Plans Made, Sheriff Gives Report

Tuesday night, October 25th, the City Council convened and all members were present, except Jim Sintler, who had been excused.

PWD Jim Truelove provided his report; work has been done on the dike by Heritage Manor; and recent events at the old armory, the “Event Center”, have gone well. The leaf trucks are going to start making rounds and the city crew will begin trimming trees; first concerns are getting the limbs and branches that impede the garbage truck.

PWD Truelove presented a plan for seven cameras for security at the Event Center. Doors with card entry were discussed. Members of the Council were signed up for the Child Abuse Prevention workshop to be held at the Event Center on Oct. 27th.

City Clerk Lorie Bond presented her report. MOI invited the Council members to attend their party set for Nov. 18th, at the Event Center.

Mayor Demarais stated the fire department had a training here, with some burning bales used as part of the training. Clerk Bond stated Josh Newman, Fire Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department, let the Council know they are in need of SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and the cost is around $5,000 each. They need three firemen on the inside of a structure and three on the outside; they are a requirement.

Sheriff Jerry Lytle handed out comparison charts and stats in regard to new cases, citations, traffic citations, number of arrests, juvenile citations, and the number of calls for service. He had some concerns about traffic signs being visible at the schools. Juvenile behavior appears to under control. Traffic citations have mostly been on the highways; they were down in October, only 22% were within city limits.

Sheriff Lytle said the first traffic stop made with the drug dog resulted in an individual connected to the Mexican cartel. “It was just a freak traffic stop but it sure paid off; so we are working with PCI as well as the FBI to get that guy.” The Sheriff continued with, “…once we made the stop, he disappeared.” The car seized, a Camaro, will be sold at auction, after it’s cleaned up and put back to a regular vehicle state. The vehicle has been altered and modified as a “drug” car and has interesting modifications. “They get pretty creative in what they can do and move and can’t move.”

The trained dog is one of three or four in the state (that is Nationally Certified) and he has requests to borrow him; Sheriff Lytle said he is not going to let the dog go anywhere, “…the people of Phillips County have invested a considerable amount of money in (the dog) and they deserve a bat at it first before he goes elsewhere.”

The dog has been a visitor at the school and would go at any time asked.

The hiring process was just completed for another officer; a letter was sent out today and will take a couple of days to reach the individual. Councilperson David Rummel stated he would check his mail.

Before the Council was a request for annexation into the City by Doug and Bonny Ost; it was tabled.

A concern about traffic through the cemetery at all hours of the night was voiced. Various options, including signs with hours of visitation, or closing it off with a rope or chain. Sheriff Lytle he would have officers do more drive-throughs. Council members voiced their concerns for more patrolling around the schools as well.

No one from the Parks and Recreation Department was in attendance.

Next on the agenda was the Event Center Councilperson Bonnie Wiederrick gave an update on the Event Center; blinds have been ordered. She reiterated her opinion that “the purchase of the old armory was a good thing. It is already booked for Thanksgiving.”

The Lift station update was provided; it is 85% done.

A sound system for the Event Center was discussed; a bid from Todd’s Technology was presented. The bid included: four – 8“speakers, a Pro Power amp, an Alesis Multimix Mixer with Bluetooth, two wireless microphones with stands, a surge protector and equipment rack with locking door. The price would include speaker wire and connecting cables along with professional installation; a motion was made followed by a second to accept the bid; motion passed unanimously.

Under new business, the council members unanimously voted to pay Lakeside Excavation the draw for the Trafton Lift Station.

In other business Pam Smith Wolsey of PhillCo had approached the City in regard to a “Welcome to Malta” sign and having the City put in for a grant. With the deadline so close, the Council felt the opportunity was great, however, the deadline was not enough time to reasonably facilitate the project.

Mayor Demarais shared that there is business interested in coming to Malta; he also stated that there would seven families with the National Guard moving into town. A discussion was held on housing issues and other related matters.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned.