There was a lot of gavel banging at Monday night’s Indianola Board of Aldermen session.
One issue involved the city’s animal shelter.
Alderman Marvin Elder attempted several times to raise an issue over unaccounted for money at the Hough-Dement Animal Shelter, but Mayor Steve Rosenthal kept insisting that it was a matter for executive session.
Rosenthal said on Wednesday that they are currently investigating the matter to find out what actually happened.
“We have not made a final determination,” he said.
Rosenthal said they will likely be changing some of the processes they are currently using when it comes to money changing hands within the shelter.
In other business,
Elder appointed Renee’ Spencer-Hannah to the Ward 4 City Administrative Personnel Commission and all members voted yes. She is to replace Inez Cook.
The board approved departmental reports including the inspection, municipal court and police departments. Chief Edrick Hall reported 1,110 calls, 30 arrests, 27 felonies and 4 felony arrests for January, but came under fire from Alderman Gary Fratesi over the reduced number of traffic tickets written. Hall only reported 73 traffic stops in January.
Fratesi said each officer should be able to write at least one ticket per day for a minimum of 600 tickets per month. Hall reminded Fratesi that his officers do more than just write tickets.
Alderman Sam Brock wanted to know what’s being done to reduce the large number of repeat offenders.
Hall explained that the judge is trying and implementing different methods with non-felony cases including getting local churches involved and attempting to find outside facilities for those that may have mental or drug issues.
The Municipal court collected $10,324.50 in fines. Clerk Theresa Nolden further explained how the court is handling repeat offenders. Elder wanted Nolden to expound on what she thought the board could do to help eliminate the over $6 million in overdue fines.
Rosenthal explained that the number was actually a misnomer because some of the debts have been on the books since the inception of the city because by law, they cannot be taken off. They discussed several possible solutions.
Alderman Darrell Simpson wanted to know what kind of effect the reduced amount of fine intake was going have on the budget. It appears that the new rules for criminal procedure are tying the court’s hands when it comes to collection.
Attorney Gary Austin suggested filing any substantial fines in the circuit clerk’s office and that will generate a lien against the person’s property if they don’t pay it. Plus a proposed new law, if it passes, will allow the unpaid fines to be held against personal income tax.
The board also approved a request from Planter’s Bank officials to block off streets for the 5K walk/run.
It approved a request by Judge Carlos Moore and attorney Matt Vinson of Dallas to allow them to represent the city as part of the litigation against opioid manufacturers.
After emerging from the executive session, the board announced. The appointment of city worker Larry Dozier as inventory supervisor beginning immediately at $10 per hour.
They also announced the removal of two public works employees from probation status, as well as the acceptance of the resignations of two police officers.
