Cedarville council approves routine business, closes ARPA account and accepts grader-tire bid

The Cedarville City Council on Nov. 19, 2024 conducted routine city business, taking unanimous votes to approve meeting minutes and its November financial report, close a depleted ARPA account, and accept a bid to replace tires on a leased Caterpillar road grader.

At the start of the meeting Mayor Deborah Pinkerton confirmed a quorum and the council approved the October meeting minutes on a motion from Alderman Breshears seconded by Alderman Johnson (passed 4-0). Treasurer Sandy Cook presented account balances and the November financial report; Alderman Odom moved to approve the financial report, Alderman Johnson seconded and the motion passed 4-0. Treasurer Cook reported that "all ARPA money has been depleted" and the council voted 4-0 to close the ARPA bank account after a motion by Alderman Breshears and second by Alderman Johnson.

Department heads reported routine activity. Grounds Supervisor Kenny Brenton said crews have been trimming roadways, cutting brush, grading and filling holes and cleaning ditches. Police Chief Ken Howard provided enforcement and response figures: 32 citizen calls, 2 assists to other agencies, 4 citations, 42 warnings, 2 accidents, 12 arrests, 14 felony and misdemeanor reports, 2 warrants served and 2 code enforcements. Fire Chief Cody Cooper reported one grass fire, one traffic accident, one stalled vehicle and 13 medical calls; eight volunteers completed CPR training run in-house by the city instructor.

On equipment, Chief Cooper said the Fire Department is awaiting lights before placing a donated white truck from the Forestry Commission into service; Alderman Johnson noted the Forestry Commission requires the vehicle remain a department service truck for one year. The council accepted a Farmers Coop bid of $5,510.88 to buy six tires for a leased Caterpillar road grader, a purchase needed before the lease can be canceled; Southern Tire Mart and Tony's Tire Service submitted higher bids. Mayor Pinkerton said removed tires will be placed on a grader the city already owns.

Mayor Pinkerton also announced that Lucian Wood Road has been completed and that ARDOT repaired driveways and a failed portion related to a culvert, noting ARDOT said warranty coverage may apply if the failure was directly their fault. She announced community events: the Cedarville Christmas Parade (Dec. 7 at 1 p.m.), the Cedarville Park Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec. 7 at 5 p.m.) and the City Hall Christmas party (Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.).

Citizen Hannah Cooper described a Volunteer Junior Auxiliary Firefighter program that will be run in-house because outside training costs would be roughly $86 to $125 per applicant; she provided guidelines to the council and said the auxiliary hopes participants will later join the volunteer ranks. The council received a proposed 2025 city budget from Mayor Pinkerton and gave members a month to review it before a December vote. Attorney Brister summarized state rules on off-road vehicle travel, saying travel is permitted between farm properties and from home to trail but not to retail locations such as gas stations or grocery stores. The council adjourned after a final unanimous motion to end the meeting.

Votes taken at the meeting included approval of minutes (4-0), approval of the November financial report (4-0), authorization to close the depleted ARPA account (4-0), acceptance of the Farmers Coop tire bid (4-0), and adjournment (4-0).