WARREN, Ark. — The Warren City Council approved a pool-related grant resolution, heard city department updates and took action on several other items during its regular May meeting Monday, May 11, at the Warren Municipal Building.
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Mayor Gregg Reep presided over the meeting, and all council members were present, including Joel Tolefree, Chanel Hooper, Emily Moseley, Latanza Atkins, Memory Burks-Frazer and Dorothy Henderson. The city clerk’s report was presented and approved.
The council approved Ordinance 979, allowing Council Member Memory Burks-Frazer to be employed to run the Warren city pool during the summer of 2026. The ordinance passed 5-0, with Burks-Frazer abstaining.
The council also approved Resolution A713, authorizing the city to apply for an outdoor recreation grant for the Warren city pool. The grant is a 50/50 matching grant through the state and is administered through Arkansas Parks and Tourism. The resolution passed 6-0.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, Hajime White addressed the council. White said her father died last year during the fires in California and asked whether the city had plans in place in case of a disaster. Warren Fire Chief Chuck Moore said several local fire chiefs from the region have discussed developing organized plans.
The Wolfpack Motorcycle Club requested street closures near its club location on John C. Moss Drive for events scheduled June 13, July 4 and Sept. 19. The June 13 request was not approved because of Pink Tomato Festival traffic and concerns from the Warren Police Department about the conflicting time with the festival. The July and September dates were approved.
Warren Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported that the department lost one certified officer to another department. There was no police committee meeting. The city is still looking into the issue of feral cats in the community in consultation with local veterinarians.
Moore reported that in April, the Warren Fire Department responded to 20 calls, including two structure fires, two grass fires and one extrication. Volunteer payroll for April totaled $3,250.
Sanitation Manager Rob Johnson reported that the transition to the city’s new garbage system continues to go well. He said this is the second week of commercial pickup as part of that transition. Johnson also reported that McDonald’s has agreed to recycle its cardboard, and the new recycling drop-off center on Rock Street is being heavily utilized.
Reep again encouraged citizens to use the city’s cardboard and paper recycling program.
The mayor also spoke at length about an issue between the city and Bradley County regarding an invoice from the county to the city for dirt purchased for use at the old city landfill. According to the meeting discussion, the city agreed to purchase the dirt for $24,000 because it was required by law to meet lawful codes at the old landfill.
Reep said the city had been making monthly payments on the bill as agreed to between the two administrations. However, the city recently received letters indicating that if the bill is not fully paid later this week, the county will no longer do business with the city. Reep said what that means is unclear.
The city has been planning to sell the old large red dumpsters that are no longer needed. The council voted 6-0 to sell the remaining old red dumpsters at the highest available rate and use the money to pay on the dirt work bill to Bradley County. The council also voted 6-0 to do the same with the sanitation department’s old Mack roll-off truck.
Atkins said it is unfortunate that the city is having to deal with the issue.
Reep also told the council the city continues to have a major issue with junkyards in Warren, many of which he said have occupants living on the properties. He offered for the administration to conduct a street-by-street survey.
The mayor said he is tired of what junkyards are doing to neighborhoods and said people should be taking care of their property. He said the survey would take a lot of time, but the problem will only get worse if the city does not deal with it.
Reep said the issue would not be solved overnight, but instead of waiting only on complaints, the city plans to conduct a survey. If properties violate city ordinances, the city needs to take action, including taking property owners to court if they will not clean up their properties according to lawful ordinances, he said.
Street Foreman Monty Hearnsberger reported that the city is getting prepared for the 70th annual Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, which is set for June 12-13. He also said the street department is patching potholes and bushhogging.
Reep reported that the Warren Shooting Range has continued to see growth in usage.
The Warren Municipal Building will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.
According to the GFL holiday garbage pickup schedule released by the city, no trash routes will be picked up Monday, May 25, because of Memorial Day. The revised schedule for the remainder of the week is as follows:
Tuesday, May 26 — Monday routes will be picked up.
Wednesday, May 27 — Tuesday routes will be picked up.
Thursday, May 28 — Wednesday routes will be picked up.
Friday, May 29 — Thursday routes will be picked up.
Residents are encouraged to place trash containers out according to the revised pickup days for their routes.
The 70th annual Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival is set for June 12-13.
The next Warren City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8.
