The Monticello City Council met last night for their regular December session with Mayor Kenny Catron presiding and members, Cody Dishman, Alan Hopper, Jamie Ragan and Alan Vaughn in attendance.
Two subjects covered most of the two hour plus meeting, a forty minute executive session for personel at the beginning of the meeting, and a discussion on the Assistant Fire Chief position that was not renewed last month.
The Asst Fire Chief position has been funded with ARPA or Rescue Plan grant funding for the past two years. The grant funding ends December 31rst. Fire Chief Gabe Heatherly made a lengthy presentation to the Council to retain the position effective January 1, after discussion no action was taken to continue the position. The Council did approve a request by the Fire Department to apply for a $53,700 grant for new fire hose that would require the City pay for 5% of that amount.
The Council voted unanimously to move ahead with the sale of several parcels of land on or near South Main Street near City Hall. The property was purchased by a previous administration, and the city has been paying interest of the property for the past several years.
The Council also voted to go ahead and pay for the AJ Lloyd property at a cost of $69,000. The city has been paying interest on that amount since purchased a couple years ago. The city is expecting to be reimbursed the $69,000 in the future
In the Alcohol Beverage Control report, sales of Alcohol in the city was reported at $298,210 for October with the City collecting $14,493 in taxes and fees.
The second reading of an Ordinance reorganizing the setup of the Monticello Utility Commission passed on a three to one vote with Vaughn, Ragan, and Dishman voting in favor, Hopper voting no.
Police Chief Joey Hoover told the Council of receiving $70,080 in Asset Forfeiture Funds due to the MPD being part of an arrest and forfeiture of cash in 2023. Hoover proposed the Police Dept use the funds for a new Camera and recording equipment for the interrogation room at the Police Department, a Thermal Imaging capable Drone. The Council passed those purchases unanimously, and also approved the purchase of new computers to be used in all Monticello Police Cruisers. After discussion, Mayor Catron broke a 2-2-Council vote to purchase the Computers.
Last night’s meeting was the final session for Tim Pyles and Knox Bertram, both of whom were absent and did not run for re-election.