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Regular Council Meeting June 25, 2018 Page 8 paving the grassy area between street and sidewalk, which would allow for a much better look and would help with the maintenance issue. She said she had a petition of those on Church Street who were in agreement with getting this done. City Manager John Godwin explained that bids were opened last Thursday and at this point, they could reject all bids and re -bid the project or approve the bid with a change order. Mayor Clifford inquired about the cost of moving the sidewalk closer to the street to eliminate the grass between the sidewalk and street. City Engineer Carla Easton estimated the cost to be an additional $100,000, and explained that the sidewalk would need to be wider by two feet of concrete because it would be closer to the street and would need to accommodate the ADA requirement. Mayor Clifford said he was inclined to go with the residents. Council Member Pilgrim agreed, in that Church Street was a major thoroughfare into the city. In looking at the green grass growing over curbs on Pine Bluff, Council Member Portugal said it was a failure when people do not take care of their property. Mr. Godwin said if Council was in agreement, that staff could bring something back to them in two weeks. It was a consensus to do so. 24. Receive and discuss annual departmental reports from EMS, Police, Fire and Library. Library Director Priscilla McAnally gave an update on the artwork restoration and preservation, the status of the roof repairs, and information about the after-school programming. EMS/IT Director Kent Klinkerman informed the City Council that the new city web -site had been launched and in the near future, a new phone system would need to be purchased for the city. He said there had been delays in getting the new northwest ESM station built; gave them an overview of the transport workload and the need for a new paramedic. Fire Chief Larry Wright told the City Council about station maintenance, the cancer screening program, the recognition program for retailers for IED chemical purchases, the active shooter training, protective equipment and the need for a third code crew. Police Chief Bob Hundley said the overall crime statistics reduced 6.81% over 2016 increase, calls for service decreased but arrests, arrests increased, the Canine Unit and fully staff Narcotics Unit had success in drug arrests, and that drug use was still a major use. Chief Hundley explained the drug issue played a big part in the crime against persons and crimes against property. Chief Hundley said legislatively mandated and unfunded training had increased, fewer people were applying to be a police officer, they were losing officers to higher paying police departments or the private sector and it took nine months from hire to get an officer on the street. He encouraged hiring incentives for certified officers with experience and asked that they compact the 20 year top out pay to 10 year top -out. Chief Hundley depicted a pay, comparison chart for review. He said the partnership with Lamar County Humane Association was very successful, and expressed appreciation to the group. He also said the police department was having a lot of issues with the phone system and would need a new system in the near future. Chief Hundley expressed concern about the exterior of the police and court building, in that brick was beginning to deteriorate and would eventually result in water on the inside of the building if not repaired.