City Council - Regular Meeting

answer. I wasn't coming. woke up in the morning. You see something? We've already passed away. I lost a cousin.

Watch. Okay. It is 6:30 in the evening on March 17th, St. Patty's Day, I think. Let's call this meeting to order. Mr. Mr. Hall, would you give us a prayer, please, sir?

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity to serve in every capacity. You give us opportunities to as you open the doors and this opportunity we have as as a council and as a mayor to serve our community and each of the employees. Um they draw a salary, but they're serving as well our citizens. And we just thank you for each one of them. We pray that you would uh continue to build up our city and build us in unity. Maybe not always in agreement, but in unity of spirit. We pray and as we go through this meeting tonight, may it be the same in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.

Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please be seated. Roll call, please. Council member Hall here. Council member Chapman here. Council member McMahon here. Council member Hefner here. Council member Brook here. And council member Rubble is absent.

Council Rubel is working. So any attend tonight. Going to move through the uh agenda. First on the agenda is the review and approval of the council meeting minutes for February 17th. I'd entertain a motion to approve as presented. Motion. Have a motion. We have a second. Second. Any comments? Hearing? None. All those in favor say I. I. You oppose. Motion carries. Next on the agenda is the department reports and financials. I'd entertain a motion to approve as presented. Motion to approve. We have a motion. We have a second. Second.

And we have a second. Any comments? Hearing? None. All those in favor say I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Next on the agenda is planning commission. The planning commission did not meet last month. However, we are going to swear in a new planning commission member council. I'd like to introduce you to Joseph Bernardi. Bardi.

Bardi, excuse me. um as um to the council. He brings a wealth of experience uh in construction management and other issues to the to the table and we look forward to uh you serving on the planning commission. Thank you, sir. So, if you would uh face me, raise your right hand, repeat after me. I state your name. I, Joseph Borardi, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas and I will faithfully discharge and I will faithfully discharge the duties of planning commission member the duties of planning commission member upon which I'm about to enter. upon which I'm about to enter. So help you got it. So help me again. Very good.

Thank you, Mayor. Well, there you'd like to say anything to the council. No, just uh good evening. I've met one or two of you so far. I hope to meet you all later on this evening and uh uh it's a it's a privilege to be able to serve the community. I've lived in Ward now for three years and I think I bring some experience to the planning commission that'll be helpful to the community. Thank you. I think so too. Thank you very much. Next up on the agenda is the water advisory committee. They have not met, have they? Okay. Water advisor. Okay. Economic development meeting. Council member Charles.

Uh so far we've had a uh two or three meetings. Uh myself, the mayor, and Courtney Rubal. Um we're just in the planning stages right now and getting things figured out. We both we all want this to succeed. So, we're approaching it slowly to make sure we get where we need to be to have her. Well, we also had a meeting with Amy. Yes. Amy Williams from uh Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Yeah. Right. And she pointed us in the right direction to some some steps we need to take and we're approaching those trying to get things squared away.

What we decided to do is not rush this and do it right and uh set up correctly and and so it helps the city as a whole instead of just another committee. So any comments or questions? All I have.

Thank you, sir. Next on agenda is O business. Uh discussion on possible land purchase suspense property. I'm going to suspend that for the moment because we have a resolution up against that we'll talk about a little bit later. Um also up on for old business discussion on the uh 50 acres out on Highway 31. Hers are very interested in purchasing that from us. Um but now there is a second developer who has contacted me and uh is also interested in it. So, um I think uh I think we need to move forward with discussions and see what this brings out and see uh if somebody brings us an offer and acceptance and and or an offer and get to discussion uh later on on that. Now, having said that, uh I've told both those individuals that if we were to go through with this, there is the issue of the wellhead that we're going to have to address with the Arkansas Department of Health and see how we take care of that. But that's something that can be worked on at a later date during the process. Any questions or concerns?

Why don't you get a step ahead of it and work with uh ask them in advance ADQ or water? We could do that. That way you have that way you have a guideline on what can can't be done. Yeah, we can do that. Make a note of that. And who's Hester? The company has Hester Brothers. But uh do we want to continue trying to sell this property? I'll tell you this property is um appraised at $347,000. I think it'll bring that much or maybe even more. So, the guy leasing it not interested. Okay. Do you need us to make a motion to discontinue? Yeah, I like that motion.

