The Dumas City Council honored retired Dumas Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Byrd with the honorary title of Fire Chief Emeritus at the January 11, 2022 City Council Meeting.
The Council recognized DVFD Chief David Byrd's retirement after 32 years of service.
Mayor Flora Simon presented Byrd with a plaque and gave him the honorary title as the first Fire Chief Emeritus for the City of Dumas. The establishment of the Fire Chief Emeritus is an honorary title for persons who have provided meritorious service to their community and the fire service profession.
Byrd gave a short speech thanking the Mayor and the City of Dumas for having him as Dumas' fire chief. He read a poem titled “When we come to the end of our working days.” Byrd said it had been an honor and a privilege serving the city of Dumas. He described the changes he witnessed since he began working as a firefighter and thanked his fellow firefighters for making his job easier.
The council went into executive session to discuss a citizen lodged complaint at the end of December about the DPD dispatch not responding to calls or an ambulance not responding within 30 minutes. They discovered the issue was with landline calls not being able to connect to the DPD. The City of Dumas will be contacting Vyve to have the issue corrected. If anyone is unable to reach the Dumas Police Department or the City of Dumas by landline and only by cell phone, people are asked to contact the city with the information.
The Council voted to approve the new district maps for Dumas. Roy Dalton made a motion to approve the resolution with all approved.
They voted on the following resolutions.
Resolution No. 1400 is a resolution declaring that Dodie's place be located at 312 Highway 65 South Dumas, AR is in violation of the City's health, safety, sanitation and fire ordinances. Owen made a motion to pass the resolution, seconded by Jared May and all approved.
Resolution No. 1420 is a resolution designating Merchant and Farmers Bank of Dumas, Arkansas as a depository of the funds of the City of Dumas, Arkansas. To remove Sherry Douglas as prior financial officer and add Lakeshia Lattimore as the current financial officer. Franklin Healey made a motion to approve the resolution with a second by Roy Dalton. The motion passed with one abstaining.
Resolution No. 1421 is a resolution designating Merchant and Farmers Bank of Dumas, Arkansas as a depository of the funds of the City of Dumas, Arkansas. . To remove April Patterson as Chief Court Clerk, add Shelbi Walters as Chief Court Clerk, and add Donna McKinvie as Deputy Court Clerk. Franklin Healey made a motion to approve the resolution with a second by Diane Fisher. The motion passed with one abstaining.
Resolution No. 1422 is a resolution designating Merchant and Farmers Bank of Dumas, Arkansas as a depository of the funds of the City of Dumas, Arkansas. . To remove April Patterson as Chief Court Clerk, add Shelbi Walters as Chief Court Clerk, and add Donna McKinvie as Deputy Court Clerk. . Franklin Healey made a motion to approve the resolution with a second by Diane Fisher. The motion passed with one abstaining.
Resolution No. 1423 is a resolution designating Simmons First Bank of South, Arkansas as a depository of the funds of the City of Dumas, Arkansas. Shelbi Walters title changed to Chief Court Clerk. Franklin Healey made a motion to approve the resolution with a second by John Owen. The motion passed.
Resolution 1424 is a resolution extending mosquito control contract for 2021-2022. Franklin Healey made a motion to approve the resolution with a second by Romona Weatherford. The motion passed.
Resolution No. 1425 is a resolution for the establishment of the title of Fire Chief Emeritus for the Dumas Volunteer Fire Department of the City of Dumas. Franklin Healey made a motion to approve the resolution with a second by Diane Fisher. The motion passed.
Resolution No. 1426 is a resolution to pay for tractor loader backhoe. John Owen made a motion to approve the resolution with a second by Jared May. The motion passed.
Resolution 1427 is a resolution to rescind the first bid of resolution 1408 to Lamar Davis Landscaping. To award the bid and contract to Bruce Clark for the removal of the house and to clean the property located at 606 West Waterman Street in Dumas. John Owen made a motion to approve the resolution with a second by Romona Weatherford. The motion passed.
Resolution 1428 is a resolution to enter into contact with Pro-Med Ambulance Billing and Data Management Services for 2022. Owen made a motion to adopt Resolution 1428 with a second from Franklin Healey with all approved.
Financial Report
Councilmember John Owen reported the January-December 2021 Percentage of Budget numbers with Revenue and Expenditures at 111%, Expenses at 85%, General Fund at 108% with expenses at 93%, and Water and Sewer at 94% with expenses at 89%. The ARPA funds to cover the cost of lifting the well on Bowles Street. Owen made a motion to pay the bills that are due with a second and approved by the council. Councilmember Romona Weatherford made a motion to accept the budget committee report with a second by Diane Fisher and approved by the council.
The Council voted to approve the minutes for December 14, 2021. They voted to renew the ProMed contract for one year for January 1-December 31, 2022. A motion was made and seconded with all approved. The council discussed and voted on the turning on of the red-light at Bowles and Highway 65. Mayor Simon read letters from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It will need to be up to code and ARDOT will adjust to the light's timer. They voted 7-1 to turn back on the light.
