MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE OZARK CITY COUNCIL

December 11, 2023
Ozark City Council Meeting Room

The Regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Hall and upon a roll call, a quorum
was declared to exist for the meeting. Present were Council Members Loren Maier, Angela
Harris, Randy Melton, Charlie Meeker, and Argest Hyler. Also present were Mayor Hall, City
Attorney Kevin Barham, City Clerk Susan Stevens, and City Treasurer/Deputy City Clerk Marla
Ward. Vernon McDaniel gave the invocation and Angela Harris led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Randy Melton to approve the minutes and seconded by Argest
Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and the November Regular Meeting
minutes were approved. Randy Melton then made a motion to approve the minutes for the
Special City Council meeting held November 20, 2023. This was seconded by Loren Maier.

Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and the November Special Meeting
Minutes were approved. Argest Hyler made a motion to approve the financial reports and was
seconded by Angela Harris. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and the
Financial Reports were approved.

Department Reports:

The Community Center reports that they are mostly booked on weekends, and some weekdays
for the month. There is a holiday sale of 30% off yearly memberships and 20% off monthly
memberships. You can also buy 5 day passes and get 1 free or buy 10 day passes and get 2 free.
On Decemberl6, OAYO will use the COURT ONLY 8am- 3pm. Holiday hours: The Community
Center will close at 5pm on December 22nd and be closed on December 23` d& 24th, & 25tf’. Theywill also be closed December 31 St& January 1st. They are still taking applications for the Evening Supervisor position and continuing to work on the 2024 budget.

The Street Department reports many hours of work on the Christmas lights.

The Fire Department reports 54 calls in November. The annual ladder test have been completed
and there should be an updated report on Building Inspections next month.

The Police Department reports 37 arrests, 93 reports, 17 accidents, 15 warrants served, 19
subpoenas served, 3 juvenile tickets, 4 city ordinance warnings, 7 city ordinance tickets, and 248
traffic warnings. We hosted a 2-day Precision Rifle Class and a I day building entry and clearing
class. The Arkansas Probation and Parole used our training facility.

The Water Department reports routine repairs and maintenance including numerous utility line
locates and leak repairs. There was a meeting regarding leak adjustments and water/sewer rates.
A chopper pump was ordered for McDonalds lift station after numerous pumping issues. Initial preparation was done for the Wastewater Treatment Plant NPDES permit and Wastewater Capital
Improvement Plan. There was lengthy troubleshooting with Clover regarding debit/ credit card
devices and costs/ fees.

Argest Hyler reported for the Parks & Recreation Committee. They are looking at asking the
County for help with the gates at the Overlook Park. The Gar Creek project is complete. We are
still waiting to hear about the Grant for Westside Park. The City will be fixing the breaker box in
the Pocket Park downtown and new lights have been ordered. The Pocket Park will then become
a Main Street Ozark project.

Randy Melton reported for the Street and Water Committee. There will probably be a 2- 3% water
rate increase for 2024 as there was no increase in 2023. CARDS made an unsolicited offer of
300,000. 00 to purchase the Transfer Station from the City. No action was taken and the offer is
still on the table. Stacy Light, representing Today’ s Power, Inc. presented plans for a 1 MW solar
power project on Airport Road. It would be a PILOT program( Payment in Lieu of Taxes). Randy
stated that he does not see any advantages to the program at this time. The proposal was left in
committee.

New Business:

3a. Randy Melton made a motion for the City Council to enter into Executive Session to discuss
the vacancy of Ward 1, Seat 2 on the Council. This was seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll
call vote, all Council members voted aye and the Council moved to a smaller meeting room. The
Council returned at 6: 10 pm. Argest Hyler made a motion to appoint Summer Miner to the
Council seat. This was seconded by Loren Maier. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members
voted aye and the vacancy was filled.

3b. New Planning Commission Chairman.
Raegan Haberer has volunteered for the position of Chairman. A motion to approve was made
by Loren Maier and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted
aye. Fire Chief Nick Trotter and former Chairperson Ruth Hoffman have volunteered to help her
as needed.

3c. Our new Code Enforcement Officer Tyler Whitsett was introduced, He will be going to the
Academy in the New Year,

3d. Officer Dillon Hancock graduated from the Academy in November. He received a certificate
for placing 2nd in the physical fitness training program while there.

3e. A handout of the budget was provided in the packet. There will be a budget meeting on
Tuesday, December 191h at 4: 30 pm

3f. Ordinance 2023- 17 ” An Ordinance providing for the requirement of business licenses,
providing for suspension or revocation thereof, and penalties for violation of this ordinance, and
for other purposes.” A motion to read the ordinance was made by Argest Hyler and seconded by
Loren Maier. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and Mr. Barham read the
Ordinance. A motion was then made by Argest Hyler to suspend the 2nd
and 3nd reading and read by title only. This was seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members
voted aye and Mr. Barham read the title two times. A motion was made to approve the ordinance
by Argest Hyler and seconded by Angela Harris. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members
voted aye and Ordnance 2023- 17 was approved. Randy Melton then made a motion to enact the
Emergency Clause and was seconded by Charlie Meeker. Upon a roll call vote, all Council
members voted aye and the emergency clause was enacted.

3g. Resolution 2023- 11 ” A Resolution selecting a licensed professional engineer for provision of
services related to the Kimbrough Building authorizing the Mayor to contract for such services,
and for other purposes.” A motion was made by Charlie Meeker to add Resolution 2023- 11 to the
Agenda and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye. A
motion to read was made by Angela Harris and seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call
vote, all Council members voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Resolution. A motion to approve
was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Council
members voted aye and Resolution 2023- 11 was approved. Discussion: Our first choice was Lee
King, P.E. However, he has not responded to any contact attempts and we need to move forward
with remediation. Randy Melton stated that the fees will be given later. The job is not bid on, but
is negotiated. Mr. Larry Schmaltz, P.E. is a state licensed professional engineer and is familiar
with the project. Argest Hyler asked if there was any idea ofthe fees. Both Mr. Barham and
Mayor Hall were sure they will be less than $ 10,000.00. Randy Melton then stated that this has
problem has been going on since 2015 which is way too long.

Public Input Speaker

Mr. T.F. White has property that he is renovating, He has had the water turned on at the
property for clean-up but has no allowable waste to be collected in the CARDS cart that was
delivered. He does not want to pay for trash service that he is not receiving. He would like a
review of any Ordinance needed to separate or clarify payments for services not being used and
asked for the ordinance limiting us to CARDS as a monopoly.

Announcements

The 2023 Christmas parade was fantastic. It lasted 56 minutes with a great turnout. A
huge thank you to everyone who was in the parade.
Mayor Hall has spoken with Tracee McKenna on Friday about where things stand on the
Food Pantry. There are a few revisions that need to be made to the plans and specs. Once the
AEDC approves them we should be able to take bids.

Christmas/ Holiday hours. The Community Center will be closed Saturday, Sunday, and
Monday ( December 23` d, 241h, & 25th). City Hall offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday
December 25th & 26th), and also Monday, January 1, 2024. CARDS will be closed on Monday the 25th and will run a day behind. This week, extra bagged trash can be put out for pick-up.

Recycling will be done on Saturday. On January 8- 13, the pool side ofthe Community Center
will be closed for deep cleaning. A thank you was extended to Maline Phillips for joining the
Ozark Pride & Beautification Committee and praises given to all employees for a great year.

A motion to adjourn was made by Loren Maier and seconded by Charlie Meeker. Upon a
roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and the meeting was adjourned.
Minutes for the Ozark City Council meeting held Monday, December 11, 2023 were
approved and passed this 8th day of January, 2024.