Okay. We have a motion on the floor for to continue uh for my discussions with potential buyers. Second. And we have a second. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Any oppose? Okay, we have one opposition. All right. Next on the agenda is a resolution we tabled from last month was resolution 202611. Would you read the title, please? A resolution authorizing the mayor and/or city clerk of the city of Ward to enter into a contract to purchase one 2026 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 from Red River Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram.

Council member last month there was discussion about we brought up a 3/4 ton and a discussion about getting a one ton. discussion about diesel versus gas. We did go out for bids as requested by the council and we got the bids in and uh the gas engine from Red River is the low bid at 44 44,350 for a one ton 4x4 crew cab gas engine. If we insisted on going up to a diesel, it's about another $13,000. And I'll tell you, I've done some research and I don't think a diesel is needed. and Bruce can't be here tonight, but he has also said that we don't need to do so. Gas works just fine.

Any discussion? Hear that? I'd hear a motion to approve resolution 20261 to buy a a uh 2026 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 from Red River Dodge. So move. We have a motion. We have a second. Second. Any discussion? Any public comment? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? Two. Two opposed over here. What's that? What's that count give to us? Two three.

Two to three. I'll vote in the affirmative. Thank you, council. Next on the agenda is ordinance 20262. Read the title, please. an ordinance amending ordinance 2025-25 establishing the salary of mayor of the city of Ward Arkansas and for other purposes council if you'll remember if you read through the ordinance there was because of 27 pay periods last year that ended up we had to adjust the pay for myself and the car necks it's just a a clean up the uh the books sort of thing

make motion to approve. A motion to approve on the first reading. Second. Second to ordinance. Roll call, please. Council member Hall, yes. Council member Chapman, yes. Council member McMahon, yes. Council member Hefner, yes. But I have questions. And Council Member Brooke, yes. Motion carries on first reading. What's your questions? How is this going to be paid back? It's not paid back. Oh, I thought it was ordinance to have it paid back. No, it's an ordinance to adjust the salary for myself and the city clerk for last year to show the extra that was paid. It's amending books, right?

Okay. So, y'all don't have to pay the money back. No. Okay. That's what I was worried about. Okay. Thank you. Uh, we got a first Okay. Motion ordinance been approved on its first reading. I'd entertain a motion to suspend the second third reading. Make a motion. Second. We have a motion, second. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion carries. I entertain a motion to adopt ordinance 20262. Motion. Have a motion. Second. And a second. Roll call, please. Council member Chapman, yes. Council member McBen, yes. Council member Hefner, yes. Council member Brookke, yes. And council member Hall,

yes. Ordinance 20262 has been approved. will go into effect in 30 days. Thank you, councel. Next on agenda is ordinance 20263. Read title, please. An ordinance amending ordinance um 2025-26 establishing the salary for the city clerk of the city of Ward, Arkansas. And for other purposes, exact same thing, but on the clerk side. I entertain a motion to approve ordinance 2026 03 on its first reading. Motion to approve. We have a motion. We have a second. Second. Roll call, please. Council member McMahon, yes. Council member Hefner, yes.

Council member Brooke, yes. Council member Hall, yes. And Council Member Chapman, yes. Orders 20263 has been approved on its first reading. Entertain a motion to suspend the rules for second, third reading. Motion. Second. I have a motion second. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? and carried. I entertain a motion to adopt ordinance 20263. Motion. A motion. Second. Second. Before we go further, do we have any public comment? My apologies for not asking earlier. Seeing none, roll call, please. Council member Hefner, yes. Council member Brooke, yes. Council member Hall, yes. Council member Chapman,

yes. And council member Mcmitten, yes. Ordinance 2026 03 has been approved. Thank you councel. Next on the agenda is resolution 202613. Would you read the title, please?

A resolution authorizing the mayor andor city clerk to enter into a contract with Wagner general contractors to replace and create a new ceiling in the city hall public hallway. council. This is a um continued effort to improve our city hall and the same company did this ceiling. Um we asked them to bid on this and this is a um the price they came back with. I think it's a good thing and like to press forward. This is for the hallway. Yeah, it's down. It's also for the PD too. In fact, it covers up all the land cabling down there. What What about the cafeteria? Not there yet.

