Mayor Price Boney reported on the status of Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report for the former Delta Memorial Hospital at the Dumas City Council meeting July 10, 2023.
The Division of Environmental Quality Office of Land Resources (DEQ) completed their review of Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) prepared by FTN Associate, Ltd. for the former Delta Hospital property located at 300 Pickens Street.
The DEQ determined that the Phase I ESA to be in full compliance and meets All Appropriate Inquiry Rule. The site will need a Comprehensive Site Assessment for the Asbestos Removal. It will then be demolished by Desha County and then new construction can be built on the site.
The Dumas City Council voted on three resolutions. Resolution 1525 is a resolution to execute and pay for three Union Pacific Railroad bore permits at $2,000 each. The council voted to approve the resolution. Resolution 1526 is a resolution to renew and sign four community service contracts. The board voted to approve the resolution. Resolution 1527 is a proposal to increase ambulance rates. The mayor will be meeting with the city administration to set the new rates.
The Council voted to Approve the June 12, 2023 minutes and to pay the bills. All departments met for the Tuesday budget meeting and they are on target for the midterm of the year. The Dumas Police Department asked to move $20,000 from their capital overlay for vehicles into repairs for vehicles. They currently have a police car that needs a motor.
Keith Talley addressed an ongoing drainage issue on Court Street with culverts that are clogged with dirt or debris and need to be cleaned out. He asked for help in cleaning out the ditches.
Onie Norman presented an update on the clean up of the former Phoenix Youth Services building on Main Street. She also spoke about the needs for funds to fund the Boys and Girls Club for the first three years. She is currently raising funds and asked the counsel to consider proposals to help fund the charter and cover costs. She said there is a need to provide a safe place and resource for the children of Dumas.
Code Enforcer Helen Castaneda reported that she attended pepper spray training and is now certified to carry. She issued several building notices and several occupation tax permits. She received several animal calls with the majority returned to their owners with one taken to Paws and Claws.
The Maintenance Building Project is currently working on the purchase and installation of fixtures and lights. The council approved the purchase.
City Councilmember Roy Dalton reported they are currently working on the railroad section. The first permits expired and three new permits will have to be purchased.
Mayor Price Boney reported that the Arkansas Black Mayor Watershed Improvement meeting will be held July 12, 2023 at the Dumas Community Center at 6 pm. The Delta Pest Termite had a contract for 112 South main and they have taken care of that. The Emergency Medical Service May 2023 ProMed End of Month report stated that the Dumas EMS' May transports are up and collections are little down. The total charges include $173,892 minus credit totals $117,859.
Community Service Reports:
The Dumas Chamber of Commerce held a joint meeting with the USDA on June 5, 2023 to let people know about home repair grants and loans available for those who had damage due to the severe weather in January and February. Applications are being taken in Monticello at the USDA office on Mondays. The grants and loans are first come, first serve. The deadline is in September.
The membership luncheon was held June 6, 2023. Vyve hosted the luncheon and Ora Guy from New King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church presented the program.
Judy Day attended the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development meeting and workshop on two different days. The Corn Supper will be held July 14, 2023 at the Dumas Community Center.
The Dumas Food Pantry reported serving 262 households with 686 individuals.
The Community Development Committee reported several activities in June. They coordinated with the Delta Rhythm and Byways. They met with representatives from Croft and Tull where they looked at creating some plans to create some more foot traffic uptown and draw people off the high to uptown. They work with Connected Nation,the county and the mayor. They tested the performance of local broadband providers, mapped everything and determined that Dumas had an average to good rating compared to other locations in Southeast Arkansas. They will be learning how to find grants through the Arkansas Municipal Leagues. They are also working to regain editing access to the City of Dumas Website.
Main Street Dumas director Jennifer Fisher reported that she attended a main street director meeting that better assist the directors of Main Street Arkansas. She learned more about the role of director and how to better assist the community. Since the renovation, rentals have picked up. They also held a fundraising event raising over $1,000. The Farmer's Market opened June 29 with seven vendors on the first day of the season. The market will be open Thursdays starting at 4 pm until people sell out. She encouraged people to come to the market and support local vendors. She announced the Spring Pledge drive and will be hosting a summer movie camp for the children in the community that will be held Mid July until August. Snacks will be available for purchase.
Delta Memorial Hospital CEO Jeremy Capps reported a successful health fair on June 30. They wrapped up the year with a good June. They finished the fiscal year $31,000 under budget.
Department Reports:
The Dumas EMS reported 94 transports for the month with 62 emergencies and 32 transfers. Darrell Patton gave updated information on the rate increase from Medicaid and the need to increase rates. Patton gave the example of current charges at $950, but insurance will pay $1,165.
Street Superintendent Shelby Slater gave the reports for Water and Sewer and Street. There currently was an issue with the pump located near the high school and it had to be repaired. The Street Department reported no accidents for the month. Someone ran over a bench at Magnolia Park. Thursday, the restrooms will be installed at Memorial Park. Slater spoke about several pieces of old equipment that need to be sold. A plan will be prepared to pave Carlton Drive and for drainage.
Onie Rector spoke about the engineers saying they needed a city permit to fix the sewer line near her home. The mayor said they are working on obtaining an easement for the property behind her home.
Dumas Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Doug Weatherford reported no major structure fires, but have attended grass fires, alarm calls, cooking and false alarms. The recently filled 6 new people in the Fire department with a current total of 5.
The Dumas Community Center reported 23 events for June with $4,480 deposited. The roof work is almost completed.
City Attorney Brooks Gill reported that the city cannot regulate the size of the house and does not prohibit a small house. The current ordinance restricts mobile homes in certain zones. For tiny homes, they have the appearance of a regular home. He recommended the city allow the request for Electrical and sewer permits to be allowed.
