The Dumas City Council discussed the training of two city employees to be part-time Code Enforcers at a special call meeting Thursday, March 24, 2022.
The Council discussed the hiring and training of two city employees as code enforcers. Helen Castaneda and Marcus Croom are interested in training for the position. They will be attending training that will be held April 4-9 in Little Rock.
The council voted on approval of quotes and authorized work for KJ Parker Construction Company, Inc. for sewer repairs. They will be repairing a collapsed drain and repairing a sewer leak on Choctaw Street. Sewer Superintendent Patrick Fitzgerald explained the needed repairs for the affected areas. A camera will be used to assess how much pipe will be needed to repair the sewer leak. A storm drain near Patrick and Choctaw Street needs around 150 feet of pipe replaced due to collapse. The pipe will be replaced from the point of entry to the ditch. The Council voted to approve KJ Parker Construction to do the repair work on Choctaw Street on the sewer pipe and the storm drain. The resolution for this vote will be prepared for the next city council meeting.
RC Construction, LLC, Richard Pambianchi, submitted his first bill for the cleaning of the new maintenance site. The council voted to pay the first bill to Richard Pambianchi.
Resolution #1442 is a resolution of intent regarding the Picken's Water Project. The resolution's purpose is to declare its "official intent" for the reimbursement of certain expenditures, within the meaning of Regulation Section 1.150-2 promulgated by the United States Treasury Department. It provided details on the construction, equipment, bonds and cost of the project. The council voted to approve 1442.
Resolution #1443 authorizes Mayor Flora Simon to enter into a lease agreement with the Phoenix Youth Center. The center will be leasing additional office space for their growing program. The council voted to approve Resolution 1443.
Resolution #1444 is a resolution to purchase two trucks for the Dumas Water and Sewer Department from Superior Auto Group. The trucks were approved in the 2022 budget, and the council only needed to approve the payments of the vehicles for a total of $93,680. The board voted to approve Resolution 1444.
The board looked at a draft of the new sign for the former Dtech building. The sign will have places for organizations using the building. They asked for the prices for the sign with and without lights.
Mayor Simon provided information on the ARDOT Grant Program and how the grant funds available for city projects could be used. She talked about what projects may need to be put on hold at Memorial Park if the funds are not available. The walking trail in Memorial Park can be widened to include a lane for bicycles. They will also be asking for an estimate on replacing the breaker box at the park. They also discussed the repair of the walking trail by the Delta Health Services clinic, but more information will be needed on who installed the trail before any repairs can be made. The council also discussed the need to clean up sidewalks and the need for sidewalks in parts of Dumas.
Mayor Simon announced counseling opportunities will be available to anyone affected by the Hoodnic shooting. The Information can be found in a letter from the mayor that was published in the March 23 Dumas Clarion. Southern Arkansas Baptist Convention is interested in coming to Dumas and providing group therapy sessions at no cost. Individual services will be available for a fee.
