Mena City Council approves water-related amendments

By Ethan Nahté

Following the department head reports and the A&P committee report, new business began with Item A, a resolution authorizing financing from USDA for improvements to Mena Water Facilities. The City of Mena will be responsible for raising a portion of the costs with an issuance of its bonds in the principal amount of $6,610,000. Resolution 2371-23 passed. There was no additional discussion on Item A or on most of the following items.

Item B was to consider a resolution authorizing the purchase of a less-then-lethal weapon system for the Mena Police Department. The City of Mena was awarded a grant of $9,148.73 from a Department of Public Safety equipment grant to purchase Firestorm JPX Pepper Spray Guns. (Eds. According to the Firestorm website, the average retail price is $400-$500 a piece, depending on model.) Resolution No. 1461-23 passed.

Item C was to consider a resolution authorizing ratifying an amendment to the agreement with Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc. for the Iron Forks Water Treatment Plant improvements. Resolution No. 1462-23 passed.

Item D was to consider a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc. to address the following matters: DBE Davis-Bacon Act, and American Iron and Steel monitoring as required by the funding agencies USDA Rural Development and Natural Resources Division. Resolution No. 1463-23 passed.

Item E was to consider an ordinance permitting the city attorney of the City of Mena to conduct business with the City of Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission under certain circumstances, as authorized by Arkansas Code §14-42-107; and specifically prescribing the extent of this authority; declaring an emergency to exist; and for other purposes. Ordinance No. 2372-23 passed.

Item F was to consider an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 616 prescribing zoning regulations for the City of Mena to re-zone property located at 1607 Hamilton Ave. from an R-1 to an R-2 zone. (Eds. R-1 is predominantly a single-family residence, whereas R-2 is a multi-family residence ranging from medium-density to high-density housing.) Ordinance No. 237323 passed.

Item G was to consider an ordinance accepting E & J Estates as a dedicated lot-split/minor subdivision in the Power and Thayers Addition to the City of Mena… located at 209 Finks St. for Mark Callahan. Ordinance No. 2374-23 passed.

Item H was to consider an ordinance to provide the waiver of competition bidding in an exceptional situation; to utilize Fire Hydrant Repair and Service to rebuild certain fire hydrants; declaring an emergency to exist; and for other purposes. Ordinance No. 2375-23 passed.

Item I was discussion of an amendment to Ordinance No. 2136 — procedures for purchasing, sale or exchange of City property.

Ordinance 2376-23 passed.

Item J was to consider an ordinance to provide for the waiver of competitive bidding in an exceptional situation; to purchase three vehicles from Gentry Chevrolet, Inc. for the Mena-Polk County Senior Center; declaring an emergency to exist; and for other purposes. Ordinance 2377-23 passed. The vehicles, purchased with a grant, can be viewed on p.10 of this issue of the Polk County Pulse.

Item K was to consider quotes received for the 2023 Street Overlay Hot-Mix Program. Mayor Seth Smith said that at the previous day’s committee meeting, the lowest of three bids and the recommendation of the street committee was Tri-State Asphalt at $156 per ton. It was suggested by council member James L. Turner that the entry way to Tapley Park be added to the list of areas to lay asphalt. The recommendation to use Tri-State Asphalt was passed.

Item L was to consider interest quotes received for General Fund Sales Tax Checking Accounts. The City opened bids the at noon on Feb. 13. The highest percent was 3.5% from Chambers Bank, which was the recommendation of the finance committee at the Feb. 13 meeting. It’s a three-year commitment on a fluctuating percentage that can go as low as 1%. The current rate the City is being paid is .25%. Smith said the 3.5% interest will be on almost $5 million. The recommendation to use Chambers Bank was passed.

Item M was to amend the required signature on all Advertis- ing and Promotion Commission accounts to remove Linda Rexroad and Terri Neugent and add Kacie Rose and Brooke Hines. The amendment was passed.

Item N, which Smith stated should’ve come before Item M, was to consider the re-appointment of Brooke Hines to the Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission for a four-year term to expire April 30, 2027. Her re-appointment was passed.

Item O was to consider the appointment of Alicia Farringer to the Mena Water Commission to fill the unexpired term of Debra Buschman — the remainder of an eight-year term to expire Feb. 13, 2024. Farringer’s appointment was passed. The meeting adjourned.