Mayor Joe Carpenter presented a proposed change to city departments to the the Southwest City Council at the council's April 8 meeting.
The proposal creates a Director of Public Works position, which will be held by Shane Clark. The City Clerk would provide administrative support as needed. While all city services will continue to be under Clark, however, his main focus will be water and sewer.
The mayor designated Jim Bob McGhee as head over the street and building departments, which includes maintaining the streets and mowing city property and neglected property.
The restructuring allows for another full-time employee to assist McGhee.
The change would enable the departments to divide and conquer the routine duties, but also share employees when crisis situations come up like water main ruptures.
The mayor requested consideration on wage increases beginning with a $2 salary increase for Clark, who is also the city fire chief and on-call 24/7. The increase would bring him in line with salaries for his skill set, according to the mayor.
Wage increases for McGhee and for city employee Ray Cooper, for completion of his probation period, were approved by the council, as well as was the city department restructuring and hiring of another full-time city employee.
Mark Stanton, superintendent of the McDonald County School District, along with representatives of Paragon Architecture and Nabholtz Construction, unveiled plans for the new gymnasium, band room and storm shelter at Southwest City School to the council. The project is part of a successful bond issue approved by the county residents to improve structures within the district.
The storm shelter portion of the structure will encompass 8,800 square feet and accommodate up to 800 people.
Nabholtz Construction representative Jared Brown announced a plan to break ground early September, with concrete pre-cast panels arriving in November. Stanton added that they hope to have a groundbreaking ceremony in September.
In other business, tax collector Judith Pendergraft presented the 2009 Tax Abatement for signatures. She again approached the council with a proposed ordinance to deal with individuals neglecting to pay personal property taxes.
She provided the original list to the council, which was quickly called into question by Alderman Linda Hart regarding where current numbers stood to date.
Pendergraft said that the ordinance should be discussed and that she would like to go after those people not paying personal property taxes, noting that it wasn't fair to those who did pay faithfully.
Hart, along with Alderman Cheryl Howe, agreed that they would like an updated list before moving forward with the proposed ordinance. The council approved tabling the issue until a future date.
The council approved $500 for the city flower garden at the "triangle" per Joyce Morris' request.
Whether or not to rent portable restrooms for the park was brought to the council by the mayor. Debbie Blake stated that ball practices have started and access to restrooms is needed. The mayor requested quotes for renting portable restrooms.
Blake discussed the recycling project and locations for recycling barrels within the park. She stated she would take responsibility for keeping them emptied and liners placed in them.
Blake also said that there were issues with late-night soccer games and that the fields were left with trash. The mayor added that the goals have been broken and the nets taken, requiring the city to make repairs. The group agreed that guidelines need to be drafted for use of the city park facilities.
Department Reports
City Clerk Lois Frye provided sewer averages for approval of new rates to take effect in May. The council approved the amended rates.
Clark reported that the fire department was busy in the month, responding to five medical calls, one mutual aid call, two structure fires, two landing zones, two motor vehicle accidents and one grass fire.
Police Chief Monte Brannon reported that nine tickets were issued with one arrest. The department dealt with four reports; one was the theft from a coin machine.
Brannon stated that there is a group of individuals who make a circuit targeting coin machines in different towns. He said they seem to know when to hit and where to drill holes in the mechanism to access the coins.
Brannon also noted that it was time for two of his officers to get their 50-cent raise for successfully completing 90 days. Council approved the pay increases.
Clark presented the utility report noting there were two plugged sewer lines, one of which required the hire of a "jetter" from Siloam Springs to clean it out.
Clark reported work on clearing brush out of the creek and rock from the north side of the park. He also received an estimate of $800 to move the light pole in front of SWC Tire on Main Street and relocate it further north.
He also reported that he obtained bids on a 14-inch chop saw to use for cutting the pavement for water line work. Of the three bids collected, Murphy Farm and Lawn had a price $300 cheaper than the others at $1,066.56. The council approved the purchase of the saw at that price.
The council voted to approve payment of bills from March 25 in the amount of $15,583.34 and current bills in the amount of $13,955.68.
Community on 04/17/2014