Lack of interest in serving on the Parks Commission prompted city officials to draft an ordinance abolishing the commission. The ordinance was read for the first time at the Jan. 21 City Council meeting.
"We're having trouble getting people to serve and to get a quorum," Mayor Jackie Crabtree told the council. "There hasn't been a quorum in a long time."
The day-to-day operations of the parks falls under the Street Department, the mayor told council members. The second reading is slated for the February council meeting.
"If there are individuals who want to get involved, then they need to step forward," Crabtree said. "This is by no means a reflection on the people serving on the board. They've done an excellent job. We just don't have enough people to be a legal board."
"Are we ever going to move beyond just maintaining what we have?" Nadine Telgemeier, council member, asked. "I've requested a long range plan and haven't received it yet."
Consideration of a raise for the mayor was tabled.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a resolution establishing ambulance rates for the proposed advanced life support ambulance;
• Approved a resolution for a mutual aid agreement with Bentonville Fire/EMS Department;
• Appointed Al Fowler to a five-year term on the Planning Commission;
• Appointed Anne Chitty to a two-year term and Jenna Scates to a five-year term to the Library Board.
General News on 01/29/2014