The Dumas City Council heard two proposals and voted on one ordinance and two resolutions at their July city council meeting held July 12, 2022.
The Dumas City Council met in regular session on July 12, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall with seven council members present and one absent. Mayor Simon called the regular meeting to order. The Council voted unanimously to approve the June 14 Minutes.
The Council heard a request from the Airport Commission proposing an increase to the size of the Airport Maintenance building and shop.
Steve Stevens, Airport Commission Chairman, reported Brannon West, who operates an airplane repair business is operating again and is hiring new employees.
Stevens informed the City Council of his proposal to increase the size of the Airport Maintenance building and shop 80 feet wide x 60 to extend the building since West needs more space.
The estimated cost of $168,000 will cover the expansion, relocation of electrical boxes and LED lights. McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. will do the paperwork for the grant.
Stevens is requesting for the city to agree to pay from city funds the Arkansas Aeronautics matching grant share for the hangar expansion, and relocating the septic sewer line. Dumas Airport share is $20,000.00.
Councilmember John Owen made a motion and Councilmembers Romona Weatherford, Kenneth Daniels and Diane Fisher seconded the motion, to approve the grant application and for the city to pay the $20,000 matching for the hangar expansion and relocating the sewer line relocation. Motion approved unanimously.
The Dumas Water Department is seeking to update their existing software to CUSI software. The department has worked with the current software provider for about 10 years and is now working with outdated handheld meters. Sheree Jackson said that the CUSI will be more efficient and will reduce the number of errors. Bryant Estes, a salesman for CUSI salesmen in Jonesboro, AR, made a presentation on the software with the total cost for it being approximately $23,340.00. There is a month-to-month charge that can be turned off at any time. CUSI has over 100 customers in Arkansas and 1200 across the United States. Estes can set Dumas up with software from web portals. The meter reading services use an App and data is collected and uploaded into the software. John Owen made a motion and seconded by Roy Dalton and R. Weatherford to table CUSI Software.
Ordinance 972 is an ordinance amending Chapter 4.32 of the Dumas Municipal Code concerning the maximum height of towers in commercial zones; prohibiting towers in certain zones; declaring an emergency; and for other purposes. Council member Weatherford moved that after the first reading of the ordinance that the rule would be to suspend and the second and third reading of Ordinance 972 would be read by title only. The motion was seconded by Diane Fisher. The motion was unanimously approved by roll call vote: Jared May, Roy Dalton, John Owen, Franklin Healey, R. Weatherford, Diane Fisher and Kenneth Daniels voted yes. After the readings of the ordinance, Roy Dalton moved to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by John Owen. Roll call vote on Ordinance 972 was adopted by a unanimous vote. Motion moved by John Owen to adopt emergency clause. Seconded by Fisher. The Emergency clause by a roll call vote was adopted unanimously.
Resolution 1455 is a resolution to establish a Dumas Drainage Checking Account for Belmont and Robinwood Addition Grant Funds. A motion made to ratify Resolution #1455 by R. Weatherford and seconded by Fisher. Motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 1456 is a resolution authorizing Mayor Flora Simon to sign a contract with Vyve to construct for the City of Dumas a dedicated internet access fiber line. The line will be for the City Hall and Municipal Police Building. John Owen made a motion and seconded by R. Weatherford and Fisher. The motion passed unanimously.
The Dumas City Council met in regular session on July 12, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall with seven council members present and one absent. Mayor Simon called the regular meeting to order. The Council voted unanimously to approve the June 14 Minutes.
Weatherford reported that the city is in good shape with the budget finances and LaKeshia Lattimore continues to do a good job as our financial officer. Our targeted budget is 50% for Street, Water & Sewer and General. The revenues are 63% for Street, 101% for Water & Sewer and 66% for General. The expenditures are 63% for Street, Water & Sewer and 58% for General. Weatherford stated that we are just kind of balancing it out and Ms. LaKeshia Lattimore will discuss the mid-year financial report. Lattimore gave a detailed financial report on the $800,000.00 Agency Funds Report, Peterson Fund Money Market, all city department funds and expenses.
VDCI Report - Clay Coburn of The Vector Disease Control International reported that he started out spraying two nights a week in June 2022. He is now spraying four nights a week on the west side and east side. He is still doing surveillance on mosquitos. Coburn suggested pouring out water from anything that holds water and using a fan to blow away mosquitos. The new pilot did a practice run and was not able to complete the run due to a problem with the plane.
Code Enforcement Report - Helen Castaneda reported that twenty-four letters were sent out for tall grass and nineteen of those properties have been mowed. Payments for five occupation tax permits and six building permits were collected onsite in June 2022 on her routine drives. Tony Dale called to request a building permit for an add-on to the Family Dollar Store. A building permit application was emailed to him and she is waiting for him to return the completed application. The empty lot at 425 W. Waterman Street belongs to Frankie Thomas. Thomas lives in Georgia and is concerned that several large plastic recycling bags filled with empty cans have been placed on her property. A pickup truck has been parked on her property. Castaneda will notify the residents so they can remove their belongings from Thomas' property. Fisher inquired about a brick house on Peterson Street. Ms. Castaneda informed her that a notice was sent out and she was told that the owner is deceased. Used cars were moved off Dumas' Main Street last week that belonged to an Auto Sales business. Council members thank Castaneda for doing a good job in a short period.
