City Council - Regular Meeting

Weather. They'll be over there for a while anyway. You're okay. Sure. That's what it is. for that reason. It's not

It is 6:30 in the evening on February 17th. I'd like to call the meeting of the Ward City Council to order. Mr. Hall, would you be so kind to give us a prayer, please, sir? Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we uh we just thank you for your grace and your gifts to us, Lord. We thank you for the the ability to ser our community. We pray Lord as we go through this evening and through the agenda that we would be reticent of the people in our community and uh their needs and uh best way we can help and provide what is needed in our community. We pray that you give us wisdom and discernment as we make decisions and we pray for your your blessings upon this Jesus name.

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. Clerk, would you call roll, please? Council member Hall, here. Council member Chapman, here. Council member McMahon, here. Council member Hefner is absent. Council member Brooke and Council Member Rubble. Thank you. We do have a quorum.

Start off tonight with the um review and approval of council minutes for January 20th, 2026. Council, if you had a chance to look them over, I'd entertain a motion to approve. Motion. A motion. We have a second. Second. And a second. Any comments? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Council, next on the agenda is department reports and financials. You were provided the financials of 2025 by accident. Uh we will table 2026 January 2026 until next month. So we won't review financials tonight, but everything else in the department reports and finan uh fin department reports if you had a chance to review, I'd entertain a motion to approve those. Motion. A motion with a second.

Second and a second. Any comments hearing? None. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Next on the agenda is planning commission. Mr. Jack, would you come forward please? First time as the chairperson of the planning commission.

Oh, thank you. Um, introduce myself. I am the new plan chair Jack BS and I want to give the report for our planning commission meeting of January 26th. First, we had two new members sworn in. Um, Miss Don Wamik and or Waymack, I'm sorry, Don, where are you? And, uh, Elizabeth Ukman. Um, and their terms will be 2031 and 2029. And still presently looking for a third member. Uh, right. The third member that we had picked and chosen right before that we came in the meeting, they she called me and said she would did not want to do it.

So, okay. Um I will put that out again and see who else would like to uh join this commission. Okay. And we also had two issues that I wanted to bring before the uh first is uh Moonlight Meadows phase 2 variance request. Uh 750 foot is the maximum for the length of a culde-sac and they completed it and after re going back and looking at it it's actually 800 foot. Uh the variance was approved and no action is required by council. It's just simply for your consideration and this Yeah.

So can we what is the 750 versus 800? Where where the you see up there? I understand that the length what's the me where's the measurement for from the length of the road or Yes. Okay. To the center of the culde-sac. Okay. And we have the engineer if you have any questions. Any questions? All right. Okay. And then the second issue was Moonlight Meadows phase to the final plat. Uh we recommended approval and we'll need a motion and that's the same same

Yeah. same variance first. Yeah. And then finish up final plat. So those presented for your consideration. Council, I'd entertain a motion to approve the final plat for phase two as presented. Motion. A motion. We have a second. Any comment? Hear none. All those in favor say I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Jack. All right. Thank you. I entertain a motion to approve the planet commission report as presented. Motion. Second. Motion second. All those in favor say I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Next on the agenda is discussion on a possible land purchase expense property. Miss McMahon will have to recuse herself from discussion. As a reminder, oh, let me pull this up. I'll get it up here in a second. There we go. All right. As a reminder, the area outlined in red is what the Spence Trust is offering to us. You'll see it next to the ballpark and across the street from the uh school. We had it appraised at $457,000. Possible uses, uh, just ballparking, spitballing, whatever you want to call it, brainstorming. Expand a current park park system or possibly create a food or gathering venue such as these pictured. And these are just examples of something that we could work in there. Um or a light industry highway commercial type venture or just hold it for future years use. The Spence Trust has offered to sell us the 39.17 acres for $400,000. It appraised for $457,000. I open the floor to discussion. What do y'all think? I tell you what I think. I think this is a good deal. I think this is a good idea for the city. Uh the possibilities are multiple like we just threw out there. Uh park expansion or a venue. Uh you know, we at one time we had worked on a deal where we're going to have part of the um bike pathway that went behind there. That would then be in our property. Now we don't picture.

