WARREN, Ark. – The Warren City Council convened at the Warren Municipal Building on Monday evening, September 11, 2023, with all six members in attendance: Joel Tolefree, Angela Marshall, Emily Moseley, Dorothy Henderson, Memory Burks Frazer, and Latanza Atkins. Mayor Gregg Reep presided over the meeting, which began with an invocation delivered by Reverend Jamie Rochell of the Central Street Church of Christ.
Top photo: Work underway to improve drainage at Warren Airport. Dieon Wolfe operating Dozer.
The meeting was called to order, followed by the City Clerk’s report, which was read and approved without any issues.
One of the key topics discussed during the session was the adoption of a resolution requesting that the County continue to levy a 5 mill tax for City general operations. This resolution, which only affects City residents and does not involve any tax increase, is required to be renewed annually.
Additionally, the Council approved another resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for a grant to fund repairs for the Cultural Center.
Reports from various department heads were presented, including Police Chief Shaun Hildreth, Fire Chief Chuck Moore, Sanitation Manager/Building Official Rob Johnson, and Street Foreman Monty Hearnesberger. Chief Hildreth announced that four police officers from the city are currently undergoing training at the police academy, further strengthening the local law enforcement team.
The Council was also briefed on ongoing efforts to clean up several properties within the City. As part of this effort, a final condemnation order was issued for four separate properties that have been deemed in need of cleaning and maintenance.
In addition to department reports, the Council heard updates from various City boards and commissions. The Aviation Commission, for example, discussed ongoing drainage work aimed at preventing water accumulation on the runway, a crucial step in ensuring the safety of aviation activities in the area.
In an effort to potentially reduce costs, the Council authorized the Mayor to seek an insurance quote for City-owned property through the Arkansas Municipal League. Currently, all City insurance is held by private companies, but the Municipal League offers a self-insurance program that could provide a more cost-effective alternative.
Lastly, the Council made decisions related to upcoming events. They authorized the closure of City streets for both the Homecoming parade, scheduled for October, and the Christmas Parade, slated for December. Additionally, it was decided to change the date of the October Council meeting to Tuesday, October 10.