During Monday night's Indianola Board of Aldermen meeting, Carver Randle Jr., coordinator for the municipal intervention court, updated the city leaders on the program's progress.
He noted that he had compiled a policies and procedures manual that was submitted to Judge Kuykendall Horne-Murry for her review and that he is in the process of developing a handbook.
The items will have to be submitted to the state’s Administrative Office of Courts for final approval before they can be implemented.
During his presentation Randle mentioned two of the organizations that could be enlisted to provide services in the execution of the court and mentioned possible budget amendments that would release more funds for participant treatments, but emphasized nothing was set in stone.
"There are some (changes) in process, but they have not been submitted," Randle said.
After lobbing several questions at Randle regarding the proposed changåes to the budget and work hour accountability for the other court appointees, Alderman Marvin Elder introduced a motion to suspend the budget until he could be provided with more information, however that motion failed for lack of a second.
Mayor Steve Rosenthal emphasized that the court system is the governing body over the intervention court and not the city. He also stressed that Elder should direct his budget questions to the program’s administrator.
In other business,
On a motion by Alderman Darrell Simpson the city leaders voted to begin using the services of Indianola Family Medical Group for pre-employment screenings because the local clinic performs the test for $30 less than the Greenville Medical Clinic, where the city is currently paying $85 per test plus a $45 re-test fee if required.
The city lawmakers also heard a request from Alderman Sam Brock to install a security camera at the public works building. Rosenthal said he has already been looking into installing a 16-camera security system and he is just waiting on a second quote to come in.
Brock also raised a concern about putting traffic and median lines on certain streets throughout the city including Sunflower Avenue, Front Street and B.B. King Road. “There are no lines and a lot of people, you know, (when) there are no lines, they don’t know where to drive,” said Brock.
Rosenthal mentioned a 2014 invoice where just certain sections on three streets were lined and said the cost was $8,700. He estimated that Brock’s entire list would cost in excess of $20,000. “I personally would rather see us spend that 20 on fixing streets,” said Rosenthal.
Gardner Engineering’s Ron Cassada mentioned two methods of getting it done and told Brock that he would get a cost estimate for the work.
Another request by Brock was to discuss cleaning up certain junkyards and salvage yards within certain neighborhoods. Brock asserted that the clutter and seemingly abandoned vehicles at those neighborhood shops is causing property values to drop. “Those need to be either fenced in or removed,” he said.
Brock stressed that the city has policies in place to prevent these types of eyesores and said, “Somebody is sitting on the policy. The policy needs to be enforced, whether it’s the city inspector or the police department, somebody needs to do something.”
Rosenthal mentioned the current ordinances and said, “They need to be changed because they have no bite.” He asserted that the city inspector’s hands are tied and then asked the lawmakers to bring recommendations to amend the existing laws.
City Inspector Elvis Pernell commented on Brock’s remarks and said, “I would have appreciated the opportunity to review some of these pictures that have been passed around.” He said he could have addressed the situation without it having to be brought out in open session.
A prior request by Public Works Director Robert Spurlock to change certain paragraphs within the city's employee handbook to institute a point system for absenteeism, attendance and punctuality was again tabled with a request for additional recommendations.
In addition, the approval to revise the contract with the Indianola Basketball Association failed to meet with approval when a couple of the provisions were called into question and it was suggested that the city attorney review the contract before it is again presented to the Aldermen.
