GENTRY -- Emily Blackmon of Gentry was appointed by the Gentry City Council to fill the vacant city clerk position at the council meeting on Jan. 9.
Blackmon was one of two who submitted a resume and expressed interest in filling the post until the next general election. Blackmon is employed by Walmart Inc. in the Sam's Club home office and has a bachelor's degree in mathematics.
A resume was also submitted by Terri Hughes of Gentry. Hughes is an office administrator and works part-time as a legal assistant.
Blackmon was present at the council meeting and was chosen by a unanimous vote of the council.
The vacancy occurred because the previous clerk, Jenny Trout, did not seek re-election for a four-year term in the November election. Since no one ran for the post, Trout could have retained her office but chose to resign. Blackmon will serve for two years, until the next general election, at which time Blackmon and any other candidates may seek election for the remainder of the four-year term.
In other business, the council passed ordinances on three readings with a single vote approving the Main Street Village final plat, specifying street widths for certain subdivisions and authorizing electronic payments.
A street width of at least 32 feet will be required for lots of one acre or more, and 28 feet with a driving surface of no less than 24 feet for lots less than an acre.
A minimum paved street width of 42 feet with a 60-foot right of way will be required in the Residential Neighborhood Zone to allow for parking on both sides of the street and minimized parking in yards.
The third ordinance adopted by the council authorizes the city to use electronic funds transfers or EFTs to pay city bills. The change was made to provide for more efficient, accurate and timely payment of city bills and to provide for more accurate and timely record keeping. The ordinance requires the city's finance director to establish written policies and procedures for electronic payments and record-keeping before electronic payments may be made.
Resolutions were adopted to authorize the placement of a street light at the junction of Pioneer Lane and J.R. Bever Blvd. and to renew an agreement with Main Street Gentry Association for economic development and community relations services. The resolution authorizes the payment of $40,000 to the organization for 2023.
Also approved by the council was a meeting schedule for the year, with monthly council meetings to be held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, except that the July meeting will be held on July 10, the September meeting on September 11 and the January 2024 meeting on January 9.
Larry Gregory of Garver provided updates on the city's water storage facility project and its wastewater master plan. Gregory said the new water storage facility is finished with the exception of some site issues, which will be completed when the weather warms up. He told the council that Garver was still building a map of the city's sewer network and analyzing its parts. He said some dye might be used in viewing damaged parts of the system.
Kevin Johnston, Gentry's mayor, reported that bids would be opened on Jan. 24 for the W. Main Street drainage project to be funded by a community development block grant.
He also shared a map showing streets approved for resurfacing through a $300,000 State Aid Street Grant. They include portions of Pioneers Lane (south of the schools), Cherokee and Comanche drives, W. Seventh Street, East First Street, S. Eastern and S. Virginia avenues, Meeker Drive, and a portion of S. Robin Road.
Janie Parks, director of the Gentry Chamber of Commerce, reported on current and upcoming events sponsored by the Chamber, as well as new businesses starting in the city.