Mayor Price “Bubba” Boney and the Dumas City Council began the new year by honoring former city councilmembers and former Mayor Flora Simon and passing Resolution 1488 that will change city council meetings normally held on Tuesday to Monday.
Mayor Boney recognized Former Mayor Flora Simons and Council-members Franklin Healey and John Owen for their years of service to the Dumas City Council.
Mayor Boney asked that the City Council move the day of the City Council meetings from the second Tuesday of the month to the second Monday of the month. The Council voted to approve Resolution 1489 to move the City Council date to second Mondays of the month starting February 13, 2023.
The Council also voted on five resolutions. They voted on Resolution 1487 to renew the lease agreement with SEADD, Inc; Resolution 1488 to renew the contract with Vector Disease Control International; Resolution 1490 to renew the lease agreement for Arkansas Human Development Corporation; Resolution 1491 to renew lease agreement with ProMed Ambulance, Inc. for EMS; and Resolution 1492 to Scotts System Heating & Air to install new blower motor and belts at the Dumas Police Department.
City Councilmember Romona Weather gave the budget report and the council voted to approve the budget and pay the bills.
Bright Speed (formerly Centurylink) representatives Wyatt Boone and Jacob Webb attended the meeting to get approval to begin work on fiber build throughout Dumas with the goal to connect all homes in Dumas to fiber internet. The construction is projected to start in February 2023. The council voted for Brightspeed to start the work.
Street Superintendent Shelby Slater reported work on the Belmont Drainage project complete with some funds left over from the project. He asked for approval for the purchase of Easy Street Asphalt to make street repairs.
Code Enforcer Helen Castaneda reported that she attended the Merry Main event making sure all vendors had their occupation tax permits. Chad Campbell with Nabholz requested information on
a building permit for the new construction of Smiths Travel center to be built at the site of the former Matthews Store. They should start construction at the end of January. She received a complaint that a resident had a dead dog in their backyard. When she arrived at the property, she could not see the dead dog. The resident was not home. She left a notice at the door. At the end of the month, She focused on the end-of-the year paperwork. All 2022 files were removed, packed, and replaced with 2023 files.
Slater gave the report for the Water Department who reported low water levels during the cold weathers. Their department now has a program that tells them when water levels are low. They will be looking into a permanent solution for a reoccurring leak on Wolff Street.
Onie Norman thanked the city for the use of the former Phoenix Youth Center Office on Main street. She requested $100,000 to help support the startup of the Boys and Girls Club in Dumas. They have received some funds, but will need more for the startup cost. They also asked the City of Dumas to contract a professional cleaning service to sanitize and clean the building and all equipment. The club will operate under the McGehee Boys and Girls Club Charter with the National Boys and Girls Club of America. She provided a proposed budget for startup operating cost/operating proposal. She said the club will be a great asset for the youth of Dumas community and the future of Dumas. She hopes to have the club open this year.
Dumas City Clerk Norma Eldridge read of the Compliance Checklist and gave an update on each item listed. Councilmember Kenneth Daniels reported that Smith Steel will be coming to the site to look where the leaks are occurring. Councilmember Roy Dalton reported that the Winchester project has air tested all the lines and is working on all the pump stations. They are working on getting the 911 address for the pumping stations. They have not crossed the tracks at this time. Councilmember Amber Madison said they are looking into buying the cover for Magnolia Park and Amory Park as well as the seesaw for Armory Park.
Delta Memorial Hospital, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Dumas gave their Community Service reports.
Department Reports:
Dumas EMS: Paramedic Jonathan Whipple reported 100 calls for the month. The new ambulance will be available with the necessary parts. He said they are considering a partnership with Delta Memorial to transport swing bed patients from Delta Memorial Hospital. The hospital will pay the EMS directly. Whipple asked for the council to look at pay rates to be able to compete with other local EMS pay rates and have more full time employees.
The Dumas Volunteer Fire Department reported no structure fires during the cold weather with several calls being alarm calls. They are ready to start training sessions and will begin training with their thermal imaging devices when they arrive.
The Dumas Community Center reported a busy month in December with 23 events with an income of $8,870. The center will be receiving some upgrades with interior needing new paint, floors stripped and wax and some repair work.
The Dumas Police Department reported that 923 public contacts with 28 warrants served, 33 criminal arrests, 83 hours in court, 6 accidents and 17 citations issued. They currently have 16 detainees in jail.
Chief Keith Finch reported that the Dumas Police Department along with the 10th Judicial Task Force, Arkansas State Police Troop E and Desha County Sheriff Department conducted a 12 hour enforcement with the Task Force making two drug arrests along with other actions taken by other agencies. Ten children participated in the Shop with a Cop program.
