Friday July 18, 2008
11:00 AM
I had a very busy day yesterday. I had four meeting to attend as well as deal with a number of issues that a part of almost every day.
I had a staff meeting yesterday morning. The main concern is that the city has to revise our health and safety plan. We have a problem because we had two workers comp. claims last year. I gave the department heads two weeks to submit their information to me so that I can revise the plan. I will submit the new plan and it will should be accepted. If it is we will implement the plan and in six months the workers comp. will visit the city and check to make sure that the plan has been implemented.
The second meeting I attented was the chamber of commerce board meeting. This month the meeting was held in Parkin. We met at the the state park. The facilities were ok and the food, prepared by the mayor an Joann ,was excellent. It was very warm because we only had celing fans and the meeting was at high noon.
The third meeting I attended was the board for CCEDC. The meeting was routine. It only lasted a few minutes. We did approve the guidelines to spend the money to prospectibe businesses.
The last meeting I attended was a public forum for the citizens to hear the explaination for the need for new water and sewer rates in Wynne. The turnout was very low. I only counted fifty people at the meeting. Included in that number were the five water commissioners, six of the council members, three policemen, four people who made the presentation. The bottom line is that the rates have to be increased. If the city council does not increase the rates the lender will go to court and a judge will take over the operation of the water and sewer for the city. The judge will hire someone to manage the system and the judge will increase the rates to make sure that enough money is taken in to meet the needs of the system, including the repayment of the loans.
Yesterday Amy called me as she was passing through Wynne. She had been to Heber Springs to pick up a body for a service at CMP at 3:00pm yesterday. She had to stop in Wynne to get gas for the coach. She was in good spirits and it was good to visit with her a few minutes on the phone as she was passing through.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wednesday July 9, 2008
10:00 AM
The Wynne City Council met last night. We had a short agenda but make a major change in our sanitation department. The city will end the pick up of all class four trash effective July 18. The change was necessary because of the money that is available for the services that are now provided. The choice for the city council was stop the class four pickup or raise the sanitation fees about $6.00 per month and increase the commercial fees about 15 to 20 percent. The council felt that they could not increase the fees that amount. They chose to stop the service. I have spent a lot of time the last ten days trying to come up with a soultion. In the end I told the committee and the council that I recommended that the service be stoped. That is the decision that the council voted to do last night.
We will have some complaints about this, but I think that the citizens will adjust to this in a few weeks. I also think that they will appreciate the job the sanitation department has been providing for them for several years.
When we prepare the budget I will look at the resumption of this service. If I think that we can provide some type of service at a reasonable cost I will try to resume the service, or at least a scaled down version of the service.
Being Mayor is a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10:00 AM
The Wynne City Council met last night. We had a short agenda but make a major change in our sanitation department. The city will end the pick up of all class four trash effective July 18. The change was necessary because of the money that is available for the services that are now provided. The choice for the city council was stop the class four pickup or raise the sanitation fees about $6.00 per month and increase the commercial fees about 15 to 20 percent. The council felt that they could not increase the fees that amount. They chose to stop the service. I have spent a lot of time the last ten days trying to come up with a soultion. In the end I told the committee and the council that I recommended that the service be stoped. That is the decision that the council voted to do last night.
We will have some complaints about this, but I think that the citizens will adjust to this in a few weeks. I also think that they will appreciate the job the sanitation department has been providing for them for several years.
When we prepare the budget I will look at the resumption of this service. If I think that we can provide some type of service at a reasonable cost I will try to resume the service, or at least a scaled down version of the service.
Being Mayor is a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Monday July 7, 2008
2:30PM
The city council will meet tomorrow night. There are only two items on the agenda. VDCI will report on the mosquito program for the last month. The other item is an ordinance to increase the water and sewer rates for the customers in Wynne.
The commission has held two meetings with the council invited to explain the need for an increase. There has been a good turnout of council members at both meetings. When the last meeting was held a proposal was accepted by the commission and the members of the city council that they both think will meet the needs of the utility. If the council does not adjust the rates, the bond company can impose a rate increase on the customers. The city council and the commission do not want that to happen.
