07/22/15  Delinquent Water Bills and Water Tower Repair Among Items At Bearden City Council

At the Bearden City council meeting last Monday night.. Water Department Manager Terry Launius reported to the Mayor and city council the city has until December to repair the water tank.  He's in process of getting bids for the job.  Launius also reported that he's not heard anything from the engineers doing the sewer work. He told us last week that the paperwork  hadn't even been completed yet.

The council passed the Signatory Authority resolution authorizing the Mayor and city clerk to sign all paperwork on the sewer project.  The council also passed a Resolution of Intent regarding the Bearden Sanitary Sewer Sytem Sewer improvement project.

Water department manager Mary Anthony presented to the council information about delinquent water bills.  She said the water loan application assistant suggested the city clean up the old account making it easier to get a loan. Alderman Bobbie Steelman made a motion to use meter deposit funds to clear the delinquent bills of 20 to 22 thousand dollars, the motion passed unanimously.

Alderman Steelman also made a motion to accept the billing services of the Rural Fire Protection as a means of collection membership dues for fire department services with no cost to the city.  The motion passed unanimously. Fire Chief A-W Evans presented the Arkansas Economic Development  Commission application for a grant to be used for fire department equipment. Alderwoman Paula Bounds volunteered to construct the application resolution and letter of intent and give it to Tim Rogers to make ready for a vote at the August city council meeting. 

The city clerk presented information to the council showing that the fire department's phone bill had been reduced to just over 100 dollars per month.  Alderwoman Bounds made a motion that the clerk pull the last 6 months phone bill for the department and work with the City Attorney for reimbursement of at least the past 3 years of paying for services that were not used.  The motion passed unanimously. It was pointed out at the meeting that some former firemen have equipment belonging to the department that has not been returned.  City Attorney Tom Wynne said a letter can be sent to each individual involved requesting that the equipment be returned or face charges for the value of the equipment.

The City of Bearden has a new police vehicle.  It was presented to the council by City Marshall John Ainsworth. Alderman Bobbie Steelman made a motion that the city assist Ainsworth in attending the police convention in Hot Springs next month.  He was allowed 175 for registration and 119 per night lodging for two nights.  The motion was unanimously approved. The council was updated on the costs of the district court in Bearden.  A clarification was made that the city attorney's 600 fee is not just for the court costs but also all the duties he performs for the city of Bearden. Paula Bounds made a motion requesting information on a complete breakdown of the fines and where the money goes and an update on the use of the Software System.  The alderman passed the motion unanimously.

On a motion by Alderwoman Lois Hopkins, the council approved the purchase of a copier system from Dan Cooks for 25 hundred 572 dollars. And a motion by Bobbie Steelman was passed by the council moving 25 dollars from Fire Department Utilities to the Fire Department salaries for the purpose of increasing the department's secretary from 25 to 50 dollars a month. Questions were raised about the water damage to the library as the result of the roof connection to the Photo Shop.  Paula Bounds will discuss the matter with the Photo Shop owners about addressing damages. And the City of Bearden has received a 4 Star Municipality award plaque for excellence in loss control in the areas of employee safety, wellness, vehicle safety and prevention of legal liability. The next Bearden City council meeting will be August 10^th at 7pm at City Council Chambers at city hall.