WARREN, Ark. – On May 8, 2023, the Warren City Council convened for their regular meeting in the Warren Municipal Courtroom in Warren, Arkansas. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gregg Reep, with all six aldermen present. Alderman Angela Marshall was present by phone.
Among other topics, the council discussed city pool management, sidewalk improvements, online document storage, and the possibility of a solar power facility.
The meeting began with the approval of the April 2023 minutes and the City Clerk’s report. The council then approved the closure of a small portion of Cypress Street for Market on Main in May and several other dates from June to November.
Top photo: Mayor Gregg Reep addressing the Council during Monday evening’s meeting.
The council also passed Ordinance 947, allowing Alderman Memory Burks-Frazer to manage the city pool this summer. Burks-Frazer is paid $4,000 for the season and abstained from the vote, which passed 5-0.
The council passed resolution A-682, applying for a grant for sidewalk improvements on West Central Street.
They also accepted a proposal from an outside contractor to put all the city’s minutes and ordinances online on the city website, with a total cost of $6,420.
Hugh Conner, owner of S&H Tactical, addressed the council, asking for ‘parking for customers only’ signs to be put up in front of his building. The street committee had recently rejected his proposal, but the council decided to revisit the issue at the next committee meeting. Conner has stated his willingness to purchase both the signs and the posts himself if the City will allow them to be put in place. He stated that daily traffic in the area around his shop on Myrtle Street means his customers have nowhere to park.
Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported that new officers will attend academy in September, and a new police vehicle has arrived with another expected soon.
Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported that the fire department responded to 8 calls in April, with only one being toned out. The department also received equipment from an Arkansas Forestry Commission grant, and volunteer firefighter payroll for the month was $845.
Sanitation Manager Rob Johnson reported that the department is fully staffed, and they recently hired a CDL driver who is an honorable discharged military veteran.
Mayor Reep updated the council on a new solid waste to energy facility being built in Lake Village, which could save the city money in the future.
Council members were reminded to turn in their appointments for the new Community Citizen Advisory Committee, with two people from each ward and one selection from the mayor.
During the Ways and Means Committee report, the council discussed a proposal from Scenic Hills Solar to build a solar facility that could power city buildings. The City, as well as other local entities such as the School District, could benefit. The proposal could save the city up to $5 million over 30 years, with no out-of-pocket costs for the facility’s construction. The solar farm would not be available for private home usage. No action was taken at this time.
During the Aviation Commission report, the council voted 6-0 in favor of renaming the Warren Municipal Airport to ‘John B. Frazer Field/Warren Municipal Airport’ in honor of former Mayor and local businessman John Frazer. Frazer was a skilled pilot and played a vital role in the growth of the airport, with his family even donating the land for the airport.
The council voted down a potential agreement to allow the Warren Water & Sewer to utilize a city building at the park. In new business, the potential animal shelter expansion was sent to the police committee due to overcrowding concerns.
The council also voted to spend $200 to sponsor a sign on the courthouse lawn during the 2023 Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival.
Lastly, Mayor Reep confirmed that the Bryant’s Building is set to be demolished following the current demolition project downtown being undertaken by the County.
The next council meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2023.
I would do a LOT more research on that solar power proposal. I am skeptical….
So, we can look forward to a solar panel farm across from the courthouse in downtown Warren once this demolition is all done?
You could place the panels on roof tops. Out of sight; out of mind.
You mean on top of buildings that will probably need to be torn down in 10 years when the next 3-4 of them are condemned? And you still owe money to the 20 year payoff plan for the panels? That does sound like a wonderful government run idea of wasting tax payor dollars.