With a variety of topics up for discussion, from how volunteer firemen are hired, to the continuation of how to deal with unsightly and dilapidated properties through town, the Warren City Council met for their regular monthly business meeting Monday evening, July 11, 2022 at the Warren Municipal Building.
Five of the six Aldermen were present, with Alderman Joel Tolefree absent.
Early in the hourlong meeting, the Council heard and approved the City Clerk’s report, which included Statement of Revenue and Expenditures, City Sales and Use Tax, County Sales and Use Tax, the District Court Clerk’s Report, as well as the Overtime Report. The City Sales and Use Tax brought in over $86,000 in June. The year-to-date total is over just over $539,000.
The Council then agreed to accept a bid from the City of Banks to purchase an older Warren fire truck for $4,200. The bid from Banks was the only bid that was received.
With the expansion of the Warren Shooting Sports Complex, it was decided to advertise a position for a new part-time employee.
During the Administrative and standing committee reports, the Council heard from Police Chief Shaun Hildreth and Fire Chief Chuck Moore. Moore reported that the Civil Service Commission recently hired four new Volunteer Firemen. Luke Trussel, Gary O’Neil, Daniel Robinson, and Michael Stanfield are now part of the Department’s volunteer division.
Some discussion was had in regards to how many total volunteer firefighters the City requires, as well as what the process is for their hiring. After the four new volunteer firemen were hired, the City is back up to a total of 33 members. Chief Moore explained the hiring process. When a member of the community wishes to become a volunteer firefighter, they first fill out an application. When an opening becomes available, the application first goes through an advisory board of the Fire Department, and from there to the Civil Service Commission. Mayor Pennington informed the Council that after seeking clarification, according to the Arkansas Municipal League, the City Council has no role in the hiring of volunteer fighters.
Sanitation Manager Rob Johnson indicated he was getting quotes on a non-CDL knuckleboom loader, which would come in handy since more sanitation employees could be trained to handle the machine.
During Johnson’s report, Alderman Zack Burks made a motion for the Council to go into executive session to discuss a personnel topic. Mayor Pennington said that after a conversation with the Municipal League, she understands that the City by law cannot go into executive session for any reason other than to make a hire, make an appointment, consider a promotion, consider a demotion, disciplining, or resignation. With no matters listed on the table, the Council remained in a regular public session. The full discussion can be watched at the 24:02 mark of the video above.
A short discussion was held during Johnson’s Building Official report which followed about numerous properties around the community in a dilapidated state. Johnson encouraged residents that see issues around town with properties that need to be cleaned up, or that may even be hazards, to please come forward to his office and file a formal complaint. That is what gives the City the ability to begin fighting the problems.
Johnson told the Council that he understands that by law the City must reissue another condemnation of the Howard Street property which has taken up much of the discussion during the last two or three Council meetings. Johnson explained that the original condemnation the Council enforced was finished when the City cleaned up the property. Unfortunately the property has once again become a major eyesore and health hazard. Letters have been sent to the owner, but the City must wait the legal time period before starting cleanup once more. The concern was voiced that even after the property is cleaned up that the mess will reappear. Johnson said the City has already put nine to twelve thousand dollars into the cleanup of the Howard Street property. “We are still working on it,” said Mayor Pennington. The full discussion of the Howard Street property can be viewed at the 31:50 mark of the video above.
In other business, the Council voted to begin researching the costs of moving the Street Department’s facilities to behind the Old National Guard Armory.
Discussion was also had in regards to the need for upgrades at the City Pool.