City Council

MINUTES CITY OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE, ARKANSAS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, October 17, 2024, 6: 00 P. M., CHEROKEE VILLAGE CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Mayor Rose called the City Council Meeting to order at 6: 00 PM. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Rose lead the Pledge of Allegiance. MOMENT OF SILENCE A moment of silence was observed. ROLL CALL, ESTABLISH QUORUM City Clerk Penny Trumpy called roll call: Present: Harrison, Thompson, Smith, Ishmael, J Tatum, Rowland, Mayor and City Attorneys, Absent: R Tatum, and Martin. Quorum established. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Council Member Smith motion to approve agenda, seconded by Council Member Ishmael. Motion passed.( 5 Yes) PUBLIC COMMENTS/ QUESTIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS( limit 3 minutes per person) None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Member Smith motion to approve September 19, 2024 meeting minutes, seconded by Council Member Ishmael. Motion passed( 5 yes) CORRESPONDENCE: Norman McLeod- Attached- City Clerk read an email from Mr. McLeod addressed to the Mayor. I appreciate the City posting the Council meetings. I'd like to participate in my community, somehow. I' d like to request a microphone for the Department heads so I can hear them on the video. Mr. McLeod expressed interest in the digital sign when taken out of service to play with it to see what he could fix. Mayor and City Clerk received Thank you cards from Plantation Park Home of the Happy Camper RV Park, Jim Gilley, owner for the support of Cherokee Village. FINANCIAL REPORT: Discussion Sales& Use Tax Street Dept Revenue Mayor reported that we are about 16% better this year. The Street Turn back money is lower. ARPA Funds MUST be allocated by end of 2024 year. $ 11, 841. 38. Funds need to be spent by end of 2025. Street Department has$ 30, 779. 95 of 2024 ARPA Funds that are allocated for Street Repair Projects and may carry over to 2025 before completed. MAYOR' S REPORT: Planning and Zoning Department has been out doing several inspections along with cleaning up trash dumped on roadsides around town. Thank you to all the volunteers that came out to work on the City wide cleanup and the City drop off. Without them the work would not have gotten done. The Code Enforcement Officer has been out ticketing properties for trash, junk vehicles and illegal burning. The new Officer is working out great. The Budget committee and I have been meeting to get a 2025 budget ready to present to council. It is a work in progress. There was a 16% increase in revenue in 2024 so far. I hope it continues. Plans to have the 2025 budget completed and ready to present by the November regular City Council Meeting. There is$ 11, 841. 38 left in unallocated ARPA money left and I would like to use the remaining money to purchase new computers and server for City Hall. Lieutenant Anthony Wiles has been working on bids for 5 computers and server to be replaced. A rough figure right now is about$ 10, 000. 00. Cherokee Village Animal Control was recognized for received the Shelter of the Year award from the Best Friends Society.( A National animal support group) Megan Mansfield AC Officer, Brendan Medlock AC assistant, and ALL the volunteers that support the Animal Control Shelter. They do incredible work with the animals. A reminder of the Cherokee Village Fire Department 5K run to be held 10/ 19/ 2024 set up starting at 7: 30 AM, race starts at 8: 30 AM. The 2° d Annual Trunk or Treat will be held Thursday 10/ 31/ 24 from 5— 7 PM. in the City Hall Parking lot. We have several business and people to set up for this event. Please keep displays and costumes kid friendly. In a conversation with the ARDOT site engineer the goal is to have the roadway open to normal traffic flow on October 290. City Council Meeting October 17, 2024 Page 1 I  Council Member Smith inquired if there was a time frame on when the park would be ready for clean up and reconstruction. Mayor Rose will check into this. Council Member Rowland asked the Mayor a couple of questions that were talked about at the Working Meeting. 1. A lease between SID and the Fire Department: 2. Sewer Company do they pay franchise fees or have a business silences. Mayor Rose answered that an email was sent to the Sewer Company about the Franchise fees( City Clerk researched and no fee was being collected) and will discuss with the City Attorneys as to the Company status as a public or private company. He will be checking with SID before the next Council meeting on the Fire Dept leases. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: See Cherokee Village Web site for reports on File. PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE ANIMAL CONTROL: Council Member Thompson gave an update on the construction at the Animal Shelter. Competition goal is December 1', 2024. 