson stated the millage resolutions have not been changed since she’s been in office, so she’s unsure what would need to happen for it to be changed. She stated a change would probably have to go through the county offices. Mr. Wicker stated their attorney is Oscar Stilley out of Ft. Smith. It was asked for Councilman Dover to meet with Mr. Wicker before the next Finance meeting to discuss the situation. Mayor Formon stated he would speak with Mr. Ohm and ask for his legal opinion on the matter. It was then explained the best solution would be for a court to tell the City what it needs to do. It was questioned how long a lawsuit would take to go through court. It was explained if both parties agree on the facts a lawsuit could be completed in six months to a year.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Councilman Hargis motioned, seconded by Councilman Street, to adjourn. All voted aye.