Baxter County Friends of the Taxpayers

MEETING NOTES

BAXTER COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE TAXPAYERS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2005

Meeting was called to order at 1:05 pm in the small meeting room at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with 10 members in attendance.

Treasurer Ken Blade reported that the checkbook balance was $278.04, and that Ed Schild had just donated another $40 towards the next month's display ad in the Ozark Mountain News.

Old Business

Committee meetings -- the first City Council meeting in September was cancelled due to lack of agenda. Water & Sewer Committee -- Marshella Norell & W&S Superintendent Johnny Moore reported on the status of ongoing projects; the new building on College Street Extension is physically complete, but needs finishing inside; the department has moved equipment in, but there still isn't electric service available.

Restrooms at soccer complex -- Jerry Caster reported that he had told the doctors who own the property that BCFT would support a private venture. The doctors have not called him back. The question about the propriety of BCFT's involvement in this project was raised. The money paid for paving the parking lot is still suspicious (project was never approved by the City Council, money reportedly came from the street fund [property is well outside city limits]); BCFT probably should not associate its name with the soccer complex until all details are known. First step is finding out whose name is on the title/deed to land; are owners a nonprofit group? No known statute of limitations on issue. Tabled until next meeting -- Chuck Barnes absent.

Shirts -- Suzan Kaye reported that the BCFT T-shirts were supposed to be ready in time for this meeting, but the Shirt Shop said it would be next week at least before they could be finished. Will pick them up when ready and bring to next meeting. Sizes range from M-XXXL, prices range from $8 - $10.50 for BCFT members and immediate family; will be sold for $2 more per shirt on the website.

New Business

New Oakland/Promise Land water association -- Frank reported that he and Suzan had met with a representative from the Soil & Water Conservation Department in Little Rock earlier in the week about the plans calling for a new water system to be built in the Promise Land area. The new system would tap into the existing MH water system, and place additional demands on an already stressed water system. How should BCFT proceed? Continue investigating.

Landfill -- report on Thursday's public hearing covering ADEQ's presentation on expanding the current landfill. Most of the discussion was about RLH and how the new owners plan to fix the problems they inherited. RLH is still financially responsible for corrective action. Landfill has new management and new engineering firm. Suggestion was made that BCFT should investigate the discrepancy between the $500K in reserve and $1.3 million. More monitoring wells are to be added to determine whether any of the excess leachate has escaped from the damaged cell.

Assistant Director Jim Bond voiced his objections to the corrective action plan. His experience in this field has shown that the proper "fix" would be to prepare a new site properly, then empty the bad cell(s) into the new ones, repair the old cells and reuse them. He showed a map of all the landfills in northwest Arkansas, and pointed out the closed landfills nearby. They were closed when laws changed about 1984 because they didn't meet the new, stricter, guidelines.

Options -- have meetings with Bob Cohee (head of Citizens for Clean Water), fishing clubs, etc. Let CCW lead the charge; BCFT will help in the background. Talk to Mr. Cohee about the "ultimate" solution -- simply capping the bad cell isn't sufficient.

Donation bucket was passed -- $11 in contributions received (thank you!). Next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2005.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55 pm.