The Mansfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday evening, February 16. Members present were Aldermen Julie Thomas, James Steele, Glen Hurt, Beverly Lyons, Sheri Hopkins and Boyd Farmer. Also present Mayor Buddy Black and Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker.
The members of the council approved the January 16, 2023 meeting minutes, but tabled the financials, due to a printing error.
The council then heard the city services reports.
Fire Chief Michael Smith reported 43 total calls, eight fire, and 35 EMS. He noted that several members of the department will be traveling to Siloam Springs on February 25 to obtain their pyrotechnician’s license. Smith added that he had been working the district basketball tournament, had one fire inspection at the Rite of Passage facility, and met with the general contractor at the new DG Market. In total, Smith stated, he’s worked a total of 145 hours.
Next, Police Chief Wayne Robb gave his departmental report. In total there were 50 total calls, 14 agency assists, four in Scott and 10 in Sebastian County. MPD responded to two total school calls, 12 medical, five incident/arrest reports, two total accidents, 98 traffic stops, 61 warnings, three adult arrests, and three animal calls. In total, the department has had nine training hours.
The public works report included 97 work orders completed, 18 one-calls, “Cyclone” lid ordered and waiting for installation, and new playground equipment built and installed at the City Lake Park and City Park behind City Hall.
In matters of unfinished business, the council discussed the water quality report, noting that no issues were found with the city’s water.
Mayor Black provided an update on the city hall cleanup. “The French drain work has been completed. There is no timetable on the renovation, but they are working to tear out the sheetrock.”
In the last item of unfinished business, the council discussed the needed street work. The council voted to approve work to be done at the intersection of Caldwell and Grove Streets. Black noted that the city is due a street overlay project this summer.
In matters of unfinished business, the council voted to approve a fire alarm system for the senior citizens center, approved a city employee taking the classes necessary to obtain a CDL class B permit, and gave the mayor the authority to renew the lease on the trash truck contract.
Before adjourning, the announcement was made that the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus was going to be in Mansfield on March 22, at the Mansfield High School Parking lot.
With no other items of business, the meeting of the Mansfield City Council was adjourned.
