City Council

Minutes CITY OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, _ September 21,_ 2023, 6: 00 P. M., CHEROKEE VILLAGE CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER— Mayor Rose call the City Council Meeting to order at 6 PM. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE— Mayor Rose lead the Pledge of Allegiance. MOMENT OF SILENCE— A moment of silence was observed. ROLL CALL, ESTABLISH QUORUM— Angela Herndon filled the position of Secretary in the City Clerks absents. Roll Call Present: Harrison yes, R. Tatum yes, Thompson yes, Martin yes, Smith yes, Ishmael yes, Mayor Rose yes, and City Attorney Jon Abele. Absent: J Tatum and Rowland. Quorum established. APPROVAL OF AGENDA— Council Member Smith ask to amend the agenda to include under New Business the Waterworks Law Suit. Council Member Martin motioned to accept the amended Agenda, seconded by Council Member Smith. Motion passed PUBLIC COMMENTS/ QUESTIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS( limit 3 minutes per person) NONE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Member Martin motioned to approve the Minutes as presented, seconded by Council Member Smith. Motion passed CORRESPONDENCE: NONE FINANCIAL REPORT: Discussion- Mayor Rose thanked Paul Huensch for the budget graphs he provides. They are very helpful. The sales tax is down but the Hail storm influences the numbers. Council Member Smith asked when the Department Heads were going to adjust their budgets. Mayor Rose reported a budget meeting with the Dept. Heads is scheduled for 10/ 3/ 23 at 10: 30 to work on this and start the 2024 budget process. This is part of the Mayors Report. MAYOR' S REPORT: The Council Meeting is 10/ 19/ 23 and the working meeting on the 10/ 16/ 23 will be a budget meeting to get started on the 2024 budget. The City has been working with the other cities as well as internally to get prepared for the solar eclipse on April 8 2024. The A& P Commission is working on activities and venders to help draw travelers in for more than just a short few minutes and show them our beautiful area. If you want to help out or would like to attend the Solar eclipses meeting that are held at City Hall on 10/ 11/ 23 ( the second Wednesday of the month at 3 pm.) Through a zoom meeting with the local sewer company that used to be St Joseph' s Glen is now CSWR Group. This meeting was between all their utilities in Arkansas, they have raised their rates for residential and commercial. It was done state wide. The explanation given the rising costs of operations and upgrades done to the system since they acquired it. Mayor Rose voiced his concerns to Arkansas Regional Manger, Karl Stephens that our residents are of retirement age and/ or one income families. If anyone would like to talk to Karl Stephens contact City Hall for his information. Mayor Rose expressed residential complaints of calls and emails not being answered. Karl Stephens stated that they just acquired the company this spring and are working to improve the communication lines as well as bringing the plant back into state compliance. Mayor Rose also discussed the upcoming bridge replacement and it is on schedule to start in 2024. The City is having a Trunk or Treat in the City Hall parking lot on Halloween night, October 31, 5— 8 pm. This is to give the children a safe place to trick or treat. The work continues at Meow Manner at the Animal Control Facility. They are getting closer to completing. When completed an Open House will be scheduled. The City' s website is under construction. The phone system is progressing in gathering data to set up and transfer phones. A new report added to the Council meeting is the Sharp County Senior Center. The buzzing in City Hall has been removed in the updating of the bulbs in the light fixtures. The front of City Hall light has been updated and a light will be added in the back parking lot of the Police Dept. Mayor Rose acknowledged the work that Paul Huensch and Charlie Akers completed on the bushes and flower beds in front of City Hall. VERY NICE JOB!! Council Member Thompson asked the Mayor if the sewer company was on board with moving their lines for the street project to proceed. Mayor Rose stated they discussed that and said they were working on it.  1 DEPARTMENT REPORTS: See Cherokee Village Web site for reports on File. ANIMAL CONTROL: On File COMMUNITY SERVICE: On File DISTRICT COURT: On File FIRE DEPARTMENT: On File PLANNING& ZONING: On File CODE ENFORCEMENT: ( No Report) POLICE DEPARTMENT: On File— Police Chief Lane request an Animal Control Committee be formed. The duties required of the Police Chief are demanding enough without the duties of handling the Animal Control. Council Member Thompson stated at one time a committee was formed. Mayor Rose will like to have a 6 person Committee with a Council Member being the liaison between the Committee and Council. Council Member interested can talk to Mayor Rose after the meeting. Council Member Martin suggested the Mayor and Police Chief put together a list of names, job descriptions and guideline for the Committee and present them at the October Council meeting. STREET DEPARTMENT Newsletter: ( No Report) Mayor Rose remembered that the Budget Committee needs to be set for 2024. Rob Smith, Paul Huensch, and Heather Harrison agreed to be on the committee. A question of Les Covington having a conflict of interest due to being a member of the Water Dept Board and the law suit. Attorney Jon Abele stated this could be a conflict. Mayor Rose would like to see one more on this committee and will bring a list of names to the October Council Meeting. OTHER REPORTS. A& P Minutes: On File— Council Member Smith reported that Amanda Smith has accepted the consulting position. Details for the eclipse should be finalized by October 1, 2023. 3 Days of Events in the field across from City Hall Live Bands on a stage— all three days, and after the eclipse 125 ft teletron screen showing the NCAA game Ferris wheel- all three days. Food Vendors— all three days. Activities after the eclipse. AIRPORT Minutes: ( No Report) GRANT REPORT: ( No Report) The Police Dept received a$ 4, 000 no cost to the City grant for equipment. P& Z COMMISSION, Minutes. On File SHARP CO. SENIOR CENTER: On File STREET COMMITTEE Minutes: ( No Report) TRI-COUNTY SOLID WASTE: On File—Not in a good position, using grants to pay payroll. Working with judges to see what can be done to improve. WELCOME CENTER( No Report) OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: 1. Water Works Law Suite— Rob Smith- Council Member Martin motioned to include the Mayors letter in the minutes, and also Council Member Thompsons response to the letter. Mayor Rose read the letter. Council Member Thompson read his response. After much discussion Council Member Thompson recommended the Mayor suggest to Mr. Stone( attorney representing the City) the City be excused from the lawsuit and be reimbursed for expenses. Seconded by Council Member Martin. Motion passed( 6) yews) 2. 2023- I1 Short Term Special Use Permit— Highland Elks— Shoot 10/ 7/ 23— 11/ 4/ 23 Turkey 3. 2023- 12 Short Term Special Use Permit— Fall Farmers Market 9/ 23/ 23— 10/ 2/ 23 Council Member Martin motioned to accept both short term special use permits, seconded by Council Member Smith. Motion passed. COMMENTS/ QUESTIONS ON CITY RELATED BUSINESS( limit 3 minutes per person) Pam Davis— Concern with barking dogs around her property. Megan Mansfield A/ C Officer addressed the concern. Reno Smith— Concern with baking dogs all night. Mayor suggest people to take video's with your phones to help A/ C or Police to see what is going on. It may take a while for them to get to the property and the animal may decide to nap. Council Member Smith motioned an Executive Session concerning personal issue, seconded my Council Member Martin. Motion passed. 6: 48 pm Resumed at 7: 04 pm. No decision made.  1 ADJOURNMENT— Motion to adjourn by Council Member Martin, seconded by Council Member Smith. Motion passed Adjourned at 7: 05 pm CHECK OUT CHEROKEEVILLAGE. ORG & CITY OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE ON FACE BOOK) INFORMATION BOARD OUTSIDE CITY HALL O /` a Date: ° Steven R. Rose, Mayor Penny Trurra City Clerk etokee Vllf G A O CITY CLERK a% At