WARREN, Ark. – The Warren City Council met Monday, July 14, 2025, with members Chanel Hooper, Memory Burks-Frazer, Dorothy C. Henderson, Joel Tolefree, and Latanza Atkins present. Council member Emily Moseley was absent due to illness. Mayor Gregg Reep presided over the meeting.
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Council members approved the minutes from the June meeting before Mayor Reep noted that city sales tax revenues continue to lag behind last year’s totals.
Joe Calbert, a maintenance worker in the Parks and Recreation Department, was named Employee of the Quarter. Calbert has been instrumental in upkeep at the city park and pool and contributed earlier this year to work at the city shooting range.
The Council received an update on a number of projects across the city, including confirmation that the closing has been finalized on the 105-acre tract along the 189 Bypass. The property is now owned by the Bradley County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC), and the City of Warren has entered a lease agreement with the organization.
Mayor Reep also noted that the Sky Blue Carbon (biochar) project is on track to close in August. The facility is expected to create between 20 and 25 jobs initially.
The EAST program’s “Baby Box” initiative has successfully completed fundraising. The city is preparing to meet with project organizers and the city attorney to move forward with a contractual agreement.
Progress continues on the city’s solar project, which will provide power exclusively to city-owned facilities. Construction is expected to begin soon.
During public comments, Terrance Roberson, representing the Wolfpack Motorcycle Club, requested a street closure near the club on July 26 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Council approved the request with a 5-0 vote.
Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported that the department remains short-staffed, with only seven officers currently employed out of a full roster of 15. Applications are open for both patrol officers and dispatchers.
The Mayor shared that he, Chief Hildreth, and Warren School District Superintendent Mr. Bryan Cornish met with the State Highway Department via Zoom regarding the installation of a traffic light on North Martin Street at the school entrance. The state continues to assert that the intersection does not warrant a signal, though the city is urging a third review of the location.
New license plate readers—part of the nationwide Flock Safety camera system—have been installed at the corner of Pine and Martin and on the Monticello Highway, with three more scheduled for installation. The Council adopted a new policy to govern the use of the camera system, which is intended to assist with public safety and law enforcement investigations.
Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported 10 calls in the past month, including one vehicle fire and one truck fire that required full department response. All fire equipment passed annual testing.
Sanitation Manager Rob Johnson reported that six junk vehicles were removed in the past month. City crews picked up limbs from 43 residences and removed junk from 33. Committee member Latanza Atkins reported that the city’s new recycling drop-off location on Ethridge Street is now open. Mayor Reep provided an update on upcoming changes to garbage pickup schedules: each household will move to a one-day-per-week pickup. The five-day route schedule is designed to save on both mileage and manpower.
Street Foreman Monty Hearnsberger reported his department has been busy patching potholes, bush hogging, and spraying weeds.
The Council discussed proposed guidelines for dedicating streets (not renaming them). Requirements would include 25 years of residency, exceptional service, a 500-word biographical submission from a Warren citizen or organization, and a signed petition from all residents on the street. The proposal failed in a 2-2 vote, as Council Member Burks-Frazer had to leave the meeting early. Voting in favor were Hooper and Atkins; voting against were Tolefree and Henderson. The issue is expected to be revisited.
Council members approved tenure bonuses for long-serving employees:
- 25+ years: $1,000
- 20+ years: $800
- 15+ years: $600
- 10+ years: $500
- 5+ years: $400
The measure passed 4-0.
The University of Arkansas at Monticello Shooting Club has requested to use the Warren Shooting Range as its practice facility and home field, offering to pay for the use. The matter was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Resolution 704 was approved, authorizing the City to approach Southeast Arkansas Economic Development about potentially assisting with a project to raise the north water tower by approximately 13 feet. The adjustment is intended to help the system operate at its optimum pressure levels.
Two citizen requests for speed bumps—one on Bond Street and another on Jolley Street—were both referred to the Street Committee with a 4-0 vote.
Council Member Hooper reminded the public of the upcoming Back-to-School Supply Giveaway on August 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westside Pool. A parent must be present for children to receive supplies.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will take place Monday, August 11.
The full video of the July meeting will be uploaded later this week.
