During the last few months, the Arbyrd Fire Department had applied for a grant noting the need for new equipment and a new fire truck.

At Tuesday's meeting, fire department officials informed the council that they received word that the department had been denied both grants and was requesting approval from the board to pursue the grants again after re-working the numbers. Approval was granted by all members present.

During the discussion, Mayor Lonnie Gibson, Jr., brought to the board's attention a letter he had received in the mail from the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department. In the letter, it states that the sheriff's department is currently working on a regional grant for area fire departments in the county. According to the letter, the grant will consist of communication equipment to help get everyone compliant with the narrow banding standards as well as being able to access the statewide trunking system. Through this grant, the Arbyrd Fire Department will receive 15 fire pagers, three mobile radios, and eight portable radios totaling $39,970. The department's match will be $1,998.50 or five percent.

All members of the board voted their approval in participating in the regional grant through the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department.

Also discussed was the construction of the new building which will house the city hall, the police department and the fire department all under one roof. The city has received one bid from Woods Construction of Manila, Ark., in the amount of $90,400, which had been approved by council members previously.

At Tuesday's meeting, there was talk of rescinding the vote and voting again because of a misunderstanding about the accepted bid. According to Erma Branum, city clerk, she was told that this was not who the department wanted to build the building but another with an even higher bid of $131,000 yet the only submitted vote was that of Woods Construction. After much discussion concerning the issue, board members made a decision to stay with the $90,400 bid put in by Woods.

In a previous meeting, Mike Faulkner, owner of Faulkner's Grocery told council members that he would install a new "Welcome to Arbyrd Sign" since the previous sign was in the middle of the lot where he was planning on expanding his grocery store parking.

Faulkner entered into an agreement with the city concerning the usage of the backhoe which he needed to remove the old sign. It was the understanding of the council that the new sign was to be a brick one with a surrounding flower bed. Instead, the new sign is black lettering on a white background between two poles, not the one previously discussed.

Since the sign has already been erected, a decision was made by board members to send a bill to Faulkner charging him for the amount of time he used the backhoe. All council members approved of the measure.

In other business matters, city council members approved an ordinance establishing the rate of taxes and making the tax levy for the current year, beginning January 1, 2011 and ending December 31, 2011. This would also fix the method of assessment of all property within the said limits of the city. The tax rate approved was $1 on the $100 evaluation which will be assessed on all real estate and personal property and all objects and subjects of taxation within the corporate limits of the city. The ordinance was read three times by Mayor Gibson and approved by all members present.

Concerning the safety of the city, Chief of Police Mitch Skelton informed members of the following police activity which resulted in nine cases for court. According to Skelton, there were two for having no operators license, two for curfew violations, one for no insurance, one for improper registration, one for tampering with a water meter, one for peace disturbance and one for property damage to a Motor vehicle.

Skelton also asked the board's approval for the purchase of a new computer. The one the department now has is running slow, and he cannot get it to print or connect with the Internet.

Approval was given for the purchase of a new computer in the range of $600.

Skelton also asked the board's permission for Luke Boggs to join the police department as a reserve officer. Boggs has worked for the Senath Police Department in the past and is presently working for the Arkansas Welfare Enforcement Unit. He is not expecting to be paid for his work with the city, according to Skelton but would like to be able to get his certification through the city. This will be of no cost to the city except for the firearms training. A new badge will have to be purchased as a previous officer did not return his when he left the employ of the city. Board members asked that he attend the next board meeting.

In the Fire Department, it was reported that there were three fire calls, one accident that the department responded to, two calls for mutual aid and one lift assist.

The last thing to be discussed by the council was the upcoming Sixth Annual Cotton Pickin' Festival which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at the Arbyrd City Park. According to Mayor Gibson, lineup for the parade will begin at 3 p.m., with the parade beginning at 4 p.m. Music by local entertainment will follow at 5 p.m., the band Drive South at 6 p.m., Cody Noel at 7 p.m., and the headlining act of T.G. Sheppard at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $12 for general admission where no seats are assigned and everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair. The $15 admission is for reserve seating and for $10 more, you will be able to participate in a "Meet and Greet the Artist." For tickets, you may charge by phone by calling (870) 239-3305, by calling City of Arbyrd at (573) 654-3834 or by contacting Mayor Lonnie Gibson, Jr., at (870) 240-5465.

Gibson noted that last minute entries for the parade are welcome as are vendors. Vendor fees are $25.

Besides all the musical entertainment, Doc Lewis will be onhand to give the children a train ride.

On Friday, Sept. 16, officials expect the preparation at the park for the upcoming event will be an all day project as well as into Saturday. Gibson notes that the city can use all the volunteers they can get in preparing for the event.

Platinum sponsors for the event include GTAG Chemicals LLC, Sunrise Distributing, Radio Station 107 FM, Legacy Equipment, Senath State Bank, Black Gold, and Faulkner's Grocery. According to festival officials, this is only a partial listing of sponsors.

The meeting was then adjourned and council members retired into closed session to discuss personnel matters.