City Council - Regular Meeting

Oh yeah. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey.

projects and community community engagement and things like that. So, um, first of all, you know, I know, uh, a lot of you have have been to our department and know about it, but some of the general public may not know. Um, we've got six divisions. We got administr administration, uh, residential, commercial collections, recycling operations, landfill operations, fleet, and facilities, and we've got about 97 employees. So, um, always like to give a shout out to my staff. Really got great managers and supervisors and our field personnel are are unmatched in my opinion uh in the state. They're awesome. And uh you know especially like our residential you know a lot of people don't realize um the dedication and and and the amount of work it takes to to uh for those folks to to provide services to each each household in the in the city every week. So just really proud of the job they do. Um anyway, let's start with our community engagement. Uh some of our recent activities include uh presentations for UCA honors, the Conway morning uh Rotary Club and inform citizens of Faulner County. And then we also have some future engagements that include steam night for Conway public schools, Conway High School, uh landfill and recycling tour, toad suck days, meet the machines at the Conway farmers market, and the presentation for the Quantis Club. And if anybody u you know, city council or anyone in the general public would like to come to our facility, they can sign up through our website or contact our office. We'd be happy to to show them what we do and how how things work. I know there's a lot of uh

questions out there, especially with recycling. Uh you know, I I hear a lot of times where people say, "Well, the city's not recycling." Well, in the last 10 years that I've been here, everything uh that we've collected has been recycled. Of course, we do have a residual amount. Everything that's put in those carts is not recyclable. So, that you know, that's about 20% of of what we collect is is considered residual. So, um but anyway, you know, that's one of the ways people learn how how things are done. And uh we'd certainly welcome anyone to come to our facility and see see what we do. So um and and these efforts just you know our our goal is to educate residents on on waste reduction, recycling and landfill operations. So you know that's another thing that the landfill is a a huge resource for the city of Conway. A lot of cities in the state don't have access to their own landfill and our particular setup. Um you know it the the current site we're at now started in 1990. Um I think originally I can't remember the exact years. I think it was 27 years I think was the original uh lifespan. That was in 1990. So

yeah, do the math. Um currently our our our uh life landfill life is at 45 and a half years. So from now, well that let me let me let me preface this by saying that was from our 2025 or 2024 uh engineering report. So we actually have an engine engineering report that'll come out this month that will update that number. Um but I will tell you in 2017 it was 49 years. So I

was going to say it hasn't gone down. Yeah. Yeah. It, you know, there's a lot of things that we do. You know, compaction rates, uh, for instance, um, we we've changed equipment. We use a different type of landfill compactor than we did when when we did that we had 10 years ago. Um, something that we've done recently, um, that I've got listed further down the agenda, but, um, we started a using a a tarp armor system. So at the end of the day and and back in tw in in in uh 1990 when the facility started landfills were required to were well they are now required to have a a daily cover. So that's generally 6 in of soil and most landfills are at a soil deficit over the lifespan of their landfill. Conway is is as well. Um but you can offset that with an alternative daily cover. So something like um the groundup yard waste for instance, we we have approval to use that for an alternate daily cover. Um in the time in the time I've been here, we've used a plastic film um that put the plastic down at the end of the day instead of using your soil or instead of using uh uh your your ground up yard waste. Um, you know, obviously a piece of plastic is much thinner than six inches of soil or some other material. So, we're saving landfill space there. Um, the problem I had with the plastic is that it's very expensive. And we found this this tarp system now that we don't that is our alternate daily cover. So, the only time we have to cover is on the weekends. And on the daily, we just put we put these tarps down. They're they're weighted tarps. and at and at the next day we just roll them up and we put trash on

trash which is ideal too for your for your landfill uh for your leech collection and things like that. So um we just we we voted on that at the end of last year I think didn't we? Is that I think we money for that sometime last year. It was about six months ago because we're right at our sixmonth mark with ADQ. So, we're in our testing phase, but uh but you know, those those type of things change that that annual period uh or your or I'm sorry, your landfill life that and and permit mods and things like that. So, um on landfill life, just education question here before we move on. At the end of that time frame, what happens

at the end of the landfill's life? So, there's two things particularly that will be important for the city is one looking for a new disposal site. obviously, but the other thing is there is a postclosure care period um of 30 years. And so the city and that that's any landfill in the state to have a 30-year postclosure care period. Um and I'll say the city of Conway is in another unique and very good position as far as that goes. We have we have postclosure a postclosure care fund uh a cash fund in the city that will cover the cost of that in the future. So a lot of landfills don't have that and that's that's a very very good thing. Um

and when you I'm sorry want to make sure I understand here before we move on. When you talk about that reaching end of life that's not the same thing as what you did last year if I remember with like opening another cell. That's the whole area is we'd have to go find new property elsewhere,

right? So, yes, we opened three new sales this year or well, we just finished at the end of 2025. Um, that those sales will last 8 to 10 years based on our current compact or current volumes. So, um when I say 45 years, that is the entire permitted acreage that we have right now. So, u once that's full, we we will have to to uh find a new disposal site or or other means of disposal. So, um move on to post closure. Yes. I'm assuming then given the time frame, the old landfill has passed the 30-year time frame,

the Blany Hill land.