Sure. Which this one? The overhead. Oh, the the picture of that. That's the next parcel over

and council. We do have funds in reserve for this that we can take care of. What? Yeah. Can you show us that?

Show us what our funds are then. Uh, well, I could if you hang on a second, I will do that. If I get to the right place. No.

Is that a typo or is it actually That's probably just a typo. We would get, you know, of course, when it's all said and done with correct deed.

There we go. There's a balance sheet, the current 2025, January 25 balance sheet for uh general fund. We currently have and we currently have the cash in checking and if need be we can I think where that jogs right there there's actually a water line. Okay. That goes right through there. Thank you. Um if need be we could tap into the uh CD if we had to.

Doesn't appear we would need to do that. No. No. I'll make a motion to go ahead and go with it. I mean they're not making any more land. We might as well have some. I I second that. But I think it's I think it'll be viable to have even if we even if we don't add to the park or whatever. It's good good money.

Let's see if I can get this back up. Okay. So, I understand we have a motion on the table to allow me to enter into an agreement with and I think this will come back to council with a resolution uh when it's actually all said and done because there's paperwork has to be signed and real estate is a a city council function. But I think we have a motion correct and a second on the floor to purchase the property as as we as uh presented. Any further comments? Let me ask one question.

Yes. is um just because it's just popped into my head is it where the mineral rights and all that convey. Yes. Any comments from the audience? Sounds good. Hearing none officially sounds good from the audience. Anyway, um so we have a motion to second. All those in favor say I. Any can I get a I you have a motion to second. All those in favor say I. I. I.

Okay. Any oppose? Okay. Just want to make sure. All right. Thank you, council. All right. And next on the agenda, old business is a um possible swap, selling land discussion with Highway 31, Hester property, and some property on Moon. Uh nothing really to report right now. I have an initial meeting with the U developer and others on the 19th. So I'll bring more back to you next month on this. So moving forward, new business resolution 20268. Madam clerk, would you read the title, please?

A resolution adopting a cyber security policy for the city of Ward in compliance with act 843 of 2023 and for other purposes. Council, this is um one of those things that the uh state legislature wants us to do and should have already done it. We had not, but uh it was you're attached to this um resolution and I'd entertain a motion to approve. Motion to approve. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. And a second. Any comments? Any comments from the audience? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Next on the agenda, resolution 20269. Please read the title.

A resolution authorizing the mayor to wave any and all disconnect fees impos imposed for non-payment of ward water bills and to suspend disconnecting water accounts for non-payment due to wintertorm fern. council if you remember um wintertorm fern had potential to be very bad and it was we had lockoffs come right in the middle of it and it would have been we couldn't do it with 6 in of ice on top of water meters so we were spending suspended all that of course suspended the the fees also associated that so after the fact uh entertain a motion to approve this action motion we have a motion

and a second any comments any comment from audience Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Next on the agenda is resolution 202610. A resolution authorizing and allocating additional funds for the celebration of our nation's 250th birthday and for other purposes. Michelle Parks and Recreation. I ask her to come forward. We are asking for additional funds this year to increase our our fireworks display and also to uh add additional bouncy house like items and and things like that and uh just try to you know make a bigger party this year if you will for the nation's 250th

and I know it shows though you want to more allocation of money go towards fireworks but can you allocate more money to other things other than the fireworks only fireworks run what 15 minutes 20 minutes 28 minutes on my yeah 20 28 minutes or so last 20 minutes already last year so you can make a donation anytime I appreciate that clarify that but um I think the money be better spent like with the balance of counselors talking about more activities for the people to do

one thing we're looking at So, typically it's typically we do one carnival ride. We were able to do two last year. Um, so I've reached out have three uh that are available and ready for us to use if that's as we choose. So, three carnival rides, two or three bouncy houses, and a foam party. Um, so it's not necessarily more of it is probably for the entertaining part of of that part, the actual event versus fireworks. Um, we do have a a little increase in fireworks just for a little bit, but most of it is probably more towards the three rides extra. Well, the breakdown that I saw was $15,000 for fireworks.

