Drew Avenue, Hwy. 18 lights installed

During the Monette City Council meeting held Monday, Nov. 26, city councilman Brandon Decker, relay technician with Entergy, announced the new entrance and exit lights from Drew Avenue to the Highway 18 loop around the city would be up and working by Friday, Nov. 30.

Mayor Chub Qualls sited safety concerns as the reason for street name changes throughout the city, and that physical addresses were vital for quick response from the 911 emergency service center when calls for help were received. Several Highway 18 residents inside the city will be assigned new Drew Avenue addresses when the work is complete. Residents will be notified of changes.

Ordinance 1995-5 requires street address numbers be posted on or in front of all houses or buildings inside the city limits.

Mayor Qualls announced the City Beautification Committee’s plans for a Tour of Homes from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 1, and a Winter Christmas Festival, from 1-6 p.m. Dec. 8, followed by the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m.

The council reviewed the 2019 city budget, with individual funds including General Fund, Water, Sewer, Sanitation, Street, Park, Monette Memorial Cemetery, Beautification, Buffalo Island Museum, Fire Department and Veterans Park.

The council passed Ordinance 2018-3 allowing certain territories along the Highway 18 loop to be annexed into the city of Monette. The new territory has been assigned to ward two.

Discussion involved the need to prepare six acres of city owned farmland, adjacent to the Monette Cemetery, for future expansion.

The next council meeting will be 5 p.m. Dec. 17 in the Buffalo Island Museum, followed by the city employees Christmas party held at city hall.

The council went into a 15-minute executive session to discuss employee discipline, but reconvened without taking any action.

The council agreed to a one year contract with the Arkansas Highway Department for mowing along the city's right-of-way areas.

Dec. 30 was declared “Chub Qualls Day in Monette” to honor Mayor Qualls who will be retiring this year after 12 years of service. An open house will be held from 2-4 p.m. to honor him at the Community Center. Councilman Bob Blankenship will coordinate the event.