Yeah. Yeah. Um, and it I think it came in it was there was a change in the rules somewhere along there and I I think it was only like a 15-year postclosure, but we are it's closed. It is a closed facility. So, but you know the postclosure care that just includes you know monitoring leech eight um methane gas um keeping it mowed you know making sure that that the trash stays contained and everything like that. So, um, so that facility even, you know, talking about 45 years, there's going to be there's going to be, uh, operations out there for 75 years. And and the way those postclosure periods work is if you have some sort of environmental issue in that time period, your your your time starts over. So hopefully, you know, everything goes the way you want it to. So, um, so yeah, so we did finish, uh, zones 20, 21, and 22 and 20, 25, um, at a cost of $1.75 million, and that came in below what we expected. We were we were expecting those costs to be up around $3 million. So, we were very fortunate on on our uh, bids for that project. Um, as far as the tarp ar tarp armor uh system, it's it will cons it'll conserve airspace uh reduce the soil uh needs and operating cost and overall it will be it'll be a better environmental performance for the landfill. Again, this is interesting stuff. I'm glad we're doing this. Just for a point of reference, when you're talking about this tarp that you roll up every other day,

give me a frame of reference. You're talking about like a football field size tarp or I mean what are you talking about?

No. And I can't remember the exact we so our daily uh work the area where you're working where you're dumping it's called a working face. Our daily working face is a really small area. We try to keep it as tight as we can. I mean we're kind of uh the rules kind of require that. You know you don't want a a huge space because you don't want blowing litter, things like that. Those are all um tied to regulations. So, we try to keep that really tight. Um and so I I don't know what our It's probably It might be 30 40 yards long and by probably about the same width. So, um anyway, current projects, um we're still working towards our operations and maintenance facility project. Um that's that's kind of been on our agenda since 20 well really since 2015, but 2018 is when we really started moving on that. And uh really it it's coming down to funding. We're we're trying to find the money to do it. We're we we've been putting money back every year since 2015. That was one of the things that in my initial assessment when I started working here was uh we had some safety issues in our shop. Um the equipment that we use is very large. Um in fact, on the agenda tonight, uh you know, we're asking to purchase a articulating dump truck. And I I wish I would have brought a picture. I've got a picture of our current articulating dump truck in our shop bay and uh it's it's something else. It's uh very very tight. Um and uh it's it's not uh it's not ideal. So, but

uh that you know among other things you know part storage um narrow bays and just really even some housekeeping issues like facilities for the for our personnel um rest you know ample restrooms and and places for them to clean up. They they work in you know harsh environments and occasionally things happen. They get dirty. It's a dirty job sometimes and and uh you know they need a place to clean up and uh but uh beyond that um some other projects we're working on is a fleet update. Um that was also another thing in 2015 that that uh that I saw as a potential weakness and it and it really has come to fruition. In uh April, the our last CNG station will close and about a third of our fleet was CNG in 2015. And with you know with modern um emission standards, uh the cost benefit was hard to it was really hard to uh hard to swallow. So, we we started moving back towards uh diesel trucks and because we didn't have a CNG fueling uh location on site and um there's been times uh throughout the years when both we had two stations and there were times throughout the years that both stations were were down and we weren't able to fuel and if you can't fuel you can't pick up trash and recycling. So, uh, we started moving moving away from CNG and, uh, right now we've got, um, I think we I think tonight we're asking to purchase five trucks total, which will get us out of the CNG business for now. Um,

but we have contingencies in place to, uh, for ongoing operations. So, um, we're fine as far as that goes. And we and we are trying to work too with Satderfields to to maybe prolong that or get their station back up and running. So we'll have that resource if needed too. So but that's that's a work in progress. Um then the other thing is our our scale system. We'll be coming to council later in the year for approval for a new scale system. Our current scales were purchased in 2004 and uh we've had recently we've had some major issues with them and uh they're going to be require we're going to require replacement on those. So um future projects um we really uh would like at some point to uh start a compost facility and start diverting organics that would further talking about the landfill life that that would be a great step towards uh expanding our landfill life. Um I think the I think the the measurement was estimated about like 57%. I mean, I'm probably off, but it was in the 50s uh of your of your of most landfill waist streams was up in the 50% range. So, if we could even get a portion of that, that would be a great great deal of volume removal from our our current waist stream. Um, and then we're also we also want to redesign the uh customer convenience center or some call it the wall. Um, currently it's it's kind of a raised platform where you you throw trash off into the dumpsters and uh by redesigning that area, we could provide a safer experience for our

residents and other customers and then also provide them with a uh climate control, not a climate control, but at least a dry area, you know, during wet days when it's raining. we could u improve that situation and then it also improve our traffic flow through our facility. It's a little gets a little slick out there either in uh either in water or in ice. I've about been it a couple times out there.

Yeah, that's not a good place to buy it either. No, we we've had some situations, you know, where people have, you know, their foot slipped off the edge and we had one lady, she sl she she her foot slipped between the dumpster and the wall and she fell in and luckily she was not hurt, but I was just like, man, she's very fortunate. Yeah.

But um but anyway, it would also help open up some reuse options for us, too. in in that in my head it would you know we we there's a there's a lot of solid waste that comes in that shouldn't be thrown away I mean and we we used to have a re uh re reuse center um it was really cost prohibitive and and the amount of waste that we were diverting wasn't significant it was very expensive and and I think we were only diverting like 17 tons a year so what does that mean a reuse center

yeah so when someone would come in they may say, you know, or they may have something that's that's still in good shape. And I I see it all the time. Uh down at the wall, there'll be something someone will throw away and maybe uh I've seen lawnmowers, chainsaws. I mean, you would be surprised uh at what people will throw away. Well, we can we can sell that as with, you know, make that that another revenue stream and keep that out of our waist stream. Yeah. So, um, it it's really hard to to watch that sometimes really because it's just a it's just I don't know. You just have to see it. If you if you come come take come take a tour and I'll show you. So, um, but anyway,

what's the strangest thing you found that somebody threw away about that right now? Yeah, I mean we could um well I mean we you know in our in our recycling we really um have found some we found guns. We've found um drugs more than once. Uh we've had uh blood, bags of blood, eggs, animals, dead animals. I mean, it's just you wouldn't it's that's that's those are pretty extreme things, but yeah, we've found all of those things.