Okay. That'll be another phase we get into that. That'll be a totally phase on its own. Just uh you know, we did our floors and that look they look very good. So now it's time to the ceiling in those areas. Make a motion. We have a motion. Second. And a second. Any further discussion? Any public comment? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Thank you, council. Next on the agenda is resolution to resolution 202614. Read the title, please. A resolution authorizing the purchase of land from Margie Spence Revokable Trust.

Council, if you remember, we have talked about this that 40 acres next to the park. Uh exactly what we're going to do with it to be determined, but it gives us a full range of options. Um we do have a signed offer and acceptance from the trust. um like to move forward with a resolution so we can move forward with closing. I think this is I think this is almost like a trade. We get rid of that that it's not in our city and get this is in the city. So I'm I make that motion. I think it's a great idea. Two different pots of money though. But yes. Yeah, I understand. But still going into all the accounts. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So we have a motion to approve resolution 202614. Do we have a second?

Second. Any comments? Any public comment? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. We show that um council member Smith say yes. Abstain. Motion carries. Next on the agenda is resolution 202615. Would you read the title, please? a resolution authorizing the mayor and/or city clerk to sign an energy or an an energy savings performance contract with Integrity Energy Partners LLC.

I've asked Mr. Parker to come forward if you if you need to if there's any questions. This is this longgoing process we've been having energy. will uh get all new air conditioners and heaters for the city facilities, all new interior lighting. Uh it's a uh through this process, we were able to get over $400,000 in grants to do this and it's going to cost us $34,000 on one side and then 24 I think it is on on part of it. But uh all in all, a very good deal. I do have a question. What's the timeline on that completion? Yeah, sure.

Um, so assuming that we can move forward now, the the lighting will get going pretty quickly. Uh, most of that materials available already and it it I would guess within the first couple of months that that work would be done. Uh, as long as the labor is freed up to do it, the HVAC will just come down to uh equipment timelines. Um, and then also coordinating with the individual spaces to make sure we're not disturbing and and you know, do a little bit at a time so you can move around if you need to. So, you know, most recently we were given about a a 10 to 12 week lead time on some of that equipment. Um, so I I definitely believe before the end of the summer, um, everything should be complete.

And if I'm not mistaken, the bidding process is all on under that contract of you. Yeah, we've we've essentially already done the the bidding uh through through the development of the project. So, um I yeah, that's not what I do, but I think Middleton is uh was the low bidder and meeting the specs that we needed because this is an energy savings project. Now, there's not a ton of energy savings, but we the whole idea behind it is you try to reduce your expenses uh at the same time. So, you know, it's not just code level equipment. It's slightly better. It's not crazy efficient equipment that you don't have spare parts for and you don't how know how to maintain, but but just trying to be uh forward thinking about that.

Is it going to include uh cloud cloud service uh thermostats and those uh things like that? Yes, that'll be a big help to uh EcoB is is the brand. Um we've used it in a lot of places. It'll it'll create us essentially a website with access to all of them. So, you know, if if you've got a holiday or or whatever, you can schedule all the thermostats to set back instead of keeping those rooms at 72 when nobody's there, right? So, that's um other than a couple of, you know, like simple gas heater units pretty much every I think there's 26 total systems that will have a new thermostat. So, you could program this one for every third Tuesday to drop down to

Exactly. Right. 65°. You you could not sure why you would do that. You could. There'll be a select few who have access to that. Council members will not. I'm in it. Remember? Okay. Cyber security class. Do we need to have one? Any further questions for Parker? Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. I'm looking forward to it. Sorry. So, resolution 2026-15, I'd entertain a motion to approve. Motion. A motion. We have a second. Second. Any public comment on this? Hearing? None. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose? Motion carries. Next on the agenda is resolution 202616. Was kind of out of order, but regardless, please read it. A resolution appointing a member to the city of Ward Planning Commission. It just formalizes what we just did earlier. So I entertain a motion to approve resolution 202616 please. Motion to approve. Second. Any other comments? Any public comments? Any comment? Joe. Very good. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose? Motion carries. Very good. Council, let's talk about sidewalks for a little bit. Say uh there's a call for projects and I've uh entertained a thought of uh phase six. We talked about phase 6 before over the railroad tracks. We can't get it over railroad tracks. We just can't get that piece done because of a lot of different constraints. So my thought process is u and I'll put this on the screen. Oops, that screen in red. A proposal to run a sidewalk down from Brewer Street down to Wilson Loop. You'll see it all connects through there. And if we did this when we got this all said and done, we'd have a 1.85 85 milei distance round, you know, set of sidewalks that we could promote people to walk on. Additionally, pardon me. Okay. Additionally, the the developer for this new subdivision right across from the park has already made a sidewalk connection to Weatherwood. So that will connect into the new subdivision which will also connect to Wilson Lube which will also connect to the school through sidewalk system. So this makes a very nice potentially very very nice walking area for our citizens. I open forward to comments.

