City Attorney Whit Barton addressed the City council, Tuesday evening, about the problem of creeks flooding in Monticello.

Mr. Barton stated he was asked last week whether the City can clean out ditches on private property. He responded that the answer is no, but under the right circumstances they can. If a creek or ditch is a significant part of the City’s drainage system, then it can be cleared by the City.

(more…)

The attached audio clip is from last week’s meeting between the City of Monticello and Siemens.

The main conversation point in the meeting tended to be City Council member Claudia Hartness’ concern with “facts”, “rumor “, and “transparency”; 3 words she used a total of 18 times in 15 minutes.

(more…)

Following Thursday night’s City Council meeting, with some questions being answered, and many more not being answered; it seems that the internet was a popular plance for many local residents to go and search for Siemens’ (the company who is intalling our new water meters and will install an estimated 45-93 miles of underground water lines) history.  Many of those who did so, forwareded their information to MLive.

Wikipedia describes Siemens in several aspects, including their contoversial history, as shown here.

Listed below are some of the other credible, documented allegation about Siemens.
Siemens in McComb, MS – Federal Court to hear Meter Lawsuit
Siemens in Jackson, MS – “Water Meters Still Worry Council Members”
Siemens Facing Pending Lawsuits in Chicago for Water System Failure
Siemens Facing Lawsuit in Sacramento
Siemens Paid $1.34 Billion in Fines – New York Times

Although these only cover a few of the wide range of products and services that Siemens offer, there is certainly enough “smoke” to be looking for “fires” to erupt.

Following Wednesday’s MLive article spotlighting the $60 million rumors circulating the city about the water system improvement project, the City Council quickly called a meeting for Thursday night, to discuss the issue.

Some Councilmembers were familiar with the questions; while others had no idea, until they read the MLive article.

(more…)

The Jordan Park splash pad will open at 1:00, today.

The city pool opened last week, but due to filter and plumbing issues, the splash pad opening was postponed until today.

Work is nearly complete replacing the foundation around the feet of the Burlington water tank.
Another layer of re-bar was added (above the layer show here), and concrete added for stability.

In late April, after considerable discussion, the Monticello City Council approved an amendment to the City’s contract with Utility Service Group to repair and reinforce the foundation of the Burlington water tower. The amount of this contract amendment is $124,200.  This is added to the $476,000 contract with Utility Service Group to do needed initial repairs on the city’s water towers, and then be responsible for on-going maintenance of the water towers.

(more…)

A Monticello city council member was arrested, around 9 PM Sunday night, after he argued with law-enforcement officers, after being called by a friend/constituent to speak on his behalf.

(more…)

The Parks Committee discussed making several possible changes at the city’s parks.

(more…)

Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony was used as an occaision to begin the new improvment to city water service, move into the “electronic age”, with remote meter reading, and also a tribute to Mayor Allen Maxwell, who died last week. Many of Mayor Maxwell’s family members took part in Monday’s ceremony.

The City of Monticello held their first of four “Our Place” town hall meetings, Thursday night, hosted by assistant to the Mayor for planning, Zach Tucker.

A total of 9 folks attended the meeting, 4 from the TEA party,  Tucker, a county employee from Ward 2, and 2 city hall staff, who were signing in attendees (both live in Ward 2), MLive.

The 40 minute presentation dealt with planning and vision concepts.

The discussion, which lasted over an hour, was unexpectedly open to all.  The TEA party members and MLive, as well as others made the most of the opportunity to discuss the “SWOT” (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to our area.

Monday’s meeting to discuss possible weather warning solutions was expected to be a quiet, notetaking event.

That was not the case, as voices and emotions begin to increase.

The full audio file of the meeting is posted below.

(more…)

At the City Council’s Tuesday evening meeting, a local business owner asked the Council to pass an ordinance setting time limits for parking on the square.

The business owner requested an ordinance be passed, and signs installed, limiting parking to an unspecified number of hours, so that parking space can be more readily available for shoppers.

(more…)

At their last meetings, both the Monticello City Council and Drew Memorial Hospital board moved their meetings to be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 PM.

Schedule conflicts of board members was the topic of discussion in both cases.

Former attorney, District Judge and city council member Clifton Bond went to be with The Lord, Monday afternoon.

His obituary and funeral service times will be posted, when they become available.

After several years of attempting to get governmental assistance to help fund tornado sirens for Drew County, we’ve finally got funding to assist with the purchase of 27 tower sirens, which will be scattered around the county.

But as the years have passed by, many feel that the towers have been surpassed by digital technology, as the best way to go, to notify county residents of impending disanter, should it occur.

(more…)

(more…)

Posted below is the “2014 State of the City Report” as submitted by Mayor Allen Maxwell.

(more…)

Free Mulch!!!!!

Free Mulch is available at the City Transfer Station located at 1466 Old Warren Road.

Please call Cathy Davis to set up an appointment for pick up at 870-367-4407.

Here is the ordinance……

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Monticello, Arkansas, that Chapter 5 of Monticello City Code, concerning dogs (Ordinance No. 494), is amended as follows:

(more…)

Hee is the ordinance….

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Monticello, Arkansas, that Chapter 7 of Monticello City Code, concerning building regulations (Ordinance No. 526), is amended to read as follows:

(more…)

Arkansas State Highway Commission approved a bid for improvements to roadways in Drew County, according to Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) officials.

The purpose of the project is to resurface 1.5 miles of roadway in Monticello..

(more…)

A recent list of nuisance properties, as reported and maintaned by the city property inspector, included a city property.

(more…)

A MLive reader noticed the new driving instructions painted on the City Square.

The sign says “Left lane must turn left,” but the arrow points right.

“Parking only” seems to be allowed on the left, even though parking places are on the right.

We’ll probably be covering wrecks on the square, today.

An FOI by MLive for the results of the recent Monticello city audit show $6,325 missing from water and sewer funds, to the benefit of a former employee.

(more…)

Last week’s city council meeting included budget requests from city department heads, as well as the MEDC and Boys & Girls Club.

Those requests and videos are posted below.

Tri-axle dump truck – $135,000
trac-hoe – 57 hp – $100,500
trac-hoe – 93 hp – $138,450

30 bullet-proof vests – $25,000
2 used cars for CID / staff – $14,000 each
Replace Animal Control truck with newer truck, with cab space for equipment – $7,000
New patrol car – $35,000

1. Repair Driveway at Station #2 $15,000.00
2. Build a covered building for the dive van and boat $5/000.00
3. Refurbish the drill tower at the training center $15,000.00
4. Finish the inside of Station #2 $5,000.00
5. Buy a new rescue / brush truck to replace FR 1 $150,000.00