The plan is to read the ordinance tomorrow night and then have a public meeting for all of the citizens of Wynne to hear an explanation of the needed rates later in the month. During the August meeting of the council the plan is to read it two more time and adopt the ordinance along with an emergency clause. The utility needs to start collecting the higher rates in October and they need a few days to adjust the program to implement the new rates.
Work has been progressing well on the ditch in ward three. The contractor has piled most of the trees in piles and the city crews are burning the piles today. When all of the trees are burned the contractor will clean out and shape the ditch.
The solid waste committee of the city council will meet tomorrow night before the city council meets. The sanitation department has to have some more money or some of the services that are now provided will have to be changed. I have been working for several days on an analysis of the situtation. I will present it to the committee tomorrow night and ask them for their suggestions. I hope that they will take some kind of action. If they do not I will be forced to make some kind of cuts that will allow the sanitation department to stay within the budget that has been adopted. The major problem areas at this time are the fuel cost and the cost of disposal of class three and class four. I do not look forward the the choices. It seems that all are bad.
2:30PM
The city council will meet tomorrow night. There are only two items on the agenda. VDCI will report on the mosquito program for the last month. The other item is an ordinance to increase the water and sewer rates for the customers in Wynne.
The commission has held two meetings with the council invited to explain the need for an increase. There has been a good turnout of council members at both meetings. When the last meeting was held a proposal was accepted by the commission and the members of the city council that they both think will meet the needs of the utility. If the council does not adjust the rates, the bond company can impose a rate increase on the customers. The city council and the commission do not want that to happen.
The plan is to read the ordinance tomorrow night and then have a public meeting for all of the citizens of Wynne to hear an explanation of the needed rates later in the month. During the August meeting of the council the plan is to read it two more time and adopt the ordinance along with an emergency clause. The utility needs to start collecting the higher rates in October and they need a few days to adjust the program to implement the new rates.
Work has been progressing well on the ditch in ward three. The contractor has piled most of the trees in piles and the city crews are burning the piles today. When all of the trees are burned the contractor will clean out and shape the ditch.
The solid waste committee of the city council will meet tomorrow night before the city council meets. The sanitation department has to have some more money or some of the services that are now provided will have to be changed. I have been working for several days on an analysis of the situtation. I will present it to the committee tomorrow night and ask them for their suggestions. I hope that they will take some kind of action. If they do not I will be forced to make some kind of cuts that will allow the sanitation department to stay within the budget that has been adopted. The major problem areas at this time are the fuel cost and the cost of disposal of class three and class four. I do not look forward the the choices. It seems that all are bad.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
July 2, 2008
1:20 PM
The new dog pound is almost complete. We need to seal the floor, but that will not be possible for about two months. I have ordered the material from Caldwell Lumber. We are going to put up a few feet of chain link fence from the cornors of the dog pound. This will be another safety feature to keep the dogs if they decided to run when the officer opens the door to the pen. We also need three covers for the drains. They have been ordered and should be here in a few days.
We are going to pour a small amount of concrete around the water outlets. The animal control officer requested this and is will also keep the mud to a mininum around the pens. The animal control officer is pleased with the new pound and he said that my design is working out just fine. I never though that I would be in the business of designing dog pounds.
Killough road is now fully open and all of the work has been completed. All of the signs have been removed. It is very nice to travel this section of street. I feel sure that the citizens of Wynne appreciate this much needed improvment of a major street.
I took Pat to the heart doctor in Germantown yesterday. She had an excellent check-up. The doctor said no heart problems or lung problems.
We stopped in West Memphis and had a quick lunch with Amy. They have been very busy the last few days. She told us that they had six on the board. In fact when left for lunch Kent told her to be back for a service that started a 2:00PM. She talked to Pat later in the day and said that they now had two more on the board. The funeral business seems to be feast or famine.
I was notified today that I have been appointed to the Executive Committee for the Municipal League. I was glad to get the appointment. I have enjoyed my service on the committee. It takes some of my time, but I enjoy working on the business of the cities of Arkansas through the municipal league.
