VILONIA Wearing a red shirt with Mac's momma imprinted on it, Marcie McCrosky told the Vilonia City Council on Tuesday night that she is "not just a mad momma anymore," but a concerned citizen interested in saving a sports program where area children can continue to play softball, baseball and soccer games at the city park fields.
"We are killing our program," she said, addressing the council for about 10 minutes, concerning the current status.
She called for the hiring of a parks director and to "put coaches, volunteers and families back in charge of the park." She also asked for a public meeting to address the issue. Following her closing statement, she drew applause from 50 plus residents that were also present in the audience. A second audience member, John Alexander, addressed the council reiterating McCrosky's request. The response was in connection with the resignation of a five-member volunteer parks and recreation committee last month leaving the continuance of the program in question. That committee had also requested that a parks director be hired to assist with the program.
Both McCrosky and Alexander called for a public meeting to be held as soon as possible to iron out matters and to begin moving forward allowing a fall program to be held. Council members voted unanimously to set a meeting date of 7 p.m., July 22. Council member Kathy French told the crowd that she believed a majority are in agreement with McCrosky.
"It's just can you pull it off?," she said.
The council did not broach the subject of hiring a director.
In another matter, the council tabled a request from the Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce until the August meeting allowing time to seek a legal opinion. Chamber officials asked, at the June meeting, for a one-time donation of $3,750 to go toward the hiring of an independent contractor for about 10 hours per week to serve as a chamber "point person." It was said the position would serve as an executive officer of the chamber and would assist with recruitment as well as economic development and serve as a liaison between the chamber and the city. The chamber plans to match the amount to fund the position through 2009.
Touting the "good works" of the chamber and the efforts of the association to promote the city, alderman James Firestone questioned whether the city donating to the chamber would be a legal move.
"If the chamber is not part of the city, can we legally give them money?," Firestone asked.
In turn, Mayor Ken Belote said he has consulted the state Municipal League and has concluded such a donation is not a legal move.
"I, personally, will not endorse it," Belote said. "We have no legal authority to give them money."
He talked about tax dollars being "citizen's money," and touched on the repercussions of appropriating it to a non-entity of the city.
There was several minutes of discussion on the matter before the motion to table the issue was made pending legal advice.
Other business
The council approved the purchase of a street truck, a full size Ford with a trailer towing package from North Point Ford for $15,433.43. It was said to be the low bid from eight retailers.
Awarded bids for retired city equipment including: a bid of $301 for a 98 Ford with a cracked head to Dale Hoskins; a $701 bid to Dale Hoskins for a 1997 Ford automobile with a bad intake; $401 to Dale Hoskins for a 1994 Chevrolet truck with a bad transmission and $580 to Brad McNew for a 1984 Chevrolet red truck (fire dept. truck).
The council established a capitalization policy amount of $2,500 calling for city owned equipment and property to be reviewed on an annual basis.
Following an executive session, it was announced the position of combination code enforcement, building inspector and street department will be extended to a full time position with a pay of $35,000 per year.
Reports
Fire department Chief Keith Hillman updated the council on efforts to become a FireWise Community in conjunction with the Arkansas Forestry Commission. A board should be in place by the end of July, he said. Also, it is anticipated an open house will be held at the fire department in September. He was given the nod by the council to convert a brush truck to a rescue truck and to equip it with boxes to hold equipment. Also, they approved the purchase of radios and a 2003 Yukon with 75,000 miles to be outfitted and used as a incident command vehicle.
Planning commission Although several houses are being built, city engineer Fred Fowlkes said business has slowed down. There was no meeting last month and there may not be one this month, he said. He reported on the replacement of a rusted pipe on Hummingbird to the tune of about $7,000 that is anticipated to help with flooding in that area. Also, he talked about other street repairs including that a box culvert has been designed and will cost about $10,400. It was said that as of June 30, there was $106,117.54 in the street department.
Parks and recreation Belote said he had met with representatives from the Arkansas Parks and Recreation and they had pointed out several areas that needed improvement. The city, he said, can not anticipate any grant funding to help needed improvements.
Police department Chief Brad McNew said he is in need of an officer. One officer, he said, has given a two week notice to take employment elsewhere but will be retained on a part-time basis.
Code enforcement/building inspections and street department Tony Scroggins said he has issued two building permits and six verbal non-compliances. Also, responded to three animal complaints. Cleaned 1,000 feet of ditch, fixed several potholes and replaced a tile on North Coker.
