(August 22, 2019) MOUNT IDA – Monday’s meeting was filled with topics from the past as council members discussed everything from firemen’s pensions to class 4 solid waste generated from storms.
The meeting opened with a few words from Amy Monk and Andy Riner.
Monk spoke on behalf of ARCO in Action. She shared a brief history of ARCO, the Arkansas Rural Coalition of the Ouachitas. She discussed the renewed efforts to bring revitalization to Montgomery County.
Some of the topics she discussed were developing entrepreneurship in local schools, as well as more technical training. ARCO is also working on improving broadband service in the area and a long term goal is to create an innovation hub.
Monk also discussed ways to improve tourism by creating “destinations”. Two examples are a history trail and a quilt trail.
Andy Riner, the 18th West Prosecuting Attorney, introduced himself and announced he was running for the position of 18th West Circuit Court.
After approving the minutes Mayor Jo Childress turned the council’s attention to the financial report.
Before discussion could begin Alderwoman Debbie Baldwin asked about the security cameras and back up hard drives discussed in a previous meeting.
Mayor Childress stated that all but one camera had been installed and were currently in use. She shared that they had purchased the safe to house the off site back ups for the city computers, but it wasn’t installed yet. Once the safe is installed at the water plant they will begin storing the back up hard drives off site.
Once discussion returned to the financial report Alderman Rick Farmer asked about the old fireman’s pension fund again.
Mayor Childress reported that a meeting was being scheduled with all interested parties to discuss a consolidation of pensions. If those drawing from the old pension fund agree to the consolidation Mayor Childress stated that it was her understanding that the tax money going into the old fund could then go to the local volunteer fire department.
The financials were approved.
The council approved the first quarter budget and the second quarter budget.
Mayor Childress presented a resolution naming her the executor of a grant to clear trees at the end of the runway at the airport. She explained that the FAA has told them the trees need cleared for clearance. The trees in question are on U.S. Forest Service property. She added that the forest service has agreed to clear the trees, but the city will be responsible for removing the stumps. The grant money will be used for this purpose.
The council approved the resolution naming the mayor the executor of the grant.
Mayor Childress mentioned an ordinance she was presenting at next month’s meeting that would require city residents to pay for the disposal of any class 4 solid waste. She explained that as of now when a city resident disposed of class 4 solid waste, shingles were specifically mentioned, the city was billed for the disposal at the county collection site.
The mayor stated that the last time a storm caused a lot of damage in the area it emptied out the city’s solid waste budget and this would prevent this from happening again.
Alderman Farmer asked about the tax the city collects to cover trash disposal. He added that he felt to make people pay to dispose of trash was charging them twice.
Mayor Childress responded by reminding everyone of the storm damage a few years ago and how it cleared out the solid waste account.
“Solid waste can’t afford to lose money.”
Someone pointed out that the tax money collected more than covered the cost of dumping last month. Mayor Childress pointed out that while there was a surplus of funds on paper, you still have to consider money needed to cover labor and the trash truck.
Alderwoman Baldwin asked if the responsibility to pay for the class 4 solid waste go away if they gave the tax money back to the county.
Baldwin then asked about recent repairs to the city’s tractor and trash truck. She suggested operator error could be involved before suggesting the council go into executive session.
Mayor Childress stated that the problem with the tractor is that it wasn’t big enough to handle the equipment hooked to it.
Mayor Childress reported that the city was changing CPAs. Steve Savage would be handling the city’s audits from now on.
Alderwoman Baldwin asked for an executive session and the council entered into one at 7:15 p.m.
They returned to general session at 7:40 and did not take any action on personnel issues.
Alderman Farmer asked about the lights on the walking trail at the city park. He stated that there are some dark spots on the trail. Mayor Childress asked him to note exactly where the dark spots are and she would have her people check the lights.
Alderwoman Baldwin asked about a grease spill behind Bamboo Palace.
Mayor Childress stated that the restaurant’s grease trap had stopped up and spilled into a ditch behind their location. She shared that the business was working to fix it and once it was fixed the city would clean the ditch and line it.
With no other business discussed the meeting was adjourned.
Article Written by Dewayne Holloway
