WARREN, Ark. – Meeting during their regularly scheduled 2022 Council meeting, the Warren City Council discussed a variety of topics including a proposed Water Department usage of an old Street Department Building, street closures for the WHS parade, and a proposed amendment to the City’s Manufactured Homes ordinance.
The Council received a report that the City Sales and Use tax for September was $95,314.53. That brings the year-to-date total to $803,608.98. The City tax is up 11 percent from the same time last year.
Tenay Reep, or the Warren Water and Sewer Department, made a request on behalf of the Department that they take over the Street Department’s current building located on the south side of the Warren City Park. “So we’re requesting to be able to use the Street Department building that the Street Department is moving out of,” said Reep. “Basically, we are running out of room for storage, and some of our equipment has to be stored indoors.” The issue was sent to the Community and Economic Development Committee for further discussion.
The Council then approved several temporary street closures to take place during Friday’s Warren High School Homecoming parade, which is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
An amendment to the personnel policy of the City was tabled until the Council has a chance to see the upcoming audit review.
Another amendment to the Manufactured Homes Section of City law was also tabled until further study and review can be done. The issue at hand centers around the wording of the current City ordinance regarding mobile homes. Sanitation Manager and Building Official Rob Johnson explained to the Council that the current wording of the law has left a loophole. Mobile homes that are 20 feet cannot currently be stored in a front yard. However, the wording does not explicitly state that mobile homes over 20 feet cannot be stored. The issues will be studied and reviewed through the Sanitation Committee.
In other business, Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported that the Department received funds through a grant as well as some money through drug forfeitures that will help offset the costs of recent repairs the Department had incurred. There was also some discussion from Alderman Dorothy Henderson about the procedures for picking up stray dogs throughout town. Chief Hildreth explained that the dog catcher does patrol the community throughout his regular shift, and they make trips during off hours when called about an animal, but the City pound doesn’t have room for that many dogs. He indicated that at this time, if the pound is full and a dog is picked up which is not vicious, the Department is in a tough spot. “We work with the Animal Clinic,” to try and find dogs home if at all possible, said Chief Hildreth.
Fire Chief Chuck Moore presented his monthly report to the Council. He stated that the Department held two trainings last month, and they responded to one fire on Railroad Street. There was one civilian burn injury in that fire.
Other regular reports were presented by Sanitation and Building Official Rob Johnson and Street Foreman Monty Hearnsberger. Clarification was given as to how the City makes decisions on removing inoperable vehicles from front lawns. Johnson stated that the City works off of complaints. He also stated he does his best to give the owner time and notice before having a vehicle removed, and that the City does not make any money on the removal.
The Council received various other reports from the Community and Economic Development Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, the Planning Commission, and others. It was reported that the Aviation Commission is set to meet Thursday, October 20.
Is there anything that can be done about animal cruelty? Sometimes a pet owner can do everything to best of their ability to keep dogs inside a fence, yard, etc. Sometimes the pets continue to jump the fence, dig under the fence, open the gates, etc. and get out. These pets shouldn’t be poisoned or shot by neighbors. Neighbors should have the courtesy to contact the owner or animal control to give the animal a chance to be returned to the owner safely. Many pets have been poisoned in Cloverdale over the years. Last week a dog was shot in the side and in the face and killed near Pinewood Drive in Cloverdale. The dog was very friendly and would put his head under your hand for attention. He jumped a tall fence to get out to seek attention. The person should have contacted the owner instead of killing the dog.