Minutes Of The Regular Meeting Of The Ozark City Council
November 8, 2021
Ozark City Council Meeting Room 

The Regular Meeting was called to order by Mayor Roxie Hall and upon a roll call, a quorum was declared to exist for the meeting. Present were Alderpersons Rex Anderson, Rusty Cagle, Brandy Flanary, William Heffington, Charlie Meeker and Randy Melton. Mayor Hall asked that we recognize and appreciate all veterans in our community for their service. The Invocation was then given by Mayor Hall and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Veteran and Fire Chief Nick Trotter. 

A motion was made by Randy Melton to approve the October minutes ( with corrections made by Mayor Hall) and seconded William Heffington. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the minutes were approved. A motion was made by Charlie Meeker to approve the Financial Reports and seconded by Rex Anderson. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the Financial Reports were approved. 

Randy Melton reported for the Policy& Personnel Committee. The Police Department is still taking applications for a full-time code enforcement officer. Regarding requests made by City Clerk, it was noted that the pay was set at$ 10 per hour( minimum wage) when the position was appointed in 2020. Right now, this is under the current minimum wage of$ 11. 00 per hour. According to the Municipal League, any changes in pay will need to be done by city ordinance. This should be handled by the first of the year. 

Charlie Meeker reported for the Fire& Police Committee. They were awarded two mini grants for Bullet Proof Vests totaling $2500. We have received the US Fish& Wildlife Buzzard depredation permit applied for in January. There are two training sessions scheduled in the next couple of weeks. Chief Bramlett will be requesting an additional car and a Voice Stress 

Examiner in next years budget. Shop-With-A-Cop was discussed, tentatively scheduled for the first week in December. The fire department reports one new recruit started this week. This gives us a current total of 19 volunteer firefighters. The need for new rescue tools was expressed. They are to look into possible grants to cover the costs. A need for a new tanker truck was discussed. The current rescue truck will be paid off in June of 2022, so it may be possible to roll this payment over to the purchase of the tanker truck. Possible raises were also discussed as the last raise was in 2008- 2009. 

City Attorney Kevin Barham addressed the needed ordinance regarding modular homes. Federal guidelines consider a modular home ( double-wide, on a chassis, with or without wheels) to be the same as a stick-built home( ex. a Combs home). We cannot differentiate between the two. We can set reasonable guideline for their placement within the city. He is to work up an Ordinance for the next meeting to clarify these points. Nick Trotter pointed out that these double-wides are installed much like a single mobile home unit. Mr. Barham state that Federal guidelines overrule that point. 

There was no old business. 

Under New Business: A Holiday Schedule for City Offices was presented and will be put on the City website and in the Spectator. A motion was made by Brandy Flanary and seconded by Charlie Meeker to add discussion of Christmas bonuses to the Agenda. Upon a roll call vote, all Alderpersons voted aye and a discussion followed. A Christmas bonus of$ 100 per employee was agreed upon. A motion was made by Rex Anderson to approve this amount and seconded by Randy Melton, Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the measure was approved. A motion was made by Brandy Flanary to add discussion of new fencing for Highland Cemetery. This was seconded by Randy Melton and upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and a discussion followed. A bid was received by C& B Fencing Inc of Russellville, Arkansas. It included $ 2, 250.00 for installing new chain link and a gate for the back entrance. There was also an amount of$ 10, 750. 00 for removal of the old fencing and installation of new chain link all around. There is currently a balance in the Cemetery account of$ 18,450.00 which is to be used for cemetery upkeep. Mayor Hall requested a Council vote on the matter. Charlie Meeker then made a motion to proceed with the project, seconded by Brandy Flanary. Upon a roll call, all Alderpersons voted aye and the measure was approved. There was also discussion of signage being installed within the cemetery to direct visitors. Nick Trotter added that fencing on the southwest edge (bluff side) needs to be addressed as a deterrent to accidents. 

City Attorney Kevin Barham then spoke on the need for an amendment to our signage ordinance. Ordinance 2004- 7, Article VII, Section 3 states that signs are to be in place no longer than 60 days before an election or civic event. However, it does not clarify when the 60 days begins or ends providing a loophole to have signs up for an indefinite period. Randy Melton would like there to be a requirement for removal of signs after the event included in the amendment so that a verbal or written notice could be given. Upkeep of small sign advertising for businesses was also discussed. Mr. Barham will be working on an Ordinance to cover these concerns. 

Under announcements, Scott Gage has resigned from the Planning Commission. A citizen volunteer is needed to replace him. A notice will be put in the newspaper and on the radio. There was a great turnout for the Haunted Hillbilly Highway. Around 700 kids visited and there were 20 booths. For Veteran’s Day, there will be a Flag Presentation at the Franklin County Library at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November loth. On Thursday, November 11th there will be a program presented at the PAC at 10:00 am. Charleston will be having a Parade at 2:00 pm which Mayor Hall will be participating in. The ARPA committee met Friday, November P for general discussion. Items included a one-time covid payment for employees. They are working with the Arkansas Municipal League for guidance to make sure we do what is best for the city. The Ozark Christmas Parade will be Saturday, November 27th at 6:00 pm. There will also be free ice skating, bouncy houses and pony rides. Booths around the square will go from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Free pictures with Santa will be taken in the Pocket Park starting after the parade.

The Parks& Recreation meeting for November 16th has been cancelled and replaced with a Budget Committee meeting at 5:00 pm. The Street & Water Committee will meet on Thursday, November 18 at 5:30 pm 

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

The Minutes for the Ozark City Council Meeting held Monday, November 8th, 2021 were approved and passed this 13th day of December, 2021. 

Mayor Roxie Hall 

City Clerk Susan Stevens