Monticello’s City Council held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 23. All council members were present with the exception of Al Peer. The council members voted to approve last month’s minutes and financial report.
The council heard the second reading of an ordinance regarding Quality Growth and a Pre-Annexation agreement. This ordinance is in regards to property developers who are outside of city limits, but wish to tie into the city’s water and sewer infrastructure. There was discussion about how large apartment complexes should be charged. It was suggested that the apartments would pay the same fee that any residential lot would be charged, which is $650, up to five units, and then they would pay $150 for all units over five. The council members elected to wait until next month before any action is taken to allow for edits that would make the ordinance and pre-annexation agreement match.
The second reading of the ordinance regarding food trucks was also heard. The committee that Mayor Jason Akers appointed last month has met and ironed out all of the details at this point. One item that was discussed but not included in the ordinance was how to repurpose permitting fees that the vendors pay each year. The current idea is to take the total amount of money raised through these fees and budget that amount for the next year, which would be designated for paying for and maintaining designated food truck areas. This ordinance was also held over to next month’s meeting.
The council revisited a property that had previously been declared a nuisance. City Property Inspector Brian Rodgers informed the council that the property has been cleaned up to the point that it looks like nothing was there. He recommended that the council drop any further action against this property.
Mayor Akers said that he has received many complaints from parents at the Jordan Park Splash Pad regarding speeding vehicles and overall safety. The city has purchased eight movable speed bumps to address issues not only at Jordan Park but also at McCloy Park. The total purchase price for the eight speed bumps was $1,200. The ordinance to enact this was introduced and approved by the members of the council.
An ordinance regarding Phase II of the Lakewoods Trails project was introduced. The ordinance was to have the city approve the use of funds provided by a TAP grant that would cover 80 percent of the estimated $125,000 needed to complete the trail milage for Phase II. The member also passed this ordinance.
The council also approved an ordinance that would allow the city to apply for a $300,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. This grant can be used to deal with any emergency situation from drainage issues to purchasing generators. This grant is a 80/20 split reimbursement.
The council approved several ordinances that dealt with contractors who have bid on some of the city’s ongoing projects. K.J. Parker Construction Company, Inc. was approved to begin working on the Bowser Road Pump Station project. ETI Services,Inc. were approved to begin work on the West Wastewater Plant aeration project. McClelland Engineers have also been approved to complete work order No. 14 which is the headworks project at the West Plant.
The council members also approved an ordinance that would approve a contract with the Area Agency on Aging. This contract is their yearly contract which runs from July 1 until the following June 30.
The council heard an ordinance to increase the monthly price of Solid Waste services. The ordinance would change the price of all garbage carts to $18 per month and all dumpster to $70 per month. The council members will also be able to do a yearly review to determine if fees need to be adjusted to prevent the solid waste department from going in the hole every month. It was decided to revisit the ordinance next month to allow further research to be conducted.
With no further business, the City Council adjourned until next month’s meeting.