Who can stop there now? You ask. So, anyway, um that's that's pretty much the all I had. I you know, we just remain committed to delivering excellent service. That's been really our thing. We really want to provide good service to the citizens and and our businesses in Conway and uh but we also want to plan responsibly for the for the city of Conway as well. So, and I would invite anyone that uh to come take a tour or uh Yeah, I learned a lot with that. That was a lot of fun. You walk me around, drive me around, show me everything out there. It was a lot of fun.

Yeah. Yeah. We we enjoy, you know, I call it talking trash or preaching the gospel of garbage. We're always Can you talk a little bit about this compost facility? What does that look like from a from a resident standpoint? Like how does that collection work? And

so it would it wouldn't really change anything for residents. Um we already we already provide a collection of yard waste and we we have to process that. Um and that's that's been one of our issues is is that material we have to move that material within a 12-month period. So, um, which we do, but that would help us with that regulate. It would it it would be helpful in a lot of ways. One, it would provide a useful resource for the community in compost. um you know, it would it would open up a revenue stream for for our department as far as um you know, the sale of that compost because in in my experience uh with the city of Fort Smith, we we would sell the compost fairly well, it was more reasonable than what you could buy it at a at a uh you know, like a local hardware store or whatever. But but uh but it you know, it helps you divert waste. It helps you um create more revenue, helps it helps the residents with with their gardens. I mean um I think when I when I came here, they were giving away the the mulch and we had a we had a problem with odors because that stuff does start composting. It's and it's not really made to be a soil. Compost is not a soil. It's a soil amendment. And you know, we'd have folks come get some of that mulch and they would plant plants in it and it kill their plants or it'd start smelling bad in their flower beds and so we just quit doing it. Um, but we may end up, you know, until we get another resource there, we may we may start opening that back up to to give that material away. So this wouldn't this wouldn't be an additional I I I was probably thinking too micro on this of this wouldn't be you know I have a compost bin at the house that I'm putting out and you guys

are collecting and this is separate from trash. This is tell where is it coming from?

Okay. So so we would take that material and we would most likely have either an in vessel or a windro uh composting facility. So we'd have to put some concrete down and some leech collection stuff like that and we would decompose that material into the compost. Um so we already you may remember we used to have chippers which we we did away with our chippers because we have a we have a commercial grinder. So there's not really any need to have one on the street and one at at the facility. So we we grind everything that comes in. So if you put out limbs, if you put out grass clippings or whatever, it still goes through that grounding process and then that material would be used to to to make the compost.

So the compost would come just from yard waste. Well, ideally it would be from the yard the mixture of the yard waste and the organics, the food the food waste. Okay. So that would be our goal. So would you collect food waste separately or do you have something that processes that from trash right now? Like no. We would have to open up a a separate u collection for the for the organics. Okay, cool. A couple things. One, yes, sir. I want to commend you and your crew on the cleanliness of the facility and the land out there. It looks almost like a park. It looks fabulous. That's sir.

And also the cleanliness of the trucks that run around town. It makes a difference that those look really nice and clean. Uh couple things I've used this before. talk about you can schedule and you can schedule pick up of bulky items with your claw truck. Talk about that.

Yeah, so we started that a few years ago. Um we know everybody's don't have access to trucks or trailers or whatever they may need to to get those bulky items. So that that would be something like a couch or a appliance primarily. You know, I mean sometimes I don't know, we get some requests for all kinds of things, but we try to help folks out when we can. Uh it's generally not used for uh yard waste or for um uh like construction debris, things like that, but more for household items, tables. And you can schedule that online. You can schedule it online or you can call our office.

Very good. And final question, recycling. What are some of the common types of items that people re think they can recycle that they really should not be putting in that blue card? Just a few.

Good question. Um yeah, so we, you know, plastics are a problem, um because they there's so many different PLA plastics and they and almost every one of them have a recycling symbol on them. So people think they're recyclable. Well, they're only recyclable if you have a market for them. Otherwise, what do you do with it? If you can't if you can't move the material, um you're just stuck with it. So it ends up getting landfilled anyway. But like primarily the ones that we recycle are like your milk jugs, your ones and twos and that's primarily drinking containers and then like your um like detergent bottles, that type of plastic. A lot of folks will try to um try to recycle cartons and we don't we don't have market for cartons. Um those are those are the big ones that I can think of right off the top of my head.

What about metal? any kind of metal. Metal um not in our curbside program. You can bring metal out to the landfill. Um but you know, I tell folks, you'd be better off taking it to JSI or or one of your local metal uh metal yards. Um for our u our curbside, it's just steel cans and aluminum cans. What it coated plastics? Is that what you're talking about? Yeah, coated. Well, now talk about when you talk about coated plastics, now you're talking about the chicken stock container comes from Walmart that says it's recyclable, but it's a coated plastic.