Road Development for Belmont Addition - Mayor Simon wants the Council to decide if they want to continue with the legal investigation of the city developing a street in the undeveloped area in Belmont Addition. Attorney Brooks Gill stated that the street in Belmont Subdivision was never developed and that the records show that the city adopted the area into the city limits. Some of the property is owned by Mr. Lonzell Dodds, Mr. Clint Hawkins, and Pastor Timothy Jones. Linda Weatherford stated that the infrastructure is already there (water and sewer). The top thing that people need in the community is housing. John Owen made a motion and seconded by Daniels to ask Attorney Brooks Gill to further research the road development in Belmont Subdivision. Motion passed with five votes in favor and two votes against the road development.
R.Weatherford informed the Council that Pat Johnson donated land at the Armory Park and his wife would like to have a plaque located at the park in his honor.
Executive Session - The executive session started at 8:03 p.m. and ended at 8:10 p.m. to discuss EMS employee promotion and pay. EMT Trinity Swopes will move to Paramedic position starting at $14.00 an hour. Motion made by John Owen and seconded by R. Weatherford. Motion approved unanimously.
Park Committee Report - Mayor Simon gave the park committee report for Amber Madison saying that new equipment for Magnolia Park and Armory is completed. Pictures of the park have been posted to the City of Dumas webpage.
Mayor Flora Simon's Report
Belmont & Robinwood Drainage Project Bid Results - The bid opening took place today came in at $169,181.70. The R. Valadez Construction Company will have to get on Sam.Gov before they can get started.
Bowles Street Pump Station Bid Results - The bid opening took place today came in at $168,700.00. Person that received that bid is K J Parker.
Mayor Simon gave a brief summation of city projects that have been completed and are ongoing.
Kone Care Maintenance Agreement (Elevator) - The present contract is paid quarterly at $1208.86 and parts are extra. $7,345.44 is the total current fee paid every three years. Kone Elevator suggested that the city upgrade the contract to a full-service contract at an annual fee of $4500. Council needs to see charges for anything unusual. Motion made by Owen and seconded by R. Weatherford to adopt the new contract. Motion passed unanimously.
Monthly Community Service Reports:
Chamber of Commerce - Chamber of Commerce membership meeting was held July 7, 2022. Hospice Home Care hosted the lunch and gave a very informative program. Judy Day reported that the Corn Supper was a big success and she wanted to thank all volunteers. She is preparing to send out second billings for membership.
Main Street Dumas - Suzanne Norris reported that the new mural is in progress on the side of Meador's Drugstore. Norris is thankful for the Arts Grant and the donations received from the A & P Commission and Mr. Bill Canada. The Artist, Jason White, expects to complete it by the end of the month. A local Dumas High School Senior, Caleb Sterrett, helped Jason White with the mural. A Meet and Greet the Artist event was held June 30, 2022. There will be a dedication of the mural planned for a later date which will be sponsored by Main Street Dumas and Merchants & Farmers Bank.
The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville will be renting the Arts Center for a Biomedical Camp July 20, 2022 and July 21, 2022. There will be approximately twelve students and staff in attendance.
The Farmer's Market is open now on Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. They will be having an Evening at the Market on July 21, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in addition to our Wednesday schedule.
Dumas Economic Development Committee - Heather Harris reported that the committee met July 11, 2022. Cups with Dumas' logo will be present to industrial employees the week of August 8, 2022.
Department Reports:
EMS Department - Mr. Jonathan Whipple reported that there were 100 calls with transfers to Little Rock and Pine Bluff from our local hospital. Three medics are going to the EMS conference the first weekend in August. Trinity Swopes passed exams for Paramedic certification. Bay doors are not done yet. There is a rise in Covid, but no severe cases and no one has died so far in this area.
Water and Sewer Department – Street Superintendent Shelby Slater gave Patrick Fitzgerald reporting that there were a few water leaks on Court Street and a couple of sinkholes. Fitzgerald and Slater will get together tomorrow and decide on how to repair the hole developing on the corner of Bowles and College Street. There are no major issues for Water and Sewer.
Street & Sanitation – Shelby Slater reported that Garbage pickup is running fairly well. Inmates cleaned the ditches last Friday. Two stray dogs were picked up. An owner came to pick up one dog and the other dog was taken to Paws and Claws. The department needs someone to operate the street sweeper. There were no accidents to report.
Fire Department - Chief Doug Weatherford reported that there were some grass fires. A house and tractor were struck by lightning. Chief Weatherford stated that in the past the Fire Department did not have direct guidelines in place for the election of officers, but they have them now. Approved guidelines by the mayor for the appointment of Dumas Fire Department officers and qualifications were presented to the council members. All firemen will receive a package with information by mail.
Police Department - Chief Keith Finch reported that there were 1102 total public contacts, 21 warrants served, 29 criminal arrests, 16 hours in court, 8 accidents, 58 citations, and there are 10 detainees.
Dumas Community Center - Lynn Weatherford reported that June 2022 was a busy month with twenty-one events. Everything is in good shape at the community center and everything went well for the Corn Supper. All lights that need to be replaced were replaced. A new breaker box was installed and the breaker was reset.
Ward #1 Report - Romona Weatherford reported that three wheelers are out again just having a good time.
