During Monday evening's Warsaw City Board meeting Mayor Eddie Simons recognized interim Police Chief Eric Veach who was appointed pending further review of personnel issues.
Also in Monday's business, aldermen appointed Mayor Eddie Simons to serve on the KBRPC Board and Transportation Advisory Commission. He will replace City Administrator Randy Pogue, who has served for a number of years.
The meeting opened at 6:00 PM with aldermen Lou Breshears, Rob Coskey, Eric Flores, James White present. Aldeman Adam Howe and Reba Slavens were absent. Mayor Simons presided; City Clerk Jesica Kendall recorded.
First actions by the group were to approve the eve's agenda, April 15 meeting minutes, and payment of bills presented.
County Tourism and Recreation Director Lynette Stokes then presented information about four upcoming community events: (1) a June 1 Benton County Artsfest sponsored by the West Central Association of Realtors, to be held in downtown Warsaw Main Street and at the Community Building, (2) a Whiteman AFB Day on June 14 featuring hiking, boating, kayaking, shopping, axe throwing, fishing and more. Brunch, lunch and activities are free to all. (3) a first annual Paws-in-the Park carnival-style games for pooches and people contests, pet-related vendors, adoptable dogs and cats, a pet parade, and fun crafts for people and pets, (4) and a Smokin' HOT Harborfest sponsored by Equity Bank, Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, State Farm Insurance, Benton County Tourism, LOZ Outfitters and Hawthorn Bank, to be held at Drake Harbor, and featuring a water ski show and live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and a car show, with an admission fee.
Also in new business, the group approved funding of an annual ordinance between the city and Warsaw Area Chamber of Commerce, an ordinance providing increased compensation for board members from present levels of $100 to $200 a month, to be implemented for new officers. The group also approved an ordinance to vacate Dustin Street between Hickory Street and Glen Lane; and an ordinance approving a MUTU mutual aid agreement between the city and other entities. These ordinances were followed by an ordinance approving rezoning of 502 East Main Street from residential to commercial.
City Administrator Pogue then discussed possible airport apron expansion, possible Main Street projects, a North Town roadway, a Bledsoe Ferry scoreboard partly funded at $15,000 by the local DQ owner, and design of a RAISE project. He added that the city recently received a notice of its failure to meet monitoring required drinking water requirements for its system. He said the city had sent the samples, but they were lost at the lab or in transport to the lab. He mentioned that samples before and after February came back good,' but said the city should contact the lab with updated water samples. Pogue also mentioned Drake Harbor parking and restroom designs, saying he has preliminary drawings for both, and discussed future funding for city parks at Drake Harbor and Bledsoe Ferry, and is now looking at private, city and matching funds. He mentioned the state transportation improvement plan here needs to be "fine tuned," and the Truman Lake master plan is now available and should be examined. He added that the city's Solid Waste Recycle grant is now out. He wants to study it to possibly expand the city's playground facility. Finally he suggested a better Medicare plan for city employees over 65 years old, and presented a Block Party suggestion which will meet city ordinances and require signatures from all block residents.
The meeting closed at 6:50 PM. Visitors are welcome at these open sessions, usually held on 1st and 3rd Monday eves.