Yeah, that's not something Well, and I'm thinking about like cereal boxes, which we can recycle cereal boxes. Um but but not the coated not the heavy heavy coated wax, you know, even like your meat boxes like the the ones that the grocery stores get for instance. We can't recycle those. They can s they'll kick our loads back if we include that in cardboard. What about styrofoam? So we do we do have um styrofoam recycling. We prefer that to be separate from from the curb side. Um just because we we run a different process for that. The peanuts and stuff is okay. The styrofoam peanuts. I mean

we can do those but we prefer not to because of litter. I mean it's the big the big packaging. Yeah. The you know the plain white foam or not the not the foamy kind of uh but the Yeah. But the bigger the bigger Yeah. the rigid. Okay. Yeah. Styrofoam. The the biggest thing I learned when I came out there that has saved us money and has been a lot easier is not to bag your recycling. We had bag we'd bought the blue recycling bags and we can cram way more in that can when we don't bag it all.

Yes. Yes. That's a good point, too. Um, yeah, the way our machines work, um, it's it's preferable to have that material loose because it it it tends to bind together or or, um, I can think I'm thinking of a company right now that did they were want us to recycle some material and we couldn't do it because the the their process ma it smashed aluminum and plastic together. We have no way of separating that and the market the the the mills won't take it that way. And had those materials been separated and and crushed separately, it would have been perfect. But but yeah, um you know, a lot of a lot of times when you bag it, well, one thing, we don't know what we're getting to. So, we try to screen that material before we even get it in the truck. So, like when the when the folks on the truck um dump it into the truck or or when they use the side load to to dump it into the truck, they've got cameras. so they can kind of see what's going in there. Um but and then once it gets on our floor in the in the in the murf, you know, we kind of screen it before it even gets on our line. So, um it's which you can't get you can't catch everything, but uh but but by having it loose, it runs through our process cleaner. And uh and then we can we can also see what what's you know if it's bagged we can't tell what's in it till it and they have to rip the bags and we have bag breakers but they don't

I think you told me the bags get stuck too yes we got we call them tanglers we get tanglers in there like water hoses and things like that and uh that tends to cause problems. So thank you. Yeah I appreciate you guys and all the work you do. Yeah. Any other questions for Mr. copper. Anybody?

No, I just want to commend him. I mean, I know personally I I don't know about anybody else, but the thing I get most calls on is for sanitation, and I know I have an elderly neighbor that doesn't have the availability for people to come and do her yard. So, I think UCA does a program where they come and of course we have trees. So typically I used to always try and pull some of her bags on my side of the street and I reached out to Joe and he's like no we can pick those up because one time they had stuck the sticker on there where you're only supposed to have so many but I mean I've called them they've come out and u taken care of it and anytime I've ever called they've been Johnny on the spot. Well, you know, we know there's times when there when there are exceptions and

you know, some just the weather and and the the growing season, especially on yard waste. You know, sometimes or wind when we have wind events or whatever, people have a little extra yard waste. And we do have ordinances, you know, around those things, but if we can do it, we'll do it. Yeah. Because we're going to get it one way or another. So, we can either get it the first time we're out there. Right. Yeah, that's right. Hey, one other quick question. I know we need to wrap up. What about um yard waste in plastic bags? No. No. Yeah. No. No. We prefer the yard waste to be loose as well. So, like a if they've got an old can, like an old 35gallon can or something like that, you know, for those big leaf bags, those big um

the paper bags. Paper bags are good. Yes. But no, no plastic bags for any kind of yard waste. No. And we've had, you know, they make a they make a biodegradable plastic bag and we don't want those either. We can those are problematic with with our regulations. So the paper, you know, paper is the best thing. Thank you. Do y'all also do hazardous waste? Do you Yes, we household hazardous waste. Yeah, that's I should have put that on my list because that's a really good one. Um, we do have a household hazardous waste uh collection site on the at the landfill. Uh, we don't collect it curbside. Folks have to bring it to us and it needs to be in the original uh labeled container when they know what it is. Yes, we need to know what it is.

What is household hazard?

So, that's like your common household chemicals or paints. Um, it can be, you know, like pine saw or or um well, you you'd be surprised at some of the things that people have. Um, trying to think of I mean, paint's a big one, which you know, if it's a water-based paint, you can let that dry or or dry it up with dirt or kitty litter or something like that. As long as it's dry, that can go in your trash. Um, but if it's like a latex or oilbased paint, um, you can bring it out there and and, uh, it's no there's no charge. It's it's a service provided through the solid waste district and, uh, we we we offer the collection site for that. So, um, and there's a list on our there should be a list on our website of the, you know, pretty much any kind of household chemical that folks have. So,

very good. Household's the key word. Gotcha. That means household quantities, too. Joe, we always seem to learn something when you show up and and once again, we've done that today and thank you for the job that you and your people do. Thank you. They do a great job. Thank you. Appreciate it. Yes, indeed. Uh with that, council, we're a couple of minutes late on getting a meeting started. Let's take five minutes. I've got to leave early. We got some ordinances, so let's roll if you don't mind. I I'm ready when you are. So, I'm ready when you are. Are we ready? Yep. Okay. Uh let's see. Uh before we get started, Miss Isby, would you word a prayer for us when we get started?

Uh if you'll stand with us, uh we'll have a word of prayer, pledge of allegiance, and then we'll get started. You'll bow with me. Our gracious heavenly father, we thank you so much for the abundant blessings that you've given us. We thank you, Lord, for this city that you have blessed us with to be stewards of. We just ask Lord for your wisdom and your guidance and all the decisions that we make. And we just pray Lord that at the end you'll get the glory that you're so deserving of. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen.

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. something that we probably all learned back in kindergarten or the first grade. Uh good evening everyone and welcome to tonight's city council meeting. And at this time, Miss Herd, would you call the role? Yes, sir. Mr. Hawkins here. Mr. Grimes here. Mr. Spurgers here. Miss Mill here. Mr. Lead Better here. Missby here.

