Council committee discusses host of issues before regular meeting
GENTRY — A meeting of Gentry’s Economic Development Committee, with the entire council invited, was held on Oct. 23 at Gentry City Hall. In addition to Mayor Kevin Johnston and Gentry Finance Director Tonya Carney, Police Chief Clay Stewart, Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Janie Parks, and council members Cindy Philpott, Michael Crawford, Jason Williams, Kristi Reams, Janice Arnold and Jason Barrett were present.
Items discussed included a proposed Decatur annexation ordinance to take in land which includes the new Simmons plant located between Gentry and Decatur. After some discussion on the economic impact this move of Decatur could have on Gentry, Mayor Johnston was asked to research annexation routes up to and including the plant and to reach out to surrounding neighbors regarding voluntary annexation. Options were to be presented at the Monday night regular meeting of the council. The possibility of a special council meeting to make a final decision was also discussed.
Steele Development has requested that a tract of land be presented to the council for acceptance for annexation, with the purpose of the land being a subdivision known as the Crowder Subdivision.
It was reported that a resolution establishing millage rates for the city will be presented at the Nov. 4 council meeting with rates to remain unchanged.
A resolution to approve the purchase of two new police units was to be presented at the regular November council meeting on Monday. The request will be included in the 2020 budget. According to meeting notes, new regulations by the vehicle manufacturers require orders to be placed in advance of the year available. According to meeting notes, the first new unit will be
for an additional (10th) officer to be requested in the 2020 budget. The second unit will replace a unit recently lost in an accident.
Also discussed was the addition of a K9 unit for the police department. According to meeting notes, Corporal Johnson has an animal in training for K9 nose work and there have been donations of items to specially equip a vehicle for a K9 unit. Council members present were supportive of the addition, according to meeting notes.
A generator that was budgeted for purchase this year and a second purchase to be presented in 2020 were discussed. Due to extended lead times, a resolution to purchase two public works generators was to be presented to the council on Monday. Carryover funds for the generator budget in 2019 will be added to the 2020 budget.
A truck to be purchased for the public works department was budgeted in 2019 but, according to meeting notes, the type of truck being purchased may extend lead times. If the purchase cannot be made in 2019, funds will be carried over for the purchase in 2020. It was also reported that two trucks are slated for removal from the fleet in 2020.
According to meeting notes, confirmation was provided that the revised scope of the water tower project would not change the design option of a composite tank.
Phase 3 of the Sunset Ridge subdivision was to come before the council on Monday for final approval. According to meeting notes, it has passed all necessary requirements with the planning and zoning commission.
The rate sheet discussed in the Oct. 2 committee meeting was presented again with highlights on those rates currently being adjusted. The city anticipates these updates will be presented to the council by year-end. There is also a request to add information to the codebook regarding the fire equipment sinking fund and solid waste funding, as well as special meeting pay for both councilmembers and planning and zoning commission members.
Speed limits on residential streets were discussed.
Those in attendance felt a separate meeting of the Street Committee should be scheduled later to review and address those concerns.
Discussion on the regulation of trailers in yards was discussed. Those in attendance felt a separate committee meeting should be held with both of the city’s code enforcement officers in attendance so deeper discussion and determination of future policy could occur.
These meeting notes were provided to the Eagle Observer to “serve as a brief summary of the referenced meeting. They may be inaccurate or incomplete in important respects. They are being provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to be a comprehensive record of the meeting. To obtain a recording of the entire meeting, please contact Gentry City Hall.”