Mansfield City Council Talks Pension, Yard Sale Ordinances

Members of the Mansfield City Council met on Thursday evening, September 12 at 7 p.m. Present were Aldermen Beverly Lyons, Rick McDaniel, Julie Thomas and Dave Johnson. Sheri Hopkins and Jan Carlton were absent. Also present, Mayor Buddy Black and Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker.

After the meeting was called to order, members of the council reviewed the financial report for August. McDaniel inquired about a $200 contribution to the Mansfield Senior Center. Black requested that the council act on the minutes and financial statements, and then revise the agenda to include talks about the center.

After approving the minutes, the council voted to revise the agenda to include the matter. “It is a one year renewable contract,” commented Walker. McDaniel inquired, “Shouldn’t they be accountable for that?”

Walker responded by informing McDaniel that the city has a responsibility to support the building. McDaniel interjected that the city does pay all their bills.

“I didn’t know that they rented the building out, and charge for it,” Mayor Black commented. City Attorney Matt Ketcham addressed the issue. “It is our building, and it is our responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep…You should talk to Deanna Rice, she has an iron grip on it and its board.”

Black informed the council that he would get with Rice, and ask her to come and speak to the council.

Next, Police Chief Wayne Robb gave his report. He informed the council that Officer Joey Bolin had resigned, effective that evening. Josh Huskey, who has been a reserve officer for the last two months, was hired. Robb shared that Huskey is fully certified through Sebastian County, and had went through the Fort Smith Police Academy.

Alderman Johnson asked about how the hiring is done, stating, “if you’re gonna hire whoever you want, hell you don’t need us.” The city attorney shared that in the two decades he’s been there, “…that the mayor does the vetting, and then brings his recommendation to the council.” Adding that if someone is hired, they are hired contingent on council approval.

“I felt it necessary to show the council due respect and get their vote, their voice. You can vote to keep Josh Huskey or vote not to keep him, it’s your decision,” responded Black. The council then went on to vote and approve Huskey to be hired as a patrolman.

Robb gave the report on activity for the police department, which included:

Scott County: 30 citations, 15 arrests for outstanding warrants (5 felony, 10 misdemeanor)
Sebastian County: 16 citations, 12 warrants served
In total, 24 outstanding warrants were cleared for those with a Mansfield address.
69 calls
39 assist calls
Seven school calls
31 total incidents
Seven accidents
142 traffic stops
118 warnings
26 training hours
14 animal calls

Robb noted that Officer Kelly Perez has been away at animal control school, and that the department is working toward training on the e-ticket system. According to Robb, that system will be mandatory by January 2021.

Public Works Director Charlie Little was not present at the meeting. Black read aloud some of the report retained by the council.

Next, Fire Chief Michael Smith gave the department’s report, which included a total of nine calls, three fire and six EMS. Additionally, he updated the council on the work being done to the station’s roof, the outstanding need for a new brush truck and the application for a Wildland Suppression grant. Smith also shared that he had been busy updating the department’s paperwork and making spreadsheets available.

Lastly, City Attorney Matt Ketcham, stated he had no report. Mayor Black continued with items of old business, including the telemetry installation, which according to him, is complete. Additionally, that the city street paving will begin in a few weeks by Silco Construction. Black stated that the work is scheduled to be complete within a week.

The next item on the agenda was action on the pension ordinance. Ketcham addressed the council, reading Ordinance 2019-5. The ordinance repeals and replaces ordinance 08-02, establishing retirement criteria and benefits for qualifying mayors, recorder-treasurers, city treasurers and city attorneys in the city of Mansfield, Arkansas. According to Ketcham, the old ordinance did not specify the day of the month the benefits would be paid. Also, that it was necessary to make payments from an account designated specifically for retirement monies.

The original ordinance was put in place when former Mayor Glen Hurt was in office. Council members approved a pension payment to a mayor who has served for at least 16 years, an automatic cost of living raise of three percent each year and that their spouse be given half of that payment upon their death. In addition to the retiring mayor, the ordinance also provides pension payments to the city recorder/treasurer as well as the city attorney.

Alderman McDaniel questioned the automatic three percent raise. Black commented that the ordinance can be changed at any time. Ketcham responded that any change will not affect the five recipients either receiving or set to receive the increase. Black stated that the council could revisit the matter at a later date.

Next on the agenda, the matter of de-annexing resident David Carlton. Ketcham noted that he did not have the paperwork prepared for the completion of the de-annexation. Black apologized to Carlton for not being able to act on this matter.

In items of new business, Ketcham informed the council that he would prepare a yard sale ordinance draft for them to review. According to Ketcham, there should be limitations on time, with no more than three per quarter, limited to 72 hours, a regulation of signs and the requirement of a permit.

The fine for not picking up signs within a 24 hour period, he stated, would be $25. Also, that permits were usually free, and that they would help keep track of who is having them, how often and where. Alderman Thomas added that permits in other areas are $25 per yard sale, with no more than two per year. Mayor Black instructed the council members to bring a list of what they want to include in that ordinance to the next meeting.

In the last items of business, the council voted to move the 2002 Dodge Durango from the police department to the water department, a discussion of signage and striping from ARDOT, and an approval to purchase 10 dumpsters.

Mayor Black sought the opinion of the council on a request by Sebastian County Judge David Hudson and Sheriff Hobe Runion, who are seeking to hire two additional county dispatchers. Black stated that Hudson and Runion sought the city’s support, and that the cost would be $2,257.00 per year. Other cities including Hackett, Hartford and Midland, were also asked to assist financially. Black informed the council that it was a fluid estimate, and that they would be meeting again in October.

With no other items of business, the meeting of the Mansfield City Council was adjourned.