A plethora of city business ranging in topics from economics to R.V. regulations were discussed and reports given at the regularly scheduled Warren City Council meeting Monday, November 13, at 5:30 p.m. Aldermen Memory Burks-Frazer, Dorthy Henderson, Joel Tolefree, Emily Moseley and Latanza Atkins were present with only Alderman Angela Marshall absent.
Welcoming members of the Warren High School student council, who were in attendance to observe, Mayor Gregg Reep kicked off the meeting following the opening prayer, pledge of allegiance and roll call. The City Clerks report began with a list of city expenditures for the year through October reported by City Clerk Janice Nelson.
Administrative expenses: $383,590.77
Law enforcement: $1,275,566.41
Fire 401,478.13
Sanitation: $888,043.30
Building codes: $31,197.17
District Court $79,147.64
Municipal building: $27,336.75
Recreation: $236,408.68
Culture center: $17,339.30
Armory: $17,128.27
Shooting range: $45,705.35
Senior Citizen Center $9,417.44
Other: $6,272.74
Airport: $32,976.88
Economic development: $51,980.41
Street department; $474,863.90
For revenues the city brought in $99,480.95 through the City’s sales and use tax and $71,195.32 through the County tax. The revenue reported was for October.
The mayor’s report began with Reep briefing the council over the economic board meeting with LSI, a private company that specializes in finding and applying for grant money. The hope is the company will be able to find money for the cultural building, according to Reep. The company will first speak to the city’s Community and Economic Development Committee who will then bring back a recommendation for the council to make the final decision in hiring the company.
“One of the things I am looking for here is trying to find money for that community center which will not be an easy or low budget item to try and get it repaired,” explained Reep.
Set up in the 1970’s as a local way to license electricians and set electrical codes, Reep asked the Aldermen to consider dissolving the local Electrical Examiner’s Board. According to Reep, the state of Arkansas has taken over the duties of the board since it’s formation and the board is no longer needed. A motion was made to bring an ordinance back to the council to abolish the board and consider members for other positions on other active City boards.
Money owed to the Department of Labor by the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development was next up for discussion. Reep explained there had been some procedural mistakes made through the workforce program.
“As I understand it, no money is missing, not really accused of any violations, it was just some procedural things. The bottom line is the State is saying the development districts owe $287,066.73 and each of the members of the development district owes money.”
According to the State of Arkansas, Warren owes $8,059.86. Southeast Arkansas Economic Development board has asked members to send a prepared letter stating the communities do not have the money to repay the amount asked.
“One way to look at it, we don’t (have the money) because we need every dime we got to do City things and I do not think we are responsible for this; the other side of the coin is, we do have $8,000 if we legally had to pay it back within our cash balances. I have talked to a number of people about this, this is what the district board is recommending be done. I have had it voiced to me by City Council members and others that this isn’t an appropriate thing to do because we are putting out misleading information. My intention is to not write the letter.”
However, Reep did state he would do what he could to not pay the money if the city did not have to.
Following discussion of the Workforce program, the council voted five in favor with one member absent to pass ordinance #951. The local fire pension has been combines with the state. One such pensioner was a widow of a fire chief. Under the way the current rules for pension are written, the widow would no longer receive her husband’s retirement because they were married after he was retired, however, she has always received these funds. The ordinance will allow for a remarriage provision to allow widows to receive their husbands pensions as long as they are married within five years of the date of retirement with the ordinance being backdated to August 1, 2020. According to Alderman Dorothy C. Henderson, “It is the right thing to do.”
The floor was then opened up to citizens. Virginia Phillips was the fist to be called to speak to the council. According to Phillips, in order for her street to be paved, she was informed a drainage ditch would have to be built between residence before the road can be paved. Phillips spoke to the home owners who agreed to give a public right of way in order to dig the drainage ditch. The council voted to move forward in getting the necessary legal documents to dig the drainage ditch.
Next to voice concerns were Alma Valez and Chasity Dickens who live on Oak Street. Speeders down Oak Street has brought concern to the residents of Oak Street who claim several animals have been hit by vehicles and they would like three speed bumps installed in order to deter speeders and protect the children who live on Oak Street. The women were able to obtain signatures from all but two residents in support of the speed bumps. Henderson moved to have the discussion and petition referred to the street committee with Joel Tolefree offering a second. All five present voted for the referral to the street committee.
During the monthly police report Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported the Police Department is currently accepting applications to the force, reporting 11 positions of 15 filled. Henderson took the time to thank the police officers for dealing with a recent animal attack and Reep used the opportunity to remind citizens of Warren that dogs are not allowed to run free in Warren and owners will be subject to a fine.
The Police Committee asked for permission to purchase an Animal Control Truck for an amount up to $20,000 without having to come back to the council for a special session for approval once a truck is found. The council approved the motion with all five present voting for the motion.
RV parking in city limits was also up for discussion with each permit being considered on a case by case basis like the current mobile home ordinance. There will be no permit fee but a permit will be required, however, no living in the RV will be allowed within Warren. The council the voted on a motion to write an ordinance that will be brought back to the council for final approval.
Also moving toward an amendment to an ordinance were rules for livestock in city limits. No livestock can be kept in city limits no small or large hooved animals are allowed. A permit may allow certain livestock within city limits with permission from neighbors, however the permit may be revoked. There have been complaints about goats and horses. There will be no grandfather clause in the ordinance and permits will be granted on a case by case bases. An amendment will be brought forward to the City Council.
The fire committee also reminded everyone they need a permit to burn in city limits. The permits give the rules for burning.
Rob Johnson gave reports on several properties around town that have received complaints and have been condemned. There has been movement on the properties and the city continues to work to get the issues resolved with the owners.
Kyle Wagnon reported on Parks and Recreation with a report of a $5,000 expense for the range to order targets. Wagnon also reported on a solution to repair the bridge at the city park. According to Wagnon the city will use a 42 foot flatbed trailer to span the creek with concrete work on the banks with the City paying for supplies in the estimated amount of $10, 000 to $15,000.
Before the conclusion of the meeting several announcements were made including:
The Municipal Building will be closed Wednesday, November 22 and Thursday, Nov. 23 in observance of Thanksgiving.
Trash will be collected on both Wednesday and Thursday, November 22 and 23.
The Christmas Parade will be held December 9 at 5:30 p.m.
The Municipal building will be closed Monday and Tuesday, December 25 and 26. No trash will be collected on Monday but will be collected on that Tuesday.
The Warren City Council meeting will be held Monday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