I make a motion. I need a motion here. I need a motion to enter into agreement with half engineering to design and bid process and for construction management. Do I have to say all that? No, I just say motion to approve what I said. Motion to approve what he said. Very good. I I'd like to make a comment. Sure. I um I'm supportive. I think this is great. But it feels like to me we're funneling more people to a place where they can't cross the railroad tracks.

I I I don't disagree. Uh we we've talked about this with the engineering firm and and with ARDOT experts. We can't get it across the railroad track at this time. We just cannot. We could we could put a f a sidewalk up to it, but even that doesn't do us any good. Um this I saw some people I'm sorry I interrupted you. I I saw almost every day I see somebody walking and somebody riding a little motorized wheelchair and I just I just breaks my heart. Yeah. And I'm going, you know, they they're out there in the middle of the road trying to get across the railroad tracks and I just That gentleman I think you're talking about comes from the Palm area. Yeah.

He rides a long ways. Long ways. I just I wish maybe someday long after we're gone, somebody will build a bridge. I sorry. I got a question. They're saying that we can't there's too many complications. It's a railroad issue. Yes, sir. Are they Do they have any recommendations of what could be done or They do not at this time. No. Railroad is for instance, the traffic light that we've got and had for several years has still not been turned over to us for maintenance because the railroad has not signed off on it. just for example. And that's been how many years

do we think we have a representative that might be able to not that's federal. I know I don't think so. I don't even think I mean I can talk to Representative Crawford you know about it. And the fact is I have a meeting I think I have a meeting coming up here soon with him. So might be able to bring that bridge would be expensive. Bridge and the footprint for a bridge would be I mean if you look at the at the crossing down on 38 near Cat that area that footprint is huge but as these smaller pots of money come that's also a lot of lot of money. I was speaking of a walking

Sure. Well even that is going to be a large footprint because how are you going to do an ADA type zigzag it back and forth? It's going to take a bit, but I it's something that we should continue looking at. And as grants come available, there may be a verbal grant coming out. Who knows? Any further comment? I'll second her motion. Okay, we have a motion to second. Any further comment? Any public comment? Hearing none, I'd entertain a motion to allow me to continue or to enter into agreement with half engineering for the design bid process construction management. I'll make that motion. We already had a motion. Very second. Sorry. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose? Very good. Next on the agenda is mayor's report. Speaking of sidewalks, uh the sidewalk down Chantelier and Castleton and Whistloop area is almost done. We're just waiting for connect to first to move some fiber lines before they can finish it. We've done two pay requests on them already. The sidewalk down Brewer Street. We're still waiting for on rightway information from Ardot. I just got an email yesterday back to the engineer. They want more information. It's a process starts five six. We just talked about the rehab. Uh we had three remaining easements and we've started imminent domain procedures. Correct. We have Okay. So that'll that'll process through that that'll take a bit. Um the HVAC line project, we just talked about that. the the street overlay project is uh going very well. They should be done not too long and um and uh uh talk about um sorry she uh getting the u city hall um painted striped so we get all that done. Um again we talked about the highway 38 319 intersection art determinant of traffic light is warranted and we're just waiting for them to move forward with that. She brought my attention there was something else that we added to the to the roster to the agenda. Um water operations facility down at 404 north or east second where water operations was. We got a lot of interest in that right now. We had an individual came to us uh yesterday and talked to me about me and Gary about possibly purchasing that area uh for his um his operation. And Gary, if you if you remember what his you come forward

and where is this? Where the old water office. Okay. The pink building. Yeah. It used to be a co-op years ago. Yeah. his tentative idea that he he spoke of was on the existing building. Um he was want to do some type of retail center out of it. And then on the parking area uh to the south of that he was thinking about possibly having uh some possible food trucks that move in and out just a place to set up parking areas. So just a food truck parking area. Yeah. So uh that's that was his initial what he what he kind of had concerns of wanting to do. So, nothing concrete, but that's what he was talking about.

