CITY COUNCIL PASSES RESOLUTION EXTENDING 2009 BUDGET WITH STIPULATIONS THAT MAYOR PROMISED TO VETO

The Helena West Helena City Council met at 6:00 p.m. tonight. Seven members were present. They did not elect a chair of the meeting. Jay Hollowell acted as the chair or Mayor Pro Tem. They proceeded to vote on a Resolution different than and from the Resolution presented in the city council packets. The Mayor will be reviewing the video tape of the meeting and deciding how to proceed within the time permitted by law.   Should the Mayor elect to veto the resolution, the council would not be able to take it up until the 19th of January.

The members present were Jay Hollowell, John A. Washington, Joe St. Columbia, Tommy Hunt, Joe Grubbs, Eddie Clark, and Larry Wilson.

The Council was presented with a Budget Extension Resolution that merely extended the current budget pending further consideration of the 2010 Budget. The budget submitted with the council packets is listed below:

CITY OF HELENA-WEST HELENA

RESOLUTION ______-2009

RESOLUTION TO EXTEND CURRENT BUDGET UNTIL FEBRUARY 1, 2010 OR THE PASSAGE OF 2010 BUDGET, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST

Whereas, Arkansas law requires the City of Helena-West Helena to have a budget in place for the calendar year; and

Whereas, the mayor did tender, on or before December 1, 2009, a proposed 2010 Budget; and

Whereas, the 2009 Budget for the City of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, as amended expires at the conclusion of December 31, 2009; and

Whereas, the City of Helena-West Helena will not be adopting a 2010 Budget prior to January 1, 2010; and

Whereas, the first city council meeting of 2010 is set for January 5^th; and

Whereas, the City Council for the City of Helena-West Helena would like to see a continuation in city services without interruption;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF HELENA-WEST HELENA CITY COUNCIL THAT:

The 2009 Budget, as amended, be and hereby is extended from its current expiration until the end of the day on February 1, 2010 or the City of Helena-West Helena adopts a Budget for 2010, whichever events occurs first.

Passed on December 30, 2009

APPROVED BY:

__________________________________

James F. Valley, Mayor

Attest:

__________________________________

Sandi Ramsey, City Clerk

Resolution Prepared by: James F. Valley, Mayor

Special Called City Council Meeting December 30, 2009 To Extend Budget from James F. Valley on Vimeo.
This is a recording of the special called city council meeting held on December 30, 2009. The one item on the agenda was the extension of the 2009 Budget. The city council did approve budget extension resolution, however it was different than the one presented and contrary to the best interest of the citizens of this community. It has the effect of shutting down city services. The mayor has promised a veto. However, his deadline to decide upon a veto does not expire until midnight on January 5, 2010. The next city council meeting occurs on January 5, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

The City Council passed a resolution that included the following language:

A Freeze on all hiring except police and fire

A freeze on all purchases of equipment including vehicles

A freeze on all verbal agreements and contracts

Sheriff Ronnie White has pledged to provide law enforcement assistance during the shutdown, if there is one.

The mayor has done what is required of him by law. He presented the 2010 Budget on or before December 1st, 2009. The City Council even included that fact in its errant resolution. This council has had plenty of opportunity to pass a budget and has not accomplished the same. The City Council may, if it chooses, meet tomorrow and pass the resolution without these restrictions or pass the 2010 Budget.

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Stay informed: http://mayorjfvalley.googlepages.com (Mayor Valley's Homepage) http://tinyurl.com/4tlb44 (Mayor's Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/mayorvalleyblog (Mayor's Blog)


Honorable James F. Valley
MAYOR - Helena West Helena
P O Box 248
226 Perry Street
Helena-West Helena, 72342
870-572-3421 Phone
870-817-4035 Cell
800-517-7240 Fax

http://tinyurl.com/councilagenda (City Council Agenda)

HWHPD OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS REPORT (DHR) 01-05-10

CID COMMANDER, LT. R. COVINGTON SR.

DATE: December 30, 2009 Month of December 25- 30, 2009

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CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY

Investigators are currently investigating a Theft of Property involving Wal-Mart after property was taken from the store by a Rossha Harrison. There was one arrest made in connection with this case and it is currently still under investigation.

