Quick Council Meeting
Harris Votes No
The West Fork City Council held what may have been their shortest meeting ever last Tuesday night. Council members John Foster, Richard Drymon and John Richard were absent. No citizen spoke during Public Forum, department reports were brief and except for Councilmember Harris’s only opposing vote on a 2009 Budget Adjustment Resolution the meeting was routine.
Mayor Throgmorton explained that the budget adjustment resolution was for minor items in the 2009 budget that included expenses related to the ice storm. Councilmember Harris explained his No vote saying he hadn’t had an opportunity to look at it prior to the meeting. City Treasures Kristi Drymon indicated where the numbers appeared in the information provided councilmembers. The motion passed 4-1.
Parks Department director Stephen Sprick reported on the condition of the ball fields and said baseball sign-ups will start January 30th. He shared the news of his election as vice president of the baseball league. He also reported the lights at the tennis courts are now working properly.
Police Chief Nelson roported that authorities have arrested several juveniles involved in recent area burglaries. He also reported that Sgt. Nelson will be back to full duty Feb. 1.
Business Manager Butch Bartholomew reported that several recommendations by the Arkansas Department of Labor relating to occupational safety have been corrected. Some fire extinguishers were installed in the city shop and electricial breakers were labeled in the police building.
City Attorney Rusty Hudson updated the council on the ungoing legal entanglement involving the property at 280 McKnight St. Depositions are forthcoming for the federal trial in May and the circuit court case is in appeal over the issue of attorney’s fees.
Librarian Joan Bachman reported on the library’s circulation and other statistics and noted that the library continues to grow in both in the number of books and in patronage.
Court clerk Pauletta Welch issued her report. Fire Chief McCorkle was absent.
The mayor announced that West Fork Public Schools is having a contest to design an new logo. She also noted that the councilmember’s packet contained an undated Phone List.
The meeting started at 6:30 and adjourned at 7 pm.
