Vilonia residents address council about drainage problems

VILONIA — Some residents told the Vilonia City Council on Monday night that drainage problems in their neighborhood are progressively getting worse, and they are needing help.

“We are looking to you guys for some help,” said Richard Dennis, 10 Green Meadows, Dove Creek Subdivision, addressing the council. “I think the first step would be to remove the beaver dams.”

During recent heavy rains, Dennis said, the water overflowed from a creek and came into his house about 18 inches. As a result, he said, all of his carpeting had to be replaced. He also said three cars sustained flood damage. Addressing issues, he said, “it’s  a multiple that we are dealing with,” including development in the area as well as beaver dams.

Alderman Barry Eason, who also lives in that area, said while his house has been spared from flooding, he has noticed the drainage problem getting progressively worse since he built there about 10 years ago.

“It doesn’t take any kind of rainfall, and it floods in that area,” Eason said. 

Mayor James Firestone turned to city engineer Fred Fowlkes asking his opinion concerning the possibility of removing one of the beaver dams closest to the residence with a backhoe. The discussion ended with Firestone saying the city would explore options to help with the matter.

It was also said that three or four other areas of the city, that have never flooded, faced flooding problems during recent torrential rains.

After the meeting, it was said that water was within inches of flooding other houses including one belonging to Dale Caldwell, 4 Green Meadows.

“I took all the stuff low and put it on counters,” Caldwell said. “If it hadn’t stopped when it did, my house would have flooded also. “It was within an inch or so of coming in.”

Other business

• At the request of police chief Brad McNew, the council approved the hiring of Rick Perry to fill a full-time patrolman position. Addressing the council, Perry said he is from Austin, Ark., and has been in law enforcement about 9 years.

• The council approved a one-time wage adjustment for city employees. Full-time employees will receive $350 and part-time employees will receive $175.

Reports

• Fire Department — Alderman Sherry Clements reported on the fire department in the absence of Chief Keith Hillman. A photo package fundraiser, Clements said, has resulted in $11,000 that will be used to purchase a thermal imaging camera. Also, she said, beginning in December dues resulting from the merger between the Vilonia Fire Department and the East Cypress Fire Department will result in all the dues being placed in the Vilonia account.

• Police Department — McNew updated the council on the departments’ participation in the Morgan Nick Foundation’s “Picture Them Home Campaign” where the department’s seven cruisers have been outfitted to display the photos of missing children. Touting the benefits of police departments around the country participating, McNew said, since they began participating they have been able to place three recovered stickers on their posters. 

“I’m not saying they saw the pictures on Vilonia cars and that’s why they were recovered,” McNew said, adding that, however, it might be the case one day.

• Code enforcement — Fowlkes said there were 10 building permits in October including eight new residential and two commercial. Thus far, he said there have been three new building permits this month.

• Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce — Incoming president Debbie Townsend presented a list of the organization’s accomplishments including the updating of the chamber Web site, hosting two business expos and  joining the Chamber Alliance Program allowing health insurance options to be available to members as well as  provided drug discount cards to other members of  the community. Also, Townsend said, the chamber is working in conjunction with the city concerning an economic development project. However, she did not elaborate on the project other than to say a select site certification is underway.

She also talked about having a gain of 17 new members in 2009. And, she touched on the efforts underway to hold the annual banquet set for Feb. 6.

In conclusion, Townsend asked the council to consider a continued contract for services in 2010 for economic and community development. The council did not respond Tuesday night to the request.