Des Arc C ity C ouncil accepts grant/loan for water system

By Lisa Mills

Correspondent

At the June 18th Des Arc City Council meeting, a resolution was passed designating Mayor Roger Scott to sign and execute paperwork to accept a grant/loan from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.

The 75% grant/25% loan at 1.75% interest provides over two million dollars to be used for upgrades and repairs to the city’s water system, towers, and plant.

City Attorney Ginger Stuart offered her resignation to the council. She said that with her regular duties as an attorney, as city attorney for Lonoke and England, and living in North Little Rock, she felt the need to lighten her schedule. Stuart offered to continue doing necessary legal work for the city without attending meetings until a new attorney could be hired. She also offered to provide names of some possible replacements and said that she would help get them started.

The owner of Tortuga’s Mexican Restaurant, who asked the council last month for approval to apply for a mixed drink license asked the council if they had an answer. After some discussion, a motion was made to give approval.

The council took a vote which resulted in two for and three against.

Gail King, Jodie Foster, and Keith Knupp voted no, and Judy Burnett and Nicole Fisher voted yes. Doug Estes was absent.

Craig Treadwell

addressed the council for the Baseball Association. He said that they would like to see what options are available to repair and improve the “old gym” located at the ballpark. He said the association would like to use it for a practice facility during bad weather. Mayor Scott recommended that they have a contractor look at the building and see what it would take to make it usable and then bring the information to the council’s work meeting on Tuesday, the 25th at 6:00 pm.

Ambulance Director

Christy Rogers told the council that something has to be done to allow her to schedule certified drivers and EMTs to handle emergency runs when the first ambulance is already on a run. She said there had been several times that she needed backup but was afraid to call those who work for the city or are on the council.

Mayor Scott told her that she has his permission to call anyone when there is an emergency.

Attorney Stuart reminded him that they cannot legally do that without an ordinance and that even if an ordinance to allow city personnel or council members to also work on the ambulance, those people can’t be on the schedule, but can work on an as-needed, emergency basis. Scott said they would discuss it at the work meeting on Tuesday.

Roxanne Bradow, owner and editor of The Grand Prairie Herald newspaper, spoke to the council about the “Freedom of Information

Act.” She provided the mayor and council members with a “FOIA” handbook for reference. Bradow reminded the council that cities are required to print the yearly budget and all ordinances in the legal county newspaper. She added that the paper must be notified before any meetings. She said that when the White River Journal was discontinued, the Grand Prairie Herald became the only legal newspaper in the county and began adding Des Arc news. Mayor Scott asked her if they had been meeting the requirements, to which she replied, “No.” Scott said that he would make sure it was done from now on.

Paul Guess addressed the council about his request last month, to consider featuring the city on his morning show on KATV. He reminded them that there is an option for a full one-hour show at a cost of $9,000 or segments featured on his show at $1,600 each.

King asked Attorney Stuart if the city could legally pay for advertising. Stuart replied that they could pay for either option. Mayor Scott said the city should give the funds to either the Chamber of Commerce or the Des Arc Industrial Development Commission to pay for it. Scott said he would speak to them before the work meeting on Tuesday and the council would discuss it more then.

Gail King reported for the Gas Committee that gas consultant Michael Lindsey will be doing a study on the large percentage of gas loss. He also recommends purchasing a meter at the point of purchase. King said the committee will start getting quotes and recommends a work meeting soon to discuss the results of Lindsey’s findings and what needs to be done to prevent the loss.

Mayor Scott reported that one sealed bid had been received for the 2016 police vehicle. The bid was from Michael Neal for $3,000. A motion was approved to accept the bid.