All right. We have uh minutes for our meeting from two weeks ago. They've been distributed. If you've had a chance to take a look at those, I'd take a motion for approval. So moved. Second. We have a motion and approval for uh minutes of the last meeting. All in favor of passing that signify by saying I. I. All opposed. That passes six to zero. We have a couple out tonight, but we do have enough people here uh to wave the readings on our agenda this evening. And uh the first item is consideration to wave the readings. Hobby darn.

Wait, do we have a financial report first? Oh, well, sure we do. I knew that. Whenever I see Tyler sitting out there, I know that must be his I appreciate that. Thank you very much. Mr. for winning him. Tell us something good. I'd hate to waste all these notes I wrote down. Well, I by golly has miss helped you out. Good evening, council. We are looking at financials for the month of February. I don't have a whole lot to to hit. We can get through pretty quickly. I mentioned at our last meeting uh at that time we knew what our sales tax was for February, but I will reiterate we were up 5.4%. Which was very good news. Mhm.

Um overall general fund is looking looking well. Um I did mention at the last meeting how in our budget process we did a fund balance appropriation for potentially what could shake out at the community center just based on what the first year of actual usage looks at that facility. So, I thought it'd be a good idea on page two of the financials, I went ahead and included it there. That's typically where we only show fund balance appropriations during that year, but since this one is for the year, just to kind of keep it on our mind, I went ahead and listed it there so we don't lose lose sight of that. And

okay, thank you. Like I've said, you know, we'll after we get, you know, this summer and everything, we can re-evaluate potentially if if revenues need to be evaluated, fees or if maybe we need to look at uh operating more efficiently on the expense side, but just a big question at this point and I just wanted to keep that on our mind. If you'll continue to do that, I would appreciate it. Yes, sir. And it'll be in here every month going forward. Very good. Thank you very much. You bet. Um, let's see here.

Joe talked about the postclosure account that we have that I was going to point that number out to you. If you go to the balance sheet for sanitation, that number there is shown every month. It's the third line item down, the postclosure cash account. So, at the end of February, we had almost 7.4 million in that account. And it is a it's a requirement that we fund that account ongoing and monthly. So that is a very good very good thing for us to have knowing that that landfill does have a finite life. Um our airport fuel sales rebounded nicely. U January was slow probably because of the snow and ice that we had but our fuel sales in February was looked like it was a really good number. So I was glad to see that. And then looking forward, we'll be coming to you pretty soon for uh appropriating money to pay off that airport loan, the $600,000. It's due June the 16th. So, in the next couple meetings, we'll be asking for council to appropriate that $600,000 so that we can pay that loan off.

And Mr. Hawkins, that's all I've got. Very good. I I appreciate it, Tyler. Thank you very much. And I'll take a motion to accept the financials. So moved. Second. We have a motion and second to accept the financial report given by Mr. Winningham. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All opposed. Add an I to it and that makes it six to nothing. Uh now the first item on the agenda is consideration to approve waving of the three readings for the ordinances on tonight's city council agenda. There are seven of those and I'll take a motion to that effect.

So moved. Second. Have a motion and a second to approve the waving of the readings. Any discussion on that? All in favor? Oh, Miss Herd. Thank you. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed?

That passes six to nothing. Again, with me voting yes. Consider. Next item is consideration to approve the nomination of Brandon Rule to the Conway Corporation Board of Directors. And um would you like to to visit about this or or not? No. Can you you you don't have to Brett? Well, I just uh Brett Carol I was just here in case you guys had questions about the process. We had six nominees last year, six nominees this year. So really good good interest in serving on the common court board. And so I just wanted to be here and in the event you guys had any questions.

Questions here. Any questions there? No questions there. Missurd. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. That one passes six to nothing as well. Motion. Is that a motion for those? Well, then we need a motion. I would make a motion to approve the nomination. Second. Now we have a motion and second. All in favor? signify by saying I. All opposed. Good. Uh, now we'll move to number three. It's an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of wastewater revenue refunding bonds to finance improvements to the wastewater system for the Conway Corporation. And uh, Mr. Wilbert, good evening, sir. How are you?

I'm good. How are you? Great.

I'm doing my Bart Kessleberry. I see that glasses and all. The ordinance before you there is a refinancing ordinance with respect to the outstanding series 2016 bonds. It's a parameters ordinance. Uh would not extend the maturity would not increase the principal amount. It is for debt service savings as of this moment. We probably can't hit the savings targets uh we would like to. So, uh, kind of hope we want to pass this and be ready to move if we get the market to rebound a little bit. So, this would allow us to be in a position to, you know, go out with the offering document as soon as the market looked right.

It doesn't put us in any kind of a bind uh having to do something in a certain time period, right? You would have already done it. The referendum period would be running and just be in a position to move when the market was right. Any questions for was right about a week or two ago, but I'm sorry. Any questions for Gordon? Questions? Miss Herd, what do we have? I'll make a motion. Oh, I need a motion. Thank you. I'll make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance. Miss Herd, I have it as 02615. Is that correct? And the emergency clause. And the emergency. Have a motion and a second for adoption of the ordinance. 02615. Um, and now Miss Herd, do I pass it to you? Yes, sir.

