By Louie Graves
News-Leader staff
During its regular meeting for August on Monday, Nashville City Council members addressed a wide variety of issues ranging from water storage tank repairs, to street paving, to a replacement K-9 dog for the police department.
The council members got some good news from Leslie Winton of the accounting firm which audits the city. She said there were no problems with the city’s finances.
Mayor Larry Dunaway presented a proposed paving schedule which includes work on Pope and Eighth Streets near schools and Wilson Park. The work will be paid by a grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. He said that the city must first get the grant and bids.
Council members approved a bid of almost $300,000 for state-ordered refurbishing of the water storage tank located at Clark and Third Streets, the city’s oldest elevated water storage tank. Interior and exterior cleaning and painting will be by an Oklahoma firm which has done similar work for the city.
Council members also approved expenditure of slightly more than $21,000 for a new dog to replace Apollo, a four-legged veteran of the police department since 2016. Police Chief Amy Marion said that Apollo was having difficulties due to age. The bid includes expenses and training for Patrolman Greg Parker, the dog handler. The dog is primarily used for controlled substance detection.
Liens will be place on two residential properties which the city had to mow after unsuccessful contacts with the owner. The properties are at 601 W. Hempstead St., and at 1216 W. Oak St., and the owner is Raymond Lockett of San Pablo, Calif. He will be unable to sell the properties until the liens are paid.
The council also adopted changes to its existing personnel property. Another adjustment will be undertaken in the future to address medical marijuana.
New council member Lynn Westbrook Dyer took her oath of office before the meeting began. She is filling the Ward 6 Position 1 seat formerly held by the late Jimmy Dale.
