Minutes Of The Regular Meeting
Of The Ozark City Council
AUGUST 14, 2023
Ozark City Council Meeting Room

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Mayor Hall. Council members Loren Maier, David Mahon, Angela Harris, Randy Melton, Charlie Meeker and Argest Hyler were all present. The Invocation was given by City Attorney Kevin Barham and Argest Hyler led the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by Randy Melton to approve the August minutes and seconded by David Mahon. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and the minutes were approved. David Mahon then made a motion to approve the financial reports and Charlie Meeker seconded this motion. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and the financial reports were approved. Department and Committee Reports

The Parks & Recreation Committee reports that the mother/ child swings have arrived and have been installed. There are still water pressure issues in the restrooms at the Overlook Park. There was a discussion about the volleyball pit not being mowed. There have been after-hour complaints about people climbing on the fences. There was discussion about possibly closing the park at night. We will need to check to see if there is a sign posted about closing and close both gates. Michael stated we would have to have another gate built for Walden Drive. The vandalism at the Eastside Park restrooms has been repaired. There is a tie down missing on the tennis court. Michael is to meet with Vernon McDaniel at the courts to see what needs to be done.

The Community Center reports that several back to school activities are being planned .Michael and Brooke had met with Tracy McKenna about possibly adding onto the splash pad, addition restrooms, and possibly some new playground equipment. Mayor Hall spoke about her visit to the splash park in Barling and provided the committee with photos along with the estimated cost. It was suggested that the City Council consider setting aside$ 125, 000 to fund
these ideas. Since this is a matching grant, this would allow$ 250, 000 for the project. The City Council will have to decide how much they will want to commit to the project. Everything will also need to be handicapped accessible. There was a question about the park at Mulberry. Mayor Hall explained that Mulberry qualifies for different grants based on their population.

A question was asked if we had considered spots for food trucks if there were events being held at the West End park. There was discussion about letting people contract to provide food services for events. It was also mentioned about possible allowing food trucks at the Community Center parking lot.

Shelby Beasley gave the update for Main Street Ozark, reporting that everything had been handled and she was thankful for the help. Michael said that the City would finish removing the flower bed in the pocket park.

Ozark Pride & Beautification reported on a successful trash pick up day. There were approximately 127 bags of trash picked up. They planted 200 trees throughout the different parks. They are down to 3 members and need to have at least 2 more. Mayor Hall also suggested putting outlets at the City/County east parking area on the south side of the Courthouse for food trucks downtown. DTR Grants could help with this. Ordinance 2023- 6 An Ordinance amending the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps of the City of Ozark( this closes part of 4d’ Street). Randy Melton made a motion for the Ordinance to be read, seconded by David Mahon. All Council members voted aye and City Attorney Kevin
Barham read the Ordinance. A motion was then made to dispense with the 2″ d and Yd readings and proceed by title only by Randy Melton and seconded by David Mahon. All Council members voted aye. A motion was made by Randy Melton to approve the Ordinance and seconded by Charlie Meeker. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and Ordinance 2023- 6 was approved.

Ordinance 2023- 7 An Ordinance amending the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps of the City of Ozark( Walker Street). A motion was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by David Mahon for the Ordinance to be read. All Council members voted aye and City Attorney Kevin Barham read the Ordinance. A motion was then made to dispense with the 2″ d and 3rd readings and proceed by title only by David Mahon and seconded by Randy Melton. All Council members voted aye. A motion was then made by Argest Hyler to approve the Ordinance and seconded by Loren Maier. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and Ordinance 2023- 7 was approved.

Ordinance 2023- 8 An Ordinance amending the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps of the City of Ozark( 2307 W. Commercial). A motion was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Charlie Meeker for the Ordinance to be read. All Council members voted aye and City Attorney Kevin Barham read the Ordinance. A question was raised regarding the two letters” nm” on the 01′ line of the property description. It was agreed the letters were not necessary and they could be stricken. A motion was made to strike the letters and also to dispense with the 2″ d and 3` d readings and proceed by title only by David Mahon and seconded by Randy Melton. All Council members voted aye. A motion to approve the Ordinance was made by Argest Hyler and seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and Ordinance 2023- 8 was approved.

Bids have been taken for the repairs to 36′ Street. The project was divided into 3 parts due to costs. The accepted bid for one third of the project was from Cove Creek Construction. It is for the amount of$ 71, 210.00. This will reseal cracks, install overlay and lay new asphalt. There is an extra charge of$7395. 00 for leveling, bringing the total cost to$ 78,605. 00. This is still the lowest bid. It was noted that the project includes one third of 36’h Street and also Whitney Drive. A motion to approve was made by David Mahon and seconded by Argest Hyler.

Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and the project was approved. Mayor Hall then related that we will be testing new equipment on 351h Street( Coley Addition) tomorrow morning. It is a machine that can rip up the base layer, grind it up and redo the base layer and then re-asphalt the section. This machine process can save on costs as materials are recycled and reused.

