December 19, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes Overview: You can watch the full meeting on the city’s YouTube Channel
Attendance: Council Members Chapman, Morris, Harbolt, Hefner and McMinn were in attendance. Council Member Shetron was absent.
Unfinished Business:
• None
Executive Session: At the request of Council Member Hefner, council and the Mayor went into an Executive Session in the Mayor’s Office to discuss a personnel matter. No subsequent action was taken.
New Business
• Incoming HR/Finance Director Courtney Ruble was introduced. Courtney is replacing Deborah Staley who is retiring shortly after the first of the year. Council approved 5-0
• Due to redistricting of the Voting Wards, a vacancy was declared by the Council for Ward 3, Positions 1 & 2 as no one from Ward 3 signed up to run for either position during the November election. If you are interested in being appointed as a City Council Member for Ward 3, you must be a registered voter, you must live in Ward 3 and you must turn in an Affidavit of Eligibility to the City Clerk (Nicci Rummel) no later than noon on January 13, 2023. To learn more about the responsibilities of a City Council Member, and to view a map of the new Voting Wards and download an affidavit, visit https://www.wardarkansas.org/council
• Resolution 2022-35 to approve the 2023 City of Ward Budget passed 5-0
• Resolution 2022-36 to approve the 2023 Water and Sewer Budget pass 5-0
• Resolution 2022-37 authorizing the Mayor, City Clerk, HR/Finance Director, and City Attorney to sign checks on city banking accounts passed 5-0
• Resolution 2022-38 authorizing the issuance of city credit cards to certain positions and setting spending limits passed 5-0
• Resolution 2022-39 authorizing the continuation of retirement pay to retired City Clerk John Barclay passed 5-0
• Resolution 2022-40 establishing a Snow Removal Plan for the city passed 5-0
• Resolution 2022-41 authorizing the Mayor or City Clerk to enter into a contact with “Get it Clean” Cleaning Service to provide after hour and weekend janitorial services for City Hall passed 5-0
• After discussion, the council authorized the Mayor to negotiate with Southern Paramedic Service to renew their contract for another 5 years. This measure passed 5-0
• The Mayor presented Jimmy McMinn a Certificate of Appreciation for his time on the City Council from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022
Mayor’s Report
• SRTS IV Sidewalk Project: Awaiting engineering design
• Water Meter Replacement Project: The contract is currently being reviewed
• Unified Development Ordinance: The city staff is currently reviewing the plan before presenting it to the Planning Commission
• Consolidated 911 Center: The Consolidation Plan for the county will be turned into the State 911 Board this week.
• License Plate Reader Cameras: The contract is signed and the contractor is awaiting permits from ARDoT before installation can begin
• ANRD Call for Projects: Our application for $1.2M to replace the remaining home on the vacuum sewer system was denied. It should be noted that there were 800+ applications worth almost $3 billion with only $270 million to hand out.
• Metroplan Bike/Pedestrian Pathway: The revised engineering study is on-going
• Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: Thanks to the Ward Chamber of Commerce for organizing this year’s event and to Job4You for decorating the tree. Finally, thanks to ALL who attended. It was a GREAT event
From OUR family to YOURS…Merry Christmas!
Original source can be found here.
