On Monday’s city council agenda was a discussion of approving the proposed by-laws for the Eureka Springs Fire Department. Alderman Kristi Kendrick pointed out that by-laws pertain to internal operations of a non-profit agency, not to a city department, and therefore council should remove from Code the obligation to approve the by-laws.
City attorney Tim Weaver responded he saw the resolution before council necessary to continue services at the Eureka Springs Fire Department. He said the department operates with paid staff and volunteers, both in town and in rural areas, and by-laws allow them to work together. In fact, Weaver stated, the agreement is far simpler than it was in the past.
Kendrick suggested that a mutual aid agreement was needed, not the resolution being proposed.
Alderman Terry McClung first pointed out that the fire department was a city department, but rural volunteer firefighters and other volunteer firefighters operate under the same roof. He asked Kendrick, “Are you not trying to complicate something?”
Alderman Peg Adamson asked Kendrick what a mutual aid agreement would provide. Kendrick answered it would delineate the ways all agencies would work together, and she moved to delete the portion of City Code requiring council to approve the by-laws. Vote on her motion was 3-4, McClung, Thomas and Schneider voting No with Berry being the fourth No vote.
An additional amendment to the ordinance by Kendrick was also voted down, and the original resolution was approved by council 4-2, Thomas and Schneider voting No.