The Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen met earlier in the month to discuss city business.
Dr. Norman Miller of ASAP Ambulance Service appeared before the board with a report of how well the company has served the community. Miller said the service has responded to 443 calls in the area and currently has a 78 percent transfer rate, which he said was significant because it means citizens are calling for actual emergencies that require transit care.
He also reported that the response time for ASAP has been reduced and that the service average response time is currently 14 minutes and 58 seconds.
The board approved payments on a bond and for lettering on the Durango recently purchased by the Mendenhall Police Department.
A request from Angel Wings for the use of the Mendenhall Armory finally died for lack of a motion. Several discussions in the past have focused on discontinuing free use of City facilities by organizations.
The board discussed doing away with paper checks and handling City payroll via direct deposit. City Clerk Tiffany Wallace said several of the city employees had expressed excitement about switching to direct deposit, and it was determined that it would save the city approximately $1,900 a year in supplies. After some discussion the board unanimously agreed to make the change. The first direct deposit payroll is scheduled to occur on October 23.
The board reviewed quotes for the installation of a 20 kilowatt generator at City Hall. The City received two quotes. Hux quoted the city a price of $8,700, and Lampton Love had the lowest quote of $7,293. Via a majority vote the board decided to accept the lowest quote made by Lampton Love. Alderman Donnie Thomas was opposed. The generator has been the key to making several upgrades around City Hall.
The topic was first discussed in July when Mendenhall Fire Chief Brandon Wester explained that power glitches occur sometimes in City Hall, which is the source of internet connection for the Mendenhall Police Department and Fire Department.
The departments sometimes lose internet connection due to the glitches that affect their ability to page responders during emergencies. The original solution was to wire City Hall into the generator already in place at the Mendenhall Fire Department. However, that proved to be difficult and more expensive than simply installing a generator.
Once the generator is installed, the city will have the capability of moving forward with installing a new digital telephone system which was discussed in September.
Mayor Todd Booth explained that the improved telephone system will provide interconnectivity between departments and increase internet speeds. The system is also expected to help with redundancy and prevent the loss of internet connection between the departments. The service will only cost the city an additional $21 per month.
The board reviewed quotes for treatment equipment for the water tank located in the industrial park. They approved the lowest bid.
The City has prioritized getting the water tank operational, and is currently working to get a new water pump installed. The project is going to cost over $50,000. Initial quotes suggested it would be approximately $62,000 to get the pump installed.
Booth explained that engineers suggested that the city go with a larger pump to help water flow, and improve maintenance over time. The board accommodated the project and budgeted approximately $68,000 for the upcoming fiscal year to complete it.
They anticipate being able to tie the water tank into the city system within the next seven months. The bidding process has already been initiated to pipe the tank into the system and install the pump.
The board entered executive session to discuss personnel. After executive session the board approved a request by Mendenhall Police Chief Candy McCullum to hire Angie Bryant as a part time officer. Bryant currently works at City Hall as an assistant clerk. Bryant was approved for the part time position with MPD on a joint basis with City Hall once she receives her certification.
The Board also approved raises for all full-time police officers and the TAC Officer. The raises were effective as of October 9. The board discussed giving City Superintendent Red Lewis a $4,000 raise which had been included in the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
Alderwoman Sandra Weeks’ motion to give Lewis the full $4,000 died for lack of a second. An alternate motion was made to give Lewis a $2,000 raise and come back and reevaluate for the remaining $2,000 at a later date. This motion passed by majority vote. Weeks was opposed.