And we talked to him about um possibilities of purchase and lease. And u quite frankly, I would recommend uh purchase. Uh it appraised at $200,000 that area. If we leased it, then we're the landlords and we still got to fix things that break and do things like that. Uh he is in to restoration uh business uh house restoration and others. and he's talking about doing a a possibly smallcale retail um lumber. Of course, that'll all have to come to planning commission for approval and all that. But I'd like to get a motion to continue discussions with him, but I also wouldn't mind discussion on council's opinion on sell versus lease. And again, I'm leaning toward selling versus leasing. Is this the property on the highway here that we

absolutely felt like holding on to because we all felt that was a little low? We did, but I think uh and we may be able to get more out of it than that. I mean, again, whatever is brought is brought to this table. I mean, his council is the one has to get the final approval, but um we certainly can discuss that and even possibly bring him back to give us a better idea from him what he's wanting to do. I will tell you this individual is also talking about the U corner of Third and Washington. Moore Third Moore, Washington.

Yeah, that little strip there. He's talking about there's a there's a house on that corner, buying that entire strip right there and changing that house into a coffee shop with a parking lot next to it. There's open area where a trailer used to be. The area behind that going back toward Washington uh putting some uh town houses, right? Yeah. He mentioned a coffee cafe that would serve food and similar to the what was that? Yaya. Brew yaya. Similar to that. He compared it to one in Cersei that he's got ties to already. Um that so he's he's got experience in that and uh so he's got he's got interest in several

this individual is wanting to invest in ward. How big a lot what was that? I don't remember. I don't recall and I didn't bring that with Would it be would it be best to get some realators give us some ideas of what they think the value is? We can certainly do that. We also can I mean the appraisal is a year old. We could order a new appraisal to see what it came back. So, what would the what would the council would like me to do? Is there any water operations being stored in there at all? Not to not to speak of. There's a uh I think PD's got a vehicle in there that we would have to relocate, but there's nothing. They're not using that facility. I I think I prefer the lease. I mean, not excuse me, the purchase, not the lease. I

do. But uh yeah, I' I'd uh I'd like to see us u get get some appraisal and get a little better idea of the value. I can order another appraisal uh and ask him to to see what the market has brought it up to or down for that fact. Uh to go from there. Also, if he's willing to come talk to us, just give us an idea of what he has in mind. Yes. I'll ask him to come next month and and uh if that doesn't work out for him, I may call a special meeting for a night that he can come talk to us.

So I understand if it is retail and food trucks and stuff that we need here, I'm all for selling, but yeah, we need to have him come talk to us. Yeah. And that's a motion. I need a motion. Yeah. to uh to continue forward and get another appraisal and and continue to talk with that individual. I'll make that motion. Second. Motion second. Any further discussion? Any public comment? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? That motion carries. New business open calls used to be back.

We have any public comment from we have no public comment. Council, do you have any comment from non-aggenda items? He was telling me where the coffee shop was supposed to be located. She I was telling him where the house Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

I could have brought it up on screen, I guess. But uh anyway, any uh anything else for this body tonight? If not, announcements. Oh, State of the City. I'm glad you're working here tonight because obviously I don't I'm not paying attention. In front of you is a late the 2026 state of the city report. Our report as it says on the front page, it's excellent, outstanding, superb. I think we can we as a as a city, we as a government body are doing an excellent job on on our city and for our citizens. This um report is chalk full of all kinds of graphs and stuff, but uh um financial health of the city is very good, continues to improve. sales taxes as up both in part by new businesses in town and to be frank businesses in the county because when businesses especially in Cabin area new businesses come there we get a portion of the county tax money so that helps us but I uh just on a um personal note I want to thank this council for all the work they do to help with the governance of this city and the employees for what they do for all the city and well the planning commission too. Y'all do good work too. That is for your reading and it is on the website now. So thank you. Now announcement plan commission will meet March 23rd. Early voting for secretary state runoff elections begin 25th. There is no Saturday voting. Election day for that particular runoff is March 31st. April 5th is Easter. April 15th is tax day. And our next meeting is the 21st.

Anything else before this meeting? Hearing not I entertain a motion to adjurnn. We have a motion. All those in favor, we are done. Thank you.