City looking at potential improvements

With the arrival of 2009, the Rector City Council continues to keep an eye toward the future. During a meeting Monday night at the Rector courtroom, the council discussed the potential for future improvements to the city.

Mayor Ron Kemp noted the potential funds available as part of proposed federal stimulus package. Kemp said he had received a letter from the State of Arkansas inquiring about what projects Rector may have in mind for improving the city.

Among the projects Kemp discussed were painting the existing water tower, renovation of city buildings and street improvements.

With the high cost of road materials, the proposed stimulus may offer the city its best chance to make street improvements and repairs on a large scale.

"I put in a request for $200,000 to $300,000 for street maintenance," Kemp said. "This may be our best chance to do something along those lines."

Though nothing is guaranteed at this stage, Kemp encouraged the council to look for any projects they feel can benefit the city.

Kemp also discussed work being done at the future location of the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC) on Main Street. According to Kemp, the floors in the building have all been cleaned and waxed. He also noted materials have been secured to create partitions for various rooms inside the facility. The walls have been sealed with foam to eliminate areas where leaks have occurred.

"I expect phase one to be complete by the end of this month," Kemp said.

Once the current work is completed, the site will have two offices and two classrooms ready for use.

Humane Society Lease

City attorney Kimberly Dale has prepared a lease agreement to allow the use of the property located next to the city shop as the site for a proposed shelter operated by the Clay County Humane Society. However, some uncertainty remains between the two groups, and the lease remains unsigned at this time.

Alderman Cam Cate raised questions about the current responsibilities of the Humane Society.

"I noticed David (Jones, city animal control officer) was out there cleaning up and taking care of the dogs we have in our pens," Cate said. "I thought they were going to step in and take that over."

While Kemp said his understanding was the Humane Society would begin offering assistance once its building was in place, both Cate and city superintendent Todd Watson said they recalled assurances of volunteer help for the city's animal control prior to the creation of a Humane Society shelter.

Kemp asked Watson to contact Humane Society member and Piggott veterinarian Dr. Phil Daffron for clarification and an update on the organization's current status.

Property Issues

The council voted to move forward with the condemnation process on property located at 701 McNabb Street. A letter will be sent to the owner citing a need to bring the property up to the standards set forth by the city. The property joined those at 220 East Seventh and 1120 South Fordyce as those which the city has contacted in regard to condition.

Kemp said he had received a verbal response Linda Robinson, branch manager and vice president of Regions Bank in Rector, stating the burned out building which formerly housed a flower shop on Main Street could be sold in the near future. The council agreed to wait a month to see what developments take place on the matter before making any decisions to move forward.

Cate asked the council to publicly recognize the efforts of Will Simmons for his purchase and clean up of the property at 215 West Second Street. Cate and the council commended Simmons for his effort in making the location look much better following a fire which destroyed the home at that address.

Council member Teresa Roofe questioned whether the city has any ordinances regarding swimming pools without surrounding fences. She noted an empty home in town has an above ground pool which is not blocked off and could serve as a potential hazard.

Kemp asked Dale to look into the matter, checking to see if any towns have passed an ordinance or restrictions regarding that issue.

Cate noted a resident had asked the city to clean out the ditches located on 13th Street to help with drainage. The street department will look at the ditches to see what can be done.

Veterans Memorial

Kemp also touched on a proposal to create a veterans memorial in downtown Rector. Kemp noted the land for the memorial, located just south of the site of the old jail, has been donated for use by Sherland Hamilton. Kemp said $15,000 has been raised so far through donations of $5,000 from Major General (U.S. Army ret.) George Barker (a Rector native), a matching $5,000 from a board on which Barker serves and another $5,000 from Rector native Melvin Bridges.

"It's going to be a real nice addition to Rector," Kemp said.

Propane Tanks

Alderman David Freeman again raised questions concerning the removal of propane tanks at the former refilling site south of city hall. Watson said he had received a letter from the corporation which previously operated the site indicating the business plans to return to the area. Kemp said he and Watson will contact the company this week to further discuss the matter.

Cemetery Association

Kemp told the council the city has received a check for $5,000 from the Woodland Heights Cemetery Commission to go toward the cost of new restrooms completed last fall at Memorial Park. Kemp thanked the association for the funds, noting the payment was appreciated by the council, as well.

In other business, the council:

* Approved the passage of Ordinance 2009-01. The ordinance clarifies the city's efforts to collect and enforce liens against properties. Currently, there is an estimated $1,400 in liens which the city is trying to collect.

* Heard from police chief Glenn Leach that the police department has filed a total of 332 charges in 2008.

* Also heard from Leach in regard to two new police cars the department has ordered. Leach said he expects to have both cars by mid-February.

* Approved the minutes from the December 2008 meeting.