MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE OZARK CITY COUNCIL
July 11, 2022
Ozark City Council Meeting Room

The Regular Meeting as called to order by Mayor Roxie Hall and upon roll call, a quorum was declared to exist for the meeting. Present were Alderpersons Rex Anderson, Rusty Cagle, Brandy Flanary, Will Heffington, Charlie Meeker, and Randy Melton. Also present were Mayor Hall, City Attorney Kevin Barham, City Clerk Susan Stevens, and Treasurer/Deputy City Clerk Marla Ward. Jacob Jones from Hope Church gave the invocation and Taylor Yates, representing Ozark High School/ FBLA, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by Randy Melton to approve the June minutes. and seconded by Will Heffington. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the minutes were approved. A motion was then made by Randy Melton to approve the financial statements and seconded by Charlie Meeker. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the financial statements were approved.

The Community Center is doing well. They are continuing to book parties with most weekends being booked out through the summer. June revenue was up, and memberships are up by 200 new members. Fridays in July are Family Days/$3 per person. Charlie Meeker reported for the Fire & Police Committee. Our new Building Inspector Jeff Alan is taking the lead on repairs going on downtown. The Committee recommended that a vehicle be purchased for the Building Inspector to use and to reappropriate $30,000.00 from the General Fund to be used for this purchase. They also recommended a reappropriation of $14,000. 00 to the Volunteer Fire Department to be used to complete replacement of garage doors at Station One. A motion to approve these reappropriations was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by Rex Anderson. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the motion was approved. Brandy Flanary reported for the Cemetery Committee. She thanked Administrative Assistant Sherry Timmerman
for all her hard work on the mapping project. She is currently up to the I’s in the computer entry listings. It will cost approximately $350.00 to get the Eastside of the Cemetery mapped out. We have received several calls from people wanting to sell their plots in the Cemetery. The City does not purchase these. They need to be sold privately with a Quit Claim Deed filed at City Hall. Sherry or Marla Ward can handle these. Sherry has been keeping a cross-reference list of those wanting to buy and/or sell plots.

Old Business: Resolution 2022- 4 which authorizes Mayor Hall to apply for an ACEDP Grant for Community Development was presented. If the grant is awarded, documentation shows no problems with establishing a food bank on a portion of the property at the Eastside Ball Park. A lease to be arbitrated at a later date. A motion to read Resolution 2022-4 was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by Will Heffington. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and City Attorney Kevin Barham read the Resolution. A motion to approve was made by Charlie Meeker
and seconded by Will Heffington. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Resolution 2022- 4 was approved.

Update to matter of 204 West River Street. Mr. Barham stated that Mayor Hall had declared the lot to be excess property to be sold at public auction. A motion was made by Charlie Meeker to approve with Randy Melton seconding. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the declaration was approved. Alderperson Randy Melton requested that a Resolution also be drawn up in order to clarify the actions being taken.

Water Treatment Project: All bids have ranged between $3-$400,000.00 Hawkins & Weir recommended that we accept the lowest bid of $273.361.00 from Associated Building and Development Corporation. A motion was made by Rex Anderson to accept this bid followed by a second by Will Heffington. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the bid will be accepted for the project to move forward. Alderperson Charlie Meeker requested an update on work being done.

There was no new business to present.

Employees of the Quarter were then presented:
Fire Department                    Jessie McDonner
Police Department                Levi Ridgeway
Water Department                Andy Murphy
Community Center                Amy Harms
Street Department                Kenneth Rosson

Announcements: We currently have 213 active businesses in Ozark, 12 of these are new to our City. In 2020, 6 businesses closed. In 2021, 9 businesses closed and ytd in 2022 only 2 business have closed. The Street Department has completed work on the disc gold course at Westside Park and the first tournament will be held August 6 at 9:00 am. Alderman Rex Anderson had noted that more lights are needed at Eastside Park and OG&E is being consulted regarding this project. A Sit & Spin has been installed at the park. It was donated by the Rotary Club. There had been some public discussion on the cost of the fireworks display. Since 2014 the City has paid $5000.00 each year with the A & P Commission also paying $5000.00. This year the company raised their price by $1000.00, which raised the City’ s cost by$ 500.00. Recycling bins are available at City Hall at no cost. You can have your recycling picked up per their schedule or take it to the Transfer Station yourself. Mayor Hall, Randy Melton ad Rex Anderson attended the ARML Summer Session. Randy attended a breakout session on City Clean-Up programs. The presenters emphasized the importance of involving the community in these efforts. A door hanger has been drawn up to thank citizens for their participation in making our City beautiful. He also learned of a $5000.00 stipend available to full- time police officers who complete the Police Training Academy. The officer would be responsible for fees and taxes. If you leave the position, you must repay the stipend unless you take a position in another law enforcement agency that participates in the program. Rex learned of a new sealant for city streets that is available from a business in Mulberry and is looking into having them do a presentation for us.

A motion to adjourn was made by Rex Anderson and seconded by Brandy Flanary. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the meeting was adjourned.

Minutes for the Ozark City Council Meeting held Monday July 11, 2022 were approved and passed this 8th day of August, 2022.

Mayor Roxie Hall

City Clerk Susan Stevens