With two approvals and a discussion, city council sped through a short agenda on Monday.
Mayor Butch Berry brought a resolution requesting that alderman waive bidding for the purchase of stone to be used in the repair of Black Bass Dam. The city had received a FEMA grant to purchase the supplies but due to how long it took for state approval, the June 30 dates for when the state 2022 budget would be completed was looming. Berry wished to be able to use the FEMA funds for the stone. The stone, to be procured through Ozark Stone, would cost $92,352. Resolution 820 passed unanimously.
The second approval involved a review of a Planning Commission denial of rezoning request at 14 Washington. Aldermen voiced their support of Planning’s decision and objection to spot zoning, which a letter from Planning chair Ann Tandy-Sallee expressed was one of the reasons for the denial. Alderman approved Planning’s decision unanimously.
Alderman Autumn Slane expressed the possibility of the City Advertising and Promotion Commission assisting in the repair to Black Bass Dam, pointing out state statute allows for CAPC funds to be pledged to city park facilities.
While there was some support of the CAPC using funds to assist in promotional venue costs, it was pointed out multiple times that Black Bass Dam fell under the definition of infrastructure. Alderman Terry McClung and others mentioned that the Parks department would need help with the restoration of the bandshell which is facing deterioration as well as other Parks’ facilities such as the Lake Leatherwood Dam.
Berry said that whatever assistance the CAPC could give for Black Bass would be wonderful. Overall, it is left up to the CAPC to investigate what assistance they can give and whether to allocate funds to do so.