Investigators are currently investigating a Theft of Property/ Commercial Burglary involving Hay’s after a male juvenile hid inside the store after closing and attempted to take several items from the store. There was one arrest made in connection with this case and it is currently still under investigation.

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CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS

Investigators are currently investigating 1 alleged Aggravated Assault/ Battery 2^nd Degree after a Helena- West Helena woman allegedly stabbed a local man during a verbal altercation. This case is pending investigation and one arrest has been made at this time.

Investigators are currently investigating one alleged Attempted Murder of Ricco Anderson after a Helena- West Helena man shot Anderson during an altercation. This case is pending investigation and one arrest has been made at this time.

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NARCOTICS CRIMES

Investigators are currently investigating the charges of Possession of Drugs and Firearms after Jermaine Donaby was found with drugs and a weapon on or about his person Donaby was arrested on charges.

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MISCELLENEOUS

Investigators are investigating the death of a nine week old infant, after the infant was transported to the Helena Regional Medical Center after the child was discovered not breathing at the residence.

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FUEL:

Criminal Investigation Division fuel Purchased for the week of December 25-30, 2009

Investigator	Date	Gallons	Fuel Usage Cost
Roy Covington Sr.	12/27/2009	15.5 Gal. @ $2.59	$40.51
Dennis Cox	12/24/2009	14.4 Gal. @ $2.59	$36.00
Michael Thomas	Reassigned	Reassigned	Reassigned
Chanta Mansfield
Tommy Bivens
TOTAL		29.9 gallons	$76.51

SANITATION DHR

SANITATION DEPARTMENT

WEEKLY REPORT

 

Prepared by: Victor L. Jordan

Date: 1-5-10

 

Weekly Activities:

Monday 12-28-09

Begin the regular Lakeview trash route at 1:00pm

Ran the Friday's trash route from the following week's holiday schedule

Replaced the hopper light on unit 26

Picked up 6 yard dumpster from 110 N. 2^nd and returned it to the yard

Changed the oil and filter as well as the sparks plugs on the Ford F-150 Foreman's truck

Picked up boxes from Sonic, Wendy's, Watson Flowers and Central High

The Slayter Company picked up 28 bales of processed paper for purchase. This brings the total to 56 bales sold to Slayter

Total tonnage taken to Landfill from Wednesday 39.43 week of 12/21-12-25-09

Total tonnage taken to Landfill 53.84 this included Friday's route

 

Tuesday 12-29-09

Begin the regular trash route at 4:00am

Replaced oxygen sensor on Ford F-150, Foreman truck

Replaced the air valve on unit 21

Delivered carts to 818 Ohio, 320 S. 6^th and 939 Alabama cart was replaced

Picked up boxes from Sonic , Pit Stop, Wendy's, Family Dollar and Juengel Interiors

Mills Electric installed lights on the front on the building

Total tonnage taken to Landfill 44.66

 

Wednesday 12-30-09

Begin the regular trash route at 4:00am

Replaced the starter on unit 29

Took unit 29 to Smith's Custom Welding to repair the rear lift gate and closing plates and pins

Replaced four tires on the back of unit 30 and one was ordered for the front

Delivered 8 yard Dumpster to 300 Prairie

Goodyear repaired a flat on the fork lift

Picked up a cart from 41 Edgewood Circle

Picked up boxes from Sonic , Corner Market, Wendy's, Phillips College, Conoco and West Helena Furniture

Continued to process paper collected during the week

Total tonnage taken to Landfill

 

Thursday 12-31-09

Begin the regular trash route at 2:00am in an effort to collect Thursday and Friday's trash due to the Holiday closing schedule, we ran a skeleton crew only

 

Friday 1-1-10

Closed for New Year's Day

 

Follow Up Activities:

Writing estimates for Code Enforcement

Planning the water control project for South Washington St.

Working on vehicle maintenance logs

Checking the status of unit 25 with River City Hydraulics

Finalizing the plans for the next electronic waste collection with ADEQ

 

Future Activities:

Purchasing a new refuse truck

Working on plans for the Sims ditch project

Continuing to sell the processed paper

Razing dilapidated structures

Creating file system for maintenance logs

Working with ADEQ on plastic recycling

 

 

Staff Concerns:

No major staff concerns at this time

DHR 1510

Please see attached file.