I am looking forward to having a three day weekend. Friday is the 4th and the city will be shut down except for fire and police. They never shut down.
1:20 PM
The new dog pound is almost complete. We need to seal the floor, but that will not be possible for about two months. I have ordered the material from Caldwell Lumber. We are going to put up a few feet of chain link fence from the cornors of the dog pound. This will be another safety feature to keep the dogs if they decided to run when the officer opens the door to the pen. We also need three covers for the drains. They have been ordered and should be here in a few days.
We are going to pour a small amount of concrete around the water outlets. The animal control officer requested this and is will also keep the mud to a mininum around the pens. The animal control officer is pleased with the new pound and he said that my design is working out just fine. I never though that I would be in the business of designing dog pounds.
Killough road is now fully open and all of the work has been completed. All of the signs have been removed. It is very nice to travel this section of street. I feel sure that the citizens of Wynne appreciate this much needed improvment of a major street.
I took Pat to the heart doctor in Germantown yesterday. She had an excellent check-up. The doctor said no heart problems or lung problems.
We stopped in West Memphis and had a quick lunch with Amy. They have been very busy the last few days. She told us that they had six on the board. In fact when left for lunch Kent told her to be back for a service that started a 2:00PM. She talked to Pat later in the day and said that they now had two more on the board. The funeral business seems to be feast or famine.
I was notified today that I have been appointed to the Executive Committee for the Municipal League. I was glad to get the appointment. I have enjoyed my service on the committee. It takes some of my time, but I enjoy working on the business of the cities of Arkansas through the municipal league.
I am looking forward to having a three day weekend. Friday is the 4th and the city will be shut down except for fire and police. They never shut down.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tuesday June 24, 2008
3:15 PM
After lunch today I went to the Killough road project. They have completed the project with the exception of a small amount of sod that has to be placed on the shoulder. The contractor plans to open the street to traffic in the morning.
This project has gone very smooth and it really looks good. This has been a much needed project and I am glad that we had to money to complete the improvements to the street. I am sure that the citizens who use this section of street will enjoy the wider street.
I have a meeting with the Wynne Water Commission at 4:00 PM today. They will present a plan to overcome the shortfall in revenue for the department. The alderman have been invited to the meeting. The commission met last Tuesday and presented three plans to overcome the shortfall in revenue. I think that they will take the information from that meeting and present a final plan at today's meeting. It is never easy to increase the cost of services that are provided the citizens, but the commission must take in enough money to cover their cost as well as pay for the improvments that were paid for with bonds.
3:15 PM
After lunch today I went to the Killough road project. They have completed the project with the exception of a small amount of sod that has to be placed on the shoulder. The contractor plans to open the street to traffic in the morning.
This project has gone very smooth and it really looks good. This has been a much needed project and I am glad that we had to money to complete the improvements to the street. I am sure that the citizens who use this section of street will enjoy the wider street.
I have a meeting with the Wynne Water Commission at 4:00 PM today. They will present a plan to overcome the shortfall in revenue for the department. The alderman have been invited to the meeting. The commission met last Tuesday and presented three plans to overcome the shortfall in revenue. I think that they will take the information from that meeting and present a final plan at today's meeting. It is never easy to increase the cost of services that are provided the citizens, but the commission must take in enough money to cover their cost as well as pay for the improvments that were paid for with bonds.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Monday June 23, 2008
9:55 AM
I attended the AML conference in Hot Springs last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The conference was well attended and the program was very good. I enjoyed visiting with my friends from around the state and the vendors who had displays.
I met Greg Tarbutton. He is an engineer with a firm in another state. They do some work in Arkansas and they were there to try to make contacts with possible customers. It was good to visit with Greg. He told me that he had been reading my blog. Who would have ever thought that someone from another state would be reading my blog?
I visited with the Killough road contractor last Saturday. He said that they planned to place the sod today and complete the overlay on Tuesday. I also talked with Mr. Burns last night at church and he thinks that they will be through with the job by Wed. I am looking forward to having the street open again. It is a much needed improvements to that section of street.