It's yours, Miss Mill. I. Mr. Grimes, I. Mr. Led Better. Yes. Mr. Spurgers. I. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Mrs. Yes. And the emergency clause. Miss Mill. I. Mr. Grimes. Hi. Mr. Led Better. Yes. Mr. Spurs. Hi. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Miss Issby. Yes. Thank you. That passes six to nothing. Thank you, Gordon. Next item is an ordinance accepting and appropriating donation funds from the Conway Tree Board. And this is an accounting situation. Miss Tucker is headed this way. So Ann, tell us what you can. I have got $5,000 from Conway Corp to fund the tree board this year and I just need to appropriate it. Turn around and wave to him. Say thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Brad. Make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance 02616. Second. Have a motion and a second uh for adoption of this ordinance. Um Miss Herd. Yes. This is O2616. Mr. Grimes. Hi. Miss Mill. I. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Mr. Spurgers. Hi. Missby? Yes. Mr. Lead Better. Yes. That passes six to nothing. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is an ordinance approving the private club permit location for Waldo's Conway DBA Waldo's Chicken at 2205 Dave Ward Drive. And we have an ordinance to be read for this item. And let's see. No, no, we have an ordinance for this item. It's ordinance 02617. Think we've got somebody Brainer is here. Mr. Brainer,

I'm just here for any questions. I was I I was uh honored to be in Pernell about 8 months ago doing this for Big Bad Breakfast and we've had such a wonderful response. We uh went ahead and bought a building and trying to do it again uh this time with on over on Dave Ward. The uh community's really really welcomed me and us and I sure uh would love the opportunity to to open up another place and and uh and create some more jobs. The bad breakfast is going good. Yes, sir. It's going very well. Excellent. Excellent. Yes, sir. Good. Where on Dave Ward? I see 2205. Where is proper oldstead? Right across the street from the UCA practice field. Fantastic.

Good and a bad thing for me. A very close. I I uh I I I hope stand in front of y'all here shortly and maybe ask you to get rid of these divided divided streets, but that's aation for another another time. I'll make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance. Thank you, council. Have a motion and second to approve this ordinance. And since we have that, Miss Hurd. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Mr. Led Better. Yes. Missby? Yes. Miss Mill. Hi. Mr. Spurs. Hi. Mr. Grimes. Hi. Appreciate your time. Any idea on when you guys will be looking at opening? Yes, ma'am. Hoping for June 15th.

Mr. Brainer, before you leave council, um any past um new AMP taxes at that location would that that wouldn't transfer over to new ownership, would it? Responsibility of the previous owner. Thank you very much. I just want to make sure you didn't get caught in a hole. I appreciate appreciate that, sir. Unless he unless he wants to pay. Well, I I I I settled up on my booze on my booze tax with you guys uh today, so we're I'll stay current. I promise. Thank you. Thank y'all so much. Appreciate you. All right, that uh another good addition to Conway. Thank you, Ben, for bringing that to us.

Next item is a resolution approving the use of policies and procedures for the administration and implementation of the raise grant for connectway. Kurt, good evening. Okay. So, uh we are beginning the property acquisition phase on our connectway project and uh typically on our projects that include you know f federal grant money a lot most of the time those are administered through the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. In this case we're pretty much dealing directly with the Federal Highway Administration on this project. Um, so this this this resolution would simply adopt AR DOT's standard procedures for property acquisition and and documenting that that process which we don't have um we don't have a formal uh policies and procedures that governs that. You know, like I say, normally we're dealing directly with ARDOT. uh their their policies would just by default uh be implemented into the project. But since since this one's a little bit different, we need to we need to formally adopt their policy so that we make sure that we're you know any property acquisition, rightway acquisition, so forth is uh accomplished according to the federal guidelines.

Any questions for The adoption of the resolution second. Resolution number is 08. 08. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Taking the lead. Thank you. Thank you, Kurt. Appreciate it. All right, let's see what we got here. Uh, consideration to remove vehicles and equipment from inventory for the Department of Sanitation. Mr. Hopper's already been up and told us about that and he's coming back to remind us of what we need to do.

Sir, uh well, we're doing some spring cleaning. Uh got uh some uh I don't want to be used car salesman, but got some old old equipment here we need to to move out. So, um I think everything on this list has already been been replaced and very good. Pass it for life. I'll take a motion to uh take this stuff off our inventory list. So moved. Second.

Have a motion and second to remove vehicles and equipment from the inventory list at the sanitation department. All in favor of that signify by saying I. I. All opposed. Very good. That passes 6 nothing. Uh, next item is a resolution to approve the purchase of an articulated dump truck for the Department of Sanitation. Mr. Hopper, tell us about it again.

Okay. So, um, we use an articulating dump truck to haul dirt. We talked about dirt in the committee meeting. Um, while we've reduced our demand on dirt, we still have to have a stockpile we haul daily. Um, so, uh, we are asking for a to approval to purchase a Volvo A40G or a A40J. We have an A40G right now. It's been an outstanding truck. Um, that's the second A40G in my career that I've had experience with, and we in in both of those trucks, there was very very little uh very minimal issues with those. They handle uh our our application very well. So, they are quite expensive. Um, but I would point out that we did come in under budget, I think, by about $30,000. So,

is there any reason we didn't take the low bid?

Well, so we're we're asking to purchase this through the Sourcewell cooperative contract and our policy requires three three quotes. So, we did not get formal bids. They're they are source quotes. Um, the reason we asked for that particular truck is specifically because of the lack of maintenance and the performance. Um, and it it's a it's just a good truck even for your staff. So, um, when you know if we get a new truck, you are welcome to come out and take a test ride in it. Um, they even the nicest cabs or or seats in those trucks is still a very rough ride. And if you're doing that all day, it it's hard on your body and it's and it it will wear you out. So

Well, and I wondered also um what you're currently using is a Volvo, so I thought probably the familiarity of it as well. Yes, ma'am. Even though it was Yes. And the maintenance. I'm just noticing his choice of words. He said we could take a test ride, not a test drive. And that sounds less fun. We could depends on how fast you want to take that turn. You know, we can go in an open space. We don't want you driving around the parking lot now. I'm I'm the best. I'm going to let y'all do that.

