By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Four issues on catering at the Forrest City Civic Center were tabled at Monday's meeting of the Civic Center Commission because Jim Hitchcock, caterer for the facility, was unable to meet with commissioners.
At the last commission meeting, Hitchcock agreed to provide the group with records on events that he had catered at the civic center, an inventory list separating items owned by himself and those owned by the city, a schedule of menu prices for items he serves, and also provide a tour of the kitchen facilities so that commissioners could check over the inventory list provided by Hitchcock. Commissioners agreed to take up the same issues at the May meeting.
St. Francis County Office of Emergency Services coordinator W.L. Laws was on-hand at the request of the commission to discuss the use of the civic center as an emergency shelter in the event of a disaster.
"If we have any kind of emergency situation where we need some type of temporary shelter for people, we'd like to know that the civic center is available. If we have a disaster then we need a place that people can go to. We've spoken to First Baptist Church and they've also agreed to work with us. We've tried to contact the National Guard Armory to see if they would also be available because you never know what buildings are going to be affected by a disaster. You need as many options as you can get for everyone," said Laws.
The civic center was used briefly during the ice storm last year as a temporary shelter for area citizens.
The commission agreed Monday that the use of the building would be in the best interest of all residents.
According to Raymond Stewart, an employee at the civic center, the city is in the process of purchasing cots and blankets that can be used in during a disaster.
"We've got 25 blankets already, and we're getting another 25 blankets. We're supposed to be getting 50 cots," said Stewart.
In other business, the civic center has received a second 61-inch television that can be used during functions held at the building.
According to Debra Miller, who serves as the recorder for the commission, the RCA television was purchased last month through bids, and the city is also expecting to receive a pair of DVD players which were included in the bidding process. Commissioners voted unanimously to request the purchase of an additional VCR to accompany the second television.
The commission also agreed to ask the city for the purchase of a copy machine that commissioners can use during meetings as well as being accessible to individuals who rent the civic center. The copy machine will also be available for public use at a small cost.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Widener City Council on Monday passed an ordinance prohibiting the storage of abandoned, inoperable or wrecked motor vehicles on residential property in view of the public.
The ordinance was passed without an emergency clause, making it effective in 30 days.
The new law will also prohibit the storage of vehicle parts on residential property. Any such storage will have to be done by a duly licensed salvage yard, auto repair shop or auto dealer.
The law does not prohibit the presence of inoperable vehicles or parts on residential property; it only requires that such items be out of the view of the public.
Once the law goes into effect, a residential property owner will be considered in violation of the law once inoperable vehicles have been stored for 60 days. A violation will carry a fine of $50 to $250.
On another matter, the council agreed to put some money from the city's existing water deposit account into certificates of deposit. Mayor Dot Halford said this would make the city about $500 a year instead of the $200 a year it is currently receiving.
The mayor also told the council she wants to get an estimate on how much it might take to get city streets repaired. She said after the estimate was received, the city might want to bid out the work.
A large part of the meeting was taken up by complaints from several citizens. The complaints centered on several areas, including allegations of overzealous ticket writing. Police chief Shelly Bieber said the law is the law.
There were also allegations of racially-motivated remarks by a city employee. Halford said she would look into the matter, but said she could not make a final decision on doing anything because the person in question was not present.
On a final matter, the council agreed to a special meeting on Monday, April 16, at 6 p.m., to finalize the city's position on dealing with dilapidated structures.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Madison City Council members heard an update on several issues from County Assessor Craig Jones during Monday night's monthly meeting.
Jones talked with councilmen about the number of property owners in Madison who are delinquent in paying their property taxes. According to Jones, seven percent of the property owners in Madison are currently delinquent in their taxes, a figure which has decreased about 13 percent since the mid-1990's.
"I was looking over the delinquent taxes in the county and breaking them down by towns. I'm going to be talking to city councils all over the county and giving them this information on their towns. I was looking, and I noticed that Madison was at seven percent of the property being delinquent. That number in the mid-1990's was at 20 percent, so that's down 13 percent in that time period which is great," Jones said.
Jones also updated council members on the current $300 real estate tax credit. Jones told the group that some people have been confused over the rollback, thinking that they didn't qualify if their total taxes were under $300.
"We've had people tell us that they didn't think they qualified because their taxes weren't over $300. That is far from true. If your property taxes total $500 then you get $300 rolled back from that figure leaving you with a $200 tax bill. If your total doesn't reach $300 then that entire bill is paid and you owe nothing. Some of the taxes that are delinquent could be paid off simply by using the credit," Jones said.
Jones also explained to council members that the only real estate qualifying for the credit is the primary residence and not rental property.
In other business, work was scheduled to begin today on repairs to the roof of the Madison City Hall. Council members agreed to a contract last night with Darryl Britt and Associates for the work which, according to Madison Mayor James Brooks, should be completed within three weeks.
"In the contract, we agreed that the work would take three weeks but the contractor told us that he should be finished with the work in a week's time," said Brooks.
Council members also agreed to begin accepting applications from students ages 14 to 16 to do summer work for the city. According to Brooks, money for the project was budgeted in this year's fiscal budget and if the project works well it could be expanded next year.
"We're hoping that this program works because we'd like to ask area churches to help out with it next year. That will allow us to expand the program and help more children," Brooks said.
Applications will be reviewed at the May council meeting.
The St. Francis County Museum is a designated destination for a promotion called "See Arkansas First," sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The program is designed to encourage in-state travel.
Travelers are invited to "Go play in your own backyard," and win prizes for visiting the designated sites. Participants must visit at least 15 of the 21 top attractions in the state, have their card stamped, and send the entry in by July 31, to win a free Arkansas cooler. Vacationers will also be entered to win a brand new, top-of the -line computer.
Game cards can be picked up at the SFC Museum. Participants will then receive their first stamp. The museum will also have bumper stickers for residents who want to "See Arkansas First."
Travel and Win Cards are also available at Arkansas State Parks, Shell Superstops and Tourist Information Centers.
The SFC Museum is located in the historic Rush-Gates house on Front Street in Forrest City. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The museum is also available for special tours by appointment.
The Forrest City Public Library may receive a grant from Project for Public Libraries by mid-June according to library employee DeShaun Roberts.
Roberts told the library's board at Monday's meeting that the grant would not be for money but for books. "We would have to match the $1,795 contribution to the library with $250," said Roberts. The grant is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of America and the American Library Association.
Board members also discussed the impact of the proposed state legislation to eliminate state funding to public libraries. The board tried to discuss the library's financial report but chairman Jim McInturff said, "I think until something is done, everything is just a shot in the dark."
State funding is not set aside for any particular program other than the general budget at the library, according to McInturff.
Board member Brad Beavers suggested suspending the search for a new certified librarian in light of the possible cutbacks from the state. "I think we should just suspend our search for a librarian. The reason why we can't promote from within is because of the state requirements for state aid," said Beavers.
In other business, Roberts told the board the key to the lock box at Forrest City Bank had been found. She told the board Beavers or McInturff would be the only ones to open the box, which the board believes stores certificates of deposits. McInturff and Beavers said they would open the box soon and close the account for the box if the only purpose for it is to hold the CDs.
The Forrest City School Board will meet at 5:30 this evening in the administration building.
Board members will discuss a personnel policy manual change proposal and the special school election for a millage increase to fund a new junior high school.