GARFIELD -- In extra time at the end of an extended meeting, City Council members hired Slinkard Law Firm to fill the position of the city attorney.
At the beginning of the Tuesday, May 12, meeting, city council members heard a presentation from Mike Owens, an attorney based in Bentonville, who said he wanted to represent the city.
"I think your ordinances should reflect your voice," Owens told council members.
Initially, the council cast split votes with two members voting for Owen and two for Slinkard; Mayor Gary Blackburn said: "It's a tie, which calls for mayor to break the tie. I withhold that vote, so the proposal fails."
Council members Kathrine Shook and Malania Carter voted to hire Mike Owens for a $12,000 contract to be reevaluated at the end of six months. Both Bill Matthew Jr. and Dale Watkins voted against the motion.
Carter asked the mayor why he withheld a tie-breaking vote.
"I'd rather have Slinkard," Blackburn said.
After discussion, the council voted again, this time, selecting the Slinkard Law Firm.
Matthew made the motion to hire Slinkard at $175 an hour with no charges for attending meetings.
Carter voted against the motion. Shook, Matthew, Watkins voted for it.
In other business, council members:
• Heard a report from the Planning Commission;
• Discussed road work, including whether to pave Ravenwood, described by the city's assessment guide as a private road;
• Agreed to restructure the city's loan with Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation for the city's Water Department;
• Approved making an additional payment on the Water Department loan;
• Discussed the city's budget; and
• Approved a checklist for placement of a mobile home and sent request to the Planning Commission.
Garfield has an ordinance requiring City Council meetings to end by 9 p.m. Twice, council members made a motion to extend the meeting to finish pressing business. The meeting was extended 20 minutes and then an additional five minutes.
General News on 05/20/2015