Mayor Simon report:
The Old Dollar General Warehouse location lot will have to be cleaned up before they can start construction on the Dumas Maintenance Building. Lonzell Dodds withdrew his offer to clean up the lot. Owen requested the committee to get a survey of the land for insurance purposes.
The Recycling Grant for $6,650 has received the equipment ordered. The mayor, clerk and Park Committee will have to attend an Outdoor Recreation Grant Workshop. The workshop will be held January 31 that anyone for the community can attend if someone is interested in the renovation of Memorial Park. City Clerk Norma Eldridge read the compliance checklist for 2020. Councilmember Romona Weatherford made a motion to accept the compliance checklist. It was seconded and approved.
The Dumas Chamber of Commerce, Delta Memorial Hospital, Main Street Dumas, Dumas Food Pantry, and the Dumas Community Center presented their monthly service reports.
Main Street Dumas
Sammye Owen, president with Main Street Dumas reported they are looking to fill a part-time position for executive director of Main Street. There will be a meeting with the Historic Preservation Program coming to Dumas January 18, 2022 at 4 pm the public is invited to attend. Dumas is designated a history street from Choctaw Street to Waterman Street. The grant money will be used to upkeep buildings on historic Main Street and other improvements. They have received the funds for the mural and are looking for an artist to do the job.
Dumas Food Pantry
The Dumas Food Pantry reported having four volunteers with some extra helpers when food is delivered. Mary Jo Tucker described their fundraiser as a success with matching funds from Modern Woodman. They are looking for friends or donors who will contribute each month to continue to help the people of Dumas and Desha County. They received donations of canned goods from school children and others throughout the year with some purchased locally. They served 177 per month for the year.
Delta Memorial Hospital
Leah Obshar, Delta Memorial Hospital, reported an increase in COVID cases with higher numbers than the first COVID. She reported this wave as more contagious and that it has an effect on the workforce with a decline in hospital staff. The new wave is also affecting students and children. She advised people to be cautious when going out and to wear a mask. They did 87 tests as of January 11 with half reporting positive. She advised anyone who may a covid test to go to the health department to be tested. On January 12 the health department as well as the Dumas Branch Library will be receiving at-home test kits with a limit of three kits per person. She reported a shortage of the Monochromal Antibodies used to treat COVID with surrounding hospitals sending patients to DMH. She also reported a shortage in masks and requested that anyone coming to the hospital bring their own mask when they make an appointment so supplies will be available for healthcare workers.
DMH now has a Medicaid/Medicare enrollment specialist to help people sign up for services for free. The Arkansas of Rural Health offered to fund a Pulmonary Rehab program for DMH. They are also offering a swing bed program for rehabilitation purposes. This is the first time the hospital will offer Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupation Therapy. This service is available for Medicare patients and to help covid patients recover. They also have a Pain Clinic available.
Lynn Weatherford reported a busy month for the Dumas Community Center with 31 events. January will be very busy with several important events. SAF-Holland is in contract negotiations.
Department Reports:
Dumas Police Department
Chief Keith Finch reported that Dumas Police Department ordered two new SSV trucks with no delivery date at this time; the jail is 90% complete with welders to finish the remaining pod and they will need to paint and complete the showers. The DPD learned they needed new boilers during their latest jail inspection. Several air cooler units need to be replaced on the second floor. They are waiting on more information for the nurse they want to add to their jail medical staff. They had a total of 4,561 contacts. For the Skycop, they are waiting on the data card.
Code Enforcement
Lecester Bell, Code Enforcer, reported for the month of December several property violations with letters to be mailed. He contacted a fire marshal to inspect a business on 165 to see if it was in violation of state fire code. The Marshall did not find any violations and had one concern about electrical wiring.
Street and Sanitation reported that the garbage Pickup went well with the garbage trucks working well. Charlie Clark conducted a monthly safety meeting on working in extreme conditions, cold and COVID. They did not report any accidents. The Johnsonville Paving company is working on an estimate for the streets needing repair with a second estimate for D&D Paving to be submitted in the future. The new backhoe is in and the old backhoe is being repaired.
Dumas EMS
The Dumas EMS reported 93 transports for the month of December and 1,211 transports for the year. The Ambulance 4403 repairs will be estimated completion in 10 days and then will need to be respected. They also reported the hospital not being able to contact them.
Dumas Fire Department
New DVFD Fire Chief Doug Weatherford gave his report that they set up a department email and Facebook page. If anyone would like to see minutes from the DVFD meeting send Weatherford an email. They will be posting a tentative training schedule for members. Weatherford's goals as chief are to have all the firefighters certified in fire 1 status. They are looking into grants to purchase needed equipment including AEDS and Turnouts. All members of the department are certified in CPR and AED. F&W Metal Buildings have finally started on the roof. The department now has a new ladder truck.