Right. Right. $6,000 for rides or whatever and 4,000 for something else. unforeseen certain purchases that we could use to do more so we wanted the 15,000 be other than fireworks it' be okay to like you were saying more of the rods and that type of stuff and then swap the 6,000 to the fireworks that f you got you swapped the 6,000 to the fireworks and cut our fireworks in half no I thought this was an addition addition addition I'm not talking about cutting them I'm talking about because we were almost 12,000 last year from last year's fireworks So you're little making more in half little more than what the budget was last year. So

if you add the additional 6,000 to the 12,000 she's already spent for the fireworks 18,000 and the other 15,000 put all somewhere else that could be would be Could you do something like that? We can do Yeah,

we could do lots of stuff. I do also on that note have thanks to some great places that have I will get them posted and listed, but we do have about 6,000 already in donations on top of everything else, too. So, I think we're looking at having a a good celebration this year, which I know we're known for, but I think this year's going to be even better. I don't know for entertainment as far as band goes or anything like that. But maybe put more money out for a band that type of stuff or whatever it may be or maybe a DJ in the band or whatever it may be. Or you got you handle it. I know. I'm just trying to think. Yeah.

Allocation of money other than fireworks or two or other things. I think the bad thing about it is there's more attendance at the fireworks than there are anything else there. I mean during the daytimes when I've gone up there I've taken pictures and done everything. There's really not that many people and then every in the evening because everybody doesn't want to be there all day because it's so hot too that they come in the afternoon and it is packed. Yeah. Which is why we push the opening time. We used to open at 5 do opening ceremonies. We moved that back to six which has helped because it is you do you get we don't really get that crowd until right before. So we pack a lot of fun in about three and a half hours as quick as possible.

Yeah. that this year. That's why I thought it was so much better this year because y'all did push it back. But yeah, I don't know what you could offer during the fire. You know what I mean? Like even if it was the mu if you added that into it, having the music that went along with the fireworks, you know, I don't know, Miss Michelle, how many years you've been doing it? Five. Five years. And it's been wonderful all five. I make a motion to give her the $15,000 and do what she wants with for 25,000. Whatever. Yeah. the money she's asking for for it just the All right, let's see if we can get some um agreement on this.

Uh the the resolutions on the table for to allocate funds not already budgeted in amount of 15,000 for the fireworks show and like I said we also have about 6,000 already in donations on that additional funds for for 6,000 for the bouncy house and then 4,000 for just unforeseen purchases that we could use to for more bounce houses or whatever the case may be. We still need music and so we do music, you know, things like that. So, and we find out we need additional funds, we'll come back and ask for additional funds. We have time. We're getting started on this. We we're going to buy some uh specialized banners and things like that that are saving you on the nation's 250th birthday. So, that's part of the cost that we're looking at expanding. Also, doesn't fall on Saturday very often.

We were going to put them on telephone polls, but too far away from the street. We don't have very many. So, we're looking at other means to do things, but uh I'd like to, you know, and I appreciate your your input, um, Casey, but I'd like to start off with this, and you know, we need more more funds. We'll come back to you. I'll make a motion. Make a motion to approve resolution 202610 as presented. Yes. Second. And a second. Oh, second. Rob, I'm sorry. Y'all keep me straight up here. Okay. So, Rob made the motions with I did make the motion

and and Stacy seconded and maybe somebody threw a third in there. I don't know. But anyway, it's a new year, right? All right. Got that motion obviously and second on the on the floor on the table. Any further comments? Any further comments from the audience? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Any oppose? Motion carries. All right, council. Thank you. Next on the agenda is resolution 202611.

