Monette City Council worked through a busy schedule during the meeting Monday evening involving several purchases and contracts.
Mayor Bob Blankenship reported on two discussions with the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
“They are almost finished installing driveway entrances and highway aprons on North Edmonds Street,” Blankenship said. “We discussed mowing contracts for the season also. They had promised us $3,300 per year toward mowing expenses but the state contract was cut $1,000 this year. If we use our sub-contractor Logan Dewitt to mow for the city, we will have to make up the difference.”
The council agreed to keep the new state contract of $2,300 and pay the difference to have Dewitt mow for the city.
The city plans to use the $15,000 Rural Grant funds to purchase city warning sirens and will use the city's Act 833 money for matching funds of $15,000.
The council voted to allocate $40,000 of street funds for the purchase of a dumpster chipper truck with extended bed.
Last month the council voted to purchase a 2020 Freightliner sanitation truck for $97,495, after trade-in, from Arkansas Municipal Equipment of Poyen, Ark. Payment will be in full using Sanitation Department funds and savings.
Blankenship reported water tank aerator problems had set off fire alarms at Buffalo Island Central High School.
“The problem had been with radio communications between the towers,” Blankenship said. “We were able to get it fixed by putting in timers.”
“We did not create this problem,” Alderman Brandon Decker said. “But installation of the equipment was forced on us by the Health Department.”
The council discussed ongoing problems with the sewer plant.
“We need to get our city attorney to write a letter to Miller Newell Engineers explaining that the plant needs to be fixed,” said Alderman Kristian Nuckles.
“They designed it, and it is their responsibility for it to work,” Decker said.
Mayor Blankenship agreed to speak with them this week.
Delta Paving is slated to be in Monette the last of May to chip seal and repair city streets.
Mayor Blankenship passed out copies of an employee drug and alcohol testing policy for the council to review for later consideration in adopting.
On April 1 the Monette Planning and Zoning Commission approved rezoning of property at 500 North Edmonds Street from Industrial to R3 to allow construction of 33 apartment units by GRK Properties. The council voted to accept the Zoning Commission’s recommendation, with a 4-0 vote. Alderman Nuckles abstained from voting.
The council allocated $30,000 toward the purchase of a new fully equipped Police Department truck, with bucket seats and no console.
The council went into executive session to discuss hiring, but no action was taken.
Monette Clean Sweep Week will take place May 6-10.