Leachville delays opening city hall

Leachville Mayor Rodney Robertson informed the city council Monday night opening the lobby of city hall will be postponed.

Plans were to reopen on Thursday or Friday but with the spike in COVID-19 it will remain closed for now.

Services will continue to be conducted through the drive-through window.

The special called meeting was held to discuss mandating masks, review bids for city vehicles, and discuss repair of a main water line break.

Mayor Robertson said the governor has allowed cities to mandate masks/face coverings in the individual cities/towns.

He said he would like the council's input. Councilman Keith Evans said he believes the owners of the businesses should make that decision and if they do, the city should back them.

After discussion, Evans made a motion to not mandate masks in public other than those required by the Health Department but to support any business who does require masks and has a sign stating masks must be worn.

The motion passed unanimously.

Other council members present were Lisa Baldridge, Paul Wildy, Richie Pace and Michael Webster.

Bids for several vehicles were reviewed. The Tahoe received one bid in the amount of $2,700. The Ford truck received two bids, $501 and $200. The van belonging to the fire department received one bid at $1,200.99. No bid was received for the chipper.

After discussion on the bids, the council voted (3-2) to accept the one bid on the Tahoe and van and the highest bid on the Ford truck. Voting yes were Baldridge, Wildy and Webster with Pace and Evans voting no.

Mayor Robertson informed the council a sewer pump had gone out and he had Robert Ballard, water superintendent, order a new one, which should be in by Friday. The cost will be $1,500. He also informed the council city workers will be repairing a broken main water line on Monday, July 13. The water will be shut off at 6 a.m. and hopefully the work can be done in four hours.

"We are working on letting everyone know the water will be off," Mayor Robertson said. "He is going to try to keep it at 20 percent so we can avoid a boil order. We are working on getting everything needed for the repair on hand. The street from Main to the pumping station will be closed."

Webster said it is a good idea to have double to ensure back up on everything needed.

Wildy said he and his wife filled out the short form online.

He said it is not a difficult process.