Uh quick question. I know this is a resolution, but how quickly are you needing to purchase this? Because I noticed there's no type of emergency. I think they they told us the turnaround on it was two months, I think. So that's sufficient. Okay. All right. I'll make an I'll make a a recommendation for the adoption of the resolution R2609. Second. Motion and second for adoption of the resolution R2609. Any other questions? All in favor say I. Any opposed?

Passes six to nothing. Next item is resolution to approve purchase of three refuge trucks. one side load, one rear load, one rolloff for the sanitation department and uh Topper, you've already talked to us about this as well.

Yes, sir. So, these are um these were in our budget for 2026 and we did come in under budget on these trucks as well. Um but they are replacing CNG units. So, Any questions? I'm sorry, the rolloff truck is not on there, but it I was going to say I don't see but two. Next one. There's two.

Well, no, the we did have a rolloff truck in our budget, but um it it fell under a different policy as far as the it it came in under the threshold, the purchasing threshold. I meant to take that off. That's a mistake. So, do we need to make a change in the resolution? The only thing that would need to come off is just that on that first whereas where it says a rolloff truck. There's no finan financial information included in the figures on here. Anything else? Oh, so basically just the wording, not anything in regards to the listing, right?

Okay. Yeah. I noticed on B4 there's a roll off. Is that something separate and different? That's a separate. Okay. All right. So, could we say so B3 is going to be R2610. Is that correct? So, could we say I make a motion for the adoption of resolution R26-10 with the one change of removing rolloff truck from the end of the first paragraph? It would be two trucks instead of three in the title. Very good. Then we have a uh motion to amend the resolution. Uh let's vote on that first. We would vote on that first. So all in favor of amending the resolution have a second. Do we have a second?

I had okay. I thought I heard it. I didn't hear it. Sorry. You keep me straight. Okay. Elbow. All in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? What we did there is took rolloff truck off because we're going to deal with that next. Oh, now we got a vote on the resolution. I'm sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. Now, yes, thank you. I'll make a motion for the adoption of the amended resolution R 2610. Second. We have a motion and second for the approval of the resolution. All in favor say I. I. Any

opposed? passes six to nothing. And item number four here in the B classification or section is ordinance appropriating funds and approving the purchase of two refuge trucks for the Department of Sanitation. And Mr. Hopper, one more time.

Okay, so these two were not in our 2026 budget and they are uh needed to replace CNG units. Um again we do have contingency in place for uh the period of time when the CNG stations close and and the arrival of the new truck. So um there should be no interruption of services during that time. Looks like we had the low bid on each one of these. So um I don't see any issue with this. Um, the money is coming from sanitation fund balance. Thank you very much. Yes, sir.

Uh, I'll take a I'll make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance 02618. Motion and second for adoption of this ordinance. Any other discussion for Mr. Hopper? Is heard? Mr. Spurs. I Mr. Grimes. Hi. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Missy. Yes. Mr. Led Better. Yes. Miss Mill. I

that is that passes six to zero. Mr. Hopper, thank you very much. And if I could just to address something that Miss um Isty brought up on the resolutions ordinances um the the time period when it goes into effect and when an emergency clause would be required only ordinances of a general and permanent nature have that delay for to allow for the referendum procedure. Um every other ordinance and resolution goes into effect as soon as it's signed. Thank you. Good. Um, Mr. Grimes, how we doing on time? We're okay. Good. I can slow up then. I'll go fast.

Always like to talk to the chief. See what he's got to say. All right, let's see. Consideration. Oh, moving on to public safety consideration to dispose of seized assets from the inventory for the Conway Police Department and Chief Harris. Yes, sir. Thank you. Good evening, council. Um, we would just like to request to remove these items from our inventory to be sold through auction. I'm just curious. So, these are seized assets. Those come onto our inventory at some point. Well, we have them at the police department. Yes. Listed through there and everything. So, they need to come off. So, once we seize them, there's a whole paperwork trail of Okay. everything we need to Yeah.

And for the record, it looks like seven vehicles. Yes, sir. Do any of these run at all? Oh, they they do. Some not well, some better. They're seized through. Um, we slow down as we get older. Well, there is a 2008 all kinds of 2008. You got 2008 Lexus in there. Got a grandson. I'll make a motion that we allow uh the disposal of these through the auction. Have a motion. Second and a second to dispose of these items. Any uh questions for the chief?

All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Very good. Chief, we took care of that one. Oh, you're up here a couple more times. Yes, sir. Uh, next item is an ordinance appropriating reimbursement funds from various entities for the police department. And chief, tell us about this real quick. Uh, yes, sir. We just respectfully request that the reimbursement funds um received be appropriated back to the respective accounts. Um, as usual, the majority of its extra duty services at officers work. Make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance 02619. Second. Have a motion and second for adoption of the ordinance. Any further discussion? Mr. Led Better.

Yes. Mr. Spurgers. I. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Missby? Yes. Miss Mill? I. Mr. Grimes. Hi. That passes six to zero. Next item is an ordinance appropriating funds for the purchase of ballistic plates. Yes, sir. Tell me what that is, Chief. So, yes, sir. Right now, our officers, you see the good-looking officer back there wearing his outer carrier vest. So, right now, that vest will stop pistol rounds. Okay? So, unfortunately, it does not stop rifle rounds.

