City Council Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2011

The City Council of the City of Lavaca met for a regular monthly meeting Monday, November 14, 2011, at City Hall in Lavaca. Board members present were Mayor Hugh Hardgrave, Aldermen Benny Hunter, Mitchel Brewer, Kenny Hobbs, Jeff Price, Jack James and Rick Edgerton, Recorder Susan Weaver and Attorney John Verkamp. Visitors present were Norma and Ken Van Dusen, Bob Brisco, Charlotte Douglas, Bill Coleman, Phil Beshoner, Steve Helms, and Ed Bitticks.

Phil Beshoner led the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob Brisco led in prayer.

The Council accepted the minutes of the October meeting(s) as presented. (KH/RE)

Phil Beshoner presented the police report for the month of October. The Department answered 283 calls, made 41 traffic stops, issued 21 traffic tickets, 4 criminal tickets and 20 warnings, and made 5 arrests.

Steve Helms reported three fire calls and 25 First Responder calls with 25 patient contacts.

The Mayor presented a change order related to the 4th Street Improvement involving the intersection of 4th Street and E Main. The change order was necessary to satisfy the Arkansas Highway and transportation Department, who had some safety concerns with the original plan, and the change addresses drainage issues in this vicinity. The change order adds $ 41,798 to the cost of the project. Rick Edgerton’s motion to approve the change order was seconded by Jeff Price, all members present voted yes.

The Mayor presented five sanitation bills for certification to the County Clerk for collection with the personal property taxes in 2012. State law allows a municipality providing a service to collect amounts owed for that service that are at least 90 days delinquent on November 1 of the current year with the personal property taxes. Mitchel Brewer’s motion to certify the amounts due to the County Clerk was seconded by Jack James, all members present voted yes.

The Mayor presented a list of properties within the city limits of Lavaca that were mowed, weed eated and/or brush hogged in order to bring the properties into compliance with city ordinance. All charges not collected on or before the first day of December will be certified to the County Clerk and Recorder for collection with the property taxes in 2012. Mitchel Brewer’s motion to certify all amounts due to the County Clerk was seconded by Benny Hunter, all members present voted yes.

The Council set 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2011, as the time and date for a meeting to review 2012 budget figures.

The Council voted to add Shelly Hockaday and Adonica Proctor as authorized signers on the Lavaca Christmas Parade account. (KH/JJ)

Bill Coleman and Charlotte Douglas, candidates for State office in our district, addressed the Council and audience about their plans if elected to office.

The Mayor reported that the skate pad and sidewalks at the new park had been poured and benches, trash cans and other amenities ordered. He also stated that a walking trail grant and sidewalk grant were pending.

The Council voted to pay the bills. (MB/RE)

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.