MINUTES FROM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, May 20, 2010
6:00 p.m.
The City Council of Monticello, Arkansas met in the council chambers at City Hall on May 20, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Joe Rogers, who presided over the meeting, called the meeting to order with the following council members present: Clifton Bond, Raymond Hubbard, Al Peer, Carolyn Brown, Tim Chase and Claudia Hartness. City Attorney Bill Daniels and City Clerk Andrea Chambers were also present. Councilors Sherrie Gillespie and Beverly Hudson were absent from the beginning of the meeting.
Mayor Rogers welcomed the visitors and Councilor Bond gave the invocation.
Finance Report – City Clerk Andrea Chambers:
- Budget is at 33% for the year thru April
- Capital expenses purchased for the month was the fluid exchanger and smoke machine for the shop mechanic, also two chainsaws for Street Department
- Cemetery Association received a donation of $25,000.00 from the estate of Ms. Minnie Mae Moffatt to be used for the maintaince of the cemetery
- Expense items was the fence in the ballparks and the concrete with pavilion for McCloy Park, all were budgeted items
- McCloy Pool will open May 30, 2010
Executive Director Glenda Nichols gave the Chamber of Commerce report.
- Greg Phillips from the Arkansas Department of Heritage was present to announce that Monticello has been accepted into the Downtown Network. He will conduct workshops in July and August to help Monticello to be successful in the program.
- Channel 7 (KATV) will be in Monticello on Monday, May 24, 2010 for a stop on their roadtrip thru Arkansas. They will broadcast live from the University of Arkansas at Monticello from 5:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. and then they will be at the Drew County Museum at 9:00 a.m. KATV will also be on the square that afternoon to give out goodies and broadcast for the evening news.
Executive Director Truman Hamilton gave the MEDC report.
- Received a notice to proceed for the Ridgeway Project
- Two grants still pending for the Fire Department, the fire truck and equipment
- idewalk Enhancement grant is in the works to connect a sidewalk down Highway 425 South to UAM. Monticello School District is constructing a sidewalk and this will make a solid route.
- UAM is considering adding to their curriculum a fire training program
- Scott Street property has a legal description snag that has slowed up the purchase of the property by Ron Echols. If Mr. Echols purchases the land then he will clean it up.
Mr. Hamilton asked the council for permission to advertise for bids to cut the timber on the last compartment at Lake Monticello. Mr. Hamilton stated that the bid would allow eighteen months for the contractor to complete. Councilor Hubbard asked why so long and Mr. Hamilton answered that this would allow the contractor time to cut the timber due to weather conditions. Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Peer, moved to allow Mr. Hamilton to advertise for bids to cut the timber at Lake Monticello. The Chair put the question and all councilors voted “yes”, said motion passed unanimously. Councilor Hubbard asked who the contractor was for the Ridgeway Project and Mr. Hamilton answered tha Grundfest was the general contractor.
The Chair called for any corrections to the minutes from the regular meeting held March 18, 2010. There being no corrections, and upon a motion by Councilor Hubbard, seconded by Councilor Peer, and unanimously accepted, the minutes were approved as written.
The Chair called for any corrections to the minutes from the regular meeting held April 15, 2010. There being no corrections, and upon a motion by Councilor Peer, seconded by Councilor Hubbard, and unanimously accepted, the minutes were approved as written.
Matt Wesolowski was not present to ask for permission to place a radion tower on the city’s water tank.
Dale Handley was present to discuss the city accepting the water lines. The water lines on the Wilson Mill Road were installed according to city specifications and the parts were purchased from the city. There are no leaks on the water lines and the plans has passed the Arkansas Health Department guidelines. Mr. Handley would like for the city to accept the water lines and take over maintenance of the lines. Coucilor Hubbard asked if the lines are in city limits and Mr. Handley responded that they were not. Mr. Daniels informed the Council that for the city to accept the water lines, the city needs to consider future expansion and how it affects the infrastructure so that the system is not over-extended. Councilor Hartness asked if Mr. Handley would be willing to be annexed into city limits and Mr. Daniels stated that they are to far out and that the city limits has to connect to be annexed. Councilor Gillespie arrived to the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Councilor Hartness stated that the city has allowed people outside city limits to hook on and Councilor Hubbard informed the Council that there was a resolution passed that prevented water lines from being extended outside city limits. Mr. Daniels stated that down the road, there could be problems with pressure and a new water tank may have to be installed. Councilor Hudson arrived to the meeting at 6:25 p.m. Mr. Handley stated that he brought the issue to the City Council in 2005 or 2006. Councilor Brown asked if the water lines complete and Mr. Tony Beard stated that it is complete and was inspected by the city as it was installed. Councilor Peer, seconded by Councilor Gillespie, moved to form a committee to study the issue based on the City Attorney’s recommendation. The Chair put the question and all councilors voted “yes”, said motion passed unanimously. Councilor Gillespie asked for the entire City Council to be on the committee. Mr. Daniels suggested inviting the Mayor Elect Allen Maxwell. The Council appointed Councilor Peer to Chair the committee. The meeting is set for June 10th at 6:30 p.m.
