Malvern City Council talks truck lease, planning commission

The Malvern City Council held its regular monthly council meeting Monday via teleconference through the Teamup Microsoft web app online.

Monday's meeting was live streamed with council members able to communicate with Malvern Mayor Brenda J. Weldon, City Treasurer/Clerk Phyllis Dial, City Attorney Ashcraft and all city department heads.

During the meeting, the council approved an item of new business that included one resolution. The council agreed to accept and adopt a resolution authorizing the fire truck lease. The resolution was introduced by the council then read by Ashcraft.

It was noted by Ashcraft, "The municipality is a political subdivision of the state in which municipality is located (the state) and is duly organized and existing pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the state, whereas pursuant to applicable law, the governing body of the municipality (Governing Body) is authorized to acquire, dispose of and encumber real and personal property, including, without limitation, rights and interest in property, leases and easements necessary to the functions or operations of the Municipality."

Also, the resolution stated, "Whereas, the Governing Body hereby finds and determines that the execution of one or more Master Lease-Purchase Agreements in the principal amount not exceeding the amount stated above — ( which is $563,672.00, the principal amount expected to be financed) for the purpose of acquiring the property (equipment) to be described in the leases is appropriate and necessary to the functions and operations of the municipality."

For other items of new business the council heard the first reading of an ordinance abolishing the planning commission and an ordinance reestablishing an planning commission. Both ordinances were introduced by the council and read by Ashcraft.

During the upcoming agenda/finance meeting in March, the council will discuss the second reading of the ordinance.

Weldon called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 p.m., with the invocation, followed by the pledge of allegiance. Following roll call for the council, the council approved the minutes of the previous regular meeting—January 11, 2021 and departmental reports—Finance, Fire/Code Enforcement, LifeNet and Water Works.

The Malvern City Council will have its next scheduled finance/agenda meeting at 6:30 p.m. in March.

Until further notice, council meetings will be held via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Malvern City Council meets every first and second Monday of each month. The public can visit the city of Malvern website at www. malvernar.gov and Facebook page for updates and to find the link to tune in online while meetings are streamed live to safety guidelines and protocol procedures enforced by Gov. Asa Hutchinson of social distancing to prevent the coronavirus.