The Leachville City Council reviewed complaints with 911 Fire Department emergency relays at the regular city council meeting held Monday, May 18.
The council discussed complaints with Leachville contact delays from the Mississippi County 911 service.
"When a call comes in they run a page but do not patch through to our Fire Department by phone," fireman Mark Johnson said. "We have had delays up to 20 minutes before we are contacted. They have taken our emergency line from us. What was our fire department line is now a business phone. We don't get any emergency calls from on our 539-6543 number."
Mayor Sheila Spurlock agreed to check with Lynn Denny with Mississippi County Emergency Services and see what can be done about the situation.
The council discussed outstanding well bond and sewer plant bond loan payments and maturities. No action was taken to establish a well bond reserve account at this time.
The council voted to purchase a new Water Department truck through a state contract bid. The truck is a half ton, four-wheel drive Ford F150, listed at $16,999.
"The funds are there and we need it," Alderman Bruce Wilson said.
"They have to have something dependable, Syrena Duffel said.
Plans are to sell the old diesel truck when the new one arrives.
City employee uniforms were approved by the council, from G&K Services, of Jonesboro. The color and style of the uniforms will be decided on by the eight employees involved, with a majority rule. This will involve three Water Department employees and five Street Department employees. The cost is listed at $8.50 per person, per week, with an initial set-up fee of $32.50.
"If we buy them they are to wear them," Wilson said.
The decision to provide call-forwarding phone stipend for Water Department employees was tabled until the June council meeting. Police Department employees currently receive a $25 monthly stipend.
One hundred and fifty feet of Seventh Street will be repaired and a new tile installed for proper drainage.
Two doors will be installed or repaired at the city shop. One new 20x12' door is estimated to cost $1,650, and repair of the 10x12' existing door will cost $965. Bids for both were received from TK's Overhead Doors.
A grapple is needed for the city backhoe to allow for pick up of debris. The city will work on securing a quote for the replacement.
Police Chief Keith Evans reported completion of a new JAG grant for purchases of spotlights, stop sticks, a laptop and printer.
"We are looking to updating our protective vests through a federal grant," Evans said. "This will not be a matching grant, but rather a full grant. We have signed up to do the Click it/Ticket campaign.
Teresa Johnson reported seven members of the Leachville Fire Department had received two years certifications, with two more working to complete.
Mayor Spurlock and the council renewed their commitment to enforce the compliance of the city's clean-up ordinances.
"We have protocol in place, and it is time we did it," Wilson said.
"We intend to enforce it city wide," Spurlock said.
Spurlock reported an effort has been made to secure a quote on repairing the leaky roof at Melody Theater.
"We are also waiting on a grant for improvements at the ball park," Spurlock said.
Drainage problems at the M and K Garage have been reported, with no access to a drainage outlet. The council agreed to seek funding from the Leachville Industrial Development Committee to alleviate the situation, since the problem is part of the city's infrastructure.
The city agreed to deed adjacent property along main street for the development of a Veterans Memorial Garden, with the agreement the property would revert back to the city if unused for that purpose.
The Leachville Watermelon Festival is slated for Aug. 1, with details to be released at a later date.
Spurlock reported a $24,867 payment has been received from FEMA for the General Fund, to be used for the Street and Water Departments.
Council comments included a report of guns being fired inside the city limits, and the need for a sidewalk north of town to the Dollar General Store. Residents in wheel chairs have been sited using the highway for access to the store, and safety concerns have arisen.
"We need to contact the State Highway Department to see what can be done," Alderman Bill Hetler said.
"We could consider shoulder paving, as an alternative," Spurlock said. "I'll check with AHTD for help with this."
"I would also like to see our city sidewalks cleaned up," Wilson said. "Many of them are covered up with dirt."
The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, June 8, at city hall.