So, this these ballistic plates, while we do have plate carriers like that gentleman keeps in his car, it's something that you throw over in case of an active shooter or something. One of the problems with, yes, it stops rifle rounds, but it also covers your magazines, body camera, radio, and everything else. The purchase with this is a ballistic plate that goes in the front of their outer carrier that they have, and it's a lot lighter and everything. So, they're constantly have that with them. Um, and and if I may, I this was all possible by the sales tax that was passed. So, we want to thank I personally want to thank the citizens for that because this is the type of things that we're able to directly enhance the safety of our officers through the passage of that sales tax. So, where I've been doing this for 27 years and we've never had a ballistic plate for our vest. So, that that's the type of things that you know it helps our officers tremendously.

Our community investing in our community. Absolutely. Like that. Oh, and I I will say that while and of course obviously y'all see this. It says that there it comes out of the general fund right now, but it will be reimbured once the sales tax. So make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance 02620. Second. Have a motion and a second to adopt this ordinance. Any other questions? Seeing none. Miss Mill. I. Mr. Grimes. I. Mr. Hi. Mr. Mr. Led Better. Yes. Mrs. Yes. Mr. Hawkins.

Yes. That passes six to nothing. Mr. Winningham, when will that tax start collecting? Thank you very much, sir. April 1st. So, we shouldn't be long for and pay ourselves back. Yes, sir. That's good. I like that. Thank you, Chief. Appreciate you. Final item is an ordinance appropriating funds for the vehicle leasing program for the city of Conway. Shoot. I could have asked you that and not had to let you know. Mr. Winningham.

Yes, sir. This is a new program we're uh excited about. If uh we get this appropriation here this evening, talk to any of our departments and and they'll tell you that city of Conway has a longunning tradition of using the vehicle till it is used up. And we're proud of that. uh we don't want to be wasteful with taxpayers money, but this program will allow us to essentially lease vehicles instead of purchase them. So, wow.

You uh you get the vehicle, we begin making a monthly lease payment on it every year. Enterprise uh is the company we're contracted with. every year or maybe even more. I don't know exactly what their process is, but they basically keep track of the market value of that vehicle and then we will continuously update them on what the mileage is on the vehicle and if they see that it's a good time in the market to try to sell that vehicle. they'll take it back from us, put that into the resale market, and then they keep up with the depreciation schedule, and if there is equity in that sale, that gets credited back to us to the next vehicle. So, this will allow our departments to have much more current u better condition, better quality vehicles on hand. It will uh we're projecting that the biggest thing uh financial wise that it's going to save us is maintenance because now we're no longer having to replace transmissions or do major motor and engine work. We're just doing oil changes, rotating tires, maybe

maybe even trade these vehicles back before we even have to buy a new set of tires. So that's the gist of how the program works. Um we don't have anything in the budget for these departments listed here uh to do that. The police and fire departments are uh on board to participate and like chief mentioned with the ballistic plates uh their funding for these vehicles can come through the new sales tax. So we don't need anything for them. But the other departments uh it physical plant animal shelter and transportation will need some vehicle budget to cover this. And that's what we're asking for tonight. And I will also mention the dollar amounts listed here are amounts that would cover approximately six months of that cost. So, and it's probably we probably won't even have that much. I think it's going to be after middle of the year before we actually get some vehicles in because in most cases they're going to order a brand new vehicle and it's going to take a few months to get that in. other cases, uh, if a vehicle is not available to order, Enterprise is going to try to find those on a lot somewhere in the in the United States and then have that shipped here. So, this is about six months cost represented here in the ordinance.

What do you anticipate the number of vehicles that will be in this program? This first go I think is 43. I have my number on here noted. It's about 43 45 vehicles that we're looking at uh bringing in with the program. How long are we required to participate once we start? I mean, do we have to at least do it for a year or is it, you know, say 18 months from now? We're not liking it, right? For whatever reason,

right? U Mr. Finger did review the agreement and was satisfied with our ability to get out of the contract. I don't remember off hand what what it says in there about that. Do you, sir? Well, it it allows the city to terminate the agreement. It's not exactly a termination for convenience, which is what I always prefer, but usually we can't get that agreement, especially out of an outfit like Enterprise, but I'm satisfied that if if this does not work out for the city, that they'll have the ability to to cancel the agreement. We went to uh I think I heard presentation from these folks for the sake of municipal vehicle leasing programs at least once I think twice actually at different conferences and talked to some other municipalities using it and they're thrilled with it and said that it's really really great. So

right and and the the highlight the biggest the biggest highlights that they brought out as key uh wins for this was maintenance savings, fuel efficiency savings by driving something that's newer and not having the the the fuel expenses to do elsewhere. And obviously just a better experience for whoever's in the vehicle, right? Are they all going to be gasoline vehicles?

Yes, sir. We do have uh our IT department is looking at getting some that are hybrids. So they'll be hybrid gasoline electric engine, but other than that, all gasoline, no CNG. Um, we might have there might be a couple that are diesel. We've got our the transportation department is looking at buying a one- ton pickup truck and I I can't remember if they requested diesel or gas on that one, but no CNG. It'll either be a hybrid or fully gas or fully diesel.

Any other questions? I'll make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance 02621. Second. Have a motion and a second to adopt this ordinance. Missurd, would you call the vote? Disby. Yes. Miss Mill. I. Mr. Spurs. Hi. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Mr. Grimes. Hi. Mr. Lad Better. Yes.

That passes six to zero. And that's all of the business that's on the agenda for tonight. Uh, anybody got anything to say? April 14th will be our next meeting in case someone's watching at home and would like to know that. We'll start at 6 o'clock unless otherwise posted. But I'll take a motion to adjourn. So move. Second. That passes. How's that? Is that okay? We're good. We're good.