By REVIS BLAYLOCK
NEA Town Courier
Two ordinances and four resolutions were approved at the Tuesday, June 18, Blytheville City Council meeting.
All council members, Barbara McAdoo-Brothers, Linda Moore, R.L. Jones, Shirley Marshall, Jacquin Benson, Jr., and Mat Perrin, were present.
Mayor Melisa Logan called the meeting to order and following the approval of the May minutes and financial report, City Clerk Melody Lawson read the first ordinance which passed, along with the emergency clause, unanimously. The ordinance waived competitive bidding and authorized software upgrades for the Blytheville waterworks. The ordinance authorized the mayor to enter into the lease/purchase of computer services from CUSI at a cost of approximately $37,500 up front and $3,241 a month.
The second ordinance read and approved unanimously was waiving the competitive bid process and authorizing the purchase of extrication equipment for the Blytheville Fire Department.
The equipment will be purchased from Casco Industries, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $58,839.92
Council members approved a resolution amending the budget for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2024, for the Parks/Recreation - sportsplex. The council voted unanimously to increase the maintenance/repairs of equipment for $11,240.06 and increase the use of parks/recreation surplus for $11,240.06.
City Clerk read a resolution setting a public hearing regarding the vacating of a public utility easement on a property located within the city of Blytheville. The meeting was set for 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, prior to the July council meeting at 5 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Ritz Civic Center to hear the petition regarding the vacating of a public utility easement at 101 Fairview Meadows Drive.
The final two resolutions passed and approved recognized two retiring police officers, Captain Teri Looney and Captain Jeremy Ward. Both were awarded their service weapons to be retired and remain in their possession.
Captain Looney was recognized for her years of service to the Blytheville Police Department and was awarded her service weapon. Captain Looney will retire on July 2, 2024.
Captain Ward was recognized for his years of service to the Blytheville Police Department. He retired on May 31.
Mayor Logan informed the council that the city had passed the Federal Grant Audit showing how the city had used the recovery funds.
She said the city had also received the results of the 2023 wastewater and water audit with no findings.
Councilman Jones said he had received good comments on the Juneteenth activities.
Mayor Logan said Wednesday, June 19, is a federal holiday and city hall and city departments will be closed. Logan encouraged those in attendance to take part in a prayer walk at the Prayer Garden on Walnut Street at noon.
“Let’s honor Juneteenth,” Mayor Logan said. “These activities will make us closer as a community.”
The next regular meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the Ritz Civic Center.