A resolution authorizing the mayor andor city clerk of the city of Ward to enter into a contract to purchase one 2026 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 from Landers Auto Group. Council, this is Port Street. Uh we did, first of all, I think our our street department and others did an outstanding job this winter fern event. Um it was a ice snow combo thing and our snow plow worked great. It is not an ice plow so that we ran into difficulties and and everybody else did too. Yeah. The the initial ice that come down really binded it to the road and made it a challenge with our current equipment. Right. So

and in reviewing our we we did an afteraction meeting on this and and discuss how things can be improved or what we did wrong good and all that kind of good stuff. One thing we know we talked about was the vehicle that's currently being used with the plow on it is actually a a vehicle that was donated by the sheriff's permit many many many years ago. Uh drug seas I believe it was. Uh and it's it's wearing out and and we fear that it if it fails at the wrong time, we're we got problems.

Yeah, we've recently put a good amount of work into it just to make it operational for the the uh the you know the snow and whatnot. But it's an '07. It's It's got in excess of 100,000 mi. Uh it's also a daily driver. Um it's pretty worn out and we're just any moment away from a a major breakdown to where we're not going to have a snowplow truck cuz we can't we can't just, you know, put the snow plow on a different truck. So,

no, it's a it's a process. And um this truck, we put snowplow on it. And we also have with this size of truck, the um salt rig, salt dog rig would fit in the back of it if we want to do that and take it off the current truck, which is a two wheel drive. Instead of driving two separate vehicles during the winter weather, you could do it all in one, right? So, we're looking at that. But, um uh we just uh we we brainstormed this and thought this was a uh a good thing. And this would also be a daily use truck, obviously. But, uh, for winter, four-wheel drive, heavy duty, we'll be able to plow well and like I said, put the salt dog on it if we choose to do that. I only have one comment.

Yes. And really, it's more of a question. So, the truck that you use to haul the Mini X and all that stuff around, is that the is that this truck that you're want? No. And that truck is primarily used for that, which um when they got that truck, I feel like they should have got this truck or something similar.

Well, what I was getting at was cuz that truck's kind of Well, it's getting wore out, too. Um would it not make better sense instead of the 2500 go with a 3500 single wheel rear? That way it could pull that gooseeneck min and everything and the snow plow. Yeah, the the the the capacity of the 2500 we're looking at will um still be able to pull the maniacs uh based off of its um what do you call it? The toe to toe capacity. Yeah, the gross vehicle tow capacity.

And I'm not sure there 3500 on state contract. I'd have to look. It just seems like a better deal to me. I know the 3500 Dodge a tote 30 right at 35,000 lbs. So, so any of the equipment we have like back hose, Mini X, whatever that truck would, you know, I just just throwing it out there that, you know, why go with 3/4 ton when you can a 30, you know, a 3500 would make better sense because it'd be able to be used considerably more. And if I remember right, you're looking at the gas engine in this 2500.

Yes. Why was that? Why what what is that decision? Well, typically over time, you know, just driving around in town, slow, stop and go. Um, we usually tend to have more issues out of the diesels over time, not initially. And the gas burners seem to hold up better in the stop and go mileage miles. And Bruce, I I never disagree with you, but I'm going to disagree with you on this one. Well, you know, we're talking about diesels of the past, too. You know, as far as a modern diesel, I couldn't tell you.

I'm looking at the uh state bids right now. Uh one tons, regular crew cab, rear wheel drive, rear wheel drive diesel. There's not a four-wheel drive available in a one ton under state contract. three quarter crew 4x4 that we presented is the U not available right now or not ever available. Well, you'd have to wait till the next state contract comes out annually. Yeah, if you look if you if you look at the list, it's kind of small compared to what it used to be um as far as options of vehicles. Yeah,

I don't Let's see here. Now, you might be able to to look at the one ton and see if it has an option right now. upgrade. I just I my personal opinion on it. Anything over a half ton, if you're going to run gas, you're asking for trouble. I have too much dealings with them and know too many people that's got them, especially in a Dodge. Well, I'm not a fan of a Dodge, but like I said, limited other than a diesel. We're in agreeance. Yeah. Um the gasoline motors in those those heavy duty Dodge trucks are garbage.

