As the new month begins, Pine Bluffs City Council met for its first meeting of the month to address several proposed ordinances and resolutions. Seven proposed ordinances focused on adopting updated codes to the state standard.
Before the council addressed those proposed ordinances, all council members were present to give their committee reports beginning with Ways and Means under Steven Mays. There were three budget adjustments, one for Parks and Recreations in the amount of $67,133. The adjustment was approved five to three.
The second budget adjustment passed was in the amount of $194,000 for the police department to cover gasoline from the department’s unused salary money. Code enforcement also needs a $60,000 budget adjustment to cover demolitions for the remainder of the year.
Council member Steven Shaner didn’t have a report for Public Health and Welfare but he did give an announcement encouraging the community to join the free Dump Day this Saturday, August 6th at the Hestand Stadium.
Mayor Shirley Washington also gave a few announcements of upcoming events and announced a $300,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.
She went on to present four youth from the community that is a part of the Gloves Not Guns organization who participated in the 2022 National Junior Olympics Boxing Championship with plaques of achievement. Those four included were Chandler Wright, Daylan Wiley, Tre’Von Evans, and Darrion White.
On the subject of the proposed ordinances, the adoption of seven amendments to update codes for the 2021 International Mechanical code, the 2018 Arkansas fuel gas code, the 2018 Arkansas plumbing code, the 2014 Arkansas energy code with building construction supplements, and the amendment of a section code in relation to updating the name of the water company.
Items six and seven on the agenda addressed two ordinances amending two sections of Codes in relation to vendors as regards the procurement process and respecting the gross receipts tax on hotels and restaurants to address short-term rentals, food trucks, and related purposes were both approved unanimously.
The council also approved the temporary closing of portions of South Taft Street and East 24th Avenue to promote public health and safety. A resolution approving the purchase of Clickfix software for the street department was approved without contest. Street department director Tommy Bennett spoke with Deltaplex News and explained more about the software.
A resolution reappointing Gordon Reese to the Pine Bluff Planning Commission was also approved unanimously.