DECATUR — City council members voted to approve a resolution adopting the Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan of Benton County Arkansas at the Oct. 12 meeting.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency requires all local jurisdictions to have a FEMAapproved hazard mitigation action plan in place in order to receive certain grants and funding.
The Benton County Quorum Court adopted the plan on Sept. 24.
The Benton County Department of Emergency Management has worked with local jurisdictions to develop the plan, which covers the county, 18 incorporated areas, six school districts and the Northwest Arkansas Community College.
The Benton County Department of Emergency Management Coordinator must review the hazard mitigation plan annually and make any needed adjustments, according to the resolution.
City council members also voted to approve a resolution to continue to levy the present millage rate for 2009 property assessments. The city currently levys 5 mills for all personal and real estate property within the city limits. The council will petition the Benton County Quorum Court to consider the request at the next meeting.
In other business, city utilities director James Boston reported an overflowing manhole at the intersection of Spring Street and Arkansas Highway 59. Boston said city workers have finallyfound the source of the leak - a 260 foot section of old clay-tile pipe along Highway 59 near the TN-T Express truck stop.
Boston said repairs were scheduled for this week. A high pressure grout will be put into the leaking section of pipe that will seal the joints.
Fire chief David Flynt reported the new tornado siren at the Northside Elementary School has been installed at a cost $2,100. He told the council he would like to install another donated siren on Browning Road. Carroll Electric will charge about $300 to install the pole, instead of the $600 Empire Electric charged, so Flynt estimated the total cost would be $1,800.
“If we don’t do anything and we said, ‘You need to rely on your weather radio’s,’ what kind of flak do you think we would get?” councilwoman Linda Martin asked, pointing out that many larger cities like Springdale do not have tornado sirens.
“None,” Flynt replied. “I’m just trying to help out our fire district.”
Nothing was decided on the issue.
Councilman Trip Lapham reported Bulldog Days felt the impact of the wet and cold weather.
He said water continued to flow over the parking area for eight hours after the rain stopped.
Lapham said the vendors did well, and the portion of the carnival that was in Decatur made more money than the portion that was set up in Anderson, Mo.
Lapham said he is looking for people who are interested in stepping up and taking a leadership role in the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Mayor Bill Montgomery said planning for next years Bulldog Days will begin immediately.
News, Pages 1 on 10/21/2009