Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Call to Order
Mayor Chase called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called the roll.
Attendees
Council members Michael James, Al Peer, Craig McRae, Mark Tiner, Mike Wigley, and Claudia Hartness were present. Council members Clarissa Pace and Cedric Leonard were absent.
Reports and Presentations
Jay Jones presented Yvonne Washington’s request for an extension on a permit she bought. She asked for another 60 days to get the work done, and he stated she had the support of the planning commission.
They sold 2450 meals with 1227 of those being delivered. They currently have 70 at home customers. Cindy stated that this month is Stroke Awareness Month. The center also hosted its first Easter egg hunt in over 20 years.
They fixed a sewer line that had been installed in 1908. It was by the old theatre. They also repaired a valve that was installed in 1885 on Woods Street and have been working on flooding on Cooper Street. The guys stayed out overnight trying to help. Al Peer thanked Charlie and his crew for his work on Davis Street.
John Davis stated that the crew has been working on the Wells this month. They’ve updated the software system and have 3 or 4 guys in training. Mark Tiner asked about the efficiency of the well system. Wayne responded that we have a good system, but that we need to do a little more care in taking care of the hardware. The well houses themselves are in pretty good shape. He also went on to state that the new blend they are using in the water has substantially improved the manganese in the water. Well 6 may need further attention soon, but for the moment, they are doing okay.
They’ve had 4 630 ordinance violations and 7 756 violations. The 756 violations have been brought into compliance. 12 of 16 SNAP applications have been approved, and Brian is heading to Malvern to renew his licenses soon.
Project 602 had a meeting on Friday and is progressing. 02152022 has been put on hold for now. Progressive Solutions was looking for a building here to relocate. They have worked out a lease. Stoker’s Diesel has closed on 10 acres of land in the industrial park. They will be looking to fill five jobs immediately and up to 20 when their construction is complete. The project is waiting on driveway location approval. The business moving into the old Stage building will begin the process of remodeling in May with the hope of being open by late summer. Scoggin Drive is in process and is moving along, ARDOT is flagging and surveying with bidding pushed back to August. The Area Agency on Aging has also started looking for a new building. Nita has been working with a retention project with local industry and paused for a moment to recognize her new assistant Lauren Knight who will reach out to small businesses and see how to better serve them. Mike Wigley asked where the funds from land purchased at the industrial park go, and Nita stated that they go back to the MEDC because grant funds paid for the infrastructure.
They have been approved for the NARK equipment grant and are looking for another grant for their vehicles. He thanked the MEDC for helping fund the tip line and stated how that tip line helped them stop someone who had been breaking into cars. There was a single vehicle accident on Easter that resulted in two children being injured. There is a fundraiser for their medical bills on April 26th and 28th with an account having been set up through Commercial Bank.
No report
No report
They are still working on getting the welcome to Monticello signs lit up, and they had to cancel their Easter Egg hunt due to weather.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
Tandy White and Michael Hudson came to recognize Monticello as being one of the innovative communities of the year. This award came from Monticello’s dedication to community development that came from surveys, walk audits, focus groups, workshops, etc.
Vyve is upgrading their entire system and hope to have it launched within the next 5 to 6 months. They are trying to lay new cable and to switch to a more reliable power source to prevent blackouts.
Bubba presented an idea for a local recreational shooting program for youths where all the funds would stay local. They are looking to pair with other organizations like 4-H and Game and Fish. The goal would be to host shooting competitions out at the Lake where the former plane group was. They also want to have other types of shooting competitions in order to keep the kids occupied who aren’t competing in the main event. This project should be mostly cost free for the city and service for about 100 kids.
Mark Tiner moved to approve, Mike Wigley seconded, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called roll, and the motion passed unanimously.
Michael James asked why we have to discuss an ordinance—it’s not a new one. It’s an older one that needs an exception. Mayor Chase explained Ms. Washington purchased permits in 2020 but was unable to get the work done within 90 days due to the lack of workers available. She is asking for an extension so that she does not have to pay the fee again. The Planning Commission supports the extension. Mark Tiner moved to approve, Claudia Hartness seconded, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called roll, and the motion passed unanimously.
Craig McRae moved for the resolution to be introduced and to be read by title only, Al Peer seconded, an aye/nay vote was called. The ayes had it. Mike Wigley stated it looked like there had been work done on the property. Brian Rogers said he sent a letter, it came back, and he posted one. Mike Wigley asked how long it had been since any work was done? Over a year. Craig McRae asked if the owners were at the meeting. They were not. Craig McRae moved in support, Claudia Hartness seconded, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called roll, and the motion passed.
Craig McRae moved for the resolution to be introduced and to be read by title only, Mark Tiner seconded, an aye/nay vote was called. The ayes had it. Mike Wigley again stated it looked like there had been work done on the property. Brian Rogers said a tree had blown over on the house and that the owners had cleared the tree, but there is still damage to the property. The last cleanup attempt was over two weeks ago. Michael James asked if here had been communication with the owners. There had not. Craig McRae moved in support, Claudia Hartness seconded, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called roll, and the motion passed.
Craig McRae introduced the motion and that it be read by title only, Mike Wigley seconded, and City Attorney Whit Barton read. Mark Tiner asked if the work had already been done. It has. Craig McRae moved to approve, Mark Tiner seconded, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called roll, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mark Tiner introduced the motion and that it be read by title only, Craig McRae seconded, and City Attorney Whit Barton read. Mark Tiner moved to approve, Craig McRae seconded, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called roll, and the motion passed unanimously.
Michael James introduced the motion and that it be read by title only, Craig McRae seconded, and City Attorney Whit Barton read. Craig McRae moved to approve, Claudia Hartness seconded, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called roll, and the motion passed unanimously.
Claudia Hartness introduced the motion and that it be read by title only, Craig McRae seconded, and City Attorney Whit Barton read. Claudia Hartness moved to approve, Al Peer seconded, City Clerk Jessica Hylton called roll, and the motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Craig McRae moved to adjourn the meeting, Claudia Hartness seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM.
