WARREN, Ark. – 8-11-25 – The Warren City Council met Monday evening, August 11, 2025, in the council chambers of the Warren Municipal Building, addressing updates on industrial development, community projects, and ordinance changes.
The meeting opened with the approval of the July minutes and the city clerk’s report.
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Industrial and community updates
Mayor Gregg Reep shared an update on local industrial prospects, expressing disappointment that the Bluesky Carbon project is not moving forward as quickly as hoped. He said two other companies have shown interest in the old poultry facility in the industrial park and noted that the former AHF plant is now on the market. Reep emphasized that these are private projects, with no city funds currently invested.
The mayor also announced the city has applied for a more than $600,000 grant for the Warren Cultural Center. He reported the city pool had a successful summer season but has now closed. Officials are seeking funding to renovate the facility.
Council member Henderson suggested that the city pass a resolution next month to honor the late council member Zack Burks, who recently passed away. Mayor Reep agreed to the proposal.
Community involvement
Citizen Angela Russell spoke on behalf of a cemetery cleanup effort at Union Cemetery, scheduled for August 19 at 6 p.m. at Union Hill Church. She thanked Mayor Reep and sanitation manager Rob Johnson for their support and invited others to participate. Six members of the cemetery committee attended the meeting.
Public safety reports
Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported the department is still accepting patrolman applications, noting a shortage of active officers. Non-certified applicants must complete a 13-week course and pass certification. Mayor Reep said salary competition remains a major challenge.
Reep also observed first-day-of-school traffic operations with officers earlier in the day. He said the city has requested state approval for traffic signal lights but has yet to receive it, adding that officers did “a fabulous job” managing traffic.
The fire committee, led by council member Joel Tolefree, recommended using Act 833 funds to purchase a used pickup truck for the fire chief, with the current vehicle to be reassigned for brush fire response. The council approved the purchase for up to $25,000.
Infrastructure and parks
Street Foreman Monty Hearnsberger reported that crews have been preparing for upcoming paving projects, continuing bushhogging and spraying, replacing several culverts, and installing speed bumps on North Wright Street.
Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Wagnon said his department will begin winterizing the city pool and is looking for ways to capture debris during the offseason to ease next summer’s maintenance.
Development and ordinance changes
It was reported that a developer has approached the city about possibly building private apartments on the old Bryant’s lot. At this point, its an inquiry only.
The council voted to start the process of amending the city’s food truck ordinance, Ordinance 970. Changes include:
- Expanding the ordinance to cover all outdoor vendors, not just food-related businesses. Only those exempt would be farm and homemade products.
- Setting permit fees for mobile vendors at $55 per month during operation months, plus a $30 annual privilege license fee(all businesses pay this minimum). Vendors using city water and paying for garbage service are exempt from the permit fee.
- Removing hours of operation requirements.
- Exempting churches and nonprofits.
The revised ordinance will be reviewed by the city attorney before returning to the council for a final vote.
Other business
The council approved an agreement allowing the University of Arkansas at Monticello to use the Warren shooting range as its home practice site.
The municipal building will be closed Monday, September 1, 2025.
