Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council reviews streets

The Gurdon City Council met Monday, Nov. 22, and discussed the paving of streets that had been accomplished before the rainy season set in.

Mayor Clayton Franklin said, "I am pleased with the number of streets that did get done. When the warm weather comes back, we will still have about $300,000 worth of paving to do, but we have really accomplished quite a bit already. I am proud we are done with the first phase of street paving."

Jim Caldwell, street superintendent, said his crew has been busy with Christmas decorations, but that seems to be under control. Council members told Caldwell the decorations "sure look good."

"We need to work on fixing some potholes," he said. "Now that the decorating has slowed down, maybe we can get more of those done."

The mayor noted the reconnect fees for the water department "have resulted in lots of griping but less shut-off notices than before."

In regard to fire, Franklin said Gurdon has had an ISO insurance rating inspection and is waiting for the results. If the ISO rating is lowered, it will mean less real estate taxes for city homeowners.

The mayor told Council members and the audience about a 10 percent hike in solid waste costs, due to a tipping fee increase in Arkadelphia.

"I am not asking for action on this tonight," Franklin said. "But if we raise residential from $6.85 a month to $7 a month, and raise senior citizens from $5.85 a month to $6 a month, that should cover the difference and keep us paying for solid waste a couple of years more. Raising the rate 15 cents for businesses too might be the fair thing. We will discuss it. I did not figure a commercial hike into my original solution to this problem."

Council tabled the trash hike request and heard a report on health insurance. Franklin said the Municipal League is counting Gurdon city employees as Class 7. The mayor said family insurance is going up another $90 a month. At present, the individual pays approximately $328 a month for family health and the city pays about $550 a month.

"We have had a run of bad luck, with the Municipal League having to pay out nearly $239,000 in loss for Gurdon," Franklin said. "Frankly, nobody but the Municipal League will touch us."

No action was taken on the health insurance issue, and it was tabled until next meeting.

Moreover, the Council heard a proposal from Robbie Lee, system manager for Cox Cable out of Arkadelphia, Malvern and Hot Springs Village. Lee proposed another 25 year contract between Cox and Gurdon.

"What the mayor and I have discussed is giving Gurdon the same digital television options that are over in Arkadelphia," Lee said. "We are putting in $1.5 million in investment to do this. Also the new contract allows the franchise fee collection to go from 2 percent to 4.25 percent. We will adjust to the wishes of the Council as best we can. We just want the right to do business in your city."

The old contract ran from 1977 until 2002. Lee said some cities are on 15 years, some 20. He said the new contract for Gurdon was written for 25 years because the old one was for 25.

"For those just wanting the basics of television, this change-up means their monthly bill will go down to $14.29. But that just gets you about 21 stations," he said.

Franklin said the new package will come with a $4 rental box, gateway device, option to access digital.

"We will table this, study it and have you an answer the next Council meeting," the mayor told Lee.

The December Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20.

Tambra Childres, recorder and treasurer, said the only thing she could see was the franchise tax should be the same as with the other companies, such as for electricity etc.