DHM Agenda 01-05-2009

Agenda

Department Head’s Meeting

Monday, January 5, 2009

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

226 Perry Street

1)      Department and Department Head Reports

·         Parks and Recreation

·         Police

·         Fire

·         Streets

·         Sanitation

·         Landfill

·         Water - East

·         Water - West

·         Court

·         Code Enforcement

·         Purchasing

·         HR

·         Administration

2)      Plan of Action

            a.    How to run the department

            b.    Job Descriptions (inclusive of equipment needed to do job)

            c.    Needs of department over next 5 years

            d.    Number of persons needed to carry out department mission

            e.    Mission statement?

            d.    

3)      Alleys, Ditches, Lots -- STATUS AND APPROACH

        Valley Drive -- Status????

5)     ARML Executive Committee Meeting Report (sample ordinances)

6)      Budget 2010 (to be PRESENTED FOR VOTE  on December 30, 2009)

7)      Staff Reduction(s)

            a.    Attrition

            b.    Budget

            c.    Part-Time Staffers -- Effective November 4, 2009

8)    Civil Service Commission (TBA)

9)    Computers

10)  City Council Meeting 12-30-2009?

11)  Overtime - Dual Employment

12)  Cell Phone – Smart Phones -- (needs?)

13)  Department Heads: detail, vehicle maintenance logs, better organization, better cooperation, discipline – From DHM 2-25-08

14)  Morale- How are we doing? What's the feel of the employees?

15)  IRS- City Vehicle Policy /City of HWH employees taking vehicles home (who/why/tax implications)

16)  Bids-- Publish for  _________________

        a.  Refuse Trucks

        b.  Code Enforcement Impala

        c.  CID IMPALA

        d.  P/U Fire Department

17)  Planning Commission Meeting (When ???)

18)  Ray Woodruff, District Engineer --Overpass and other items / standing water (Additional Item -- Ask Sandi)

19) Audit and Money handling processes

20)  Police Vehicle Maintenance

21)  Spending Freeze (Revamp Purchasing -- More Planned Approach

22)  Water Company Consolidation-Drive Through Payments - Anywhere Payments -- Consultant Needed??

23)   Code Enforcement Issues at Schools -- Please take this week to do a cumulative review of the school facilities and gauge their compliance with city ordinances   

24)  Other Business -- DHRs DUE FRIDAY AT NOON -- TBD

ADMINISTRATION WEEKLY DHR - 1-05-09

CITY OF HELENA WEST HELENA, ARKANSAS

JAMES F. VALLEY, MAYOR

(870)817-4035 CELL PHONE

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

ADMINISTRATION WEEKLY DHR - 01/05/10

PREPARED BY:  MARK A. PRICE, COS; DANA J. FLOWERS, AA; AND BELINDA COVINGTON, PA.

SPECIFIC WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

MONDAY:

• WEEKLY DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
• DISCUSSED UNIFORMS & IMPORTANCE OF ACCURACY
• INVITED DEPT. HEADS TO MEETING WITH G&K UNIFORM COMPANY
• ASKED FOR VEHICLE LOG
• CONTINUED TOTALING & FINALIZING PO DOCUMENTS
• DISCUSSED $11,000 DECLINE IN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES
• ATTENDED OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE MEETING
• Guidelines & Application Forms are available for download atwww.adem.arkansas.gov under the fire service section
• State agencies, local governments, and private non-profits that are in the impacted counties and suffered damages from the Oct 29 & 30 event that they must complete an RPA and send it to ADEM no later than the Jan 2 date

TUESDAY: 

• CONTINUED TOTALING & FINALIZING PO DOCUMENTS
• MET WITH ELDERLY CITIZENS AT MID DELTA
• LETTER TO COUNTY SHERIFF FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE

WEDNESDAY:

• POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENT RESTRUCTURING
• RETIREMENT LUNCHEON FOR JOHN LEMAIRE
• APPROVED VARIOUS PURCHASES
• COUNCIL CALL MEETING
• LETTER COMPLETED TO MUNNIE JORDAN
• SET MEETING WITH G&k FOR JANUARY 2ND
• City Council Agenda on Website: http://bit.ly/hwhccagenda120909  
• 2010 Budget File Shared at: http://files.me.com/jfvalley/vqcuf3 for next 30 days

THURSDAY:

• NEW YEARS EVE

FRIDAY:

• NEW YEARS

FUTURE WEEKLY ACTIVITIES:

• BIDS FOR REFUSE TRUCK
• BIDS FOR FIRE CHIEF'S TRUCK
• SALE OF GREEN CHEVY IMPALA (CODE ENFORCEMENT)
• SALE OF WHITE IMPALA (CID 405)
• TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT FORMS
• OVERNIGHT TRAVEL APPLICATION FORMS

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES:

• ANNEXATION -- ISLANDS
• ANNEXATION -- GENERALLY
• STREET PAVEMENT AND DRAINAGE PLANS
• CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

STAFF CONCERNS/ISSUES:

• CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION: TBA
• PLANNING COMMISSION: TBA
• A & P COMMISSION: TBA
• DISTRICT COURT NEEDS 1.5 MORE STAFF
• POLICE DISPATCH NEEDS AT 0.5 ADDITIONAL DISPATCHER
• WATER -- ADVERTISED OPEN POSITION
• POLICE HAS SEVERAL OPEN OFFICER SLOTS
• FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS TWO OPEN FIREFIGHTER SLOTS
• SANITATION NEEDS ONE MORE STAFF PERSON
• 98 PLAZA STREET SITE NEEDS JANITORIAL CARETAKER (ADD TO BW'S DUTIES/PERMIT OVERTIME)
• HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION -- MAKE ASSESSMENT OF MEMBERS AND ATTENDANCE
• ALL COMMISSIONS -- CHECK ON TERM EXPIRATION(S).

