WARREN, Ark. – The City of Warren held its monthly City Council meeting on August 12, 2024, at the Warren Municipal Building, with Mayor Gregg Reep presiding over the proceedings. The meeting, attended by Council members Angela Marshall, Memory Burks-Frazer, Dorothy Henderson, Joel Tolefree, Emily Moseley, and Latanza Atkins, covered a wide range of community concerns and administrative updates.
Public Comments Dominate Meeting
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the public comments section, particularly concerning a contentious issue involving the property at 1110 Penister Street in northwest Warren. The property, owned by Mr. Wayne White, has been under scrutiny for some time due to concerns about excessive junk and violations of local property codes.
Recently, Mr. White had approached the City Planning Commission with a request to rezone his property from residential to commercial, a request that the Commission denied. During Monday’s meeting, Mr. White, accompanied by his wife Hajime White and his mother Rev. Linda Strong, appealed to the City Council to override the Planning Commission’s decision.
Opposition to the rezoning was strong, with several of Mr. White’s neighbors voicing their concerns. Mary Wiley, a nearby resident, urged the Council to deny the rezoning request, citing the property’s ongoing issues with junk and livestock. Another neighbor, Shrilene Stuart, also spoke against the rezoning, emphasizing the need for the property to be cleaned up rather than repurposed for commercial use.
After hearing from both sides, the City Council voted unanimously, 6-0, to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision, denying Mr. White’s request for rezoning. The Council instructed the city administration to give Mr. White 30 days to bring the property up to code.
Wolf Pack Motorcycle Club Event Approved
In other public comments, Mr. Jimmy Dominick, representing the Wolf Pack Motorcycle Club, requested the temporary closure of a section of South John C. Moss III Street for an event scheduled on August 24, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Council approved the request unanimously, 6-0, allowing the event to proceed as planned.
Successful Back to School Bash Highlighted
Mrs. Channelle Hooper provided an update on the community’s recent Back to School Bash, held on Saturday. She expressed gratitude to the community for its overwhelming support, which contributed to the event’s success. Council Member Joel Tolefree echoed Hooper’s sentiments, praising the community’s efforts and highlighting the importance of the Warren School District in helping the city thrive.
Administrative and Committee Reports
During the administrative and standing committee reports, various city officials provided updates on their departments:
- Police Department: Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported that the City is actively seeking applicants for the Police Department. He also assured the Council that all police vehicles and equipment are currently in good working condition.
- Fire Department: Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported that the Fire Department responded to 11 calls in July, including one extrication. He also mentioned that full-time firefighter Landon Jolley is currently undergoing a 10-week training program at the Arkansas Fire Academy.
- Sanitation Department: Sanitation Manager Rob Johnson informed the Council that his department is fully staffed and that the newly acquired boom loader is already proving to be a valuable asset in efficiently clearing junk and limbs. Mayor Reep praised the boom loader’s effectiveness in enhancing the department’s operations.
- Building Official Report: In his role as Building Official, Rob Johnson reported ongoing construction projects on Smith Road, where the County is building a facility, and at the Human Development Center, where additional construction work is underway.
Discussion on Food Truck Regulations
The Council also engaged in a discussion about updating the regulations governing food trucks within the city. Recent complaints from local brick-and-mortar restaurants have brought attention to potential discrepancies tax obligations for food trucks operating long-term within the city limits.
Mayor Reep emphasized that the City does not intend to discourage food trucks but is committed to maintaining fair and consistent rules for all food vendors. The matter was assigned to a committee for further review.
Street Maintenance Efforts
Street Foreman Monty Hearnsberger reported that the City’s new street sweeper is now operational. The city has been divided into four sections, with plans to sweep every street in Warren, though Hearnsberger acknowledged that this will take some time. He reassured residents who have not yet seen the street sweeper in their area that it will eventually reach every street.
To watch the full Warren City Council Meeting, see the video below:
