Blevins City Council

The Blevins City Council met on Tuesday (5-6)   Many topics were discussed starting with a report by David Vondran who talked about how to make the water system sustainable over the long term and meeting state requirements. This includes making sure money is set aside for future repairs as well as doing repairs over time. In order to do this a 5% increase is expected.

John Myrick nominated Jon Howell for Council seat 3. The nomination was seconded and passed. After the meeting he was sworn in by the mayor.

The Council discussed AR1 which would notify the city if anyone was doing any digging. This would cost $11.40 a month. The council voted to ok it. There was a discussion about whether the city has a map of where the water and sewer lines are. The consensus was the city has a map of the sewer lines but not the water.

Next was the discussion of 8-1-1 which would require the city to provide detailed maps. The service would cost $2,800 for 12 months. A decision was made to table the topic.

The next topic was the chlorine room. Chlorine is highly corrosive and has eaten up the wires of the scale. There was a discussion on whether to go with a replacement of the current type of scale which has wiring or a pneumatic scale which is simply mechanical. The first one would cost $2,200 and the second $1,500. A motion passed to purchase the pneumatic scale. H and H will repair the system, wiring, and breakers. This scale will tie into the existing pump.

Marshall Luke Everett announced he was resigning from his post as city marshal. He will continue on as a deputy sheriff and continue living in Blevins so service shouldn’t be affected and the city will save money.

The issue of mowing and trash around the city was discussed. A designated event with “Beautify Blevins” was discussed as was a possible clean-up in the spring or just prior to spring.  Donny Lane will do the mowing of right of ways.

The council discussed a ditch that needs to be cleaned out, the city’s right-of-way 25 feet from streets, and the issue of potholes were discussed.

The next issue was that of animal control. Deputy Sherrif Everett will meet with the prosecutor and look at other cities’ ordinances. The ordinance for Blevins will be tightened up. This could include not allowing any animal that bites within the city limits. The issue of enforcement was next. If Blevins wants to have a dog catcher, it involves a cooperative with 5 other communities approving the city’s membership. The cost would be $5,000 a year for the service. The sheriff still has discretion whether or not to enforce the ordinance. The ordinance has to be filed with the county clerk.

Vice Mayor John Myrick said he would like to see the city make a payment of $50,000 in order to reduce the water plan. While the interest rate is quite good, 2.87%, the money to be paid off is over $250,000.

A motion was passed to cash the CD holding water funds. This money will be used to fix the Chlorine system.

Street signs need to be fixed. Some of the “Children at Play” signs are laying down. The blinking light must be fixed by the city according to the state. The idea was raised of renting a bucket truck to do the job.

The meeting then adjourned.