Code Enforcement DHR 01-04-10

December 28, 2009 – December 30, 2009 Code Enforcement Weekly Report   Department:   Code Enforcement Date:           January 4, 2010 Prepared by:  Joshua McIntosh & Patrick Allen Code Enforcement Officers   Special Weekly Activities   ·        Submitted Invoice to City Attorney – Barbara King- $930.00 overdue ·        Contacted Paula regarding 517/519 Cherry St.- Preparing Affidavit- Pending Submission ·        Estimate for property to be cleared- Marty Bennett ·        Reviewing Zoning Code Book- Submitted By Van Tungeln- Still in review   Received list of lots to ID- per Street Dept.- Continuing to compile cost and verify responsible owners Numbered List for Mowing & Code Enforcement   ·        1.) Across Valley Beauty Shop- Block 64 Lot 4,5,6 -William Earnest James-$387.50Inv ·        2.) Across Pettis Memorial Church – Block 64 Lot PT 18- Holland Isaac- $232.50Inv  Reviewing- citizen says it is not his property ·        3.) Next door Pettis Memorial Nursery (Blue Building) ·        4.) Lot next to Mrs. Simes (next to 338 S Washington)- Lot 19 Block 83; Sublime Investments ·        5.)  Lot Behind 51 Lambert – Lot 210  Desoto Heights Gary Lynch-$77.50Inv ·        6.) Lot corner Park & Baringo – Johnny Hicks-Lot 6 Block 72 ·        7.) Lot in curve South & Washington/ Lot in curve across Gilcrest house South & Washington – South Park Subdivision- $77.50Inv o       Lot 1- Linda Shannon o       Lot 2- Bessie Kirkwood o       Lot 3- Gwen Jones o       Lot 4- Lewis Ellis ·        8.) Lot behind Willie B. Warren on Coanza- $77.50Inv ·        9.) Lot on North side of 1219 Cherry St. ·        10.) Lot 300 Block South 5th St-$116.25Inv ·        11.) Lot corner Popular & Porter- $77.50Inv ·        12.) 500 Block Rightor behind Old Safeway-$77.50Inv ·        13.) 500 Block Rightor behind PC housing- Rogerline & Gloria Johnson-$77.50Inv ·        14.) Corner York & Pecan-$38.75Inv ·        15.) 400BlkElm (Southside)across from CredUnion- 262 E1/2 Phillips Gp-$116.25Inv ·        16.) 400 Block Elm (Northside) next to Credit Union -124-125 Phillips Group ·        17.) 100 Block Frank Frost - ·        18.) 200 Block St Francis at Arkansas (Southside) ·        19.) Corner lot Walker & Pecan (across from Walker store) ·        20.) Corner Pecan and Jefferson (Eastside) ·        21.) South East Corner Lot Park & Ashlar- ·        22.) South West Corner Lot Park & Ashlar- Quanita Jackson- Lot 1 Block 70 ·        23.) Northwest Corner lot Park & Ashlar- Robert Quick- Lot 11 Block 74 ·        24.) Lot North of 334 South Coanza- Leola Green- Lot 18 Block 71 ·        25.) Lot on Oakland Between Suddenlink office and Satellite Station ·        26.) Lot behind 595 Grand Ave on South Valley Dr.- ·        27.) Next to 530 South Valley Dr. near Word Ave- David Bragg- Lot 29-32 Block 24 ·        28.) Next to 537 South Valley Dr. near Word Ave.-Ulus Burke – Lot 30-31 Block 23 ·        29.) Corner lot at Franklin, Adams, and Holly in front of Mt. Tabor Church ·        30.) Corner lot on North East Jefferson & Holly St. ·        31.) Corner lot Pecan & Mcdonough ·        32.) 181 Oakland – Robert Titus ·        33.) 144 Military Rd.- Robert Titus ·        34.) Corner Pontotoc & Arkansas   Request for Extension   ·        1338 Springdale Trailor Park- Johnny Going ·        1129 Beech – Esther Herran ·        Hwy 20/Helena Crossing- Marty Bennett ·        201 Porter St.- Shirley Tillman         Complaints by Citizens   ·        See Excel Citizen Request Report       Cited Vehicle   ·        See Excel report   Fuel ·        Dodge Charger- White 2008 o       $ ·        Chevy Impala- 2000 o       $ ·        GMC Truck o       $     Letters Mailed ·        See Excel Report Mail   ·        $   Lots with piles of debris   ·        727 Pecan St.- owner ·        141 Center St.- Unknown pending Victor review ·        207 S. Sam St.- city ·        Joe Brady Dr. owner   ·        Abandoned House List for City Council –     ·        216 Beech St.- Johnny Williams ·        330 S. 6th St.-  Charles Graham   Lien, Citation, or Affidavit Issued   ·        None   Future Weekly Activities   ·        None pending         Follow-up Activities   ·        Focus on Lots and clean up efforts ·        Contact Railroad Company regarding overgrown grass ·        Canvassing neighborhoods ·        Invoices for demolished properties ·        Proposed adopting of Mechanical ordinance- Per City Attorney   Staff Concerns   ·        Issuing Permits; software and procedures-pending meeting with Van Tungeln ·        Nuisance Abatement Ordinance- still working   Work Order Request Form (WORF) Report   ·  See Excel Citizen Request Report     Custom Detail Report Group: Code Enforcement     Request Date Address of Property in Violation What are you concerned about?         12/28/2009 Elm & Franklin Want building torn down                       Request Date Address of Property in Violation What are you concerned about?         12/28/2009 1022 & 1024 Poplar Want Building torn down                       Total Records: 2                       DHR 01-04-09     Case Date Property Owner Property Address Notes Letter Status Assigned To     Group: Chapter 5.12- Maintenance of Real Property     12/30/2009 Sammie & Juril Fonzie 1025 Park Hill Burnt house & lawn care Yes 001: Open Joshua McIntosh     12/30/2009 Leonard Fitzgerald Ebony ST.   End of road Delapidated house and property clean up Yes 001: Open Joshua McIntosh     12/30/2009 LLoyd & Ella James 1608 Perry ST Property Clean Up Yes 001: Open Joshua McIntosh     12/28/2009 Timothy McCarley 529 Miller House broken into Yes 001: Open Joshua McIntosh     12/28/2009 Walter Mortgage Company 1201 Little Rock RD Burnt house un secure Yes 001: Open Joshua McIntosh     Group Total: 5     Total Records: 5   1`