Lead Stories and Pictures

Noel to receive cellular phone tower

by Don Brackney
dbrackney@nwaonline.net

The Noel City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday night voted 4-1 to receive a new cellular tower within the city.

Louis Davis with the Planning and Zoning Commission informed the council that the committee request that property located at 100 Sunset Drive to be rezoned from R1 to C1 to allow the construction of a 340’ tower.

Jason Steele with Steele Communications told the council that currently Alltel and AT&T providers were on board to use the tower for service. Steele stated that he has not heard back from US Cellular at this point on their interest in using the tower for service.

Alderpersons Faye Davis, Michelle Amos, John Lafley and Andy Ehlers voted in favor of the new project with Alderman Wayne Dowd opposed. Alderman Brent Beauford was not present at the meeting.

Noel resident Nancy Zeorlin addressed the council on several issues concerning ordinances that appear not to be upheld by the city officials.

Zeorlin addressed the issues of home owners turning garages and out buildings into multi-purpose dwellings, lawns not being maintained, automobiles left on streets that do not run and are not currently licensed, old appliances-trash piled on lawns and vehicles allowed to park on front lawns.

The city council agreed that these are valid concerns and that the city was currently working on the issues.

City Clerk Pat LeSueur stated following the citywide cleanup recently held, that at this time the city’s building inspector has a list of properties in disrepair and an additional list is also underway for the nuisance and abatement officer to start writing citations for those not adhering to city ordinances.

The council stated we were trying to give citizens the opportunity to utilize the citywide cleanup day as a way to take care of some issues and now’s the time to start following through on those who are violating city ordinances.

Keith Harris Street Department Superintendent informed the council that the new railroad crossings have been installed but with the rerouting of traffic several new potholes emerged on city streets. Harris stated the department will be working throughout the next month to make the needed repairs and perform the dirt work needed along Railroad Street.

Harris also stated that the department will be running the street sweeper on Thursday night and that they have scheduled this on a monthly basis moving forward.

Harris told the council he had several requests from citizens to help maintain sections of the Noel Cemetery. The cemetery has a board of directors and a lawn service but, the service did not mow certain areas.

Michelle Anderson stated that her family is in charge of placing over 180 flags on graves at the cemetery and continuously has to replace the pipes which hold the flags that are destroyed by the lawn service and would like to know who is on the board of directors.

Mayor Paul Gardner stated that the cemetery is not owned by the city and the current board of directors would have to be addressed on the issue.

Noel resident and former Mayor John Baucom informed the council that he opposed the use of city employees and equipment to be used outside the city limits on property not owned by the city.

Harris in closing stated that the citywide cleanup went well and that the help from the Beauford family for the use of their property and the help from the fire department was greatly appreciated.

Steve Kelley Public Health official informed the council that he was in the process of moving the animal shelter inside to the old street department building.

Kelley stated that the move will allow them to double their holding capacity and the facility has concrete a floor allowing for easier clean up from the animals.

Mayor Gardner questioned the move due to neighbors next door and automobile traffic noise causing the animals to be loud.

Alderman Wayne Dowd requested that they trial the process first to see how it works before moving the complete operation to the new facility.

Larry Bice Wastewater Superintendent informed the council that he recently submitted a letter to DNR on behalf of the city regarding April and May discharge limits be exceeded due to the excessive amount of rain and flooding received.

Bice informed the council that the Harry S. Truman Foundation will be here June 24 at 3p.m. for a meeting at city hall on the city’s sewer project.

Marshal Ozzy Amos presented bills for the police department totaling approximately $1,175.00 since the last council meeting.

Amos informed the council (for clarification) that at the recent State checkpoint set up on Memorial Day weekend there were only two vehicles towed and not 24 out of those pulled aside.

Amos also presented the council with bids to repair the basement at the police station which sustained three feet of water from recent flooding.
In unfinished business, the council will be meeting on June 19 at 6p.m. at city hall with the Noel Water Company in an effort to finalize its purchase.

City Clerk LeSueur informed the council that Rapid Communications had responded to her via phone and that the franchise agreement had been signed and should be received within the next few days.

The council agreed to pay a $1,500.00 bill for gravel the Noel Ball Park ordered through the city street department to be reimbursed by the Noel Ball Park Board.

The city is blocked from ordering any further gravel until the bill is paid.

In new business, Mayor Gardner requested the council to reappoint Jerry Evans to the Noel Housing Authority Board per Joyce Short’s request.

The council voted unanimously on Evans reappointment.

In public comments, Baucom requested to know when the city’s next financial statement would be published.

City Treasurer Jenna Rossi stated the next statement should be available by the end of June.

Baucom also requested the council to consider raising the speed limit on North Kings Highway to 30 mph.

In other business, the council:

• heard from City Clerk LeSueur stating there were 69 new cases with 13 cases for speeding since the last council meeting;
• heard a collector’s report for May with a total revenue of $125,579.24;
• heard a treasurer’s report for May with total expenditures of $92,661.96.