WARREN, Ark. – The Warren City Council approved an airport runway project and heard updates on economic development, grant opportunities, city infrastructure, and community programs during its regular July meeting held at the Warren Municipal Building. Mayor Gregg Reep presided over the meeting with council members Chanel Hooper, Memory Burks-Frazer, Dorothy Henderson, Emily Moseley, and Latanza Atkins in attendance. Council member Joel Tolefree was absent due to medical reasons, and Reep wished him a speedy recovery.
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The council approved the June meeting minutes and the city’s financial statements following the city clerk’s report. During discussion, Reep noted that the day-to-day cost of operating the city continues to rise. Despite increasing expenses, he reported that city sales tax revenue remains approximately 5 percent ahead of last year’s pace.
Linda Morgan, assistant to the city clerk, was recognized after being named the city’s Employee of the Quarter.
Reep also provided an update on economic development efforts, telling the council that representatives from New York and California recently visited Warren to tour the former poultry plant as part of ongoing industrial recruitment efforts.
The mayor said the city remains focused on securing a grant that will be submitted next month to help fund repairs to the Warren City Pool.
He also reported that the federal government has completed its audit of the city’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds dating back to 2020. According to Reep, the city received a letter indicating that the audit found everything to be in good standing.
Kingsland Mayor Samantha Johnson addressed the council regarding her city’s ongoing animal control issues. Johnson asked whether Warren might consider providing animal control services to Kingsland through an agreement in which Kingsland would compensate the City of Warren. Council members referred the request to the police committee for further study. Reep said the city will need to research the legality of such an arrangement as well as any potential liability concerns before moving forward.
Dr. Matthew Pelkki of the University of Arkansas at Monticello also spoke to the council regarding a potential Delta Regional Authority grant. Pelkki said UAM’s forestry department is willing to assist the city by preparing the grant application at no cost.
The Community Infrastructure Fund grant would provide between $250,000 and $1 million for road improvement projects and does not require a local funding match. Pelkki said the project under consideration would improve roads used by Ouachita Hardwood Flooring and reroute truck traffic, requiring significant infrastructure work. He added that the company has verbally expressed its support for the project. The grant application deadline is Aug. 24.
The police committee also reported that it continues to study possible solutions for Warren’s feral cat population and expects to hold a committee meeting in the near future.
Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported that the department responded to 16 calls during June, including four emergency tone-outs. Those incidents included one traffic accident and one food truck fire.
The council also voted to move forward with the sale of the fire department’s 2013 rescue truck. After the vehicle is sold, the fire committee will begin evaluating options for purchasing a suitable replacement rescue truck.
Building Official Rob Johnson reported that a new climate-controlled storage facility is planned for the former Fred’s building.
The street department also announced that it currently has a job opening.
Council members were also informed that work has begun on a mural depicting the city park train at the former street department building.
The council approved a recommendation from the Warren Aviation Commission to reseal the airport runway and taxiway. The commission approved the recommendation during its July 7 meeting. The approximately $195,000 project will be funded through the aviation fund.
In other business, the council unanimously reappointed Jennifer Rodriguez, Albert Hammons, James Hooper, and Dana Langford to new three-year terms on the Warren Planning Commission.
The council also reminded residents about the city’s annual Back-to-School Giveaway, scheduled for July 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Warren City Pool. Children will be admitted to the pool free of charge that day. A parent or guardian must be present with each child to participate in swimming and to receive school supplies.
