Council Approves Senior Center Funds

The Mountain View City Council handled a variety of business at its regular meeting Aug. 11, including approving the usual $10,000 contract with the Mountain View Senior Center, discussing water department audit results, and final details still needed for the Highway 66 sidewalk project.

Mayor Roger Gardner said the city has been contracting services by the senior center for year, and the same request for $10,000 is being made for 2027. It was passed unanimously by the five council members present. Dana Woods was absent.

Water Dept. Supt. Keith Johnson said the audit of the department cited the same deficiency as in previous years regarding the number of employees involved in processing payments and deposits. The department does not have enough personnel to spread the responsibilities adequately, so they make sure two people review transactions.

The audit also cited problems caused by issues with the meter reading technology when the city had to re-read some meters manually. More explanations were needed, Johnson said. The accuracy of inventory and its valuation were also cited.

Johnson also mentioned that computer back-ups had been a topic, and he suggested that when the city contracts for IT services the water department could be included.

City Clerk Ceredwyn Holt noted that department personnel had participated in cyber security training recently, and Johnson confirmed that five employees had received training.

Holt also announced that the city’s audit results will be posted on the Legislative Audit Committee’s website.

The city’s rate study was to have been completed by the end of July, but officials are still awaiting results. Johnson said that he had requested two additional employees be figured in the rate study so that the department would have the personnel to begin replacing some of the older lines. Currently, when there is a leak a replacement is made only if feasible, and they are finding lines that have been clamped multiple times rather than being replaced.

Gardner asked Johnson to review the project for which the city hopes to secure its next grant – replacing the wastewater lift station at the city park, which has had overflow issues after heavy rainfall.

Johnson said the lift station has been upgraded with larger pumps and effluent lines, but “it’s still pumping through a four-inch neck.” He said the station could be moved closer to Webb Street and away from the park.

Also at the meeting, Gardner said the contractor the sidewalk along Highway 66 will be expecting final payment but there are still items yet to be completed, including stress cracks, one section that is lower than the adjoining section, and assuring that both sets of lights flash at the new crosswalk near Vine Avenue.

Police Chief George Bethell said he is concerned that the speed limit increases to 35 MPH as vehicles travel west near the crosswalk. Gardner said the city can request that the state extend the 25 MPH zone further west.

Alderman B.J. Day noted that he is concerned that there is a curve near the crosswalk, and suggested another flashing light be placed in advance of the crosswalk.

Gardner mentioned that the city has requested crosswalks both east and west of the courtsquare, but that they might require easements since the sidewalks at those locations do not belong to the city.
In other business:

• the council approved a pay request from Horseshoe Construction for $28,746 as first payment on sewer rehabilitation project on east end of town.

• Alderman Finis Brewer asked what the status of fire hydrants was and he was told all are in service. Fire department members are being assigned 10-12 each to inspect yearly so that the city does not have to contract with someone for that service.

• council members agreed to pay $30,000 to Welch, Couch & Company for the audit, with the cost being split between the water department and water plant.

• the council discussed possible action to require cleanup of debris on an East Main Street site resulting from a house fire in January.

• council member Jessica Sterlin said the public has been asking if the council would reconsider the decision to keep the Flock cameras. Brewer said eight different council members across two administrations had voted unanimously for them. “How much more can we discuss it?” he asked.

Sterlin suggested putting it on the ballot and moved to do so, but it was pointed out that such action requires a citizen-initiated petition. City Attorney Joshua Collums said he could provide the exact procedures. Day said there is not enough time for this election cycle, and he is not in favor of a special election because of costs involved. An audience member pointed out that most of the ones who attended a recent meeting to object to the cameras were not city residents and could not vote in a city election.

• Holt said the city had received a donation from Harps Foods following a fundraiser. More than $700 was received for the police department, and more than $800 for the fire department. Gardner said he appreciates the donations and the support of all businesses in the city.

• following a question from the audience, the council briefly discussed issues of dogs off leashes and the possible need for better notices in the parks for both the leash law and the smoking ban. The council confirmed that the smoking ban applies to all parks, including the walking trail and the pavilions.

Orven Phillips, who is a candidate for Ward 1 Pos. 2 in the November election, said smokers pay taxes just like everyone else but were being restricted from more places. “Where’s their rights?” he asked, noting that at Pebble Creek there are “little ladies sitting out by the road” to smoke.

Brewer, who holds the seat Phillips is seeking, said he had personally inquired about the facility’s policy and said it had to do with the funding received for operation. Gardner noted that the city cannot dictate what the apartment complexes do.