Baxter County Friends of the Taxpayers

MEETING NOTES

BAXTER COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE TAXPAYERS

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm by Director Frank Kaye.  Treasurer Ken Blade gave a report on the status of our bank account.  As of 4-26-06, balance was $748.54; that includes checks written to cover hall rental, postage, and ads in the Ozark Mountain News, plus deposits of $138 (dues and pass-the-bucket at the last meeting).

Old Business

Parks & Recreation:  The new concession-stand/restroom facility at Twin Lakes Park is complete; the dedication scheduled for today has been reset for next Saturday because of the weather.  It’s really nice, and will make things much nicer for families and those with physical disabilities.  The Parks Department’s and Youth Center’s monthly reports have become very professional, and their activity schedules are now planned well into the future.  The Parks Department is making good use of those people serving mandatory community service hours and prisoners from the Calico Rock facility for work projects.

Streets Department:  The road is now roughed out between Hwy 178 and Hwy 5.  Chuck Barnes said the city council wants to have more control over subdivisions; they passed an ordinance requiring the Council to approve/disapprove variances after recommendation by the Planning & Zoning Committee.  The County P&Z defers to the city any issue pertaining to property within 5 miles of current Mountain Home city boundaries.  It was pointed out that Overlook Estates on the River above Norfork Dam is the worst ecological development in AR to date; it’s under the jurisdiction of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

Public Safety:  No report; Chuck Barnes will cover the next meeting.

Water & Sewer:  The 511’ intake structure is almost complete.  They should start laying the line into the lake next week.  While the divers were in the well, they discovered it needs to be cleaned out; will use a trash pump to clean it, which should cost about $1500-$1800.  Mussels are plentiful in both sides of the screen separator.  They are currently pumping about 3.3 million gallons per day.  The work along Meadowbrook Drive is finishing up; landscaping is in progress.  The crew is preparing to start work on 6^th Street.  Johnny Moore reported that there had been several incidents lately of people stealing water by breaking locks off the meters and/or bypassing the meters.  He also said that the barges/pumps that were brought in have been fitted out and placed in the lake; they were tested and will remain in place in case they are needed this summer.

Shirts:  Still have plenty available; see Suzan after the meeting.

Covered Pool:  Marti Schapiro & Lorraine Blade.  Still checking for blueprints; Parks Director Jackie Leatherman says there aren’t any.  Frank & Suzan contacted some inflatable pool cover companies; have sent photos & specifications and are awaiting quotes.  Cost of an inflatable cover would be much more reasonable than a building.  What about storage during the summer season?  We’d probably need to consider a shed of some kind.  What about more changing facilities?  We might need to take care of that in steps; probably would not be able to do everything at once.  Frank gave a brief description of the covers that he had looked into; one possible entry system would be to enclose the current 4’ overhang into a “breezeway” that connects to a handicapped-accessible revolving door airlock.  The cover would be anchored to recessed bolts set into the concrete around the pool.  When the cover is removed during the summer, the bolts would be covered and not a safety hazard.  What about extra lifeguards?  Still another question that needs an answer … need to think outside the box.  Frank also said that with an inflatable cover, it would be possible to do much of the heating (both water and air) by making use of solar technologies available today.

Chamber of Commerce Membership:  Ed Schild called the Chamber of Commerce and talked to Jennifer Strain, marketing director; had packet of info sent to him.  Dues for the year are $35 for an individual or $100 for an organization.  Why should we join?  Frank read an e-mail received from a BCFT member noting that joining the CofC offers many opportunities to network and be “on the inside.”  Ed reported that there were apparently no rules or regulations involved, just pay dues.  The motion was made to join as an organization for $100, seconded, and passed by a vote of 13-3, with several others abstaining from the vote.

New Business

Primary/Elections:  Early voting in the primary for state and county offices begins Monday, May 8; primary is Tuesday, May 23.  Several members had questions about the elections this fall … active discussion ensued regarding ethics commission requirements, potential need to form a separate committee for dealing with these issues (so that those in the group who have no interest in the subject are spared), and numerous other election-related items.  Because of time constraints, the subject was tabled until the next meeting.

Cooper Park re-striping project:  Sign-up sheet for volunteers was sent around.  Frank reported that he had met with Parks Director Jackie Leatherman and Senior Center Director Joan Statler and things were set for Saturday, May 13, starting at 9 am.  Jackie Leatherman promised to handle the press releases. Bob Henington, a local striping contractor (Stripe-a-Lot & Coatings), has volunteered his equipment and time to help with the project, and might provide the paint at cost if local vendors can’t/won’t help.  Merchant #1 was contacted four times over the course of a month, and they finally turned us down.  Merchant #2 was enthused at first, offered people and materials; the request got handed off to someone else, and as of today we still have had no word.  What about other stores in town?  May contact them if no response soon from Merchant #2. 

Pass-the-bucket donations totaled $17.  The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 pm.  Next meeting will take place Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 1:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

                                                                                                                                    Suzan Kaye, Secretary
Friday, May 26, 2006