The Monticello City Council met at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19 for their monthly called meeting. All aldermen were present with the exception of Michael James. After an invocation by Craig McRae and the recitation of the Pledge Of Allegiance, the minutes from October’s meeting were read and approved.
Mayor Jason Akers transitioned the meeting into new business.
The council approved a resolution authorizing the city to advertise for bids on Phase II of the Lake Trail Project. The project has been awarded grant funding to support the work on Phase II. These grants are 80/20 grants, leaving the city responsible for paying 20 percent of the project costs. This new phase of the project is estimated to add 15 miles of trail. Advertisements for bids will go out as soon as possible.
The council also approved a resolution authorizing overtime compensation for Monticello Police Department Detectives. The resolution was made requesting a policy change. The current policy has detectives on a 28-day, 171-hour pay period, any overtime is resolved by comp time. MPD Chief Carlos Garcia said that with only three detectives it is impossible to give them enough comp time to offset overtime if a big crime such as a murder occurs. The detectives are required to work their regular shifts and be on call for crimes that occur outside of their regular shifts. They would earn more comp time than they would be able to take off. The resolution requested that detectives go to a 14-day, 80-hour pay period. Any overtime would be paid in overtime pay. Chief Garcia stated that this will not affect the budget as there are funds available. The policy change will take place on January 1, 2025.
The members of the council passed a resolution placing a lien on 401 S. Pine Street for monies owed to the city for maintenance and repairs made at the property. City Code Enforcement Officer Brian Rodgers stated that the owner was given ample time to resolve the issue, and even though they agreed to do so, have failed to comply. The lien was imposed for $968.14.
The council also approved placing a lien on 104 Falls Street. The owner is indebted to the city for work performed at the property. The lien was imposed for $380.74.
The council then heard a resolution to declare 410 E. College Street a nuisance property. This property is an abandoned Church of God in Christ. There are complaints of foul odors coming from the property as well as rumors of squatters residing in the structure. Alderwoman Clarissa Pace recommended that Rodgers contact Bishop Michael Jones to see if he could provide insight on who to contact about the property. The council moved to table the resolution until the January meeting.
The council approved a resolution authorizing the city to settle a disputed claim with a former vendor. The city terminated a contract with uniform vendor Unifirst. Unifirst filed an arbitration against the city claiming that the monies lost due to the premature termination of the contract and lawyer fees would total $35,000. City Attorney Whit Barton was able to negotiate a settlement with Unifirst for $7,000. This settlement will save the city $28,000 and negate the need to spend time in a court setting.
Drew County Judge Jessie Griffin spoke and thanked the council and Mayor Akers for their willingness to work with the Quorum Court and himself to keep the leadership of the county and city on the same page, working towards the same goals. Judge Griffin said that working together has helped the city and county grow in the past two years, citing the recent Weyerhaeuser announcement as an example. Judge Griffin closed by letting Mayor Akers know that he looks forward to working with him over the next two years and invited everyone to attend a Quorum Court meeting.
Representatives from LaTerraza spoke before the council to inform them that they have leased the building where Bella Luna formerly resided. They plan to open a seafood restaurant. They came before the council to request a resolution authorizing them to apply for a liquor license through the Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Control Board, much like Fired Up Pizza Co. did several months ago. Barton stated that they had a lawyer who is helping them and who had been in contact. Barton showed them the Fired UP Pizza resolution as an example. The council voted in favor of the resolution, except for Craig McRae, and will have it to present at next month’s meeting.
Mayor Akers concluded by stating that things in the city are moving along nicely. The headworks project at the Waste Water Facility is well underway. Mayor Akers also mentioned the Weyerhaeuser announcement, stating that this is big for Monticello, Drew County, and the surrounding areas. The project is a $500 million investment by the company and is projected to bring in around 200 jobs.