Water Department Superintendent Tonya Talkington stated that we had received monies from FEMA in 2019 that have not been used. She spoke on projects of rehabbing at least 10 manhole covers and repairs to the chlorine tank at the wastewater plant. Then the balance of the funds would need to be returned to FEMA.

A motion was made by David Mahon to use $41,000.00 on the rehabilitation of the manholes. This was seconded by Randy Melton. All Council members voted aye. A motion was made by David Mahon and seconded by Randy Melton to use $24,360.00 for the repairs to the chlorine tank and then return the balance to FEMA (approximately $30,000.00). All Council members voted aye. A motion was made by David Mahon and seconded by Charlie Meeker to allow Mayor Hall to enter into a new contract agreement with our current Master Plan engineers based on their new fee schedule. All Council members voted aye. Councilman David Mahon stated that the Street & Water Committee had discussed all of the issues and projects and were in agreement with Tonya.

CARDS, Inc. A new 5- year contract is up for discussion. They have agreed to our requests for their participation in the Spring and Fall Clean- ups at no extra charge and for there to be no rate increases for the next year. Butterball has always been excluded from the CARDS company as they have a corporate contract with Waste Management which was grandfathered in when CARDS took over. City Attorney Kevin Barham advised an addendum to the contract allowing this to continue. If Butterball ever decides to end their Waste Management agreement, they would be required to contract with CARDS. Their was much discussion about other local businesses being upset that they could not choose their own services and being told how to spend their money. David Mahon made a motion to attach an addendum to the CARDS contract allowing Butterball to continue to grandfather in with their current provider. This was seconded by Charlie Meeker. Argest Hyler, Charlie Meeker, Randy Melton, David Mahon and Angela Harris voted aye and Council member Loren Maier voted no.

Resolution 2023- 8 A Resolution to improve recreational facilities and seek grant funding assistance. A motion to read the resolution was made by David Mahon and seconded by Argest Hyler. All Council members voted aye. Tracey from WAPDD would like to know how much the City wants to commit to this project as it is matching funds. The items listed by Argest in his Parks& Recreation reports total approximately $ 333, 650. 00 of which the City would be responsible for half($ 165, 825. 00). The grants are approved by the state in October/ November so if we are selected to receive the grant, it will most likely be a springtime project. There was a question about rentals involving the splash pad for private use. City Attorney Kevin Barham pointed out that it states that we can rent it out, but not that we are required to do so. David Mahon made a motion to approve the resolution with an amendment to Paragraph 5 of a
monetary amount of$ 340,000.00. This was seconded by Loren Maier. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and Resolution 2023- 8 was approved.

The Drug Court’ s lease on a city building is up at the end of August, they have extended it for a 90- day period of discussion. A Committee of David Mahon, Argest Hyler, and CharlieMeeker was appointed to renegotiate the lease with changes we would like to see made. They are to meet August 22, 2023 at 5: 00pm.

The City of Ozark was given $ 472. 76 from The Great American Treasure Hunt, On July 31, 2023, the first Touch-A-Truck event was held in the parking lot ofthe
Community Center. There were vehicles of every type, fire trucks, police cars, street departmentequipment etc. There were 150- 200 present, some from as far away as Ola. Ken’ s Towing,
Drummonds, and CARDS provided hot dogs, chips, and popsicles. OAYO staff grilled the hotdogs. A big thank you to everyone involved.

The nominee for the position of Planning Commission Chairman has requested more training before they commit to the job.

There will be an Ordinance Committee meeting on Thursday the 17th at 5: 00pm.

Public Input: Steve Whiteaker stated that he is requesting to be put on the Agenda to speak at the September City Council meeting regarding people being kept in the dark about City
information. The radio station and Spectator are not accurately reporting items. Joseph Yoakemspoke on the need for a Boys& Girls Club that could provide not just sports, but other activities
such as help with homework. He has been told that we can’ t have one because we already haveOAYO, but this is not accurate. We need to do better for our kids.

ARDOT gave a date of mid to late September for their road repairs. Ozark Fall Clean- up will be October 2- 7. The Transfer Station will be open Monday through Friday 9 to 4 and on Saturday 8 to 11: 45. Citizens may bring items to the Transfer Station free of charge with a City of Ozark water bill. There will also be curbside pick-up this year. Cards will be distributing guidelines for items in the near future. On Saturday, September 30t’, Ozark Pride and
Beautification will have a trash pick- up day. Gloves will be provided. Hours are 9am to 12pm. City Offices will be closed Monday, September 41h for Labor Day.

A motion to adjourn was made by David Mahon and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Council members voted aye and the meeting was adjourned. Minutes for the Ozark City Council meeting held Monday, August 14, 2023 were approved and passed this I Ith day of September 2023.

Mayor Roxie Hall

City Clerk Susan Stevens