We'd have to go out for bids because there is an option for 4x4 on the one ton, but it's $3,400. State law only requires us only allows us $1,200 in options. So, but I mean I don't disagree if that option can can work that that's my input on it. See what we can do to move that to 3500 and it does everything that the city would ever need it to do. I mean, if we go out for bid and maybe we get more competitive prices.

Well, it depends. It's not on state contract. So, you won't get a state contract price. You just get a correct bid price. Okay. we could at least look and see how it turns out. Some if you're going to spend money, I mean, I think we should be smart about it. I just because, you know, this one's on state bid and it all, you know, it meets most of our needs. And I personally, I think if we're going to buy one, we might buy one that's we're going to be able to use it anything we need it to do and it's going to last longer. Well, let me ask you this. Do you want to put that in a motion to table this and then authorize me to go out for bids for a one ton 4x4 um truck

diesel? Diesel. That's what you want. I'll make that exact motion. Okay. And we have a motion to second to table this resolution and authorize me to go out for bids. All right. Any further discussion? Works for me. Any discussion from the audience? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Thank you. Good deal. Next on the agenda is resolution 202612. Read title.

A resolution authorizing the mayor or city clerk to enter into a contract with WDD architects to design ADA improvements for city hall. council, last month you gave me authorization to move forward with the ADA and this is the resolution uh allowing me to do that and the recorded price of $20,000 to work up this project and do the bids. Motion motion with second. Second. Any comments? Any comments from the audience? Hearing none. All those in favor say I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, council. Next on the agenda, discussion on a few things. First of all, uh Highway 38 319 intersection. been working with ARDOT for several years now and we just finally got a report back from them and it is in their terminology warranted for a traffic signal at that intersection and uh so now it's ARDOT's uh responsibility to design it and get cost estimates and if you remember the highway 319 367 intersection took us what at 15 years to get in. So maybe no train track this

has no train tech. That's that's very true. That's what that's part of the problem. A big part of the problem. You're correct. So anyway, I just want to let you know that that that process has begun. Uh and we'll see where that takes us in time. Also on next is a discussion on establishing a uh council member Chapman asked me to put this on the agenda to talk about an economic development committee. So council member Chapman, I'll give you the floor, sir.

Yeah. Um, I'd just like to see we get uh we got I know we got brainiacs in town that make better decisions than I can. So, I'd like to see about develop uh implementing a committee of five to seven members um economic development committee so we can push brainstorm uh some economic development here in Ward. I haven't lived here very long, so I don't know very many people. Um, but I'd like to see uh private individuals, for-profit people uh to be a majority of the members and uh

see if we can get something going here in in town to make things better. Council, what do you think? I think it's a great idea. Yeah, it's good. I fall into the chamber already. Chamber is like like we there's nobody attending. The chamber is the war chamber is is um uh doesn't function. Cabbage chamber in reality we would have to contract with them for economic development. They just don't do it on but I thought they took that out. I thought they took that away from the chamber. So now the cabb did cabbat did because cabb now is just like marketing and whatever and they do the economic development within their city.

But the chamber if we wanted them to do our economic development we'd have to contract with them. I think we've got uh I think it's I think it's a great start. Right. And if it gets to the point in the discussion and and planning that we need to bring the chamber in and we discuss with them on what cost might be involved with that. Exactly. So I I mean that's the start is is great. So um Mr. Chapman, I'm I'm assuming that you would share this. I would give it a the good college try. I don't know how effective I'd be, but Well, it's it's your idea to to move forward and I think that'd be a good start. All right.

Um so council, what I what I'd like to do is um uh entertain a motion to establish a economic development committee chaired by council member Chapman. I'd like to see three members of this council on it only and then we get out and get I'm going to tell you that I'm going to ask that uh my HR director who's also a graduate of UCI um be on this committee but and then we get others involved too. Let's start it with uh with you sir. I gladly accept that that's what the council wants. Um, I want to lean on you since you know people in town to uh help me fill out the rest of the members. Like I said, I'd like to see private in Oh, absolutely.

