Council faces spending decisions Expense requests top Tuesday agenda

The Conway City Council will be asked to open the municipal checkbook Tuesday, with the business agenda featuring a number of outstanding bills due.

Topping the to-be-paid list is $27,398 requested by Conway Development Corp. for membership charges in the Metro Little Rock Alliance, an industrial development association.

The Conway Police Department is asking for an additional $11,475 for overtime costs associated with holiday security at several shopping venues.

The Animal Welfare Unit is shopping for a new half-ton pickup, in the $14,000 range, to replace a 1986 truck in need of repairs.

American Management Corp., citing an initial notice dated more than a year ago and an August reminder, wants $4,700 for damage done by city fire trucks to asphalt surrounding the Caldwell Street Apartments.

And the District Court would like $2,600 to publish its list of unpaid city fines.

Also, the city is being asked to pay damages, to be explained by Fire Chief Bart Castleberry, related to "lost fire hoses on roadway," according to the agenda.

The regular council business meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the District Court Building on Parkway.

In the 5:30 committee session, the council will review the city's yard waste collection procedures. Recent council discussions have brought up questions regarding the policy as it relates to rental properties and to yard maintenance services.

In other business Tuesday, the council will consider:

The city's power coordination and interchange agreement, the network integration transmission service agreement, and the network operating agreement with Entergy, as recommended by the Conway Corp. board.

The nomination of Harvell Howard, by Alderman Theo Jones, to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Appropriating $400 in donated funds for an event recognizing Hurricane Katrina relief volunteers.

A parking lot variance for a planned Hilton Garden Inn at Amity and Halter roads.

A parking lot and sign variance for Advance Auto at Fendley Drive and Harkrider Street.

A parking lot variance for a planned pharmacy at College and Augusta avenues.

Traffic calming solutions on Bruce Street in Timberpeg Subdivision, and on Wicket Drive and Pickwicket Drive in Pickwicket Subdivision.

(Staff Writer J.K. Jones can be reached by e-mail at kevin.jones@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236.)