The Warren City Council approved a firearms ordinance at the monthly meeting on Monday, June 12. The new ordinance prohibits firearms being discharged in the city limits. Warren Police Chief Shaun Hildreth approved of the ordinance.
It stated, “it should be unlawful within the city of Warren, Arkansas for any person to discharge any firearm.” The ordinance defined the term firearm as “any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile with the action of an explosive or any device readily convertible to that use, including such a device that is not loaded or lacks a clip or other component to render it immediately operable and components that can be readily assembled into such a device.”
The penalty for violating the ordinance is no less than $100 or more than $500 for each violation. Exceptions include any certified law officer while in performance of their duties, citizens while in the lawful protection of themselves or another as provided in the statutes of the state of Arkansas, animal control officers while under performance of their duties, and duly formed and organized gun or rifle clubs while at a designated firing range provided the construction of the range facility has been approved by the city as meeting current safety standards.
In other business, Warren Mayor Gregg Reep reported they had received a letter of resignation from Vol Ford from the Civil Service Commission. Alderwoman Memory Burks-Frazer said the city council would look to fill the vacant position.
The mayor and city council went into executive session and no action was taken.
Mayor Reep nominated Randall Rainey to the Community Development Advisory Committee.
Local resident Willie Thomas spoke before the city council about problems with limbs not being cleaned up by the power company near St. John Church. Mayor Reep said he had received several calls about it and they would contact Entergy.
Warren Police Chief Hildreth reported the second police vehicle had arrived. The department was short two officers with a total staff of 13.
There was discussion about the dog shelter expansion. Thirty states have a time period for when to euthanize a dog and the state of Arkansas does not. An ordinance was approved by the city council stating stray dogs will be kept for a minimum of five days and a maximum of 21 days when a dog arrives at the shelter.
There have been dogs at the local animal shelter for over a year, causing it to be overcrowded and high costs. Frazer-Burks commented they need to get the dogs off the streets.
It was brought up that animal control needs a new animal control truck. The police chief received permission to look into purchasing a used truck.
Warren Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported 12 calls were responded to during the month of May. The fire department assisted with the demolition projects downtown. The department is keeping the demolition at the Bryant Furniture building wet to prevent dust.
Sanitation manager and building official Rob Johnson presented his reports to the city council. He said the new trucks and equipment was up and running.
Johnson said the Warren Elementary School building was being finished. He commented it was a “well-built building.”
Johnson told the city council they were waiting to get a full report from the structural engineer that inspected the Bryant Furniture building. The engineer told them they could take down the wall by hand for now.
Street Foreman Monty Hearnsberger presented his report to the city council.
The street committee voted against the request for commercial parking signs, saying it’s a public street. The council approved the vote.
The Ways and Means Committee approved to a $2 an hour pay increase to the Assistant to the City Clerk.
The committee is waiting on additional information on the solar power plan.
They also approved a tenure bonus increase for employees.
Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Wagnon reported they were welding the workout equipment and cutting off rusted handles at the city park.
He also said the city pool opened up and they have about 40 attends on an average day. The department applied for a recreational grant to repair the pool lining and update the filters. Wagnon said there was a leak and it needs new lining to repair it.
Mayor Reep reported the National League of Cities contacted them about putting together a promo for the city of Warren at no charge.
The next Warren City Council meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 10 at the Warren Municipal Building.
