MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE OZARK CI’T’Y COUNCIL
March 13, 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 Alderpersons Angela Harris, Argest Hyler, David Mahon, Loren Maier, Randy Melton and Charlie Meeker. Also present were Mayor Hall, City Attorney Kevin Barham, City Clerk Susan Stevens, and Treasurer/ Deputy City Clerk Marla Waard. The invocation was given by Kentlee Vantive, a member of Mrs. Lindsey Vest’s 3rd Grade Class. Members of the class then led the Pledge of Allegiance. They were then taken on a tour of the new Putt-Putt activity at the Community Center. The tour was given a very enthusiastic approval from the class! 

 

A motion was made by Randy Melton to approve the January minutes. This was seconded by David Mahon to include corrections to minutes on page 6. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the minutes were approved A motion was then made by David Mahon to approve the financial reports and seconded by Charlie Meeker. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the financial. reports were approved 

 

The Street Department reported that 3400 feet of ditches and 20 culverts were cleaned out on 2nd Street. Maintenance work is being done at the ball fields. They are working on all of our parks to get the bathrooms opened back up. There is a water leak that has to be repaired before the Overlook bathroom is opened Several potholes have been fixed throughout town. David Mahon thanked Michael Brnsseaux for the thorough report. Fire Chief Nick Trotter reported that February was spent taking care of normal day to day duties and activities. The Water Department reports that in addition to routine maintenance and repairs including, but not limited to, investigating and/or repairing water and sewer line leaks, meter/meter box repairs, street cut maintenance, installing sewer/water taps, utility line locates, shutoffs, reading meters, water treatment plant operation, pump and equipment maintenance, water analysis/testing, wastewater treatment plant and lift station daily checks, daily/monthly reports, continuing education: a valve box was installed on the I& water line on N. 1.8* Street atAirport Road for improved maintenance and system control. The Community Center Reports they are still staying completely booked on weekends. There are activities planned for each day of Spring Break to include Marvelous Monday($ 1 off per person), Terrific Tuesday(($ 2 per person), Wacky Wednesday( buy a day pass, get one free), Thirsty Thursday( have a soda on us!), Fantastic Friday( 30% OFF full facility memberships). Plans are coming together for the Underwater Easter Egg Hunt. Work is being done on a Blue & You Grant to provide equipment for the exercise room Four new lifeguards are being certified to prepare for Spring Break and Summer. The Putt-Putt Golf Course will open on March 20d’—the first day ofSpring Break.

 

The Police Department hosted a two day Advanced Interview and interrogation class. There were a couple of officers from as far away as Alabama in the class. We also hosted a Court Security and Bailiff Class. FBI SWAT, Crawford County SWAT, and Fort Smith SWAT teams conducted training in our Shoot House during the month. We have hired Earl Ellegood as a Patrolman. Earl has spent two years as a detention officer at the Franklin County Detention Center. We are in the process of conducting a background check, physical, drug screen, etc. for the Code Enforcement Officer position. It is anticipated that the will be hired in the next week or two. 

 

The Cemetery Committee met February 23rd with Chair Angela Harris and Alderman Randy Melton in attendance. Alderman Loren Maier was out of town. Also in attendance were Mayor Hall, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Platt, Michael Brasseaux, Robert Gresham, Argest Hyler, and David Mahon.A copy of the full report will be attached to the.online minutes. Charlie Meeker reported for the Fire & Police Committee. Fire Chief Nick Trotter has requested a reverse lease on a 2500 gallon tanker truck from Pleasant View Water Department. There are a few repairs to be done which will cost less than$ 10,000.00 and it will be housed at Station# 3. The Police Department has all positions filled with the exception of the Code Enforcement Officer. They are discussing requesting more money for the School Resource Officer, and still taking bids-on cameras. handy Melton reported for the Policy and Personnel Committee. They are working on getting an employee evaluation process in place which was delayed by Covid and are hoping to have it in place by November. Incentive pay is being discussed. Vacation policies for the Police Department are set by the state and he is working with state officials to clarify these policies. The Ordinance Committee report was given by David Mahon. He has been looking into the state of.our City Ordinances and they are a mess. The last codification update was done in 2018. Codification takes all codes, ordinances, statutes etc. and puts them into one master code book/program. It also ties our ordinances into State Statutes and can update our website. The Company that he spoke with works with a majority of the large cities in Arkansas. They stated that the maximum cost would be$ 15, 000.00. This is a large cost to get our program started, but the$ 15, 000 is the absolute max( Ozark would probably run around $ 10, 000)-and the yearly update cost is$ 2500. 00 to be scheduled as needed or wanted. Charlie Meeker asked if the stated cities all use a company outside the Municipal League and yes they do. David will send a link out which lists the Cities that use this particular company. Kevin Barham asked if the Ordinances etc. would be online in a searchable PDF form and yes, they would be for ease of use. David will be getting quotes and possible demonstrations to present from different companies. Verbal approval was given by the Council to further pursue this project 

 

Under Old Business, Ordinance 2013- 1 sets the number of members on the Planning Commission to five instead of seven. Mayor Hall stated that there are four ordinances tied to the number of members on the Commission which is another reason to for the Codification project to move forward, as it will-connect together all ordinances and amendments to said ordinances. Mayor Hall stated that going forward the Planning Commission Chairman would be David Mahon working with members Tom Forrester,Mike Bogue, Baylee Hall-Henry, and Marsha Hilliard. Removed from the Commission were Bethany Bonner Lucius and Nathan Rodrigues with a thank you for their willingness to serve. A motion to approve these Commission members was made by Angela Harris and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, Alderpersons Angela Harris, Argest Hyler, David Mahon, and Loren Maier voted aye and Alderpersons Charlie Meeker and Randy Melton voted no. The motion passed-with a vote of 4-2. 