Councilor Chase informed the Council that the dental event, ArMOM is all set up and ready to go. There are 120 dentist on hand that have volunteered, stated Councilor Chase. Councilor Peer told Councilor Chase that the city appreciates everthing that he has done to bring this event to Monticello.
Mayor’s Report:
On April 19th, Mayor Rogers attended the Tree Board meeting held at the MEDC building in Monticello. On April 20th, Mayor Rogers attended the pre-construction meeting for the Ridgeway Project with the Autumn Group in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mayor Rogers attended the signing of the papers on April 28th at the Drew County Abstract and Title Company in Monticello, Arkansas for the Ridgeway Project. Mayor Rogers welcomed the Preserving African American Cemetery organization to Monticello at the University of Arkansas at Monticello on April 30th. Mayor Rogers attended the Monticello Economic Development Commission meeting held at the University of Arkansas at Monticello on May 5th. On May 11th, Mayor Rogers attended the welcoming of Allen Sharpe, the new men’s basketball coach for the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Mayor Rogers traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas to meet with the Southeast Arkansas Development District on May 13th.
- Repaired water leaks on South Speer Street, Shelton Street, East Briarcliff Street, West Oak Street, West College Street, Davis Street, Wausau Street, North Boyd Street, West Jackson Street, Larkin Street, Wood Street, Binns Circle, North Slemmons Street, South Conley Street, Larkin Street, Church Street, Bailey Street, Sports Complex and South Maple Street
- Repaired sewer on Wood Street, Glenwood Street, West College Street, in Mason Hill, East Pauline Street, South Hyatt Street, Union Street, Pilgrim Rest Apartments, East Shelton Street, West Jackson Street and West College Street
- Repaired traffic lights at Hwy 425 and Hyatt Street, Old Warren Road and Hwy 425 South, Hwy 425 and Hwy 278
- Replace bottle unit on well #3 and repaired well #6
- Replaced water valve for Conrad Tank
- Mowed grass along city streets and in Oakland Cemetery
- Replaced sewer line along North Bailey
- Repaired chain and painted the city flag pole at Walgreen’s
- Installed meter and backflow protection on the square and at Senior Citizens Center
- Installed new water line for Ross Field
- Repaired culvert on Allen Drive
- Installed storm drains at Sports Complex
- Cut grass and trees at airport and grass at W.C. Whaley
- Repaired storm drain at McCloy Park
- Sprayed wells and lift stations
- Repaired all six street cuts
- Viewed film for safety meeting
- Drained Conrad Tank for cleaning and inspection
- Cleaned ditches on West Oakland Street, in Tanglewood and in Oakland Cemetery
- Cut limbs on East Railroad Street
- Cut limbs on Wausau Street, Kay’s Lane, Hyatt Street, College Street and Antigo Street
- Patched streets on Mill Street, Hawthorne Street, Tracey Drive, Allen Drive and throughout city
- Repaired street in Northgate Subdivision, Willis Street and in Oakland Cemetery
- Repaired water valve at Jordan Park
- Installed water tap on Gabbert Street, Edwards Street and two in Rebecca Circle
- Picked up trash on Godbold Street, at Jordan Park, Lake Monticello, Edgewood Street
- Hauled rip rap to Lake Monticello banks to halt erosion
- Installed signs on East Pope Street, Hyatt Street, Tracy Drive, Allen Drive, Trotter Street, in Tanglewood, North Oak Street and East Oakland Street
All business having been discussed, and upon a motion by Councilor Bond the meeting was adjourned.