CITY OF NEWPORT
REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 20, 2008

The City Council of the City of Newport, Arkansas met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 20, 2008 in the chambers of the Municipal Courtroom.

City Clerk Linda Treadway called the roll. Council members present were Michael Allen, Jr., Sheridan Cole, Eddie Johnson, Regina Lake, Julie Moss, Neal Pankey, John Pennington and Dean Young. Also present was City Attorney Steve Howard.

Following the invocation by Neal Pankey, those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2008 meeting made by Moss and seconded by Allen carried (6/0) with ?Äúyes?Äù votes from Allen, Cole, Johnson, Moss, Pankey and Pennington. Lake and Young abstained due to absence at that meeting.

REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS

Mayor Stewart gave the following reports:
Condemnations have begun on two pieces of property-223 Calhoun Street and 1611 Cox Street. Stewart recognized City Inspector Craig Baker who provided information relative to the proposed properties asking that the Council visit the properties to view their condition. Pictures of the properties were distributed to the Council. Baker advised the owners have failed to clean up and get the properties restored to livable conditions. Resolutions will be presented for action at the next meeting.

Recognized a letter from Steve Howard as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney requesting funding from the City in the amount of $2,500.00 in 2009 to help defray expenses of the Hot Check Program now being handled by the Prosecuting Attorney?Äôs office. Information will be obtained from the District Court Clerk to determine revenue generated by the City from the program for budget consideration.

Department Heads will be submitting budgets by the end of October with a draft budget to be presented to the Council by the 2nd meeting in November.

Pump at Newport Lake is installed. The contractor suggested that a 3-sided block structure be built with no cover. A wooden fence will be constructed on the lake front side.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE

NEW BUSINESS: NONE

Good of the City

Pennington inquired regarding the progress of the acquisition of the Lake property. City Attorney Howard advised the process is going forward as one partition suit. All parties agree that the City is 1/6 owner, the Drews 5/12 and Jim McLarty, acting for the Water Company, 5/12 owners. Everyone has agreed there is no way to divide the property into fractional interests so it needs to be sold. Tim Watson is preparing the order to sell with hopes that it will be sold by the end of the year. The Water Company has indicated their willingness to bid up to a certain amount and any member of the public as well as the other owners would have the right to purchase at an advertised sale.

There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.

PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 3RD DAY OF NOVEMBER 2008.

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MAYOR
ATTEST:

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CITY CLERK

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