 

Our 2021 Audit Review was presented. As stated on page 6 of the audit, there were no reportable issues found. There were some supplemental findings, but none that have not been resolved. A motion to approve the 2021 Audit Review was made by Randy Melton and seconded by David Mahon. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the Audit Review was approved. 

Under New Business a motion to add Ordinance 2023- 4 to the Agenda was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by David Mahon. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the addition was noted. 

 

Item 3a. Main Street Chairman Chris Brockett presented a request to the Council to move forward with a project of building a 15×80 stage to be located behind theAnderson building with the gravel lot to the west. It will be called the Bank OZK Stage. There are plans to do Sunday concerts and/or events using the stage and also possibly using it for the Square Gathering and other city events. The stage will be set off of the concrete slab which can be used for seating, and graveling the lot will provide extra parking. If successful there are plans of roofing the seating area to introduce a” mini-amp” theater similar to the one the City ofClarksville has completed. Randy Melton asked about upkeep responsibility and Main Street will be taking that on. They will be using a black oil-based paint with a 5-year warranty and volunteer help with basic maintenance. Electricity will be pulled from the Anderson building so no new power source will have to be installed. In the future, they hope to make further use of the building for restrooms and storage. A motion was made by Loren Maier to lock in the construction price and move forward with the Main Street Stage location with gravel lot to west side project. This was seconded by Argest Hyler.’Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the project was approved. 

Item 3b. Bank OZK Letter ofCredit terms presented by Eddie Melton. 

 

These are as stated: 

• 4.79% if advanced 
• 11, 000 Approved Credit Amount 
• Fees waived 
• New Maturity date ofJanuary 14, 2025 

Approved signers will be Mayor Roxie Hall and City Clerk Susan Stevens 

 

To clarify, City Attorney Kevin Barham stated that this is similar to a bond wherein if a problem is found at the Transfer Station, the operators could handle the problem and call upon this letter of credit to cover the costs. Amotion was made by David Mahon to approve the Letter ofCredit with signers Mayor Hall and-City Clerk Susan Stevens. This was seconded by Loren Maier.Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the Letter ofCredit was approved. 

 

Item 3c. Presented by City Attorney Kevin Barham. Several months ago we entered into a lease agreement with Pleasant View for them to lease a pumper truck from the City ofOzark.

They now have an inactive tanker truck that we would like to lease from them. The lease agreement is set for two years. The motion is to allow Mayor Hall to enter into this reverse lease with the City of Pleasant View with the same terms and conditions( ex. maintenance, repairs will be our responsibility). A motion was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the motion was approved. 

 

Item 3d. Resolution 2023- 2 Amends the 2022 City Budget( budget to actual). A motion to read was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Argest Hy1er. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Resolution. A motion to approve was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and Resolution 2023-2 was approved 

 

Resolution 2023- 3 Amends the 2022 Water Department Budget( budget to actual). A.motion to read-was-made by Angela Harris-and seconded by randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Resolution. A motion to approve was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and Resolution 2023 was approved. 

 

Ordinance 2023-4 re: Conatser’ s Addition. An ordinance vacating a certain platted street or alleyway in block 13, Conatser’s Addition to the City ofOzark, Franklin County, Arkansas. Amotion to read was made by David Mahon and seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Ordinance. A motion was made by Randy Melton to dispense with the 2nd reading and vote by title only. This was seconded by David Mahon. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Ordinance title. A motion to approve the Ordinance was made by David Mahon and seconded by Loren Maier. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and Ordinance 2023- 4 was approved A motion was then made by Charlie Meeker to enact the emergency clause and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the emergency clause is enacted 

 

Item 3e. David Mahon declined to speak 

 

Announcements: 

Spring Clean-up is scheduled for the week of April 3- 8. Please call City Hall by March 29a’ for help in moving items. Citizens must present an Ozark City Water bill. 

Putt Putt mini golf opens at the Community Center Monday, March 20d’. A big Thank You to all participating businesses and sponsors. 

Run for the Fallen begins this Friday, March 17d’ at the Community Center. Supper is being provided Thursday evening and breakfast Friday morning at the Garner Building. 

City wide Clean Up Day is Saturday, April 11′. Volunteers needed. 

Thank you to the Ozark Police Department for getting back to full staff and continuing to provide excellent work.

 

A Thank You to Tracee McKenna from WAPDD for her work on the food pantry project. Mr. A.C. Moncrief stated that we received a Community Development Block Grant for 450,000.00! The Ecumenical Counsel will be responsible for upkeep, bills etc. as long as the building is in use. They should be able to service up to 370 families. The next step is to meet with the architect. Completion date is set for 2024. 

 

A motion to adjourn was made by David Mahon and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and the meeting was adjourned. 

 

Minutes for the Ozark City Council Meeting held Monday March 13, 2023, were approved and passed this 101 day ofApril, 2023.