The Dumas City Council voted to ban the use of fireworks in city limits at the council meeting Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
The Council voted on Ordinance 970 voting to regulate and prohibit the use and sale of fireworks in the City of Dumas city limits. Ordinance 970 is an ordinance to regulate the use of fireworks in the City of Dumas; declaring an emergency; and for other purposes. A motion was made to adopt the ordinance and seconded.
The council was divided on the ordinance with some wondering how it will be enforced compared to past ordinances and how it would be fair to those who are following the law on where to shoot fireworks.
The ordinance was put on the agenda due to constant complaints concerning people and animal safety, property damage and other concerns.
The ordinance passed with a 4-4 vote and tie breaker from Mayor Simon.
Council member Diane Fisher made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2021 special called meeting. Council member Kenneth Danies seconded the motion with all approved.
Fisher made a motion to approve the November 9, 2021 General meeting with a second and approve.
Council member Franklin Healey made a motion to approve the Special November 22, 2021 with a second from Fisher. All council members approved.Greg Harris, presenter with AT&T, presented information about an AT&T Tower Use Permit. AT&T has a contract with Tillman Infrastructure to construct towers throughout Arkansas that will provide 5G access. They decided on a location to build a 165 tower in the industrial area of Dumas. They have determined that the Dumas area is underserved and the tower will provide better service. Mayor Flora Simon cited the 150 ft tower rule, but the height can be changed if recommended by the zoning commission to the city council. Council member Amber Madison-Brown recommended Harris to contact the Zoning Committee with a request to see if they can get the additional footage for a 165 tower.
Council member John Owen gave the December Budget report with the target budget amount in the General Fund for 11 months out of the year as 92 %; Revenue in Street was 104% with expenditures down at 78%, Water and Sewer revenue exceeded budget at 98%. Owen made a motion to pay the bills for the month with a second with a second by Romona Weatherford with all approval. The council also approved the budget for December.
Mayor Simon reports: The Drainage Project had one issue with the grant with the requirement to clean out a ditch. Once the issue is corrected, construction can start with Franklin Healey as observer. Dumas Maintenance Building bid has been awarded to Smith Steel. The funding will come from a loan from the community unlimited in the amount of $159,172 and the balance of $95,082 will come from the city accounts. The Lease Contract for Arkansas Human Development requested rent space in the Workforce Section of the DTEC building. Mayor Simon submitted an application for the recycling grant for $6,650 for three pieces of equipment which include 2 cardboard box recycling containers, a lawn tractor and a 60 inch barrel band. The council adopted the 2022 holiday calendar with a second and all approve. She announced the booster and flu clinic on December 17. The 50/50 grant was approved for Memorial Park for $175,000 for bathrooms and to complete a track for equipment.
Resolution 1412 is a resolution to identify the sources of funds for the construction of the City of Dumas New Maintenance Building. Owen made a motion to adopt the resolution and 2nd and all approve.Resolution 1413 is a resolution to award the construction contract for the new City of Dumas maintenance building for water and sewer, and street, and sanitation to Smith Steel, Inc. of Dumas, Arkansas at accepted bid. Council member Jared May made a motion to adopt the resolution, 2nd and all approve.
Resolution 1414 is a resolution to allow the city to request bids for the overlay of three streets in Dumas. Also, to allow the mayor and street committee to award the bid to the constructor of choice after all bids have been received, opened and announced. Owen made a motion to pass the resolution with 2nd and all approve.
Resolution 1415 is a resolution to lease space in the D-Tech building located at 130 West Waterman Street to Arkansas Human Development Corporate beginning January 1, 2022. Owen made a motion to adopt the resolution with a 2nd and all approve.
Resolution 1416 is a resolution ratifying the application submitted for a recycling grant. Owen made a motion to adopt the resolution with a 2nd and all approve.Resolution 1417 is a resolution to determine the base rate for the City of Dumas Clerk -Treasurer Position and the pay for the extra duties beyond the norm. May made a motion to adopt
Resolution 1417, 2nd and all approve.Resolution 1418 is a resolution adopting the annual budget for the City of Dumas, Arkansas, for the calendar year 2022, appropriating monies for each item expenditure therein provided for, and other purposes. Council member Romona Weather made a motion to adopt Resolution 1418, 2nd and approved.
Resolution 1419 is a resolution authorizing all unfunded resolutions approved during the 2021 be carried over and paid in 2022. Owen made a resolution to adopt Resolution 1419, 2nd and all approved.
The Park and Recreation committee has ordered the equipment for Magnolia Park. The old equipment will have to be removed and the new equipment will be installed when a clear day is available.
Kenneth Daniels gave his report on Maintenance Building and Ground-work. He said they are working to identify the locations of sewer and water, the use of county equipment to do work at the location, and what areas of the property need to be cleaned up.
The Dumas Chamber of Commerce, Dumas Food Pantry, Dumas Community Center, and Desha County Museum gave their annual Community Service Reports. The Water and Sewer Department, Dumas EMS, Dumas Police Department, Dumas Volunteer Fire Department, Street and Sanitation, and Code Enforcers presented their department reports.
Patricia Watkins presented a citizen concern of a damaged street on Jones Street and wanted to know who is responsible to pay for the damage, the homeowner or the city. The city will be looking into the issue.
