MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE OZARK CITY COUNCIL
October 10, 2022
Ozark City Council Meeting Room

The Regular Meeting was 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. Kevin Barham led the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Franklin County Fair Queen Chloe Clifton and Little Miss Franklin County Adleigh Moffet.

A motion was made by Randy Melton to approve the September minutes and seconded by Charlie Meeker. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the Minutes were approved. A motion was made by Rex Anderson to approve the Financial Reports and seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the Financial Reports were approved.

The Police Department’ s September report listed 28 arrests, 10-accidents, 3 Ordinance tickets, 29 Ordinance warnings, 87 reports, 41 traffic tickets and 88 traffic warnings. The Department hosted three classes. These included a Public Safety Media Class, a CPR& AED Class, and an Active Shooter Class. The Department received 1 phone call and 2 written compliments for Officers David Warren, Shea Reed, and Levi Ridgeway for their job performance. Donations for” Shop with a Cop” can be given at the Ozark Police Department Monday through Friday 8: 30am to 4:30pm from now until December 1st. October is the Arkansas Drug Take Back Event. Expired or unused prescription medications can be brought to the Police Department. There is a drop box in the lobby.

The Ozark Community Center is offering$ 2 swim for Friday and Monday of Fall Break and 20% off memberships for the entire break. Painting the walls and construction of the holes has begun for the Putt-Putt project. Cass Job Corps is working through the week to install the actual holes and then designing each hole will follow. We are looking into grants and/or programs to help furnish the exercise room with some equipment. Holiday events and Specials coming soon!

The Street Department reports that the street sweeper is finally back up and running. They will be running it on all streets that have gutters. Custom Pavement will be here soon to repair some of the bad places in our streets. The Fire Department is in the process of having all vehicles serviced. They are working on implementing a physical training program and requirements for an annual health screening and physical test for all members. They are also working on updating the Departments Standard Operating Guidelines.

The Water Department reports a review of Tractor Supply initial water and sewer plans. A rerouted 2nd line on Airport Road due to Wal-Mart expansion, and emergency lights have been installed on four vehicles. There was a meeting with the Engineers regarding applications for ARPA Infrastructure funds administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture through the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission grant funding program. Our contractor is awaiting submittals/approvals before proceeding with the Sodium Hypochlorite upgrade. Cross Connection program letters have been sent out. ACT 605 requires the majority of a governing body ( serving from January 1 to December 31, 2022) to take an 8-hour course by December 31, 2022 ( if not exempted due to 10 years of service). Mayor Hall and Rex Anderson are currently certified. Randy Melton and Charlie Meeker volunteered to take the course.

Under Old Business it was reported that the Fall Clean Up went well. There were 96 customers by Thursday, with 4 calls for helps. Randy Melton asked about a house on Market Street that is in major disrepair. There is a Quite Claim deed in the works with November 1st being the deadline.

A motion was made by Rex Anderson and seconded by Charlie Meeker to have Ordinance 2022- 10 read aloud. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Ordinance which is to levy a one( 1) mil tax for the benefit of the Ozark Firemen’ s Pension Fund. A motion to dispense with the 2nd and Yd readings and vote by title only was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Will Heffington. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye. A motion to approve was then made by Randy Melton and seconded by Will Heffington. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Ordinance 2022- 10 was approved.

A motion was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Will Heffington to have Ordinance 2022- 11 read aloud. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Ordinance which is to levy a Volunteer tax of 1. 2 mil for the Volunteer Fire Department Fund. A motion to dispense with the 2nd and 3′ readings and vote by title only was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by Rusty Cagle. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye. A motion to approve was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Will Heffington. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Ordinance 2022- 11 was approved.

A motion was made by Rex Anderson and seconded by Rusty Cagle to have Ordinance 2022- 12 read aloud. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Ordinance which is to levy a five( 5) mil tax for the benefit of the Ozark General Fund. A motion to dispense with the 2nd and Yd readings and vote by title only was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Charlie Meeker. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye. A motion to approve was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Rusty Cagle. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Ordinance 2022- 12 was approved.

Tracee McKenna from WAPDD presented two Resolutions to the City Council. A motion was made by Rex Anderson to have Resolution 2022- 10 read aloud. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Resolution which is adopting a citizen participation plan for Ozark for assessment of community issues, problems and needs. A motion was made by Charlie Meeker to approve the Resolution and seconded by Rex Anderson. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Resolution 2022- 10 was approved.

Tracee McKenna also presented Resolution 2022- 11. A motion was made by Randy Melton to have the Resolution read aloud. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Resolution which” establishes a policy prohibiting the use of excessive force by Law Enforcement Agencies within the applicant’ s jurisdiction against individuals engaged in non- violent civil rights demonstrations.” A motion to approve was made by Rex Anderson and seconded by Will Heffington. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and Resolution 2022- 11 was approved.

The Policy& Personnel Committee meeting for September was cancelled per Randy Melton as there were no issues to discuss.

Announcements: The Square Gathering held October 8′ was a great success! Thank you to Main Street Ozark for all your hard work. Thanks also to the Street Department and Daniel Elder for getting the lights changed downtown around the square. The bright lights are very nice. Scare on the Square will be Monday, October 31, from 6- 8pm, so bring your ghouls and goblins out for some Family Fun! There has been one meeting regarding Christmas lights around the courthouse. Due to regulations and different state guideline that are now in place, no lights can be affixed to the actual building. There will be another meeting within the next two week to work out feasible alternatives for our Christmas decorations downtown.

Employees of the Quarter are as follows:
Fire Department           Ronnie Duggar
Community Center       McKenzie Powell
Water Department       Ada Halmes
Police Department       Donna Kirchner
Street Department       Robert Gresham

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

Minutes for the Ozark City Council Meeting held Monday October 10th, 2022 were approved and passed this 7th day of November, 2022.

Mayor Roxie Hall

City Clerk Susan Stevens