August 2020 Council Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE OZARK CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 10, 2020
Ozark City Council Meeting Room
A Regular Meeting of the Ozark City Council was held on July 13, 2020 at 5: 30 p. m. at the Ozark City Council Meeting Room in City Hall. Present were Mayor Roxie Hall, City Attorney Kevin Barham, Deputy City Clerk/ Treasurer Marla Ward, City Clerk Susan Stevens, and Alderpersons Rex Anderson, Brandy Flanary, Susan Holman, Charles Meeker, Randy Melton, and Aerial Nicely. Call to Order by Mayor Hall, Rex Anderson gave the Invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Aerial Nicely.
Upon a roll call, a quorum was declared to exist for the meeting. Randy Melton moved for approval of the Minutes from the July meeting. The motion was seconded by Charles Meeker, and upon a roll call vote all alderpersons voted aye and the minutes were approved.
Financials: Discussion regarding the shortage in June. A local business had overpaid their taxes. The State had to repay this business and the City of Ozark had to repay the state. This repayment was done in a lump sum on the advice of our auditors. Our July numbers are 20% ahead of last year. Regarding Bond payment. We don’ t make a payment every month. It is made 1 to 2 times a year. There is an alert set up on account if funds are possibly going to be short. A motion to approve the Financial Reports was made by Susan Holman and seconded by Aerial Nicely. On a roll call vote, all alderpersons voted aye and the Financial Reports were approved.
Old Business
Ordinance 2020- 8 regarding neglected/ abandoned property. Civil enforcement also includes due process which provides the property owner to speak. A major obstacle in this process is locating owners who live out of state. Notices are being sent to addresses listed on the tax assessments. An owner can request an assessment to protest action of city. City Attorney Kevin Barham suggested that a Resolution declaring the properties downtown to be public nuisances be brought next month and that we send the Ordinance back to Committee for their August 13, 2020 meeting.
There has been no feedback from city residents regarding the Old City Pool Building. Mayor Roxie Hall recommends that the Fire Department take over the building for training purposes. The awnings are to be used in the park to shade benches and the pumps will be disposed of properly.
Most telephone calls regarding the Recycling program have been from residents who live outside of the City limits. The County refuses to pay any of the recycling costs. Curbside restarts on Friday, August 14, 2020 and will be scheduled for the 2ndand 4th Friday of each month. Aerial Nicely suggested putting a notice on water bills and possibly the City Facebook Page and the City website.
New Business
Air Conditioning at the Depot Museum. Brandy Flanary suggests that we accept the lowest bid which was from McClain Sheet Metal as long as his estimate included taxes. A motion was made to accept this bid by Rex Anderson and seconded by Aerial Nicely. All alderpersons voted aye and the motion was carried.
Water Disconnects/ Trash Service. At present the City has$ 5180. 44 accumulated in late payment fees. Of this amount, a total of$ 2192. 00 represents the fees for trash pick-up and will be a loss of revenue. Susan Holman suggested setting up an installment plan for those who have larger balances. Vernon McDaniel stated that the City of Clarksville discontinued their leniency program due to loss of revenue. Charles Meeker asked if CARDS would pick up their carts if water service was disconnected. Everyone was in agreement that arrears need to be paid. City Attorney Kevin Barham suggested that we send out shut-off notices on the 25th of August. Customers must either pay in full or come in and sign an installment agreement to pay. Cut-off of services will begin on September 1st, 2020. If water service is disconnected, the entire bill must be paid in full and a new deposit will be required to resume services.
Ordinance 2020-10 re the closing of South 19th Street. The Planning Commission met last week. Arkansas Valley Electric Co. now owns both sides of South 19th Street. Rex Anderson questioned ownership of the old Shaffer house. Arkansas Valley owns it too. Susan Holman made a motion and Randy Melton seconded it for the Ordinance to be read. All alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Ordinance. A motion was made by Charles Meeker and seconded by Rex Anderson to dispense with the 2ndand 3rdreading of the Ordinance and vote by title only. All alderpersons voted aye. A motion to approve Ordinance 2020-10 was made by Susan Holman and seconded by Randy Melton. All alderpersons voted aye and Ordinance 2020- 10 was approved.
Resolution 2020-11 re: Sale of the slide from the old City Pool. A motion was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Susan Holman to have City Attorney Kevin Barham read the Resolution. All Alderpersons voted aye and the motion was read aloud. Susan Holman made a motion to approve the Resolution and was seconded by Aerial Nicely. All Alderpersons voted aye and Resolution 2020-11 was approved.
A motion was made by Susan Holman and seconded by Aerial Nicely to add Resolution 2020- 12 to the Agenda. All Alderpersons voted aye. This Resolution will approve a City lease to Pinnacle for property next to the Westside Fire Station for$ 1000. 00 a year for 10 years.
Susan Holman made a motion for the Resolution to be read, seconded by Aerial Nicely. All Alderpersons voted aye and the Resolution was read by City Attorney Kevin Barham. Aerial Nicely then made a motion to approve Resolution 2020-12, and was seconded by Brandy Flanary. Rex Anderson, Charles Meeker, and Susan Holman voted aye with one nay vote from Randy Melton. Resolution 2020- 12 was approved.
Danny Harrington will be stepping down from the Ordinance Committee and will be replace by his wife Lynda Harrington.
A motion was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Charles Meeker to replace Carol Sneath who has resigned from the A& P Commission, with Karra Bush from the Oxbend Brewery. All Alderpersons voted aye.
A motion was made to adjourn by Randy Melton and seconded by Susan Holman. All Alderpersons voted aye and the meeting was adjourned.
Approved and passed this 14th day of September, 2020.
Mayor Roxie Hall
City of Ozark
Susan Stevens, City Clerk
City of Ozark