GARFIELD -- While much of the country was deciding on numbers for the Powerball on Jan. 12, Garfield's City Council was busy scrutinizing numbers to reconcile their 2015 budget, finalize the city's projected 2016 budget and determine a feasible water rate increase.
The council held a work session with Chris Harris of the Arkansas Rural Water Association on Jan. 6 to discuss the water rate study ARWA is conducting. A report generated by Harris projects a necessary increase significantly higher than the two previous proposals that Mayor Gary Blackburn recommended to the council.
After evaluating the revenue needed and the revenue generated by present water rates, ARWA concluded that the current minimum charge generates more revenue than the suggested minimum. Therefore, by leaving the minimum as is, the per 1,000 gallon fee would not have to be increased as drastically.
If the council decides to leave the minimum charge as is, the per 1,000 gallon rates would increase by $4.65 across the board. This would bring the average water bill to a cost of $65.49.
The Water Department is currently operating with a water loss of 12.55 percent and at a deficit of $13,990.
The council did not vote on the proposed rates.
Code Enforcement
Zannie Morrison, the city's code enforcement officer, also received scrutiny -- this time from a resident in the audience. J.L. Wright addressed the council concerning an exchange the two had on Dec. 27. Morrison approached him about unsightly debris on property within the city limits. Wright said that he was willing to comply, and had even brought out equipment to do so a few days before, but he asked for more time due to the cold and wet winter weather.
According to Wright, Morrison denied his request for additional time, stating that the ordinance allows only seven days from the time the warning is issued and the property is in compliance.
"Good relations between a business and a city are hard to build and easy to destroy ... is there not a better way of handling this?" said Wright, who has operated an auto repair shop in town for 18 years.
He proposed a possible amendment to the ordinance that would allow for the code enforcement officer to first speak with property owners to see if they will take action without receiving an ordinance violation.
Morrison rebutted by referring to a previous council meeting where he says he asked the council for permission to alter the time frame for action as needed but was not granted authority. He then provided a copy of City Code 153 and pointed out Section 4, Page 9, reading "...Code Enforcement officer has authority to address all questions regarding interpretation and enforcement of the code." He noted that he will be adhering to that from this point forward.
Morrison then asked the council for a variance concerning signage within the city. He explained that Flying RF Feed Store is allowed two signs since they face two roadways but they would like to face both of them in the same direction. He assured the council that the sign meets all regulations laid out by the city. The council voted to approve the variance.
In other business:
• Wayne Simeton proposed a utility light be installed at the corner of Marshall and Main streets, saying that it's very dark there and creates an unsafe intersection.
• Ellen King, former council member, discussed vehicles travelling "50 - 55" miles per hour past her home on North Wimpy Jones Road, off of U.S. Highway 62. She explained that residents had taken prior action to slow down drivers -- speed bumps, stop signs, decreased speed limit -- but nothing has solved the problem.
• Bob Chapa inquired about building codes within the city limits. According to Chapa, when he moved to Garfield in 2005 he was told to complete his barn quickly before codes were instated. Nonetheless, he built the structure to code but finds it "sad" that the city still has no building codes. He asked that codes be implemented for the safety of everyone.
• The council unanimously voted to appoint Howard L. Slinkard, P.A. with Slinkard Law Firm as the city attorney at a rate of $175 per hour. It was determined that Slinkard or an associate will attend city council meetings at the request of the mayor.
• The council utilized the emergency clause and passed the amended 2015 budget. After an involved discussion, they also voted to approve the proposed 2016 budget. Actionable items in the budget include hiring a part-time park employee as well as possible improvements to be made on Ford Road, Ravenwood Lane and Tall Oaks Lane.
• The council reviewed the city's 2013-2014 Financial Compliance Report.
General News on 01/20/2016