PROCEEDINGS- TOWN OF TULLOS

October 16, 2023

The Mayor Karla Cockerham and Council met in a regular session on the above listed date at 6:00 P.M. with members in attendance: Floyd Temple, Tina Murphrey-Tullos, Amanda Welch, and Linda Williams (Welch and Williams were sworn into office prior to the meeting). Absent from the meeting was Fire Chief Harvey Boyette and Town Engineer Jacob Guillory (Pan American Engineers). Guest and Staff present were Clerk of Court Mr. Steve Andrews, Caleb Black, Reagan Watkins, Tim Lasiter, Police Chief Scott Cockerham, Kaci Davis and Billie Jo Bird.

Police Chief Scott Cockerham led prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Welch motioned to accept the agenda, seconded by Williams and favored by all present.

Temple motioned to approve September 11, 2023 minutes, seconded by Williams and favored by all present.

With Fire Chief Boyette absent to give Fire report, Mayor Cockerham took the time to thank all the members of the Tullos Volunteer Fire Department. Mayor Cockerham thanked all members for the many hours of volunteer work. The Tullos Fire Department held a boot fundraiser in front of Jena Wal-Mart in September. The fire department also held a fundraiser selling boiled shrimp plates at the Olla Downtown Homecoming. Mayor Cockerham stated she is also aware the Tullos Fire Department will be selling food and drinks at the Tullos Christmas in the Park December 9th this year at 5p.m.-8p.m.

Tim Lasiter presented the police jury report.

Caleb Black with JCP Management presented the water/wastewater report.

Chief Scott Cockerham announced there were 126 citations, with 4 public complaints, one public assist, and no dog calls for the month of September. Chief Cockerham reported $27,335.51 was collected through the town in fines; with $2,202.78 of the total being collected through AMS.

NEW BUSINESS

Notification was given of the resignations of Alderwoman Heather Berryman, Alderman Ronald Brown, and Alderwoman Carmen Cook.

Two positions of Council were appointed by the Governor, being newly appointed Alderwoman Amanda Welch and newly appointed Alderwoman Linda Williams. Both new alderwomen were sworn into office prior to the meeting by Clerk of Court, Mr. Steve Andrews.

Motion was made by Murphrey-Tullos and second by Welch to appoint Martha Jinks to the remaining vacancy position of alderman, and was favored by all present. Newly Appointed Alderwoman, Martha Jinks, was then sworn into office by Clerk of Court, Mr. Steve Andrews and took her seat at the CouncilÕs table.

Murphrey-Tullos motioned to appoint Alderman Floyd Temple Jr as Mayor Pro Temp, seconded by Williams and favored by all present.

Murphrey-Tullos motioned for the removal of outgoing Mayor Pro Temp Heather Berryman from signature cards on all town bank accounts, seconded by Williams and favored by all present.

Welch motioned the approval of adding newly appointed Mayor Pro Temp to signature cards on all town bank accounts, seconded by Murphrey-Tullos and favored by all present.

Welch motioned for the approval of adding Assistant Clerk Kaci Davis to signature cards on all town bank accounts, seconded by Williams and favored by all present.

Welch motioned the approval of adding Mayor Karla Cockerham, Mayor Pro Temp Floyd Temple Jr, and Assistant Clerk Kaci Davis to all online banking to all town accounts, seconded by Murphrey-Tullos and favored by all present.

