Blevins City Council

The Blevins City Council met in the City Hall on Tuesday. The meeting started with Mayor John Moore talking about his background and challenges in his job. He said communication is a fragile thing. Moore said he had learned that it wasn’t allowable for someone to work for the city and be on the Council at the same time. Since Donny Lane hadn’t been sworn in within ten days, his appointment was null and void.

Mayor Moore said he did a walk around about the water drainage and talked about what he had learned. The city only has an easement of 25 feet.

Bruce Graham spoke to the Council and apologized for comments said previously to the mayor. He talked about his previous experience with Blevins city water being Billy Smith. Graham said he had a lot of respect for him. Graham expressed concerns he had about Donny Lane and previous experience he had with him. The mayor said people are (and community) are the most precious resource and talked about how easy it is to tear down and how hard to build up.

Cleytus Dickson Coulter spoke about water building up on her property, Main Street needing repair, and being unable to hear the tornado siren. Potential solutions were suggested. These acknowledged the siren is old and parts are unavailable.

Two potential candidates for the open seats were given a chance to speak.  They are Kimberly Torres and Dan Cassidy. Torres spoke about having lived in the community for 12 or 13 years and wanting to help people. She said she didn’t know all the details of being on the council but wanted to learn.

John Howe asked whether council members were appointed or elected. He received the answer that as the council is filling vacancies, they would be appointed but next year all positions, including his, will be up for election.  Council terms are two years in duration

Cassidy also spoke.  He said he had been in the area for 3 years and came from elsewhere but said he could bring things to the town such as barbecues and grants.

There was a motion to accept both applicants as there were two vacant positions. As a council member objected, the candidates were then voted on separately. One was unanimously approved while the other one was approved by majority.

Mayor Moore talked about getting training so the procedures for appointing council members is known.

The meeting continued with regular business. The minutes from the previous meeting were discussed and approved. During the discussion, the possibility of signing up for Arkansas One Call (which costs $11.40 per month) and ArkUPS (which costs $2800 per year) were discussed.  The first service notifies the city when a\ request has been issued for work within the city limits. The second one locates both water and sewer lines for requests from 811 (Arkansas One Call). The idea was tabled for further discussion.

The treasurer’s report was accepted as was the water adjustment.

Posting of future positions, whether on Facebook, an electronic kiosk or some other method was discussed. This was also tabled for further discussion.

A question was asked about the dog leash ordinance with the impression that it had been brought up and nothing had happened. The response was it had passed but was needing the prosecutor’s approval. Residents expressed such concerns as safety and trash getting knocked over.

A difficulty expressed by the council was the catching, care of, and removal of the dogs. The person from Nashville could be hired but will only come once a month. The part-time sheriff’s deputy, Luke Everett, said it was an issue for the whole county. No further action was taken about dogs.

Council Member Nancy Floyd announced her resignation saying it had been an honor to serve. Floyd resigned since she is no longer a resident. She left in very good standing.