DECATUR -- The Decatur City Council met March 10 at city hall to discuss and approve several items on the agenda. Topping the agenda was the acquisition of land at Edmiston Park.
Mayor Charles Linam first opened the floor to Decatur residents to address any issues pertaining to city business. Citizens have 30 minutes to bring their concerns before the city council.
Linam announced that, after three years in negotiations, the city has purchased the land adjoining the ball fields and the lower parking area at Edmiston Park. This land, which the city has maintained for 25 years, will continue its present use as parking for both the ball park and event parking.
The city is currently in negotiation with Chambers Bank for the land behind city hall (now used for storage) and the log cabin and train station on Main St. in Decatur. Linam expects to have the deal completed within the next month, he said.
Fire Chief Jeremy Luker introduced Russell Craig, an 18-year veteran of the Cave Springs Volunteer Firefighters and an eight-year member of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Fire Department. In the Feb. 10 meeting, the city council approved the hiring of Craig to fill an open position on the Decatur Fire Department.
Linam asked Craig, "What did you do today?"
Craig responded, "I delivered a baby!"
This was Craig's sixth delivery since becoming a firefighter. He reported that the mother and child were transported to Siloam Springs where they are doing fine.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Decatur is getting a new pastor who wishes to park his double-wide trailer on land owned by the church. A city ordinance prohibits mobile homes within the Decatur city limits unless under special circumstances.
In order to waive the city ordinance, the requesting party must first obtain a "no objections" statement signed by all adjacent property owners and, second, receive city council approval.
Bill and Emily Montgomery are the property owners adjacent to the Seventh-day Adventist church land in question. The Montgomerys have verbally consented to the church's request. However, a signed statement is required.
"We have a statement here that has to be signed by Bill and Emily," Linam said, reading the statement: "I, Bill Montgomery, have no objection to the Seventh-day Adventists putting a mobile home on the property for the new preacher to live in." This statement will be signed by the Montgomerys as soon as possible, Linam said.
Another written statement read by Linam said: "The city planning and zoning committee met and recommended to the council that it be approved."
The city council voted and approved the location of a double-wide trailer on Seventh-day Adventist church property pending the Montgomerys' signed statement of "no objections."
In other city council business:
Police Chief Terry Luker introduced Randy Deason as the new full-time police officer for the city of Decatur. Deason has worked as a part-time officer for the department and will replace Mike Savage.
The city council meets on the second Monday of each month in the council chambers at city hall. Decatur residents wishing to bring an issue before the council must submit a request to either Mayor Charles Linam or City Clerk Kim Wilkins prior to the meeting.
General News on 03/19/2014