Ordinance 2023-007 was on the agenda for the Amendment of Ordinance 2020-006 Regulating Residential Mobile Homes, House Trailers, and Manufactured Houses. Mayor Cockerham stated ÒThe town held a public hearing concerning the Ordinance 2023-007 the amendment of Ordinance 2020-006 regulating mobile homes in Tullos with no comments from the public with any concerns. But it seems since the Public Hearing there has been social media posts with information that is not accurate. I want to clear up this amendment; the Ordinance is only for mobile homes and not related to any small homes, cabins, Ahearn buildings, or any relation to the Tullos RV Park. Cabins or small Home Regulations fall under the adoption of the Property Maintenance Code. The cabins that were previously located in the Tullos RV Park fell under the adoption of the RV Park Ordinance. The Ordinance stated that if ownership ever changed the RV Park would then have to become compliant with the RV Park Ordinance. The previous owner was not required to remove the cabins. The cabins were treated as permanent buildings within the RV Park and required a meter charge or flat rate service for water and sewerÓ. Mayor Cockerham also stated the only amendment to the ordinance was removing the required minimum square footage and replacing the required square footage with the requirement the Mobile Home must be meet HUD requirements and obtain a VIN number. Mayor Cockerham stated the Building Inspector was contacted and notification the square footage is not a requirement by his department for mobile homes. The Building Inspector stated that if a mobile home contained a VIN Number and met HUD Requirements then it passed requirements for his department to issue a permit. Tullos Ordinance that was adopted in 2020 which was mirrored from the ordinance our neighboring town had adopted which contained the minimum for square footage of a mobile home. This requirement of a minimum of square footage is actually more requirement that what the Building Inspector requires. The town has to abide by all state requirements, the town cannot require lower than what the state requires but can require more than the state requires which is the case with the minimum square footage in the Ordinance 2020-006 Regulating Mobile Homes. Alderwoman Welch motion to adopt Ordinance 2023-007 amending Ordinance 2020-006, Murphrey-Tullos seconded and favored by all present.

Temple motioned for the closing dates for 2024 of Tullos Town hall to be approved, seconded by Welch and favored by all present.

Temple motioned to authorize Mayor Cockerham to submit Firehouse Sub Grant on behalf of Tullos Fire Department and Tullos Police Department, seconded by Murphrey-Tullos and favored by all present.

Welch motioned to hire part-time police officer, Christopher Woodward, for Tullos Police Department, seconded by Temple and favored by all present.

Mayor Cockerham wanted to remind Council and Citizens Tullos Fall Trunk or Treat Drive Through Down Main Street is scheduled for October 28th 5 P.M. till 7 P.M. Mayor Cockerham wants to invite all citizens and businesses to set up a table or vehicle and join in the fun on Main Street. Alderwoman Tullos stated businesses that have joined in the Main Street activities in the past have reached out to her and are excited to participate in the event again this year.

Mayor Cockerham stated Senior Citizen Dinner is scheduled December 14, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. and will be held at Tullos First Baptist Fellowship Hall. Mayor Cockerham thanked Bro. Scott Smith and the members of Tullos First Baptist Church for always allowing the town to use the churchÕs facilities for such events. Mayor Cockerham thanked all that have donated to make this event possible. Mayor Cockerham stated any citizens who are not able to attend but would like a meal delivered to their home to contact Tullos Town Hall. Police Chief Cockerham will be delivering meals between 5:00 P.M. and 5:45 P.M.

Mayor Cockerham stated the Christmas in the Park is still scheduled for December 9, 2023 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Santa will be at the Christmas event for pictures. Music will be provided by the Gospel group-The Southern Plainsmen Quartet.

Mayor Cockerham stated she wanted to address a concern of water and sewer flat rate charges on homes that do not have permanent citizens dwelling in them. If a customer has water service available the customer has to have a service available for the discharge of wastewater. There is a flat rate for water service and sewer service as long as the account is an active account. A charge is applied to all active accounts rather if the service has been used or not used. As long as the customer has an active account the customer has the availability to use each service of water and sewer. Customers have the options to disconnect services to avoid flat rate fees if they no longer are in need of the services. I do understand some customers may not reside year round at the service location, but the town has to make service for water and wastewater available as long as the account remains active.

Murphrey-Tullos motioned to approve bills, seconded by Temple and favored by all present.

Temple motioned to adjourn meeting, seconded by Williams and favored by all present.

Published:

10-25-23