The Dumas City Council learned about the cost and benefits of live streaming city council meetings at their April 12, 2022 meeting.
Mayor Simon asked Linda Weatherford to talk about live streaming council meetings. Weatherford talked about how the public could access the live stream via social media like Facebook or YouTube and what equipment was available to have a quality live stream for uploading and audio. She said the survey revealed that many people didn't know about what the city government did or heard about it after the meetings were held. The city could use social media to increase the viability of city government through live streaming of the city council meetings and any other things you would like to do as far as city operations go. Live streaming would benefit both the city and the city council. The council asked for the estimated cost of hardware, speakers and operator fee. Weather ford said she would look into the cost of the latest technology and operating fees.
Price Boney presented information on investment options for the Peterson Funds in the budget meeting. He explained the benefits of the trust is that the money earmarked for specific purposes. They tabled the motion to make a decision about investing. The board voted to move the Peterson funds to revocable trust for the City of Dumas.
The Council voted to approve the minutes for the regular March 8, 2022 and the special call meeting on Memorial Park, drainage and sinkholes on March 24, 2022. John Owen read the budget report for the March 8 meeting. They approved the budget report and they voted to pay the March bills.
Councilmember Amber Madison Brown presented the Park Committee report with the new equipment arriving for Magnolia Park that is waiting to be installed. The city workers are working to remove the old equipment and pea gravel. Installation is stalled due to weather. Street Superintendent Shelby Slater said have not had the street committee meeting at that time, because of Slater being out of town.
Councilmember Roy Dalton provided an update on the Dollar General Warehouse clean up. The site is looking better and they are making progress except for the rainy days. Slater said they are spreading the dirt available on site, the drainage is good and the city has not had to haul much dirt to the site. City Clerk Norma Eldridge read the Quarterly Compliance Checklist.
The council voted to approve the new appointments Brandt Bottoms and David Moss as the new airport commissioners after the resignation of Brenda Watts and Jim Moss from the airport commission.
Onie Norman gave an update on the Boys and Girls Club that they were working to start several years ago. She spoke about the work and research they did to get ready to start a club, and how the club would help the youth of the community. Norman asked for the council's support to make it happen. She asked for a special council meeting. The Mayor said she could arrange it. She asked Norman to recreate a new boys and girls club committee, make some plans and write a proposal of procedures to get it established and funded. The club would have to affiliate with a local Boys and Girls Club. Mitch Grant, vice president of the McGehee Boys and Girls Club of America McGehee, said they have opened a second campus in McGehee and they have talked about Dumas with the possibility of re-branding the club to include all of Desha County. Dumas could be affiliated with the National Boys and Girls Club, but have its own director.
Mayor's Report
Mayor Simon announced a hold on the use of Community Unlimited funds for two police cars until the city can review its finances. She talked about alternative ways to spend the American Rescue Plan Funds from a previous decision. $200,000 will be used to repair the pump station with the remaining to be possibly used for salaries.
The street paving estimate from Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel prioritized several streets that will be worked on in the near future. The list is based on cost and what it would take to fix the street. Pistachio street is first on the list for repairs on the street and drainage at an estimated cost of $85,055.50. Farmers Street will be worked on from Hwy 65 to the railroad crossing at $91,622.15 and the crossing to Cherry Street with an estimated cost of $74,480.28. John Street will cost an estimated $113.549.18 where the work will help with the draining issue. Choctaw Street is at the bottom of the list at an estimated cost of $334,000. The board voted to have started with Pistachio Street, Farmer and John Street with a vote of 6 yes and two opposing votes.
The council attended the ARLM Winter Conference in March. Simon announced a citywide Spring Clean up with pick ups on Wednesdays starting May 4-18. Simon asked City Attorney Brooks Gill how the city can collect on non-payment of A&P Taxes.
Simon reported positive reactions that came after the shooting incident in Dumas. She said that people need to look at the positives of the situation and less on the negative. Dumas is the victim in this incident. The majority of the people stayed there or went back to assist those that were hurt. All of Dumas' first responders assisted as well. A counseling service was held in a group session last week with first responders. The Rescue Disaster Relief Team provided lunch. A counselor will be available in the next 4-6 weeks to do individual counseling if anyone in town needs it. Simon said she is seeking funding to help pay for the counseling sessions and insurance will help pay as well. Simon asked people to let city hall know when an event will take place so they know what is going on in town.
Delta Memorial Hospital, Dumas Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Dumas, Economic Development Committee, Dumas Food Pantry and Desha County Museum gave their Monthly Service reports. Visit the Dumas Clarion website for more information.
Department Reports:
Shelby Slater presented the reports for the Water and Sewer Department and Street Department. He asked for anyone to report any leaks they see to city hall. Garbage pick is going well. They picked up a few dogs. They said they are having a problem with the old garbage truck and suggested it be converted into a dump truck. They are looking for a used replacement part. They fixed damaged signs and replaced missing signs. An Application also has been submitted for inmates to come to Dumas.
EMS Director Gary Gill spoke about the March 19 shoot incident in Dumas instead of his usual report. He spoke about how the first responders worked together and citizens and medical professionals helped where they were needed. Dumas EMS Paramedic Haylee Powell and EMT Trinity Swopes presented Gill with a Letter of Commendation. Read more (FINSIH ME).
Dumas Volunteer Fire Department Chief Doug Weatherford reported since last month the fire department had two members attend Arkansas Fire Academy to help get their hours. He said before the rain, people left their burning leaves unattended and caused fire damage to local structures. The department toured the Diamond Plant Wednesday, April 13. They were having issues with one of their engines, and they had the problem fixed.
Chief Keith Finch thanked EMS Director Gary Gill, the EMS, DVFD Doug Weatherford, and the fire department for their assistance at the Hoodnic Event.
“One of the main things we took from that day was you never know what is going to happen and when it is going to happen. Matter of fact one of the things that got us one of the best responses was that Sgt Martin and an SRO was actually getting out at that event on their way to that very Funnel cake stand and they called it in on the radio. So it so happened we were there in minutes, seconds I would say and they performed admirably like you want you department to. I know New York or Los Angelos couldn't have handled it any better. I really appreciate them,” Finch said. “ We didn't plan on our response, but our response was so well done. We want to make it evenmore stream line and more perfect to better serve you all and the city of Dumas.”
The police department is planning to working together to train an EMS employee as a Combat Medic in police tactics and will be coming on as an auxiliary in the police department. He reported in the budget meeting that the jail needs six shower heads to expedite getting the jail back open. Once they get the shower heads back in they paint. The cost of installation is $6,400 including labor, permit and inspections. They need to be refitted where the inmates can't remove them from the wall. The municipal building also needs a new boiler. It can no longer be patched and a $38,961 renovation will cover the cost of demolishing the existing boiler and installing any new equipment and upgrades. This is the heating system for the whole building. A pd car needs repaired with the estimated cost of $11,000. Mayor Simon asked to check for a warranty and some price quotes on a newer unit.
John Shiver with Vyve gave a short presentation on broadband fiber optics. In 2020, Vyve was purchased by GTCR Investments.
The council voted on four resolutions.
Resolution #1445 is a contract with K J Parker Construction for sewer line repairs. The council voted to approve the resolution.
Resolution #1446 is for repairing six showers in the city jail. The council voted to approve the resolution.
Resolution #1447 is for the purchase of a boiler for the Municipal Building. The council voted to approve the resolution.
Resolution #1448 is for repairs to the roof on the city building located behind City Hall. The council voted to approve the resolution.
