City Council Learns of Water Loss

Mena City Council held their monthly meeting on Tuesday night, June 9 at City Hall. Municipal Department leaders in attendance each gave reports and two citizens were appointed to positions.

Airport Manager Will Robbins said that work is continuing on the runway edge lights and they are hopefully within two weeks of that project being completed. The Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport also continues to work on their Master Plan and hope to have that completed by September.

Assistant Fire Chief Steve Egger said they are expecting a new fire truck to arrive soon and that they are currently working on the tornado siren on Eve Street.

Mena Water Utilities Manager Charles Pittman reported that they had no lab violations for the month and that there has been a 28 percent water loss in the last twelve months. When reached for comment, Pittman explained that floodwaters have made it hard on crews to locate leaks and they are working diligently to repair the problem areas. He added that there have been several large leaks already fixed over the last few months but the numbers on the reports are generally a month and a half old and include the last 12 months so the average should be getting better soon.

LeAnn Johnston said that McMillan Pool opened to a slow start this season but is now packed with swimmers and they look forward to a great summer.

Parks Superintendent Jerry McKee said that the rain has been rough on his crews but now that the rain has moved on and the area has dried out a bit, that they have almost all of their mowing around the City complete.

Mena Police Chief Brandon Martin said the Department made 24 arrests last month and worked 36 accidents, among other calls, and that reserve officers worked 162 hours in May.

A&P Commissioner Terry Neugent reported that revenues on the restaurant and lodging tax were down for April. Neugent also said that the Lum and Abner Festival was a great success and that event organizer Candace Riner did a fantastic job.

In other Council business, Rodney Rowland was re-appointed to the Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission for a four-year term set to expire on April 30, 2019. Tim Kiser was also appointed to the A&P for the same term.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

See author's posts