By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The City Council on Monday heard first reading of an ordinance to annex some land which includes a subdivision known as Patillo 1.
In July, the council had delayed action on a petition to annex three subdivisions, which included Patillo 1, Patillo 2 and Redfern.
According to the ordinance, a special election on the annexation will be held Nov. 6 of this year, to be voted in by residents of Forrest City and the area to be annexed. The ordinance is due for two more readings before passage.
A map of the city and the area to be annexed are available for viewing at city hall.
Another ordinance, this one dealing with uniformed city employees (fire and police), was read for the first time.
The ordinance, if passed, will require all uniformed emergency personnel of the fire and police departments to live within Forrest City. Mayor Larry Bryant said the ordinance would apply only to new employees, and current employees would be "grandfathered" in.
Alderman Chris Oswalt requested that the ordinance be amended so that it states in writing that it only applies to new employees. The ordinance as currently written does not state that.
On another matter, a citizen, Robert Edwards, was on the agenda to ask about the progress being made on the proposed multi-purpose building.
"We'll put it on the agenda for the next meeting, and the council can vote it up, down, or around," said Bryant.
In other action, the council passed a resolution authorizing Bryant to apply for a 50-50 matching grant from the Department of Parks and Tourism, to renovate the pool at South Side Park.
The cost of total renovation has been put at $500,000, which would make the grant $250,000. However, Bryant said if the city did not get the full amount, the project could be done in phases, starting with pumps and filters.
Alderman John Gadberry asked why, if the renovation was going to be so expensive, the city didn't simply build a new pool. Bryant said a new pool would cost even more.
In other business, the council granted two variances. One, to Eugene Turner, was for a 10 foot setback variance to place a metal canopy on the back of his home at 821 S. Rosser. The other, to Glenn Ford, was for a 10 foot variance to build a carport on the south side of his home at 626 N. Grant. On the second vote, Ford, an alderman, abstained.
The council also heard from Trish Chapman, who was concerned about erosion of a ditch affecting property on Murray Street. After some discussion, Bryant said he would look into the problem.
A non-fatal three-vehicle wreck tied up traffic on I-40 for several hours Tuesday.
According to Corp. Kelvin Stewart of Arkansas State Police Troop D, the accident took place at about 12:10 p.m. at the 229 mile marker, during a heavy rainstorm.
A 2000 Pontiac Firebird being driven William Bryant, 62, of LaPlace, La., began to hydroplane, went across the median and struck a 2000 Honda driven by Beth Evani, 39, of Dallas. As the Firebird spun, it was struck by a 1999 Freightliner truck driven by Jimmy Freeman, 60, of Sarepta, La.
Evani, the driver of the Honda, received minor injuries, as did a passenger, Lisa Hajec, 22, of Waxahatchie, Texas. A third passenger, Gabriel Evani, 3, was uninjured.
Bryant was treated and held for observation, according to Stewart. Freeman was uninjured.
Stewart said traffic was held up for five to six miles on the interstate. He said it took about three to four hours to get the roadway cleared.
Physicals will be held for all those participating in sports at Calvary Christian Junior High and High School on Friday, Aug. 10, at 8:30 a.m. at Dr. Banaji's office at 1801 Lindauer.
The cost is $10. A form may be picked up at the Calvary Christian High School office.