GENTRY -- The Gentry City Council, on April 7, approved the purchase of body cameras for the Gentry Police Department at a cost not to exceed $56,877.36, plus applicable taxes.
The purchase from Axon Enterprises Inc. includes AB4 cameras, licenses, docking stations, axon signal units, cable assemblies and cloud storage. The council unanimously approved the measure, with Dan Erskin absent.
In other business, the council approved an amended resolution regarding the repair of the city's wastewater treatment plant. The new resolution authorizes the mayor or his designee to contract with Rebuilded Services Group for the purchase and installation of a CM30 direct bolt-in replacement drive for the primary clarifier at a price not to exceed $86,000, including equipment, labor, applicable taxes, and incidental costs. This amends a previous resolution passed last month that allocated $41,456 for equipment and $36,873 for labor. The amendment ensures all applicable sales tax is covered.
The council also gave tentative approval to combining the city's master street plan with its master trail plan. Mayor Kevin Johnston said he would ask the council to add $4,000 to $5,000 to fund the change. He noted that the trails plan alone would have cost $45,000 but will be paid for with a grant. Johnston said McClellan Engineering, which is being hired by the city's Chamber of Commerce for the street plans, would also handle the combined plan, resulting in cost savings for the city and better coordination between the two plans.
Johnston reported that the Gentry Public Library's new roof installation and placement of heating and cooling units were completed April 3, with two heating and cooling units currently replaced. He added that additional units will be installed after they become available. He noted that the only leak during recent rains was through a roof latch, a significant improvement since the roof repair.
The council received an update on the layout of amenities at the old baseball field in the city park on the north side of Main Street. While no official action was taken, council members indicated their approval of the proposed rearrangement.
Johnston also announced that the new replacement playground equipment for the southeast side of City Park has been ordered and is expected to ship by May 7.
Sidewalks are planned for construction between McKee Drive and the sports complex on North Collins Avenue, funded through an Arkansas TAP grant, according to Johnston. He said the sidewalks are planned to be 6 feet wide but could be up to 8 feet depending on cost. McKee has granted an easement for the sidewalks to cross its property along North Collins Avenue.
Finally, Johnston urged council members to review the current state legislative session and its potential impact on Gentry. He highlighted upcoming changes that would prohibit virtual meetings without a state-declared emergency, prevent cities from regulating short-term rentals, and allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zoned areas. Other proposed legislation includes requiring video recordings of all meetings to be posted within 24 hours, making partisan elections the default, and eliminating cities' planning areas outside city limits. Johnston also mentioned a proposed bill that could prohibit cities from paying dues to organizations like the Arkansas Municipal League. He summarized that much of the proposed legislation aims to protect property owner rights and address the housing crisis but at the cost of municipal control.