WARREN, Ark. – The Warren City Council convened on Monday evening, January 8, 2024, at the Warren City Council Chambers in the Warren Municipal Building. Mayor Gregg Reep presided over the meeting, delivering the City Clerk’s Report in the absence of City Clerk Janice Nelson, who was out sick.
The Aldermen present included Angela Marshall, Memory Burks-Frazer, Dorothy Henderson, and Latenza Atkins. Absent were Aldermen Joel Tolefree and Emily Moseley.
In the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Reep proposed the disposal of three pieces of equipment – a water delivery system, a 92 Ford garbage truck, and a Police Department computer keyboard. The Council voted in favor of the disposal. Additionally, the Council decided to maintain the same Committee assignments from the previous year. Mayor Reep initiated discussions on launching a City employee recognition program, something that Council Members proposed earlier in 2023, suggesting the possibility of honoring a City employee quarterly. Further deliberations on the program’s details will take place leading up to the February Council meeting.
Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported on the recent hiring of four new officers by the Civil Service Commission. The Saline River Chronicle provided a detailed report on the hires last week. Hildreth also highlighted an open dispatcher position and the ongoing search for a new animal control vehicle.
The Council addressed Ordinance #952 (R.V. and Camper Parking), amending ordinance 740. Under the new rules, residents must obtain a permit for parking RVs and Campers in the City limits. The permit process involves a petition to the Warren Planning Commission, a public hearing, and approval by the Planning Commission. Notably, no RVs or Campers can be lived in or worked in, and existing ones are not grandfathered in.
Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported that the Warren Fire Department responded to 12 calls in December 2023, with one call for extrication. During Sanitation Manager Rob Johnson’s Report, Mayor Reep discussed the potential waste-to-energy facility in Chicot County, aiming to cut waste expenses for the City of Warren. That project is not complete yet, but the Mayor is receiving regular reports on the progress.
The topic of dumpsters for Main Street area businesses triggered an extensive discussion during the meeting. Several months ago, the City took action by removing dumpsters on 2nd Street on the east side of Main to mitigate issues like unauthorized access to trash and the illegal dumping of items. In response, the Sanitation Department has been diligently providing trash pickup service to these businesses six days a week, often twice a day. Recently, the dumpsters on the west side of Main were also removed, aligning with the City’s strategy. Sanitation Manager Rob Johnson emphasized that the removal of dumpsters, coupled with increased trash pickup frequency, has garnered positive feedback from various local businesses on Main Street. The current 6-day-a-week trash pickup schedule is available to businesses from the old KFC building north to the Post Office. The Mayor detailed two significant challenges faced by the City in managing dumpsters throughout town: firstly, instances of individuals rummaging through the trash and leaving waste behind, and secondly, non-authorized users illegally dumping class 4 (non-household) trash in the dumpsters. Despite these challenges, the City remains committed to addressing waste management issues efficiently.
The Mayor also announced the availability of the former LaDonna building for sale, providing a significant industrial site.
Street Foreman Monty Hearnsberger’s report highlighted the department’s anticipation of a new street sweeper and vacuum.
The Council approved Resolution 691, securing a $300,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation for street paving.
During the Ways and Means Committee Report, the Council approved a $2,000 contract with the Bradley County Historical Museum to promote and protect the community’s history in 2024. The City Council Salaries were increased from $250 to $350 a month, the first increase in over 25 years. Additionally, the Council set the Pool Manager’s salary at $1,200 every two weeks for the May to August season.
The meeting concluded with the announcement of the next City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, February 12, at 5:30 p.m.