SULPHUR SPRINGS -- There was a new city representative at the Feb. 13 Sulphur Springs City Council meeting. The Williams Law Group, PLC, of Rogers, assigned Bryan S. Vernetti as Sulphur's new city attorney. Vernetti replaced the former attorney, Seth Becket.
"We have a can do attitude at our firm," Vernetti said.
During a discussion on the status of the Patterson Street sewer line that broke during the 2013 Butler Creek flood, new city attorney Vernetti said his firm would have a complaint filed against the contractor within the next few weeks. He said he would give a full report to the council by its March regular session.
Fire Chief John Varner praised new city clerk Jamie Friend for her helpful attitude and called her a positive change in the city clerk's position at city hall.
Alderman Bill Middleton announced plans to resign his seat at the March regular city council session. He said he is resigning because he plans to move his family outside Ward 3. After the council accepts his resignation, it will decide how best to fill the vacant post.
Newly appointed by unanimous council vote as the city's recorder/treasurer, Marcie Steele took minutes for the meeting. She plans to go to Bentonville and be sworn in by Benton County officials this week.
Mayor Greg Barber led a discussion on the city's continuing financial dilemma. He said it seems the city's books, including bank statements handed down to the council from the previous council, mayor and city's clerk and treasurer, have not balanced for at least a year.
Barber said they still are not balanced but he plans to present a balanced set of books by the March meeting. He said there will have to be some adjustments made to do that. He also advised council members he was spending about $2,000 for some professional help to do so.
Public works director Sherman Buckley said he would soon be fixing the long-standing broken pavement across Patterson Street at the corner of Hibler Avenue. He said the street department will receive funds in April to pave some streets. The streets paved will depend upon solving issues with preparation of gutters and ditches and street width.
Mayor Barber appointed five new members to the city's Parks and Recreation Commission. The Mayor asked Ken Young, Vince Welty, Steve Holland, John Thurber and Scott Webber to serve, and they accepted their new positions.
The Museum Commission had only one legitimate member before Mayor Barber, at the meeting, appointed four additional members. By mayor's appointment, Joyce Young, Petite Parker, Rhonda Barnett and Larry Burge join previous lawful member, June Murray, to present the town's heritage to the public.
Police Chief Duke Brackney reported 116 calls with 32 traffic stops. Of those, he said he and his fellow officers cited several drivers for expired licenses, lack of insurance or proper auto registrations.
Council by unanimous vote adopted one ordinance amendment and a resolution change. Resolution 5.1.4 addresses vacation accrual rate for non-uniform city employees. It now reads, "Once an employee reaches his or her one year of employment anniversary, vacation time will be paid if the employee leaves the employment of the city."
The amendment to Ordinance 3.16.02 that formally required a Museum Commissioner to own property in the city under "Members," section was changed. Council adopted the change to read, "commissioners who reside within the Sulphur Springs district." This opened the way for anyone residing in the city fire district, thus inside as well as outside its city limits, to serve by mayor appointment and council approval on the Museum Commission.
Announcements
The Fourth Annual Burr Oak Race, scheduled April 19, will have, for the first time, painted directions on the city's streets. In last year's race, drizzling rain washed away chalk markings on the street. The council approved the paint plan to avoid that in the future.
The Museum Commission has planned an open house Tea Party at 2 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the museum. The event is to attract new volunteers for help and to invite anyone interested in becoming a museum commissioner to inquire. The five newly-appointed commission members will be present to answer any questions and give free tours of the museum.
General News on 02/19/2014