So, absolutely. It it'll be a process. It won't be overnight. Exactly. So, council with your with what I need is a motion to establish the um economic development committee council with council member chairman as the board as the chair. And we want to name we won't name who we want to put on yet, but just to get it started with him. I make that motion. We have a motion. We have a second. Second. We have a motion and second. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? Very good. Let's get together. Also, last thing tonight on this is setting a date for the spring cleanup. May second suggested council. I just need a motion to approve it. Motion to approve. We have a motion. Second

and a second. All those in favor say I. I. It's been approved.

Next on the agenda is my report. Uh Sarts 4 sidewalk project which is down Chantelier Castston and Wilson is construction has been is ongoing. They're doing very well. The sidewalk project down Brewer Street. We're still waiting on some additional rightaways that ARDOT has been submitted to for approval to move forward. the wastewater rehab. We still have four easements remaining and we are having problems getting those. I've talked to two of them personally. They've assured me they've sent the paperwork or they will send the paperwork in. All four of those are out of town. Owners that live out of town. What I'd like and I've talked to to Mr. Chris. Uh what I'd do like to have a motion to initiate imminent domain procedures on those because we're just at a point now that we've talked enough. I don't like to do it. Don't want to do it, but I can't push this off.

So you're speaking of just the easement, not not any other Oh, just the easement. Just the easement. Right. You need a motion for that? Yes, sir. Mash on this? No, not I do not, sir. not but it I don't know exactly where they are but they're all they're scattered throughout the entire project area. Problem is I can't even go out for bids by by u uh department of health rules until I get all thesements. Where are these at?

Uh center street and uh second street down like towards like where Mr. Palmer lives right there. And a lot of times once you talk to them say we got this process and going that gets people moving and it is not my desire to do that but I need the authority to at least press that way. You have a motion. Have a second. Second. Have a second. Any further discussion? Any discussion from the audience? Hearing none. All those in favor say I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Let's see. Next on agenda on on my agenda or my report is uh the LED replacement program for the sports complex is still a metrop plan proposed. The HVAC lighting project we've been approved for that obviously with uh monies from the state and metrop plan. The notice receipt has been issued. We're still waiting on a contract which must be approved by metrop plan also since they have money in this. Still waiting on that street overlay project has begun. You all saw the parking lot out front. Uh they were supposed to start about 3 4 weeks ago and if they had they'd have been done before the storm, but they did not. So anyway, and we'll get it striped after the elections. Um the uh curbon gutter project that we submitted had been denied. There were eight projects submitted, six were approved. I've been in contact and discussions with Metro Plan to discuss how we're going to beef that project up as we resubmitted it at another time. And then the AD improvements of city hall. You've we already talked about that. And intersection 38319. We've talked about that. And the flock live camera was supposed to been installed last week and we still don't have them in there, but we'll get them. The U 2026 election cycle for those who may want to run for office or run for reelection. May 7th, you begin you can begin gathering signatures. July 29th, earliest day to turn in petitions. August 5th, the last date at noon, the time to turn in positions. October 19th, early voting begins. And November 3rd is the election cycle election. That concludes my report for this month. Do we have any public comment on non-aggenda item? Anybody sign up?

Okay. Council, do you have any comments on non-aggenda items? I wanted to ask about Sweetwater if we could somebody could check on the street. They were I had some people call me about it that pieces of the street were falling off and that it was getting dangerous. We put work around where we'll look at um and that may one of the streets that on our next uh cycle on doing streets we may well look at up to a point rough over there. Sweetwater is part city and then it goes into the county.

So we do what we can. Any other comments, announcements? March 2nd early voting. Well, February 17th is started to March 2nd. There's no planning commission meeting this month. There was nothing for the agenda. So, you're off the hook again, Jack. March 3rd is primary election day. March 17th is our next city council meeting. With that, I'd entertain a motion to adjurnn. Motion. We have a second. Second. We are adjourned. Thank you, council.