The Ravenden City Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Larry Gibbons at 7:02 pm on December 10, 2012.

  A roll call was observed and in attendance was: Mayor Gibbons, Treasurer Wanda Dail, Betty Clements (Alderman 1), Debby Baldridge (Alderman 2), Donna Bartlett (Alderman 4), Steven Blansett (Alderman 5) and Police Chief Tim McComas. Also in attendance at the meeting were representatives from both Thielemier Hauling and IESI.  It was said during roll call that Larry Dail would be running late and would not be able to attend until around 8:00 pm and that Pat Hovis, Water Dept Operator would not be attending the meeting. 

The minutes/agenda were read and Clements made a motion to approve the minutes/agenda as received.  Bartlett seconded the motion; the motion was carried 4 approved / 1 absent. 

The Water & Sewer Dept Report was read.  A motion was made by Clements to approve the Water & Sewer Report and was seconded by Baldridge.  The motion was carried 4 approved / 1 absent.  The Fire Department Report was read and a $500 grant received by Wal-Mart to help establish fire/smoke alarms in Ravenden homes was discussed.  Clements made a motion to approve the Fire Dept Report and Bartlett seconded the motion.  The motion was carried 4 approved / 1 absent. 

The Police Dept Report was read.  Bartlett made a motion to approve the Ravenden Police Dept Report and Clements seconded that motion.  The motion was carried 4 approved / 1 absent.  Mayor Gibbons asked Chief McComas if he would open the bids for the Solid Waste Pickup in Ravenden.  There were two bids sealed in envelopes each opened by Chief McComas and handed to Mayor Gibbons to read out loud to the counsel.  The first bid was by Thielemier Hauling for $11 per month per household including the two cleanup days per year.  The second bid was by IESI for $11 per month per household including the two cleanup days per year.  This vote was suspended by the council until Larry Dail could show up to get a full council vote on it.  Resolution #2012-901 sections 1-9 were read by Treasurer Dail which were 9 appropriations from the un-appropriated reserves of the general fund. Clements made a motion to approve the Resolution #2012-901 sections 1-9 and was seconded by Bartlett.  The motion was carried 4 approved / 1 absent.  Treasurer Dail read Resolution #2012-901 section 10 (the emergency clause).  Blansett made a motion to approve section 10 of Resolution #2012-901 and Clements seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4 approved / 1 absent.  Ordinance #2012-888 sections 1-2 were read by Treasurer Dail which were appropriations pertaining to the Ravenden Water & Sewer. Blansett made a motion to approve the Ordinance #2012-888 sections 1-2 and was seconded by Baldridge.  The motion was carried 4 approved / 1 absent.  Treasurer Dail read Ordinance #2012-888 section 3 (the emergency clause).  Bartlett made a motion to approve section 3 of Ordinance #2012-888 and Clements seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4 approved / 1 absent.  A discussion pertaining to the Water & Sewer plant ensued.  The council read material sent to the Town of Ravenden by the ADEQ concerning the Reconnaissance Inspection completed on October 30, 2012 and the Financial Review of the Water Dept for 2011 by the AR Natural Resources Commission.  No motions were made in this matter.  During this discussion Larry Dail entered at 8:10 pm.  The bids for the Solid Waste Pickup was brought back up by Mayor Gibbons to receive a vote.  IESI replied that it could also extend to a two year contract.  Bartlett commented that in light of the companies being identical in services and the long standing relationship with IESI this relationship should be taken into consideration and Larry Dail agreed.  Bartlett made a motion to accept the two year contract with IESI and Baldridge seconded that motion.  The motion carried 4 approved / Blansett abstained.  Bartlett made a motion to do away with the three readings of the Operating Budget and Resolution #2012-902 and Larry Dail seconded that motion.  The motion carried 5 approved. 

Bartlett made a motion to approve Resolution #2012-902 (The Operating Budget) and Larry Dail seconded that motion.  The motion carried 4 approved / Clements declined. 

The Scout leader for the local Girl Scouts had asked permission to use the Municipal Building to perform a lock-in on January 4, 2013.  Blansett made a motion that the building could be used by the scouts as long as there was adequate female adult supervision and that the premises would be vacated by 11 am on January 5th and that the premises be cleaned before leaving.  Clements seconded this motion and the motion carried 5 approved. 

 Mayor Gibbons told the council of a conversation with Carol Perry Hutto.  Ms Hutto has expressed to the Mayor, plans to create a park in the position of the “Old Perry Store” site and asked that in return for the citizens use of the park the town could do the upkeep of the park upon its completion.  The council took no action on this but are waiting for a contract or its completion before taking this into consideration.  At 9:17 pm, Clements made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Baldridge seconded that motion.  The motion carried 5 approved. 

These minutes were submitted by Alderman #4, Donna Bartlett.