This morning I helped with WBC VBS. I drove the church van and picked up some children who are attending VBS. I will drive it again during the noon hour at the end of the VBS day. They have drivers for the rest of the week. I was glad that I was able to be able to help with VBS in a very small way.
I picked up some booklets that explain the duties of a mayor and an alderman during the conference in Hot Springs. I sent them with a letter from me to Terri and Ronnie who will serve on the council beginning in January of 2009. I hope that they become aware of the duties that I have and the duties that they have as an alderman. I have done this in the past with the new alderman and the booklet has been very helpful to the new alderman.
9:55 AM
I attended the AML conference in Hot Springs last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The conference was well attended and the program was very good. I enjoyed visiting with my friends from around the state and the vendors who had displays.
I met Greg Tarbutton. He is an engineer with a firm in another state. They do some work in Arkansas and they were there to try to make contacts with possible customers. It was good to visit with Greg. He told me that he had been reading my blog. Who would have ever thought that someone from another state would be reading my blog?
I visited with the Killough road contractor last Saturday. He said that they planned to place the sod today and complete the overlay on Tuesday. I also talked with Mr. Burns last night at church and he thinks that they will be through with the job by Wed. I am looking forward to having the street open again. It is a much needed improvements to that section of street.
This morning I helped with WBC VBS. I drove the church van and picked up some children who are attending VBS. I will drive it again during the noon hour at the end of the VBS day. They have drivers for the rest of the week. I was glad that I was able to be able to help with VBS in a very small way.
I picked up some booklets that explain the duties of a mayor and an alderman during the conference in Hot Springs. I sent them with a letter from me to Terri and Ronnie who will serve on the council beginning in January of 2009. I hope that they become aware of the duties that I have and the duties that they have as an alderman. I have done this in the past with the new alderman and the booklet has been very helpful to the new alderman.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday June 17, 2008
11:20 AM
I talked with the paint lady at Caldwell Lumber company this morning about the sealer we need for the new dog pound. She informed me that we will have to buy a cleaner and apply before we can seal the new concrete. She also informed me that we should wait 60 to 90 days before we apply the sealer to new concrete. I told her to go ahead and order the cleaner and sealer and we would apply it when the time is correct.
I talked with the animal control officer this morning and informed him about the sealer. I told him that he should make plans to start using the new pound the first of July. We have paid WFA to take care of our dogs through June. I also told him to use as few of the pens as possible until we have a opportunity to seal the floor. He said the he would take care of that. I also told him to purchase a small tarp to cover the pens to keep the sun and rain off of the dogs until the roof arrives and is installed. The time frame for the new roof was three to six weeks. The tarps will work as a temporary solution.
I also told Jerry to install a section of fence from the edge of the pound to the existing fence as a safety factor for the animals and the officer. It will take about 50 feet of fence.
I was told yesterday that the fence company will probably be here today to move the gate to the other end of the pens.
I will be going to Hot Springs tomorrow to attend the AML conference.
11:20 AM
I talked with the paint lady at Caldwell Lumber company this morning about the sealer we need for the new dog pound. She informed me that we will have to buy a cleaner and apply before we can seal the new concrete. She also informed me that we should wait 60 to 90 days before we apply the sealer to new concrete. I told her to go ahead and order the cleaner and sealer and we would apply it when the time is correct.
I talked with the animal control officer this morning and informed him about the sealer. I told him that he should make plans to start using the new pound the first of July. We have paid WFA to take care of our dogs through June. I also told him to use as few of the pens as possible until we have a opportunity to seal the floor. He said the he would take care of that. I also told him to purchase a small tarp to cover the pens to keep the sun and rain off of the dogs until the roof arrives and is installed. The time frame for the new roof was three to six weeks. The tarps will work as a temporary solution.
I also told Jerry to install a section of fence from the edge of the pound to the existing fence as a safety factor for the animals and the officer. It will take about 50 feet of fence.
I was told yesterday that the fence company will probably be here today to move the gate to the other end of the pens.
I will be going to Hot Springs tomorrow to attend the AML conference.
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