Dumas City Council passed a pair of Ordinances, one Resolution and heard reports during September City Council Meeting held at Dumas City Hall.
Present for the meeting were: Mayor Flora Simon, Council members included: Roy Dalton, Amber Madison, Kenneth Daniels, John Owen, Jared May, Ross Martin, Franklin Healey and Romona Weatherford. Also present: City Attorney Brooks Gill and recorder Shelly Billingsley.
After Mayor Flora Simon called the meeting to order, the Minutes from the August 11, 2020 Council Meeting and the August 31st Special Meeting were unanimously approved.
Budget and Finance Reports given by John Owen were unanimously approved.
Mayor Simon gave her report included: Two re-zoning requests and written procedures: Referring to the property behind Matthews, the south half, from R1 to C2. There will be a meeting October 1, 2020 to hear a proposal regarding the rezoning of the property directly across the road from Family Dollar on HWY 65. The property is being used for a Nail Salon. It will also be rezoned from R1 to C2.
*Property at 332 South College Street: The owner was given until September 18 to get the property cleaned up before the City takes control over the property. Attorney Gill said that he would have to check in to the procedures for obtaining a lien on the property. Action taken by the City concerning this issue were not available at press time.
*Accidents: Highway Light, Work Force Center and Jillian Byrd's Beauty Shop: There was an accident in early July where a worker from Odyssey Farms hit a traffic light pole, causing damage. The Mayor and Clerk have tried reaching them by both telephone and certified mail. The Mayor's letter was picked up and signed for. Mr. Slater, Street Supervisor, obtained a quote for the damage in the amount of $23,670 from All Service Electric Inc.
Attorney Gill stated he could draft a letter and include the police report showing fault. After a discussion the Council decided the better approach would be to file the claim on the City's insurance and let the insurance companies work on a settlement.
Timothy Barnes, Jr., was traveling East on West Waterman when he apparently passed out causing him to lose control of his vehicle. Barnes hit the sign and planter at the Workforce Center causing damage to both. When officers arrived, Mr. Barnes stated that he had a seizure and passed out. A field sobriety test was administered, which he passed. He refused medical attention. The Mayor will file the damages with the City's insurance company.
A 309 (City Inmate Trustee) was weed eating in front of Jillian Byrd's Beauty Shop when he threw a rock and broke a window. Attorney Gill advised that although morally responsible the City is not legally responsible and the insurance company could refuse to pay the damages. Owen made a motion to pay for the window, with a second from Martin. Motion unanimously carried.
Early Voting Information: Early voting this year is October 19th through November 2nd. Due to COVID-19 St. Peter's Rock had decided not to allow people to vote at their location. Holy Temple Church as agreed to host voters. The election will be held Tuesday, November 3rd with absentee ballots available now.
Mayor Simon reported that the Legislative Audits should be wrapping up soon.
Other Reports included:
*Judy Day, Chamber of Commerce, reported the Chamber met on September 1st for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started. There were 18 people in attendance. Linda Weatherford Zoomed the meeting and received 68 hits.
Julian Gassaway, Interim Director of Main Street Dumas, reported they are still receiving calls to rent the Arts Center but at this time, they still are not renting it out due to COVID-19. Main Street Dumas has applied for a grant that will be used to update the signage and grounds of the Farmer's Market. At this time, Main Street Dumas has decided to move forward with hosting Merry Main street. In doing so, they will have to appeal to Governor Hutchinson for permission to have a crowded gathering. Main Street Dumas is till planning to have the Annual Ham Sale for Christmas.
*Peggy Chapman, Director of the Desha County Museum, reported there have been some new artifacts acquired and Linna Jones, from the Dumas Clarion, has been out to photograph them. They have had to cancel two fundraisers so far this year and are going to have to cancel the Serendipity auction that was to be held October 26th, which was the biggest fundraiser of the year.
The Terry Log House has received new Shaker shingles. The Museum will replace the flooring in the Shotgun house and have a lot of furniture to put in there.
*Mary Jo Tucker, Director of the Food Pantry, reported a decrease in the number of people served, stating it's due to other avenues of attaining food at this time. The number of families served was 117 with 316 individuals being served. The Food Pantry was closed the last week in July and the first week in August due to a COVID-19 scare.
*Sheree Jackson, Water Department Supervisor, reported that the billing system the City has been using was having some glitches. She has been shopping around for new software. Jayhawk, which is the current program the City is using, offered the best deal to upgrade. This way extra training and new supplies will not be required.
Resolution 1323: A Resolution to Upgrade Jayhawk software (Solus by Jayhawk) Used by the Water and Sewer Department. Motion made by Owen to purchase the software upgrade, seconded by Madison. Motion passed unanimously.
Ordinance 961: An Ordinance Assessing A 5 Mill Tax Against The Real and Personal Property Within The Corporate Limits of Dumas For The Taxable Year 2020. Mayor Simon stated this is not a new tax, but rather one the City is already collecting. This Ordinance will keep the tax from ceasing. Ordinance 961 passed with a vote of 8-0.
Ordinance 962: An Ordinance Amending The Existing Water And Sewer Rates For Sewer Services Furnished By The City Of Dumas, Prescribing Other Maters Relating Thereto, And Declaring An Emergency. Ordinance 962 passed with a vote of 6-0.
Ward Reports were given by: Weatherford, Madison, Owen, Healey, Martin, Daniels and Dalton.
The meeting adjourned at 7 PM.