21 dogs and 13 cats were adopted in the month of September. COMMUNITY SERVICE: ON FILE DISTRICT COURT: ON FILE FIRE DEPARTMENT: The Fire Department participated in a program for Pre K and Kindergartners for Prevention Week at Highland Schools. Chief Dienst reported that there was not a burn ban as of today but is expected one to be issued. Due to the dryness please be careful if burning. PLANNING& ZONING: ON FILE POLICE DEPARTMENT: ON FILE OTHER REPORTS. PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE ANIMAL CONTROL COMMITTEE MINUTES: A& P MINUTES: NO REPORT AIRPORT MINUTES: ON FILE P& Z COMMISSION MINUTES: ON FILE TRI- COUNTY SOLID WASTE: ON FILE OLD BUSINESS: NONE 1. NEW BUSINESS: 1. UPDATE SIGNERS ON FNBC AND FIRST COMMUNITY BANK- Mayor Rose Motion required: Remove Robert Smith and add Heather Harrison and Pamela Rowland as signers on Cherokee Village City accounts at First Community Bank as of November 30, 2024. Council Member Smith is retiring from Council seat and additional signers are needed. Mayor would like to add additional signer to eliminate the few times needing signers on short notice. Council Member Smith motioned to Remove Robert Smith and add Heather Harrison and Pamela Rowland as signers on Cherokee Village City Accounts at First Community Bank and FNBC on November 30, 2024, seconded by Council Member J Tatum. Roll call vote: Harrison yes, Thompson yes, Smith yes, Ishmael yes, J Tatum yes, Rowland yes. Motion passed( 6 yes' s) 2. ANIMAL CONTROL— Issue with stray' s especially aggressive dogs. Pamela Rowland. This was discussed at the working meeting and the City has a major safety issue with aggressive dogs. The dogs are showing up after hours and who is available to pick up. The other problem is the number of dogs that are being picked up and and running in packs. The Animal Shelter is understaffed and doing a great job with what they have. Council Member Rowland ask looking to Council on how to correct this problem. Mayor Rose is working with Lieutenant Wiles on including this on E tickets so Police can write tickets. Council Member Rowland proposed the addition of employees that can handle after hours. Animal Control needs help answering the phone. Council Member J Tatum asked if there was a way to transferring calls to City Hall. This is not feasible due to overloading City Hall and only being able to take messages putting us in the same situation. Mayor Rose stated that the problem has increased in the past couple of years. This does need to be addressed. Council Member Rowland asked if this could move forward with correcting this problem. There are several questions due to legalize of procedures. Council Member Thompson suggest to take a look at the Ordinance that are on the books and what that details on vicious animals and look into State Statue on vicious animals that will protect volunteers, and city employees. Council Member Rowland as AC Officer to come to the microphone so everyone can hear and be recorded. Megan expressed her concern on the title vicious dog as it different to peoples view. This needs to be a case by case review. Council Member Smith likes the idea of a 30 day sting/ trial then to be reviewed. Council Member Rowland questioned City Council Meeting October 17, 2024 Page 2  having a limit of animals per household and enforces the licenses law. The problem of stray animals has increased. The amount of pet licenses issued is down within the city. Council Member Rowland motioned to Table this until Novembers Council Meeting, seconded by Council Member Ishmael. Motion passed( 6 yes' s) 3. TRASH ORDINANCE AND CONTRACT— Pamela Rowland. Council Member Rowland questioned the City Ordinance and Contract with Waste Connections match the contract is really a Franchise agreement not a contract. Citizens are not paying the same rate and the City Ordinance states rate increase must come before the Council. Council Member Rowland ask City Clerk to contact Waste Connections for a copy of the contract. Council Member Smith motioned to table this until Novembers City Council Meeting to gather more information, seconded by Council Member J Tatum. Motion Passed( 6 yews) 4. APPROVAL OF CV A& P APPOINTMENT TO FILL COMMISSION VACANCY— Jonathan Rhodes In Jonathan' s absents Council Member Rowland stepped in to answer any questions along with Rob Smith( a member of A& P). Council Member Smith expressed his support of appointing someone from SID because of working with them in the past on different events hosted by the city. It would be a deal where the community can voice who would be appointed from SID, A& P is looking to promote the City to the fullest. Mayor Rose questioned if it would have to be the General Manager as the position is the only one who can speak for SID, just like the Mayor for the City. Council Member Ishmael expressed his concern because over the past 5 years the City has been in 2 lawsuits and both involving SID. Council Member Ishmael likes the division because every time the SID is in a lawsuit the City gets drawn into it and vice versa. Council Member Rowland agrees into what Council Member Ishmael said but thinks this is a good fit because there is no exchange of money and held to strict regulations on how the money is spent. This will not benefit SID. Mayor Rose has sent this to the City Attorneys to be review to make sure it does not conflict with the terms of the lawsuit. Council Member Smith asked if this information can be available at the November City Council Meeting. Council Member Smith motioned to table this to the November Meeting when all the information can be presented, seconded by Council Member Thompson. Motion passed( 6 yes' s) COMMENTS/ QUESTIONS ON CITY RELATED BUSINESS( limit 3 minutes per person) Jan Matson— review pet license and leash laws and post to remind people of the law. What are the criteria for the SID that was spoke of. Council Member Smith explained you must be someone who is paying the A& P tax, you must own nightly rentals, and there are 2 City Council members and a member at large on the Commission. DATE: Y1 APPROVED: Steven R. Rose, Mayor ATTE Penny Trumpy, City Clerk ADJOURNMENT Council Member Thompson motioned to adjourn at 7: 10 PM., seconded by Council Member Smith. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned. CHECK OUT CHEROKEEVILLAGE. ORG & CITY OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE ON FACE BOOK) INFORMATION BOARD OUTSIDE CIT etokee jrlf o CITY v CI,ER es to orAlYs° City Council Meeting October 17, 2024 Page 3